The sweetest mini-mugs designed by tjou-tjou

tjou-tjou: Her mugs for the kiddies are only 6cm high. they are adorable.
now, if you tweet, blog or comment on her blog, you stand a chance to win two of them in a lucky dip.

The Gardener That Never Left

On our garden morning round, my husband noticed something odd - the gardeners gloves hung up to dry - like this. You've got to admit Anold might very well have been in the bushes behind them...I'll ask him why he never left when he comes in again.

PlayDough

I recently started my pottery classes again after a looooong 2 year break. I've always found that I enjoy myself if I'm working with a project in mind and so to go with my rustic little hut that is going to go up in Bainskloof one day,


I'm making some of these

Small bowls for small yummy stuff

My old stamp rediscovered

I added this lip detail for either pouring or holding a spoon

inspired by 'cazuela' pots like these from Mexico

and these...

I have to apologise to the maker as I can't seem to find my original link - but they are beautiful

and these from Sister Creek Pottery

Happiness is a good clay session at least once a week - take my word for it :)

This Is A Poncho - I Promise

It's a long story but I think I'll start at the beginning - again. 
I'm trying to make this really cool poncho/shawl design from tjou-tjou. Perfect for keeping me warm at my desk when I'm working. My crochet master, 'Joda Henriette' has been very diplomatic about my progress and very complimentary about my colour choice. But on friday it became clear that the fit was maybe not perfect and 'Joda' in a wise voice suggested 'start at beginning end at end good for journey' or something much more practical like pulling it all out...imagine that. 
So I didn't until I added another 15cm (onto the previous 20cm) - and then I did. 

You've got to admit it has potential.

(When the student is ready to be wrong it becomes clear that the master was right all along).

Bugs Rule!

The flower thing is beautiful, but the bug thing is irresistible. 

So with the master Kari Herer as inspiration I set upon my mission. Backyard bugs. I don't normally have a problem finding any, but it's winter and the only crawlies I found to draw were 'hairy mollies' and snails...and they were not going to work. So I went back to my library and dug up one of my favourite reference books (bought when I was a student in the 80's) - The Encyclopedia of Illustration.

and viola!

common bugious grandesignius

anotherelius common westcoast waspissius

Not art I know, but a great buzz.

Have a great weekend.

I Wish I had...

thought of this...

Via fffound I stumbled upon going home to roost and this post on the work of Kari Herer who sells her prints on etsy. So beautiful! I'm going to try my own backyard version - don't hold your collective breath.