A busy few weeks

I have been to stay with family to look after my grandchildren whilst mum goes to work.
I had a long journey by coach and was met with "Is this your holiday Grandma, we went to Greece?"

I had prepared for the trip and had taken activities to do with my granddaughters, which included journaling and making a fairy house.

We had a lovely time painting and collaging but I was too exhausted to work on the projects I took with me.

We ended the week with trip to Odds Farm where all the children and grandchildren got together for a fun afternoon and general catch up. Mr Forever joined us laden with gifts for the children which we had bought whilst on holiday.

A mermaid and lots of words about swimming , which figured large in the holiday she had just enjoyed. 

The fairy house and garden which was used for several days small world play.

I have been catching up on all the boring chores but have managed some knitting and transferred journaling pages to the large sturdy book I have decided to use as my journal. The cardigan is for my granddaughter who is a redhead and looks divine in raspberry colours

A wet weekend

I have hurt my knee and have been unable to tackle the mammoth fence painting - what a shame! I decided to do light housework and then have a go at re -painting Paul after his acrylic fix. The painting was difficult and had I been only re painting him I would have been able to make a reasonable job of it. I had read that this kind of repair was always noticeable and it is but it is an improvement on how he looked when I bought him. Salutary lesson - don't by badly chewed vintage dolls.

I painted another lady for my journal based on three tutorials I found on line. I have been using and practising faces from the Jane Davenport book and have watched several u-tube tutorials from people who favour her style. Just showing half a face made it easier and several individuals are reflecting colours in both hair and eyes, which is a good tip.

 

We have the power to rebuild him

No it isn't the six million dollar man but Paul, Sindy's boyfriend from the sixties. He was apparently based on Paul McCartney but I can't see it. I managed to purchase one from ebay and also found a mod outfit which was in reasonable condition.
He had faults, which included crumbling fingers  and a chewed nose. I decided to attempt to repair him as I have purchased  paint and thought it was time to have a go. I have used acrylic filler for the job , which is toxic.
I wouldn't like to be working with it regularly. I worked in a well ventillated rom but it was still very difficult. I need to file and shape when it has cured and then look at a repaint.
The clthes i purchased have washed well and I have some small repairs to do .
The weather has been awful but I have managed some photography as we have been walking in the local nature reserves and I have been practising at home in the garden between heavy showers.

After a rainy day and breathing in nasty fumes a lovely walk was in order - Scotton Nature Reserve 

George scowled all day -he doesn't like it damp !

My lovely nasturtiums have had the rain and a host of these little chaps to deal with this summer 

This little fellow posed for me whilst I struggled with focus and shutter speed 

Paul's suit now has no fusty smell !
Paul looking a little strange but hopefully I will be able to
shape and file his new nose and fingers. The painting will be  difficult as he may look like he has been "tangoed"

 

On the needles

I am currently knitting a cardi for Evi my grandaughter. She is a curly haired bundle of fun who looks adorable in raspberry colours , which is the colour I have chosen for this latest knit.

I have also been playing in my journal on another page. I am doodling a lot of flowers at the moment but my garden is looking a bit washed out.

I have dried a few of the hydrangrs and have them in different rooms. They have so far maintained their colour lets see what they lok like in the autumn.

Swinging Sixties

Finally got round to cleaning up this little fella. He has been in the wars and has a damaged nose and fingers. I have a plan , just awaiting some resources so that I can repair him.
He came with a sixties suit which was very grubby and also needs some repair. All these jobs will be
ompleted soon.

Hiding in the foliage to preserve his modesty

The suit