A family of dolls

Do you remember Cecily? Bought for next to nothing in a charity shop.
You may notice that shoe number two never did get made.
Anyhoo, it matters not. What I really wanted to tell you was that she now has a friend. Also from a charity shop. I took pity on her because she was naked and had fishnet tights! Wholly inappropriate I thought.
I have been thinking ,for a while, about making some soft toys and with that in mind I had picked up a book from the local library: Knitted Dolls with a designer wardrobe by Arne and Carlos. That's where the pattern for the skirt and cardy came from.
The new tights are a pair of socks revamped.




Arne and Carls employ a very clever technique for constructing their dolls. All knitted in the round and stuffed as you go. So after the last cast off, voila! You have a doll. I love this because I hate, hate, hate, sewing up fiddly little bits. I made a few adaptions to their design but that is the beauty of their book, you can add your own tweaks.
And this is my first attempt with felted hair.




Now I have a family of dolls.




And I will be making more.

Accrete along with me

Day 2 of accreting.
Working up this second layer may take time! Already I am thinking of what other textures I can add to layer 3........and 4. And because I think odd numbers are more balanced aesthetically there will probably have to be a layer 5.
Still, second things second.

Accreting in 3 dimensions part one

It occurred to me that if accretion is the noun for a thing increased by layers then accreting should surely be the verb that describes the process. And it is.
So I can say with confidence that I have been accreting today. Indeed, accreting in 3 dimensions.
The general impetus is that I want something quirky and eye catching to hang outside the shop. Something durable, weatherproof and pretty.
It could take many, many forms but I am beginning with this sphere. Layer one almost complete.

Dogs and dinosaurs

I apologise unreservedly from my heart if this blog post is a disappointment to you.
It is an experiment.
Some experiments I laud and some I do not. The personal,playful, potentially creative ones are A, O.K.in my book but those that manipulate people are not. And I have to admit that this is a tad manipulative. Despite myself, I can't help it.
Blogging is still a new form to me. In the absence of comments from people I am at a loss as to what my readership derives from my posts. I look at my stats and I see that the dog pages and dinosaurs get attention!
So this title is from my mad scientist brain. I just want to see if it solicits a record number of hits.
Can I please now say that if you read my blog and have tried unsuccessfully to comment could you let me know via my Facebook page:- Quirk Strangeness and Charm.
For anyone who is revisiting with some visual expectations based on previous visits I now give you some random images that I hope will buy forgiveness for the tone of this post.
And for those seeking dogs and dinosaurs; both can be found in previous posts and will probably feature here again sometime.
Oh what the hell, it is repetition,but dogs and dinosaurs ...here they come... In amongst all the randomness...


Dinosaur brooch made for Emma.


Hairy Herbert junior.


A beautiful ceramic bowl that I bought on etsy.


Hairy Herbert senior. He is a whole story in himself.


H.H.J. Again,cos he is photogenic .


Ramblin' Randall's photography in the kitchen.


Moi! Unobserved.




H.H. Senior and Junior in a rare and lovely moment of peace.




Me and the H. Herberts.


??? What can I say?


Inside my studio.


The three bums in Bristol.


A bit of frippery.

If you have got here can you tell me how you managed it.

If dogs could talk......

I can't remember whether this was recorded formula one or a film but Ramblin' Randall and Hairy Herbert senior were engrossed. H. H. Junior and I were doing our own thing





Because H.H. Senior likes to do what a dog's gotta do somewhere other than his own turf he goes out last thing at night for a short stroll.
Film/ car racing over. Time to go!
"Ahem! Could I just have your attention?"



" you know how it is.....I hate dragging you out....but let's get that lead and go..."



" no shenanigans .....just a quick stroll.....deal?........deal. Thanks mate"


" I love my man"



" and I am quite fond of the old woman too"





This is H.H. Junior showing his ,very deceptive, butter-wouldn't-melt-in-the-mouth face.
Hard to believe this angelic hound took off when out on a walk and disappeared for 5 HOURS!!! yesterday.





Sometimes I do wonder what madness is it that possesses pet owners. For all the joy animals bring there is a borderline masochism involved in sharing your heart with an animal.