Something Completely Different...

Back in my teenage years - it was the '70's - I drew a lot of fantasy pictures, dragons, unicorns, pensive looking ladies in long flowing dresses.  But over the years I lost interest in producing this kind of artwork, preferring more natural subjects with a realistic rendition.

But this Spring I was asked to come up with a drawing of a phoenix entwined with a dragon for a friend of mine.  I agreed to it but spent weeks procrastinating and agonising over how I would be able to achieve what she wanted.  I finally had to bite the bullet - it's for a birthday present and the date is very close now - and get on with it.  Once I had a few pencil markings on the paper, I began to get into it and it made a nice change to come up with something from my imagination.  I was starting to get tired of it before the end though and now can't wait to get back to some watercolour!

How To Customise Your Dragon.......

First crochet him (her?) in shades of brightest pink.....

...add some coppery sequins to the face and top of back.

Sew some orangey sequins to the underbelly and chin, as well as some silver bugle beads to the claws on the wings.

Stand back and admire!

If I was making this for myself, I would have stiffened the wings with either wire or fabric stiffener, but as this is going to a child, I left them soft and floppy in case of cuddles.

This dragon is made using a pattern by Lucy Collin - hats off to her cute and easy-to-make design!

Nearly Forgotten!

This had to be kept secret for a while, so nearly got forgotten as far as blogging is concerned.  My pal Sybille over at Magpie Magic sent me this pattern as an antidote to all the tedious knitting I had been doing last year, so I decided to make her a dragon for Christmas.  This crocheted up really quickly and while the wings were a bit of a struggle initially, it was an easy pattern to follow.  I think I might make more of these and possibly embellish them with sequin scales.

Now that the festivities are officially over, I can't wait to get on with some work - enough running around making sure everyone is having a good time, time for some normality!

Despite the Confusion....

It's a busy time at home, but I have still found the opportunity to get on with some crafting. The above is a very small knitted bear, made with pale blue baby yarn (thank you free stash!) on size 14 needles - there goes my eyesight.... She is in a (removeable) pink felt dress, embroidered with tiny blue flowers and a ribbon corsage. Looking for a home, £10 + P&P
This little chap already has a home and will be on his way there very shortly. It's a little felt dragon I made by way of a swap with Sybille at Magpie Magic. In return she has made me the most fantastic necklace with a marine theme (you know that is my weakness...) and I am so excited. You can have a look at it here, as well as the rest of Sybille's simply amazing jewellery.

And as the dragon will be going to Sybille's son, I thought she should have a little something for herself. The above is a felt daisy brooch, embroidered, and I am so pleased with it. Ever since making separate daisies for decorating a bear, I have thought about turning the idea into jewellery and am thrilled that it worked so well. There will be more in this style - if you would like something similar, let me know.

I have been working on a commission (not quite ready to show as need a couple of findings) and then got carried away making the above. It is a plethora (!) of glass leaves, flowers, AB beads and vintage brass charms - leaves and a humming bird - all hung on an antique-look chain. Very pretty when worn and produces the requisite tinkling noise as you move! £15 + P+P

Don't forget the 200th post giveaway - still waiting for more than two people to enter!