Empress Wu Designs with Wilma

This weekend I participated in the inaugural Art Dolls Only online show and sale "A Dark Christmas".  The dolls I submitted show a diversity of doll making techniques.  Party Girl  - Empress Wu Designs  Party Girl ...  This is Lulu's story - she is in a dilemma . The office Christmas party this year has a theme " A Dark Christmas" - what should she wear? She loves pants suits to show off her long legs, but how can she make a pants suit more glamourous and fit the theme?  Perhaps a version of the little black dress?  Maybe  a few sparkles? And with new hair dye - yes! She is happy with this - looking festive and sophisticated!  Party Girl Party Girl is a cloth art doll , with jointed arms and legs and hand beaded accessories. Her face and hands are needle sculpted. and hand coloured with pen and pencil.   Size : length 51cm (20inches): width 12cm (5inches) Party Girl Quite a different approach was taken with Dark Angel ...  Da...

Out of the Wood Auction Out of the Wood is the focus for 2019 yearly fundraiser that The Wednesday Group at Timeless Textiles has been working on for the last year. This group meets each Wednesday between 10.30 am -12.20pm and each year work's on a project for International Women's Day. Out of the Wood is raising funds to support women, especially older women, who are homeless and living in their cars. The Wednesday Group and contributing artists from around the world have been creating mixed media artworks using recycled timber and fibres, using textile art techniques. The timber is recycled hardwood from Newcastle homes and donated by Round2timbers. Bid to fundraise here Here are just a few of the 118 art works for sale....  Assemblage - Margaret Adams  Weaving - Trudi Nisbet  Her House 2 - Linda Swinfield Russian Caravan - Wilma Simmons  Woodland Character - Bobbi Oliver  Leaves - Suzie Parkes...

Each year, on the Saturday close to the beginning of Advent, we hold an "open house"  Handmade Treasures Sale for charity. My husband takes care of morning tea/lunch, and I ask my creative family and friends to contribute to the sale. Last Saturday, we held our fifth sale and although the heavy rain probably kept many away, those who came seemed to have a good time . Most popular were the home made palmiers, chocolate cake and freshly made sandwiches , marinated mushrooms and feta cheese prepared by Jim. Other than the food,  there was an amazing display of really beautiful work by local artists, embroiderers and talented artisans - all handmade with love ... quilts, handbags, clothing, jewellery, cards, mixed media art, embroidery, dolls, crochet, smocking, knitting, textiles, sewing accessories, Christmas decorations, kitchen accessories, jams, pickles, home made chocolates, rum butter,  Christmas puddings and cakes .... and lots more. ...

Last week I said I was not ready for Christmas. This week I don't think I ever will be - not this year anyway.   While I have been distracted this week from Christmas preparations, it has been worth it. A  very talented textile artist friend Wendy Scott had the opening of her solo exhibition, Rainbow Journey, at Timeless Textiles Gallery on Thursday night. I really recommend that you take the time out to see this one - a magical visual journey of colour, excitement and pure joy.  The exhibition is open until 7 December at Timeless Textiles Gallery, 7 Beaumont Street, Islington  (Newcastle NSW) - just a 2 minute walk from Hamilton (NSW) Railway Station.  Congratulations, Wendy - it is an absolutely beautiful exhibition and a wonderful testimony to your artistic talent.  Wendy Scott and self portrait  We are very fortunate to have opportunities to exhibit and see great textile art here in Newcastle. The next textile art exhibition op...

 My annual Handamde Treasures Sale is over again for another year - a lot of work setting up but worth it. Thanks to very talented friends and family there was an array of high quality beautiful work for sale and we raised a substantial amount as a donation supporting the women's and children's refuge and domestic violence centre here in Newcastle. The first customer arrived on the dot of 8.30am and the last left at 5pm. We served tea and coffee throughout the day with delicious home made treats - crispy coconut cookies,Anzac biscuits and one of Jim's specialties -  olive palmiers. Even the creative need sustenance! Thanks to the many valued supporters for making it a great day - Christmas shopping for a Cause. ... And a happy birthday to our youngest grandchild, Amy - one today!