Walnuts

Hello dear readers

I tried Megan's tip for splitting walnuts into halves. "soak them in water for a day or two. It softens the seam and you can split them easily and without damaging the shell. Of course, the flesh of the nut will be soggy and unappetizing so you have to decide what you want, the nut or the shell".  This method is far better
than the previous one.  Almost all the soaked nuts split in perfect halves which were easier to scrap clean
inside. Thanks again Megan.

I never expected so many people around me, especially family members who never before
showed much interest in my work, to want the gnomes homes. Now I have my hands full with work
making more.

But it gets boring doing gnome scenes only, so I'm attempting nativity and maybe, later on, snowmen, etc.

I  wish you a pleasant, creative week with blessings.

Birthday gifts from Maria

Hello dear readers,

A little late but worth the wait! My dear, wonderful and generous friend Maria sent me
these lovely gifts for my birthday.  The parcel got here later than usual due to some local post
errors.

This tiny watch almost blew my mind.

The Nativity kit is to be painted and assembled.  Hopefully before Christmas.

In addition, Maria sent me a whole load of craft stuff, ribbons, flower stems, stickers, etc. etc.
THANK YOU DEAR MARIA, I AM BLESSED TO BE YOUR FRIEND.

I wasn't idle this week.  Finished several nutshell homes, made some extra gnomes
for Baalatovah's garden, at her demand.  All three nutshells are for 3 wonderful caretakers at my husband's nursing home.

I have to ask Birgit what kind of plant this is.  I never saw such tiny leaves and these, I believe, are not artificial, but dried and painted living plants, perfect for these scenes.

The extra gnomes.

This is one of my clay vases with real flowers. forgot to put a match for size. It's about half a walnut.

I wish you all a lovely Sunday with blessings.

Nutshells and gnomes

Hello dear readers,

Have I gone nuts?
First I learned how to crack open a walnut in two perfect halves.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DVTG3T_fTz4.

Then I learned how to make little gnomes -  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kSbZ66cH3Qc



The house is one of my ceramic clay houses.  All the leaves staff are a gift from dear Birgit.

And this is my first nutshell scene.

Making the tiny mushrooms gave me a real headache.

Have a wonderful Sunday and a very creative week ahead with blessings.

Gifts

Hello dear readers,

It has been a while since my last post.  Real life issues had to be taken care of.  I had no time for
creative work but I received a few wonderful gifts for my birthday which was about two weeks ago.

From my dear friend Faby

Thank you, dear Faby, for your thoughtful gifts.  The dried flowers regretfully did not endure the journey and crumbled away. This is what's left of them.

From two close friends who ordered these beautiful china vases and sculpture from abroad especially for me.

My cell phone camera didn't do justice to the beautiful goddess. 

My daughter and son-in-law are back.  I already have some ceramics waiting for the kiln. They'll have to wait however for Nilly's large items to get thoroughly dry, and be fired together.  Nilly gave
me for my birthday some very valuable new craft tools which are hard to find locally. My other daughter Galia, gave me books.

I wish you all a lovely weekend with blessings.