Unfortunately it leaves little time for blogging or finishing all those lists of things I have been trying to do (crochet, painting, dolls, posting parcels and writing letters to accompany them… the list goes on!!)

I am hoping to participate in One World One heart 2011 again this year, but, true to form, I’m late, late, late.

I have a “Sweetpea Doll” (Tutorial to follow asap!) in bits, ready to assemble as my giveaway this year-

this will be a Waldorf-inspired doll, weighted, and dressed in this soft, gorgeous deep pinky velour fabric. (Hope to post the giveaway later on today)

Yesterday I received a delicious parcel from Roben Marie;

(one of the great annoyances in my life is that these Stampington magazines aren’t available over here- there are at least seven different publications from this company that I would love to get.. but anyway…) 

I also received these “Punchanella” (a.k.a. as… what? Stencils?) I have been using different techniques in my mixed media paintings;

I love how ways of manipulating the materials- painting on, lifting off, using stencils, splatters, sprays: can all cross over and influence my oil painting:-

(this is very much in progress- I’m working in layers and layers, building up texture and blocks of colour- working towards putting in fine details to finish)

Now I’m off to finish my Giveaway Doll before the OWOH giveaway is over

One World One Heart 

was created by Lisa Swifka in 2007 as a way to bring bloggers together from all over world. Last year over 900 bloggers took part from 28 countries, so I am very excited to be participating in this event!

I have three different giveaways:

A mixed media covered A6 journal/notebook, covered in gorgeous Cath Kidston paper and decorated with fabric, paper, buttons and ribbons (with the word “love” stamped on, it being that time of year!)….

One of my “Mend & Make Do” sewing boxes, this one is a covered wooden box decorated with vintage ribbon, pages and buttons…

And a crochet corsage that I made, with a gorgeous covered button in the center and brooch pin at the back…

This giveaway is open to everyone, all you have to do is leave a comment on this post and you will be entered in the drawing . If you don’t have a blog, be sure to leave your email address in your comment. The winner will be drawn on Feb 15th by random number generator. To read more about this wonderful event, please click  here. Good luck and have fun! 

We are almost finished four more bench cushions for Kellys Bar in Galway (hurray!) and I also finished my sewing boxes (Mixed Media/ altered-art wooden cigar boxes):

I am delighted with them, They are covered with copies of sheets from an old Irish-English dictionary, with gorgeous old Irish/Gaelic lettering, then further embellished. I just have to pack them full of all the lovely necessities for mending and making do!

This is a journal cover I made (not an easy task, with baby on my knee brandishing a glue stick and flinging buttons all over the place!!) It is A5 size, and I’m hoping to have a similiar style one for the giveaway… just have to do a few finishing touches and take some photos…

Check back tomorrow for details of the giveaway-to be in with a chance to win all you have to do is leave a comment! – FREE STUFF!! How great is that?!