Thursday 27 December 2012

A piece of paper, a bit of string, and balls of wool

Grandson has been busy making little bits of magic with paper and string.
The tools of the trade
A flat piece of paper starting to become something more three dimensional
His mother too has been busy with coloured wool and a crochet hook making funky cacti.

44 comments:

  1. Lovin' the cacti, fabulous bit of colour and no ouch.

    Jean x

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    1. That is certainly one big thing in their favour Paula. She tried to get some mohair wool in green to make some furry looking ones but green they do not do.

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  2. What a talented family you are Rosemary. The string and paper art works are beautiful and I imagine they must've taken hours to finish. My favourites are the cacti thoughm they are cute and look like they're fun to make too.

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    1. I cannot claim any creative talent for myself Paula, it is all the grandchildren and their parents where it lies.

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  3. My breath is all gone, Rosemary: I have been oohing and ahing so...I think your family are incredibly talented; and more than that, they value what I do - the ability to create beautiful things from the most mundane components. However did your grandson make that beautiful string sculpture?

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    1. Kate - I have no idea how he makes these wonderful string things - I think a bit of glue is a component somewhere along the line. He is always bringing us the most amazing things made out of nothing really. He has a double dose of dextrous fingers from both of his parents and their creativity. He wants to be a designer and I hope that he achieves his ambitions. However, at the moment AS level exams are calling.

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  4. Dear Rosemary, As you know, I love and appreciate everything handmade. Your Grandson's paper magic is MAGIC. His Mother's cacti are absolutely charming. They make me want to do something silly...like go out and have a snowball fight. ox, Gina

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    1. Please do go and have a snowball fight Gina and then send us some photos!!! We have no signs of snow here at the moment.
      Gina, your creativity knows no bounds, I am always delighted to see your latest accomplishments.
      Hope that Christmas was a happy time.

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  5. What a creative family you have!

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    1. All the grandchildren and our two sons and their wives are creative people.

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  6. Dear Rosemary - Your grandson gets the Buckminster Fuller Awards for new and improved geodesic forms — brilliant. And I hope you daughter-in-law got a chance to see my posting on Florida's most unusual (crocheted) coral reef! Her cacti would fit right in.

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    1. Dear Mark - they left a few hours ago, but I will definitely point her in the direction of your coral reef when next I email her.

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  7. I am amazed that how talented your grandson is with string and paper oragami!
    He might become a sailor..who knows.!
    the cactus was a cool idea.. so unique.
    Thats what christmas is all about.. lots of fun .
    great photos.
    best wishes to you all
    val xx

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    1. Dear Val - I like her cacti too, I think that she may try and find some different textured wools to do some more. Grandson keeps coming up with things made with string and paper, and I can never quite see how he made them. He is hoping to become a designer.

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  8. your blog is amazing.. I'm totally in love with it, just discovered and already become an addiction! would you like following each other? Let me know <3
    http://gowestyoungcowgirl.blogspot.com

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    1. Hi Laura - thanks for the comment, I will go and visit your blog now.

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  9. Wonderful creations - does your geranium maderense live indoors all year or just in winter? (I may be wrong but that is what it looks like).

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    1. Spot on Susan, it is a geranium maderense. It lives outside until the end of Oct/Nov. If I left it out it would turn mushy and die in the colder weather. It is a bit of a nuisance to bring in as it is rather large, but I do not want to loose it. A couple of weeks after bringing it in I noticed some big fat green fly on the lovely stems, so out it went again. I sprayed it all over with a solution of washing up liquid and water. I did this twice, and it rained on it in between, and every single green fly has gone. Good tip.

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  10. Your grandson made some real works of art Rosemary! My middle daughter enjoys origami too. The things she creates always keep amazing me too.

    I wish you and your family all the best for a Happy, Healthy and Creative 2013!

    Madelief x

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    1. Happiness to your family too Madelief in 2013. It is lovely to see the youngsters enjoying doing things with their hands.

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  11. That folded paper is amazing! And these cacti I prefer above the real stuff, beautiful and much 'gentler'
    Bye,
    Marian

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    1. Yes, I think that the cacti are great fun. I have one or two real cacti myself and they can catch you unawares with their prickles sometimes.

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  12. Interesting, a lot of work, probably a lot of fun for you, but I couldn't do it. Artistic.

    Greetings,
    Filip

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    1. It is not me that does it Filip I am just on the receiving end.

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  13. Very cool crafts. No need to water those cacti. I always over water them:}

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  14. Gosh, what a creative family you have Rosemary. Those are fantastic!

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    1. They are a busy little family never sit around doing nothing.

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  15. You do have a clever and artistic family Rosemary. I love the cute cacti, and the string sculptures are amazing. I have been trying to figure out how he does that - does he use a stiffening substance? He will become a designer for sure. You must be very proud of them all.

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    1. Dear Patricia - he gave it to me for Christmas, and I am not sure how he did it. However, although invisible there must be some glue involved for it to hold together and also not loose its shape. It looks very effective and is the size of a dinner plate.

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  16. Dear Rosemary,what a talented family you are!!My favourites are the cacti thoughm they are very preety!Hope you had a good time with your family!My best wishes for a Happy New Year!
    Dimi..

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    1. Dear Dimi - not me, it is the grandchildren and their parents. I like the cacti too.
      Hope you had a lovely Christmas too, and that you were able to Skype your daughter in Australia.

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  17. Rosemary how lovely to see those wonderful home-made creations they must have all gained such a sense of achievement by making them. Have you ever got your geranium maderense to flower? We had one for a few years and it didn't do anything, we saw it in flower in Penelope Hobhouse's garden once and it was fantastic.
    Annie's post about blogging was thought provoking, I always find your blog is always so informative and you always so welcoming and friendly.
    Sarah x

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    1. Dear Sarah - The geranium maderense has never flowered, but I like its shape and structure, I always think that it's appearance is rather 'other worldly'. My understanding is that should it flower then it dies, so I am happy for it to continue without any flowers. I really need to be preparing some small plants to take its place, and have recently taken one small base shoot which is in water at the moment hoping it will make some roots.
      Thanks for your reassuring comment re Annie's post. I found myself reconsidering whether or not I should continue, but have put those thoughts aside now. I have met too many people that I enjoy communicating with who now feel like good friends.

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  18. Rosemary, your grandchildren and daughter in law are so creative and talented. They make beautiful arts and crafts. The funky cacti is so colourful. I hope you will keep some for yourself of both creations from them.

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    1. Dear Pamela - the string sculpture was made for us as a Christmas present, and my daughter-in-law made the cacti to go in the grandchildren's Christmas stockings. I love the cacti, they are great fun.

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  19. What a lovely, crafty Christmas! My lot are too world-weary & pre-occupied for this at the moment - they are teachers in inner city schools!

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    1. These two are teachers as well, my son's school is in Islington, but I think that they find making things relaxing. However, I would add that I do not think many people realise how demanding teaching is, and how ready for the holidays they are.

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  20. Very Cool, Rosemary! I love them all. I hope you have a wonderful new year!

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    1. Wishing you a good and happy new year too. I think may be you have snow now - any chance of some snowy pictures?

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  21. Wow! All these are amazing. Have a fabulous New Year x

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    1. Thanks - and have a happy and wonderful New Year too.

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  22. What a creative family! The intertwined patterns in string look quite Celtic. The paper art looks so intricate and pretty and the 'cactus plants' very cheerful.

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    1. They are busy little bees always doing things - I agree about the string work looking very Celtic.

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