I’ve just spent three months working in the West Bank at an organisation for women and children.  I taught jewellery making skills, children’s arts & crafts, sewing and attempted to teach English.  I managed to get enough time off to travel around a little bit and was living with a family in the camp for most of my time there.  It was …educational? Certainly an experience.  And I made a lot of very wonderful new friends.

Click the image to see all my flickr photos from Palestine:

I also crossed the border and took a few days break in Jordan, I couldn’t go all that way and NOT see Petra and Wadi Rum Desert!
Click the image to see all my flickr photos from Jordan:

.          .          .          .           .          .          .          .          .

ANYWAY – I know none of that is very SpoiltPig related so I’ll just leave it at photo-sharing unless someone expresses an interest in hearing stories or finding out more about volunteering in the West Bank.

I got back just a couple of weeks ago and am still sort of re-adjusting, but it’s been fun so far!  Lots of alcohol. Lots of music.  And I am ‘back to work’ now with exciting plans!

A preview:

I really can’t wait to see what everyone’s made for this swap.
Cat Love >^.^<
Please share your links on this entry and take the time to have a look at each others work and leave comment, we all know how much we love those comments ;)

Remember there’s also a Flickr group to share all your photos.

Finally…I don’t want to ruin the surprise for my swap partner so here’s a picture of a previous cat project, bit of luck in just re-discovering the picture this morning actually :D

This listing on Coriandr was pointed out to me last week and since then it has inspired quite a few blog posts on the subject of knitting and realistic pricing.  The same topic arose over on Folksy today and I got to discover a whole range of amazing, knitted items that are still at absolute bargain prices.  Thought I should share some of my favourite things from these hard-working crafters:

Blue Slippers by Wool & Wire £18.40

.   .   .   .   .

Plum Crumble Beret by Ginger Nut Knits £25

.   .   .   .   .

Red Sunset Scarflette by Woolly Lakes £8.00!

.   .   .   .   .

Black & Pink Skull gloves by Susie J £10!

.   .   .   .   .

and my favourite and biggest bargain find…ADORABLE little Easter Chick by The Hunny Bunny Comany

£2.00

Having had my first disastrous attempt at knitting just the other week, giving up after hours of persistence, I can certainly appreciate the hard work and skill that goes into creating all of these lovely things.  And if anyone’s looking for a pretty present for a talented knitting friend, then I’d recommend Pennydog’s handmade resin knitting needles:

Aren’t they gorgeous?!

.     .     .

I’ve already received my swap package and have been beaming all over the internet about it already :)
BlondeDesign makes the most amazing comic-y cushions:  (M’kay, so they’re in the “Baby” shop, don’t judge me!)
So obviously, I was super delighted when I found out that’s who was making my Valentines Heart present – and here are the AMAZING things she made for me:

Couldn’t be more pleased!   Black and red + Polkadots + SKULLS + something for my teapot = GRIN :)
Definitely one of my favourite Craft Swaps so far :)

.     .     .

FINALLY – A quick plug for my Folksy shop ( I know *yawn*)  Keeping with the theme though, here are some of the heart shaped items in stock at the moment:

Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend whether they be celebrating Valentines day or not.
x0x

Any constructive criticism is welcome, I’d really love to hear what you think of them!
(also please excuse the dust, scratches and fingerprints obscuring some of the design and text, sanding and polishing is the next stage!)

. . . . . . .

Fashion
These three pieces are reserved for Sterling Silver fittings and necklaces once I’ve gotten round to making them all smooth and shiny. There’s something a little fun about taking messy, lavish collages and pairing with something as delicate and simple as silver :)

Ballet
Just some vintage images of ballet dancers that I came across. The first has been collaged and finished with a red bow embedded into the resin. I’ve used the other in a more abstract way and keeping with the monochromatic scheme have added a faux pearl and a little silver flower from some broken, vintage jewels donated by a friend.

…and finally! A new collaboration with graphic designer and maker I Love Lexy. Alex had some of her I Love Lexy signature graphics printed onto fabric just before Christmas and I’ve taken abstracts from them and embedded them in various resin shapes. As soon as I finish attaching bails they’ll be on sale in her own online shop :)

. . .

edit: just read my own post back to myself, possibly the longest one I’ve written EVER. If I’m so busy with all this work then why am I spending hours on the internet playing with photos and writing about it?!~