The perfect present.

Sometimes the simple things are the best.  Like gathering rocks from walks and beaches to use as fabric weights.  Practical and also full of memories.

Ready for decoration

In my perfect fantasy studio all these rocks are beautifully decorated.  However I think I keep picking the wrong kind of rock.  Too many rough surfaces.

Hence the rather wonky mandala above.

 I tried to remedy the rough surface by painting one and covering it with a couple of layers of diluted pva glue.  It did make a slightly smoother finish, but I haven't plucked up the courage to decorate it yet.  I keep going here and here for inspiration.

I also had fun learning to 'wet felt' rocks.  I know it seems a bit daft to wrap rocks in wool - Pinterest has a lot to answer for.

Anyway, my goal is to create a  stash of them and add embroidery and embellishments.  I just know there'll be fun techniques and stitches I can learn in the process.

I get so excited when I discover a whole new area of creativity to be explored and developed.  I need to keep reminding myself that this is the SLOW process.

If you want to have a go I found a great tutorial here.  Let me know how you get on.  I'd love to see the results.

Anyway, in the meantime my little stash of nicely sized and shaped rocks needed to be kept in something lovelier than an old plastic fruit punnet.  And Daughter L came to the rescue....a gorgeous little handmade rope bowl she'd bought in Majorca and gave to me for my birthday.

She had thought about my needs and met them perfectly.

It really is the thought that counts!

(By the way - the pattern at the top is the amazing West Water Tunic from here.  Made a couple now, they're fun to make and look gorgeous on Daughter L.  Will blog about them soon.)