Wreath For Mum

While in Katherine recently I made this wreath for Mums grave. Mum was the town wreath maker for many years and she made wreathes with frangipanni, military fern, bougainvillea and palm leaves. As I like Yarnbombing I though I might include that as well. Miss you more every passing year Mum.

Mick Jaggers Dad

Im bloody sure this is Mick Jaggers dad, same cocky walk lots of ruffled feathers. What do you reckon? The crow must be a sound to behold.

Toulouse - Lautrec

Had the most wonderful day surrounded by Toulouse - Latrecs beautiful work. The lady doing her hair is much more beautiful in real life.  As usual I took the kids audio tour and learnt what painterly actually means. Been trying to find that out since June this year.  Then I took the adults tour which was informative but dry compared to the kids tour.  I'm definitely going to go at least two more times before it leaves in April 2013. Well worth a look friends. Hint Hint.....

Your Christmas Card

To my lovely readers, here is your card. Thank you for reading my blog and sorry I have been so sporadic lately. May you have fun times to the point of exhaustion, but then sleep in heavenly peace.  I'm heading north for the holidays. That way if I overshoot Ill end up in the north pole. Now that would be fun....

Cats

As I grow older Im starting to appreciate cats. I held my friends little kitty a couple of months ago and the purr on it was so adorable. Such a smoochy kitten.  These brooches below are porcelain and my current crush. I hope they come available again especially the one on the right.

Braidwood 2012

This weekend I dediced that enough is enough. Im having a major art retreat.  Yesterday was the Airing of the Quilts in Braidwood and went with my friend Doris. Its been a yearly pilgrimage mostly and it is lovely to get out into the country where the real poeple (and butterfly cakes are).

Today was spent on an Art Tail around Queenbeyan being driven around in a large bus, morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea all for $25.00. Smiling as Im writing this. I wore an Iced Vo Vo brooch which was a talking point for much of the trip. We were taken to working studios and galleries.Findi flooshki was an amazing young woman who had an organic garden with chooks, a thriving art practice and 3 kids under 6. Her presentation was spectacular http://findiflooshki.com. I love it that she calls herself a maker. The most interesting parts of the trip were when I asked the male artists how they got started in their field. One guy was a glass blower and his story was charming. He said he didnt know what to do with his life but only knew he wanted to work with his hands. A builder in Sydney asked him to come and labor for him while building a house and asked him if he wanted to learn how to blow glass as a trade off.  He said he knew from the moment the builder asked the question and before he answered that was the defining moment. The other guy was a sculpture who was a plumber and just drifted into making these amazing bronze statues and cut outs.

Feeling rather satisfied after all this inspiration.

Linen Sheets For Real

 I want to sleep in pure 100% linen PINK sheet/s before I die. Eileen Fisher makes these ones with the fury ends which might to the job. Got talking over lunch with the design class about my wish for such luxury and they were all intrigued as to why would I want to pay $500 for a set of sheets (appox). My first answer was I like a messy bed and linen does scrunch better than any other textile I know. Then followed it up by saying I had been traumatized by too many a crisp tuck in, in the past. So going to set about working out a styling solution for an unmade bed where it can look more like a work of art for those who a traumatized by a messy bed. Its so much more nest like when its all messy and makes me want to jump in and snuggle.

This one looks like a pain devise.

Playthings

Here are the playthings of a first year Interior Designer, well some of them at least.

The computer aided drawing (Auto CAD 2) was intense to say the least. Im getting a tutor to go over everything again with me.  I am having doubts about weather I will finish the complete Diploma at the moment but it could be just end of year exhaustion that all student get.  Anyway the orange cake I made turned out very nice. 

Take What You Need Tag

Arnt people clever? Simple and meaningful. I love this kind of stuff that goes out into the community to make people think about all the good things we should be focusing on. I hate the way our culture is focusing on crime and killing and all the other bad stuff.

Thermomix

I call this machine, which I have had since January, Aunty Thel after my first Angel. She made it known to me that she was on my side at about 6 years old. Still think about her heaps and have one of my oldest posesions she gave me sitting centre of my kitchen where I can see it every day. Its a childs tea cup. Made in Japan.

This collage is shows the machine and the steps I took to create butter from creme (no additives at all) It took 7 minutes and made 220g. Ready for immediate use.

Cant say enough about this machine. It steams, cooks, makes ice cream/sorbet, weighs, juices, mills, chops, kneeds, crushes. Last year I was pre diabetic. Last lot of bloods revealed that is not the case anymore and I believe its because of the food I prepare now - I have control over the amount of salt and sugar fat and additives I include. Granted it does cost $2000 but when you make your own food the shopping bill goes down and ingredients you have in the cupboard are multi use items so you dont have to have alot of half used packets and jars hanging about. There's more space in the cupboards as you dont need so many pots.  I currently own a mix master, jug, frying pan and two pots for doing a couple of things at the same time as using this machine and frying.

After All

The brooding ghosts of Australian night have gone from the bush and town;
My spirit revives in the morning breeze,
though it died when the sun went down;
The river is high and the stream is strong,
and the grass is green and tall,
And I fain would think that this world of ours is a good world after all.

The light of passion in dreamy eyes, and a page of truth well read,
The glorious thrill in a heart grown cold of the spirit I thought was dead,

A song that goes to a comrade's heart, and a tear of pride let fall --
And my soul is strong! and the world to me is a grand world after all!

Let our enemies go by their old dull tracks,
and theirs be the fault or shame
(The man is bitter against the world who has only himself to blame) ;
Let the darkest side of the past be dark, and only the good recall;
For I must believe that the world, my dear, is a kind world after all.

It well may be that I saw too plain, and it may be I was blind;
But I'll keep my face to the dawning light,
though the devil may stand behind!
Though the devil may stand behind my back, I'll not see his shadow fall,
But read the signs in the morning stars of a good world after all.

Rest, for your eyes are weary, girl -- you have driven the worst away --
The ghost of the man that I might have been is gone from my heart to-day;
We'll live for life and the best it brings till our twilight shadows fall;
My heart grows brave, and the world, my girl, is a good world after all.
...................Henry Lawson.........................

Art At Last

Ive finally got around to doing a tiny bit of art. I love doing these cards with the 3D leaves that move around inside and fall out when you open it up.  This is for neicey 25th Birthday and I did stamped (Lino-cut out of an eraser) wrapping paper to match the card and the leaflets. Very satisfying. My dad and Valmai are leaving me tomorrow so Ill be in a slump for the next few days.

Cat and Kitten

At last I met Mrs Shepard. I went out to her gallery as I always do when in Taree hoping to get an audience with Shepanardi and this time I was in luck.  I introduced myself to her mum saying I'm miscott the online friend.  Yep, cant believe I said that. Cant believe Shep got straight into her car and come to see me and sis and where I met not only this talented artist but many members of her artistic family. This was such a treat for me and I was so overstimulated that lucky sis reminded me to pay. Shep is launching a web site with lots of fab paintings prints pajamas and toys. So stay tuned. Purrrin!!!!

Made My Day

Anonymous gratitude to the silver haired Japanesse gentleman dressed in denim who, while riding the esculator in the opposite direction, wasn't satisfied with a second look at me and went for the hatrick and nearly fell off the end of the escalator. Nice foot work bloke!!!

I love it when out of nowhere someone appears and you recognise them immediately as someone you are on the same wavelength with. This is not a attraction in a physical way but an energy way.  Im pretty sure I have seen him around either at CIT or the Art Gallery so I guess its the creative energy that is the common thing in this story.

However, on further analysis it could have been because I had mauve white and black on today which could be close to the Japanese pallette. I hate that logic and reason part.

As you get older you become less visible as time goes on. Thats what I am finding anyway.  So it was nice to be noticed and gave me a long needed dose of attention.

Thanks dude.

Possy Woke Up

So love this little creature. Every time I go to Floriade which is about 4 times a week I go sit in his bedroom and wait for him to stir. I just sit and draw knowing I have company and wonder what its like to have a bedroom smack bang in the middle of the nations capitals largest event of the year.

Floriade 2012

With the hustle and bustle of Floriade all around this little possum continued to dream. I just happened to look up under the rotunda and saw it. I asked a bloke sitting next to me "is that real?" - what!!! "oh yes its moving". And it continued to move many people from then on. Heart mush.........

Autumn Colour Pallete

Something very lovely (perhaps masculine) about this colour Pallette.

Saint Marys Sacred Music Festival

I went to this festival thinking it will be nice to see my old cobber again who is the parish priest there. WoW did I get a surprise at the standard of the music and costume of the traditional Tongan and African Choirs.  I checked into the caravan park at Penrith and slept in the car. I'm getting quite good at all this climbing in and out of small spaces.  It was still cold enough to have the 3 blanket doona and I love waking up in the morning with a cold dewy face and listening to the birdsong.  Which beings me to say that I love the fact that my old cobber whistles songs. Its not a sound that is heard much any more and I love it.

The One Remaining Star

There are mornings when I think of you
so steadily, what good is it to write?
Trust in its ragged wisps, too close to the abyss,
we circle like the beasts accused of soullessness
and I'm afraid. Cryptic and ravenous, our gift,
our gift. We are the secretaries
of the heart, the one remaining star.
Susanne Dubroff

Bluey Martin

Still got a scar on my index finger from trying to index one of these little buggers.

The bird in question used to sit on the record while it was going around and hop over the arm when it come around. Was quite funny, especially on a 45 rpm.

Thats Different

This is my sisters saying when things are a bit dodge - "That's different". Shes used to things being dodge with me but I suspect she is rather surprised when things get a bit dodge with others. This saying for me is like saying "oh the grass is green outside" its not really an alert for me to pull up. I just keep sailing into murky uncharted waters unaware of the impending consequences. If for instance she said "shut the*&^% up" well then Id know or "Pull your *&^%ing head in idiot" well then Id be standing to attention. All ears like the Prince of WHALES....yes, with a H. I'm not sure when she started using this technique but yesterday we finally had a discussion about this.

Singing Him

My dads oldest friend was flown home to Darwin on Friday. He has Emphesiema and is on oxygen. His wife recently died and his two sons went to pick him up and get his affairs in order and bring him back to his old stamping grounds. I called dad on my usual "radio schedule" by phone before he goes to the Trailer Boat Club and he said he had been up since 4am singing Billy back to Darwin. I was so touched at this I had to stifle my sobs. Dads hoping that once Billy gets settled he will be able to move into the Purl Retirement Village and I am also going to "sing" for that.

Bird Crap

First pic Bird Crap, Second pic Bird coming into land.  This is what public servants do all day......

Paper Shuffler

On the weekend I did a short (3 hour) course on book making. We learned 2 stitches and three styles which was a very satisfying experience. I went for quality and made 4 books. They are small and I love making them by hand. Must be the paper shuffler in me.

Corin Forrest

I had a rather productive weekend and feeling really good about the coming week. I am trying to get out of Canberra every pay week and just could afford the time this weekend and the weather (snow ect) was not conducive to camping. I guess the highlight was my drive to Corin (30 minutes from where I live) where I took a heap of snaps. Its very relaxing going on a trip with the objective of coming home with photos. I also did a book making 3 hour course which was very satisfying because you actually come away with your finished product/s. Ill post some shot later. And I even vacuumed.................

Braidwood Bodulla and Narooma

Nearly run out of petrol for the first time today. Forgot hills take more juice. I camped in my one car apartment again this weekend and you can see the view from my bed here. When I arrived it was about 4pm and I set up my bed and hopped in and started looking at maps and studying the history of the town. This older man come over to me and said "excuse me, are you going to sleep in your car?" Yes I am I said. He says "you are brave" I said why whos going to get me?" He said the Boogyman...... I said "well he would be crazy to take me on".  He immediately turned and walked off. But what I really wanted to say was this is what the solders have fought for - my freedom to be safe in my country any time. Maybe next time.

After that I went for a stroll along the beach and took lots of snaps. It was so refreshing. The highlight of the day was the piece of street art of the flower at Braidwood. Highlight of the night, the salty air, the lighthouse twinkling on the far island, the big round yellow moon that threw the light across the water with out a care. I'm replenished and ready to face another fortnight of work before I go for another outing.

Living the DREAM!!!

Boof

Boof left work today for retirement. I saw him at the Hyperdome Monday and gave him a hug. That's when he told me he was leaving and said he would come to see me tomorrow. True to his word as always he rocked up at about 10:30 and I gave him this card I made at 6am this morning. He had tears in his eyes and gave me a huge smacking kiss on the lips. I didn't expect that but had a cry when he left. I wrote inside that card that when he was in the workplace I felt safe and that there are not many good blokes out there these days. And its true everyone is shafting each other on a hourly basis but Ive learned that eventually the shafters get shafted too so really its a level playing ground in the end. Those that were shafted 3 years ago are now in the golden section and on it goes. Boof never played those games but if he had a problem he certainly let everyone know it. And he trusted his staff to do the job they had agreed to do. When he left a year ago due to cancer and recover his team had a meltdown because they were not used to playing games and their new manager was a game player. One word to sum him up TRUST. Its what I understand.

Happy Travels

I made this dangle for my new supervisor at work who's job I'm doing for the next 8 weeks. Grace is her name and if it wasn't for the grace of Godde we would not have come to this point of my making something to wish her well. Its a challenge when you go to a new job and have a learning disability and totally frustrating for the new team as well as me. By the third day they have worked out something is wrong (even though I tell them that I have Dyslexia before I start) By the sixth day they are yelling at me. This goes on for another couple of weeks until (in most cases) relationships have deteriorated to the point of no return. So after 4 weeks in the current job I have it down pat and the area also manages a young boy with autism, things are going really well and no one has yelled at me for 8 days. Note the counting obsession. This has lead me to creating this art of well wishing. Im please with the graphics most of all because it makes me smile.

PJ Party

Filling up on goffers! Angelika come for the weekend and we had alot of interesting discussions about German/Australian relationships. We did some art and drew our dream houses. While drawing mine she said there is one exactly like that in Bungendore and I said right, pack up we are going there right now. http://www.xgallery.com.au.  More amazingly I received two separate proposals from women my age last week offering ne the chance to co-habitate with them when we get older.  Still trying to process all that because Ive told them I'm strange but they think they can handle my strangeness......*chuckles*

Show Off

Still coming down from my fab trip to Kiama. I love this pic of the light house and the BRIDE. Look closing at the BRIDE. The dark pic is from out my car rear door. It was uncomfortable for a while sleeping in the back of the car but then I found a way to sleep diagonally on the foam mattress and at some time thought the night it started raining and I woke up and said out loud to no one there not even the chair, "thats nice" and fell asleep again. Woops started quoting Neil Diamond (I am I said Song). Speaking of Neil here he is with Johnathon Livingstone discussing whats for tea.
Then there's the pic of me and the man who I have no idea who he is but I offered to take a pic of him and his daughter and then she offered to take one of me and the blowhole sprouting and I said Id rather have one with Dad if you don't mind. Dad was looking at me as if I was someone from Katherine but couldn't resist my styling up on his arm. And of course I loved the whole scene.

Kiama

Got into the car and drove yesterday and ended up in Kiama. Great for the spirit to be next to the ocean.This picture of Kye Davis leaping in to the surf was a once in the lifetime photo. As usual when driving for many hours an epiphany occurred.  I know now that my passion for tassels derives from the shape of the scotch thistle.  I called into a shop in Moss Vale and found this awesome brass thistle that was used in the old day with horses.  It came when I was talking to the Scotsman about it and then it twigged that its a shape my DNA knows. He said its a sad day when a Scotsmans sells his thistle. Even tho he was smiling I felt it wasn't entirely a joke. Thought this funky rubbish bin in Ulladulla easy on the eye.

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My Weather This Morning

This is what come up on my computer this morning after I walked to work with a rather large spring in my step.