You know its almost Christmas when...

... the Jacaranda trees burst into bloom.

A haze of purple is visible across the landscape and carpets the ground. We have a glorious specimen in our backyard that faithfully marks the change of the seasons with its flowering and leaf falls. At this time of year, the blossoms steadily fall, sounding like wishful raindrops on the tin roof of my back porch. They dry to a deeper shade that crunch under foot and end up throughout the house, but I would not ever remove this tree. Its sheer beauty makes all the mess more than worthwhile!

Another sign of Christmas at my house, is celebrating my eldest daughters birthday. Samara turned 17(!!!!!!!!!!!) on Sunday. We just spent a quiet day at home as she had just returned from Leavers celebrations the day before. Samara was very privileged to receive an extra special gift from her Nana.

This is a prototype of Jackys new line that will be available next year. Samara was in awe at this amazing gift and can't wait to show it off to all her friends. Well, time to hit the post office and bank. I will try and write again tomorrow. I want to show pictures of our new window display!!

Touching base

Just a quick post. I am busy, busy, busy... Preparing stock and samples for the craft fair next weekend. If anyone is interested its Friday 23rd - Sunday 25th November at the Claremont Showgrounds. We will have some great new goodies there, really excited about it!! If you need to pick up some great Christmas gifts, be sure to visit.
Went Christmas shopping last night... UUgghhhhhh!!! It was crowded and we had a hard time finding things we were looking for. Why do we do this to ourselves???
Well, back to work, have a fantastic weekend.
Oh, by the way, I am working at Dis shop on Sunday. Scrapbooks to Di For in Malaga, opposite Mc Donalds. Come by and say hi.

The week that was...too fast!!!

Just where did the last week go??
Mum has gone away with 2 of her 3 sisters and I have been running the shop by myself! I have managed to get so much work done.
I was very happy to get all these swap packages done up and posted out for the retreats Gypsy Journey swap. Once I have decorated my journal cover and added all the charms I will post a photo. I was really pleased with how all the packages turned out and I hope the girls receiving them are happy too.

The photos below are 2 of our sweet little babies, who, as you can see from the photos, are such relaxed, gorgeous little bundles.

On Sunday, my three youngest girls had their Karate grading and are now yellow belt Ninjas! I was so proud of them, it was an extremely hot day and they were little troopers!

Here is Kaitlin...

and Madison...

and last but not least, Courtney.

I did get around to cleaning up the tables in my studio on the weekend, but was totally put to shame by what Nina did in her studio!! Check it out, it looks amazing!! Love that girl!!

Well, better go and get some work done.

Full Moon Rising

Last Friday, when I was driving home from picking the girls up from their school disco, there was this lovely full moon looming in the sky. I had no time to grab my tripod so the images are a little blurred. It was a bitterly cold night, with a biting wind, but this moon glowed with warmth. Slowly the clouds began to cover her over, but she shone from behind, lending a silver lining to the clouds around her. Just beautiful.

What a hectic few weeks

Started this post with lots to say and complain about and het you all up to date, then did something and wiped out my entire post, pics and all. Aaaargh!
So, I will keep this brief and get it uploaded.
Below is my latest project inspired by the book 'In The House', most of the artwork was inspired by various artists from within the book.

This is the book open, hadn't completed the back page when I took this pic.

And above is the mess I was left with once I finished the book! Am in the midst of a massive studio makeover because I was sick of ending up in this state, but that is a story for another day!

Have a fantastic day!

Tuesday Art - 04.09.07

Finished off my blue series of microscope slides today, tying them all up with this gorgeous silk ribbon. Thought I would place them all on this tree to see how they all look.

I am really happy with how they are turning out!

Monday Art - 03.09.07

I started the day by painting a background to make more microscope slides. I have scanned this on my home computer so will add the image of that later on!

I then made a few slides and started soldering them. I still have to solder the pebbles, which will be wired on to the bottom of the slides.

Sunday Art - 02.09.2007

Even though it was Fathers Day (happy Fathers Day to Dad, Anthony and all the other Dads out there!), I still managed to get a little art work done.

I started making a book using the technique that Beryl Taylor taught while she was in Perth.

This is a close up of the Golden crackle paste. I have painted it with a coat of Golden Burnt Umber which gave it a lovely 'leathery' look. I then dry brushed Golden Irridesent Bronze very lightly over the top.

The book will have something added to the top portion, when I find just the right piece to go there. Iwill also add some dimensional items to the window section.

This was great fun and I was really happy with how the crackle paste turned out.

Saturday Art - 01.09.2007

Today I played around with my canvases a little. Glued the images down and charcoal around the edges.

I still have to add all the dimensional bits and eventually would like to make some more and have it as a feature on the wall at home or in the shop.

Monday 03.09.2007 Excerpt from my journal

Oh what a glorious day it is today! Spring is here...

The lizards are basking in the sun and the fat little willy wag tails are hopping around with enthusiasm

I can smell Spring too, the occasional waft of delicious orange blossoms. The sun is out in all her glory with not a wisp of cloud to mar her brilliance.

I feel invigorated, a renewed creative gusto. I itch to splash paint around, redecorate my homes interior and exterior with fresh crisp white, pretty pinks and cool greens. I want soft cushions in all those shades, chandeliers and glistening crystals.

I feel the urge to dig in my garden, to wake the soil from its winter slumber.

Plant Summer and Spring annuals, toss out the weeds and feed it with rich manure and mulch. Fill my planters and baskets to overflowing with a riot of colour and cheer.

Spring Fever is in the air alright. As surely as the sun is shining and the birds are whistling.

The rain and cold and dreariness may return again tomorrow, but for today I will bask in this energy and carry its memory through to the next warm Spring Day!!

On another note, while snapping these photos, I caught this one of our kitten Romulas, near the front door. He was behaving very strangely, jumping on my back, leaping around. Whilst looking through the view finder of my camera, I noticed these strange orbs. It reminded me of when we visited the church at Fremantle prison and the tour guide told us these orbs were spirits. I thought maybe there was a dirty mark on my lense when I snapped these pics but this photo was taken after I cleaned the lens.

All the other photos on this post were taken moments before this one. I cannot explain what this little orb is on the photo of Rom, but I like to think it was my Big Puss, coming to share this Spring Day with us...

Art a day - Thursday

Today I didn't get any work done. Last night I had to put my sweet 15 year old cat to sleep. He was such a wonderful companion and I will miss him more than I can say. Today I am feeling too sad to be creative.

Art a day - Wednesday 29.08.07

Today I started making canvases, based on a set made in Somerset Studios. I did my trusty Misty Mawn background first, then stamped on the painted background.

And below I have just placed the bird cut outs on top to give you an idea of where I am going.

I plan on adding bits and pieces to the canvases, like feathers, tags etc...
The article I got the inspiration from is Somerset Studio July August 2007. Natures Bounty by Kristen Robinson page 84.

Art a day - Tuesday 28.08.07

Today I started making vintage Christmas tags. I am hoping to get started early this year! I haven't taken pictures yet but will as soon as they are finished!

Art a day - Monday 27.08.07

Today I spent the whole day soldering the 30 microscope slides I had put together on Sunday. I really enjoyed soldering but the jump rings really tested my pstience!! Don't look too closely. Once I have put the ribbon on, the jump rings won't be as noticeable. It was quite amusing that while I was soldering, my little kitten, Rom, decided to nestle down in front of me. I had to move his tail a few times so it wouldn't singe.

Here he is here, as you can see my workspace is limited enough as it is, without him curled up smack dab in the middle! But I don't have the heart to move him and he is good company.

Here are a few more close ups of the microscope slides. I really love how the charcoal pencil gives the illusion of depth and dimension to the pieces.