Marshmallow Beanie

Got my goat

2012-01-05T19:28:00.001-08:00

My dad asked for a goat for christmas. We knew someone who could supply :-)

The baby girl goat is staying the night with us until she goes to my dad's. She's gorgeous and I do want to keep her. The cat likes her too but our little tiger is no match for the scared little hoofed creature and she's gone off sulking that someone else is on her turf. I'm sure they would make great friends if only we could keep her.

My dad has chickens and other birds but this is his first goat pet. She'll love it with him and my mum. Dad has made me promise not to tell mum. She's not good with surprises though. God knows when he will tell her she has a new addition to their family. He said he will tell her in a couple of weeks although I don't know how he will hide the bleating which does sound very much like a baby human.

Bless
X

Grateful

2012-01-04T21:39:00.001-08:00

What an awesome day. I hung out with my boyfriend. I met a new friend who was grateful for a hug. I cuddled the cat. I felt positive. I wore my new starry Marcs scarf. I ate ricotta and spinach cannelloni. I shared my positivity, I felt grateful, I planted parsley seeds.

The parsley pack told me to pour hot water on the soil once I have planted the seeds. This, they say, will help accelerate germination. Fingers crossed.

Happy days to you too.

Eve of the new year

2011-12-31T00:08:00.001-08:00

We changed our minds and traveled to the beautiful alpine areas of Harrietville and Bright. I'm glad we did. I used to come here with my family when little and I used to think it was fairy land. I still do. I'm ignoring the crowds - yes, they are here but it can be easy to not let them affect me. I choose whether or not I am bothered by others.

We've driven up a dirt road where the boy does his fishing and I stand in the running alpine stream reading my book. Sitting on a log bought a few mozzies, and standing in the middle of the river is much more cooling.

I have to admit I abandoned the new years resolution for the last couple of years. I take it up again this year with a little ambivalence - I'll just see how I go. Nothing drastic - just the usual eat better, run better, love my enemy and all that jazz. I have been looking into improving my nutrition though and think this may take up a little obsession for a while. Whilst I love my job the stress can sometimes come out in odd ways - exhaustion, sores that don't heal, flues that don't leave, etc. I know my diet is not too bad but being a vegetarian it is so easy to grab the cheese and the bread. Today I drank a liter of water with chlorella which went rather nicely with my coffee and lamington - hey, it's not 2012 yet!

It's been a heavy year. Incredibly busy and hard for some of my dearest friends who have been affected by significant loss. I have grown so much from witnessing their incredible strength.

I wish everyone well for 2012. For us it's pork chops for the boy and vegetarian sausages and kumera wrapped in foil in the fire for me; as well as a good natter and a swim.

X

Driving and drifting

2011-12-29T15:21:00.001-08:00

Back on the road yesterday after being in the city for quite a few days. It was a bit of a tough decision to go to the alpine region or follow the coast but we've decided to stay on the coast. It's pretty full with other keen holiday-makers but we have our own little secret spot that we go to for a few days each year that's a little out of the way of the crowds. There's no rush to get home although I am kind of missing the cat.

Bye bye city

2011-12-27T23:22:00.001-08:00

It's our last night in Melbourne and I am a bit bummed really. There really is a lot to see and do and I could do with a couple of extra days, even though we have already extended our visit by two nights.

We hit the NGV today and I made sure I got in some contemporary exhibits as well as some of the older pieces. I always feel so satisfied when I have visited a gallery or two.

I've taken a shot of the bike station - I wish Sydney was as bike friendly. Sadly we are so far behind Melbourne. Sydney feels like a place where only serious road cyclists and bike couriers can survive. It's sad really.

Even though I'm feeling like I want to stay I'm also looking forward to going into the country-side again. I just have no idea where we will end up next!

Stay tuned...

X

Graf this...

2011-12-27T01:25:00.001-08:00

It wouldn't be a trip to Melbourne without a lane full of gorgeous colour. This lane was a cracker - and check out the amazing lovers sculpture on the entrance of a building. Eye-popping.

Rapunzels

2011-12-26T21:42:00.001-08:00

I'm loving the Melbourne GPO building's promotional images - huge Rapunzels hanging from the roof, clocks, ropes and balconies. Such a lovely building with beautiful shops with clothes that are way out of my price-range. Oh well, one can dream...

Prettiest cliffs

2011-12-26T18:44:00.001-08:00

Step back a few days...

Phillip island cliffs.

Give the girl a haircut

2011-12-26T17:03:00.001-08:00

First haircut in YEARS. Oh the shame as I watched the straggly split-ended clumps of hair cover the floor of the cheepy Just Cuts salon. Best $25 ever spent. I also bought a hairdryer on special for $10 - first hairdryer since I was a teenager using my mum's (a long long time ago). I also bought some Moroccan oil anti-frizz cream - seems to be working.

Also bought this beautiful Marcs starlit scarf for $20. Could never have afforded the original $59 pricetag.

Pouring

2011-12-24T22:56:00.001-08:00

From our 22nd level hotel room we see lightening strikes, rain, hail, and hear deep rumbles of thunder. Waiting for the weather to subside so we can go eat. A soggy Christmas night indeed.

The peacock image is a wooden door in Chinatown which I thought was beautiful. I continue to read 'The Tiger's Wife' on my I-phone in bed.

Galleries and the sales tomorrow me thinks.

Asian Christmas

2011-12-24T21:05:00.001-08:00

Being away from friends and family means we seek out anything open on Christmas day. In Melbourne's CBD everything to do with Asian food is open. Our Christmas lunch consists of vege dumplings, shallot pancakes and milk tea. Afternoon tea is passionfruit green tea with pearls and a bag of coconut and melon sweets from a Asian sweet/snack chain. It's 4pm and pouring. Plenty of wind, thunder and lightning. Perfect for sleeping off all this sickly sugar in our cosy hotel room.

I've been reading Tea Obreht's "The Tiger's Wife". A beautifully written treat. I don't often read novels so when I get a good one I'm a very happy woman.

Christmas day

2011-12-24T15:01:00.001-08:00

Christmas day in Melbourne CBD and I'm just going to hang out. See what happens. No expectations. A run in the park this morning - "a Christmas gift to ourselves" my exercise loving beau says.

Happy Christmas all

Melbourne Christmas Eve

2011-12-24T02:05:00.001-08:00

Hit the Melbourne CBD this evening. The city was dressed in it's Christmas best.

Christmas Eve

2011-12-23T22:48:00.001-08:00

I'm like a little kid. Just arrived in Melbourne CBD, resting in the lovely hotel room, dying to hit the streets for an evening of jolly festivities - eating, looking at the shop windows and Christmas lights, and just soaking it in.

Merry Christmas to you all and wishing you a safe and happy 2012.

Mallow B
X

Cinnamon

2011-12-23T17:38:00.001-08:00

Fruity cinnamon scrolls at the farmer's market on Phillip island. Cattle in the shade, and some birds just chilling.

Cosy poles

2011-12-23T15:53:00.001-08:00

I've seen it in magazines and on art shows like 'Art Nation', and today I saw it in the street. Knitted street art. In a pretty little town with that Melbourne funky vibe. A little place called Yarragon. Great coffee, cute shops.

Dragon

2011-12-23T14:14:00.001-08:00

He had claws and wing and a firey tail he flew in front of the sun and glowed.

Little Town

2011-12-22T20:00:00.001-08:00

There is nothing quite like a little town with it's op shops (never the same as the over-shopped, over-priced city ops), little churches, bakeries with pies and pasties and lollies. I stopped for a vege pastie, he had a plain pie. We looked at trinkets, then hit the road again.

Mallow B
X

Sharing

2011-12-22T16:24:00.001-08:00

I don't feel the need to say anything in this post really except that I never know when I will encounter the most beautiful places if I slow down and decide to take that little detour...

We swam, we listened, we thought about life and nature.

And one of us used the waterfall as a natural waterside.

Cruising the coast

2011-12-22T03:45:00.001-08:00

A 5.30am start. Long walks, a swim, an afternoon siesta, bingo at the local RSL, a long late night walk home.

Our third road trip. Each Christmas we take off and our days are filled with nature and rest.

The family lunch

2011-12-16T22:29:00.001-08:00

Big hotels do Christmas really really well. My family had an early Christmas lunch with everyone together as I will be away at Christmas. The Sydney intercontinental was not too pricy and so so beautiful - trees, decorations, carolers, a delicious buffet (good enough to make even a vegetarian like me happy!) and this beautiful gingerbread house display Being a Christmas fan, I was stoked. Being a non-party animal and non-drinker, I don't have many opportunities to dress up so it was nice to get on the OTT heels and sparkly top (excuse the jeans - some things just never change). I just had to take photos in the mirror - more about loving my outfit than being vain :-) two more working days then it's off to the countryside.

X
Mallow B

Bike bike

2011-12-15T12:50:00.001-08:00

I bought the bike from a very pregnant young and pretty french woman with the most perfect massive bottom. As soon as the auction finished on eBay I was at her pretty inner-city town house with my $350 cash which probably shocked her a little - I was certain I would win the bike, being the only bidder and all.

I bought it because my car died. I killed it. Apparently if you don't put oil in when the light comes on then your car is dead. It would have cost more to replace the engine that to buy the type of car I buy. I bought a car anyway. And the bike.

Apparently Sydney is the most unfriendly place in the world for cyclists. I wish I could say otherwise but I think it may be true. The bike feels nice. The breeze whilst whizzing down big hills feels lovely but the cars are scary. They fly past. A man from a van going in the opposite direction yells something - for fun I think. Someone cuts me off at a crossing. My life does flash before my eyes. Cyclists wearing Lycra move as fast as the cars but I am nowhere near riding like this. I'm not wearing Lycra.

I stay to the footpath where I can because I am still learning the rules but these paths magically end, forcing me to cross the road.

I imagine myself to be in Copenhagen where apparently it is now uncommon for people to drive - Sydney is so so far away from this.

I'll keep dreaming. I think I will keep riding. I'm getting a little obsessed - unlike me really.

Imperfectly made by me

2011-12-13T19:45:00.001-08:00

It's fairly clear, dear friends, that I don't do sick well. Stay in bed? Oh no... Christmas requires me to do craft projects.

Earrings...
Bracelets...
Off to the shops for a coffee and some votives...
Beeswax...
Spilling beeswax on the floor of the mother in law's kitchen then cleaning it up with an iron and paper towel for an hour...spilling the wax because my things are in storage and all I can find is an old Pyrex dish which can't possibly melt beeswax efficiently but I don't want to wreck the mother in laws things...

And who cares if the bracelets are too long, or if the candles have uneven lines because I poured at intervals because of the lack of efficient melting equipment? Or if I have used enough relaxation oil to put a giant troll to sleep? I like these presents far better than the ones I bought for people...they are perfect and imperfect all at the same.

Cherry the Burmese finds it all fairly interesting.

The watercolor set

2011-12-09T13:36:00.001-08:00

It took a few weeks of thinking about it but I finally did it. I paid $175 for a set of MaimeriBlu 24 pan watercolours. Like the blank vast white square of a new sheet of expensive paper I feel the fear of cracking them open and using them. It would be good if I had a decent drawing first but the fear of using the colours is making me quite unsure of where to start. The elf motif just seems too silly to place my first blaze of colour. So I began by using the provided swatch card to get used to them. A tiny drop of colour was all I needed. I think i am ready...

Cupcakes and emeralds

2011-12-07T11:34:00.001-08:00

The older I get, the more girl I become. When at 17 I was playing with black etching inks, now what draws me is cupcake pinks, pretty purples, emerald greens, gorgeous blues and sparkles. My classroom has colour everywhere. My obsession with black faded years ago to be replaced with riotous colour. And I like to paint ballet princesses. Who would have thought?

Christmas

2011-12-03T23:27:00.001-08:00

It's going to be another road trip this year so the family Christmas will happen on the 17th. Making tiny watercolour paintings to use as gift tags. Happy holidays!

Dreaming again

2011-10-30T01:36:00.001-07:00

I feel Christmas coming on. The feeling always comes with the smell of summer. It's making me want to paint birds and use gold paint. There is no gold paint here yet. I think these motifs are unfinished and I don't as yet know where to put the gold.

There is probably no excuse for bad photography these days except perhaps it's late and the only light I have is a little side lamp. Sorry. For the first time however have used the 1977 filter on the Instagram app. I think it is lucky for it is the year I was born.

Flower cake

2011-10-28T18:23:00.001-07:00

It's so nice to just play when life is so hectic. Saturday morning cake baking up at the parents place where everything is nicely quiet.

Breeze

2011-10-11T02:50:00.001-07:00

Catherine

2011-10-11T02:47:00.001-07:00

Milly

2011-10-11T02:45:00.001-07:00

Henrietta

2011-10-11T02:41:00.001-07:00

Blue Wren

2011-01-16T20:38:00.000-08:00

I was hoping the road trip would bring plenty of opportunities to photograph birds. As it happens, what I already know was confirmed - birds are so hard to photograph!

This little guy visited our tent and wasn't the least bit shy in saying hello. He even stayed around long enough to get a couple of decent shots.

Beauty and Excess

2011-01-16T15:35:00.000-08:00

I subscribe to e-flux which is one way of keeping up to date with the artworld.

In my inbox this morning is notification that Damien Hurst's diamond skull artwork 'For the Love of God' is being exhibited in Florence.

Ahhhhhh Florence. One of the most beautiful and decadent places in the world - Brunelleschi's massive dome, Michelangelo's awe inspiring David, the Uffizi Gallery filled with Renaissance treasures, The Ponte Vecchio paved with gold shops, glorious window displays of major designers...

How apt that Hurst's skull is being exhibited here.

For the Love of God is a life-size cast of a human skull in platinum, entirely covered by 8,601 VVS to flawless pavé-set diamonds, weighing a total of 1,106.18 carats. Set into the forehead is a large pear-shaped pink diamond, known as the Skull Star Diamond. The teeth are those of the original skull, which was purchased by Hirst in London, and dates back to the eighteenth-century. The work stands in the great tradition of the 'Memento Mori', where an image or an object serves to remind us of our mortality. Dutch art historian Rudi Fuchs, writing about the work in 2007, observed: 'The skull is out of this world, celestial almost. It proclaims victory over decay. At the same time it represents death as something infinitely more relentless. Compared to the tearful sadness of a vanitas scene, the diamond skull is glory itself.'

What a work! I find it hard to reconcile that a work such as this can be produced when there is so much poverty in the world, and yet, I love how the skull encourages debate and argument. Maybe this is how art can save the world!

The combined value of the diamonds (it cost $20 million to makes) and the reputation of the artist makes the work almost priceless - apparently it is on the market for $100 million however I can see the work becoming far more valuable in years to come, with possible added value after being displayed in Florence.

The work is an object that symbolises excess, greed for power, wealth, and ownership of valuable and very beautiful objects. Much better than a diamonte studded i-phone.

Concerns for the ethical are aroused when thinking about where these diamonds came from - apparently they were ethically sourced and can be traced, however, it is food for thought.

At a time when I am simplifying my life more than I ever have before, this art object sparks more curiosity than it ever has in the past - it represents everything I am trying to remove from my life!

Art News Blog states that:

A lot of people feel very strongly about it, either negatively or positively, but that's part of the job of an artist; to make people think or look at things in a different way. So, in the responses that it has provoked, it succeeds as a work of art.

Would I go to see it? You bet.

Paper Daisy

2011-01-15T12:34:00.000-08:00

The Paper Daisy feels like paper.

Helichrysum acuminatum.

'It grows in alpine areas of Tasmania, Victoria, New South Wales and the A.C.T. It is also known as the Orange Everlasting. Each tall stem bears a single head of golden flowers, which bloom in the summer months. A member of the family Compositae' (Wildflowers of Australia, Morcombe, 1974)

x

Peace.

2011-01-13T19:52:00.000-08:00

I am a vegetarian again.

I say 'again' as I have spent a few years here and there dabbling in pescatarianism (fish only) but have always gone back to the hard meaty stuff. Now there is no meat and no fish in my life once and for all.

I am so happy with my choice despite the many meat-eaters who love to tell me why I should be eating meat. One person even told me I need to check my blood type because if I am an 'O' (which I think I am) I can get very sick!

Humph, I didn't mean this to be a rant, but seriously, vegetarians are very healthy people!

On another, yet connected note, I also need to say that I feel completely loaded down at the moment with the material 'stuff' in my life. As I have mentioned numerous times before, I live in a shoe box. Why is it then, that I insist on collecting 'stuff'?

That's it, my treasured items are going.

Hello ebay!

If you love vintage, watch this spot. Over the next few days I will post links to my ebay store - you may find something very delicious for a cheap price.

Looking forward to a minimal life.

Fringed Violet

2011-01-11T20:29:00.000-08:00

This is the pretty Fringed Violet or Fringed Lily. It was photographed whilst we were on the most beautiful of bushwalks on Victoria's glorious Mount Buffalo.

'The Fringed Lily grows in the form of a rush-like clump. In flower it has many heads, each bearing a long-lasting succession of feathery-edged flowers. Thysanotus multiflorus is a member of the lily family' (Michael Morcombe, Wildflowers of Australia, 1974)

Wish list...

2011-01-09T22:56:00.000-08:00

An Apple & Bee make-up bag, coin purse or clutch bag made from organic and sustainable fibres.

I love my face

2011-01-07T01:23:00.000-08:00

I am totally addicted to some very special skin care products right now.

Beautiful natural, organic, Australian made, chemical and cruelty free yummies.

This week I splurged on a basic skincare kit by Grown.

I then HAD to buy Perfect Potion's Vanilla lip balm and Bare Faced exfoliant.

Ok. I swear. No more for another month or so. Although I would like a masque, and some hand cream and possibly some aromatherapy oils...

I think I will go and clean my face again now

For me

2010-12-25T20:19:00.000-08:00

I bought myself 1 present for Christmas. Oh, except for that extra night in a Melbourne hotel!

My present?

A product from the AUM makeup range.

Ultra Hydrating Rose Facial toner.

Certified organic.

Australian made.

Cruelty free.

Fairtrade.

Yum.

Little Spaces

2010-12-15T20:52:00.000-08:00

What does one do

When one lives in a shoe (box)

- with no room for a tree?

No, seriously, living in a studio appartent I have no room for a normal size Christmas tree. This can be disappointing because I love the smell and look of a huge, green, real Christmas tree! But, decorating the small places can be just as fun.

This is my 'outside tree'. A small Aussie Christmas bush decorated with a few bits and bobs.

And this is my 'inside tree'. A twig decorated with my felt hearts, knitted stockings, glass icicles and wooden peg gnomes.

A little nest with felt acorns rests in one of the boughs.

At the base sits another antique wooden peg gnome-ess I made, as well as some of my ceramic birds.

Other decorations include an antique bottle, some Australian gum tree branches, and bees wax candles.

Some ceramic deer I picked up from a thrift shop and garage sale.

Felt hearts are hung in the doorway.

So, these are some of my ideas for decorating the little spaces for Christmas.

Christmas on the road.

2010-12-15T03:09:00.000-08:00

Only two more working days until we jump in the car and go road tripping.

Exactly one year since the last road trip.

Waterholes, native animals, magical little places.

Christmas on the road.

Yum

2010-12-13T11:51:00.000-08:00

I love this Holiday giveaway from Mummy Sam!

That Felt Nice...

2010-12-13T03:12:00.000-08:00

Image and pattern from http://annamariahorner.blogspot.com/2006/12/cozy-up-with-blanket.html

I love these felt garlands from Anna Maria! I first saw them on 'Whip Up' and wanted to share them as well.

So easy to make and so beautiful.

I want to make some - when I do I will post them here. If you make some, show me!

Sparrow head

2010-12-11T14:05:00.000-08:00

A step on from my little clay birds.

I have been wanting to do something a bit different and make a pretty little fairy doll.

Once I had done the head and neck however, I quite liked the look of a mini clay bust. And then, of course, the bird just had to be added.

I hope it doesn't fall apart in the kiln when firing!

Perfect

2010-12-09T14:04:00.000-08:00

Nature is so perfect.

In the wild storms of a couple of months ago I found this nest.

Tree branches and leaves lined the streets, having been ripped from trees by the wind.

In a lovely mass of twigs in the middle of the road lay this beautiful nest.

It is not small. About 20cm.

It is perfect.

The white fleece in the centre, amazingly was placed there perfectly by the bird who made it. It looks like it was done by a human hand.

The little native leaves, and a tiny little bit of banksia blossom were also there when found.

Perfect.

Just to let you know, I would never pluck a nest from a tree. Ever.

Near my house in the undergrowth is a finches' nest. Like a little hidden bundle of woven twigs with a perfectly round entrance.

If I move the reeds I can see the nest. I dare not touch it. It looks like it is not in use but I would hate for my touch to ruin someone else's home.

So, I claimed this nest pictured for my own and would like to share it with you.

Love

Felt the Love

2010-12-08T11:21:00.000-08:00

Felt hearts with vintage buttons and vintage lace and an awkward little blanket stitch.

Hung along the door frame with a little piece of bluetack - they are so light they won't fall down.

And wrapped in some second hand tissue paper for gifts.

Brown Sugar Oaty Splodges

2010-12-06T13:23:00.000-08:00

I get super hungry at night.

I only ever do a daily shop so I never have anything in the fridge or cupboard except typical pantry items.

So, I cook oat cookies.

Oat cookies of any variety possible.

I don't measure. I don't use a recipe.

I just get a noodle bowl and fill it with ingredients, stir, get the right consistency, then taste the batter. If the batter is good, then the cookies will be good. Well, that's the idea anyway.

Tonight...

Brown sugar, old banana, currant, coconut oat cookies.

Ingredients:

1 scary old banana

A dumping of brown sugar

A dumping of wholemeal self-raising flour

A couple of handfuls of oats
Maybe a little more self-raising flour

A dumping of coconut

A dumping of currants
A bit of old custard powder

A splash of milk

A slick of rice bran oil

More brown sugar

Fingers crossed. Taste. Yum...

Then I splodge spoonfuls of the mix in baking paper, keeping space between each splodge. Shake brown sugar over cookies. Cook at 180 degrees till I think they are toasty.

Such a technical feat.

So delicious.

'Where's my cookies?'

'Coming dear'...grin...eat...yum...Happy.

Sea Shells by the Sea Shore

2010-12-05T13:29:00.000-08:00

The non-stop rain has meant a blooming of the most wonderful fungi...

Seaweed like a mini tree...

A bucket found in the sand used to collect shells. A little paddle in the water...

Marks in an old trunk made by insects? Reminding me of an ancient text.

Happy Monday

Birds of a Feather, Christmas Together

2010-12-03T15:22:00.000-08:00

After such a long time of not posting, my photography has gone a little downhill. It was hard to photograph these little ceramic birds. I have made them for Christmas presents - a touch of blue and green and a rubbing of gold dust. I have heard other bloggers say the same, but after making presents and decorations I feel no desire to buy anything - no tinsel, no nothing. It's a nice feeling.

Meditation and Discipline

2010-12-02T15:18:00.000-08:00

As a break from marking and reporting (and consequent utter brain drain) I have been crocheting and making felt heart decorations for Christmas (more to come).

However, yesterday I thought ENOUGH - I need a day off from marking and reporting. I need a day just enjoying my teaching practice. And so I did exactly what the kids were doing - realistic representations of scientific specimens.

Yes, I feel so much more relaxed, and ready for a full weekend of catch up reports. Sometimes all we need is that little bit of time out.

Lost...in art

2010-11-06T02:32:00.000-07:00

A well worthy link for you.

Lost At E Minor

For creative people like us ;-)

Never Say Never...Ever

2010-11-04T03:55:00.000-07:00

Never was a pink girl. Never.
Tomorrow at work we wear pink for breast cancer awareness. I have a new pink scarf with black polka dots. Perfect. And a pink T with glitter. Even more perfect.
And a vintage brooch with pink rhinestones.
It's summer. A new page here. Guess what? It's pink. With lolly stripes.
What is going on please? I think I am starting to love pink.
I sense this may continue for a while.

Happy summer
x

Underground

2010-09-01T23:44:00.000-07:00

It feels as if it has been an eternity since I last wrote something here.

Two days until Spring and all of a sudden I feel like cooking, gardening and making art. Things I have not done for so so long!

I almost have forgotten who the hell Marshmallow Beanie is. I'm starting to think that you can never find yourself again no matter how hard you try, primarily because changes in life happen so fast. The question of 'who am I' becomes totally redundant, rather it is 'where am I going' and 'who do I want to be'.

Something in the universe has forced me to stop. 3 days in bed with the flu and I feel like something has re-awoken in me. All of a sudden work does not seem as important and all-encompassing as it did.

So I got out of my p.js and with a groggy, stuffy, dizzy head I went to the supermarket to make Osso Bucco. The meat was heavily discounted. Heavily discounted. The use-by date indicates that it goes 'off' tomorrow. Rubbish. I have bought so much meat on special lately. I need to save what few pennies I have, and it has all been perfectly fine.

So, browning of the flour covered meat. Deglazing with red wine (the recipe said white but I have two bottles from a convention which has just sat there considering I am a non-drinker) then a bottle of tomato passata. Cooking covered very low for an hour and a half. Will serve with polenta (quick cook of course) and sprinkle with parsley and garlic. Green beans with the very best olive oil and salt and pepper on the side.

Now I sit wondering what now? Back to work tomorrow and I know it won't take long for the madness to kick in. But, just my luck, it's Friday.

Time to emerge from the underground.

Dear Diary, you suck.

2010-07-09T19:51:00.001-07:00

The topic for Illustration Friday this week is 'Diary' so I have been playing with that. I am obsessed. Have not done a completed illustration yet but have done some ramblings...

- Dear Diary,
Today I cried because Marion from Masterchef got kicked off the show. I cried for the loss of cuteness in my world. She was so damn cute!

- Dear Diary,
Today I wanted to Twitter that my damn internet connection was not working. The trouble is, you need internet connection to Twitter.

- Dear Diary,
They are having a party upstairs and did not invite me. But I hate parties anyway.

- Dear Diary,
I always write my diary pretending that someone will one day read it.

- Dear Diary,
Today I saw a big fat black rabbit eating grass on the side of the road. I know it was someone's pet but now I wish I had kidnapped it. I would have grabbed it, thrown it into my car and driven away really really fast. I desperately want a pet but have nowhere to put one.

- Dear Diary,
I hate keeping journals and never have.

- Dear Diary,
I once read that journalling can help you to be less stressed. But I also read that journalling can make you more of a stress head? Where is the truth I ask?

- Dear Diary,
How do I save 1 million dollars to get to the moon? I would do anything to go to the moon.

- Dear Diary,
I always give myself a bigger food portion than my boyfriend but hide it very well.

- Dear Diary,
I hate sad movies and very rarely cry in them. I will never ever watch the 'Notebook' and I don't care how good you think it is.

- Dear Diary,
Are you just a sorry replacement for God?

- Dear Diary,
I secretly cringe during weddings whilst everyone else gushes. I also don't find babies that cute.

- Dear Diary,
I could not care less about stretchmarks.

- Dear Diary,
I hate the phone and very rarely answer it.

- Dear Diary,
Why does everyone have a therapist. And why do they always say 'My therapist says...' Is there something wrong with me if I don't have a therapist?

- Dear Diary,
I went snowboarding and hated it until my boyfriend wanted to use my excellent board. After that, I have never had so much fun in my life.

- Dear Diary,
I sometimes worry I will be one of those women who collect so much stuff their house has to be cleaned out with a bulldozer and the neighbours complain of rats. Of course I am nowhere near this state but it could be a possibility.

- Dear Diary,
I always worry about things that may never happen.

x

Who me?

2010-07-09T18:28:00.000-07:00

Things I've done in the last week:

- Been to the snow and snowboarded very badly - but much better than the last 4 or so times I've been!
- Watched 'Hurt Locker' on DVD. Not my first choice of film but yes, as good as critics have said it is.
- Watched Marion get booted off Masterchef - crying over the loss of cuteness! Man, how cute is she???
- Bought a new car - a second-hand old, old Toyota Corolla for $2,500 off my boyfriend's mum. Want to sell my 2006 Suzuki Swift because I don't like new cars - it hurts too much when I reverse into a pole.
- Re-opened my Twitter account. Still not sure about its value in my life but hoping to find out.
- Re-started my art teaching blog and neglected this blog! Life is full of imbalances!!!
- Cleaned my bathroom. Why is it so hard to clean the space the size of a Target dressing room?
- Marvelled at the fog
- Procrastinated.

Holidays are a wonderful thing but geez they go so quickly! No drawing but I suspect that may come one day. I am obsessed with studying social media and its impact on teaching. Trying to find out everything there is to know about the internet. I really must get a life.

x

Glow

2010-06-29T15:00:00.001-07:00

These are a few pages from my new journal which I covered in daggy fabric and felt.

My efforts in making art for me in the last little while have been sporadic and very random at best. Luckily now I am on the home straight at work - reports are marked and school is winding up for the term. Today is a day of assembly and soccer world cup games that the kids will play in the school grounds.

I am in the process of throwing out old stuff, tidying drawers and classrooms, cleaning the mac computers and generally just wanting everything fresh and new for next term. I am exhausted. But, I get great holidays - I know that!

So my drawings are refective of those little half hour spaces I get at home where I eat dinner and watch TV. Just play.

Inspiration

2010-06-24T16:46:00.000-07:00

'Within the Glass Verdant'

I am currently at the 2010 VADEA conference at the Australian Catholic University listening to a speech by Sydney artist Janet Laurence. She is the artist who made 'Edge of Trees' with Fiona Foley (see my last post)

Her works are lovely - themes of the environment, alchemy, poetry, Australian history, apothecaries, science, regeneration, transformation, chemistry. A very prolific artist, and amazing crafts-person so check out her work.

'In the Shadow'

She is currently talking about how one of her site specific works (In the Shadow) has transformed the environment to such an extent that the plants are overgrown, blocking peoples' views, and the swamp hen population are out of control. It is hilarious that despite all these problems, because her work is an artwork it has to be protected! She says that she is sure people are tearing out the bullrushes! Isn't art fabulous?

On that note, I do have a love/hate relationship with technology. I am sitting in the lecture theatre and yesterday I couldn't connect to the internet, today I can instantaneously blog whilst watching a presentation. Oh well, keeps me on my toes!

Near the beach and Edge of trees.

2010-06-18T19:16:00.000-07:00

Saturday morning.
I've done two classes at the gym with a friend. Sounds energetic but I am a bad exerciser and since I joined the gym I have been feeling a lot happier and have been able to deal with stress so much better. I know I keep saying it but I LOVE my job, but I also recognise that it is hard work. Last week I had 60 reports to write in 2 days and I didn't worry much - I just worked till they were done. I think the lack of worry is the extra exercise I have been doing.

After the gym,
A trip to my at the mo' favourite deli - a really unglam European deli where old dudes smoke out the front. I always order a proscuitto and Jarlesberg panini. My large skim coffee comes with a glass of water and a sweet biscuit. I read the weekend paper in the sun and try not to breath in the cigarette smoke from the old dudes.

Home for a shower.
I delay the shower because I get on the internet and plan my excursion with Year 7s for Monday. We are going to the Museum of Sydney and the Australian Museum to learn about Indigenous art and culture. I love the Museum of Sydney because it reminds me that the Circular Quay area is the site of the first settlement and a place of such significance - a real site of history and memory. I am putting together a little education exercise for the kids so they can learn about a favourite artwork of mine called 'Edge of Trees' by Indigenous artist Fiona Foley and non-Indigenous artist Janet Laurence. The work helps me to connect with the significance of the site.

The photo I have posted here does not do the work justice.

The work is a
'A 'forest' of 29 massive pillars – sandstone, wood and steel – cluster near the museum entrance. Wooden pillars from trees once grown in the area have been recycled from lost industrial buildings of Sydney. The names of 29 Aboriginal clans from around Sydney correspond to the 29 vertical poles. Walking between the pillars you hear a soundscape of Koori voices reciting the names of places in the Sydney region that have today been swallowed up by the metropolis. Organic materials such as human hair, shell, bone, feathers, ash and honey, are embedded in windows within the elements, evoking prior ways of life. Natural and cultural histories are evoked by the names of botanical species carved or burnt into wooden columns in both Latin and Aboriginal languages, along with the signatures of First Fleeters. Place names are engraved on the sandstone pillars in English and Aboriginal languages' (http://www.hht.net.au/discover/highlights/collection_items/edge_of_trees)

To my dear blog friend Mita - I will try to do some of my own work this weekend. It has been a couple of weeks but end of term kills me. I will let you know. Been painting a few pears but don't know how to finish the work. Little by little.

Now. Shower time and to the beach for coffee with friends.

Enjoy your weekend all!

x

Saturday night

2010-06-12T01:45:00.002-07:00

I am so so happy it is the long weekend. Thank GOD! Such a hard week, but my presentation went really well (despite me wearing converse amongst a group of suits) and my flu is gone!!!

I am cooking casserole. I have never cooked casserole before. Beef, potatos, carrots, brown onion, portobello mushrooms, tomato paste, French mustard, beef stock and dark beer. I used to think I was a great cook - my friends and family used to tell me I was pretty good after many dinner parties and Christmases. But alas, in the last year I have lost any magic touch I may have had. I find it quite funny really as very easy things have become difficult and I have many more misses than hits!!! Maybe it is being far too busy to feel the love for the food.

I tried to brown the meat tonight and managed to burn the bottom of my fancy French cast iron pot more than 'brown' the meat...just to let you know, this happened twice ;-)

But it is cooking now and it smells ok...

My prep took ages. Its getting late and it still needs another hour cooking...

My boyfriend had pizza at his soccer match, celebrating their win. He forgot to tell me so he will have a 'little' of my casserole rather than it being a special dinner...

I am watching foxtel, excited to have to tele to myself for a while. Being able to choose from Rick Stein and the English 'Come Dine with Me' (YAY!) I realised I have seen both episodes...

So, I am happy sitting in front of the tele, watching not much really, waiting for dinner with my tummy rumbling, my feet warming in front of my new $20 fan heater. Life is bliss!!!

I think I will make individual apple and blackberry crumbles for desert. With Greek yoghurt. Yum.

x

Me

2010-06-10T15:27:00.000-07:00

I have just arrived at a conference. I am meant to present. It has to do with teaching and technology. I am not prepared. I am 'winging it'. The flu has made me too complacent but it is too late now. I know what I am going to show and I think I know what I am going to say. But despite the nerves I am blogging. I like to blog when I am nervous. I don't have any pictures to show. You wouldn't want to see pictures of a university cafe - it is far from interesting. Someone has walked in wearing a suit and I wonder if he too is attending the conference. I look down at my grubby converse and think I really should have put in a bit of effort and worn some nice shoes. But I just wear sneakers everyday, even to work, so I never really thought about it. I am wearing the boy's deoderant and it stinks. So, me and my converse will stand up in front of a group of professionals and hope to God that something will come out right. ;-)

Thank God there is a long weekend coming up...

Have a good day!

x

Dandelions and bubbles

2010-06-08T22:56:00.000-07:00

I have had chronic flu and it is driving me crazy - nose running, coughing, spluttering. I have still had to turn up to work as I am in the middle of exams, marking, presentations, etc. etc. I am lucky the rest of my department is sick so I don't have to worry about passing it to them. I went home at lunch because I could not stand it anymore.

It is winter now and it is starting to get pretty chilly. What has been really bad is that it has rained for a couple of weeks - and not just sprinkles but absolute downpours. Luckily my apartment did not flood this time.

This morning, as I left my house, the morning sun shining through the trees was yummy. The beautiful dandelion in my front yard just had to be captured on camera, and I thought of it as a sort of good luck charm for the day.

Once at work, bleary eyed and again almost putting my teaspoon of coffee granules into my cereal bowl instead of my mug, out of the corner of my eye I saw a tiny little bubble made from the dishwashing liquid. It was so pretty I thought 'YES! it MUST be a lucky day'.

Hours later, sniffing, coughing and dripping under my doona in front of the tele, after a day of marking, hard work, and dealing with overly sensitive adolescent students, I have decided that really, there was nothing lucky about today. Except that I was able to see the beauty in a dandelion and a bubble.

IF_Trail

2010-06-06T14:53:00.000-07:00

Little Molly leaves a trail of footprints in the snow on her favourite walk. Molly's fuscia scarf hangs so low to the ground that it too creates a little trail in the snow. Molly says 'hello' to all the wonderful creatures of the forest - 'Hello Mr Owl, Mr Fox, Mr and Mrs Rabbit, Hello Blackbirds and Ravens!'

Winter has begun here - although, being Sydney Australia, it won't snow. Its nice to dream though. This is my illustration for 'Illustration Friday'. Like I said in my last post, I was going to illustrate my favourite walk but turned it into a snow scene instead. It was difficult leaving so much of the paper white for the snow - as you can see from my art I am not much into white paper! Watercolours, watercolour pencil, watercolour paper, white gouache.

Hope you like it
x

This is me

2010-06-05T18:18:00.000-07:00

This is the first picture of me on this blog. I like this picture because it is of me doing one of my favourite things - riding my beautiful bike on one of my favourite walking trails. I never made a conscious decision to not place a pic of me on my blog. It just has never happened.

No walking or bike riding today though. I have a cold so I am still in my pj's in bed. I have promised a friend I will go to the gym with her this arvo. I will, I will!

I was so happy when this week's Illustration Friday topic was 'Trail'. I immediately thought I would illustrate this very special place. But, strangely enough, I have done a snow scene with a girl, a trail of footprints and a pink scarf dragging through the snow. This I am finding difficult because I hate leaving paper white! And a snow scene means, yes, fields of white. We are now in winter and as a kid I yearned for it to snow in Sydney - ah - not going to happen! I don't mind as much now because I drive 6 or so hours to the snow fields in winter. And I spend lots of money I don't have because the snow is so scarily expensive!

I will post my snow scene tomorrow morning when I can use the scanner at work. I think I will lie down again now. Happy chilliness if you are in my part of the world and happy Summer for those of you who are not!

x

Mini Print

2010-05-30T19:43:00.000-07:00

I watched 'Julie and Julia' on the weekend. A very good movie about food, cooking and blogging - what else is there really? Except art of course.

At one point in the movie Julie types on her blog 'Hello, is anybody out there' or something to that effect. This was slightly reassuring because I often wonder this myself. Is anyone out there reading this? I would love to know if you are.

Sometimes I like to make little mini stamps out of lino. I use these on cards to stick to an envelope as a sort of pseudo stamp.

Today is the last day of Autumn. Awwwwwww. I have really loved Autumn this year as all you beautiful bloggers who are inspired by Waldorf, etc. have really put me in touch with the seasons. I feel a little sad that Autumn has come and gone so quickly. But I ddo have such positive thoughts for winter!

Possibilities

2010-05-29T22:10:00.000-07:00

Is it possible that fairyland can co-exist with suburbia? I think so.

It's been raining for days. I cancelled a trip to the Biennale with a friend because I thought the cyclonic storm would hit, but it looks like it is really going to effect down South.

So I rode my bike instead. The rain has brought forth the mushroom fairy shelters and ducks and water birds play happily.

I wish I could live in the country, but in the meantime, I think finding the magic around me can be easy. See for yourself...

I haven't been able to blog much lately. School term makes working on my own projects difficult so I have to do little bits and piece which I love - a photo trip here, a sketch or two there, a spot of reading the arts section of the paper on the side.

Back into bed now to read the paper. I am sure I saw fairies and other woodland folk today!

IF_Early

2010-05-23T14:45:00.000-07:00

From dark to light
to morning from night
Where sun and moon swap shifts in the sky
and each little star says its goodbyes.
The cold of my toes
Slight warmth on my back
That first little chirp starts a creschendo of cries
And each little bird spreads its wings and it flies
Goodbye to the night, wipe the sleep from my eyes.
Its early!

Watercolour pencil, white gouache, watercolour paper and text from an old book. My interpretation of the concept 'early' for 'Illustration Friday'.

I hope you too have woken up well from your dreams!

Nerves and Colour

2010-05-11T17:15:00.000-07:00

I drew this image whilst I was doing Art Education at university, and a friend bought it from me for $20 - a lovely surprise considering that at the time I was broke, tired and desperately trying to keep up with lectures and essays.

Its now about 4 years later and I have been working in my job as an art teacher in a high school for over a year. I love it. It is constantly challenging, hugely busy and absolutely exhausting but also very very rewarding.

Today I am nervous.

I have an interview with the Department of Education to renew my teaching number. I have studied but I am still nervous.

So my interview is at 2:51pm today and I am sitting in a cafe around the corner drinking coffee and blogging.

It is 10:30am so I am over 4 hours early for my interview!!! Why you ask? It is in a suburb I have never been to before, at the end of the train line in Sydney's West. West West. West West West West West. You can't get much more West than here. I wanted to be confident I knew where the offices were, had time to study and was confident about what I am doing.

But I am having a good morning despite my nerves. Here in the West it is so so different to where I am from. Its really nice to be here as sometimes I get frustrated by the suburban whiteness and lack of diversity of my area. I would say the majority of people here speak a language other than English and I have already seen a million places to have lunch for under $7 - noodles, curries, pork rolls, a whole plethora of tucker from all areas of the world. I may even go shopping for a ceramic Hello Kitty mug with a lid for work.

I hope this picture is indicative of how I will go in my interview. I am carefree, confident and happy that I will be able to share all the wonderful things I have been doing with my great art students. Fingers crossed.

And on the 21st May I have my Graduation Ceremony. Yes I am fearless.

x

IF_fearless

2010-05-09T14:50:00.001-07:00

Yes, she is about to jump but she does not go unaided - that would be very risky! She has her wings, her friends to catch her and a good deal of faith that all will work out just fine! I remind myself of that daily. I think there is a difference between being fearless and outright silly!

I hope your day today is a beautiful one and you remain full of courage and have faith that so much is good in the world!

x

IF_Cocoon

2010-05-02T14:46:00.000-07:00

My image to illustrate this week's topic of 'Cocoon' for Illustration Friday:

Cocoon words: pod, contain, vessel container, hold, warmth, crysalis, wrap, hidden, hide, protect, sleep, inhabit, dormant...

I could think of many more words for what a cocoon embodies. I think the theme is perfect for this time of year. I can feel myself start to cocoon-up with doonas and jumpers and socks and shoes rather than thongs and singlets. I loved the theme as soon as I saw it however, the actual artmaking was not as glorious as the theme itself. It was hard work and there were very few points in the process where I was happy with where I was going, however I tried to have faith I was on the right track. I'm still not sure of the outcome but I am a lot happier with it now than at any other stage.

This image is composed of so many layers. Putting paint down, pushing it back, adding paper, painting over it, pushing back again. For eaxample, the pods themselves have gone from brown to white to brown again so many times until finally I turned them into faces.

You can see from the design here that I began with wanting to have a more abstract image than other IF designs I have done. I wanted to have beautiful pod like vessels hanging from trees and whilst it began that way, my image went from abstract to more representational.

Anyway, I hope you like it. I'm off to get a cup of coffee

x

Overcoming the artist bump

2010-05-01T18:22:00.000-07:00

More little scribbles of not much really.

I'm trying not to be disheartened by my illustration for Illustration Friday this week. I can't post it yet as it is nowhere near how I want it to be. The topic is 'cocoon' and the image is coming along, well, slowly. I might post it tomorrow as it is, although I intend to play with it more today. I love how sometimes steps in my art become problems to be solved - oh the lovely feeling when I have solved these problems! What becomes painful is when there is no solution in sight.

Oh well, a nice problem to have on a sleepy Sunday morning.

x

Saturday dreaming

2010-04-30T19:55:00.000-07:00

Relaxing on a Saturday makes me feel like a princess. A little sleep in, a trip to the gym with a friend, a Jarlsberg cheese and prosciutto panini from the European deli to say 'good work for getting through the pain', a large coffee, some drawing and painting, coffee later with friends, the arts section of the newspaper...

As I was drawing and painting this morning I watched a feature on the ABCs Message Stick about the new website '12 Canoes' which is a selection of "twelve video pieces that provide a visual portrait of the history, culture and environment of the Yolngu people of the Arafura swamp of north-central Arnhem Land, in the Northern Territory".

In the video called 'Seasons', the Yolngu narrator notes that the people know when the oysters are ready because of the blooming of a particular flower. He states:

"The seasons are not about the passing of time. They are about how things work together. Everything is part of everything".

I thought it was beautiful. The world does work in mysterious ways and yes, I believe everything is connected. I will show my students these videos and there is even an education kit as a PDF file.

Happy changing of the seasons to you.

Transformation.

2010-04-29T01:24:00.000-07:00

I always seem to keep coming back to this image. I even know where I keep the original little pencil sketch. It has been produced as a business card, a profile shot for my blog, prints at markets, all sorts of things. I think it may have first been drawn at least ten years ago, when I used to draw girls holding birds, girls holding fish, many repeat motifs that are still going strong today. Even back then there were birds and fish everywhere.

The image below is a similar story. Drawn, again around 10-15 years ago on a scrap piece of note paper, I kept it, scanned it, redrew it, printed it as an etching and even won a prize for the printed and framed etching. I wish I could show you the etching - I may have to search very hard for a copy.

This is why I try not to throw out any little scribbles I do - I never know what they will become.

Spiral

2010-04-27T13:50:00.000-07:00

A little sketch.

Pen and Ink, scanned and digitally coloured.

The Darling Mouli-Julienne

2010-04-27T03:50:00.001-07:00

This is my favourite toy of the moment.

Bought from a church market for only a few bob.

So far the darling Mouli-Julienne has given me:

Super thin slices of potato, pumpkin and sweet potato for vege wholemeal lasagna

Super thin slices of potato and zucchini for a home made pizza

Easy grated zucchini and apple for a, wait for it, zucchini and apple cake. Delicious.

Yay retro!

Needing that coat

2010-04-26T01:12:00.000-07:00

Another little vintage wooden peg gnome needed some woollens for Autumn.

He now joins Mrs little vintage peg gnome on the seasons mantle.

Bless

IF_Ahead

2010-04-24T23:59:00.000-07:00

The Owl and the Pussycat

Two things came to mind when thinking about the theme 'Ahead' for Illustration Friday.

The first was 'getting ahead', and the second was 'land up ahead'.

I decided to go for the second idea, thinking about those two ultimate sea-farers...

The Owl and the Pussycat of course!

When they went to sea on the beautiful pea-green boat they would not have known what was ahead (for they packed some honey and plenty of money just in case!) but they took off anyway.

For those who need a refresher on the story like me, here is a link for Edward Lear's nonsense poem in full

The Owl and the Pussycat

Enjoy

For You

2010-04-24T15:33:00.000-07:00

Here's to happy days

The bees knees

2010-04-23T17:22:00.000-07:00

Life is funny.

God bless bees.

I can't be bothered to change a light globe in my bedroom/lounge room. Have you ever done the same? Living in very low light because changing the bulb takes just that little bit of extra effort?

But I can be bothered to make beautiful beeswax candles.

I can be bothered to stick my head in the vapours of the beeswax as it melts in the double boiler, smelling the warm faint honey smell, and smiling that very soon I will have my own natural beeswax candle in

vintage crockery.

I can be bothered to take happy snaps, to edit and post the happy snaps and to provide commentary for you all in my blog. Yes, I have my priorities right ;-)

Meanwhile, my eyes squint as the light is low from the lack of light bulbs.

But who cares? I have my very own beeswax candles to work by.

Happy times to you my friends.

2010-04-22T16:31:00.000-07:00

Autumn Colours...

I sketched this yesterday with watercolour pencils, white gouache and collage paper on watercolour paper.

Happy Earth Day for yesterday everyone!

IF: (ART) Detective

2010-04-18T14:59:00.000-07:00

Art Detective

Desperate to complete an image for Illustration Friday's theme of 'Detective', yesterday morning was spent working on an image called Nature Detective where I drew myself on my hands and knees in the bush looking through a magnifying glass at all the wonder of nature. Sadly Nature Detective did not work out but all was not lost...

Nature Detective metamorphasised into Art Detective. Here I am in my role as art super sleuth - I wander the streets and the bush collecting evidence - observing, sketching, recording, photographing, notetaking. Sometimes I walk, sometimes I ride my bike. What a great life to be an artist.

I hope you like it - I better get back to my real job now.

Days of nothing

2010-04-16T18:26:00.000-07:00

Two Days left of holidays...

I am going to do nothing.

Except...

Read the paper

Drink tea with friends

Finish Orlando.

Image courtesy of 'Cinema & literature'

A very good weekend to you friends

Happy Earth

2010-04-14T14:21:00.000-07:00

It is Earth Day on April 22

How will you celebrate?

There are a few amazing giveaways on some gorgeous blog sites:

Check out Natural Kids Earth Day Promotion

And 'The Magic Onions'

On April 24 the Autumn Festival starts in Bright Victoria. I wish I could go - it is a long way away and I do have to work.

I will celebrate Autumn and Earth Day by:

Going for a walk

Observing the changes in the weather as Autumn sets in

Looking at the changes in the trees

Listening to the birds

Buying groceries without packaging

Filling my water at the tap

Using my bike and not my car

Admiring my seasons table

Visiting a pretty place

Not being wasteful

Little Rainbow

2010-04-14T00:19:00.000-07:00

This little baby Rainbow Lorikeet sat comfortably in my frangipani tree yesterday, happily letting me photograph him.

Gnome in my home

2010-04-13T23:48:00.000-07:00

Delicious Gnome Recipe:

1 vintage wooden peg

red and blue and peach colour felt

antique lace and fabric trim

wool for hair

a marker pen face

= 1 pretty gnome in my home

Blue

2010-04-13T14:18:00.000-07:00

Last Saturday's day trip to the Blue Mountains...

Fresh air

Beautiful landscapes

Gorgeous little shops

Funny little markets

Delicious food

Ten Things

2010-04-13T02:28:00.000-07:00

Courtesy of Meet Me At Mikes...

Ten things about me:

- I still have one baby tooth and I am 33 years old!

- I once beat the Dux of the school in religion studies in year 9

- When I was about 10 I saved a little baby who fell out of its pram on an escalator. A man then grabbed the baby out of my arms and placed it into the arms of the mother who then thanked the man profusely.

- When I was about 18 I saved a huge man who fell in between the platform and the train. I grabbed him under the arms and pulled the huge man up whilst screaming for someone to help - no one helped. I realised then that I must be quick to think, am very strong and I like to help people - but selfishly I also really like to be thanked.

- Before I wanted to be an artist, I wanted to be a witch, than a policeman or a boxer.

- I have difficulty thinking of 10 things about me.

- I never ever wanted to be a teacher. In year 4 my best friend said she wanted to be a teacher and I thought 'no way would I do that'. When I was 18 I got into a teaching degree and refused to go. Finally at 30 I went back to uni after doing a fine arts degree to do, what else? Art teaching. I now work in a high school and I LOVE teaching. I also love hanging out with my year 4 bestie and talking about teaching.

- I have never ridden a bicycle properly. I bought a really good bicycle a few months ago for $20 with a helmet included and now ride it everywhere. I love it.

- I prefer to drive a manual car. I got my licence on an auto but bought a cheap manual car - took me ages to learn but now I love it.

- I never learned to dive until I was in high school. It was terribly embarrassing for me and a huge relief when I finally learned.

- I love classical music and I hate loud noises.

That's actually 11 but makes up for the one where I said how hard this is!

What's for dinner?

2010-04-12T18:30:00.005-07:00

Last night I treated myself to home cooking of the yummiest, healthiest kind.

I get so busy it is easy to just go with takeaway or a really simple no fuss dinner. But last night...

Vege Lasagna made with wholemeal pasta, sweet potato, potato, pumpkin, mushrooms, garlic, onions, ricotta, parmesan, tomato passata, thyme Greek basil, olive oil and salt and pepper. The mix of limited veges worked beautifully.

A mini salad made only with raw zucchini sliced with a potato peeler (very very thin), fresh lemon, olive oil, salt and pepper. This salad is delicious and so so easy. I made it because I realised I had no salad to go with my lasagna and all I had was zucchini. Try it - you won't be disappointed!

Little carrot and crystalised ginger cupcakes with a coconut and lemon icing. I used a modified version of the chai spice cake I posted ages ago.

I have a 1960s vege slicer which makes veges so easy to slice neatly and thinly!

Yum. Photos to come.

Peggy

2010-04-12T02:03:00.000-07:00

I bought these sweet vintage clothes pegs from a little antique store in the Blue Mountains. I love the markings in the top of the pegs.

Whilst I love them as they are I think I will turn them into little toy gnomes with red felt hats. Stay tuned...

Five Faves II

2010-04-10T21:11:00.000-07:00

Five Faves

Courtesy of Meet me at Mikes

1. Bonsai (these are the two plants I just bought!)

2. Saying hi to others via their blogs

3. Organisational compartments for stationary/art supplies

4. Almond milk tea

5. Lemons (love Colbram Estate lemon olive oil!)

IF: Linked

2010-04-10T20:27:00.000-07:00

'Linked'

An illustration for Illustration Friday

Sunshine, teapots, hanging socks

Blossoms and fish and bubbles and birds.

China town at night, oh what a sight!

2010-04-10T19:51:00.000-07:00

I have so many favourite places, and yes, some of them are bustling, hectic, messy, colourful, chaotic.

Chinatown...

I love walking through those Dixon Street gates...

I love how I can visit and feel like I am both at home and also far away...

I love the colour...

I love how the food is super cheap but super yummy, and nothing near what I would cook at home...

I love all the little treats and surprises - 'just what is this inside my bun? Oooooh custard'...

Yes I love the sweets...

I love picking up the tongs and choosing my bun...

I love how everything is so cute but so cool at the same time...

Yes, oh so cute...

I love the tea!...

There are Chinatowns all over the world - I would love to see yours!

Swinging through trees

2010-04-09T03:44:00.000-07:00

I love native Australian trees.

Beautiful Wattle

A lovely twisty gnarly tree that I can't help but stare in awe at every time I walk past.

The finches love the species above and so do I.

What is your favourite tree?

There was a young woman who lived in a shoe...box

2010-04-09T00:11:00.001-07:00

What does one do when one has no space to swing a cat?

One has to compromise of course.

So when I see people's beautiful art rooms (I too have had them in the past)I think, how can I do this IN my living room which also doubles as a bedroom (I live in a studio apartment) but also keeping the space as a living space. I am happy to work on the tiled floors, on the couch an on the bed. All my works are very small after all.

My dilemma yesterday though was how to make my own 'inspiration board' like the ones I have seen on other's beautiful blogs. I don't have the space and I can't pin things to the walls of my rented apartment. This is what I did with string and mini pegs...

Do you have some dilemmas and solutions to share?

Birdy Hide and Seek

2010-04-08T23:19:00.001-07:00

Sometimes when I ride my bike through the bush I like to go really really fast.

Wooooo hooooo!!!

But today I wanted to go very slow so that I could photograph the beautiful birds that play in the trees by the lake.

The problem is, whilst these birds are very noisy, they are also very very shy.

Stand still for a few minutes and you will see one finch hopping on a branch, then another finch, and maybe a wagtail, then another bird until you realise these birds are everywhere - you just have to stand very very still.

Catch a glimpse of the little things and you will see how beautiful they really are.

So my photos today look like bird version of Where's Wally but it was the best I could do without standing like a statue for half an hour.

One of my favourite books (such a geek) is Robert Hughes The Fatal Shore which is about the colonisation/invasion of Australia by the English. I think he describes the bush perfectly...

'...the landscape was alive, but secretively so. Here in the Australian bush one needed to look, and look again, before glimpsing the gray koala camouflaged against the fleshy gray burl of its gum tree. The voices of the animals tended to be out of all proportion to their size. Just as space was drained of perspective by the random, flickering of the trees, so it was hard to guess where sounds originated' (p.7).

I love the bush

Dandy pants

2010-04-07T15:24:00.000-07:00

I completed some things on my to-do-list which is a lovely feeling...

I bought some blank cards and made these pretty little dandelion cards. I wanted to make them more of an artwork than a greeting card so it can be used as both.

They look so pretty with the light shining through - almost reminiscent of an old vintage photograph.

Where I live part 2

2010-04-07T05:32:00.000-07:00

More of where I live...

More of Autumn

2010-04-07T05:00:00.000-07:00

Autumn Seasons Shelf...

I was lucky enough to visit two wonderful girlfriends yesterday and to spend quality time with their children also. Both beautiful souls and their kidlets inspired me to create my own seasons shelf. I don't have room in my house (otherwise known as the shoebox) for that special little corner so I used the windowsill. On my windowsill sits all the things that remind me of Autumn...

Dried flowers and feathers in miniature jars...

Dried leaves and my little dandelion print...

Little gnomes and elves, wooden pencils, ceramic birds, a hand-painted wooden Easter egg, and one of my oil paintings. I will keep collecting to add to my Autumn Seasons Shelf.

...

Today, as I parked my car in the local council carpark, I noticed a lovely big lemony smell - like the smell of pure essential oils. Then, as I turned the corner there was a huge lemon teatree bush. This made my day. Why buy cut flowers when I can fill my house with the heady fresh smell of lemon tea-tree? Bliss!

The frangipani is slowly dropping its foliage. Shady in summer and bare in winter, letting through much needed sun. What a perfect tree for me.

The owl and the gnome sit at the entrance to my house, keeping an eye out.

How are the seasons treating you?

To do list...

2010-04-06T16:58:00.000-07:00

Autumn...

Still raining.

Raining raining raining.

A little chilly. But not too cold.

What am I doing now?

Let's see...

1. I have just cut and printed on paper this sweet little dandelion into lino. I think I will print many and make some little autumn greeting cards. Will keep you posted. Must go to art shop to buy blank cards...

2. Or maybe I will print the sweet little dandelions with white fabric paint on some nice brown linen. Or cream on white? Or white on blue? Must go to art shop to buy fabric paint and fabric...

3. Or maybe I will varnish my two new oil paintings *see previous posts - the owl and the doll*. Must go to art shop to buy some new varnish...

So many lovely things to keep me occupied. Yay for holidays. I hope you all had a lovely Easter.

Pretty...Incomplete

2010-04-04T20:41:00.000-07:00

Oh dear..

I have all this beautiful wool and all these beautiful crochet squares but alas, it is hard work and very fiddly. I thought it may be possible to make crochet blankies for Christmas presents but I think it may take me 20 years to finish one. Ha ha. At least I am positive about the colours - aren't they pretty?

Maybe as Autumn moves into Winter the motivation to crochet will come back again... let's hope