SoewnEarth

Tea Bags

2012-01-23T18:42:00.000-08:00

Aren't they beautiful?

leaf prints

circles

soft colours

images

I feel these to need to be kept.

Perhaps preserved in wax.

Things to do when you should be doing something else

x te

and then there were three

2012-01-18T23:13:00.000-08:00

'Bone Songs III'

Hand stitch on Naturally Dyed Silk

Found Bones and stone

Another 1 in the Bone Songs series.

I must say I am thoroughly enjoying

making these.

x te

In the studio

2012-01-17T23:05:00.000-08:00

all natural mixed media 10 x 10cm

These are two of my latest pieces and they will be off to the market with me on sunday. They are all framed up and under glass so I won't be putting them in my etsy shop but I might be able to some unframed pieces in real soon.

A large wrap vest in process, all the stitching is done first

a close up

In the pot

Finally I am strating to settle down and get some work done in the studio. And about time too!!! Has been very unsettling being home and in a studio that has been only for holidays for the last 3 years. As a consequence I have been acting like I have been on holiday instead of getting work done. And my calendar for the year is looking far too full for that kind of carry on.

I will be participating in A Letter A Week over here

and in a moment of complete insanity I said I would do an edition for Book Art Object over here

Never mind I am supposed to be writing a series of articles for this magazine first one due out in the february issue probably about the same time my deadline is for the next one!!!!

Then I will also be popping east on 3 seperate occasions, to the Blue Mountains in April and to the Dorothy Caldwell workshop in QLD early May. (My husband is not best pleased that I will be away for a month)

In July I will teaching a two day workshop at Beatiful Silks Natural Dye Symposium and doing a side trip to Hobart to teach as well and possibly a day in Launcseton as well.

Then I will doing a little something in SA in October.

Never mind actually trying to get some of my own work done.

I fee exhausted just looking at it.

Maybe I will go have a nice sit on the deck a cold drink and a good book.

Dog it's good to be on holdays

Another Market

2012-01-09T19:00:00.000-08:00

Last Saturday was Denmark Market number 2

It was a very cool windy and overcast day but still

there were lots of people

and what a lovely spot I had with the river behind me.

And at least the weather was way better than the day before

when we had strong winds and horizontal lashing rain.

This is my lovely husband Dan minding the stall.

Not his favourite job

as people keep asking questions

and he doesn't know the answers.

The next market will be on Sunday the 22nd of Jan

So anybody here in the deep south of WA

I would love to see you.

x te

Ciao 2011 How You Doin 2012?

2011-12-31T01:19:00.000-08:00

As the sun sets on another year I am happy to be home.

The Vegie Garden is thriving

The cherry tomatoes are just about ready to pick

But best of all we finally have birds back on the block.

Be brought the muscovies home today and thats them on the bank of their pond.

Chooks will have to wait till next year.

And yes we still have George who we raised from a duckling.

Paper Gail

2011-12-21T01:23:00.000-08:00

There is a very nice tutorial over at PaperGail's blog on making your own Paste Papers. I would of course add powdered earth pigment where she adds acrylic paint for a more natural finish but apart from that it is geat.

x te

Market Day

2011-12-13T17:45:00.000-08:00

Market Day in Denmark Western Australia and what a beautiful day it was

Unlike today which is cold wet and windy.

And this is my stall.

Yes that is me in there

Little egg and dye books

a little something in charcoal, milk paint and gum resin

Some more

and another one with a fringe of earrings

Little wrap books with gesso pages

Encaustic pieces

More encaustic pieces

And a large journal with paper pages using up some of the prints I made at uni

I had a great day met lots of people and renewed my acquaintance with others.

And made a few sales

Now to put some of the pieces that didn't sell in my Etsy Shop

though I think maybe not in time

to arrive before Christmas.

New Years gifts anyone?

x te

Home

2011-12-13T00:55:00.000-08:00

The first thing we had to do upon our arrival

was hack a way to the front door by pruning this enormous

Kangaroo paw.

The vegie garden was also just a bit overgrown.

And there will be no chickens till this lot get sorted out

But the mint is still gowing strong

And the rose is gorgeous even if I di miss it at it's best

There be tiny apples on the apple tree

Water Lillies in the overflow pot

Artichokes are past there best but the bees love them and they are lovely

And parsley gone beserk

Hopefully the seed will ripen

and there will some more edible stuff very soon

We have been working hard to get everything into a better state

Not much art has been happening

but I did do a market

and made some money

which was most welcome

Pics of all that real soon

x te

The Trip Home

2011-12-12T18:09:00.000-08:00

Here we are driving onto the Spirit of Tasmania to begin the long journey home.

The last bit of Tassie slips away and we get to go to our cabin (best idea ever) then a meal that was very ordinary and overpriced before settling off to sleep rocked gently by the ocean, ( I could get very used to that) before being rudely awakened at 5.45am!!!!

We spent a couple of days in Melbourne before continuing

on to the coast

Into South Australia and our timing was right for the Blue Lake

More lovely coast a walk out onto a jetty which looks deceptively calm

even though it was blowing a gale.

Onto the Coorong which was so full of water was a wonderful contrast to how it looked

when we passed through 3 years ago.

More Coorong

The car loaded to the max by Lake Alexandrina

And then onto the train, this is the stop in the middle of nowhere Cook.

Talk about 2000 acres of Sky.

And finally we made it to Perth where Dan had to have a swim at Cottesloe Beach.

Liebster BLog Award

2011-12-02T17:12:00.000-08:00

Oh me oh my, Thank you so much Jo Murray for presenting me with this lovely award.

The Liebster Blog Award originated in Germany and recognizes up and coming bloggers. It is meant to showcase those who have fewer than 200 followers. (Liebster means "favourite" or "dearest" in German.) This is done in the spirit of pay-it-forward. In accepting this award, the recipient agrees to:

• Thank the person that gave them the award and link back to their blog

• Copy and paste the award to their blog

• Reveal the 5 blogs they have chosen to award and let them know by commenting on their blog

So now I will pick five favourites to present the award to who of course don't have to continue this fine tradition but what a lovely way of letting another blogger know you love what they are doing.

I will start with Jilli over at Jilli's Stuff, she has a relatively new blog with only 11 followers and it was I who encouraged her to start a blog while I was in Tassie. I am sure it will grow. I do miss spending time with her.

Another delightful blog is The Barnswallow. Posts don't happen very ofteen but when they do they are gems.

Another must visit blog for me is Alice Fox always intersting things happening there.

Heres another favourite to visit Crow Zen Art there is always something to inspire and I just love the name.

And how could I not include Michelle Belto as I eagerly await her new book on Encaustic my current favourite passion?

And that's my five. I think I could have easily kept going.

Meg Fowler and Melinda Bloom

2011-12-01T00:01:00.000-08:00

I still have not heard from these two winners of my giveaway and it has been quite some time.

If I don't hear anything by monday I will do it again.

Especially as I am now home and I left the packages for someone else to post.

So there may be an opportunity yet!!!!

Will do a real post with pics very soon.

x te

Winners are Grinners

2011-11-16T16:23:00.000-08:00

Thanks to everyone for entering the giveaway. It would appear that I am hugely popular overseas but have yet to make a massive impact in my own country. Though I was quite suprised to find 3 fans here in Launceston. So what I have decided to do is

Choose 1 person from Australia.

Jo Murray.

Look at the beautiful vessel I found!!!

2 people from Overseas

Meg Fowler and Melinda Bloom

And for the 3 locals Anna Lizotte, Jen Eddington and Gina, I will divvy up what is left and take it to Niche with me if you would like to do a personal pick up or leave it at theTin Shed for you to pick up at your leisure. But that way you will miss out on saying goodbye.

As for the other winners, much as I would love to hand over your prizes personally, I think we will have to settle for snail mail addresses. So if you could get themto me asap and then I can get your parcels in the mail tomorrow.

And yes I do have that much stuff left over!!!!

x te

I still haven't received any addresses for my winners so it looks like I will have to put the packages together and leave them for someone else to post next week.

Niche All Wrapped Up

2011-11-14T19:07:00.000-08:00

This will be my last Market in Tasmania.

I have heaps of lovely things to sell

and sell it all I must

as I will be leaving on the boat Saturday night

immediately following the market.

The car will already be packed

and there will be no room for extras!!!!

Giveaways

2011-11-11T22:00:00.000-08:00

Ok, here we are post number 200!!!! Who'd a thunk it. And in honour of this auspicious occasion and the fact that my studio is all packed up and I have a pile of leftover bits and pieces, I am going to have not one but 2 giveaways. 1 will be for people within Oz and the other will be for people from Overseas. This all about the cost of postage so the lucky? Ozzies get more bang for their buck, well they would if it wasn't free! Now I am not promising that either package will contain anything in the way of masterpieces but their will be small painted pieces, some gessoed cloth some bits of dyed fabric, stuff like that. So if you are interested in a colllection of my bits and bobs leave a comment or if some of you can't due to bloggers contrariness send me an email and sometime next wednesday your names will all go into whatever receptacle is still here and some ones name will be drawn out. Don't forget to let me know whether you are local or not, and will need an address asap as I need to post these on friday morning. Best of Luck, x te

Love this Post

2011-11-07T15:28:00.000-08:00

Great post over here at ZenDotStudio today. I think I will be looking for a copy of this book when I get home!!! As there is now no more book buying for the moment. I say this while contemplating the exessive pile of them that I somehow have to finangle into the back of the car for the trip home. Yes dear I have culled it down to the absolute minimum. They won't take up any more space than you big screen TV!!!!! I like my priorities better than his. The funniest thing, when we get home we don't have any TV reception??? So what is that about? Busy at the moment preparing for our sale on saturday where hopefully we will offload some of our stuff in excahnge for money, essential stuff esp when ttravelling. So anyone local would love to see you down at the studio, there will be art studio stuff for sale as well.

Egg Obsession

2011-11-01T01:10:00.000-07:00

Even more egg pictures

I am having so much fun doing these

And as I only have one hot plate

And I need to be dyeing at the moment

Instead of playing with wax

These little babies keep me amused.

And these are just the dry ones!!!!!

I have done a few small ones

which are still wetI will matte them up

and sell them

These will probably end up as bookcovers

Score

2011-10-30T16:38:00.000-07:00

I made no 23 on Top Australian Women Bloggers in the craft category check it out here.
How cool is that?
And I am also rapidly sneaking up on blog post number 200 so I think there will need to be a giveaway, this may also be a sneaky way to get rid of some stuff before the big move. Above is a piece from a loose book that went up to Fiona Dempster, after she very kindly emailed me horrified at the thought of me having to chuck out loads of art work in the imminent shift and we made a deal where she nominated an amount of money and I sent up a pile of work. I believe we were both satisfied with the transaction. I love to know my bits and pieces have gone to some one who will cherish them. She just happens to mention me here

Free Shipping on Etsy

2011-10-28T17:07:00.000-07:00

Yes I have decided to offer free shipping on everything over in my Etsy Shop until November 17th. After that everything will be sold off at a market I am attending prior to relocating on Novemeber 19th. I need to take as little as possible with me. When work will get back up on Etsy is anybodys guess. Hopefully in time for Christmas.
So if there is anything you like best get in now.

More Egg Related Business

2011-10-27T00:16:00.000-07:00

Playing some more with the egg. Here I have applied the egg yolk to a lino print, the yellow one a stamped the block onto the fabric the dark one I put the block on the table and applied the cloth to the block. I allowed the egg to dry and then put them into two different dye pots. I like what happened.

This is a closer shot.

This a small concertina book I placed leaves inside and held it closed with fold back clamps and then dyed.

A little tiny book

The egg paper now a wax covered book cover

Hand made paper on the inside.

So that is what I have been up to in the studio.

Egg on paper and wax fun

2011-10-25T17:30:00.000-07:00

These are a couple of the pages of watercolour paper that I use to brush the egg onto my leaves as you can see when popped into the dye pot they come up beautifully. After a good drying and a few days of curing I have now covered them in hot wax and used them as book covers which have waxwd handmade pages.

And this is a first wax piece exploring excavation. The toxic yellow is an example of why not to use zinc white in this instance.

And this is the end result with just a little yellow now covered with titanium white.

A little display

and this one has excavation on one side a strip of handmade paper down the centre and some nice scratching on the right.

I am having so much fun with the online wax class with Judy Wise, there is a link on my sidebar for anyone wanting to check it out.

x te

Lets Talk About Me Baby

2011-10-23T16:21:00.000-07:00

Recently Roxanne of River Garden Studio

purchased one of my journals

and she has some very nice things to say

in blog post over here.

There are some other very nice pics as well
and a bit more me is happening over at Wake Robin with the Lovely Velma.
I am feeling the love.

Egg on Cotton

2011-10-21T16:13:00.000-07:00

Thought it was time to share with you the new and exciting technique I have discovered for getting strong prints on cotton. I taught this for the first time at my workshop in Hobarrt a couple of weeks ago and much fun was had.

Nearly a year ago I read this post over at inleaf which is a lovely blog by Lotta Helleborg.

She was using egg to print leaves onto linen and then dyeing it and the egg area attracted more dye leaving a very nice print in a darker shade than the background.

I tried this technique and it worked beautifully.

Now this got me thinking, what if I left the leaves on the cloth?

Magic happened that's what.

So to begin, seperate your egg. In this tecnique we will only be using the yolk ( I tried whole egg but it wasn't as effective) Itis a good idea to hold the yolk in your hand and pierce the sac to drain the contents that way you get a nice smooth mix. Add a little water about a dessertspoon per egg yolk and give a good mix. The egg needs to be wet enough so it penetrates the fabric.

Select a 100% cellulose fabric, cotton t-shirts are great.

Lay your leaves one at a time onto a piece of watercolour paper and paint with the egg, (the paper is not stricly necessary but I found that the paper when slipped into the pot dyes beautifully) then carefully place each leaf in the desired position.

Continue till all placed. Those of you who have done this on silk and wool will know that in general you will only lay leaves on half of the fabric and fold over to create a mirror image. here I have already done that step but forgot to take a photo so you are getting the second side ready to be rolled up. Just before folding or rolling brush all the upper sides of the leaves with the egg this way both sides will print. Fold and press down firmly so all are adhered. This also means that carefully placed leaves are less likely to move. Roll up and tie tightly with string. A leaf or two egged one one side and stuck tot he outside of the bundle under the string leaves a lovely resist print.

Cook as usual.

These two images cooked in iron rich water

This one in water with a spoon of aluminum dissolved in viegar goop.

Note the lovely leaves under string.

It is very important that after unwrapping the fabric is left to cure for at least a week so the egg can fully bond with the fabric.

The pictures above have not yet been washed, so some colour loss should be expected. The washed pieces are all at the studio.

I will post pics as soon as I wash these.

Flowerpot Dyeing

2011-10-10T17:22:00.000-07:00

On the weekend I travelled south past Hobart the teach a natural dye workshop in a little spot called Flowerpot.

Sue Domeney

It was held on Sue Domeney's property. And here are lots more photos.

Ros

Jill

Rene

Sue B

Maree

And here are some of the results.

We had some fabulous results on cotton with a new technique I have been working on which I demonstrated for the first time at this workshop.

Expect a tutorial real soon.

Bowls on Etsy

2011-09-24T20:52:00.000-07:00

Set of 3 small paper mache bowls

2 small 1 medium

1 medium.

Sorry my posts are so spare at the moment.

Apart from sorting and organising things to sell not alot is happening.

I am off to Hobart in acouple of weeks to teach a Natural Dye Workshop

so hopefully I will have something more exciting to report.

I am also hoping to get up to Melbourne next month to do a Market at

the Abbotsford Convent for anyone in the area.

It will most likely be my last one till the middle of next year.

I will let you know when things are a bit more organised!!!

Blog of the Week

2011-09-16T18:47:00.000-07:00

Chris Drury is an environmental artist whose work I have greatly admired since my uni days.

Just found his blog and am thoroughly enjoying myself.

Discounted Journals

2011-09-13T23:36:00.000-07:00

Not much time left on these babies
http://www.etsy.com/listing/74399147/cloth-wrapped-journal

http://www.etsy.com/listing/74399298/cloth-wrapped-journal

http://www.etsy.com/listing/74399405/cloth-wrapped-journal

and there will extra goodies tucked in as weight allows.

Half Price

2011-09-13T23:27:00.000-07:00

These will be on sale for halfprice until sold or the etsy listing lapses.
I will not be relisting them.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/74521724/encaustic-paintingthree-gave-birth

http://www.etsy.com/listing/74521523/encaustic-paintingmyriad-of-things

http://www.etsy.com/listing/74521343/encaustic-paintingguidance-of-the-inner

Paper

2011-09-13T17:08:00.000-07:00

I had a great deal of fun making these pieces of art paper.

Layers of wax, ink and paint on hand made paper.

And now they are in my Etsy shop because I must be ruthless with myself.

It becomes harder and harder to figure out what to make the closer the deadline of moving day looms.

I can only fit the minimum in the car and postage will be confined to the lightest of things.

And what do I do with stuff that doesnt sell?

Well I suppose I will have to have a big sale.

First on Etsy

Then in the studio

and last

but not least

at my market stall

the day we leave!!

Now how crazy is that?

Here we go Again

2011-09-04T18:09:00.000-07:00

Turtle Dreaming

Pear Under a Full Moon

I am Under Here

I am quite pleased with the way these are building up and for the way in which I am whittling down the humungous mound of unfinished pieces.

I have a few more ready for stitching and then I will have to dive back into the mound. Or perhaps take a break and prepare for the Natural Dye Workshop coming up next month.

A n Absolute delight.

2011-09-04T16:04:00.000-07:00

I was over at Book Art Object reading the latest post here and of course went where they said which is here and it was so worth the trip.

love it.

New Work

2011-08-29T19:13:00.000-07:00

Bird

A Question Of Space

Moon Thoughts

Moon Dance

And still they keep filling up the Etsy shop.

I am really liking this new series where I get to combine my natural dye and paintings.

Blog of the week

2011-08-29T18:12:00.000-07:00

I think this is a great blog Fibershed and a very good idea, similar to the idea of local food, the 100 mile diet etc. And very much in keeping with the idea of bioregional colour. It is well worth a preuse through past posts for some great clothing and jewellery ideas. I love the idea of sourcing all my fibre and clothes as well as my colour from within my local area. And the tourists would love to be able to go to areas and collect truly local pieces as well.

Cleaning out the Stash

2011-08-24T18:39:00.000-07:00

Waxing Nine

NIne with Circle Sold

Seed 2 Sold

Seed 3 Sold

Forest Garden with Vessel

Vessel Dissolving

Bound Vessel

Just doing a pre-moving clear out.

I have accumulated so much stuff while having been here in Tasmania and as the November departure date gets ever closer the need to purge the mountain becomes greater.

All currently available in my Etsy Shop

Found Poems on Etsy

2011-08-23T18:48:00.000-07:00

nesting music

laughter ringing

spirit wishing

This morning she was home

dancing

sometimes you forget time

walking beside the river

between the pools she was

soul dancing

3 small concertina books

plaster and paper on cloth

with found poems

Small Paintings new to Etsy

2011-08-23T18:40:00.000-07:00

Forest Garden

Bound

Crescent IX

Seed sold

These small paintings just listed on Etsy

Be Like Water

2011-08-21T16:45:00.000-07:00

August 19, 2011

A Great Teacher

Living Like Water

Water is a great teacher that shows us how to move through the world with grace, ease, determination, and humility.

The journey of water as it flows upon the earth can be a mirror of our own paths through life. Water begins its residence on earth as it falls from the sky or melts from ice and streams down a mountain into a tributary or stream. In the same way, we come into the world and begin our lives on earth. Like a river that flows within the confines of its banks, we are born with certain defining characteristics that govern our identity. We are born in a specific time and place, within a specific family, and with certain gifts and challenges. Within these parameters, we move through life, encountering many twists, turns, and obstacles along the way just as a river flows.

Water is a great teacher that shows us how to move through the world with grace, ease, determination, and humility. When a river breaks at a waterfall, it gains energy and moves on, as we encounter our own waterfalls, we may fall hard but we always keep moving on. Water can inspire us to not become rigid with fear or cling to what’s familiar. Water is brave and does not waste time clinging to its past, but flows onward without looking back. At the same time, when there is a hole to be filled, water does not run away from it in fear of the dark; instead, water humbly and bravely fills the empty space. In the same way, we can face the dark moments of our life rather than run away from them.

Eventually, a river will empty into the sea. Water does not hold back from joining with a larger body, nor does it fear a loss of identity or control. It gracefully and humbly tumbles into the vastness by contributing its energy and merging without resistance. Each time we move beyond our individual egos to become part of something bigger, we can try our best to follow the lead of the river.

This found here.

And for a wonderful writer's blog and a great video of the Alexander McQeen Exhibition go to Theodora Goss.

Blog Of The Week

2011-08-19T18:44:00.000-07:00

This week I have chosen a blog that focusses on the journey to Living more Lightly on the planet. The latest post is a reminder that for most of us being minimal still means we are rich beyond our wildest dreams. And I love the fact that Joshua shares his ups, downs, struggles, the whole enchilada. He is on the way and not preaching from the lofty height of achievement.

Lots of good stuff to read and I not only look forward to his posts but always learn something.

Join In The Fun

2011-08-18T16:10:00.000-07:00

In April next year I will be travelling to The Blue Mountains in NSW for CONTEXTART to do a workshop with the most lovely Trish Baldwin .

Also in the class will the fabulous India Flint and she talks about it here giving all the info about the class.

Now I know this class was added to the list late and I do know that we have the minimum numbers required for the class to go ahead, so if you are interested in Encaustic and why wouldn't you be, sign up coz it is going to be a hoot.

It's going to be soooooo much fun.

At The Tin Shed

2011-08-15T18:53:00.000-07:00

For anyone local this is a shot of my for sale area in the Tin Shed.

We are open Monday to Friday 10am to 5pm.

I am usually there in the afternoons during this cold time of the year.

Blog of the Week

2011-08-13T17:49:00.000-07:00

This week we are off to The Realm of Froud where you can find examples of the work of both Wendy and Brian Froud. I must admit I have been a fan for years and yes I own both of the fairy books as well as a Goblins Companion, I also saw the most wonderful Book Of Stains in a bookshop in Bunbury years ago but foolishly failed to buy and I still regret it.

Measure Twice

2011-08-12T21:57:00.000-07:00

'Of Seed and Bone'

32 x 119cm

Plaster on Cloth

I spent the last couple of weeks working on this piece of work.

Getting it ready to send for an exhibition in Hobart.

Taking it to the wire I completed it at 4pm on friday.

Ready to get to the Post Office before 5pm.

So it would arrive on Monday.

So, I got home, opened up the info to check that I had done all that was necessary,

when i came upon the size rextriction.

And the penny dropped,

I had made the piece too durned big.

Boy do I feel sheepish.

So now I have a lovely piece looking for a new home.

Blog of the Week

2011-08-06T22:36:00.000-07:00

Farm animals, stories, art and best of all donkeys, What more could you possibly ask for.

All here at Apifera Farm

Hallams Waterfront Restaurant

2011-08-06T19:19:00.000-07:00

Last night we had dinner at Hallams Waterfront Restaurant to celebrate Dan's birthday. This place had been recommended but we were a little aprehensive after reading a couple of online reviews.

It is easy to get to with plenty of parking and on entering it was bright and warm with the wood fire blazing in the centre of the room and supplementary heaters possibly not helped by the open door but still nice and warm, helped no doubt by the abundance of wood.

The waitresses were attentive throughout the evening and certainly eager to help even though at times there was a lag between a request and it appearing.

Upon being seated we were offered water which was happily accepted until tasting it to realise it was cooled tap water, this is one thing I find highly offensive in any eating establishment but in fine dining I find it inexcusable. We asked for the water to be taken away, and we were then offered the option of filtered water which we accepted and yes it was an extra charge on the bill.

For entrees we ordered the Seafood Chowder and Wild Tiger Prawns. Dan specifically asked if the chowder came with bread and if so how many pieces. The answer was 2-3 pieces which seemed a goodly amount. When the chowder arrived there was 1 very small piece of bread on the side. Another piece of bread was requested but it didn't arrive till we had swapped plates and so he had to lean across the table to dunk it, not an ideal solution. The Seafood chowder was also a dissapointment, if not for the chunks of seafood and a couple of mussels you would be hard pressed to detect any seafood flavour at all. Just creaminess with chunks of potato.

The Tiger Prawns where beautifully cooked, but the garlic and parmesan panisse which they rested upon was underseasoned (and I don't even usually use salt!!!) floury and flavourless, like a big wad of glueyness in the mouth. The garlic sauce though was delicious.

Onto the mains, I had a second entree of Sat and Pepper Calamari with a salad of Roasted Beetroot and Sweet Potato with fetta, greens and an Almond Aioli. This dish was a triumph a delight to eat. Dan on the otherhand paid $36 for a piece of grilled Stripey Trumpeter and a few baby potatoes which was anything but special. I do find it dissapointing when these prices are charged and you are still expected to apy extra fro vegetables. Obviously not paying attention to the dietary guidelines of more vegetables in the diet when restaurant food seems to be built exclusively around protein and starch.

And for dessert I scored a big hit with the Espresso Brulee with a espresso sauce and a cream filled Brandy Snap. Excellent I enjoyed every last bit.

Dan once more was not totally overwhelmed by the Spiced Apple pudding which he said was only ok and the triple shot long black which he ordered in a mug which came in a cup was just alittle bit too strong.

So all in all considering the bill (including 2 glasses of wine and 2 beers) came to $162 for 2, we were not super impressed. Given the choice again we probably would not return to this restaurant.

It was much better value and quality at The Gorge Reastaurant.

Scarf Finished

2011-07-29T23:25:00.000-07:00

The scarf I have been working on which started life as a pair of white wool leggings is finally finished, dyed and up for sale on Etsy.

See here for what it looked like back in the beginning.

I do have another pair............

Blog of the Week

2011-07-29T20:28:00.000-07:00

This is still my all time favourite novel. Which I may have to buy again as my copy seems to have misplaced itself.

And this is the blog of Terri Windling the author and so much more.

I highly recommend you spend some time wandering around and getting acquainted. This Page will give you a speil on the story.

And of course it is available Amazon but I would do a search here and see what you can find.

x te

Waxing Lyrical

2011-07-27T16:34:00.000-07:00

So the word is out, India and I plus friends will be sharing a house in the Blue Mountains next April while going to Contextart doing the Encaustic workshop with the wonderful Trish Baldwin

Get more snippets of info over at India's blog.

It's gunna be a hoot.

x te

Paying the Piper

2011-07-24T19:14:00.000-07:00

Little Concertina Journal

Just signed up to do a workshop with the lovely Trish at the TAFTA Forum in The Blue Mountains next year so now I must sell off some of me wares so I can pay for these wonderful experiences.

Remember

So these three have just been listed on Etsy

In this Together

Brand New pieces using newly learned techniques but very old and familiar symbols and ideas

Expect more very very soon.

x te

Birthday Dinner

2011-07-17T16:25:00.000-07:00

Saturday night Dan and I went to the Gorge Restaurant in Launceston for my birthday dinner and we were so glad we did. And it's a bit of an adventure as well.
It began by winding our way through the dark streets to the carpark out the back and then the long descent down many flights of stairs to the restaurant itself. Right then I decided maybe just 1 glass of wine with dinner!!!
Inside the wood fire was blazing in a very cosy room and we were lucky enough to get a table where a heater was blowing warm air under our table, it was on a cycle so every now and then there was a sudden blast of warm air that was very welcome.
I was pleased to see that they offered a seperate vegetarian menu, though upon reading it I was not inspired to order from it. The main menu read so deliciously that the vegetarian alternative seemed a bit uninspiring.
So on to the food.
To begin we ordered the Creamy Seafood Chowder which was divine, absolutely chock full of flavour though it would have been nice if it had come with a piece of bread, and the Calamari and salad which again was beautifully cooked. We both ate half and then swapped.
Mains I had the Sea Run Trout and Dan the Seafood Steak, both beautifully cooked. Best of all we still had a timy bit of room for dessert.
A flourless banana pudding with Toffee Sauce (and icecream if you ask nicely) but I had the dou of Creme Brulee and it was awesome, two little cups of yumsh, one with the usual and one with an extraordinary coconut creme brulee. So so good.
We were most impressed that every course was good and we were more than happy to pay the bill. Which I find most unusual these days.
Dan thinks we should return for his birthday dinner just to be sure.
x te

Happy Birthday to me

2011-07-13T17:45:00.000-07:00

It's my birthday today. I am 49 years old and so glad to be here.

So today will be a day of reflection, of looking back to see just how far I have come.

And it sure is a long way baby.

I am most definitely happier now than I have ever been before.

I would not go back to being younger no way.

It took much damned effort to get this far.

And I am loving it.

Finally I am old enough to realise it is ok, in fact more than ok, it is mandatory that I focus on me, on what I want from this life. Time is ticking away and it is my responsibility to get the most out of what I have been given, no whining at the end that I didn't get the opportunities to do, well whatever the hell I want frankly.

So here I go, plunging headfirst into my 50th year of life, and loving it.

Oh but first I have to finish making the birthday cake to share with my co-studio mates.

x te 49 an kicking ass.

New Work Busting out all Over

2011-07-05T00:40:00.000-07:00

My latest collection of finished pieces they are a result of the plaster workshop I have been doing.

They are available for sale in my studio.

I am unsure about putting them in my Etsy shop.

It's the postage that is always the issue.

But if anyone sees anything they like just let me know.

Love the detail

and the texture is awesome

and a little book to finish. spots of walnut ink covered in beeswax held together with plaster.

so much fun

Where I fell in Love this week

2011-07-01T18:03:00.000-07:00

Love love love this blog, Michele Meister and she is just across the creek very near to where I stay when I am up in Melbourne. I am mostly totally enamoured of all the girl wolf pictures which I read in one of the post are an exploration of the Little Red Riding Hood Fairytale.

Isn't this just fantastic? I love the way she has taken the concept and run it way outside the original framework. A lesson for me that a deeper exploration of ideas as opposed to literal illustration can really expand you in so many ways.

Excitement in the Studio

2011-06-30T15:54:00.000-07:00

My first plaster piece.

Plaster on wood, soy paint, oil stick, paper, ink, encaustic

Yesterday a wonderful woman called Katherine (now theres a name fraught with the dangers of misspelling these days) came into the studio and picked out 6 pieces of my work.

Gesso on craftwood, leaf skeleton, paper, gum resin, encaustic

And bought one immediately.

gesso on paper mache, gum resin, oil stick, paper

and put the others aside to pick up today.

gesso on paper mache, gum resin, oil stick, paper

which was just as well really otherwise I would have no photos at all.

as I don't have a photo of the piece she needed to take with her then and there.

It was a very simple piece, gesso on a found piece of craftwood with three scratched lines down the centre, on the left upper area there was the Ogham symbol for Phogos which is the beech tree and is about looking back to the past, in the middle of the right side was a small picture of a Goddess statue and down the bottom right corner text that said remember. All finished with a lovely coating of beeswax.

gesso on paper mache, gum resin, oil stick, paper

All in all a very satisfying day.

Winter Travel

2011-06-26T19:15:00.000-07:00

Lighthouse Table Cape near Wynyard

Last week we went for a trek to the NW of the island. I may have suggested to my dearly beloved that we delay it referencing the two approaching cold fronts but someone made the decision to soldier on.

So we sallyed forth into the teeth of the biiter winds and lashing rains of a Tassie winter.

After roaming around Devonport looking for a cafe for lunch recommended by Lonley Planet which is no longer there we went onwards with grumbling tummies to the Groovy Penguin in Penguin and it was worth the wait.

We spent the night at the Wharf Hotel in Wynyard again because of the Lonely Planet and because of the delicious sounding menu on their website, the room was ok but the food, well it wasn't the same, the seafood chowder we were hoping for nowhere to be seen. And the food we had was more to do with the deep freeze and the deep fryer than anything fresh.

Sisters Beach?

HighField House Stanley

Ruins Stanley

The Nut

Even the locals are wet.

Stanley fromt he Nut (no I did not climb up to the top in the rain and wind, he did that by himself)

And the other way

and this is the Edge of the World.

Fortunately we had a much better time at the Stanley Hotel, sat in the lounge bar in front of a roaring wood fire which the lovely woman behind the bar kept well stoked and she put on great music dvd's to keep us happy. Roy Orbison and then Jerry Lee Lewis a lovely treat.

Dinner was fabulous a Seafood Chowder with fresh bread and we shared a most delicious sticky date pudding with cream and icecream for dessert.

And next morning breakfast at Moby Dick's Breakfast Cafe an absolute must. Dan had Eggs Benedict and I a smoked Salmon Royale, poached eggs, hollandaise sauce, and pancakes. YUM.

Hmmm seems to be more about food than travel??? What does that say about me?

Next Year in Melbourne

2011-06-24T19:17:00.000-07:00

I finally got my act together, put in a proposal and was accepted to be a part of next years Natural Dye Symposium at Beautiful Silks. So if you think you might want to come and play with me, making mixed media art using only natural materials go here for a look see and sign up.
It will be a lot of fun and you can be sure I will be busy learning lots of new stuff to share.

Plaster, Etsy, Giveaway

2011-06-17T21:56:00.000-07:00

The Plaster

This is some in progress pieces from the online workshop I am doing with Judy Wise and Stephanie Lee. So much fun.

'A Good Lover To Occupy Her'

All Natural Mixed Media Mounted

This is the running very late giveaway for the month and because I won;t be getting out and about this month I will include people who leave a comment in the draw along with the recipients of my newsletter.

And this is another little wrap book with gessoed pages which is about to go on Etsy.

And someone loved me enough to put me in their Treasury.

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/MTA5NjEyNTl8MzM3MzM0NzAx/delicate-wings-flawless-choices

How lovely is that.

x te

Love to Love Me

2011-06-12T17:10:00.000-07:00

Well someone on Etsy has included me in a treasury and blogged about it. So at the moment I am feeling the love.
Go here for more.

Etsy Update

2011-06-12T00:23:00.000-07:00

Another journal has gone onto the Etsy Shop.

But this is one of the special ones with the lovely crispy gessoed pages.

I have a few more in the works that I hope to put up in the next couple of days.

Though I may very well be distracted with online workshop which starts well kind of tomorrow but as it is US based it will Tuesday for me no doubt. For all the juicyness go here

I am hoping this will lift me out of the slump I have been experiencing lately.

Natural Mixed Media Workshop

2011-05-28T00:28:00.000-07:00

Zinc White mixed with cold wax fresh

I don't know if you can see the difference between the two details shown here, but in reality there is a huge difference. The fresh mix is white as you would expect

Zinc White mixed with cold wax and stored

But this one where I mixed it up in advance to take to a workshop has had a chemical reaction I assume with the pure gum turpentine which has caused the zinc to become flourescent which is very interesting.

And speaking of workshops it would appear that I am going to have to cancel my trip to Melbourne for June as there are not enough takers for the workshop out at Open Drawer to justify the expense. So if you are interested you best go over there real quick. As flights are only getting more expensive.

Tin Shed Stitching

2011-05-27T19:03:00.000-07:00

And a good time was had by all.

Jilli making a pattern for a silk variation of the wool wrap dress she was working on last stitch day

The beginnings of my scarf from leggings, here I am adding an extension made from wool prefelt with silk sttiched on.

Stitching by the fire

Cilla brought along her crocheted gloves to work on, not strictly stitching I know but she had to work in the morning and needed a small project that was easy to carry. Apart from the purple it is naturally dyed wool.

Jilli's frock well under way.

and my scarf well under way, you can see the doily I sttiched on at the right and in the foreground points on the edge, I have also added some wool top under some loosely woven cotton which I am hoping will felt up nicely.

The scarf is currently in the washing machine, so I will post a photo of the results when it has dried.

Found Stitched and Dyed

2011-05-26T16:02:00.000-07:00

Today is Found Stitched and Dyed day at the Tin Shed.....a day for any interested stitchers to turn up (cost $5 ) tea and coffee and fantastic company supplied.

Go here to find out what it is about.

Bring something to stitch and away we go..

Even more on Etsy

2011-05-20T22:15:00.000-07:00

Just thought you might like the preview up here first of what I am currently uploading toMy Etsy Shop

'Guidance of the Inner Light'

This time we have original encaustic pieces.

'Myriad of Things'

'Three Gave Birth'

All the titles come from an English translation of the Tao Te Ching.

I hope you enjoy them.

x te

Finally Maybe Something on Etsy

2011-05-18T22:19:00.000-07:00

So I have made some stuff and I have taken some photos and I have written the story so whats the hold up you might ask? It looks like Etsy is down. So you all get to see it first, yes a special sneak preview. Here exclusively until the interknit fixes herself.

These are the latest wrap Journals featuring paper pages this time.

And these are a new item

Scarf Pins utilising old fashioned

knitting stitch holders.

As usual it is all natural dyes and all hand stitched.

Love to know what you think.

x te

They are up now.

Workshop Cancelled

2011-05-10T20:24:00.000-07:00

Sad but true. My Natural Paint Workshop at Open Drawer has had to be cancelled after not getting enough numbers. But all is not lost we will try to get the numbers up to run it next month instead. I am still coming up to Melbourne and if anyone wants to chat about it or anything else I will be at Beautiful Silks friday and saturday and at the Abbotsford Convent on Sunday.

What a Weekend!!!!

2011-05-08T18:35:00.000-07:00

Went down to Hobart for the weekend. Stopped in at MONA for a look about and I have to say it was only alright. It was intersting but nothing really grabbed me.
Then on to our hotel, we had booked a WOTIF red hot deal and I think we got a bit burnt. We stayed at the Leisure Inn Hobart Macquarie and frankly the place looks like a large toilet block, and then upon going to reception we are told that they don't have any parking available so we would have to go find a parking metre till after 6 when their overflow parking became available. Ok we wanted to go fo a bit of a drive anyway. So off we trot to our lovely room? well shock number two, inside we find 2 beds, not the Queens size we were expecting, read the fine print, subject to availability, but for a measly $40 per night we could upgrade.Sounds like a rort to me. The twin beds would have been fine we could just push them together but no, inbetween them was a huge concrete pillar, but never fear we completly rearranged the room and found away even if one bed was jammed against the pillar and one against the window. Then we had issues with getting the heater happening and it was cold down there, and then sunday morning when we were booked in for the Hot Buffet Breakfast, which according to the menu looked really good, but when you get there you could choose from the semi congealed bacon and eggs in the bain marie or the cereal, neither terribly appealing to a gluten restricted vegetarian, who loves GOOD food. And that was my Mothers Day Breakfast. And of course the real kicker is the complete indifference of the staff, yeh yeh whatever. Thanks for nothing Leisure INN Hobart Macquarie and WOTIF.

On a brighter note Saturday was the Barn Market, which while not particularly lucrative for me is a lovely market.

Much enhanced by a suprise visit from this lovely young man, my son Jeremy who flew over from Perth to spend some time with Mum on Mothers Day. You could of knocked me over with a feather when as we were unloading the car for the market a deep voice enquired if he could be of some assistance and when I turned there was the least expected person. Such fun. This is on top of Mt Wellington after the market. It was seriously cold 5 degrees C I believe. And he took us both out to dinner Saturday night. Thanks Jez and Cat.

Then on Sunday we popped down to Kingston where I taught a Natural Painting workshop to 8 lovely women from Stitching and Beyond. We had a great time.

What more can you ask from a Mothers Day? A fun day of painting with great women and I got paid, and a bonus visit. Life is good.

Noiw back to work. Any one who is intrigued by the above pictures and lives in Melbourne and is interested in a more sustainable way of making art, pop on over to Open Drawer and book in for my workshop on friday, where I get to play all over again.

This Months Prize

2011-05-04T18:11:00.000-07:00

My goodness I don't think the blog has had this many posts in such a short time, well ever.

But as promised oh so long ago, well two posts so it will disappear when I put this up. (Oh do get on with it and stop rambling dear) Up above is the prize for being on my email list this month. It is a small natural painting on masonite ( which is being phased out, the masonite that is!!) It has a piece of cloth attatched and is finished with cold wax. Best of luck y;all.

Paint Workshop

2011-05-04T15:54:00.000-07:00

While my workshop in Hobart is fully booked or as we say chokkers, Melbourne is not quite so full. So anyone wishing to play with Natural Paint with me on Friday the 13th!!! should head over to Open Drawer and have a look.

They will also be

" having Open Days on Friday May 6th from 2-8pm and Saturday May 7th 10am-4pm to give you the opportunity to come and meet our Tutors. You will be able to see demonstrations of the techniques used in the workshops we offer, do hands-on activities and generally join in the fun that is Opendrawer"

While I won't be there I will be represented by examples of my work.

And wait there's more, after class has finished I will be starting a Stitching Circle along the lines of the idea that the ever amazing India Flint thought up that you will find on her other blog here.

So come along to Open Drawer (link above) between 4 and 8 pm (no excuses workers of the world!!) and for a nominal fee of $5 you can sit and chat and stitch with me. Don't forget to bring your found cloth, needles and threads.

Heading South

2011-05-04T01:42:00.000-07:00

We are heading down to Hobart on Friday. With a little sidestop for lunch with Rowena in Oatlands.

And then on to the Museum of Old and New or MONA as it is known. I havn't been to either yet so am anticipating much fun. Then the evening will be spent in at the Leasure Inn Hobart Macquarie

(booked through wotif so it was a bargain) this is so we don't have to get up at 5.30am to race down for the The Barnmarket where I will have lots of lovely things for sale. I will also have the piece of artwork with me that is this months giveaway for those people on my email list. I will try to get a photo up tomorrow.

Then on Sunday I will be teaching a Natural Paint Workshop for The Stitching and Beyond group which is fully booked. So I am both excited and a little apprehensive about that. I just hope I remember to pack everything I need So just one more thing to pop on the mountain!!!! Hmm Maybe we need a trailer.

More from the Exhibition

2011-04-29T18:01:00.000-07:00

'Seeds of Life'

Thought you might like to see a few more of the pieces on display.

This the book I made in Sandy Webster's class.

All completely Natural

Lovely Earth Pigments

Scroll Book

Red Spot

2011-04-29T17:46:00.000-07:00

You really have to love it when one of these little babies turn up. So exciting to go and view an exhibition and find one of these. This is currently on at Open Drawer though I believe it finishes today. So tomorrow it will be packed up and off to it's new home. Just as well I am not sentimental.

Saved by the Son

2011-04-22T23:51:00.000-07:00

It would appear I blogged in haste.
My son has fixed the problem created by the evil malware person/s( may the fleas of a thousand camels infest their tiny genitalia) and all the files that were hidden have now been restored to their rightful places.
And yes I am currently backing up to the max.
Let this be a lesson to us all.

and this is few of my new paper mache bowls beautifully displayed in Open Drawer

All gone Kaput

2011-04-22T22:27:00.000-07:00

Back up back up back up.
Don't forget to regularly back up your hard drive.
I did not follow this simple rule and now that some pain in the ass sent me some malware which while thankfully this has been removed at the moment it has also removed every single document I had saved on my entire hard drive. All my photos, all my word documents, all my spreadsheets, my business plan. Everything!!!!!!!! My Favourites OMG how will I find all my links again.
Fortunately I dont lose this or my email.
Small mercies. So I won't be doing a post on my trip to Melbourne or showing any photos, instead I will be wallowing in misery, or I may suck it up and move on. I do have some of my files backed up from about 6 months ago though so its a start.
Wish me luck

Market Time

2011-04-16T01:19:00.000-07:00

Concerina Book with Naturally Dyed Paper

Tomorrow I will be at the Makers Market inside at the Abbotsford Convent.

Had a nice workshop over at Open Drawer last thursday and they are currently taking names for a workshop in May.

And today I was at The Heathen Bazaar at Beautiful Silks, which had some lovely stalls, where I will again next month on the 14th of May. Hope to see some of you there.

I Want Your Emails

2011-04-11T03:02:00.000-07:00

And I am prepared to pay for them. Or at least have a giveaway. So anyone who is on my mailing list by the end of April will go in the draw for the painting above. It is plaster bandage on masonite all natural earth pigments, milk paints, oil stick and ink, finished Encaustic Medium (Hot Beewswax).

It is 24 x 12cm or 91/2 x 53/4in.

So email me with your address and you go in the draw. The people I already have will continue to be in the draw. I will have this piece with me on display at the two markets coming up on the weekend which are displayed in the side bar.

Stitching Fun

2011-04-09T18:01:00.000-07:00

It ended up being just Jilli and I stitching in the Tin Shed on friday, but we had a lot of fun. I worked on the two little bags above. (India might just recognise the fabric!)

And I helped Jilli with the lovely frock above, though she may not have appreciated the amount of times I accidently stuck a pin in her!!!

We will most definitely be doing this again next month so if you are around we would love you to join us.

Stitching Tin Shed Style

2011-04-05T18:23:00.000-07:00

This friday, being the second friday of the month, is stitch and basket day in the Tin Shed. For a small fee of $5 to cover costs come along and join our circle. Based on an idea by India Flint. We will there Tracy Willans and/or Jilli Spencer between 10am and 4pm. Look forward to seeing some of you who said you were interested!!!.

Mailing List Winner

2011-04-02T21:42:00.000-07:00

During the month of March I had a little giveaway happening for anyone who joined my mailing list and this consisted of the small piece of artwork you can see above. The winner was Katharine Burke who I will be posting this off to tomorrow morning. As for everyone else, don't despair all is not lost, I will shortly post another piece of art which will be the April prize and everyone (not just he newbies) stays in the draw.
So at this point (until I figure out how to add the widget) any of my followers who wish to be in the draw will need to contact me and ask to go on my email list.

Blushing

2011-03-25T18:08:00.000-07:00

Oh me oh my, you just have to go over here to Lynne Hoppe's blog. This is how you take one of my beautiful (and yes I do love them) books and make it truly fabulous. Of course the praise doesn't hurt none. Thank you Lynne for a truly warm and wonderful post. I feel like I have won some kind of award. I would like to thank the ...............

And having some of Lynne's lovely work which is up on my inspiration board in the studio is so well inspiring. I so wish I could do that.

Jiggety jig

2011-03-22T22:53:00.000-07:00

Home again, again!!!! I arrived home from Melbourne last week did my washing and was back out the door to the Basketry Conference held at Port Sorrell.
I had a great time and now am back and hopefully this means after wading through the mounds of washing and sortiung and shopping I will be able to get back into the studio full of enthusiasm and inspiration and get some work done.
Oh and of course preparing for next months trip to Melbourne where I will be teaching here and marketing here and here. Last month at my market I collected addresses for my mailing list and as a prize there is a small piece of my art which will be drawn ans sent at the end of the month, I will be doing the same thing at my April appearances, though it will be a new peice of art. So for a chance to see it and maybe win come along and visit.

Post Market or Let the Chillax Begin

2011-03-12T17:18:00.000-08:00

Had a nice market over here yesterday. Met lots of new a very complimentary people and sold a few bits and bobs. Enough that I believe I can justify popping back next month. This a shot of my stall in the front room, where my friend Naomi and I got to greet all as they came in through the front door.

Here are a couple of the items up on display.

And a basket of books. There were more on friday but they have gone to incube8r in Fitzroy where I have a shelf which allows for interaction and all that touchy feely stuff which tactile people really need.

And in fact while I can kinda relax now in reality it never happens, or is that just me? Today I have a few more books to finish stitching in preparation for a bigger display at incube8r and I will be taking a couple out to Open Drawer tomorrow. And of course there is the magic of making all the stuff go back into the suitcase ready for the return trip over the water to the Island state that dangles below.

In Melbourne Tonight

2011-03-09T15:42:00.000-08:00

Grafitti seen after the John Davis Exhibition

Tonight I will be at Beautiful Silks where hopefully I will be doing a demo on working with Natural Paints, then tomorrow I will be trading there and again for the 'Heathen Bazaar' being held on Saturday. Would love to see lots of visitors.

Also on Friday afternoon I will popping into Incube8r to stock my new shelf with a whole range of new books.

And I now have a flickr account where I will be uploading photos. First album set is a series of paintings featuring Eucalyptus/Xanthorrhoea Resin.

Button Love

2011-03-03T23:20:00.000-08:00

There is some very clever people out there making lovely things with buttons that are very familiar.

Go here for lots of good stuff.

Traditional Gesso

2011-02-25T22:13:00.000-08:00

It bothers me when I ask people whether they are using tradtional gesso and they reply in the affirmative and then proceed to give me the name of the brand they are using. You cannot buy real traditional gesso only acrylic gesso. So I thought I would go through the steps for making good old fashioned real traditional gesso. Or at least the way I make it!!!

Above is a teaspoon of rabbitskin glue.

To this I add 13 teaspoons of water.

If you wish to make more just keep those ratios.

This must be left to soak for a minimum of 2 hours, when it will look nice and fluffy like this.

See, fluffy.

Then it needs to heated gently to disolve. I then add whiting (calcium carbonate) which is much cheaper bought from a pottery than an art supply. To this mix I add approx 2 1/2 heaped teaspoons. I know it seems to be an exhorbitant amount. Mix really well till it is all aborbed.

And it looks something like this. It needs to be used while it is warm. I usually turn the heat off but keep it in the hot water but do be aware that it will be thickening while it is cooling. I never make very much as while it can be reheated, it must be used within a couple of days as it will go off and boy does it stink.

And here are some painted pages awaiting being assembled into the next load of journals that will be off to Melbourne next month.

There is nothing nice, natural or environmentally friendly about this popular barnd.

Resin: Methylmethacrylate/butylacrylate copolymer dispersion polymer

High Praise indeed

2011-02-23T13:59:00.000-08:00

Oh me oh my, for wonderful things all about me. Go see Fiona. Oh and totally check out her whole blog coz it's awesome.

Home Work

2011-02-19T16:11:00.000-08:00

I do most of my stitching at home. Here are 3 book covers that I have been working on. The two at the bottom will be fro fabric wrapped journals and the stitching on those is finished. The top one is a cover for a larger paper journal which includes some of my prints. Normally on these I leave the spine exposed and have hard covers but this time for a change it will be covered and nice and soft.

We are settling in here in our first floor eerie with our view of Chickenfeed from our lounge room window. But it is a nice light bright apartment which is a necessity with the long winters we have down here. Thankfully not usually cold enough for snow though.

University starts up this week for Dan but I don't start till the week after. Yes I am going back to Uni. I will be doing a Masters Degree in Contemporary Art with a focus on Sustainability. Hopefully I will be able to spill info over to you.

Treasure from afar

2011-02-14T16:55:00.000-08:00

Yesterday this arrived in the mail. Treasure indeed.

A little while ago I offered a trade to an artist whos work I have long admired from afar and it would appear that she quite liked my stuff as well. So an exchange was organised and I am well pleased with the result.

Don't you just love it when there are layers!!!

and here they are, a veritable tresure trove of lovlieness from the very wonderful lynne hoppe

You should so offer her a trade or just buy her lovely drawings. I am so glad I did. Now who else can I find....

A book has landed

2011-02-12T01:09:00.000-08:00

If you pop over here there are some very nice words about, well, me. Or to be more precise one of my books. If I get permission I will let you know where more of my babies have gone. I am so looking forward to seeing what goes on inside!!!

Back Down South!!!!

2011-02-10T14:18:00.000-08:00

It feels really weird to say that coz when we are in the West we live down south and here in Tassie it is the same thing, well when compared to Australia coz we aint in the south of Tasmania. Though i will be going more southerly on saturday when I will be doing The Barnmarket. Which is a really lovely market in Rosny Park accross the bridge from Hobart.

We are settling in here, coincidently we are back in the first flat we had when we moved over here. So it is a tad odd to be doing all the just got here stuff in a place that is so familiar. I spent about an hour in the studio yesterday boxing up the books that had been sold in my Etsy shop, which is now empty!!!!! Hopefully I will be able to get some more things ready next week.

Today I will be going in to the studio but mostly I will be organising what we need for the market tomorrow. Trying to locate where I stored tablecloths and bags and all the other assorted bits and pieces that go with a stall. And I will try to remember to take photos!!!!!

Fizzer

2011-02-02T17:45:00.000-08:00

The cyclone that I wrote about several days ago was not the monster currently savaging Queensland!!!! I am in the very south of the west coast of Australia about as far away as you can get from far North Queensland and still be in Oz. Our baby cyclone turned and crossed the coast way north of us we just got a bit of rain and some wind but no more than is usual down here. Above is a picture of our favourite beach a tiny little one which is only accessible by 4 wheel drive and then you have to walk down the rock face to get to it. But very worth it.

And this is saw wandering around on the rocks. I see a giant foot print but my partner says if you turn it on its side it is a almost perfect map of Australia and it even includes Tasmania which doesnt always happen.

But now onto business. My holiday is very nearly over, we leave our lovely home on saturday and make our way up to Perth we will visit the children and then Monday we jump on a plane and fly back to Tasmania. And on Saturday the 12th of Feb we will drive down to Hobart for the Barnmarket which should be a lot of fun. Then I am currently looking at flying up to Melbourne in March where I will hopefully get a place in the Heathen Bazaar at Beautiful Silks but that is yet to be confirmed. But you should so totally go anyway. There first market is Saturday Feb 12. It will be so great to have a textile focused market in Melbourne.

Cyclone!!!!!!!!!!! Cor Blimey

2011-01-29T05:02:00.000-08:00

We have battened our hatches, got out the candles and made sure we have laid by a good supply of wine and beer. And now we wait for the storm front to hit. You think you are safe from tropical cyclones this far south but every now and then one comes down to give you a good slap. And we listen to the rain which gets so loud you can't hear yourself think. The perils of a tin roof!!!!!!!!! Luckily we will be safe and warm tucked up in bed.

Learning

2011-01-28T18:49:00.000-08:00

Monk

At the moment I am into the second week of an online course called 'The Way of the Monk Path of the Artist' found here. And in the interest of putting myself more out there I thought I would share some of it with you. These 3 images are collages I did without knowing which particular title they belong to. Any imput is welcome.

Artist

Both Monk and Artist

There is also poetry.

Perhaps coming under the category of more information than you actually wished for, but none the less, with a deep breath here we go.

In this moment I am going to begin living like a monk

Calmness will be my watchword

Peace my mantra

I will wander the world

With a simple pack of things

Things which will help me create

Seeds to scatter

Little starting points

Of hope

Of joy

Of love

To help a blossoming

A coming forth of what is within

I will foster gentleness

Yet firmness and resolve

In this moment I am going to start living like an artist

I won’t listen when they say there is no money here

You must be commercial

You must sell your soul

Your integrity

Your sense of what should be

Because we must live in this world

This world

Where stuff

Where security

Is much more important

Than what you feel inside

Than what you feel is trapped inside

Beating helpless crying

For release

For a way of being in the world

For dignity

For a voice

For permission to even exist

In this moment I am going to start living like a mystic

I will listen to the voice

The still quiet one inside

I will know the choice to make

There will be no hesitation

On what is the best path for me to take

Someone else loves me

2011-01-28T00:34:00.000-08:00

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4d427aa9b5536d914ba539db/fabric-cuddle?ref=pr_treasury

It is very exciting when people choose your stuff as the specialest.

Look at me

2011-01-25T16:29:00.000-08:00

Look at me

look at me

somebody loves me

enough

to put me in their

Etsy Treasury

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4d3f4a4998438eef5fd809ef/journaling-saves

You see it here first

2011-01-24T21:59:00.000-08:00

Just about to put these 3 cuties on the Etsy shop. And seeing as one of the others has sold already!!!!!!!!! And to someone simply wonderful. Maybe you all best be quick!!!!!!!!!

Etsy Update

2011-01-23T22:45:00.000-08:00

These two babies currently being added to my Etsy Shop.

Some of me Art

2011-01-18T23:44:00.000-08:00

Just a couple of small pieces to be going on with.

This is a small automatic drawing working with traditional gesso and charcoal on watercolour paper with just a touch of xanthorrea resin for colour. Then covered with a layer of hot beeswax.

Again working on watercolour paper, but this piece is a little more planned. Firstly the whole piece is covered in a soy and earth pigment paint which I scratched into once dry I painted half with traditional gesso, while it was still wet I dripped in the xanthorrea which causes the gesso to disperse I then scratched into it. The whole piece was finally coated with cold wax.

The Books!!!

2011-01-18T23:35:00.000-08:00

Finally the camera is back in action, so hold onto your hats as we are about to go into picture overload.

These are the finished books that I showed some pages from a little while ago.

Journal No 1

The cover

Unwrapped

The pages, these are recycled cotton paint rags to which I have applied traditional gesso, so they are all ready to draw on.

Journal no 2

The Cover

Silk hand stitched onto wool, all natural dyes, smoke fired ceramic buttons and handmade silk string

Opened, here you can see the inside which is silk noil.

I have a market stall on Sunday where these will be onsale, but in the unlikely event that they don't sell I will put them in my Etsy Shop.

I also have a whole heap of art photos, should I add them now? Or wait till tomorrow? Maybe just a sneak Peak for now. No blogger has decided that is your ration for this post.

Missouri Bend Studio

2011-01-15T17:58:00.000-08:00

Part of post from one of my favourite blogs to visit. http://missouribendstudio.blogspot.com/
You should really go spend some time there.

You have a duty to perform.

Do anything else, do any number

Of things, occupy your time fully.

And yet if you do not do this task,

All your time will have been wasted.

--Rumi

This quote appeared in the book I'm reading and it really struck me. We each have our life's work....maybe you know what it is, maybe you don't. But if you know, as I do, what I'm called to do, you'd better be about the business of doing it. I've always said that for me, art is a calling, not a career. You can certainly just make it a career, but for me it's a calling, not just a career. I'll leave you with another winter meditation, from a time earlier in the week when I was most definitely in the flow.

Button Glorification

2011-01-14T00:00:00.000-08:00

Here's what Anita Fluckiger did with one of the buttons she bought from me. Is'nt it purty.

in the studio

2011-01-12T02:21:00.000-08:00

Thought some of you might be interested in what I am up to in the studio. Above are the pages for a book I am working on. It is made from old paint rags which have had a coat of traditional gesso once thorougly dry i will bind them and give them a nice naturally dyed hand stitched wool and silk cover. I am also hoping to do a book with an additional coating of beeswax brushed over the gesso which creates a different but equally yummy surface to work on with dry media.

These are two little panels ready to sell. They are masonite covered in fabric which has then been painted with milk paints, then coated in several layers of traditional gesso which was sanded to reveal little spots of colour, thye have then had a layer of hot beeswax before being finished with little chinese ink and little zap with the blow torch.

Here are some encaustic pieces in progress, working on paper mache layered with fabric, up in the left corner is a small piece of paper that I brushed with hot wax and then pushed on a mint leaf to create a lovely impression which I will fill with paint, next to that is a small piece of hand stitched naturally dyed silk which I have coated with wax and last but not least is a piece of watercolour paper which I covered in gesso and while it was still wet dropped in xanthorrea resin dissolved in meths it really got things moving around,( I have a journal full of samples now!!!) this has now been coated in wax so I can work back into it.

and here are some panels that have been painted and are now going through the gesso layering stage. They have had about 4 coats so far and will need about 4 more.

I love my job!!!

Celebrity Sale

2011-01-08T18:27:00.000-08:00

Peter Rowsthorn

This man who only the Aussies might recognise dropped into my market stall and purchased buttons. I know he saw the recognition on my face but I refrained from saying anything. I left the pointing and whispering to everyone else.

And here is what my lovely stall looked like, albeit somewhat late in the day after a few key unphotograhed pieces were sold. I added an extra table this time which meant the buttons could spread them selves out a bit more and everything was a little less crowded. And it meant the buttons were almost costantly being fondled which undoubtedly helped with sales.

Moving in a little closer you can see one of the stitched pictures the other two had already sold also one of the bowls was sold and one of the encaustic boards seen lying down on the table. And I sold quite a few cards which people constantly tell me they are going to frame. Might be something in this art lark.

The lovely buttons in bowls

And this beauty, a lovely encautic triptych called'Confluence' which will be for sale again next market. Might have to write up a little story for it. Would be ubber fantastic to sell it.