perfectly messy

stitching, hanging threads and putting on magnetic clips. Finishing off these 2 clutch purses has been my quiet creative time today. I feel my 'style' is shining through, the messiness that just happens. There is a type of rawness that is present, almost like seeing the work in progress.

I remember when I started working in one of my first jobs, my first real dream job, sales assistant in a fabric shop.Part of what I did was teaching teenage girls how to sew with stretch fabric.It was all the go in the late 80's! On one occasion I was asked if the ends of the stitching needed to be tied off and trimmed. I distinctively remember saying "What for?"

Maybe I've always been a thread hanger!

Good things.

Its not as bad as what I thought. Thank goodness. It is a little concerning when a computer turns itself off. But my new computer man assures me it just needs a good clean and some updates. Phew. Had some great conversation about Mac computers with him, I have always been fascinated with Macs and their creative capacity. Turns out there is a Mac group that gets together in the Bay area for information nights. Might see myself there next gathering.

Have a look at this new collage on fabric, on canvas board.I've used lots of goodies from my treasure trove. I have found a use for pattern papers. I love the texture and the print on it. Makes a great background layer. Some doily lace and photo print outs. It hangs by some silk ribbon and buttons.

This and some fabric tags and a couple of clutch bags shall be for sale on my website on Monday. Going to wait for Mercury to go direct so I can have clear communication and computer ease.



A gift. A doll with a paper face. I'm not one that usually does fairy creations but this little lady came together almost on her own. She came together with lovely patients, which is unusual for me. In the past I've felt myself rushing to get something finished. Lately its been different and I'm happy to take more time....like the sense of urgency has slowed down. That is a good thing. Definitely.

Mercury Retrograde

Well good old Mercury in Retrograde struck our house this morning. I thought I might have got through this astrological transit unscathed. Not to be this time around. Mercury is the planet that rules communications, networks.. the Winged Messenger.This is the time when communication can go awry.

My computer decided not to stay on today. It switched itself off. Not good. I have been listening to the hard drive making noises for a while now, and getting frustrated with the lack of speed. I have cleaned up files and done some backup....lets hope it is enough.

I went to the phone book to find some one to fix my much needed communication tool, my link to the outside creative world. And found a yellow pages add with the first line stating "Anything is Possible' That's my computer man! So its being picked up this evening.

Fingers crossed it will be back soon.In tact and running as good as ever!

*I neglected to mention I still have my hubbys laptop, so I'm not totally without computer communication. Just don't have my own files.

what I have is enough

some lavender my neighbour passed over the fence

an 'aha' light bulb moment smashed me across the head this morning! wow did I really get it. what I have is enough.

I have often seen myself being, doing , having so much more than where I am right now. Mostly in terms of my creativity. There are things I want to achieve and the hardest part is being patient and allowing things to happen as the Universe intended. Something I have struggled with.

This week I have felt most happy in my creativity. I've been allowing myself to create what ever came to me. Sewing a doll as a gift for a new friend, started some knitting for the beloveded Grrl and really loving the diversity.Too often I've tried to categorise myself, putting myself into a box of this or that. And it so doesn't work. I have even wished that I could only do one creative thing, to narrow my focus....but I'm aware this doesn't work for me either.

Being creative in many ways is a blessing...and I can see that in Stephanie Lees blog. Not only does she create beautiful jewellery, she works in plaster, writes and journals and paints....and there is a common thread through all.

So this morning I surrendered, told the Universe I'm handing things over, giving up control and trusting with all my heart. Then it came to me. What is wrong with me? Can't I see that I have enough. I really felt it. Reading and knowing is one thing. But to really feel it on every level is another.

I got it Universe. I can see I am blessed with all that I have. Now I am in a place of true gratitude.

seashells by the seashore

I love being surrounded by beauty and I love being inspired by whats around me. This is what I felt when I created this painting.It brings so much more meaning into the painting rather than coming from a head space. These paintings are a commission to go into a 'posh' lounge room as the English family call it! 2 canvas's with drawings, ink, acrylic paint and crocheted shells. I enjoyed search the beach for these shells and tried to spot ones that already had holes in them.

All the collected shells that I picked up made their way into a lovely bowl...and went along with the paintings.

I delivered this creative bundle last weekend to Toowoomba and whilst we were there we went to our nieces 1st birthday. As a gift I decided to do an event painting and got everyone at the party to contribute to Ava's painting. Everyone painted a heart. I had a ball, the kids really got into it...some where a little disappointed they couldn't paint more, some adults where a little reluctant but it all came together in the end.

Some of the hearts have love coming out of them, others reminders of juicy strawberries...lots of special energy in this painting. A special keepsake for a darling girl.

touched by dragonflies

Mothers Day was a couple of weekends past, but I wanted to share these beautiful images with you. My darling fisherman husband took us out to Lenthalls dam for a picnic and time on the water. It was a great way to spend mothers day, really peaceful, no distractions and we were all together. Being on a boat means we all have to get along, there is no jumping ship!


We saw lots of these beautiful, tiny dragonflies. The kids discovered that if they put there hands out over the boat, the dragonflies would come and sit on them...for ages. At one stage there was about 7 of them. It was truly amazing and the colours were rich and luminescent.

This is the road we travelled to get to the dam.

Through a Pine tree plantation.

Lillies on the water.

I had a very special relaxing day....a great family day. I loved being amongst nature. Thank you guys.

Today I am celebrating not going to Paris!

image from allposters.com.....beautiful

Yes it sounds bizarre and just a little weird, but I am doing just that. Some time ago a girlfriend asked me to go to France with her, to stay with a friend of hers in the South of France, yes, yes. Free accommodation for 3 weeks....and we had talked about sightseeing and going to the vintage markets. But every time I thought of going I felt nothing, no excitement or exhilaration. And I knew it didn't feel right. My logic kept playing on my mind, that it is such a great opportunity, perhaps once in a life time. But I still wasn't feeling it.

My challenge was plucking up the courage to let her know. I had to be true to myself ...and her. I picked up the phone and after some conversation I told her I wasn't 'feeling France'.Her reply.....she wasn't feeling it either and didn't know how to tell me. What a relief! We both laughed and shared how we imagined waving each other off at the airport. The truth we shared can only make our friendship stronger.

Who knows why the feeling wasn't there, maybe we will find out down the track, perhaps we will never know and I'm ok with that. What I do know is how important it is to be true to my own heart. And that is worth celebrating!

extra~ordinary

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Today I am consciously making my day wonderful. Seeing the ordinary as extraordinary and tapping into the wonderment I see in everyday life. Kicking off these dreary thick thoughts and replacing them with colour and light....sounds simple, but not always easy!

The last few days I've had my 11 year old son home, just not quite well enough to go to school. But he is such good company when he's at home with me. He Loves to play Monopoly...I think we have about 4 different variations. And he takes great delight in beating his mum, which seems to happen more often than not.

I have got to my art table though and put together a number of small mixed media collages on paper. I have just allowed myself to use the techniques that I love so much..monoprinting, tidbits of fabric and lace,stenciling, collaging my drawn portaits and using images from my own photo's. I'll have a collection of them to share with you soon.

May you see the extraordinary in your daily life today, its there, truly it is.... sometimes we overlook it. Today I am looking closely.

nurturing love to all

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I'm taking a moment away from my family to wish everyone nurturing love on this day. In Australia we are celebrating Mothers Day....a day we we connect with our mums or our children. And special love goes to all women. We all nurture in someway, there are 'children' that come into our lives that are deserving of our love and we fondly share what we have. There are older women who nurture us as our own mothers would if they were around. As women we nurture and recieve nurturing...it may not be in the conventional form, but Mothers Love is all abound.

Today I am acutely aware of having my own Mum in my life and blessed with my 2 children. And even though my children drive me crazy at times, I love them dearly.

This rosette is for Mum. I upcycled (I love all these words that have come from recycle) from some rosettes that were made for her 'mother of the bride' gown for our wedding. There were extras left over, weren't needed on the day.I added my vintage flavour to it. The darker green was from the bridesmaids dresses.I have been married for 18 years so they have been kicking around in my fabric box for a while. I knew they had a deeper purpose. And I love that there was so much meaning in the rosette.....and thank you mum, you have meaning in my life.

stitching and creating to my hearts content

Painting, stenciling, printing, stitching and gluing...does it get any better? I am in heaven at the moment, putting a collection of my hand drawn ladies together. And happily sewing clutch purses as well, with lace, paper, vintage fabric and other yummy goodies. I'm working towards having a few original creative goodies for sale...so I'll keep you posted when they are ready.

Hope you creative bug is biting you in all the right places!