wow! what a ride

My adventures continued after the class room learning. Sunday was the day I chose not to take classes and take off to the outside world with Dot, Jacky and Shirley... I got to experience more of the Dandenongs and enjoyed some shops and lunch at Sassafras. It felt somewhat cosmopolitan, it had a different energy to it and coming from the Queensland coast I was intrigued to see and feel heavy winter coats. I enjoyed the chill of the mountain air and the delicious company!

Chandeliers have been popping up everywhere for me to enjoy. I would love to have one in my home studio.....This is a woolshop we all enjoyed and I felt immersed in Autumn.

After my adventures out with the girls, Dot drove Shirley and I back to the retreat. Loved my day out girls, thank you dearest Dot and Jacky for taking the time out and driving so we could meet.I caught the bus to the airport with the rest of the CSR girls , waved and hugged goodbye many special friends, both old and new.

A few of us travelled on to the designated motel. And guess who we saw there? More girls from CSR....they came via cars.Sue had just booked in and Dawn, Jen, Christine and were dropping off Kelsey.

My darling friend Gina came to pick me up to spend the night with her and her family. And I knew I would have the best Greek food ever! Lots of laughter and conversation into the night.... however the next morning saw us on the freeway ...in a traffic jam! And yes I experienced one of my greatest fears....I got left behind, missed my flight, with the only connecting flight to Hervey Bay the next morning. After the initial realisation set in that I wasn't going to get home that day I decided to make the most of it and rang Gina to book another night at the Charos resort! News was well received both by Gina and my hubby.

Whilst booking my flight for the next day, guess who I saw? Svetlana. We sat for a while and had the most wondrous talk.

Gina and I took off to Kew to Abracardbra. Had the best time, enjoying old photo albums from the 30's-40's, postcards, books....and guess who I saw there? Klya and Diana. These CSR girls were everywhere!

With rumbling bellies Gina took me to one of her favourite places, Montys. It was so beautiful and fantastic food. We got a bit carried away taking photos but loved every minute of it....

Yes he just jumped right in...

Gina had just had surgery on her nose, and didn't particularly want her photo taken. She sported a white plaster strip, a perfect blank canvas and I did offer to paint a butterfly on it for her....every time she laughed she felt the plaster was going to pop right off.

And just around the corner was this place......

I did catch my flight home the next day. I was looking around to see if I could spot any CSR girls at the airport, but no they had all flown their own ways. It was a very early morning start, but have a look at this. Sunrise as I've never seen it before. Enchanting....

My whole experience away was amazing, thank you to all my wonderful friends who made this time away more insightful than I could ever imagine. And missing my flight was the best experience. I realised that I am always taken care of. Thank you Universe.

Home Beautiful ~ April 2010!

Painting "Here I Am" featured in Home Beautiful pg 80

Here I am indeed! a painting I created a few years ago was purchased by Karen, a darling lady from Brissie. She gifted this colourful painting to her sister for her 40th birthday. I heard that she was totally delighted! and the painting headed to Sydney to its new home, where renovations where taking place. Not so long ago I received an email from Karen to say the renos where complete and that the home was going to be featured in a home magazine and as "Here I Am" was the inspiration for the colours and decorating in the main bedroom, it too was gracing the pages.

The insert above reads..

"Helen has chosen a restful taupe shade for her bedroom walls, but there is still plenty of colour in vibrant cushions, custom made in Thai silk, and a pair of quirky lamps....On the opposite wall is one of Helen's prized possessions, a painting by Nicole Hohn, commissioned for her 40th birthday"

Its a great article with many pics that truly celebrates colour.So glad you love this painting Helen, and it was honestly one of the most vibrant paintings I've ever created!

heading south

I'm off for a few days, heading south for CSR 2010, Melbourne. Looking forward to seeing some familiar faces, meeting some new creative souls, learning and a change in scenery. Sure I'll have lots to share when I get back. Until then ....

pack up your troubles in an old kit-bag

Lots of bag packing going on in my household... our daughter headed off to camp this morning for a few days, our son is leaving Wednesday for camp and I'm heading to Melbourne on Wednesday too.I almost started labelling my clothes to take!

Here is my very new luggage. Baggage that I'm proud to tug along behind me....My last trip away I had a suitcase that I needed to carry and lift and I was determined that this trip to Melbourne needed to be with wheels. Ease and Grace my friends. I hadn't planned on getting luggage that looked so unique. They jumped out off the shelf and cried "I know you'd love me forever!" and it is true. I am so in love with soft blushing pink and chocolate brown , I couldn't resist.

And its just as well I feel so inlove with these pieces, they certainly received many comments when they came into their new home. My daughter spent the first few days walking around them telling me they were scary!

a little like a deer caught in the headlights in this photo...a mad dash before the timer went off on the camera. But wanted to share my pink and brown with you ..... I didn't get specially dressed for the photo, just feeling very at home in these colours for now.

creative goodies are chugging!

production has been chugging along in my studio. some ATC's for a swap at Creative Soul Retreat. 'Valued' rosettes made from hand dyed doilies, vintage fabrics and my signature greyscale drawings.

and some... cameo hearts on fabric tags.

I've loved how these pieces are all coming together. Its been great having a time frame to work in and it feels like 'my style' is definitely consolidating. That can only be a good thing!

colour in the Bay ~ green

some kinds words....

Hi Nic,

i wanted to share this pic with you. I've just come back from an overseas holiday to spain. at the end of last year i decided to book a contiki trip and do some sight seeing for two weeks. i had an amazing time; met some great people and saw some incredible artists in the galleries. (i'm now feeling inspired and ready to create from all of what i experienced!) While i was packing i thought of you, and packed a necklace i bought of yours a few years ago. this is a picture of me wearing it at gaudi's park guell in barcelona.Many from the tour admired it, and i wanted you to see that your art has now been to europe!!

take care, keep creating and inspiring me!

love amber xoxo

a stitch in time

Our little sweetpea was in my studio the other night, helping, whilst I was finishing up some sewing. She decided it was time for bed and wanted her usual tuck ins and goodnight kisses. I wasn't quite finished but knew 2 more minutes would see me complete the whole project. I asked her to draw me a picture or write me a message so I could look at it the next day whilst she was at school and I could think of her......tears came to me eyes when I read it. She is such a treasure. She knows just what I needed to hear.

***

Another workshop coming up on the 10th March....one that I am over the moon to share.

Here some the sample pages that we shall be working towards. Lots of inspiration with machine sewing, painting and using dress making patterns...in many ways! I'm so excited I can hardly wait. I so love getting on the sewing machine and stitching paper. I know, I know, it sounds bizarre, but truly it is so much fun!!

For more details you can visit nichohn.com.au

tea and toast in my studio

Been in my studio the last few days....putting some goodies togehter to sell at my trading table at Creative Soul Retreat. Painting, sewing, cutting fabrics and paper. My 9year promtly told me that it was snowing in my studio....

I've been making some of these hearts too. They're the ones that made the snow!

And I packed up a box of paintings and Collaged Couture Portaits to send to Eva in Melbourne.Evas taken on the task of organizing the Vendors night. There is about 7 30 x30cm paintings ready to find new homes.

I'm hoping to make some fabric tags and I'll have my cards too. Always big plans to make and create more, but I shall pace myself so I don't run out of puff and get to overwhelmed. No. None of that here thank you.

Looking forward to seeing everyones smiling faces this year at Csr 2010!