gushing some goodness

Kate, a seasoned Op Shopper

The weekend workshop of "Creative Discoveries" was filled with gushing goodness. We shared much, laughed and connected on many levels. The morning started out with excited sorting + buying at a number of local Op Shops. The ladies gathered fabrics, haby, doilies and clothes to recycle into artworks or to become part of their wardrobes. We talked through possibilities of fabrics, ooed and arred of each others finds and felt like fulfilled shoppers by the end of the morning.

Claire in action, found a beautiful embroidered beaded skirt

After lunch we gathered again at my studio with journals and paints in hand. The ladies here are intensely creating their own personal symbols....to then use again in more journaling pages. I am so proud of what they created. I know they were challenged, but I also knew they could stretch to achieve what I asked of them. Way to Go ladies!



Sunday's workshop was all about creating a mixed media artwork on a floating canvas with a 'skirt' of fabric layers behind. Many layers were built up with different printing techniques and runny dribbles...there was a choice of images to use (could bring your own personal image, use a mag pic or one that I provided) and this is what came together.

Kims canvas in progress

Kims Collaged Canvas Couture

Kate putting her skirt of recycled fabric together

Kates Collaged Canvas Couture

The girls went with their flow of inspiration to create another mixed media piece on paper. Again using some of the finds from the day before.

Kims Collage on Paper

Happy Kate

Look at the joy on Kates face! Isn't it priceless? Really this says it all. The ladies shared with me that their creations will definitely be hanging on their walls at home.Happy, Happy, Happy. Many creative achievements in this workshop. And it thrills me to no end that the finished art that the girls created is going to be proudly hung for all to see....thats an affirmation in itself.That they are creative and they have the ability to make beautiful art.

in progress

Kates Collage on Paper

Whilst I may not have had the number of ladies at this workshop that I had intended, the success is really in the a fact that the ladies got much creative guidance and they where able to outflow loads of their own greatness. Well done girls!

all things good...

In a couple of hours my weekend workshop shall begin. I'm looking forward to seeing some familiar faces and getting creative with my ladies...I'll have some pics to share after the weekend.

Here's to all things good and creative!

some love to share.

cards from bubu Blossom

Just when it feels like I am pushing an enormous bolder up an unbelievably steep mountain, a little ray of light shines brightly to keep the path lit. This is how I felt when I received an email today from a very special dear hearted friend Jude.

A childhood friend of Jude's passed last year after challenging her Motor Neurone Disease.They shared much together since their childhood, including Donna's ill health. For ever thoughtful Jude was always there for Donna and still is in many ways.

Jude shared with me"....Donna's memorial service is planned... Her mum, Fay has organised the whole ceremony. I am sending an Olive Tree as my Symbol of Peace to their family, a hanging Rainbow Heart remembering the Fun and Happiness she loved to share and a Candle igniting the Flame Of Love In Our Hearts, connecting us all in Soul Love of Donna . I have written on the BuBu Blossom card 'Celebrate Life'...May memories of delight arise to the Surface of Our Minds as we all celebrate life... Thank you for the perfect card Nic... I am sending the BuBu Blossom card 'Here are you Wings now take Flight' card to Donna's daughters acknowledging the freedom Donna aspired to give them all."


"She (Donna) was the one to help us all accept the fears of ill health and death!!.....share how you created your cards and how they are used to spread the creativity from the heart and how our words can ignite the heart deep within....with truth and love...this is how I feel we can empower each other." Jude

Seeing connections in this way is what truly makes me feel fulfilled and whilst this occasion may not be all pleasant, it is filled with love and light. Expressing it creatively, visually and feeling it with hand written words makes the giving/receiving even more heart warming.....a piece of love that can be forever treasured.

its a good stretch

Whispers in the Wind

Hanging affirmation cards

The truth is I feel I've been struggling a little of late, still wanting to fit everything in that I was doing before I started my couple-of-days-a-week-job, but not. Not getting to connect with my blog friends as often, not enjoying the luxury of extra time to paint and feeling like I haven't been present. BUT it is stretching me. Into a new place that I know is good for my soul and my family. And we are all rising to fufill our new roles.

My new challenge has helped me to value my creative skills and my time. Its helping me focus on whats really important to me creatively, I no longer have the time to wonder or ponder..or be indecisive. I need an action plan to make the most of the time I have. I'm learning new skills and working in an environment very different to my creative setting and that has taught me to appreciate and value my own space....both inside and out.

With a number of late nights and determination to still be working towards my creative dream, daily, I have made these 'Whispers in the Wind' hanging affirmation cards...for the Christmas art show in Nov. I'm intending to have these sorts of creative goodies for sale soon at bubu Blossom here's a sneak peek...

Close up

And my coathangers arrived, ready to take on a creative path for my weekend workshop. I have a great bunch of ladies coming along and I'm very much looking forward to spending some quality creative time teaching these workshops.

Inspired Vintage Make Over

Cate Blanchette in a Jean Paul Gaultier Couture

silk and velvet gown. Image courtsey of Vogue

This pic of Cate Blanchette (awesome Aussie actress) has been stirring my inspiration for some time. I just love, love love the textures and soft pastel colours against the black pompoms!

Jean Paul Gaultier gown, no less.......

My favourite colour at the moment is soft pinks, beige and whites, so when I found a soft pink cardi at the Op Shop for $2.50 it was definitely coming home with me. You know when an image from your collection of pics just pops into your head, well that image of Cate on the couch in her JPG gown came to me.....with some tulle and floral braid my Op Top now has a new look.

And heres my spin on it.

I'm sure I'll find a perfect time and place to wear it....maybe I could recline on the couch tonight in my new couture!

Welcome Oprah

What can I say other than OMG! Oprah is coming to Australia! How exciting that the rest of the world gets to see Australia Oprah style.... can't wait to see how this journey unfolds. Truly my heart is pumping with pride that Down Under was her choice destination.

A little bit of fun learning along the way, head to Oprahs site to do a quiz on Australia....yes even I learnt some interesting facts about Australia...now I know how many kangaroos inhabit our country, the amount of opals we produce and just how inventive we Aussies are!

Ok, be still my beating heart and get back to my studio!

the Universe is listening!

I am Supported Journal page

Creative Discoveries

I've put together my most favourite creative elements into a weekend workshop. Its going to be a great ride....here's what we'll get up to! 25th-26th September, in Hervey Bay.


Vintage Discoveries.... Come on a fun excursion with me, to some of the choice Opportunity Shops in Hervey Bay. You'll learn how to find the best materials to use for mixed media artworks and what to look for in a vintage piece, either to recycle or wear. You'll be given a huge range of on-site tips to make the most of your opportunity shopping.


Journal Discoveries.... Learn how to Journal your discoveries, where we will build up layers of backgrounds and textures, blend colours, cut and paste to complete feminine, affirming images and messages. This workshop is being held in my own studio.....so you'll be surrounded by much inspiration!


Collaged Canvas Couture.... Discover how to create a tactile hanging artwork with collage, on canvas. Using art techniques that include loose painting, stenciling, mono printing and hands on doodling. Combine this with some machine stitching and recycled fabrics to create a loose strip 'skirt' to hang behind and complement the canvas.


I'd love to see you there, so if any or all of these workshops appeal to your sense of creative adventure you can check out further details at my website. or email me!

in progress

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goddess drawings in progress

Finally I've realised that at the top of my list of creating is drawing and it feeds down from there. Its where my collage Goddess come from, portraits for my journaling, focals for my card designs. You'd think I would have caught on earlier, but hey I'm not beating myself up about it. Instead I'm cracking the whip and getting some portraits on paper.

I decided to challenge myself, lord knows why, and draw a profile image.It took me all day but I'm happy with the outcome. and I shall try more 'til they feel as comfortable as the face to front images. the more drawing I do, the better they get....just one of those things I've got to keep at.

Stemming from these couple of Goddess drawings are a new series of mixed media works that I'm creating for the Christmas Fair. Shall share those soon.

Also in the pipe line is a weekend workshop coming up for the local crew. A few more details to firm up, but I am WAY excited about whats coming together, so stay tuned. Announcement in a few days.

Hope all you Aussies have enjoyed Fathers Day. I'm feeling grateful that I can get some stuff done as the 'Dad' in this home is happily watching a fishing dvd on his own and the rest of us are doing our own thing.

some beauty to share

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photo courtesy of Katrina Marsh

Whilst the first day of Spring has come and gone and the only flower in my garden blossoming is a single Bird of Paradise, I do have some other beautiful things to share.

Many, many moons ago I met the delightful and gentle Katrina Marsh. I'm not even sure when or where, but you know how it is when you just click with someone, well thats how it was when I met Katrina. Our paths have crossed many times since then, in different, unexpected places....and has always been heartwarming for me to connect and be in her presence.


photo courtesy fo Katrina Marsh

Recently I had the pleasure of delivering these paintings to her home. oh what a beautiful space. Katrina definetly has artstic flare, in her home and her photography. She has her own photography business and has won a number of awards.


photo courtesy of Katrina Marsh

I am so happy these paintings from my Soul Growth collection have a good home and they are doing their job of providing joy and beauty to Katrinas family and home.


photo courtesy of Katrina Marsh

Beauty is abound.....