pressed flowers

I pressed these flowers from my garden several weeks ago. They will be laminated and used in a future project.

it never rains - it pours - or leaks

 Today I had nothing planned: except a few errands to run and the supermarket of course.  


We have had quite a lot of rain overnight which has been lovely for the garden and of course it has cooled the house down a bit too.

 I thought it would be a good idea to pick up some paint so we can continue on the outside of the house.  We have painted the front wall (which is the smallest area) and I am keen to do the rest before winter arrives.

 

 I popped into the shed, which is behind my work room, to check on the type of paint.  The colour is Oyster Linen which I really love but I am always confused by all the options when I arrive in the paint department.

While in the shed I heard a loud dripping sound and as the rain had stopped some hours earlier I thought I should investigate.  I rigged up some lights so I could see under the house and was horrified to see water dripping through the laundry floor.  I rushed up the stairs and turned off the washing machine taps and disconnected the hoses, and then I moved the washing machine.  It has been leaking underneath and the water had seeped under the tiles and through the flooring.  Great.  Fantastic.  So I did have something to do after all.  Hubby was away so I lifted up the tiles, many of which were cracked or broken as it turned out.  The chip board, (MDF) was soaking wet - so now I am waiting for it to dry.  I think it will be ok - it has never been sealed - the tiles were laid directly on the flooring.  I intend to put a drainage grate in the floor and then seal it all before re-tiling the lot.  The walls could do with a lick of paint so it should look lovely and fresh when it is finished.

I did buy the paint too - just in case.

The red and green pics are for inspiration for a colour study I am doing.

click here check out this blog - something a bit different 



and this one  I could waste a lot of time playing with this one.

sketching

I have been really busy doing the Studio Journal course with Sharon B.  Apart from weekly exercises Sharon suggests we add anything that interests us or inspires us.  Photos or fabrics or even sketches for future use.  The journal is for reference not to be a piece of art in itself.

I am really enjoying this class although I am finding it difficult to find time to do the exercises.

The interesting thing is the fact that I am really enjoying sketching.  I am not very accomplished but I do like putting my ideas down on paper.

Art was a subject I failed at school (many years ago) so this is quite a revelation.

limelight in the garden

I am not sure where the time is going at present.  There is very little stitching happening but I am managing some time in the garden.

This beautiful grevillea is called limelight and it is a real treat to have in the garden.  It should be great for attracting the birds and butterflies.

We have lots of birds visiting us in the garden: this morning we had a pair of cockatoos as well as our usual magpies. 

decay

 Today I created this "silk paper" using my own method of laying down fibres and adding some textile medium.  I wanted to make something to represent the decay of leaves and other matter.



I used natural silk fibres, golden sari silk and some copper spritz.  The textile medium gives it some body and holds it together.

I am very pleased with the results.

Painted leaves

Our weather has been very changeable lately and we have had lots of strong winds which have delivered heaps of gorgeous gum leaves on the lawn. I really am fascinated by the colours of the leaves. Apart from the green ones we have gold and brown and red. They really are amazing.

Speaking of deliveries;   I have joined the product of the month group here so today I received my second monthly parcel, comprised of some very interesting pencils.  Last month's product included the makings and directions for silk paper.  Although I have made silk paper before I will enjoy using the items in the pack.

This is a great idea if you want some inspiration and to try out new (or new to you) products.  The pencils are going to be very handy to use for my journal. 

catching up

 Each day seems to be busier than the last.  Is that a sign of aging and slowing down?  

Anyway I have been meaning to mention a couple of books and blogs: they are great resources when the creative juices need a boost.  So first the books.

Paper Metal & Stitch is a great feast of colour and texture and ideas.  It is by Maggie Grey and Jane Wild.

 The second book was sent to me quite some time ago by my dear friend Linda a
It is Embroidery from Sketch to Stitch by Pat Langford.  Each time I take this book from the shelf it reminds me of Linda and her generous spirit and love of all things textile.  Thanks Linda for all the inspirational chats and emails.

 I have commenced a course with Sharon B and have my supplies ready.  I am hoping this course on the use of a journal will help me to be a bit more disciplined and maybe more productive.  Have you checked out Sharon's blog.  Pintangle

In the mail today I received a parcel from Ballarat Patchwork.  These beautiful pieces of felt are just for the stash.  I use a lot of felt for lining projects or adding a bit of body to a piece.  I just love these colours and the names of them too: they are Denim, Grassy Meadows, Robins Egg, Pistachio Icecream and Strawberry Dream. This post has gone a little longer than I intended but just wanted to add one more link.
One of my favourite blogs is Art is Basic


I hope some of this is of interest to others.  It is such a big world out there in blogland and we are all so lucky to have so many opportunities to learn and share. Thanks to everyone who takes the time to read this.

 I have finished my stitcheries and they are attached to the backing.


This is one of those things that you could just keep working at.  Not finishing things is one of my specialties.

 It has been difficult to decide what to put on this wall hanging.
I wanted it to reflect my life here on the Mornington Peninsula.

 The beach is a major part of what makes this a special place to live and I have added some other items which are not strictly speaking part of my everyday life.

I have included a dog to represent the 4 dogs that live with my 3 daughters.

The fish'n'chip shop and the CFA building are intrinsic to life here for different reasons

the take away meal is a treat, the CFA is essential to our safety and security in a fire prone area.

The church is fashioned after a Greek Orthodox church - one of my daughters and 3 of my grandchildren are christened in the Greek Church.

The next step is to add a few more embellishments and then bind and name and hang.

I am so pleased this part is done.