Altered Image - Begonia

I am not sure where the days are going lately.  

There has been little time for stitching but I thought I would just play with this photo of a begonia from my garden.  I used adobe photo shop - filter - plastic wrap option.  It gives an interesting depth to the pic but I think I like the original better.  It is hard to improve on nature.

This week has been particularly busy with the little twins I mind suffering from a nasty tummy virus.  This has meant that my usual babysitting has not happened but there has been lots of intermittent childcare needed and attendance at appointments and other help required.   

Everything seems to have settled down now but the lack of routine and the concern have rather messed up my week.

I will post in a day or two to let you know how I went at the Frankston Waterfront Festival last week.

In the meantime it is Australia Day today and also my youngest daughter's birthday so there is much to reflect on and celebrate.

The weather is continuing to challenge many of us with floods in parts of Queensland as well as the most unusual occurance of tornadoes up that way too.  Fires are still burning in areas of our state of Victoria as well as other parts of this vast land. 

I notice it is cold and snowing in parts of the UK, Europe and USA with many suffering as a consequence.

My thoughts are with those who are distressed and suffering, although these thoughts seem so inadequate.

Take care, keep safe and create something beautiful when you can.  

Frankston Waterfront Festival 2013

Day one of the Frankston Waterfront Festival.  Some of my display

 Ruth Quinn made some brooches and cards as well as little journals.

Tina Whitely makes beautiful fine shawls and scarves.

summer

Just photos today: first a beautiful gardenia from my garden.  

Once again the sunset is beautiful although there are many fires burning in this state and around Australia.  I do hope they will not take any more lives.  Such a lot of houses lost already and of course wildlife and livestock.  Mother nature in all her beauty and all her awesome power is in evidence at this time of the year.

I know in other parts of the world it is the rain or cold and snow that is taking a toll.  Keep safe.  Walk carefully and look out for your friends and neighbours.

Frankston Waterfront Festival

I have been busy sorting out my items for the Frankston Waterfront Festival.

It has to be said that I have made lots of different things over the last few years.
 
If I can sell a few I will be quite pleased.


If not then I am still happy with all I have created.










 There are embellished doileys, needlebooks, brooches, journal covers, book marks, and of course boxes, pin cushions and lots more.




 





The one thing I am having difficulty with is how to price.  Obviously you can never charge enough to cover time but some things should be valued.  Any thoughts?

Terrific Tuesday

 What a fabulous day it has been.  The weather has been warm (29degrees) with very little wind which is close to perfect.  I went out for a while and had coffee with a friend and then I did some serious op shopping.

 The little soft toy in the last pic is for my favourite (only) granddaughter Ally.  I know she will love it.  At almost 16 years old she is not too old for a cute character toy.

This evening I have been making more roses - such fun and such great results each time!  Tomorrow I shall add some bling and attach the backs and they will be ready for Friday  

I have also been doing some needlefelting to line the bottom of one of my boxes.  It has turned out so well.  As I say it has been one of those happy days today.

When I am needlefelting or using my embellishing machine I have this bag of felt scraps and other fibres and bits and pieces of thread and ribbons close by and just pull out what I need as the piece progresses,

 

  
 



 Of course the evening sky has been lovely again.  A few whispy clouds catch the colours - they remind me of felting - perhaps tomorrow.

And of course here is Ally's toy sitting in the corner of the couch making sure I don't fall asleep.

unreal roses

 Today has been a little cooler, only about 20 degrees, so I have spent some time finishing off some projects and creating one new item.

 When I recently visited the rose garden with Ally I was taken with the rose pictured above.  I don't know what it is called but it is pretty.

I thought I would try to create a brooch that looked a little like the rose.    Layers of chiffon circles were stitched together and then held over the gas flame to curl and colour them a little.

Bright beads form the centre and the backing is wood: I bought this backing  from a stall holder at a craft show years ago.  He makes these pieces himself and I have kept it hoping to find a good use for it.
 I stitched through the rose and through to a button on the back to be sure it was secure.

All in all I am quite please with this.  I might add a little more pink.  mmm.....



 

Summer skies

 The last few weeks have been so busy: lots of fun of course.  We have had our grandchcildren staying for almost a week.  

The weather has been warm: sometime hot, so we have been to the beach and to visit friends who kindly invite the children to swim in their pool.  

As some of you will have read the weather in most parts of Australia has been so hot and the bushfires have been and still are devastating so much of our land.

There has been little done in the way of creativity but I have to put in a big effort this week as the Waterfront Festival at Frankston will be on next weekend and I need to have some things ready to sell.  I will take some pics before the end of the week.

I wish those who read my blog a fantastic and productive year.