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.  

Silk Ribbon Embroidery

When I started stitching for pleasure a few years ago I didn't have books to refer to and most of what I did was pretty basic: I learnt a lot along the way.
This cottage is something I made early on, when I was exploring different stitches, materials and ideas.  The perspective is shocking but all in all I do quite like this piece.  It hangs on the wall in my workroom so it always around.  Of course there are lots of things I would do differently now but it was a good start.

I haven't forgotten the giveaways I promised for all those who commented during April.  They will be sent out by the end of May.  Thanks to all those who read my blog and leave their thoughts.

Speaking of thoughts: the broken vase is still in its box.  I cannot bring myself to throw it out (the seller didn't want it back) so I am thinking of smashing it up a bit more and making some sort of mosaic thingy with it.  

The weather here is cooling down as we approach winter and I am hoping to settle into some serious stitching soon.  I have managed to do a little bit while babysitting the last few days so I will show you what I have been doing soon.


I noticed on the news that there are forest fires in various places in the UK.  This seems so unusual, but I understand it has been particularly dry this past month or so.  Keep safe everyone.