"Real isn't how you are made,"said the Skin Horse. It's a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with but REALLY loves you, then you become real"

"Does it hurt?" asked the Rabbit

"Sometimes," said the Skin Horse, for he was always truthful. "When you are Real you don't mind being hurt."

"Does it happen all at once, like being wound up," he asked, "or bit by bit?"

It doesn't happen all at once,"said the Skin Horse. "You become. It takes a long time. That's why it doesn't often happen to people who break easily, or have sharp edges, or who are carefully kept. Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in the joints and very shabby. But these things don't matter at all, because once you are Real you can't be ugly, except to people who don't understand."

--from THE VELVETEEN RABBIT by Margery Williams

Kirry's tonsils

My poor niece in the USA has been having quite a few health problems in the past year. Seems like the doctor felt that taking out her tonsils might alleviate some of those problems. So as not to be without, I have sent her another pair. Wishing you love Kiersten!!!xoxox

Flower fairy

We currently have two members of our family in hospital. My daughter and my Mother-in-law. My Mother-in-law, June is the most amazing giving woman, and I have learned so much from her. I've just crocheted her this little flower fairy to bring a little joy into her hospital room. Love you very much June and wishing you a speedy recovery!

Michael Leunig

Michael Leunig is an Australian National Treasure. He has enriched our lives with his poetic visions. We are fortunate enough to own several of his original pieces. Bless you Mr. Leunig!

Melbourne Graffiti

Yes, I know....graffiti is destructive and a violation of other people's property, but gee there are some AMAZING artists out there! These works are close to the studio I work in during the week, in Carlton.

Pearl's finished.....

Just finished the Pearl cardigan last night. It's a fun pattern and easy to make. So much so, I've started a second one!!!

Thai elephant!!

Spring is here in Melbourne!!! I've been enjoying a bit of gardening with the weather being so nice. Ever since we went to Thailand late last year, I have wanted to make a topiary elephant like they have throughout Bangkok. Knowing that these take many years to grow, I've made my own short cut version. With a metal armature and chicken wire to shape, I've then planted maiden hair creeper. Knowing the verocity that the creeper grows in our garden, I'm hoping that within a few months my wire form with be covered with small soft leaves!!! I'll keep you posted on how it grows!!! (By the way, my elephant is about the size of a small dog!)

Pearls cardigan continued...

Still working part time on the Pearl's cardigan crochet along! It's a very simple pattern, fun to do and fast. I also LOVE the way the bamboo yarn drapes, although it maybe a bit heavier for summer than I had hoped! I've just begun the first sleeve.

A pumpkin hat for CJ!!!

Just finished this little pumpkin hat for my Great nephew, CJ. He is about 4 1/2 months old now. I have yet to meet him, but i love him enormously! Happy Autumn CJ!

Offerings

I'm still enjoying the treasures from our trip to Bali. While walking along the beach from Seminyak to Legian, we found many beautiful, beautiful shells, but we also found these encrusted "discs"as well. It was explained to us that these are very old offering coins to the Gods that have washed up on shore. The majority were unrecognizeable, so encrusted with barnacles and sand, but a few you could tell were coins. I felt the Gods wouldn't mind me taking home a few...Terima kasih (banyak)

Tim Burton - The Exhibition!

Annemieke and I went into the city today to see the Tim Burton Exhibition. It was awesome! He has such an amazing, dark imagination, and boy, can he draw! There was Johnny Depp's costume from Edward Scissorhands, Costumes, drawings and props from Alice and Wonderland, Batman, Beetlejuice and his many other films. But by far my favourite part was seeing his actual drawings. Gotta respect an artist who can draw like that!

Lion Brand - Pearl's Cardigan CAL

I just joined Lion Brand's CAL (Crochet Along). I've never done one of these and thought that it would be fun! The pattern comes from Kristin Omdahl's book Crochet So Fine. The pattern is called Pearl'cardigan and I believe it is named after Kristin's Grandmother. The yarn I have chosen for this pattern is a raspberry colour, 80% bamboo, 20% wool. I'm JUST about finished with the yoke.

Hooray!

Russell andf I went into the city today and stopped by Artisan to pick up my piece after the exhibition, only to be surprised that it had been sold!!! Hooray! It has gone to a woman whom is a collector and lives in New Zealand! Thank you once again Daniel for your support!

Japanese pattern book!

Just went to Tessuti's in the city, and finally bought myself a Japanese pattern book! I have been eyeing them off for over a year now. So many to choose from, so I dove in and chose this one. Although the cover may look rather unremarkable, inside are 40 patterns of beautiful simple lines and elegance! Can't WAIT to get started! www.tessuti.com.au

cardigan

Just finished this cardigan, crocheted in the round, finished off with Mother-of-pearl buttons!

Sarongs

I bought these beautiful sarongs at the markets in Bali. My intention was to use the fabric to make clothing out of. But the more I look at the fabric, I don't know if I have the heart to cut into it! I will have to investigate various ways of wearing sarongs!

I just love the architecture in Bali. From the doors, temples, offering sites, such care and detail is put into the making of things. During the day before almost every household and business you will see small handwoven baskets made of palm leaves. Inside each basket are offerings to the Gods, beautiful flowers, coins, rice, biscuits and incense.

Spiriuality all around!

Bali continued.....

This is the bungalow we stayed in. It was beautiful beyond belief! We stayed in north Seminyak to avoid the more touristy areas. The beach was just 800m away!

For as long as I can remember, in the upstairs hall of my family home there has hung a special painting. It is a watercolour that my Mother painted when she was 19 years old, in 1949. It is a portrait of a Balinese dancer, an image has intrigued me all of my life. I have hoped that I would one day have the opportunity to visit Indonesia, and we have had the fortune to visit Bali for a week! I must say that it is more than I ever hoped for, there is a spirituality there, the people are kind and gentle, the art, architecture and craft are beautiful, exotic and so unique to anything I have ever seen before. We stayed in a beautiful bungalow, in north Seminyak, that was unbelievable! I'm still jet-lagged, as we have not been home long, and will post more very soon!

snail mail

(If you look carefully, turn your head sideways to the right....)

I saw this beautiful heart shape on the footpath the other day. A snail trail, perhaps made for someone they love!

ATLAS - 5th Annual Artisan Book Show!!!

Artisan Books
159 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy VIC 3065
PH:03 9416 4805
http://www.artisan.com.au/
21 August - 11September 2010

Daniel has sent out the announcements for the 5th Annual Artisan Bookshow, entitled "Atlas". I have been fortunate enough to be accepted for this exhibition, once again. There were SO many possibilites with a subject as wonderful as this, but only one piece per artist was allowed. So now I feel I can officially post photos of my piece, "Atlas of my Heart". (Brass heart with vintage atlas pages, copper wire, hydrostone hand with bronze patina, silk ribbon and pearl bead. 23 x 23 x 29cm)

Bali !!!

Going to Bali, VERY soon! Can't wait!

Life is good!

Loving sunny Melbourne days, my family, meeting up with friends at cafe's and making art!

Drawing

Drawing is such a big part of my life. I draw in sketch books and once a week I spend a day drawing from life models. I've also begun keeping a sketchbook/journal for my very private thoughts. Having trouble finding sketchbooks with the quality of paper I desired, I've made a few basic books of my own with exposed coptic binding.

(ps... the Marbled frogmouth owl roosts in our backyard at night! This is a drawing of him/her. And the other drawing is a study from John Tenniel's Alice and wonderland drawings.)

Que sera!

Still knitting away, making gifts, but forgetting to actually photograph them before I give them away to loving new homes! This cardigan I just finished for myself is knitted out of recycled cotton yarn from Red Heart. The pattern is called "que sera", which I love!

the heart of the matter......

Heart shaped stones collected from some of our journeys.

Some more knitting!!

Recycled cotton cardigan, Lion brand pattern

I don't put ALL of my work online, just some of it. I'm a bit superstitious about some works in progress. Also, I'm STILL coming to terms with being on view, for all to see. It's not that I don't want to share...Sabbath (our cat) on the other hand thinks it's ALL about him! Trying to take photos of a cotton cardigan just completed, Sabbath felt it was time for his online debut!

Lovely Tahnee

Pastel

Here's another drawing of the model Tahnee! Love the tree tattoo on her lower back!

and some knitting....

Just finished knitting this! Periwinkle baby hoodie with mother-of-pearl buttons.

life drawings...

Just a few more drawings. Pastel. 22 x 30".

Cloth Paper Scissors Publication

Late last year I entered the "Mother Earth Doll"challenge from the Cloth Paper Scissors mixed media publication. I was fortunate enough to become a semifinalist and then a finalist with my work published in the current issue! It's quite a simple piece, but I'm quite pleased with it. Many thanks to Barbara and Pokey!!

Spirit of Tasmania

The "big Spud The Bay of Fires The Bay of Fires

We just spent a lovely week in Tasmania! The nine-hour ferry cruise to the island, was very pleasant. Lovely views and plenty of time to catch up on some knitting and reading. Tasmania itself was a delight! We drove up and down the length of the island through mountainous tree fern forrests and bathed in pristine coastal beaches! Tried local wines, cheeses and chocolate....doesn't get much better than that!

so much sewing!

I am particularly fond of textile work, and what with the festive season and the warmer weather I have found myself in a bit of a dress sewing spree! Having a lot of fun and enjoying the wonderful fun fabrics out there!