Sidney Nolan

I visited the Sidney Nolan Art Exhibition today at the National Gallery. I'm not sure what I was expecting and this comment probably shows my naivety, but I wasn't really overwhelmed with the art. However, I did like the paintings entitled "Temptation of St Anthony" and "Return to Glenrowan".

Barwon Heads

We spent the weekend at Barwon Heads with some wonderful friends. Here are a few of the many photos taken to remember a good break, good location, and great friends.

Soul Collage cards

I have finally commenced this journey with my Soul Collage Cards. Here are four I have just completed - Abundance, Innner Child, Love My Body, and Source card.

Altered Houses

Here are some MINI houses I altered for a swap. They are just adorable and the ones I received in return are the cutest little things - now to decide what to do with them!

Amazing

Here is an ATC I made for this month's PaperArts Challenge - IO always knew old dress patterns would come in handy for something (in this case, the background paper).

Dishcloths

Two more dishcloths knitted in a KAL. I much prefer the cotton used in these cloths in comparison to the previous cloths: Peaches and cream is thicker and I think more stable. The first dishcloth is for Valentines KAL, and the other is an Easter KAL (the dishcloth is actually fawn, not a very good photo).

Filet Lace Bag

Here is my attempt at a potpourri bag and I thought I would try filet lace for this (I think it's my second filet lace piece).

I made this for a lovely lady from my lace group who has moved to WA - Josie I will miss you.

Gift to me

This is a gorgeous gift I received from a wonderful lady at work - in fact this lady makes going to work enjoyable. She is just one of the nicest people

It's a tear-off writing pad (with mini pen) which says "Warning, Haven't had my morning coffee". It's just lovely and has diamentes and glitter - she knows me well!.

Knitting Kitty

I knitted a kitten for part of a knitting group "challenge". The kids love it, I think it's nothing special. The knitting group has kitty swaps on a regular basis, using this pattern, and whatever shades of wool you like. It would be fun to participate, but how many knitted kittens do I need?

Earth Hour

I've just signed up for this. My lights will be off for one hour on March 29th, 2008 at 8pm.

I think it's an important stand - what about you, why don't you also sign up? http://www.earthhour.org/

Knitted Dishcloths

I've joined a couple of Knitted Dishcloth groups for swaps. Here is a couple I made, one is a KAL (knit a long), another is a Hello Kitty Dishcloth, and the third is just a dishcloth.

These things are so quick and easy, and morish.

Paper doll

Here is a paper doll made with scrapbooking paper and a picture from a magazine, with wire and beads added for embellishment. This was fun to make. I'm really procrastinating because I made this rather than carrying on with my swap commitments.

Heart

Here is my contribution to the Wednesday Stamper's challenge this week. A heart ATC.

SORRY

How difficult is it to say SORRY. If you are the Australian Government, it is obviously very hard and has taken until today. It should not take decades to say this one word to the Stolen Generation.

Between 1910 and 1970, 100,000 Aboriginal children were taken forcibly or under duress from their families by police or welfare officers because we as a nation decided the families couldn't look after their children. Most were under 5 years of age. These are the Stolen Generation, who never met their parents or siblings again.

SORRY.

Asia

Here is an ATC I completed for my Wednesday Stamper challenge on "Asia"

This 'n That

Just watched a SUPERB film, in fact it is probably one of my most favourite movies at the moment and I am just going to have to watch it again. "The Bucklet List" with Jack Nicholson. It's a story of two men who have nothing in common yet meet due to a life-changing event, and then spend some time together. My description does not do the film any justice - keep an eye out for it.

On a lighter note, here is a link to a couple of very unique frocks - just love it! http://blog.craftzine.com/archive/2008/02/twisted_balloon_couture.html

Paintings

Here are three paintings my children did during the recent school holidays - I am so proud of them and their creative ability. Selena (9yo) painted the Mermaid, Jack (9yo) painted the Dugong, and Madelene (8yo) painted the Dolphin.

The paintings will be proudly on display at home shortly.

Creative Juices

I had no trouble with the artwork for this Challenge piece for Creative Juices, however I did have problems with listing five attributes for myself. Being a Leo, I am proud however I am also quite humble and really don't like talking about myself (would much rather listen to others talk about themselves, I learn so much that way).

Creative Juices

Here is a piece of artwork I did for both the Monthly Creative Challenge and Take it Further Challenge - this type of bold art I do not attempt often but I thought Violette certainly gets my creative juices flowing - I am so inspired by Violette's work http://www.violettesfolkart.com/blog.html. The writing style is Violette's as is the background design.

Christmas gift

This is a gorgeous Angel my friend (and next door neighbour) gave me for a belated Christmas gift. It's funny how things work out. I knew Julie through a spinning group years ago and then she stopped going. The next thing I realise is she has moved in next door! Now we do a lot of things together and go a lot of places. She's a wonderful friend.

Button Dollz - Wednesday Stamper

Here is a Button Dollz ATC I made for Wednesday Stamper http://wednesdaystamper.wordpress.com/

Creative Swap Group

I belong to a wonderful Australasian group (Aussies and Kiwis) called ANZ_Art. We participate in different swaps; some include journal albums and altered canvases. We are also planning many more creative swaps this year.

If you are interested in joining this group please sign up using the link found on the right hand side of this page, or email me.

Gorgeous Gift

I have just returned from holidays and received this gorgeous calendar from a dear friend as a gift. She participated in an ATC calendar swap and made two of these, of which she sent me one.

I have scanned November, the ATC is made by her.

Thank you Leschelle - I love it! xx

Wedding horseshoe

Here is a wedding horseshoe I made for DD's school teacher from 2007 AND 2008! It is Torchon lace and took only two half days to make - we hope to go to the wedding this Friday.

All the best Miss McC!

Some more newly finished craft



A 2008 calendar, the other six months are on the reverse side. Each month is represented by a photo (mainly of my children) and each important date on the month is marked with a diamente.








Here is a closeup of my Christmas tree and if you look hard enough on the left hand side you will see a lace Christmas cone I made- it's hiding because it's far from perfect :(









In 2007 I participated in the wonderful TAST challenge. I chose do to the sample stitches on this piece of hand felted fabric. Next year it is a "Take it Further" challenge - for details go to
http://sharonb.wordpress.com/take-it-further-challenge/

Birthday Book

Here is Birthday book I made thanks to a Scrappit project.

Cover

Inside folder

I think by the time Christmas is finished I will be well and truly over wooden decorations. Anyhow, here is one of two folders I made for my childrens' teachers as part of their Christmas present.

Back

More Christmas decorations

Here are some more Christmas decorations. The countdown to Christmas tree is still missing a star - I am waiting to find the right star, not any star will do!

Joy

One of the Christmas decorations I made this year - very quick and easy using a Kaiser wooden "Joy" and paints. I basically copied the design straight out of the Kaiser Workshop booklet.

Lace Gifts

I received this gorgeous bobbin and keychain from a lovely lady in Leeds, UK, Alison Dews. She is a renown Lace maker and teacher and author. The bobbin is an early one made by David Springett and the key ring is a White Rose.

Christmas Serviette

Here is one of eight serviettes I made for this year's Christmas meal. It's in the shape of a Christmas tree but opens up to a half circle serviette (when you think about it, a half circle sits better on your knee than a square/rectangle serviette). I also intend to make matching placemats.

My Quilting group took this on the challenge to make the serviettes and to have a "show and tell" at our Christmas break-up. I can't wait to see how the others turned out because we all chose different fabric.

Madelene's 8th Birthday

With my arm out of action for a while, it's a bit different finding one-handed crafts but I managed to do this layout without too much trouble. It's my youngest's 8th birthday/

Flower Stitcher foot

Had a quick play today with my new Flower Stitcher foot. There is so much this foot can do - it's just left to time and imagination.Here's the above sample which is now distressed with also UTEE and netting.

Lace Fan

I really enjoyed making this fan, it was quick and easy, but (I think) very effective. Now I just need to find a box frame for it.

Felted Rabbit

Here is a needle felted rabbit I attempted thanks to a Joggles workshop. Needle felting is extremely relaxing albeit, dangerous. The number of bloody pricks I gave myself! Ouch.

Tyvek Beads

I had so much fun making these - I didn't believe they were as quick and easy as others say.

I'm not sure how I will use these, perhaps make a few more and made a beaded fringe to attach to a picture.

Dignity

Here is an ATC challenge I completed for PaperArts

2007 Rugby League Premiers

For the second time since our existence in 1998 (1999 and 2007) WE WON the League. Yes, I am proud of my boys.