Artdecadence

Dreamy Frocks

2012-01-26T17:44:00.000+10:00

Paintings above from Karen Hollingsworth

Little digital prints of vintage frocks, only $5 each - there are ten to choose from - by Crimson Circle Studios.

Nice frocks eh? Imagine being such a good painter that you could replicate fabric. Or so competent with a digital program that you could showcase little fabric frocks. Ahh will have to get some lessons I think.

Now here's a poem to ponder for those who, like me, enjoy such things. To me it's about little treasured moments of wonder that resurface unexpectedly and remind us about the wonder of this life.

We need some pines to assuage the darkness
when it blankets the mind,
we need a silvery stream that banks as smoothly
as a plane's wing, and a worn bed of
needles to pad the rumble that fills the mind,
and a blur or two of a wild thing
that sees and is not seen. We need these things
between appointments, after work,
and, if we keep them, then someone someday,
lying down after a walk
and supper, with the fire hole wet down,
the whole night sky set at a particular
time, without numbers or hours, will cause
a little sound of thanks--a zipper or a snap--
to close round the moment and the thought
of whatever good we did.
'Around Us' by Marvin Bell

'They tied their hopes to a string' print from Elly Mackay at Theater Clouds

Decal from Vinyl Wall Accents

Prints Giveaway - Worldwide - Come on in!

2012-01-19T06:02:00.011+10:00

To celebrate the re-opening (at last!) of my etsy shop, Artdecadence, I'm having a giveaway of three of my new prints.

Just visit the Store and leave a comment here telling me which three prints you would choose. Extra entries can be had by becoming a follower of this blog; becoming a follower on Facebook; and promoting the giveaway in some way. Just leave a separate comment for each and I'll do a random selection at noon, Australian time, on Thursday, 26 January. This is a worldwide giveaway.
Thank you so much for visiting!

AND THE WINNER IS......

COUTURE CARRIE! Congrats...I'll be in touch. And if you were one of the others that entered just email me your address and I'll send you a postcard with one of the images on it...email - healthfactormedia@bigpond.com

Thanks so much for taking the time to visit and give encouragement. I so appreciate it!

artsy fartsy stuff

2012-01-04T08:30:00.002+10:00

At last, some new art work! Now, dear readers, I'd love your opinion. They all started life as antique/vintage black and white photos then the long task to turn them into new works of art began. I wanted each to be uplifting / inspiring to the viewer. The slide show doesn't do the rich colors justice but it was the only 'freebie' show that I could find! Do you think these art prints would sell on Etsy? Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. Hoping that by my next post I'll have a print giveaway organised.

And to the really important stuff. Milla, my granddaughter, inbetween two friends, shows on her face what Christmas meant to me. Sheer joy. Family and friends...and immense gratitude for the life that I have.

The slide show seems to be playing up for some so here's a collage of the prints.

wreathed...

2011-12-07T18:02:00.014+10:00

I've had to enhance my wreath with some cyber sparkles as it's not particularly exciting. But with faux kookaburra leadlights I thought the simple approach would be best. Some things you just don't want to draw attention to now do you... Next year I hope to have a classic door with a gorgeously creative wreath like one of these.

1. Bossys Feltworks 2. Kitty Jones 3. Wruffled Wren 4. Susan Nightingale 5. The Mad Recycler 6. Another Special Occasion 7. Machupo 8. Whyte 9. Fairyscape 10. Crocheted Wreath Instructions by Esther Aliu 11. Cherubino Crafts 12. Jennifer Judd-McGee

It's a mystery but it's wonderful..this poetry

2011-11-24T07:17:00.002+10:00

Collage by Garrie Stewart at Empty Is The Morning

There's trouble in the classroom
for two words have escaped
and cannot be found.
Are they over there
under the singing desk? No.
Do they lurk, perhaps, inside
the snowing cupboard? No.
All day we search:
on top of, under, inside.
We've given up and are leaving
when someone notices a movement
behind the heater in the corner.
Going over
we peer into the dusty space
and there, huddled like little-people,
holding each other in a desperate clutch
we find them -
two tender, lilting words: fur bravery.

Ltd Edn Lion Print from Jacqui Oakley

What could they mean lying there?
How did they ever find themselves together?
We shift uneasily,
not sure how to respond to this transgression,
knowing only that the sensual shape of them is real -
They are like children who have crossed the borders into physical love
and we do not know whether to disturb them.
But of course we do.

Lionheart linocut on papercut proof by Sonia Romero via She Rides the Lion

When at last we turn out the light -
the words returned safely to the dictionary -
we hear the rustling sound of language on the move
and know that no mere rule of syntax
will ever hold these words in thrall again.

The whole soaring lifting life of them jumps.

['Fur Bravery' in Thicknesses of the Heart: poems by Peter Hall]

Bronze by Art By Fabrice

Reusing lovely fabrics...

2011-11-14T12:32:00.002+10:00

artist above: Beta Wilczek

above 1. Pillow from Cocoon Designs 2. Felted cardigan from Altered Wool 3. Maori dress from Toolgrrl 4. Girls overalls from Whispering Willows 5. Mens hooden jacket from La Tatine 6. Capelet from Peppermint Pink 7. Footstool from Unchanging Grace 8. Dolls from A Little Vintage Store
When I go into an op/thrift shop, other than finding a surprise treasure, the most wonderful thing for me is running my hands and eyes over the plethora of gorgeous fabrics. Yes the top will be too big; the dress too small; the skirt the wrong color for me; but the fabrics! Sometimes they make their way into my 'stash'. Sometimes they get made into a completely different article. Sometimes I just enjoy looking at them! Check out the artists' shops at the top of the post for lots of ideas for reclaiming fabrics. And what about these videos - each so different in tone but both equally inspiring.

Havin your dress n eating it too at the Salon du Chocolat Paris

2011-11-07T11:39:00.013+10:00

[photo The Little Reporter]

The Salon du Chocolat is a yearly trade fair for the international chocolate industry. The 17th Salon du Chocolat was held in Paris 20th-24th October 2011. The event kicked off in style with the annual chocolate fashion show. Each year, fashion designers and chocolatiers from around the world come together to create chocolate covered outfits for a fashion show featuring French models and celebrities. Let's get a group tour organised for the 2012 event!

Why are endings always indigo?

2011-10-27T10:24:00.009+10:00

Beginnings are lacquer red
fired hard in the kiln
of hot hope;
Middles, copper yellow
in sunshine,
sometimes oxidize green
with tears; but
Endings are always indigo
before we step
on the other shore.

['Life's Rainbow' by Sheila Banani]

In my meditation group we reflected on Banani's poem and the stages of life that it represents. And we had a long discussion about the word 'indigo'- the color of the stemen in the flower above. These were some of our thoughts -
It's where night and day meet.
Indigo is the quiet space between a breath.
I could lay down on indigo and it would support me; I'd be held safely.
I'm reminded of the complete quiet and stillness at Golden Bay, New Zealand in those few seconds just prior to sunrise.
What do you think?

Oops, forgot the credits for the photos. The first is by Andrew Boyd, the second had no credit, and the third by Joaquim Simoes. All came via Pixdaus.

I could become one of THOSE women...

2011-10-20T09:25:00.003+10:00

You know…one of those women who surround themselves with cats and cat themed objects. It could happen. Easily. Pictured above is Princess, my ‘claytons’ cat. She visits me every morning for around half an hour, flirts, cuddles, chats away, and them disappears in a northerly direction only to appear again around 24 hours later. I think I may be addicted - there's craving, especially in that last half hour of waiting. Will she arrive, or heaven forbid, will this be one of those rare days when there's no sight of her? The day will not be quite as shiney. And always the whispering voice 'why not get one of your own?' followed quickly by 'a pet's a big committment...yes I know I've done it before...but...'. For, as we get older, we realise that to love is to agree to grieve, and we get that little bit more tentative about giving our heart away. It's as if we start to grieve the day we start to love as the thought of losing this precious being is uncomprehensible. It's the same as loving people. And who would want to do without that?

l to r 1. wabiMYsabi 2. Eyedeas 3. Radically Retro 4. plausive 5. Matou En Peluche 6. Keepsake Clocks 7. Dusty Dolls Vintage 8. See Spot Sew 9. Peachy Chic Boutique 10. Georgies Warehouse 11. Just Smashing Darling 12. The Bohemian Cats

Fabulous fibres...

2011-10-13T18:03:00.008+10:00

above - Designer Don Pezzano - shop, web, blog

above left to right 1. Rob Jan 2. Knit Motorcycle 3. Hopscotch 4. The 7th Magpie 5. Pink Monkey Flower 6. Benconservato

Papier Mache Magic

2011-10-06T12:39:00.006+10:00

Check out Papier Mache Magazine, with its arty inspiration for big and little people. Each new edition is available free to download for a couple of months or it’s only $3AUS to download earlier editions. And the craft of Papier Mache (or Paper Mache) is an art form in the hands of those artists featured below.

1. San Souci Studios 2. Rachael DiRenna 3. Artisan Maskers 4. Etco 5. grrlandog 6. Art Spell 7. Firuzan Goker 8. Woodyloo 9. Micapeeka

Can't live without em...

2011-09-23T09:47:00.002+10:00

Library Interiors 1. Classic-décor 2.Home Decor 3. DPA Furniture 4. Lola Serrano
Vintage Leather Books and Library Furniture from Etsy Sellers left to right 1. Lawrence Antiquities Inc 2. Cottage to Castle 3.The Vintage Laundry 4. Antique Addictions 5. Devon Renee Atelier 6. Pandoras Box 7. Ivy Creek Collectibles

Birdie Birdie Num Num

2011-09-14T08:09:00.004+10:00

1. Unusual Fascinators 2. Bonds of Steel 3. Apple Art 4. Karols Dingden 5. Miss Be Designs 6. Pathos 12 7. Poem by Richard LeGallienne 8. Nora Karen

This moment...no this moment...no this one...

2011-09-08T10:05:00.011+10:00

‘Process’ is an art work I made for an exhibition currently running at Made Gallery. Artists were given identical journals to use as a basis for an art piece. I took the pages out of mine and attached three pieces of organza embroidered with the words ‘By the time you finish reading this you are not the same person as the one who began’. It’s a comment on everything in the universe, including ourselves, being a process. Nothing stays the same. All things change. Nothing is fixed. Acknowledging this is a relief when things are crappy…we know that they’ll pass. But when things are wonderful there can be a sadness knowing that this will also pass. I hope I can keep focusing on how beautiful how precious each moment is (good or bad) because I know it will slip away.

The piece fits in well with this weeks Three Muses Challenge for a piece of art that incorporates words. Head over to their place and see the others.

More dreams of an Italian villa here...

2011-08-29T11:00:00.003+10:00

As promised above is a pic of my home. The little shot shows it as it was when I purchased it earlier this year and the larger shot shows it after an exterior makeover. The roof was cleaned, the brickwork rendered, the other bits painted, and a large gate has been added at the side. I’m very pleased with the finished product. Somehow I was led to a group of young tradespeople who were honest and hardworking and lovely people as well. If you’re in Toowoomba and want any contact details just let me know. Well it certainly looks better doesn’t it. I think we’ve managed to bring the whole place together as a whole as opposed to a bitsey look. The balustrades (which also run down the side and around the back, top and bottom) now blend in with the house. To enhance the villa look I’ve started planting more pencil pines, box hedges, red geraniums and red bougainvillea. There’s already a very old wisteria growing on the lower front pergola. It had to be cut back for painting but is starting to shoot again. The house is on quite a large plot of land with lots of planting down each side and out the back. Below I’ve included some photos taken today of flowers in the garden. They look quite lovely in the pics as you can’t see all the weeds! Considering that it’s the end of winter here it’s not a bad show though.

My Italian Garden

2011-08-23T08:54:00.005+10:00

Well, no, not mine but hopefully, in time, ‘inspired by’ these google pics. I moved into my house in late January this year. It’s a big 1980s brick place with 300 cement balustrades that were often added in that era to give that Italianesque look – so what choice did I have? An Italian villa it is. The house has now been rendered and painting of the balustrades to help them ‘blend in’ is nearly finished. I’ll post some before and after pics in my next post. And I’ve started the garden makeover but it could (optimistically) take a few years…

Forgetting how gorgeous we are...

2011-08-04T12:25:00.003+10:00

Ummm, wish I could paint like this. Inexpensive custom portraits top down from 1. Phunk Lab 2. Katlandia 3. Artman757 4. Omniportraits 5. Portraitpaint

Yikes, it’s been so long since I’ve posted. An illness, now a distant bad dream, has kept me away. Here’s to the rest of this year bein healthy and happy!

Ocean Cleft of the Universe

2011-06-30T10:50:00.002+10:00

I've been at the ocean, a wondrous thing, beyond words for me but I do enjoy reading poetry that taps into my own experience - such as Walt Whitman's On the Beach at Night, Alone below after these lovely aquarium pics. They're little pieces of the ocean that I'd like to stare at every day. Not with large fish though, like those in the coffee table, but with tiny fish in their own big world.

1. Aquatic Forest Aqarium by Pinheiro Manso via Aqua Scaping World 2. via Spler 3.& 4. via Opulent Items

ON the beach at night alone,
As the old mother sways her to and fro, singing her husky song,
As I watch the bright stars shining—I think a thought of the clef of the universes, and of
the future.

A VAST SIMILITUDE interlocks all,
All spheres, grown, ungrown, small, large, suns, moons, planets, comets, asteroids,
All the substances of the same, and all that is spiritual upon the same,
All distances of place, however wide,
All distances of time—all inanimate forms,
All Souls—all living bodies, though they be ever so different, or in different worlds,
All gaseous, watery, vegetable, mineral processes—the fishes, the brutes,
All men and women—me also;
All nations, colors, barbarisms, civilizations, languages;
All identities that have existed, or may exist, on this globe, or any globe;
All lives and deaths—all of the past, present, future;
This vast similitude spans them, and always has spann’d, and shall forever span them, and
compactly hold them, and enclose them.

Turkish Delight

2011-06-02T22:22:00.003+10:00

fashion pics from vogue turkey march 2011 and scenic photos via various turkish holiday websites

Recently a friend showed me a postcard received from a friend of theirs who is holidaying in Turkey. The photo on the card showed a wonderland that I’d never experienced before. So, come with me on a little weekend sojourn to Cappadocia. Truly Turkey’s most visually striking region, especially the 'moonscape' areas where erosion has formed caves, clefts, 'fairy chimneys' and sensuous folds in the soft volcanic rock Cappadocia was once home to many civilizations throughout history: first the Hittite Empire, then Alexander the Great, the Byzantines, Seljuks and Ottomans. They all lived in this geographically beautiful, 60 million-year-old geological wonder without destroying its natural monuments. We can book into a luxury ‘cave room’, put on our exotic travel wardrobe, and sample some of the local wine. Cappadocia is celebrated as the birthplace of wine, because archaeological findings in the area, including wine production tools and goblets, have been dated right back to 3000 B.C. The next morning, we’ll take one of the Cappadocia balloons and tour around its valleys. Then, for a bit of culture, we can stroll through some of the historic painted cave churches. Of course, there will be time for shopping, maybe for a handcrafted rug to take home as the ultimate souvenir. Okay, are you in?

When I Am Among the Trees

2011-05-26T10:41:00.018+10:00

l to r 1. miss yucki 2. ayrelia lt 3. ing00te 4. the tree wiz 5. go make me 6. stella hats 7. the fire pit gallery 8. dress me

When I am among the trees,
especially the willows and the honey locust,
equally the beech, the oaks and the pines,
they give off such hints of gladness.
I would almost say that they save me, and daily.

I am so distant from the hope of myself,
in which I have goodness, and discernment,
and never hurry through the world
but walk slowly, and bow often.

Around me the trees stir in their leaves
and call out, “Stay awhile.”
The light flows from their branches.

And they call again, “It’s simple,” they say,
“and you too have come
into the world to do this, to go easy, to be filled
with light, and to shine.”

['When I Am Among the Trees' by Mary Oliver - a poem for each of us because we do forget don't we, forget to go easy, forget how we are each filled with light, how we each naturally shine]

an update on animated gifs - i've found a very easy free program for playing with. the quality isn't great but it's fun. go here to try. here's one that i made with a photo of our shrine at the buddhist centre last week, overlayed by a pic of the full moon.

Hanging about...

2011-05-12T14:54:00.001+10:00

Let's play in the outdoors inspired by this magnificent animated gif art from Jaime Martinez.

This weekend, I'd like to nestle into one of these Nestrests, above, from Dedon, or maybe one of these found at Marie Claire Maison and just rest and reflect.

If it's too chilly to be outside, this painted wall (seen on Desire To Inspire) might inspire some arty activity.

And I could always Google 'how to make an animated gif', but, from past experience, I could be sitting at the computer all weekend and still be pretty clueless...If you've used a particular free program successfully please let me know...

Go the F**k to Sleep, a bedtime story for the sleep deprived...

2011-05-07T17:32:00.004+10:00

Please don’t read any further if you’re not happy to read the ‘f’ word. It’s Mother’s Day here tomorrow. Many mothers would forego all gifts just for a bit of shut eye. A new book, written by Adam Mansbach and illustrated by Richardo Cortes, may not be the book you’d read to your little ones, but the big people in the house will get a laugh from it. Go the F**k to Sleep will be released in October this year. You can pre order a hardbacked copy here for around $15 including postage to this side of the world. Sweet dreams...

Spreading those secret wings + giveaway

2011-04-26T19:04:00.004+10:00

We cry that we are weak although
We will not stir our secret wings;
The world is dark - because we are
Blind to the starriness of things.

We pluck our rainbow-tinted plumes
And with their heaven-born beauty try
To fledge nocturnal shafts, and then
Complain ‘Alas! we cannot fly!’

We mutter ‘All is dust’ or else
With mocking words accost the wise:
‘Show us the Sun which shines beyond
The Veil’ - and then we close our eyes.

To powers above and powers beneath
In quest of Truth men sue for aid,
Who stand athwart the Light and fear
The shadow that themselves have made.

Oh cry no more that you are weak
But stir and spread your secret wings,
And say ‘The world is bright, because
We glimpse the starriness of things.’

Soar with your rainbow plumes and reach
That near-far land where all are one,
Where Beauty’s face is aye unveiled
And every star shall be a sun.

Poem 'Secret Wings' by Sangharakshita. Thank you dearest Janet for sharing this. May the next couple of months in NZ be a treasured experience for you. Images - 1 via We Heart It 2 & 4 via Digital Bus Stop 3 by Someday Evermore 5 by KT Bugs 6 by Andy Prokhr and Cult via Jane-Art

I've been doing some tidying up and have put together a giveaway of interesting art 'stuff'. Some originals, some prints, cards, magazines. A real mystery bag. If you'd like to be in the draw for this loot, just leave a comment and I'll draw the winner next week, say 4 May. For a second entry just become a 'follower'. If you leave a separate comment for each entry it'll make it easier to draw a winner. Have a lovely week. May you soar.

And the winner is....comment number 5..Kylie C...I'll be in touch. Thanks everybody for takin the time to enter.

Some inspiration for that easter table...

2011-04-19T16:22:00.006+10:00

1. D’Arcy Norman 2. A Perfect Setting 3. Dining Delight 4. Party of Tew 5. Chic Provence[with quote added]

Visitors...

2011-04-13T08:00:00.002+10:00

When I moved here to Toowoomba a couple of months ago, this little wallaby came to visit. The first time I saw her, she was stretched out on the grass, looking like a piece of toffee, hence the name 'Taffy'. Taffy did enjoy nibbling on pumpkin seed bread.

Over the course of a few weeks I noticed Taffy becoming more rotund. Was the little feeding I was doing too much? Was I creating an obese native creature?

Then out popped a little head. 'Pumpkin' had shown herself (or himself, who knows?).

My first YouTube upload! I promise they'll get better...

A few accessories for frollicking with marsupials - dress from Lyptis, baby pod from Sunset Crochet, ears from Bang Bang Crash

Would you like this dance...it could take a while...

2011-04-07T09:12:00.004+10:00

A quick post…this song just won’t get out of my head…you know what it’s like…usually they hang around for a few days…but this one’s been creeping in for a couple of weeks now....demanding attention. So, for all those who love - gay or straight, romantic or non romantic, sexual or non - this is for you…

Lollin about and snoozin off too often...need one of these...

2011-03-30T08:12:00.002+10:00

1.Deville III Illuminated Chair 2.Disco Chair 3.Bubble Chair Revisited 4.Bright Woods Collection
It is impossible to enjoy idling thoroughly unless one has plenty of work to do. There is no fun in doing nothing when you have nothing to do. Wasting time is merely an occupation then, and a most exhausting one. Idleness, like kisses, to be sweet must be stolen. [Jerome K Jerome]

White Flowers for Japan

2011-03-23T08:47:00.007+10:00

Into White

[written by Pamela Terry in response to the disaster in Japan. Read more of Pamela's always insightful thoughts at The House of Edward]

We thought the snows of winter had completely disappeared, but we were wrong.
As we dreamt around the fire, wrapped up tightly in our thoughts, the snowflakes were gathered up from their wet melted state by the bushels and boatloads, the hampers and crates. For weeks and a day Mother Nature turned them over in her celadon hands, commissioning the angels to wash them clean, to flute their edges like bridal gown silk. Now thusly refashioned, all over town, the white snows of winter have reappeared on the pear trees, copious, fluffy and clean, the passementerie of angels, the first sign of Spring.

And I, who always send flowers of white to honour the dead, have heard the great empty silence from far over the oceans as thousands of souls rose up through white clouds.
So I plant white allyssum in planters and windowboxes.
They spill over the stone.
Their fragrance floats on the afternoon air.
With a delicate beauty, they are flowers brave enough to weather all the cold yet to come - each blossom a prayer, each petal a remembrance.

I thought when I was old enough I would understand more, thought the candles on my birthday cake would signify a wisdom denied to the young.
But there are mysteries more enormous and questions more complex than I could ever have imagined when placing my hope in the breadth of my years.
So I plant and I pray, and hold hands with the earth.
As the world turns into white.

Both drawings above from Art & Ghosts.

by Natsuo Ikegami at Chana Bean. Support other artists of Japan here.

We do break like china don't we. We cry. We grieve - for the thousands a of lives shortened; for those left behind in shock and grief; for the transient nature of our existence. Sometimes the pain comes from a feeling of helplessness. There are things we can do. We can all send Metta (loving kindness) across the miles to those who are suffering. If we're financially able, we can donate to appeals such as the Red Cross.We can plant our own white flowers.

Highbrow? Lowbrow? No, it's Monobrow!

2011-03-15T07:15:00.002+10:00

Paula Goodbar’s photographic series ‘Homage to Frida’ is exquisite. For around $20 Paula offers 8 x 10 in signed photographic prints here.

Australian Designer Collette Dinnigan with Frida Kahlo as inspiration unveiled her latest collection this week in Paris. ‘Portrait of a Woman’ showcases a kaleidoscope of textures, a richness of silhouettes reminiscent of eras past and prints that encapsulate a uniquely sophisticated turn.

And speaking of monobrows, if you’re in Queensland don’t miss Evangeline Cachinero’s exhibition ‘Highbrow art? Is it Lowbrow art ? No, it's Monobrow!’ showing at the Noosa Regional Gallery from 18 March to 24 April.

Evangeline is a clever little chick utilising social media to encourage participation in the show. Read more about her Twitter project here and check out her YouTube video below.

One of Renee's fav clips......a year has passed and we remember this precious girl and her gifts to us......

2011-03-09T14:22:00.006+10:00

Her head was full of flowers and yet....

2011-03-02T06:43:00.011+10:00

1. Jeff Koons 2. Creative Cellar 3. Tiger Head Designs 4. Clay Flower 22
Vintage head vases incorporated into digital prints and mounted on panel box by Brent Rodgers at Two Little Fruits

Her head was full of flowers
and yet she craved for more.
Sometimes though,
when she forgot to think,
a softness slipped in,
a nothingness,
she exhaled
and felt content.

Working on doing nothing

2011-02-17T09:04:00.001+10:00

Now we will count to twelve
and we will all keep still.

For once on the face of the earth
let's not speak in any language,
let's stop for one second,
and not move our arms so much.

It would be an exotic moment
without rush, without engines,
we would all be together
in a sudden strangeness.

Fishermen in the cold sea
would not harm whales
and the man gathering salt
would look at his hurt hands.

Those who prepare green wars,
wars with gas, wars with fire,
victory with no survivors,
would put on clean clothes
and walk about with their brothers
in the shade, doing nothing.

What I want should not be confused
with total inactivity.
Life is what it is about;
I want no truck with death.

If we were not so single-minded
about keeping our lives moving,
and for once could do nothing,
perhaps a huge silence
might interrupt this sadness
of never understanding ourselves
and of threatening ourselves with death.
Perhaps the earth can teach us
as when everything seems dead
and later proves to be alive.

Now I'll count up to twelve
and you keep quiet and I will go.

Lifesize figurative paintings by David Jon Kassan, poem by Pablo Neruda, film from Marcia Ong

Going round and round in circles...

2010-10-27T09:13:00.004+10:00

....and definitely not looking as elegant as these girls! Yes I know I've been away from the blog for weeks. It wasn't intentional. My place here has been on the market and rather than hang around keeping it pristine I took on a housesitting role on an acreage and there my laptop died. Although I'm still alive and kicking, I did develop pneumonia at this time which has necessitated much laying about. Now, my place here in Brisbane has sold which finds me going round in circles packing, cleaning, throwing stuff out, and looking for a house in Toowoomba. Maybe I could find one with a little fountain to slip my tootsies into....

visit Etsy for some inexpensive but classy duds

Escape

2010-09-16T07:20:00.013+10:00

Art and poetry to get lost in - Mixed Media on Canvas from Damien Kamholtz and a poem from Rumi. Thank you to Elise and Janet for sharing these with me.

Quietness

Inside this new love, die.
Your way begins on the other side.
Become the sky.
Take an axe to the prison wall.
Escape.
Walk out like somebody suddenly born into color.
Do it now.
You’re covered with thick cloud.
Slide out the side.
Die,
and be quiet. Quietness is the surest sign
that you’ve died.
Your old life was a frantic running
from silence.

The speechless full moon
comes out now.

Deep....and still

2010-08-27T10:04:00.001+10:00

underwater sculptures by Jason de Caires Taylor

The primative sea

A statue rests

Still

Surrealism in the great outdoors revisited

2010-08-18T10:28:00.020+10:00

Photos 1 and 3 by Lucy Nieto

I suppose that we all titivate our gardens - some more than others. While watching the ABC series, Around The World In 80 Gardens I saw this garden and it really got me thinking - about art and immortality, art and money, art and power, art and the notion of beauty, art and labels. All this thinking of course just gave me a headache and the realisation that if art mirrors life, then the politics of it will do likewise - whether we agree with it or not - and we each just have to do what is right for us.

The British multimillionaire Edward James made his name between 1920 and 1930, as a surrealist poet and collector or surrealist art - he was a patron of De Chirico, Magritte and Dalí - he collaborated with Dali to produce the Lobster Telephone and the iconic, red-satin Mae West Lips Sofa. But it’s through his own surrealist art work, the gardens of Las Pozas, Xilitla, Mexico that his name lives on.

Photos, 3, 4, 5 from Mexico Woods

In 1948, after spending most of the Second World War in Los Angeles, James went to Mexico with a friend to look for a site to house his growing orchid collection. The travellers came across the pools of Las Pozas, and James's friend immediately stripped off for a swim.

As he sunned himself afterwards on a rocky outcrop, a cloud of smoky-mauve butterflies appeared suddenly and covered his entire body. James took this as a sign and purchased the land. Over the next 20 years, he paid annual visits to Las Pozas, constantly adding new orchids: by 1965, he had 18,000 plants. But a freak three-day snowstorm killed the whole collection.

So James began instead to cultivate giant plants made of concrete - to say nothing of towers, obelisks, pavilions, bridges and spiral staircases. Hidden within the rainforest is a surreal concrete jungle - enormous man-made trees, bamboos and flowers –that range in height from 1.2m (4ft) to 9m (30ft), designed by James and built by Xilitla men. James was also wild about animals of all sorts, travelling the world with snakes in his luggage, and many of the garden pavilions were designed to hold an aviary or a menagerie.

A poem written by Edward James, prior to his death in 1974 -

I have seen such beauty as one man has seldom seen;

therefore will I be grateful to die in this little room,

surrounded by the forests, the great green gloom

of trees my only gloom - and the sound, the sound of green.

Here amid the warmth of the rain, what might have been

is resolved into the tenderness of a tall doom

who says: 'You did your best, rest - and after you the bloom

of what you loved and planted still will whisper what you mean.

And the ghosts of the birds I loved, will attend me each a friend;

like them shall I have flown beyond the realm of words.

You, through the trees, shall hear them, long after the end

calling me beyond the river. For the cries of birds

continue, as - defended by the coretege of their wings -

my soul among strange silences yet sings.

Read more about the interesting background and life of Edward James here.

I find the Las Pozas gardens fascinating, and would love to visit them, to see them up close, to photograph them. Another that I'd love to visit is the Lost Gardens of Heligan, Cornwall, in the UK. The beautiful contemporary piece Mudmaid is installed there.

Photo from JohnnyH

Definitions of any kind can be limiting, and confusing. There's a simplistic easy to understand definition of ‘surrealism’ here and a not so easy but interesting one - an Andre Breton lecture - here.

Below are a few 'surrealism in the outdoors' artworks from the ever inspiring artists of Etsy.

Groundhog Hair Print by Amber Alexander

Not All Good Journeys Are Bad Print by Bryan Collins

Beginnings Print by David V Moore

Black Rose Cameo Brooch by Lush Punk

The Night Belongs to Them Print By Jaime Best of Best Art Studios

Eggplant With Chicken Legs Sculpture by Melissa Sue

[still squatting here in toowoomba and visiting the place for sale every couple of weeks...real estate is starting to pick up so hopefully it won't be long before i sell and can settle in here...with internet access! so a revisiting of a post from last year. i send loving kindness to you all, chrisy]

What's that sound in the bushes...

2010-08-08T16:46:00.007+10:00

body art by Pashur, photograph by John Overton

Her umbrella was filled with rain she had collected in her travels & on hot summer days she would open it up for the neighborhood kids & we would splash in the puddles & then it would smell like Nairobi or Tasmania & later on we would sit on the porch & eat ice cream & watch for tigers in the bushes.

[via story people]

All the colors of the rainbow and then some...

2010-08-04T14:40:00.002+10:00

Brightly colored art work, placed on neutral colored walls, does it for me. The colorful paintings above, by Heather Galler (available here and here), with their inclusion of black and white, and their abundance of pattern, are perfect for lifting any space. I can't imagine ever tiring of looking at them.

My place

2010-07-15T09:13:00.005+10:00

Above are a few photos of my place here in Brisbane, all neat and ready to be sold to a lucky buyer. With the river and ferry a few steps away, Oxford Street around the corner, the pool, the glorious gardens, it’s been easy to be content here. I enjoyed decorating with 99.9 percent thrift/secondhand store finds and am happy with the look I’ve created here. But it’s time to move on and head up the mountain to ‘home’, to the support of family and old friends, and to a place with space for out of town friends to stay over, and a garden, and room for arty activities, and (oh the excitement) a clothesline!

A Letter from Home by Mary Oliver

She sends me news of blue jays, frost,
Of stars and now the harvest moon
That rides above the stricken hills.
Lightly, she speaks of cold, of pain,
And lists what is already lost.
Here where my life seems hard and slow,
I read of glowing melons piled
Beside the door, and baskets filled
With fennel, rosemary and dill,
While all she could not gather in
Or hid in leaves, grow black and falls.
Here where my life seems hard and strange,
I read her wild excitement when
Stars climb, frost comes, and blue jays sing.
The broken year will make no change
Upon her wise and whirling heart; -
She knows how people always plan
To live their lives, and never do.
She will not tell me if she cries.

I touch the crosses by her name;
I fold the pages as I rise,
And tip the envelope, from which
Drift scraps of borage, woodbine, rue.

Unravelling - separating & clarifying the elements

2010-06-27T16:15:00.015+10:00

paintings above by virgo paraiso; below by mikel glass. all via beinArt

[extract below from The Double Comfort Safari Club by Alexander McCall Smith, 2010. i've read all his books and particularly enjoy the meditative quality of those set in botswana.]

Mma Ramotswe thought about this. Having the right approach to life was a great gift in this life. Her father, the late Obed Ramotswe, had always had the right approach to life - she was sure of that. And for a moment, as she sat there with her friend, with the late-afternoon sun slanting in through the window, she thought about how she owed her father so much. He had taught her almost everything she knew about how to lead a good life, and the lessons she had learned from him were as fresh today as they ever had been. Do not complain about your life. Do not blame others for things that you have brought upon yourself. Be content with who you are and where you are, and do whatever you can do to bring to others such contentment, and joy, and understanding that you have managed to find yourself.

She closed her eyes. You can do that in the company of an old friend - you can close your eyes and think of the land that gave you life and breath, and of all the reasons why you are glad that you are there, with the people you know, with the people you love.

un•rav•el

transitive verb unraveled -•eled or unravelled -•elled, unraveling -•el•ing or unravelling -•el•ling

1a. to undo or ravel the knitted fabric of
1b. to separate (entangled threads)
2. to separate and clarify the elements of (something mysterious or baffling); solve

intransitive verb

1. to become unraveled

A personal update: I’m in the process of selling my place here in Brisbane and moving closer to family/friends ‘up the mountain’. As you can imagine there’s much culling of possessions and general cleaning. Who knows how long the selling process will take. It’s mid winter here and the market is slow. But that’s fine; it’s just the way it is. I’ll post some photos of this place in a couple of days. There's also a bit of separating and clarifying in my thinking going on as well. Tis lovely. My best wishes to you all. Be kind to yourself.

Just Imagine Living In A Shell Revisited...

2010-06-16T12:27:00.007+10:00

just imagine living inside a sea shell with your love just imagine catching a glimpse of the moon rising over the sea at twilight and later lifting your eyes to a sky full of stars diamonds strewn on black velvet just imagine being cocooned in curves taking a bath in a hollow under a shell fountain just imagine going to sleep to the sound of the ocean’s breath waking to the same sound and glimpsing azure through a curved space feeling the gentle caress of the sea breeze on your skin just imagine the touch of your lover's hand in yours as you go padding out in bare feet past the private pool and down to the sand feeling it between your toes just imagine knowing that this sand has travelled and been shaped for eternity just imagine pausing to examine gifts of shells and corals

Conch Shell House, Isla Mujeres, Mexico via Unusual Architecture

just imagine your love discovering this crown and placing it gently upon your head

Mermaid Wedding Crown from Faerie Majikk [visit etsy.com and search for shell tiara for similar]

and these sandals upon your feet

Beach Wedding Sandals by Princess Allure

and just imagine looking down and discovering this little creature

Hand Sculpted Mermaid by Dust of Enchantment [visit etsy.com and search for mermaid art doll for more little treasures]

..........just imagine

1, 4, 7, 8, 10, 11 via Country Living 2. Vintage Glass Domes with shells, coral, and mermaids in my bathroom. 3. Lights made by Carol Lasitter and with instructions at Beautiful Details 5. Shell Wreath from Black Star 5 on Flickr 6. Shell Encrusted Florida Vintage Condiment Set on Etsy from Carmen and Ginger 9. Seashell Cross on Etsy from Sandis Shellscapes 12. Table Centrepiece from Completely Coastal 13. My Red Coral Sculpture that serendipitiously began as an idea for a freeform necklace but became a mounted, wire threaded and stuffed sculpture.

[I'm still away from home staying with family and friends and concentrating on wellness...hence a revisiting of a previous blog entry from this time last year. Compiling this at an internet cafe and don't have access to any of my photographs or draft writings...but...I'll be back to regular posts soon. Thank you for your patience and good wishes. I wish you love, and wellness, and all good things.]

Different but the same / contrasting loveliness

2010-06-01T17:01:00.001+10:00

[above photographs by James Merrell]

[via pixdaus]

Being anywhere you want to be...

2010-05-28T13:56:00.002+10:00

He kept a piece of algae behind his ear to remind him of his roots. A million years ago every place was a little place by the sea, he would say and

my mind would go blank and I would swim through the day without a care in the world;

it all seemed so familiar that I knew I would go back someday to my own little place by the sea.

[black and white 'swimmers series' photographs by laurie coppedge and text via storypeople]

A heartfelt thank you for all your comments on my last post. The last few weeks have been spent recovering gently. I'll be visiting each of you over the next couple of days. In the meantime, you're welcome to take a seat with me and drift away to this meditation music from Painting The Ocean by Robert Norton.

[beach house, terrigal, sydney, designed by jorge hrdina]

Lifting off....

2010-05-20T09:46:00.009+10:00

from Larissa LaLi

Yes it's me, still alive and twitching! The last few weeks have been a nightmare. For a few months I've been taking Lyrica, an 'antiepileptic' type drug used for the treatment of nerve pain of peripheral neuropathy (mentioned here). Like many drugs I suppose, this one brought relief from some of the symptoms but over time the side effects increased - constant fatigue, dizziness, memory loss, depression, nausea. So then came the self imposed withdrawal and oh my I do now have such respect for anybody who's managed to give up mind altering drugs. No details, I don't want to think about it and you don't want to read it. Now I'm determined to conquer the nerve pain through meditation/relaxation. It may take time but it will happen. I apologise for not being able to visit your blogs just now. I send loving thoughts to you all. Be kind to yourself. We are all in this journey together...

Feeling beauty and wondering...

2010-04-29T09:45:00.001+10:00

photos by Cig Harvey

To feel beauty is a better thing than to understand how we come to feel it.
[George Santayana]

Sorry it's taken me so long to post again. Unavoidable as there was a bug in the system - the computers not mine! Tho when I watch Seminova dance I wonder if it's possible for somebody twice her age to become this lithe again, and more importantly, as healthy as they were at her age. Is it possible...

No blog post prepared...some scatterings...

2010-04-20T11:50:00.002+10:00

via The Selby

As they say, ‘I got nothin here.’ A few pics I like. That’s it. Maybe they’re telling me something - I need to put a swing up in my house? play in forbidden places? bath outside? not just swim but dive? drag a mattress onto the lawn and sleep under the stars?

via Pixdaus [No shoes! I wasn't allowed to go one day of my childhood without shoes. These days I'm barefoot most of the time. And yet my first instinct as I look at this pic is to say 'Put some shoes on darling or you'll hurt yourself']

'Photobooth' original painting by Jamie Hudrlik via ScribbleME [I love it that Hudrlik’s paintings are so large – this one over six feet wide - and they're on unstretched canvas - for easy postage - and they're so gorgeous/colourful/evocative]

Forestiere Gardens, Fresno via Knor Q [A garden. Space to play.]

Opalescent Earrings from Namaste Designs [I want to dive into these earrings, swim to the hidden passage, and swim off to unexplored worlds]

via UK Telegraph [No need for a wooden frame, just give me the mattress and the bedding, and most importantly the stars unobliterated by city lights]

Ummmmm....just typing this post has inadvertently gathered scattered thoughts for me to ponder.

Flying With Renee

2010-04-15T15:40:00.002+10:00

'Flying With Renee' is an original embroidery on vintage linen sewn to represent the precious moments I shared with Renee. When she was unwell, Renee and I would take little trips together. Planned ahead of time, and undertaken simultaneously on both sides of this earth, Renee and I would close our eyes and reach out to each other. Sometimes, holding hands we'd rise together and fly. Light as feathers and bubbling with laughter, over the cities, over the mountains, over the seas we’d fly. There was no pain. There was no sadness. Just pure joy. And I'd look across at her and know that she was part of me, and I a part of her. We were one. The way we all are. When the trip ended that pure joy lingered. It’s still there. In the blink of an eye I am with you my precious girl, flying.

A bird house I like and would whistle for...

2010-04-13T10:35:00.007+10:00

The Bird House designed by Hutchison and Maul

I’ve always had trouble with the ‘finger whistle’ but just know I could master it for this bird house. Just back from nearly two weeks away and not particularly organised yet. Thanks for hangin in there.

The Rabbit In The Moon

2010-03-29T16:21:00.002+10:00

photograph by Albert Watson

Rabbits and the moon, now that’s a nice combination. There’s a little story about this combo to read below. Or better still get somebody to read it to you while you loll about. But first I want to show you a painting of Mr Rabbit that I’ve made this week. No not the one above, I'm not at that stage yet, the one below. It fits nicely I think with the Three Muses Challenge for this week - You are what you eat. Chosen for a couple of reasons. One because strangely, as I get older, my shape is moving more towards a rabbit one, and two I’m mostly vegetarian. I say mostly because I am vegetarian except when I visit my Mother who believes that if you don’t have meat or chicken it’s not a proper meal. I love her so I eat.

Yes we have another incognito character. It didn’t start out that way. Mr Rabbit had eyes, but his eyes looked scarey, so the idea of the sunglasses seemed an easy solution. Mr Rabbit doesn’t have the glam of Miss Redhead but he knows he’s bigger. Gosh he was hard work tho. I’d paint in the black lines, then I’d have to repair with white, then the white would be crooked so I’d have to repair with the black. And on and on it went. Hour after hour. Simple things aren’t always the easiest are they?

photograph via deviantart

And now for your little bedtime story. Once upon a time, the Old-Man-of-the-Moon looked down into a big forest on the earth. He saw a rabbit and a monkey and a fox all living there together in the forest as very good friends."Now, I wonder which of them is the kindest," he said to himself. "I think I'll go down and see." So the old man changed himself into a beggar and came down from the moon to the forest where the three animals were. "Please help me," he said to them. "I'm very hungry." "Oh! What a poor old beggar!" they said, and then they went hurrying off to find some food for the beggar. The monkey brought a lot of fruit. And the fox caught a big fish. But the rabbit couldn't find anything at all to bring. "Oh my! oh my! what shall I do?" the rabbit cried. But just then he got an idea. "Please, Mr. Monkey," the rabbit said, "you gather some firewood for me. And you, Mr. Fox, please make a big fire with the wood." They did as the rabbit asked, and when the fire was burning very brightly, the rabbit said to the beggar: "I don't have anything to give you. So I'll put myself in this fire, and then when I'm cooked you can eat me." The rabbit was about to jump into the fire and cook himself. But just then the beggar suddenly changed himself back into the Old-Man-of-the-Moon. "You are very kind, Mr. Rabbit," the Old Man said. "But you should never do anything to harm yourself. Since you are the kindest, of all, I'll take you home to live with me." Then the Old-Man-of-the-Moon took the rabbit in his arms and carried him up to the moon. Just look and see! If you look carefully at the moon when it is shining brightly, you can still see the rabbit there where the Old Man put him so very long ago.

photograph at Tucson AZ

I’m heading off for a week or so over Easter so it’ll be a bit quiet around here until I return. I hope you all have a happy holiday. I appreciate you so very much. When I think of blogging I’m overcome with warm loving supportive feelings. Thank you all.

Deer Dancer

2010-03-24T06:24:00.003+10:00

custom made blythe deer doll from sammy doe

I wish we were all sitting in a room together with one of us reading this poem to the others. And then we’d talk about it sharing insights and experiences. Maybe we'd laugh. Maybe we'd cry. Or both. No matter what, it would be so nice to share with you. Each of Joy Harjo’s poems is a beautiful work of art. The use of storytelling sucks me in; I need to keep reading to find out what happens next. The language. The images. They trigger unexpected thoughts, take me on little internal journeys. Harjo ignores the constraints of grammatical correctness, and she makes it work, crafting each poem into an individual gem. I hope you like this one titled ‘Deer Dancer’. For the complete unedited text visit here.

Nearly everyone had left that bar in the middle of winter except the
hardcore. It was the coldest night of the year, every place shut down, but
not us. Of course we noticed when she came in. We were Indian ruins. She
was the end of beauty. No one knew her, the stranger whose tribe we
recognized, her family related to deer, if that's who she was, a people
accustomed to hearing songs in pine trees, and making them hearts.

The woman inside the woman who was to dance naked in the bar of misfits
blew deer magic. Henry jack, who could not survive a sober day, thought she
was Buffalo Calf Woman come back, passed out, his head by the toilet. All
night he dreamed a dream he could not say. The next day he borrowed
money, went home, and sent back the money I lent. Now that's a miracle.
Some people see vision in a burned tortilla, some in the face of a woman.

dress from louise black

This is the bar of broken survivors, the club of the shotgun, knife wound, of
poison by culture. We who were taught not to stare drank our beer. The
players gossiped down their cues. Someone put a quarter in the jukebox to
relive despair. Richard's wife dove to kill her. We had to keep her
still, while Richard secretly bought the beauty a drink.

How do I say it? In this language there are no words for how the real world
collapses. I could say it in my own and the sacred mounds would come into
focus, but I couldn't take it in this dingy envelope. So I look at the stars in
this strange city, frozen to the back of the sky, the only promises that ever
make sense.……..

print by iris schwarz

You would know she could hear only what she wanted to; don't we all? Left
the drink of betrayal Richard bought her, at the bar. What was she on? We all
wanted some. Put a quarter in the juke. We all take risks stepping into thin
air. Our ceremonies didn't predict this. or we expected more.

I had to tell you this, for the baby inside the girl sealed up with a lick of
hope and swimming into the praise of nations. This is not a rooming house, but
a dream of winter falls and the deer who portrayed the relatives of
strangers. The way back is deer breath on icy windows.

photograph via visioluxus

The next dance none of us predicted. She borrowed a chair for the stairway
to heaven and stood on a table of names. And danced in the room of children
without shoes.You picked a fine time to leave me, Lucille With four hungry children and a crop in the field.

And then she took off her clothes. She shook loose memory, waltzed with the
empty lover we'd all become.

top from ruby pearl

She was the myth slipped down through dreamtime. The promise of feast we
all knew was coming. The deer who crossed through knots of a curse to find
us. She was no slouch, and neither were we, watching.

The music ended. And so does the story. I wasn't there. But I imagined her
like this, not a stained red dress with tape on her heels but the deer who
entered our dream in white dawn, breathed mist into pine trees, her fawn a
blessing of meat, the ancestors who never left.

print via serpent mandalas

While we sat together talking poetry and art and life, we’d sip on champagne. The very best of course. Or tea if that’s what you wished for. Use this doiley as a coaster. Go on! I've reworked a vintage doiley for this weeks Three Muses Challenge - 'A Nice Cup of Tea..' (Sometimes I go out for a ‘cuppa’ or a coffee with a certain friend, and inevitably these beverages get dismissed by her and glasses of bubbly stuff is soon sitting in front of us. Well what can I do. I can’t offend her can I. I just have to drink it. I think she’ll like this reworked doiley as a gift. She won't mind if it's been lightly used.)

And as we talked, and sipped, we’d want to be as comfortable as possible. So I’ve revamped some footstools for us. Last week I purchased these footstools from a local thrift/op shop. They cost me AUS$4 for the two. Just perfect for some glamorous lounging about. With left over red paint and some purchased fabric (one metre for $14.95) it wasn’t a difficult task. I had a bit of help with the stapling. Now…Comfy dears? Stay as long as you like. It’s lovely to have you here.

We'd raise our glasses too to the Etsy artists whose work appears in this post. And we'd visit their stores and buy whatever we wanted. That's what we'd do.

Incognito in Wonderland with Big Hair

2010-03-18T10:33:00.003+10:00

The Three Muses Challenge this week is 'Incognito' and this flame haired lady is my effort. I'm really pleased with her! To get the textured base I used a mix of impasto and pink acrylic. It was just like mixing icing, and then it was just like icing a cake applying it to the 8" x 8" x 1.5" canvas. A neglected Redhead Matches box with its iconic figure was used as a guide. The sunglasses ensure her 'incognito' status.

I hope you're not weary of Alice in Wonderland themes. It's just that these pics just fitted right in here with their undercover personalities....and they're so lovely.

Row 1: Fabulous Magazine / Alidra Alic / model Sarah, photographer Rebekah Lyn Row 2: The Seamstress of Avalon / Frankenkitty / Andreas Stavrinides Row 3: Fabulous Magazine / Andreas Stavrinides / Andreas Stavrinides

Over the last couple of weeks I've been plodding along with this embroidery, on a linen table runner, of the words from the latest Tim Burton Alice movie You're mad, bonkers, off your head -- but I'll tell you a secret: All the best people are. I quite identify with this quote as I'm sure many of you do. I made the mistake of sewing the letters in chain stitch. It took forever! Might try split stitch for the next one.

And I stumbled on this treasure somewhere in the bloggosphere – the very first Alice in Wonderland film - made in 1903. With a running time of just 12 minutes, 8 of which survive, this was the longest film produced in England at that time. Film archivists have been able to restore the film's original colours for the first time in over 100 years.

And finally darlings, to get the nice puffy haired look of the Matchbox Redhead try Bumpits. I got some of these from ebay, delivered, for less than $10. There's been much laughter as I play with my new toys. Yes, they do work, but unfortunately with my fine fluffy hair they don't look so good for anybody who stands behind me. But hey I figure it gives the viewer material for dinner table conversation. (Check out this ad, it's hilarious.)

personal postscript: I had an ‘angry’ day on Tuesday. Anger about Renee and what she had to endure – and now what her family is going through. Anger about the peripheral neuropathy pain which has affected every facet of my life. Anger with the doctors for not ever warning me about the possible side effects of the chemo type iv drugs I was given for my lung condition. It was a horrible feeling this anger. I’m pleased its fire only lasted a day. Anger can be noxious, but it can spur us onto action. So now I’m contemplating what I can do to channel this anger productively….

Renee's Salon of Beauty

2010-03-15T21:02:00.007+10:00

Thank you for making us all more beautiful sweet Renee. I miss you.

We're here to end it,
I said & she said, No,
we're here to begin it
& then she turned &
opened her arms
& everywhere I could see,
there were people,
like bright birds, calling
with a thousand voices
& suddenly I understood.

Here is where it begins.
With all of us, together
giving our daughters
a world worth loving
for a lifetime to come.

Poem available from Story People as part of illustrated print with all profits donated to breast cancer research for as long as it takes to find the Cure.

Top photo from S Jones, photos in slide show from flickr.

Tea n Newspapers n Giveaways

2010-03-10T09:42:00.007+10:00

I think that there is far too much work done in the world, that immense harm is caused by the belief that work is virtuous, and that what needs to be preached in modern industrial countries is quite different from what always has been preached. Bertrand Russell, 1932

Amen I say Mr Russell. There's nothing like putting the work aside and settling down with a nice cuppa tea and a pile of newspapers. Who knows what bright ideas will come to mind...

left to right: row 1 Newspaper Kindle Sleeve from Sakizome, Foating Tea with Cream Ring from Sou Zou Creations, Granma’s Teacup Lino Brooch from Betty Jo Designs available at Georgie Love, Encaustic Mixed Media from Don’t Orbit Me row 2 Tea Cups on Newspaper Note Cards from Ebba Handmade, Tea Chair from Vintage Renewal, Tea Cup Chandelier from Madeleine Boulesteix, Teatowel Skirt from Grevillea Design row 3 Newspaper Tote from Margarida Godinho, the last three pics from Loani Prior, Queen of the Tea Cosies has a new book being released on 1 April. Visit Loani's website for more details. There’s a gorgeous free pattern on there. It’s on my 'to do' list.

This post was prompted by the Three Muses 'newspaper' challenge. Head over to their place and you'll find links to diverse art works inspired by this week's theme.

Now a giveaway! If you want to be in the draw for this crossword newspaperesque paperweight/art cube, just leave a comment. If you don't leave a comment anyway! I’ll do a random number generation after midnight on Tuesday 16th March. Open to worldwide blog readers. And if you like the odd giveaway come over and join this facebook group that I've just started - Blog Giveaways. List your own giveaways and find out about giveaways others are hosting.

But wait, there's more! This year the BrisStylers are adding a twist to their monthly giveaways. Go to their website where you'll find links to giveaways hosted by members. These are continually updated so visit often.

The three paintings in frames are of course by Mark Ryden. Some artworks can lose their appeal over time but, for me, not Ryden's work. It's beautiful. It's intriguing. It's timeless.

ps I clicked the publish button on Wednesday morning (we're a day ahead here in Australia) and then checked my sidebar for updates from bloggy friends. There I found the dreaded news about Renee. I wasn't sure whether or not to take this post down; would it be a mark of disrespect to leave it up? But I know what she would say and so I'm leaving it here.
Congrats to Abby. I'll be in touch! I excluded the spam entry from the numbers. And thank you all for entering. Remember to do something nice for yourself today.

Next Time / From Now On

2010-03-07T09:01:00.003+10:00

Next time what I'd do is look at
the earth before saying anything. I'd stop
just before going into a house

and be an emperor for a minute
and listen better to the wind
or to the air being still.

When anyone talked to me, whether
blame or praise or just passing time,

I'd watch the face, how the mouth
has to work, and see any strain, any
sign of what lifted the voice.

And for all, I'd know more -- the earth
bracing itself and soaring, the air
finding every leaf and feather over

forest and water, and for every person
the body glowing inside the clothes
like a light.

Next time / From now on I’m working on following the example set by my precious friend R.

photographs from the Smoke Works series by Mehmet Ozgur/ poem Next Time by Mary Oliver

A wedding...

2010-03-03T18:22:00.009+10:00

recycled lampshades at Flossy and Mr You's wedding feast

Well that heading got your attention didn't it. No it's not mine. I’m not usually a weddingy person and don’t have any intention of starring in one but just reading about Flossy P and Mr You's wedding has been so lovely that I got inspired to do a little wedding post. I highly recommend heading over to Flossy's place, taking a pew, and enjoying the wedding. You'll go away feeling uplifted - and with fabulous decorating ideas as well.

all under $50, from top left clockwise: 1. maternity bridal gown from lady elizabeth designs 2. vintage pink with shawl collar from dollyrocker vintage 3. vintage green formal dress from yellow dog vintage 4. girls attendant dress from the bitsy bean 5. short white dress from aptvwt 6. short maroon velvet dress from sunny sunday vintage 7. caramel velvet from popettes 8. cream long sleeved vintage dress from nod to mod vintage 9. floral halter from the grace boutique 10. mens jacket from vintage suits 11. square neck black dress from vintage suits 12. black halter from nicole kimberley

So, for my wedding post I gave myself the challenge of staying at $50 or under for clothing or accessories. There were so many fabulous inexpensive ‘gowns’ and men's outfits to be had on Etsy. Or you could just skip the new outfit and wear any old thing coupled with one of these accessories and nobody would notice the outfit.

all under $50, from top left clockwise: 1. earrings from realisation creations 2. lace belt from chez kevito 3. black lace necklace from white owl 4. poppy necklace from luxe deluxe 5. veil from mariso lapiricio 6. peacock hair clip from nyjole jewellery

Art Deco / born in the wrong era

2010-02-28T07:12:00.012+10:00

from sass and bide ‘future grand’ autumn/winter 2010

By seven o’clock the orchestra has arrived, no thin five-piece affair, but a whole pitful of oboes and trombones and saxophones and viols and cornets and piccolos, and low and high drums. The last swimmers have come in from the beach now and are dressing up-stairs; the cars from New York are parked five deep in the drive, and already the halls and salons and verandas are gaudy with primary colors, and hair shorn in strange new ways, and shawls beyond the dreams of Castile. The bar is in full swing, and floating rounds of cocktails permeate the garden outside, until the air is alive with chatter and laughter, and casual innuendo and introductions forgotten on the spot, and enthusiastic meetings between women who never knew each other’s names.

The lights grow brighter as the earth lurches away from the sun, and now the orchestra is playing yellow cocktail music, and the opera of voices pitches a key higher. Laughter is easier minute by minute, spilled with prodigality, tipped out at a cheerful word. The groups change more swiftly, swell with new arrivals, dissolve and form in the same breath; already there are wanderers, confident girls who weave here and there among the stouter and more stable, become for a sharp, joyous moment the centre of a group, and then, excited with triumph, glide on through the sea-change of faces and voices and color under the constantly changing light.

Suddenly one of the gypsies, in trembling opal, seizes a cocktail out of the air, dumps it down for courage and, moving her hands like Frisco, dances out alone on the canvas platform. A momentary hush; the orchestra leader varies his rhythm obligingly for her, and there is a burst of chatter as the erroneous news goes around that she is Gilda Gray’s understudy from the Follies. The party has begun....

The Great Gatsy by F. Scott Fitzgerald – tho having it in your hot little hands is better, you can read it on line here

in order of appearance: 1. acrylic on canvas from merz 4 2. box purse from silly rabbit vintage 3. czech button from 51 moozle 4. cocktail decanter from susantique 5. harlequin box from sister butterfly 6. golden age print by caitlen shearer on pepperminte 7. klimt bird pattern from stitches by kryss 8. lantern earrings from ivy and willow 9. bird linoprint from bizarre galah 10. red knives from italian country girl 11. spoon ring by goorsend jewelry 12. table from right at home vintage 13. silk dress from wonder wardrobe

Let's take a little vacation from our brains...

2010-02-24T08:05:00.002+10:00

Calla Lily / Look Closely / Wait

2010-02-20T16:05:00.007+10:00

photo via pixdaus

I've just finished reading a book about a girl called Calla Lily. I won't tell you the name of it because it was a pathetic read. One of those books that you pick up from the library, noting the inscription 'author of the #1 New York Times Bestseller' and think, well this should get me through a couple of days of escapism. It didn't. It could have. With redrafting. It was interesting to observe myself tho continuing to read it, thinking I might miss something interesting if I stopped. Like life really.

clockwise from top: Ring by Marjon Scheffer Brooch/Pin from Funken Junk Necklace by Mainichi Candlesticks from Jeff Fetty

There were a couple of gems in there that did resonate with me. That prompted me to remember. So, it wasn't a total loss.

Sadness can find you anywhere, anytime, so you better have fun when you can.

Look closely now, she said, and wait. These are the two most important things I can tell you.... Look closely and wait.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I've just heard that somebody I treasure is very unwell. She's somebody many of you treasure as well. Our darling Renee over at Circling My Head. My heart is breaking for her, her family and for us.

Tattoos for Commitmentphobics and a Giveaway

2010-02-15T20:35:00.005+10:00

1. made by miffy 2. post 3. sherri wood 4. jetta’s nest 5. sarah jane helm 6. custom shower curtains 7. inkwear 99 8. sybella boutique 9. maid with clay 10. history print shop 11. bitchcraft 12. jord clarke

Here's a little tattooesque project I did this afternoon for a blog giveaway - a doiley with a twist. A vintage embroidered doiley was embellished with a photo transfer of a tattoo heart which was then highlighted in embroidery. Just leave a comment and it could be yours. Use it as a doiley or hang it on the wall. I'll do a random no generation on Saturday to find out who the new owner will be.

Alexander McQueen passed away last week, aged 40 years. Living wasn't easy for McQueen as it often isn't for creative geniuses. Lady Ga Ga (with tattoos) wears his creations with the attitude they deserve.

Yay!! Congratulations to number 16 Jane P! I'll be in touch Jane. Big big thank you to you all for taking the time to visit and to enter. Please come back for a visit; you're always welcome here.

An Alice In My Wonderland Family

2010-02-11T19:26:00.007+10:00

Alice: Sarah Livingstone White Rabbit: Tenielle Stoltenkamp Cheshire Cat: Jess Ma Mad Hatter: Kellie Green March Hare: Daniel Gard Dormouse: Jessica Date

Ahem, yes Alice and I are related. This Alice is my niece, Sarah. They’re all fabulous aren’t they. But of course Alice is particularly wonderful! This series was photographed by the talented photographer Rebekah Lyn from Rebekah Lyn Photography. Rebekah Lyn is a photograher who can take chances and let imagination take over. Rebekah will travel, so contact her if you’re wanting any type of photography from weddings through to fantasy.

And how excited was I to find this second preview of the upcoming Alice in Wonderland movie! Just ignore the first 15 seconds of advertising.

It’s audacious what we’ve done.... The characters are from the books, but - except for when she falls down the rabbit hole - there is no section that is like the books in any way, in terms of the story that I created. So the only part is the "getting there" part. It's a sequel. First of all, I wasn't going to try to redo Lewis Carroll and that particular version. And to my mind, it was interesting to ask, "What if Alice was older and she went back?" Screenwriter, Linda Woolverton

But is she in fact the same Alice who roamed the trippy realm as a child? Time will tell…

Oops forgot to add these Free sample Alice art pieces from Dover Publication - one by Arthur Rackham here and one by Willy Pogány here. Just right click and save.

The rabbit's not dead, he's lounging at home...

2010-02-08T19:44:00.002+10:00

Recycled homes, well most of us have them don't we. But we can always do with more decorating inspiration and this Flickr group - Recycled Home - is so well curated that there's always something stylish to look at. Now, rabbits, yes I know they're not actually relevant to recycled homes but I had this collage on hand, and nothing else prepared, so here they are. Any one of these original art dolls would look right at home in a chic abode me thinks.

1. pillow form doll from doll project 2. beatrice clay and cloth doll from simple tilly 3. rabbit and chick from pumpkin moon prims 4. city rabbit from plush play workshop 5. lucky rabbit with dog by patti singer 6. white felt by sandy mastroni 7. ballerina rabbit from chas batte studio 8. anxious bunny doll from grrl an dog

And while you and your bunny are lolling about your fabulous recycled pad you'll need something sweet to nibble on. Cakes, that's what you'll need. Make any cake look fabulous with these edible cake toppers from Enticing Icing. Good grief, they're only $6.95 for 12 birdies, or 24 hearts!

Precious flowers

2010-02-04T17:37:00.008+10:00

1, 2, 3 crinoline flower photographs by daryl banks 4. a new beginning earrings from realisation creations 5. hydrangea top from all things pretty 6. the butterfly who swallowed a rose from nancy wiedower art 7. what the sea wants the sea shall have ltd edn print from sandra darling 8. photograph from kara o’keefe 9. the importance of flowers dome from mini memory worlds

Scratch n Sniff Post

2010-02-01T15:16:00.007+10:00

Ah coffee. Go on, scratch and sniff that screen! Inhale that aroma! You know you want to. Now have a read of this exquisite poem, and a look at a couple of clever coffee art ideas. Then maybe you can help me 'read' my coffee cup...

Hans the Wooden Man by Sandra Eterovic using coffee as paint

Betsy Donkey, distressed with coffee (n tea) to give a vintage look by Little Black Crow Studio

My cup after drinking Turkish coffee today. What do you see for me?

How to Read a Coffee Cup (adapted from info by Sahar)

>You will of course need to prepare your coffee in such a way that there are grounds to read. Use grounded, powdery soft Turkish or Greek Coffee or the residue from a cappuccino or espresso will work just as well.
>Enjoy your coffee while relaxing, and ask yourself: What do I need to know about my present situation? or What will be the important changes in my life in the near future?
>Now, take out a piece of paper and pen, and in a stream-of-consciousness style, begin jotting down your thoughts as you casually meditate on the shapes you see there. Above all, don't edit yourself. Write what pops into your mind. If the first thing has nothing to do with the coffee, jot it down anyway. Continue to stare at your cup as if you were lying face up on your lawn (if you are fortunate enough to have one) staring at the clouds above.
>Continue writing for at least ten minutes. You don't need to read every cluster of grounds or patterns in your cup. Interpret only what speaks to you. There is no right or wrong here. Each of your interpretations is ‘correct’. You really do have all the answers within you. Trust yourself.

[I wish I could always remember those last two sentences!]

Up

2010-01-27T17:12:00.010+10:00

Uplifting - photograph above by Tim Walker and below photographs and curation by Mariale Vitsky

Also uplifting is artists supporting other artists. One of these is Adelle who has a Best Craft Blogs poll in progress. Have a look at the blogs featured, including mine (ahem) and VOTE for the blog that you think is best. I’m just stoked to be nominated. A big thank you to all of you who've already voted, left comments, twittered.

When you visit Adelle’s site have a look at her artworks. There’s sculpture and painting and the resin jewellery she sells in her etsy store. My favourite section is the lesson plans. Here you’ll find instructions for simple to more complex projects – something for all ages and skill levels. Featured above are Adelle's ‘garden’ chair, a resin bangle and ring, and a lamp made from chicken wire and fabric.

Another talented and supportive artist is Julie-Ann Bowden. Through Heavenleigh Art, Julie-Ann regularly makes prints of her stunning work available for free download.

I would venture to warn against too great intimacy with artists as it is very seductive and a little dangerous. [Queen Victoria] Here's to living dangerously!

Bird Lovers Down Under

2010-01-24T16:52:00.002+10:00

left: art by devon smith of deerface

Following are other Down Under girls who love birds. Yes I know there are plenty of boys down here who love birds too. But, like the cassowary, they can be illusive.

1. girl’s dress from hot fudge 2. chenille rattle from leahkl 3. diary from naomi orana 4. owl pendant from stella light designs 5. print from matou n peluche 6. bag from marilyn cardinal of missy mao mao 7. owl tic tac toe from annettes creations 8. swan painting from blossom n bird

talented lino artist betty jo has set up a flying ducks pool on flickr

Arty People's Spaces

2010-01-20T17:46:00.007+10:00

Row 1: Lisa Congden at Bird in the Hand Home Pics / Art Store
Row 2: Jeffry Laneright has has art available for purchase through his blog where you'll also find some decor pics.
Row 3: Kim from Trampoline Home Pics / Vintage Goods Store
Row 4: Vanessa Valencia from A Fanciful Twist Art Store / Home Pics
Row 5: Libby Alexander of Alexander Salvage Home Pics / Vintage Goods Store
Row 6: Keri from Walldancers Art Store / Home Pics

It’s fun to peek into the homes of those who do clever things with their décor. I particularly like seeing the way art and vintage treasures are displayed. Interiors are difficult to photograph well. I'm glad these artists persevered. Even with today's technology, it's not easy to capture in a camera the view that we see with our eyes. From when I was very young, at particular times, I've pretended that my eyes were a camera. I've taken the shots and stored them. It's not difficult to access them myself. But it's tough to convey the vision to others. Maybe I need to practise painting word pictures...

from Redeem Designs

Just between you and me

2010-01-17T14:12:00.009+10:00

1. From Desira Pesta a set of nine little pillows for you to tell your secrets to. These little friends will…’gaze amorously into your eyes for hours on end, regardless of how big your hair is today or how much mascara you got all over your face when you went swimming’. 2. Choose a blond, brunette or redhead retro style 'head' pillow from Vintage Jane.

Send your own secrets to Post Secret, or be a voyeur and read other's.

1. Excerpt from The Secret Garden 2. 'Stone' Cushions from Livingstones

Undercover

2010-01-05T12:18:00.005+10:00

1. The Tailwind Coat from Bomb ‘n Belle Clothing 2. Mens Vintage Vest from Vintage Suits 3. Sterling Silver Pocket Magnifying Glass from Silvercraft 4. The Five Elements Leather Journals Set from Azenrain 5. Script via Don’t Touch My Moleskin

1. Valentina Vos 2. via Reckon

Joy-full of it - with plenty to share

2010-01-01T15:08:00.003+10:00

As the fireworks disappeared and the illuminated sky turned dark, a group of golden orbs floated about surrounding me. It's true! Some said it was the New Year drinks, or the pyrotechnics afterglow, but I don't think so. These translucent treasures brushed my skin and oh the pure pure joy that flowed from them. Can you see those little orbs of joy? Go on and catch one! Feel it sitting feather like on your fingers; oozing joyfulness.

(submitted too as part of this Three Muses Challenge Something Old Something New)

Yes I'm sure these joy-full orbs will bounce off occasionally in 2010. But I think they'll come back. I plan on keeping my joy vibes close this year. Above is a little arty prompt that I sewed up yesterday. To remind me that being full of it doesn't have to be a negative. To remind me if I forget.

1. Fabric Clock by Amor and Stitch 2. Handsewn Happy New Year Mozzie via Two Left Hands 3. Big Embroidered Cushions from Lei Li La Loo

Party Tricks

2009-12-28T16:03:00.006+10:00

photo by Gianfranco Chicco via Sushi Zume. Similar collapsible hula hoops available on Ebay from Trick Concepts and on Etsy at Tara V Hoops.

After the gluttony of Christmas, and in the days before New Year, Holly Hula and her husband Hollis liked to encourage restoration of their usual more disciplined lifestyle by practising their party tricks.

Samsam Bubbleman photo taken by Tarotastic via pixdaus

At bedtime, so as not to disturb the neighbours, Holly and Hollis would practise a more genteel form of magic.

1. Primped Paperie 2. Call me Jasper 3. Stellar Custom Images

Glam Vintage Swimsuits for Christmas in the Southern Hemisphere

2009-12-23T17:46:00.002+10:00

1st square - Betty Bellbottoms, Burda, House of Vintage 2nd square - Mama Maria via Stylehigh Club 3rd square – Lipstick Whiskey 4th square – Tiny Nebula Vintage, Teenah Time, Indy Week

Nice Plumage

2009-12-20T11:54:00.006+10:00

1. Kita 2. HGTV 3. Jacqueline Roberts 4. Aussie Patches 5. We Heart It 6. James Hoff 7. Eeek Designs 8. Sandy Grafik

Physics - Bragg's Law - the reason for the colour of peacock plumage =

Dates

2009-12-17T15:46:00.009+10:00

1. The Sketched Book 2. Zombuki 3. Elle Moss 4. My Folk Lover

It’s that time of year when pop up stalls selling calendars appear at the shopping centres. You know the ones. This year Twilight features heavily; and there’s the usual assortment of cats, dogs, flowers, and views of Paris. Me, I’m boring, using a chrome flip over desk number that gets refilled. I'm a 'one day at a time' kinda girl and do get surprised at times when I flip and find that I'm supposed to be somewhere in half an hour. This flip number has daily quotes to ponder. Todays ‘You cannot make a crab walk straight’ gets me thinking about the improbability of changing others and maybe ditto for self and my mind spins off..... I'm trying to do less thinking though, as my brain needs a little holiday. I think (there I go again) it needs to be filled with less intensity and more calm beauty. So I’m tempted by a few of these Etsy offerings - what an inexpensive way to have more art about. You could also make your own creations with these free templates.

1. Ohxcrap 2. Sara Bear 78 3. Wall Stickz 4. Little Mo and Friends

Extract below from New Year Letter by WH Auden .Auden’s poetry is rich in its language and rhythm, although I try not to read his literal meanings as I find that the pictures in my head as I read are very different to his intended message.

O Unicorn among the cedars,
To whom no magic charm can lead us,
White childhood moving like a sigh
Through the green woods unharmed in thy
Sophisticated innocence,
To call thy true love to the dance,
O Dove of science and of light,
Upon the branches of the night,
O Ichthus playful in the deep
Sea-lodges that forever keep
Their secret of excitement hidden,
O sudden Wind that blows unbidden,
Parting the quiet reeds, O Voice
Within the labyrinth of choice
Only the passive listener hears,
O Clock and Keeper of the years,
O Source of equity and rest,
Quando non fuerit, non est,

Susanna Hertrich's Chrono Shredder runs for 365 days until it has continuously shredded all of its calendar pages.

It without image, paradigm
Of matter, motion, number, time,
The grinning gap of Hell, the hill
Of Venus and the stairs of Will,
Disturb our negligence and chill,
Convict our pride of its offence
In all things, even penitence,
Instruct us in the civil art
Of making from the muddled heart
A desert and a city where
The thoughts that have to labour there
May find locality and peace,
And pent-up feelings their release,
Send strength sufficient for our day,
And point out knowledge on its way,
O da quod jubes, Domine.

ps And on another subject altogether, there's a giveaway happening over at Brisstyle and another here.

Good grief it's been a year...

2009-12-14T17:45:00.007+10:00

Yes it's been a year since I started this blog! A year! It's gone quickly but I also feel as if I've been 'blogging' for much longer. I suppose I was a 'lurker' for a couple of years, visiting favorite blogs but not 'following' or commenting. I started blogging tentatively, thinking that I'd set it all up and if I didn't enjoy it I'd just delete it. It's been fun researching stuff, putting it all together. I've learned so much. I didn't expect to have many followers. I didn't expect many 'strangers' to comment. I didn't expect to find such kindness, such caring, such love. I certainly didn't expect to feel so connected to other bloggers. But I do. To you. It's been a lovely blogging year.

Birthday Giveaway - Worldwide - Just leave a comment to be in the draw for this pack of 20 humorous napkins above - for mopping up any spills. I'll do a random number generation (sounds quite technical doesn't it) on 20 December.

Photo from Ludwig Interior Design via A Gift Wrapped Life, a blog with classy gift wrapping ideas.

Congrats to Cloravik! I'll be in touch!

Josefin Searches For The Giver of Truth

2009-12-02T17:00:00.004+10:00

'Waiting' and 'House by the Sea' by Melbourne artist Catherine Campbell via My Folk Lover

`Josefin the Writer' by duo Olney Clark from their self-titled LP to be released in February, 2010 on the Friendly Police UK Label. Video directed by Hanae Seida.

I was listening to an abc radio national program this week where a learned person was talking about memory. He maintained that humans have been designed to forget – in order to maintain relationships and to cope with painful life events. A good memory, he said, puts a person at a disadvantage. It’s hard for them to move on, to forgive, to function, when the past is so crystal clear. But if nobody had one of these ‘disabled’ brains, who would be the keepers of truth?

I couldn't find the Josefin lyrics anywhere - bit early I suppose - so have written down the words that I sing in my head. Some of them will be wrong! I'm away for the next couple of weeks with limited internet access but promise to catch up with all comments when I come home.

Josefin the writer
has books locked in her head.
She must release them
onto paper.
She has
she has me worried
of how her thoughts do go
but it’s not to name it
but left to mind
to turn like you’ve gone away.

Why do,
why do our bodies
tire so much faster than our minds do?
Where does thought go
when it swims away?

She is the place
I send my mind
when I need to see things
not as they are
but as I long for them to be.
Josefin.

Josefin the writer
is collecting information
on the mechanics of a memory.
Where will,
where will she find love?
Will it stay with you
or another
or where will she find
a reader like me?

She is the place
I send my mind
when I need to see things
not as they are
but as I long for them to be.
Josefin.

You are the place
I send my mind
when I need to see things
not as they are
but as I long for them to be.
Josefin.

Supposedly 'big hair' is back!

Photographs by Saima Altunkaya

And of course, books never go out of fashion.

by Jolis Paon

Hunting with the talented Sarah Blasko

2009-11-30T18:03:00.004+10:00

The fox is a group of 27 discreet species that are distantly related to wolves, coyotes and dogs — all from the canid family or Family Canidae. The fox, however, is not a dog, and cannot breed with a dog. It also cannot be tamed, and though these animals are quite attractive, they are not considered to be good pets, making both the owner and the pet miserable. via wise geek

Upcycled Brooches/Pins from ReRead. [If you're in Brisbane this Sunday, check out these pins, plus plenty more handmade goodness from Etsy Brisstyle members, at the Brisstyle Indie Designers Market. Full details here.]

Paying Attention

2009-11-26T14:30:00.027+10:00

Who made the world?
Who made the swan, and the black bear?
Who made the grasshopper?
This grasshopper, I mean--
the one who has flung herself out of the grass,
the one who is eating sugar out of my hand,
who is moving her jaws back and forth instead of up and down--
who is gazing around with her enormous and complicated eyes.
Now she lifts her pale forearms and thoroughly washes her face.
Now she snaps her wings open, and floats away.

I don't know exactly what a prayer is.

I do know how to pay attention,
how to fall down into the grass,
how to kneel in the grass,
how to be idle and blessed,
how to stroll through the fields,
which is what I have been doing all day.
Tell me, what else should I have done?
Doesn't everything die at last, and too soon?
Tell me, what is it you plan to do
With your one wild and precious life?

[The Summer Day by Mary Oliver]

Post inspired by three beautiful little girls who make sure I keep paying attention to the important things. Breathtaking photographs by Jacqueline Roberts in JPG Magazine.

Cushion/Pillow Covers from all corners of the globe. Small parcels = little postage. 1. Revision Design Australia 2. Bambina 3. Gabriel Pardo 4. Heidi Devlin Home

Better Gnomes and Gardens

2009-11-22T19:31:00.028+10:00

Gorgeous website alert! Have a look at Alannah Hill. For more garden eye candy visit Erin's Art and Gardens.

left to right 1. Terrarium from Memories Under Glass 2. Purse from The Dainty Squid 3. Clock from Blue Forest Chalet 4. The Gnomes Book of Christmas Craft from Red Hen Studios 5. Apron from Boojiboo 6. Pocket Gnomes from Lillipilli 7. Stitch Markers from Sunneshine 8. Pendant from The Pendant Factory 9. Vintage Teatowel from Modern Card

Vogue Feature 'Garden of Delights' featuring work from 1. Stephen Jones 2. Zac Posen 3. Oscar de la Renta 4. Marc Jacobs 5. Vera Wang 6. Philip Treacy Couture 7. John Galliano for Christian Dior Couture 8. Thakoon 9. Stefano Pilati 10. Nicolas Ghesquière 11. Manolo Blahnik 12. Christian Lacroix

and the journey continues...

2009-11-20T20:53:00.008+10:00

Well the mri results are in. There are a few lesions in the white matter of the brain but not enough to give a multiple sclerosis diagnosis so I am verrry happy about that. The diagnosis is peripheral polyneuropathy – a condition that occurs when the peripheral nervous system becomes damaged. In my case, probably caused by my compromised immune system - previously testing positive to diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, shingles, cytomegalovirus (all linked to nervous system damage) – together with the congenital bronchiectasis and resultant aggressive drug treatments particularly for the ‘TB family’ bacteria. In retrospect I know that this condition has been around for a number of years but the symptoms have been explained as anxiety, lung infections, overexertion, depression. Anyway most of the symptoms have settled down – still have the ice block feet. tingling and weakness in left hand, and burning tongue and throat – but I can cope with these. Maybe they’ll go away as well, who knows…I couldn't get any answers from the neuro except for everybody being different in their prognosis. Supposedly no cure but treatment for any symptoms that arise. But I'm relieved that the wait is over and just look forward to getting on with life and leaving the last few weeks...well the whole of this year really (except for the love I've shared with so many lovely people)...behind!

photo by Laurence Philomene

Neurological Short Circuit

2009-11-09T11:44:00.003+10:00

Hello my dears. My apologies for not posting soon. I've been unwell ...and in shock...diagnosed with a neurological disease. I'm spending time with my family and have been having tests. Have a lovely competent neurologist and am hoping for slow dehabilitation. So, definitely will be back when things settle down with the medication. Look forward to it very much. My love to you all, Chrisy

Red rabbits are running amok...

2009-10-30T12:51:00.004+10:00

'Chaos' Mixed Media Painting above, and words below from Saint Victor. His paintings, and his commentary, are spectacular. Go. Look. I know you'll enjoy them.

In this painting I represent Chaos as a gift as illustrated with the big red bow with Chaos sitting atop a crumpled purple cloth representing the fall of monarchies at the hands of the disenfranchised. Her striped clothes represent the cosmic tango between order and chaos, yin and yang, working together in evolutionary harmony. The tornado in the back- ground façade is the destructive force of nature which is not evil or punishment, it is simply a natural force of the planet we call home and chaos theory in the other panel represented as a seemingly unrelated series of events, equations or concepts that in retrospect reflect a highly organized pattern tied to a much bigger universal picture. She is shown with the attributes of the fertility god Pan, which was later demonized by the Church, in representing something life-giving as being condemned as evil. Above the façade we see the sunrise dawning as new possibilities and potential arising with every occasion of Chaos.

l to r: 1. Kaori’s Latex Dreams 2. Timeless Vixen Vintage 3. Me and Matilda 4. Jillian Pye 5. Soft Spoken 6. Hopelessly Devoted

Let's drift off...

2009-10-27T15:41:00.012+10:00

Houseboat Photos and Vintage Clothing from left to right: 1. Snarky Platypus 2. Tractordog 3. The Vintage Closet 4. Akbar Simonse 5. Plaid Pony Vintage 6. Henk van der Eijk 7. Amsterdam Hotel and Travel 8. Vintage Funland 9. The Vintage Junkie 10. Todd Shots 11. adVintagous 12. Art Is Shit 13. Vonenska Vintage

Or maybe I need to dream bigger...

Weekend Loungin Formula

2009-10-24T08:34:00.012+10:00

Flying carpets / rugs....they're out there...

2009-10-20T10:43:00.002+10:00

from Ceccialdi

They're out there. Rugs zooming off to new owners. Not necessarily with little poppets hitching a ride, but flying about nonetheless. Yes a new rug is only a mouse click away. Have a look at these beauties from Buyster Rugs. They're not expensive. They follow ethical trading practices. And I can tell you from personal experience that their service is fantastic. Try CSN Rugs if you're in the US.

For more lovely rugs, real works of art, do a bit of mouse clicking over at Etsy. Left to right, Crocheted Rug from Sago on Tuesday, Faux Bearskin from Fringe Collection, Handwoven Recycled Wool Sweater Rug from Five Forty, Nunofelted Rug / Wallhanging from Vilte, Handpainted Floor Cloths from Dwagonflies

Of course you could whip up your own floor covering like these below. I know the next two aren't technically 'rugs' but I couldn't resist sharing these clever ideas. This first pic makes me yearn for a cement floored studio where I could splatter paint about.

Here's one that's been painted onto a wooden floor by clever Genevieve Gail, with some tips on doing your own.

Or paint a rug of your own in any design and color that your heart desires. In this one a piece of vinyl/linoleum is flipped, and painted on. There are instructions here if you want to try it yourself.

Whether your rug comes to you flying through cyberspace, or flying from your fingers, keep your landing pad cleared and ready! And if your still hangin about here from the Halloween Party and giveaway in the prior post, be careful taking off on your broom; there are obstacles about...

Headless Halloween Party n Giveaway

2009-10-17T07:06:00.005+10:00

Welcome to the Sleepy Hollow Halloween Party. It’s scarey here, but there could be treats. What’s that? Shhhhhh… I hear a voice, a deep and tad menacing voice, drifting on the wind...

What fearful shapes and shadows beset his path, amidst the dim and ghastly glare of a snowy night! With what wistful look did he eye every trembling ray of light streaming across the waste fields from some distant window! How often was he appalled by some shrub covered with snow, which, like a sheeted spectre, beset his very path!

How often did he shrink with curdling awe at the sound of his own steps on the frosty crust beneath his feet; and dread to look over his shoulder, lest he should behold some uncouth being tramping close behind him! and how often was he thrown into complete dismay by some rushing blast, howling among the trees, in the idea that it was the Galloping Hessian on one of his nightly scourings! (from the Legend of Sleepy Hollow, by Washington Irving)

And as the headless rider rode off into the distance, he was heard to cry............

I think he’s dropped some treats from his saddle bag. Look there below, it’s magnets of cream and gold, and tags for writing your own cautionary notes. Mich from Mich Vanetta and Koot has provided this tempting giveaway.

To get your hands on these treats, see below. Don’t forget to leave a separate comment for each entry.
1 Entry – Leave a comment on this post
1 Entry - Follow this blog
1 Entry - Follow Mich’s blog
1 Entry – Visit one of Mich’s Stores, either Mich Vanetta or Koot and leave a comment with a link to your favourite item
3 Entries - Blog, tweet, facebook this giveaway and leave a link. Getting the word out gets you 3 entires! Go ahead and leave three comments. You can do this as many times as you want.

This giveaway is open worldwide and the winner will be chosen by random number generator on October 24th at 11pm etsy time.

Enjoyin the Halloween vibe? Want more? You're in luck as many bloggers are having Halloween Parties today thanks to our gorgeous host, Vanessa of A Fanciful Twist. Go visit Vanessa for links to the other party hosts. Happy Halloween!

WINNER! Congrats to Kathie from My Net Finds!

We're in vogue over here

2009-10-11T15:16:00.005+10:00

I was in luck at the local library this week with I scored a copy of the Sept/Oct 2009 issue of Vogue Living Australia. Featured is the home of Anna Spiro, from Brisbane design and decoration shop Black and Spiro, and Absolutely Beautiful Things blog. And it’s gorgeous.

The 1930s brick bungalow is a jewel box revealing Anna’s perfect mix of antique and new pieces. I particularly like the eclectic mix of fabrics and of art works – including the white painted floors; the black and white linen covered dining wing chairs; the black, white, pink and orange colour palette; the David Bromley nudes. It's great to see a beautiful Brisbane home featured.

Reflecting on his art work David Bromley has said, I weave through my thoughts and feelings searching for words to parallel the visual. As a presenter of images I express myself through paint and I don't always have a verbal explanation for my outpourings on canvas – perhaps this is why there is some ambiguity in the narrative in my paintings. I don't always like to reveal a definite outcome to the scenarios in my works and prefer the viewer to make their own decision... We all attach different meanings to things based upon our own experiences, opinions and desires. I don't want to eliminate other interesting possibilities...

Also enjoyed was a tidbit on Todd Selby’s cult website The Selby. The Selby features photographs, paintings and videos of interesting people and their creative spaces. All parts of the world are covered here including photos of Australian artists and designers at home. Todd’s recently published book The Selby Sydney is available for purchase on line as a signed limited edition - as is the poster below created by Sydney based artist Jonathan Zawada from photographs on The Selby website.

Featured too is iconic Australian fashion and textile designer Linda Jackson. Linda has been collecting opals for three decades. In her honour, and because the birthstone for those born in October is the opal, here’s a little Etsy collection.

l to r: Black Opal Rock Soap (yes soap!)from Good Karma Soaps, Linda Jackson via cairns.com.au, Server Set from Shelley Macdonald Designs, Ceramic Pocketbook with Opals from Brenda Santa Fe, Les Liaisons Dangereuses Necklace from Realisation Creations, Boulder Opal Pendant from Nature’s Art Melbourne, Opal Gemstone from Marcy Panek

Wednesday Update: I'm behind with my posts this week - life and fatigue are getting in the way. But, on Saturday, I'll definitely be joining in the Halloween Party being hosted by Vanessa from A Fanciful Twist. You're all invited to drop by here for a party and giveaways!

Fabulous Blogs

2009-10-08T08:33:00.012+10:00

Valse Du Beau/Waltz of the Beautiful by Cody Smith Photos

In a local paper yesterday psychologist Dr Janet Hall welcomed the continuing popularity of light entertainment, saying that people felt happier if they embraced feel-good entertainment. You should expose your mind to whatever is beautiful, noble, right, pure and admirable, and anything that’s excellent or praise-worthy. She warned about the possibility of depression from constant exposure to apocalyptic and terror-filled TV shows and movies.

Yes, words like beautiful, noble, right etc are subjective. Sometimes too the English language is limiting. When it comes to blogs, the ones I follow often do it for me. They’re filled with my kind of beauty - not just material things but beauty in ideas, in observations. There’s humour, honesty and a feeling of connectedness. When I leave a comment I know that it will matter to the blogger. I’d love to hear about a blog or two that does it for you, where a visit leaves you feeling better than you did before.

The Art of Sitting / Pic Giveaway

2009-10-05T09:15:00.005+10:00

Mother Print from Neon Matisse, Sit Under A Tree Pendant from Jennifer Stumpf, Sitting with Franklin Haiki Teacup and Saucer by Teaspoons and Petals, Cushion/Pillow Cover from Sew English

I've just enjoyed a little sit with some beautiful Etsy art work. Just punching in a search word and browsing never fails to inspire me. No I mightn't get much 'art' done, but just absorbing others creations helps me live creatively in everyday ways.

Then I had a little sit with this video. I don't think I'll forget the message. I hope I don't.

And now I'm sitting with this poem 'Sitting Outside at the End of Autumn' by Charles Wright. Just enjoying it - the rhythm, the images, the mystery.

Three years ago, in the afternoons,
I used to sit back here and try
To answer the simple arithmetic of my life,
But never could figure it—
This object and that object
Never contained the landscape
nor all of its implications,
This tree and that shrub
Never completely satisfied the sum or quotient
I took from or carried to,
nor do they do so now,
Though I'm back here again, looking to calculate,
Looking to see what adds up.

Everything comes from something,
only something comes from nothing,
Lao Tzu says, more or less.
Eminently sensible, I say,
Rubbing this tiny snail shell between my thumb and two fingers.
Delicate as an earring,
it carries its emptiness like a child
It would be rid of.
I rub it clockwise and counter clockwise, hoping for anything
Resplendent in its vocabulary or disguise—
But one and one make nothing, he adds,
endless and everywhere,
The shadow that everything casts.

previous three photos from Emery Et Cie

If you'd like this photo of Forget Me Nots I took with a vintage Holga camera just leave a comment and I'll do a draw on Friday night. It's 7"x5" and signed. If you want, follow along, and/or do some promos for extra chances.

Thank you for sitting here with me.

And the winner is....number 28...Roh Bruhn...I'll be in touch!

Other worlds

2009-10-01T15:23:00.011+10:00

from TYanceyIV

One of my favourite activities is night swimming. I’m lucky there’s a pool here. And lazy backstroke is my preferred stroke. I can look at the stars and the moon then. It’s like a meditation.

Sail Us To The Moon Print on etsy from Velvetwoods

Living close to the city we don’t get the vibrant view of the stars that you do out west, and I miss that, but there’s enough here to remind me that there’s another world up there.

Elena Kalis underwater photography available from here

I like to walk along the river bank earlier in the evening. Most days I see at least one fish jumping, as if to remind me that there’s another world down there too. Life is so good.

photos from Kevin Raskoff via eu.lumas.com

Let's eat cake to celebrate giveaway winner

2009-09-29T07:04:00.002+10:00

from Little Rosy Runabout

Charm Bracelet from Linda Vista, Letterpress and Linocut Recipe Cards from Ruby Victoria Printmaking, Wool Felt Handbag from Barbara Paige Knits, Photo from Grant Thomas on Deviate Art, Fake Chocolate Cake Postcard from Tang Baby, Birthday Card from Able & Game

Congratulations, and a big piece of yummy cake, for LW from The Pink Front Gate the winner of the Tim Irving photos giveaway! I'll be in touch. So many entries in this giveaway but what a giveaway. Thank you again Tim. If you didn't win, head over to Tim's Shop and purchase that favourite piece. There's even free worldwide shipping. Oh and then get yourself some cake to celebrate.

Did you know that followers of Artemis, goddess of the Moon, commemorated her birthday on the sixth day of each month by making a cake of flour and honey. I think this is a fine tradition. Let’s have birthday cake and a party at least once every month - with or without veggies.

Watch out for this...

2009-09-25T08:25:00.004+10:00

via escutegarota

via garancedore

via vi.sualize.us

Don't forget to enter the fabulous giveaway in the previous post!

BIG Giveaway of Art Photography by Tim Irving

2009-09-21T08:01:00.006+10:00

Yes…a giveaway! Tim Irving is a widely published photographer based in Granada Spain. He is a ‘travellin man’ traversing the world and taking his inspiration from any area that inspires and stimulates him. Often using vintage and handmade cameras Tim takes us on a world tour with soul. Enter to win any three photographs from Tim’s Etsy Store, Opart. Enter up to six times by leaving a comment here (1 entry) visiting Tim’s store and then letting me know which photo is calling to you (1 entry), following this blog (1 entry), following Tim’s blog (1 entry), doing a blog entry about this giveaway (1 entry), doing a ‘tweet’ about the contest (1 entry). The contest is open for seven days, ending midnight Brisbane time on Monday 28 September.

If you’d like me to host a giveaway for you on this blog, please send me at email at hfmedia@bigpond.net.au

I'm feeling much better and making tentative steps back to a 'normal' life. Here's to feeling contentment and joy in every precious moment.

Floating

2009-09-17T16:33:00.003+10:00

Photos of Hot Air Balloons that I collaged a while ago via Flickr - I’ll add individual credits at a later date.

It seems a lifetime since I last sat at this computer. I’ve been hospitalized with some strange bugs in my lungs. I’m home now and being given iv drugs through a picc line by visiting nurses…and visits by pathology for blood tests to monitor the levels of the potent drug cocktail. It’s been horrible but necessary. I’m thankful for the medical care I’ve received. And so grateful for family and friends who’ve been there for me. I wish I could say more – something wise and insightful – but my brain isn’t functioning too well. I’ll do a post next week when I can stay vertical long enough! Meanwhile, why not visit some of the other commenters – you’re all lovely people.

Trippin over the moon

2009-09-08T09:00:00.006+10:00

Lovely fashion from members of DUST (Etsy's Down Under Street Team)1. Blossom n Bird 2. Vintage Principessa 3. Maisy Brown Retro Repro 4. Penelope Red 5. Nostalgi 6. Angelene 7. JaEm Art 8. Felicia Fairy 9. Lyptis 10. Evie Grace Vintage 11. Velvet Ribbons 12. Hopelessly Devoted 13. Heidi and Seek

I haven't been able to complete a new work for the Three Muses 'Moonstruck' Challenge this week but did write a verse here a few months ago. Yes, I know it's kind of cheating...but...I'm out of action for the next week or so getting some medical treatment. So please forgive me and send some lovin!

'Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening.' Coco Chanel

Private Moon Series by Leonid Tishkov and Boris Bendikov via Moscow House of Photography 'Private Moon is a visual poem, telling a story about a man who found the Moon and stayed with her for the rest of his life. In the upper world, in the attic of his house, he saw the Moon which had fallen from the sky. At first she was hiding from the sun in a dark, damp tunnel and was constantly frightened by the passing trains. Then she came to the house of the man. Wrapping the moon in a thick blanket, he gives her autumn apples and drinks tea with her. When she finally recovers he puts her on a boat and carries her across a dark river to a high bank, where moon pine-trees grow. He descends to the lower world wearing the clothes of his deceased father and then returns, illuminating the way with his private moon. Transcending the borders between worlds via narrow bridges, sinking into sleep, taking care of the heavenly body, man turns into a mythological being living in the real world like in a fantastic fairy-tale.' Leonid Tishkov

Some weekend frippery

2009-09-04T17:52:00.005+10:00

I'm besotted by the art deco setting used in this clip. The furniture, the glamour, the atmosphere. A gorgeous little movie. The handbag I'm afraid only played a bit part for me. If $1500 is a little pricey for you as well, and you have a hankering for this designer, you could always purchase a vintage Dior accessory. Maybe you could create your own intriguing romantic tale.

Jack's 'handbag' adventure from The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde -

Jack: I don't actually know who I am by birth. I was... well, I was found.
Lady Bracknell: Found?
Jack: Yes. The late Mr. Thomas Cardew, an old gentlemen of a kindly disposition found me and gave me the name of Worthing because he happened to have a first class ticket to Worthing at the time. Worthing is a place in Sussex. It's a seaside resort.
Lady Bracknell: And where did this charitable gentlemen with the first class ticket to the seaside resort find you?
Jack: In a handbag.
Lady Bracknell: [closes eyes briefly] A handbag?
Jack: Yes, Lady Bracknell, I was in a hand bag. A somewhat large... black... leather handbag with handles... to it.
[pause]
Lady Bracknell: An ordinary handbag.
Lady Bracknell: And where did this Mr. James... or, Thomas Cardew come across this ordinary handbag?
Jack: The cloak room at Victoria Station. It was given to him in mistake for his own...
Lady Bracknell: [Shocked] The cloak room at Victoria Station?
Jack: Yes. The Brighton line.
Lady Bracknell: The line is immaterial.
[begins tearing up notes]
Lady Bracknell: Mr. Worthing. I must confess that I feel somewhat bewildered by what you have just told me. To be born, or at any rate bred in a handbag, whether it have handles or not, seems to me to display a contempt for the ordinary decencies of family life which reminds one of the worst excesses of the French revolution, and I presume you know what that unfortunate movement led to?