100th post.....

My 100th post....that deserves a Give Away methinks!!! I cant believe I have been blogging for 2 years now (yes its taken me that long to get to my 100th post!!!). Please leave a comment (making sure I can contact you) if you would like to go in the draw for my one of my Wee Owls or maybe a Klimt Doll - the choice will be yours. I will announce the winner in my next post which will be in a weeks time.

Meanwhile, some *slow* progress on my slow cloth... Since my last post it has grown from 61/2 inches to approx. 15 inches. Our life revolves around horses so I thought for my first block I should include a horse image. I've been playing around with placement...not sure if I'm happy yet. The triangles (trees) are offcuts from a quilt for my son, but I am not sure about them yet. I will play a little more before I stitch anything down - it could look completely different next time you see it! I have been carving some stamps again. Below a couple of little owls.

And below another little owl who is winging his way over the Tasman.

The weather has been quite strange...maybe that is why I have been feeling a bit unsettled lately...a reflection of my environment?

An eerie but beautiful dusk.

The colours were just beautiful, but only lasted a short time. Click the photos for a closer look.

Have a wonderful, creative week.

"PLAY OUTSIDE MORE OFTEN"

-SARK-

Jacky xox

Bedraggled.....

I have had visitors staying with us since early December and my last visitors left today.....I loved having them stay, but I am sooooo looking forward to some family time and some me time again. Play with my paints, do some stitching and some knitting.....

Hidden Among Trees by Ton Schulten (Dutch artist).

Last year I ordered a book of the art of Ton Schulten. I saw some of his work when doing a class with Elizabeth Armstrong and was instantly drawn to it. The wonderful colours, the blocks of colour and that almost patchwork look (something I am always drawn too).

How exciting....it arrived in the post last week. I just love it!!!!

I have embarked on a slow quilt project this year. I am continually inspired by the work of Jude Hill at Spirit Cloth. Take a visit and see her wonderful story quilts and slow cloths....I love to visit, it really nourishes my creative soul. I think my quilt will be inspired by the art of Ton Schulten, Jude Hill and Lynne Hoppe. Throughout the year I will post some pictures of how it is 'slowly' progressing.

I am still enjoying my journalling (although I dont journal as regularly as I plan). I am also using the journal to record thoughts and ideas for my quilt as well as life in general. I love to record everyday life and try and include some of my doodles and drawings...usually done while visiting blogs or taking phone calls.

And this (below).... this is the 'beginning' on my slow cloth....the little nine patch is my start! I found it difficult to actually just start the quilt. I think maybe I overplan, overthink everything. I had been jotting down ideas etc. for the past year....

Sooo.... I just decided to grab some fabrics that I had in my sewing basket near my chair and just make a nine patch. At least then I had made a beginning. I know it will be a slow journey and I am looking forward to that, that there will be no pressure, just enjoy the stitching.

And.... look at the lovely new neo color crayons I bought last weekend... they are my absolute favourite art supply I think! I just love adding to my little collection of colours.

My sister Lee had given me a voucher to an art supply shop in Melbourne for Christmas and it was burning a whole in my pocket. So, Saturday we decided to have a girls day out.... a beautiful lunch and then off for art supplies. I came home with my beautiful crayons, some lovely Dutch gouache and some lovely water colour paper. I felt very spoilt and loved. Thank you Lee, we always have such a wonderful time together!

Anyways......I hope you have all had a wonderful January.

Inside the book

between the lines.

Was a place to rest

and absorb the magic.

-Sark-

Jacky xox

Bliss .....

While my mother in law was staying with us over Christmas, we took a week down at Lakes Entrance staying at a friends holiday house......BLISS. We had 180 degree views of the lakes and the ocean from our huge balcony and the most perfect weather. Not too hot, not too cold....25-30 celcius each day. We sat out on our balcony or at the big table sketching and painting. We dined out at local eateries on fresh seafood.....many visits to the co-op to pick up prawns, oysters, fish freshly caught that morning and we *shopped*. It was lovely to go to sleep each night listening to the sound of the ocean and watching the fishing boats coming and going. View from our balcony overlooking the golf course, lake entrance and the ocean.

View from another angle. The home is called "The Crows Nest" and the views were fantastic.

I have taken other photos of the lovely sunsets from our balcony in the evenings, but somehow messed up while downloading them....will try again soon and show you some more.

Eastern Beach entrance. Norma and I didnt get to walk along the beaches much as she has lung issues....but here's a glimpse. My husband and I are going to try and get back their in the next few weeks as I want to walk along the beaches and find sea glass, shells, pieces of driftwood and all of those lovely treasures that the sea brings forth.


Remember this little fellow? He has been named Grunchen by my little art friend Svea in Germany.

He has arrived.....the above photo, thanks to Lawendula , is of Grunchen in his new home. You must visit Lawendula's blog to see what her daughter Svea has made for Grunchen to keep him warm in his new abode....check out her flickr photos to see his sweet little sleeping bag. He is "loved", I am very happy!

I am hoping you all had a wonderful Christmas and New Year. I am looking forward to this bright New Year.....

Sing a song of surrender.

Leave your bags.

Lift your self up.

- Sark -

Enjoy your week.

Jacky xox

Full moon...New Year....

The New Year is upon us already.... how time seems to fly these days! I havent been very busy stitching over the Christmas and New Year ... too much socialising and preparations. I have had my MIL staying the past two weeks, and she will be with for another couple of weeks so we have been out and about too. The only thing I have done is this little owl which is now winging its way to Europe to a young artist that I know loves owls...hope she likes this little fellow.

I havent really made any New Years Resolutions as such. I will keep it simple, I am just going to try and be positive and happy.... I think good things happen when you are! I have made lists other years with such good intentions, but I get a bit overwhelmed and it goes by the wayside.


Thank you so much to the wonderful friends I have made through this blog and my art ... your visits, comments and friendship are so very much appreciated. I look forward to visiting your blogs throughout the New Year and look forward to the friendship and inspiration I always receive.

"And now let us believe in the New Year that is given us ...new, untouched, full of things that have never been."

-Rainer Maria Rilke -

Wishing you all a year filled with love, peace, happiness and joy!

Jacky xox

Spirit of Christmas....

I've been so busy I have neglected my poor old blog.... I have been doing some art though for Christmas gifts. Below is a stamp that I carved for my Christmas tags and Christmas cards.

Plain tags without the background and my handcarved stamp.

I have been receiving some lovely comments, cards, handmade gifts and emails with Christmas wishes from many of you out there in blogland ....you are very generous and I really appreciate your friendship and thoughtfulness. I can feel the Christmas Spirit is alive and well.

I wish you all a Wonderful Christmas surrounded by family and friends and I hope that the New Year is filled with Peace, Happiness and good Health.

"Somehow, not only for Christmas, but all year through, the joy you give to others is the joy that comes back to you."

- John Greenleaf Whittier-

Wishing you much JOY at Christmas and always.

Jacky xox

Sensory Overload...

My Friday morning art group recently had a visit to the studio of artist Greg Irvine in South Melbourne. His home is soooooooo awesome - a visual feast. Little still lifes presenting themselves everywhere. I would have loved to take some photos of his home, full of antiques and amazing bric-a-brac not to mention his wonderful art. Lucky for us he is currently preparing for an exhibition and we were able to see 12-15 of his latest pieces for the exhibition. Such wonderful detail and colour. I cant wait for the exhibition now!!! Meg, Coral and Maz all painted in the indoor studio, whilst Josie and I opted for the little outside studio.

Below are photos of the girls from my art group, Gregs home and some of our art. Still life indoor studio.
Maz (in red), Greg and Meg...busy at it! See the snippet of one of his current works in the background. They are huge and so much detail!!!

Megs WIP.

Still life in outside studio.

Josie and myself opted to work in Gregs outside studio...again filled with wonderful bits and pieces and glorious colour and shapes. The above was our still life for the day.

Peeping through the red door into the outside studio. My WIP is in the foreground and Josies behind. We had such a wonderful time and I have never painted so *big*. Scary, but I loved it!!!

Closer view of our painting in progress. Check out those colourful palettes along the window.

And what bliss to eat our lunch in his mosaic garden (I thought I was in Barcelona) and to eat off these gorgeous tables that Greg had painted. Click for a closer look. Greg and his son built this mosaic garden from crockery they salvaged when they were working on Albert Park Lake in Melbourne. Everywhere you looked...colour and beauty. I wanted to come home and mosaic my back steps...needless to say that hasnt happened!

And these are the girls.
We partook of a coffee and pastry before we went to the studio.

This gorgeous old facade was directly opposite the cafe...what a view.

We girls had the most amazing day and we are going to go back and paint with Greg again in Febuary...hope I have my painting finished...he hee!

Christmas is not far away now... last weekend my sister and I visited Malvern to check out the Christmas Market. I loved the beautiful wreath at the front of the Town Hall. "Its beginning to feel a lot like Christmas......" Lots of wonderful handmade goods to be had.

Some little Festive Hearts I have made for art friends.

Give away from the blog of Marilyn Rock.

I was sooo lucky recently to win a Give Away hosted by the lovely Marilyn Rock. What a wonderful suprise when it arrived in the mail. The book, Nature Inspired, is fantastic...I truly have been inspired by the lovely art within. If you can get your hands on a copy it is a beautiful book and one I am sure I will look at again and again.

Also received these beautiful handmade papers...watch out journal...I think a few of these will be finding their way into my current journals. Thank you Marilyn! I also won a beautiful bag from Parisa in Tehran...I need to take a good photo to show you...I will get that organised for my next post. I've been very lucky lately. Thank you to all of you wonderful fellow bloggers.

I also received these lovely tags from Debbi of Vintage Moon. More wonderful images and goodies for my journals. We both took part in the tag swap hosted by Lawendula. In January Lawendula will host a card swap... visit her blog if you would like to play along.

Its been a long one hasnt it? so much news to tell you all.

Of course I must leave you with some Sark...

Wake up to see the other souls around you.

Let them affect you.

Live in the center of your life.

Take care and have a happy week!

Jacky xox

Awash with art (and rain)....

I have had a wonderful, artfilled weekend. On saturday my sister Lee and a girlfriend Jen went into Melbourne to see the Cressida Campbell Exhibition at the Sophie Gannon Gallery...a must see if you live in Melbourne! Beautiful woodcuts and woodcut prints ...we were all in awe of her wonderful art (photos are at the bottom of this post...blogger putting photo on in reverse order today!). Banner made from mixed media tags.

I have been doing a little art of my own though. I am taking part in a tag swap being hosted by Lawendula and this litle banner was part of the package I sent. The little white christmas trees are gorgeous little porcelain ornaments from Denmark. I thought it might look nice strung up for Christmas.

Gertrude St. Fitzroy.

I love my trips into Melbourne to visit my sister. We always visit the best shops. On our list for the day was Artisan Books. We spent quite a while perusing all of their wonderful books. I left with the latest edition of Selvedge and Cloth Paper Scissors (and quite a few ideas for my Christmas list).

Fitzroy Library and Town Hall (hope you all enjoy the streetscenes and architecture of Melbourne as much as I do).

From Gertrude Street we walk around to Neil Wallace Art Supplies and came across this lovely old building. I enjoyed the Art Supplies and stocked up on a few Sennellier oil pastels, gold leaf paint, a woodworking tool (want to have a play with woodcuts!). Such an Aladdins Cave...I could have stayed for hours. Definately another trip needed in before their Sale finishes.

Jenni (left) and my sister Lee on the steps of the library.
They are so patient with me and my art fetish.

Amazing street art in one of the back streets. So much fantastic street art adorning the streets of Fitzroy! (click for closer look)

View from the cafe window, looking down Brunswick Rd.

After the art supplies were all bought we headed off for a coffee before heading back to the car. I love this area!

And now for the stunning art.

These first two pics. are by Judy Drew. We were going to visit this exhibition also, but found it was closed on Saturday.... drat! I so wanted to see her work in person. You never know. I might get a chance to get back in to Melbourne to the Melbourne Fine Art Studio before it finishes. Check out the link to see more of her work.

Woman in Gold Satin Gown - Judy Drew
Pastel





Still Life with Patterns - Judy Drew
Pastel

Daisies and Camellias - Cressida Campbell.

Apple - Cressida Campbell

Interior with Red Ginger - Cressida Campbell.

As you can see. We were immersed in some wonderful art and all came away feeling uplifted by the beauty of it. Check out this link to see more of Cressida's art...Sophie Gannon Gallery

Sorry its such a long one today... just so much to show you. I hope you will click on the links and visit the sites to see more of the work of these two amazing Australian Artists. And now from Sark...

You are enough

You have enough

You do enough

Have a great week.

Jacky xox