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