Slow and steady....

Well mine is definately a slow cloth....I have been playing around with fabrics, stitching and I've been visiting blogs and getting lots of inspiration. I've added a few more fabric elements, some tie dyed chiffon to make a night sky, a maize coloured thread overlayed with organza as a halo'd moon and a beautiful scrap of hand dyed wool (given to me by the talented and lovely Elizabeth Armstrong when I did one of her classes). I think it fits the piece well and its lovely to use fabrics gifted to you...nice to look at them remember your friends and good times.

I'm enjoying the hand stitching, it gives you lots of time for thought in this busy world.

Below is a close up of the night sky and the moon with its halo. I have grown very fond of moons thanks to Jude Hill and her many moons.

A closer view of the lovely hand dyed wool from Elizabeth at Studio Felter. Isnt it luscious?

As I said in my previous post, some wonderful gifts of late....this beautiful embellished bird made by my talented art buddy, Dot Christian. I received this after Christmas and thought you might like to see a picture. Visit Dots etsy shop to see these and other beautiful fabric pieces she created. I love the sari silks she has used in my Ruby Red bird.

I recently did a swap with fellow owl lover Debrina! Received this lovely "Mother Owl" fabric hanging...sorry the photo isnt clearer, but if you click on it you might see the beautiful fabric and ribbon she has used and the machine stitching. For a clearer photo visit Debrina's blog.

Also received this beautiful owl thimble below. I think he looks rather nice perched there with my little collection of dolls and bits and bobs. He's a bit large my finger, so I think this is where he will be living.

Well, the days must be getting longer over the side of the world as they are getting shorter over here....6am and its dark now. Still not getting dark at night until after 8pm, but that will change soon when daylight savings finishes.

I hope you had a wonderful week!

LET YOUR DREAMS LEAD THE WAY

-SARK-

Jacky xox

Tentative stitching...

I have been 'feeling my way', a little bit of tentative stitching on the beginnings of my slow cloth. I'm finding I'm dithering a lot, probably overthinking the process. I think for me doing this cloth will be a lot about trial and error. About allowing the quilt to evolve (rather than being pre-planned to the n'th degree). I have done a little more stitching already this week, so next week should show more progress...I want to add more fabric elements. snippet of some stitching.

I am enjoying my journalling....I love this page for its simplicity.

It has been a wonderful week for art mail...I have received a couple of pieces I bought online recently and also from a swap with a fellow owl lover. I will share some photos next post.

YOU ARE SUBLIMELY, EXACTLY, HOW YOU NEED TO BE AT THIS MOMENT.

-SARK-

Enjoy your week!

Jacky xox

Congratulations Tara....

Congratulations to Tara of Aquamarineart Blog...you are the winner of my giveaway! Please contact me with your mailing details and whether you would like a Klimt Doll or a Kaffe Fasset Owl.
My email address is jacky_wllms@yahoo.com.au Looking forward to hearing from you.
Thank you so much to everyone who took part and left comments.

I hope you all had a lovely Valentines Day....This little cake was very, very yummy!

Above Tags & Cards from swap partner, Kris Henderson.

The above are yummy cards and tags that I received from the very generous Kris Henderson as part of one of the Paper Swaps run by Lawendula. Some wonderful, wonderful cards here....so many lovely images, cant wait to use them in my journals and art. I love the birds and all of the numbers...lots of inspiration here, thank you Kris!

And the lovelies above were from another paper swap run by Lawendula from my swap partner Tammy Sprinkle. Truly I am spoilt for choice now for my art...these papers are just beautiful and lots of lovely little tags and embellishments for my art. Stamps, snippets from magazines, beautiful french text... these are great swaps.

Each month Lawendula (Franca) runs a paper swap so pop by her blog and play along...its such fun receiving papers from all around the world for your art and not expensive to mail!!!

LOVE IMPERFECTLY

-SARK-

Take care all..... Jacky xox

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