tsk tsk

loving the birds

just thought I would update some new ABCme photos. It seems easier to do here than on my website. I have been forgetting to take photos before sending them away, and have just realised that I have no current images of new works to show. Plus it was about to time to freshen up the blog banner. Just like moving furniture around in the house, I like to keep things changing.

And the birds? Well aren't they just amazing? The colours of the Peacock and the Golden Pheasant are so incredible.....makes me want to paint them right now.

a b c l m n o p

We've been away to South Australia.
It was so wonderful to see a true Autumn. The colours of the leaves were just so spectacular and I really miss living in a place where the seasons change in a significant visual way.
I sold some more works to One Small Room. So if you are visiting Adelaide, I can really recommend dropping into the shop at Croydon. There are some great things there at the moment. And I also met the very lovely Fiona from Hop Skip and Jump. She is as adorable as her beautiful handmade toys.

Sickness prevails in this household and sadly my grandfather passed away the other day. So I am only popping in briefly. Miss M has a quite a bad ear infection and I am nursing her back to health. But I really wanted to show and tell my little spot in the latest issue of 'lmnop' which is themed around the alphabet. My ABCme alphaposter is amongst some amazing products and designs. It really is worth the look. Thank you 'lmnop'. You must look at Geninne's watercoloured birds in this too. She is so talented!

time out

I'll be back in a few days.

the man bag

All dressed up and no where to go!
Well we got as far as the city, when Mr A started to say he felt sick...and was. We were on our way to a Christening and birthday party.
Mr N drove me and Mr A back. The mad rush to get ready, the mad rush to get the presents wrapped. Oh well. At least my slippers stayed clean.

Yesterday I made Mr A a satchel so he can start carrying his own toys and pencils around when we go somewhere. I used scraps of fabric, including some denim for the front and some ici et la remnants for the turtle applique. He loves turtles.

The doll is from a book called Una-na. I bought it last year and have been wanting to make her for so long. Hopefully the little girl it is going to will love her dearly.


And for Oliver, an ABCme.

playing with colour

my last post was not the happiest. Things are looking up in this household now and thank you for your kind words. Instead of my dull, odd socks staring you in the face,  I thought a brighter image was needed.
I designed these last year for a textile agent. Nothing came of it and I re-discovered the files the other day. I've changed the original colours. Not really sure what one I like the best. Not really sure if I like them at all. I could never wear anything like this, and I certainly wouldn't have anything this bright in my house.

But I love playing with colour.

 

yes, even in my slippers

it is almost 4am.
I've been awake now for a couple of hours.
Miss M came in to tell me she had a pain in her tummy. 1/2 an hour later I was cleaning my carpet, the bathroom floor, my sheets and doona cover, the dog's bed and even my slippers. She has had gastro now twice in her five years, so really we have been very lucky. It just so happens that both times she has decided that our bedroom would be a great place to be sick.

Mr N of course is away. This is what always happens when husbands go away isn't it?
Mr A came into the bedroom earlier in the night and he has managed to sleep through it all. (he is male afterall) Even the sheet change and smells didn't wake him. I was going to move him back to his room, but it is cold tonight and I kind of think that if he is going to get sick, well he'll get sick regardless of how close he is to her. So I have just kept him warm.

I decided there was just no point in going back to bed. And the poor little poppet has continued to be sick since so I need to be alert.
I've cleaned a little, I've made myself a hot chocolate and have even decided that I really need one of those portable steamer/irons that is currently on my TV.
Early morning TV is such a highlight and takes me back to my breastfeeding days when the kids were tiny.

But hey, I am not the first parent to go through this, nor the last. However, this little event has just confirmed my decision to pull back on my work for awhile. I really don't know how to explain my thoughts clearly, but my frustrations of not being able to produce work that I am happy with, not being able to market myself properly, not being able to keep up demand for requests and commissions in a timeframe that I would like, are just some of the elements that have led me to this decision.

 I so wanted this year to be better. But I'm struggling to find my creative strength to produce work only in school hours or when the kids are in bed. There is no on/off button for creative types.
 Family life is important to me so I can't exactly put them on hold. But I often feel frustrated, disappointed and resentful and wish that sometimes I could.
I can never find my car keys or socks for the kids and it is these little everyday issues that are really starting to drive me crazy.
Mr N works 13 hours a day, as do many husbands and this only adds to the turmoil of it all.
I'm sure many of you will relate to this.

I'll still be here and there, but my shops might just be quiet for some time.Good things are due to be released this year and I will share later all the details. i have several commissions in the works, including several paintings for a lady in Greece, and I am participating in the latest Poppytalk Handmade markets.

But it is time to stop and retreat.

Right now I should go and check on those little munchkins and see if I need to put on the rubber gloves again!

good friends and no time

I have several blank panels in my house.
They were made by my friend's very talented father.

My intentions are to paint onto them, but I can't seem to get started. The usual issues of time are stopping me, but also I feel very nervous about starting anything because they are just so lovely as is. Maybe I could hang them just as they are.

Last month I celebrated a birthday and received some lovely presents from my friends. Two books that I can't wait to start are The Artist's Lunch by Alice McCormick and Sarah Rhodes and Kyuuto! Japanese Crafts. Lacy Crochet.

And as the air is cooling I am feeling a stronger need to crochet and quilt again. I better hurry as the cooler months come and go too quickly here.

5

I enjoy a good party. i appreciate the small details that people have thought about. The flowers, the decorations, the lighting, the music, the way food is presented. It all helps to create a mood and to make guests feel comfortable. I don't like overly presented and organised parties with games and themes.

This is where I struggle.
So I have found that hosting parties for my kids to be more challenging as they get older.

Kids love themes.
Kids love over the top, in your face colours and  C   R   A  P!

No matter how simple and stylish you try to make things, it really doesn't pay off.

Kids love running around your freshly mowed lawn, screaming at each other, screaming at the balloons, screaming at the idea that tetra pack juice is presented to them, screaming for more food, screaming at fun games. They just seem to scream, laugh, run and scream some more!!!!

Meanwhile, mum's and dads seem to stand back and watch in horror as children scream, laugh, run and scream some more.
 
I feed them champagne to dull the pain.
One and a half hours of screaming and 15 cupcakes later, the screaming stops. Party bags are dispensed, thank yous and farewells are given, and then..... mummy gets to drink her champagne.

So why did I bother?

Well, the options are limited for this age group.

a) party at home, as above.

b) party in park with fall back position at home if it rains.

c) party at a well known takeaway restaurant where the food is bad and children turn into monsters.

d) party at an activity centre where the food is bad and the children turn into monsters.

Where oh where is there somewhere in my town that offers parties where children can run and climb indoors or outdoors; themes can be presented without an ugly Disney or cartoon character on every plate or cup; catering doesn't involve the usual fan fair of reheated frozen foods or deep fried junk, children play old fashion games with a modern twist and smaller siblings aren't trampled on by older kids?
Perhaps a setting that is homely like an old Queenslander, with shady trees, quaint gardens, and a bar for mummy and daddy to sit whilst the children are supervised. Am I asking too much?

I think 5 to 8 is going to be tricky. Next year I have declared that there will no parties. We'll go somewhere fun as a family. Hey, I might even try camping by a river!!!! Anything to avoid the screaming.