Dots and Dashes

on etsy

What a busy few weeks it has been. The space bar ceased functioning on my laptop and I attempted typing using.in.place.of.space. - it sent me crazy. So eventually I gave in and sent the computer off to be repaired. I felt like I had lost an arm and yet I thoroughly enjoyed the extra creative time.

These earrings feature Watsonia bulb bases and watch cogs. I was very pleased when I made my own ear wires for these ones and have given a couple of pairs as birthday presents this week.

On Friday morning Phantom walked in with his front leg sticking out at an odd angle. A quick call to work and off to the vet we went. Phantom is the easiest cat imaginable, as the vet manipulated and felt the leg he pressed his head deeper against my neck and purred loudly. It was dislocated and there was a puncture mark so it appears the poor little man (umm...8kg and verrrrry long) had been attacked. No scratch marks on his face this time which was a change. He is such a good cat and has happily taken his medication morning and night while rubbing his face against me.
I spent the weekend sharing this cosy one roomed cabin with three friends. We were at a Christian Women Communicating International camp held just half an hour away on the coast. The speaker was wonderful - funny, entertaining and yet she gave plenty of inspiration and encouragement to take away and mull over. We laughed a lot, ate too much amazing food and celebrated the birthdays of two of my room mates. Bliss.

Art Camp - Part 2 - Overwhelming Gifts

These are some of the wonderful gifts I received at camp, I was humbled and blessed by the time and effort that had gone into treating me. The very talented Jane blessed me this felted hat, an extra special treat as I have a very large head and can not often find hats to fit.

Jacky created this beautiful felted quiltie and made a gift of the rusted heart wire, what a treat it was to meet this warm and talented lady - who managed to convert us all to hand felting within minutes of our arrival.

Each month there is a Mystery Muse on INKrediblyRT, the group linked to this camp, this was my May treat and I am yet to find out who the talented collage artist is.

Kelsey whipped up this stunning ATC at camp - featuring Sheer Heaven transfers and stamping, I do love the quote!

Nikki, Dotee and Shirley demonstrated the wide variety of styles at camp with these ATC's.

I met the very talented, kind and insightful Sulea for the first time, I was left without words after she quietly handed me a small bag containing this marvelous Gothic arch assemblage and the beautiful jewellery set below.

And there was more, a couple of glossy items I need daylight to photograph and some I have yet to unpack. My heart swells as I look at this collection, I see not only each items beauty but the time and care that went into their making. Thank you.

Art Camp - Part One

Art Camp 2007 is over ... and my heart is full of joy - oh not that it is over, but that it was as wonderful the second time round as that first magic long weekend, last June. It was the first weekend of winter and the sun shone brightly through four still days, the birds sang - and some enthusiastic children, at the next campsite, spent an afternoon with a karaoke machine (oh well, we needed a reminder we were still here on Earth).

Four days and three nights with warm, kind, witty and oh so talented women - the time passed so quickly. There was art chat, friends to hug, gifts galore and side trips to the hardware store, salvage yard and second-hand shop. I managed two beautiful walks on the beach, one alone and another in the company of friends.

Over the next day or two you will meet my friends, see the gifts I received and some of my art too.

On Saturday morning Jane very generously taught us some fabric painting techniques and we painted our own aprons. See the beautiful Sulea being photographed above, click on the picture to see more of the detail on her fabulous apron.

Here are some of the artists, all poised to stretch after many camera's snapped this end of camp picture.