A time of Peace and Good Will to all...

If this is a time of peace and goodwill how come I have been dragged out of bed stuffed into this silly hat and been told not to blink. How is a boy not to blink with that glaring in his face?
Oh sorry, I have just been reminded this is not about me, it is about others. Jesus was born to save and heal others so Christmas is a time where we give to others and spread peace and goodwill in His name.

So, thank you for all the kindness and care you have shown Mum and I over the past year. I really do wish you all peace and safety for 2009 (and that every doggy should have unlimited bones).

Archer

>>> (licks)

Gorgeous Gifts

It was my birthday earlier in the week and I have been blessed with gifts for seven days straight. I thought I would share the hand made ones here. The address book above has as much detail on the back and inside as it does on the front, layers of tecture and colour and images all blended perfectly. A stunning gift from my wonderful friend Dawn. I love it soooo much I am going to use it - and have already put all my addresses in.

More goodies from Dawn, including a DJ Petit postcard just to remind me we are going to Melbourne for a retreat in March! Don't you just love the clay dangle?

I was thrilled to receive a beautiful parcel from Dotee too, including my very own birdie with a little Dotee Chick to tuck in the pocket behind her wing. Beautiful, and I am in awe of the time and skill in placing so many tiny embellishments just to.

Despite the kitch 70's look to this photograph this is a very cute Dotee Christmas bug - love it.

Genevieve made me this little treasure with a diorama on the inside, a wonderful mystery muse gift.

Now I must be off to finish wrapping Christmas Presents, and tidy up a little, but first a nap...

Smiles, Joys and Gratefulness

The 'view' as I leave my room and walk to any other area in my little house. Fish (yes,that is his name) in the bowl, art by Natalie, Misty and I, a lone kangaroo paw in my favourite vase (an old milk bottle) and a light shade I still love after five years of looking at it.

Homemade gifts ready to wrap.

Sunshine and sun scented sheets as summer finally arrives in Western Australia.
The sunlight filtered through the native garden, the rather intense looking Phantom as he enjoys the space and the leaves on the lawn.
The delicious fruit salad chilling as I type.
This knobbly native flower in my back yard.
No more stitches; I had a nasty little melanoma removed just over two weeks ago and my wonderful Doctor had to take WIDE margins. It is so good not to itch, and I am so blessed Geoff was on the ball and picked this up.

The geranium blooming behind washing drying in the sun.
Planning a birthday gift for a special seven year old, to be.

The faded roses against decking stump.
Knowing there are five more sleeps until the school year ends and I can catch up; house work, friends, garden, cleaning and -yes - school work.
Archer's delight when he managed to roll the treat out of his ball, the pile of mulch (a gift from my parents) and the hibiscus (a gift from a friend) in bloom.

Cuddles with my handsome nephew.

In a year where I have had more anti-biotics than in the last dozen combined, and faced more issues than in the last five. In a year where the fur-babies have all had their turn to be ill and the rain has fallen to the point where I wondered about buying a boat. In a year where I have never ever felt 'caught up' there has been much to be grateful for. Too much for one post, so today I am sharing just some of the things which have brought me smiles, moments of joy and made me grateful this very day...

Decisions and a Sale

Earlier in the year I planned to sell my jewellery at some local markets before Christmas. Various health issues and time contraints mean that is not going to happen - and I almost feel a sense of relief, I don't think it was meant to be. I really did feel bound to create 'for the market' each time I sat in the cave.

And yet I am finding it hard to create with a bag full of trinkets sitting homeless beside me. Today I have begun listing items on my etsy - so far all are at the bargain price of $10US - and I can already feel the call to create returning. I now have the desk space and the motivation and with holidays just around the corner I will have time too -yippee!

Starting Christmas ...

Some time ago I asked my friend Dotee if she could make me some faces for Dotee Dolls, very kindly she did so (If you want some pop to her Etsy where she has whole kits for sale). After spending quite some time picking fabrics I started to stitch, planning on making these as a mobile for a friend.

Somehow they began to get a festive feel and now these Christmas Dotees will be given as very special ornaments to brighten a tree at Christmas, and perhaps for the rest of the year too.

I recently bought a cat tunnel, thinking Harvey (who is indoors all day) would like it. Poor Harvey has hardly been allowed in, Charles has adopted the tunnel - complete with its catnip sprinkles and has even managed to move it with him from room to room.

Journey's end

Just over 18 months ago (after attending the Artistic Journey art retreat in Fremantle) I was asked to join seven Australian and six American artists in a journey that was to take 18months; an altered book round robin. I can't say enough about the kindness and talent of this group of ladies - each month has brought a new set of pages to drool over, and a new challenge as I sought inspiration from themes I would never have considered.
The section above is a sneak peak (just under 1/8th) of the pages I did for Marie in her book Urban Debris. I was the last one to work in this amazing book and it is on its merry way to her now.

The village is....

WooHoo! I finally finished the houses to swap at Creative Soul Retreat in March. I laughed at Janet's comment on an earlier posting - that by the end I would be a master builder; I am not sure about that, but by the end I was definitely on a roll and anything on my desk was fair game to become building materials.

And here is Archer smelling scrumptious (please tell me you did not just sniff the screen), after his visit to the Grooming Gallery on Monday.