KenmaursCorner

Champagne bay & Port Vila

2012-02-04T17:25:00.000+10:00

Purrfect kitties

2012-01-27T14:03:00.000+10:00

I am way behind in my Post card swaps for January, but I am finally catching up!
I had thought to use "Sam Wise" as my model, but being unable to find fabrics to play with, and definitelt NOT feeling like preparing my own fabrics, I resorted to a favourite model from an earlier time: Jesse Jomo passed over the Rainbow Bridge in 2007 but his personality lives on.

Some years ago, I received in another Postcard swap a card similar to this, and it always intrigued me. So, with thanks to Patsy for the inspiration, here is my "purrfect cat"

Sam

2011-11-28T18:21:00.000+10:00

The photographer's assistant

Christmas is coming!

2011-11-28T17:58:00.000+10:00

And along with a photo of my sewing area, I share some of my "fabric and fibre" christmas post cards with you.

Mug rugs

2011-11-28T17:41:00.000+10:00

Until a couple of weeks ago, I had never heard the term "mug rug" and I needed to ask some of my online contacts exactly WHAT they were.

Of course, living in a sub-tropical climate I admit that my thinking was slightly coloured by the need for cool drinks, so I was puzzling how to make a stubby cooler to fit a coffee mug!

I was soon set straight with Links to these mug rugs,
and after delving in my recently tidied fabric stash I was slicing, dicing and stitching like a Fury.

Of course, I only needed to make ONE!
But I ended up making ten, and have orders for more.
NOT before Christmas, methinks......my sewing room is nearly tidy again!

Song title:

2011-10-06T16:31:00.001+10:00

One of my favourite songs is Jim Croce "If I could put Time in a bottle",
so, naturally I chose it to represent my current swap postcards for Postmark'dArt Group.

I had it all figured out----combining the lyrics with a (flat) bottle containing parts of de- constructed wrist watches.

I printed the lyrics onto some ExtravOrganza and added a blue border

The problem arose, when after gently wrecking a couple of old battery operated watches, I found that today's watches don't have the cogs and springs that those of yester year contained.
Add to that, the fact that the dials were too thick to include as part of a postcard.

What to do!
Using some TAP paper, I printed out some clip art: An hour glass.
And this was transferred to the card's background fabric....blue, to match the border on the lyric sheet.

Once again, using clip art, I printed some clock faces, and for four of the cards, these were glued to a card bottle shape;
A layer of clear vinyl to create a bottle effect
and the organza sheet was layered over the hourglass in some and the "bottles" on the other four cards.

A fishy tale

2011-09-29T15:16:00.001+10:00

Some six days ago, over on my Wordpress blog
I lamented that I tidied up so well before I went away, that I couldn't find where I'd stored the beginnings of seven fabric and fibre Postcards that I had started on for a Postmark'dArt swap.

Finally after much re organisation, and accepting that I would need start from scratch, I found them, completely by accident>
Honestly, I didn't know just how many bags of knitting fibres I had accumulated; and you guessed it, the cards were nestled into a bag of shaggy fibres: tangled in sea-weed!
I fussy cut the fish from some fabric I've had for at least eight years, and added some gold ink to the dorsal and pectoral fins for a slight emphasis.
Some of the shaggy knitting fibres were used to represent sea weeds and a few heat fused diamante were used to represent air bubbles.

All I need do now, is address them and pop them in the mail.
One (theme) down, and two to go!

Post card collages

2011-08-21T15:56:00.000+10:00

Isn't it weird: We do so many forms of claage in in fabric art, using applique and embellishing (amongst other things), but label it COLLAGE and I go into a blue funk.
These cards are my first attempts ever at a "dedicated collage postcard" and compared with the ones I have received, I have failed dismally.
Needless to say, I have now ordered a book to give me some guidance.it should arrive in the next day or so, and then, maybe then I can rectify my mistakes.

Wish you were here

2011-07-21T15:28:00.001+10:00

The brief for the PostCardMailArt group should we choose to accept it, was TRAVEL.
Where better to travel , than to Australia!
Using various Australiana styled fabrics as my backgrounds,I used images of Australian icons:
The Sydney Opera House; Uluru and some Aboriginal styled holographic stickers.
To these were added passports, luggage stickers and on the REVERSE side of the card
"Wish you were here"

As usual I got carried away, and made more than necessary, so there will be some in reserve for other occasions.
Tomorrow a couple of cards will commence their journeys to California and Kentucky.

Ugly fabric swap

2011-06-26T18:30:00.001+10:00

Mary S ,a member of the PostCardMailArt Group (PCMA) sent me a four inch square of what she thought passed as an UGLY fabric;
My mission was to use enough of the fabric for it to be recognisable
in a completed postcard to be mailed back to her. The green fabric is the ugly!
By using one inch strips to frame the kangaroo silhouettes I hope that Mary is happy with my attempt

Another wandering "baby"

2011-06-23T17:17:00.001+10:00

I opened my bedroom blinds this morning, to let the sun shine in--- and this gorgeous young lady was outside basking in the warm winter sunshine.

I've done all the "right" things: taken her to my Vet to check if she has micro chip ID (NO)

Tattoo in ear denoting having been desexed NO

Her belly fur is matted-- and she appears to have an abdominal hernia.

I photographed her and contacted the RSPCA to register as a "found " cat and as well as my /.554,.details I also emailed them her photo.
Tomorrow I will again notify the Peninsula Animal Aid centre and leave details.

This little lady appears to be a Turkish Van.....has she been a Show cat?
(No trouble getting her into a cat cage, and no "singing" in the car as we went to the Vet's office)
RSPCA asked if I wanted her picked up and put in their custody. Knowing they have a policy of "three days grace and then euthanising" I said NO.

I think there may be interesting times ahead.

Snippets Postcards

2011-06-21T21:00:00.000+10:00

These fabric and fibre postcards are representative of cards produced in the recent PostCardMail Art swap.
One card , titled "If you squint, you can see my garden" came from Deb P in IL (USA)
the "sunset? Sunrise?" came from NancyG, also in the state of IL

(Thank you both)
The two Abstracts are mine.

Recycled clothing

2011-05-25T14:21:00.000+10:00

Finally I have finished the series for the "Recycled Clothing" for the PostCardMailArt group.It has been an interesting exercise learning to use my left foot on the sewing machine control, instead of the right (which is in plaster for another four weeks)

The fabrics I used in a crazy patch style go back some 29 years!
One I wore to my son's wedding, and the others came from blouses and after-five wear.
Some weeks back I was wandering around a local scrap booking shop when I spied a packet of dress-maker's dummies, and I already had some minute clothes hangers from another project, so I "fashioned" something to display on the dummies

You've got mail!

2011-05-07T18:49:00.001+10:00

I have been very slack this year in updating my blog(s)
But I am still creating, albeit rather slowly.

The first two pics were based on the topic "Urban focus":

The brief being to

"Take picture of an overlooked city feature (manhole covers, crosswalk stripes, street lights, doorbells, shop awnings) and interpret it Mail by April 30th. "

I had GREAT ideas of showing maybe the Storm water drains that flowed out on my local beaches;

 road barricades, as my area upgrades roads in a popular shopping/cafe precinct.

I photographed road signs dealing with    DOG WALKING/friendly areas

                                          Rubbish bins

                                          Street scape spotlights.

But finally I decided upon a love of mine: TENNIS!

So I give you "Chain wire surrounding tennis courts"!

The other cards refer to a swap on "stitchin fingers" site: where the brief was needle felting involving ribbons.

The first pic shows a needle felted

 background on an unused diaper lining; and needle felted silk ribbon forming flowers.

Back yard birds

2011-04-10T12:37:00.007+10:00

I always love it when the various bird species come to visit. This one, is a Little Corella

which although fairly common in the suburbs, becomes more so, as Winter (the Dry season) draws closer. As we have had such a prolific Wet Summer season the Corellas and Galahs are taking advantage of the blossoms and seed pods that are forming.

Consequently, my bird bath is regularly full of debris! But it's a small price to pay for regular visitors

Girlie postcard

2011-04-10T12:23:00.003+10:00

I volunteered to make a post-card for swapping on the "stitchin fingers" site where the theme currently is "girlie"

Still being in a bit of a recycle mode after my recent Recycled cards for Postmark'dArt group,

I once again used paper fabric as the foundation, and added "fussy cut" pieces from an Avon catalogue.

To me, the pink, ruffled dress seemed so "girlie" and feminine!

Adding some lace, crystals, beads and ribbon completed the card.

curli's photostream

2011-04-01T13:30:00.001+10:00

curli's photostream on Flickr.

The photos of the postcards that Blogger would not accept via Picasa.

Recycled

2011-04-01T13:12:00.004+10:00

For some reason unknown to me, Blogger will not accept any new blogs I attempt to add via my Picasa account.

So for the umpteenth time (well, it seems that way to me ) I'll try to post and add photos from here.

If you prefer go read it over on http://maureenc.wordpress.com/

AND SEW IT GOES: Another beetle and a little tutorial

2011-03-25T10:22:00.001+10:00

AND SEW IT GOES: Another beetle and a little tutorial

From Brenda Gael Smith's "Serendipity" I surfed over to Terry Grant's blog :"And Sew it goes"

and found this interesting tutorial.

As I work a lot with A4 sized quilts, this will come in so handy !!

Thank you Terry

HAIKU ART..: Sunshine

2011-03-22T16:04:00.000+10:00

HAIKU ART..: Sunshine

Haiku: Using "sunshine" as the word prompt

2011-03-20T17:28:00.002+10:00

Listed below, three other attempts at expressing "sunshine" in Haiku:

1..Sun shines brilliantly

Copper contrasts with blue sky;

Grey clouds quickly hide.

2..Sun beams brilliantly

Golden contrasts in blue sky;

Melancholy flees.

3.. Blazing ball of fire

Temperatures rising;

Grasses shrivel crisp.

March Haiku : Sunshine

2011-03-20T17:23:00.002+10:00

As usual, I had several attempts at composing this month's haiku, using the word prompt of sunshine.
I finally settled for

" Molten copper ball
In cerulean blue sky;
Surf tumbling on shore."

My A4 sized quiltlet was formed with the background of Lutradur bonded to blue homespun.
Using a card stencil I laid Expandapaint in the shape of a corona; heat treated it to get dimensional effect and then gilded it.
Using silk fabric and Angelina film I created the "ball"...the actual sun.
Next was to applique the sea tumbling on the white shores.

Possum and the Rainbow bridge

2011-02-18T15:25:00.000+10:00

As if yesterday wasn't heartbreaking enough, this morning my beloved Possum crossed the Rainbow Bridge to be re united with Cadbury,
and hopefully Billie the kid and Jesse Jomo will be waiting to welcome them.

Yes, it was "time" for our Duchess to suffer no more. She reached the grand old age of nineteen years, not bad for a "street kid" from Amberley .
Like Caddie, Poss brought so much love and affection into our lives.
And asked little in return......except feed me, share your bed with me and let's watch TV together in the Recliner rocker.

It will be a quiet house...I will miss her squawks asking "where are you?"
Or her patting my arm or face reminding me that she was sharing the pillow with me.

The first photo of Possum was taken about 9am today.
The others were taken February 3, after Mandy had given her a hair cut.

Rest easy Possum...you will be missed

Farewell (Princess) Caddie

2011-02-17T22:44:00.000+10:00

The Rainbow Bridge
Way back in 1993 my daughter Colleen visited the IPSWICH (Queensland ) markets and saw a tiny scrap of (feline) fur contained in a fishbowl!
For those of you who know Ipswich in the Summer, you can imagine how debilitated this tiny scrap of a kitten was!
Colleen harassed the stall holder so much that he GAVE her potplants AND the kitten to
GO AWAY.

The poor little mite had not even been weaned........she was taken to a vet....... and then CARED for.

And her life expectancy was not high.

At that stage, BODIE, my elegant black neutered male was the only cat in my life.
Colleen said"Mum! Bodie needs a companion"
Mum said NO.
But over the years, Fate takes a twist
My daughter needed move to the city and do extra study.....

Colleen's four cat people and one German shepherd came home to Grannie and Gramps

I'm sure you have heard the comment"Somewhere a cat is waiting"
(And Caddie was THAT cat!)
All five of them Billie (the Kid)
Jesse (Jomo)
Possum (aka the Duchess and the Kitchen goddess)
Cadbury (aka Caddie/Caddie shack/ aka the Princess)
and Kaiser (the adorable German shepherd) made their home at "Kenmark"
and brought so much joy and unconditional LOVE into my life.

Sadly, as of tonight, Possum/Poss/ the Duchess is the survivor of that family.
I had to make the decision to send my sweet Cadbury over the Rainbow Bridge

A Sparkling Butterfly 0001

2011-02-16T11:43:00.000+10:00

Creating Angelina Appliques Part 2

2011-02-16T11:35:00.000+10:00

Creating Angelina Appliques Part 1

2011-02-16T11:34:00.000+10:00

AAQI Postcards

2011-02-15T16:52:00.000+10:00

At last!
Today I made an effort to complete my submissions for the ALZHEIMERS ART QUILT INITIATIVE.

When I made my last batch of "paper fabric", I had this project in mind.
Because I had chosen the theme of the cards I would be making would be
"The song has ended, but the memory lingers on"
I chose to incorporate sheet music with lavendar flowers from a paper table napkin.
The face I used from the sheet music was muted too much by the layers of tissue paper, so I used my Intense water colour pencils to increase the colour depth.

Unfortunately with many Alzheimer patients, their short term memory is lost very quickly,and family and friends are often heartbroken by the patient's memories of the long distant past, especially when they are not recognised as being the nearest and dearest.

The third card will be recognisable as being from a recent "ELEMENTS: Water" series.
Because we all need a dream to sustain us, I have renamed this card "Coral Sea Dreaming".
Where better to dream than on an island surrounded by clear clean waters?

February Haiku: (Romantic) LOVE

2011-02-12T14:58:00.000+10:00

After using "Patriotic" Love for my first attempt for the February Haiku,
I thought to try my hand at "Romantic" Love:

I finally decided on showing two of my attempts on the one art piece
which was constructed using a piece of pink Lutradur which has been "washed" with a layer of Lumiere
Pearlescent / Magenta paint.

I appliqued three floral fabric hearts, and one heart outline in the same material to the background Lutradur.
In the top left hand corner, I added a textured cardboard heart which had also been washed with the Pearlescent Lumiere paint.
The heart outline had sprays of green vine embellishment added , and in the quilting lines within the heart I wrote in metallic gold ink:

"New love flourishes
Blissful days and nights
Soul mates forever."

In the shadow quilting above the heart I wrote:

"Love's sweet melodies
Bliss filled days and nights
Valentines always. "

Unfortunately, my photographic skills are not up to making the gold writing easier to read.

Postmark'dArt : Buttons

2011-02-09T19:39:00.000+10:00

All that needs be done now, is to address, and mail these fabric and fibre postcards.

Then---I can return to working on a couple of cards for the AAQI.(Alzheimers Art Quilt Initiative)

February haiku

2011-02-09T12:17:00.000+10:00

The word for this month's challenge is "love".
I chose the love for one's country

PATRIOTISM

for my theme, and this is my journalled page.

Nearly there!

2011-02-07T18:15:00.000+10:00

Today a few more buttons and seam treatments were added,as was also the reverse side of the piece.
I've had this sheet of "buttons" for about five years, waiting for the "right piece"

Now I'm ready to cut and divide the square into six postcard sized pieces and then finish the raw edges, and hopefully, by week's end five of the cards will be on their way to new homes.

Postmark'dArt : Round 12 :A WiP

2011-02-06T13:46:00.000+10:00

The themes for Round 12 of Postmark'dArt group were posted on the group's notice board a few days back.I chose Buttons
Recycled
Bridges
Element: EARTH
for my themes.
As we had a limit of six people per group I thought it would be a good chance to employ the method suggested for the ELEMENTS over the past few rounds.
Commence with a 12.5 inch square of interfacing (my choice is FAST2FUSE) and construct one large block, then divide into six (6x4inch) postcards
Add backing; "finish" edges; Address and pop into a mail box.

In my fabric stash, I have a few pieces of button themed fabric, none of which really have a commonality of colour ways, so I added a few pieces of plain homespun and used a Crazy patch method of constructing the basic block.
To the crazy patched block I am adding embellishments in the form of buttons, sequins, braids and laces.
(More still needed)
If you look closely, you can see yellow marking lines: this is where the large block will be divided into six.
I also have a button themed paper to use on the reverse side to complete the theme.

Work in Progress: Tropic seas dreaming

2011-01-30T14:56:00.000+10:00

Another fabric and fibre "quilt" to accompany another of my Haikus attempted during January:

Tropic seas dreaming
Under moon coral reefs spawns
Life begins anew

The "quilt" to represent the haiku was based on a photo by Pawel Achtel.
Its size is "Journal size" : 8.5 by 11 inches

The white coral in the foreground was built up using Xpandaprint, and has six strands DMC embroidery thread and Coats Crochet No.8 to add contrast.
Needle felting in greens and cream were also added mainly on the right hand side.
Small sequins and pearl beads are used to represent the coral spawn, but I feel that more need be added to mirror the millions of coral spawn floating upward on the tide.

Paper fabric

2011-01-29T09:35:00.002+10:00

Yesterday was good weather for making some more paper fabric for later use.
I'm not altogether happy with the results, as I was "experimenting" in a "what if" mode.As usual I commenced with a layer of muslin and favourite colour ways: lavender , blue and pink tissues.
(Note to self: get out of the rut and buy some orange, purple & red tissue paper for a change!)

The first piece I used some old sheet music as I had the idea of theming it
The song is gone, but the melody lingers on
See March 2008 blogging

To my mind, I spoiled the effect by including large pieces of Angelina film, when I should have used only slivers of it.
Never mind....they can be cut out and used for something else in another project'

The second piece I layered flower sequins in the tissue paper. I was wondering if I would have trouble with airbubbles forming and the tissue tearing.
One thing I found was a new tool!
My silicon scraper makes a great tool for smoothing the wet tissue.!
I also use a foam stencil brush and splodged silver glitter powder on the paper. Nice effect I think.

The third piece was a re-jigged failure from last year, after I found that metallic tissue is NOT transparent.
I used yellow and spring green strips of tissue over those flower sequins again.Probably some Lumiere paint will be washed over the sheet, later.

The flood continues

2011-01-14T18:45:00.000+10:00

About 3pm today I went to check how murky Moreton Bay is, with all the floodwaters and flood debris that have flowed into it.
Today's photos revealed oily, silt heavy waters, with trees, large planks, furniture ,dead fish and birds, plastic barrels, and parts of boat ramps.

For an area that is a designated marine park, the mess is horrendous......and there will be more to follow as the flood waters survive.

You may have heard of the Drift Cafe that broke it's moorings at Milton, and crushed into the bridges?
The following link will show you where it finally came to rest at Sandgate, a little further south than Scott's Beach/Redcliffe

HAIKU ART..: (Beginnings) Fire-storm

2011-01-12T00:57:00.000+10:00

HAIKU ART..: (Beginnings) Fire-storm: "Fire-stormSummer fire stormsLand lies scorched and blackened.Rains revitalize."

Breakfast at Woody Point

2011-01-08T20:32:00.000+10:00

I may not have access to the wildlife/birds that I had when I lived at Moodlu nearly four years ago, but I am still blessed that mature flowering trees entice the birdlife in for a feed.st over my back fence, are a Euodia (rain forest tree);
a Poinciana, which due to incessant rains has lost its blossoms, and an African Tulip tree (Spathodea "something")
The birds love their blossoms and their nectar,
As the Euodia is in bloom, the Rainbow Lorikeets have vacated the Tulip tree (the canopies of the three trees intertwine) to allow the Galahs and Corellas to dine in peace.

Murky Moreton Bay

2011-01-07T17:29:00.000+10:00

I was awoken this morning by a thunder storm! More rain!
As the weather bureau issued a severe weather and high tide warning for south-east Queensland coastal areas,I thought I might get some good pictures.
With the dams having controlled releases there is yet more flood debris making it's way into Moreton Bay, so much so, that even the most dedicated kite surfers were sitting on the lawns at Margate Beach, rather than risking life & limb.
One of my favourite walkways was covered in light debris that had been blown over the sea wall:sea weed and plant material made the concrete pathway a tad slippery.

Anyway, no really spectacular shots I'm afraid, but I thought you might like to see the Bay when it is not so pretty.
Anyway I ENJOYED my walk, and certainly a few cobwebs got blown away!

Finally....

2011-01-06T17:25:00.001+10:00

My idea for "Firestorm" started taking shape way back in February 2010 after the devastating summer fires swept through Australia's southern states.
However volunteering at TAFE, joining in Postmark'dArt Round 11 swaps, and completing an embroidered cushion cover for my friend Lottie, put the project on the back burner for a few months

One of my New Year Resolutions was to at least complete the Unfinished Project as soon as possible.
It is with great satisfaction I can now say......"Firestorm" is as complete as it will ever be!

Now........I wonder what can be done with "mud and flooding rains"?

Haiku...January "Beginnings"

2011-01-06T11:52:00.000+10:00

Tropic seas dreaming
Coral reef spawning polyps
Life begins anew.

I've got maill!

2011-01-01T16:05:00.000+10:00

Two other cards received in the last days of the year included
From LindaK "The waters of Missouri--the clear streams and the muddy Mississipi"
as her interpretation of the ELEMENTS: Water

Also received was a delightful "No theme" (Leaves) from LynS of Sacramento.
This is one card that will be framed, as Autumn leaves/Autumn are favourites of mine.

I've got mail

2011-01-01T15:55:00.000+10:00

A couple of days back, I received a fabric and fibre postcard from Janice S of MI state.
It was the final of my Round 10 Postmark'dArt ELEMENTS: Fire to arrive.
As usual, the reverse of Janice's card is as great as the main side.

Today's mail

2010-12-09T19:14:00.000+10:00

Today's mail brought a UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICES envelope to my mail box.
On opening it I recalled that JaniceS said her post master felt the card might be safer in a sealed envelope.

The postcard (another in Round 11 of Postmark'dArt exchange) was Janice's No theme card to me.
She chose "Haiku" which is a favourite of mine....not that I'm too successful in composing Haiku.

Both sides of the card were so good.....I had to share both with you.

Petroglyphs

2010-12-06T18:10:00.000+10:00

Round 11 swap for Petroglyphs has seen four cards arrive in my letter box:
From my good friend Vivian......you should visit her blog sometime

www.vivianhelena.com

Janice Simpson.........we have been swapping postcards for three or four years now.
Liz T in MN
Mary K in Tacoma WA
Some have used batik fabrics, others use stamps and paint.

Landscapes in one colour

2010-12-06T17:57:00.000+10:00

So far I have received SEVEN "Landscapes in one colour" for Round 11 swap of Postmark'dArt.
You know of the one from EvieH in New Zealand.
The other SIX have all travelled from the U.S.: From VA, Mi,Ma;Pa (two cards) and Ca.
Thanks ladies, they are all truly unique!

I've got mail

2010-12-06T17:48:00.000+10:00

The weather may be incredibly WET and grey in south-east Queensland (In fact we were 18 mm short of breaking the rainfall record for the first five days of December) but I was cheered to find that two cards from Evie H in NZ had arrived!
One card represented the Landscape in one colour theme: "Hot Landscape".
No
The second fitted the No theme category as was a "Treescape"

Thanks Evie!

Postmark'dArt : Dragons & Peacocks

2010-12-01T15:52:00.000+10:00

The final swap I chose to share in in Round 11, was "NO THEME"
However I chose to use Dragons and Peacocks: Die cut rice paper shapes I bought in Beijing some eleven years ago.
We were in the craft/sewing section of the Rainbow Shopping centre, when I saw these fragile papers: Dragons, Peacocks and Tigers.
Of course I just HAD to have them....and now I share them with my contacts through Postmark'dArt.
Because the papers are so fragile, I have enclosed them in either black tulle or white Organza and kept embellishment to a minimum.

Now to address them, brave the pouring rain and mail them~~~~~"just" within the deadline.

Postmark'dArt: ELEMENTS: Water

2010-12-01T13:12:00.000+10:00

One of the challenges in Round 11 Swap that is currently at it's "use by date", is
ELEMENTS.....Water

I tried out several ideas--
The first one, was a BLUE Hole in the ocean: Unfortunately, my ambition exceeded my capabilities. However, I will keep attempting to do it more successfully in the future.
In Moreton Bay (south east Queensland) at the southern end of Moreton Island, is a blue hole, strangely surrounded by shallows where dugongs and turtles live.

The second attempt I tried to think and work slightly outside the square,
in that I tried a reverse applique of the Kanjii symbol for 'water'.
Again I didn't like the result.

Finally, in a weekend newspaper, I chanced upon an advertisement for Heron Island on the Great Barrier Reef.
I had my inspiration!
So, 12 seascapes later, I had completed my challenge. I hope my swappers enjoy my attempt.

TWELVE seascapes I hear you thinking! I only needed make six, but somehow I didn't register the number required...so now I think I'll frame a few for presents.

Mixed-Media Textile Art (Download) - Interweave

2010-11-26T14:32:00.000+10:00

Mixed-Media Textile Art (Download) - Interweave

Collage Fast & Furious (Download) - Interweave

2010-11-26T14:30:00.000+10:00

Collage Fast & Furious (Download) - Interweave

No fairies at the bottom of my garden

2010-11-19T14:44:00.000+10:00

Just a few pics of blooms in my garden!
My pocket handkerchief sized "jungle" is blooming luvverly, and is an excellent place to enjoy quiet times.

I love a sunburnt country!

2010-11-19T14:40:00.000+10:00

Finally completed and in the mail system, are my nine cards "Landscape in one colour" for the Round 11 swap of Postmark'dArt.

At this point, I need add that strictly speaking, my cards are not one colour, or shades of one colour;
but I always feel that one colour needsa contrast to keep it alive.

As my inspiration, I used the poem "My Country" by Dorothea Mackellar:

Particularly the verse

"I love a sunburnt country
A land of sweeping plains
Of ragged mountain ranges,
Of droughts and flooding plains
I love her far horizons
I love her jewel sea
Her beauty and her terror
The wide brown land for me"

Think of the reddish browns of the Hammersley Range in north western Australia, and this is what I have tried to emulate

My Country - Poem by Dorothea MacKellar

2010-11-19T14:34:00.000+10:00

My Country - Poem by Dorothea MacKellar

Colouricious Christmas - Talking Threads with Mary Gamester

2010-11-12T17:33:00.000+10:00

WWF - Tigers - Tigers Among US

2010-11-05T06:26:00.000+10:00

WWF - Tigers - Tigers Among US

Come into my garden!

2010-08-09T17:25:00.000+10:00

It may be less than a pocket handkerchief in size, but I love the way my miniature rainforest has developed from my original plans a little over three years ago.

A visit from my son over the weekend, resulted in a larger mirror placed on the southern fence, and the reclining buddha regaining his position among the flowering jasmine on the eastern fence

Acanthus

2010-08-09T16:58:00.000+10:00

Acanthus: also known as Oyster flower or Bear's paw
blooming happilt in my garden

Firestorm

2010-08-09T16:41:00.000+10:00

I am getting tired of forming and stitching down flames, so after adding orange organza over some of the tyvek "flames" today, I have roughly pinned a black "frame" around the piece.
No other colour but black seems to complete the effect.

Some gemstone "rocks" and red beaded sparks, I hope will complete the firestorm.

Photos on Artist's canvas

2010-07-25T00:44:00.000+10:00

Preparing fabrics for printing

2010-07-24T16:04:00.002+10:00

This post is in answer to Kath, who left a comment regarding preparing fabric for printing a soft book for her baby...

Below is my reply to her......
I'm no expert at this type of thing ....so if anyone else has anything constructive to add please do so

I'm guessing that as it's for your baby, you want to be able to launder it?
I'm not really sure how the methods below will stand up to frequent laundering .
I have made quilts and soft books that have been washed many times,
but!
I used fabric paints!And one quilt is 22 years old.........(grandson) and I am surprised that it lasted so well when his mother
machine washed it at least weekly for 8 years.
That was painted with Scarecrow figures.
The other featured the "Bananas in Pyjamas" and it is now 14 years old.

Back to treating fabric:
One method is to initially wash your cotton fabric to remove any dressing from the fabric, then soak fabric in FABRIC SOFTENER and allow to drip dry.
I use A4 size (8by 11" ) and cut freezer paper to measure and lay fabric on the Freezer paper.
Once printed leave aside to dryand heat set with a hot iron.
I tend to use a sheet of baking parchment to prevent scorching fabric.

There is a product in Australia known as Bubble jet set and you use much the same way as the
Fabric softener.
When you have finished with the BJS pour back into bottle for next time.

Oh! I tend to use a cat litter tray for both methods. Naturally it is used only for my fabrics lol

Then again you can now buy treated fabrics specifically for printing on:
Made by BLUMENTHAL Craft www.blumenthallansing.com

and made in the U.S. they sell 100% Silk Habotai (6 sheets 81/2 inch by 11)
Cotton Twill " :
Artist Canvas same packaging,

So far I have only tried the Artist's canvas, and it was a disaster! It would not feed through my new Epson [printer.
As yet I haven't had time to try out the silk or the cotton twill
But pages of artist canvas, gesso treated go through no problem. Go figure!

Jacquard www.jacquardproducts.com

market ExtraOrganza a sheer Organza and I love to use it overlaid over other fabrics and colours to add another dimension.

I hope this has been of some use to you..........would love to see some photos of your project.

You've got mail!

2010-07-11T16:35:00.000+10:00

The postcards from the Round 10 swap on Postmark'dArt are still trickling into my letter box.

Each is so different in theme,technique and execution , as the brief was entitled "Anything goes"
Luckily the artists are always willing to share their thoughts and methods,so I not only receive a card but learn new methods along the way.
How good is that!

Cyclamen

2010-07-09T11:43:00.000+10:00

Yesterday was my birthday...and this delightful potted Cyclamen was my daughter's gift to me.
Only last week she was lecturing me about NOT getting anymore potted plants to "clutter" my patio with.

When I queried WHY, the comment was
"I thought it better to give you something to kill yourself, rather than cut flowers which are already partly dead!"

Don't you LOVE daughters' logic !!

Iceland poppies

2010-07-05T07:51:00.000+10:00

Twelve hours (overnight) and the poppy has flipped its cap and is fully open

July Garden

2010-07-04T16:28:00.000+10:00

Not much happening here...the past week has been wet and wintery.
Today is clear,sunny and cool and so some photoes of patches in colour in my garden are for your enjoyment

Firstly, there is the first Iceland Poppy bursting its bud and giving a welcome glow of gold.

A few feet away from the poppies, is a tub of Salvia (I forget its botanical name,sorry) and some Impatiens.

Work in hand!

2010-05-29T12:37:00.000+10:00

A piece measuring twelve inches wide by 24 inches long,this is an abstract piece using several methods.

I chose Orange (a tone on tone print that I overlaid with a toning Crystal Organza)
Blue (royal blue with an overlay of Crystal Organza)
Brown/tan with a small black print

Sun,sea and sky, and land are represented by this choice of fabric.

These were cut and stitched before I began work on the hands---

Using prepped artist's canvas I washed the hands with Gold Lumiere paint.
Added dimension was achieved using a hot glue gun...these swirls were then embossed with a gold embossing paste rubbed in.

In the sun section: between the base fabric and the overlaid organza I positioned (apricot coloured) die-cut paper flowers for extra interest.

UFOs

2010-05-16T15:21:00.000+10:00

A small section of my work room,showing Works in Progress: "unfinished pieces"

Sad smile. The "Firestorm" will not be completed until "Hands on" is finished.

Then,there is a cushion cover,started in early January for a January birthday.I had forgotten how time consuming and uncomfortable, colonial and french knots are to work on in our humid summer weather!

Add to that, the Crazy quilted Rainbow garden blocks that are lurking underneath those two UFOs in the photo.....and you will realize that I'm not as obsessed with stitching as I used to be.

At least the weather is cooling down: Twenty-one degree C in the house today.....and grey and overcast outside.

Work in progress

2010-05-16T12:12:00.000+10:00

I have been battling with this quilt for longer that I wished.......it has a mind of it's own,I'm afraid.
Measuring 12 inches wide,by 24 inches long, it was to be for the Australia/New Zealand/Art quilts May challenge.
I DID have ideas of using some prime colours and building it into a combined Sun and Fire theme........
Note,I did say "did".

Somewhere along the way.........
I have used artist's canvas and hot glue to create the hands........
Toning organza has been layered over the orange and midnight blue cottons, and paper flower cut-outs layered in the quarter circle Orange at the top.

ELEMENTS: Fire

2010-02-26T14:59:00.000+10:00

A few weeks back I mentioned that I needed to craft a 12.5 inch square representing

ELEMENTS: Fire.

My first attempt is still languishing.awaiting completion as a small quilt.

The second attempt,I once again based around a firestorm through paddocks----
This time,instead of working one one scene, I thought of the burning paddocks as separate entities.

Initially I started with a piece of homespun that I over-painted with orange,scarlet and vermilion to represent the fiery atmosphere.

Using Xpanda print and then later,black Neopaque paint , I built up some fence posts at the foreground of each "paddock"
Before painting the posts,I heat treated them to expand and add a dimension to the piece.
Some posts have glowing embers eating at them.

Using various shades and fabrics(which included,cottons,silks and organza) I added flame shapes,and then using some black cord, some stark skeletons of trees.

I hope the recipients of my cards enjoy.

Now,to complete that quilt!

Paper fabric

2010-02-10T21:00:00.000+10:00

Paper fabric? Fabric paper?
What's the difference?

Back in 2004 in an edition of Cloth Paper Scissors, I read an article by Breyl Taylor,referring to combining/fusing paper with fabric to make a "fabric",that although it looked

like paper,it could be used like fabric.
Not long after that,I purchased Beryl's book "Mixed Media Explorations" which talked of her method for"Fabric Paper"

Also in 2007, again in "CPS"kelli Perkins published an article on making mixed- media fabric paper......and I was "hooked'!
My first attempts at this process were entered in Virginia Spiegel's "Fibre Art for a Cause" in 2008.......I had just lost my husband to Prosate Cancer,so my theme was "The Melody Lingers on"
and the same motifs (lavender) plus sheet music and shells were combined to produce the pieces I submitted.

Today's "sample uses similar---the same lavendar motif from the original paper napkin,pink,blue and lavebnder tissue paper------and that is where I stopped this afternoon.

Maybe I will add further Lumiere (painted)high lights and other embellishments......who knows?
Come back for a visit......and see what happens!

WiP Elements: Fire

2010-02-10T18:02:00.000+10:00

One of Postmark'dArt group current challenge is to interpret the Element Fire as six postcards.

Being Summer in my country I chose to use "bushfires" to represent the element.
However as my idea took shape I could see that so much detail would be lost by cutting this 12.5 inch square into six (4by 6 inch) postcards.
Consequently this will eventually end up as a 12 inch square art quilt.

The background material was a grey patterned cotton fabric that I over washed with vermilion,orange and gold; both in opaque and transparent acrylic paints.

Using Xpandapaint,I then applied the tree skeleton and the fence posts.
I heat treated these and then painted over them with black to represent burnt surroundings.

The next phase,was to paint some Tyvek with Lumiere mettalic gold neopaque paints in my version of flame colours.
The Tyvek was then distressed with heat, and I set about the fiddly process of cuting flame shapes from the Tyvek as well as from some flame coloured silk to applique to represent the firestorm.

As I said.....this is a work in progress!

What do you do...............?

2009-09-27T20:56:00.000+10:00

When your daughter phones you, and says "she needs a BIG favour"??
If you're a dummy like me,you say "OK baby" and then ask for the details...........

Today,Colleen was driving down a major roadway,when she saw "FOUND"
Being my darling girl,she couldn't leave "Found/Rescued" where he was at risk, could she.........

THEN when he was safely in her car.....practicality kicked in........she couldn't take him home,because Bella the German Shepherd would reduce him to mince-meat.
She didnt want to overburden the RSPCA,because they had just seized some 200 dogs & puppies from a puppy farm...... .Peninsula Animal Aid was closed...........

O GOOD ol'Mum is a soft touch...............nuff said!!

Maybe "overnight" might change my mind...if he whinges a lot.....
but he is one sweet baby (so far)

I have left details with the RSPCA as a "FOUND"
Tomorrow ,when the office opens,I'll contact Moreton Bay Council for details of his registration....and see if I can contact his humans.......

Colleen......I hate to admit it honey......but I hope I cant find his humans......

As I said...overnight behaviour might change my thinking...........

BUT
he is one sweet baby!

(Watch this space)

Ready to mail out

2009-09-14T15:52:00.000+10:00

PostmarkdArt: Sunrise/Sunset

2009-09-14T13:52:00.000+10:00

If all goes to plan ,today will finally see my twelve "Sunrise/Sunset" themed postcards for Postmark'dArt Round 9 being completed.
Shown here,are six of them; the others just need the finishing around their edges.
I leave it to you to decide which represent the two varying times.

For some crazy reason,all the time I've been playing with this theme,the song sung by the character Tevye in "Fiddler on the Roof" kept haunting me----

So in order to lay that ghost to rest,I have an idea for a mini quilt .....when my committments to Round Nine are in the mail.

Back now to complete the other six cards. Ciao!

RSPCA cup cake day

2009-08-19T13:56:00.000+10:00

August 17 was designated RSPCA Cupcake Day and several women from a certain government department decided to do their bit for the cause.
Accordingly,last Sunday they got together for a group bakeoff at one of their homes.
(I was the designated photographer for the day,and the above photos illustrate that it was not all work.

Yesterday I learned that the fantastic four had raised (Au) $350.........not bad for an afternoon's effort.

Already they are focussing on the next "cause".......

"Go bananas for Orangutans" WSPA World Animal Week 4-10 October

Will it be a BANANA CAKE BAKE-OFF
a BANANARAMA Karoke session
or a Banana boar race??????

You can be sure that these gals will have FUN raising funds

Reverse of "Do you remember"

2009-08-15T12:58:00.000+10:00

As promised.....view of reverse of Janice's card

Work in progress

2009-08-15T12:40:00.000+10:00

This is blogged to show Belle that I am still playing with wool!
Back in 2006 Belle and I attended a workshop on needle felting..and attempting to make figures.
Not long after I received from Belle a n/f postcard featuring a frangipani.
Using a totally different and not at all natural colours,this is my attempt.

Memo to self: it is much easier to use commercially made felt for the background,than hand felting blanks.
Actually the background had been felted for my sunrise/sunset theme,but somewhere along the way..............

I've got mail!

2009-08-15T12:24:00.000+10:00

As a member of Postmark'dArt
I signed up for the Round 9 swap,and some of the cards are beginning to arrive in my letter box.

First there was one from Franki Kohler based on Elements: Leaves

Franki used a sunprinting method with Setacolour paints,geranium leaves and rock salt.
She is also the author of 'fast fun & easy" FABRIC POSTCARDS published by C&T publishing.....and has some great tips for making mailable art.

The other three postcards are on the theme SUNRISE-SUNSET and are the works of Janice Simpson,Alison Ray and Laurie Walton.

Laurie sponge painted her fabric and added a tatted giraffe reaching for hand stitched leaves.

Alison used hot air balloons against a sunrise...slight padding to add dimension to the balloons and some glitter.

Janice printed a silhouette of a jiving couple and asked "Do you remember"
The other side of the card is very striking with striped painted fabric and list of things to remember from our teenage years.
I'll include a pic of the reverse side of the card in my next blogging.

ELEMENTS : leaves

2009-08-01T12:25:00.000+10:00

Ready to be mailed to those participating in the current round of ELEMENTS : Leaves

ELEMENTS : Leaves

2009-07-22T15:28:00.000+10:00

My brief is to take a 12 by 12 inch square of Fast2Fuse or similar material and create LEAVES.
Whether I make one leaf or cover the entire surface with leaves is my choice.
The twelve inch square is then to be cut into six (4 x 6 inch sized) postcards ,and mail off five of the cards to the others participating.

On the message side of each card I need to describe specifically and clearly the materials and processes used.

After thinking about the challenge for a couple of months,I decided to use one of my favourite themes:
No prize for guessing
that I chose AUTUMN which gave me the opportunity to employ the pressed and dried Maple and Gingko leaves that I brought home from Japan last year.

Using some Homespun cotton fabric and Pebeo transparent paints I applied a wash to the fabric as back ground for the leaves.

The leaves were scanned and adjusted, and finally I printed the scanned leaves to the treated fabric using Celcast fabric carrier sheets.

And that is as far as I have progressed............(watch this space)

Phoenix rising

2009-07-20T16:18:00.000+10:00

I bet that Doreen never expected to see this happen.........her CQ block finally completed!

I've been feeling rather bad about the situation,I must admit that Doreen's block has been in my possession for over twelve months....
and apart from a yet unfinished Candlewicked piece.......this is the longest I've ever taken.
My sincere apologies,Doreen

Life has been a bit weird this year-----
I embarked on a TAFE course for Tutoring in Literacy & Numeracy-----and didnt realise just how time consuming that would become,between lectures,assignments,practical classes etc.

Then,my hip decided it "was time" for a total replacement!
The day before surgery four weeks ago,I handed in my final assignment for assessment and accreditation..........
and yes,I arrived home from hospital to find I had received my accreditation.

(I felt very pleased about that)

So Doreen,I then applied myself to your block............I hope the long wait was worthwhile.

My ' creative juices' are starting to kick in again.....after a very long time when nothing seemed to work.
maybe just feeling well has made the difference

I have scanned some Japanese maple leaves (from last year's trip) painted some fabric;
then printed the leaves to the fabric;
and now am ready to try and make some "LEAVES" postcards for a Postmark'dart swap.

Oh! the hip! Just call me Lurch (smile)
Everything is healing well;pain is minimal;
all I need is for the surgeon to give me the all clear so I can go back to driving,walking and swimming.

Sunday lunch

2009-03-08T13:47:00.004+10:00

Upper photo: Okonomiyaki cafe in Hiroshima......November 2008

Lower photo: Okonomiyaki at Redcliffe jetty Markets March 2009

Can it really be three months since I last blogged!

I remember how when I first started (blogging) back about 2003/4 I religiously added 'something' daily...........but these last seven months I've slipped badly.

Perhaps now that Summer is officially over (but the weather gods haven't taken notice of the calendar!)

Things may cool down weatherwise and once again I'll get back to my fabrics and fibre creations.

As a Category 4 cyclone "Hamish" is cruising southwards from FNQ (far north Queensland) and it has been suggested we start preparing "just in case"'

I went shopping for a few staples ,then ventured on to wander through the Jetty Markets at Redcliffe.

A lovely day to be by the waterside....the Markets are in the parkland just above the beach,in an area dotted with lovely shady Norfolk pines.

Picture it!

All the tents dotted among the pines and displaying their colourful and delightfully perfumed wares......clothes (Bali style clothing so suited to our hot and steamy Summers)

Crafty things from beading,crocheting,decoupage..........

Food: Jams,olives,olive oil,avocado oils,turkish breads,homemade sweets,fruit,vegetables............

For the soul.....scented candles,incense,essential oils

Greenish-blue water lapping at the creamy sand; The wonderful sounds of three

didgeridoo's throbbing in harmony as one artist kept us entralled with his skill.....

Happy people enjoying the musician's skill.....he was really "on song " today.

And then I found it!

"Japanese foods"http://www.ii-na.com/

run by Kristy & Daisuke Mori.

So this very happy little vegemite had Okonomiyaki for lunch..............and loved every mouthful.

For some reason some reason the photos insist on remaining at the top of the blog.............and I'm so rusty in blogging skills these days I have forgotten how to reposition them.

By the way......the bright pink garnish on the Redcliffe version is pickled ginger.

YUMEDONO

2008-12-09T22:22:00.000+10:00

Another model ,replicating the original Yumedono of the Horyu temple in Nara.

This piece was created in 1993 in commemoration of the centennial anniversary of cultured pearls

The Mikimoto Pearl island is just offshore from the city of Toba in the Mie prefecture.

It is reached from Tokyo by a four hour train trip

From Osaka,Kyoto its approximately a two hour train trip,and it costs Y 1,200 to access the island itself.

Still at Mikimoto Island

2008-12-09T22:06:00.000+10:00

The Kokichi Mikimoto staue,built in 1953
,shows the Pearl King of latter years holding the Imperial Award,and wearing his trademark Yamataka hat and cape.

Oh! that's me with one of the women divers.

The sign explains the model castle below.....the Himeji castle (Castle of the White Crane)

The entire model was created from thousands of first grade pearls.The intricacy of his work has to be seen to be appreciated

Mikimoto island

2008-12-09T21:52:00.000+10:00

Mikimoto Island.....(the pearl island ) is situated just off the coast at Toba in the Ise-Shima National Park.

Mikimoto pearls were cultured for the first time in history using a method developed by Kokichi Mikimoto.

The Kokichio Mikimoto Memorial Hall was built in 1993 in commemoration of the centennial anniversary of cultured pearls.

It introduces through photos,refined pieces and audio visuals the often turbulent life and interests of the "Pearl King".A man deeply devoted to his hometown of Ise_ Shima.As well as the Memorial Hal,there is shopping and dining in the Pearl Plaza,
and the Pearl Museum.

The lower phto shows the women divers preapring to give a demonstration of the techniques used in the 1950s to recover the pearl shell.

Final stage............"Kampai!"

2008-12-09T21:11:00.000+10:00

THE FINAL STAGE......

"Kampai" (Bottoms up /Cheers!)
Sake is no good until you savour it.. ...........the one sample we had,had,in my humble and uneducated opinion,had the kick of a mule!

Whether it was because it was freshly brewed and hadn't matured sufficiently, or because it was refrigerated rather than 'warm",I don't know.............but I wouldn't willingly imbibe it.

White crane sake

2008-12-09T21:04:00.001+10:00

Stirring the small vats

Balancing on the large vats and stirring the mixture

Sealing the drums of sake

White Crane Sake

2008-12-09T21:00:00.002+10:00

The historical museum of the White Crane Sake at Hakutsuru, Kobe.
Thanks to Teruko and her friend Chikako-san we were able to visit the museum and see how sake is traditionally made.
We didnt actually see the modern production......only the tableau of the historical method

And these photos show the life sized figures depicting the stages of brewing sake :

the adding of rice to the vats

washing of the rice

stirring the rice

More Torii

2008-11-19T16:58:00.000+10:00

Torii:

2008-11-19T16:23:00.001+10:00

A Japanese structure that has fascinated me since early 1960 is the TORII

Literally meaning "where the birds reside",torii are gateways at the entrance to Shinto shrines or sanctuaries.
They are typically made of timber,stone or sometimes iron;

Most wooden torii are painted red!

Some buddhist temples also have torii probably because at one time the two philosophies overlapped and merged to some degree.

The large timber torii with bronze decoration is at the Meiji Shrine close to the
Harajuku district of Tokyo.Dedicated to the Emperor and Empress Meiji it is a particularly fine example of Shinto architecture.
The torii measures some 17 metres in height and 15 metres in width and marks the entrance to the shrine itself.

Rinko's Shichi-go-san

2008-11-18T13:22:00.000+10:00

On November 15,this adorable little three year old took part in a Shichi-go-san ceremony........literally 7,5,3 when parents celebrate their children with prayers for the child's healthy growth and longevity.

The customs followed today evolved in the Meiji era (1868-1912) and November 15 was chosen for the celebration because it was considered the most auspicious day of the year.
As Shichi-go-san is not a national holiday,many failies choose to celebrate on the weekend prior.

Accompanied by her parents and grandparents, Rinko visited a Shinto shrine dressed in traditional kimono.........(.she actually showed me her gorgeous costume when we met her grand-parents in Himeji in late October.)

Most children carry a bag decorated with cranes and turtles which symbolise longevity,and into these are placed chitose-ame (longevity candy sticks.
The candy and bag indicate the parent's wishes for a long prosperous life for their children.

My sincere wish for a long and happy life dear Rinko
October 29

Hiroshima: Children's Peace Monument

2008-11-18T11:39:00.000+10:00

Hiroshima

2008-11-18T11:10:00.000+10:00

War is the work of man
War is the destruction of human life
War is death
To remember the past is to commit oneself to the future

To remember HIROSHIMA is to abhor nuclear war

To remember Hiroshima is to commit oneself to
PEACE.

(attributed to Pope John 23)

I originally planned to blog my travels in order of visit,but my visit to Hiroshima Peace Park and the Memorial Museum,had such a deep emotional effect that I needed to share with my readers........

At 8.15am on August 6, 1945,the city of Hiroshima (with a population of approximately
350,000 souls)
fell victim to the world's first atomic bombing.
The entire city was virtually levelled and approxim,ately 140,000 lives were lost.

At the instant of detonation,the temperature at the centre exceeded a million degree Celcius,generating an enormous fireball .

At the moment of the explosion,an extremely high pressure of several hundred thousand atmospheres was created.
The surrounding air was thrust violently outwards and produced an intensely strong blast.The blast pressure 500 metres from the hypocentre was an enormous 19 TON per square metre.
Buildings were crushed and people were flung through the air.

To walk through the Memorial Museum and view the exhibits is a most sobering experience:
Tattered scraps of clothing;crockery fused into earth;
the diorama with wax figures of Atomic Bomb Victims..............very graphic and disturbing.

More temples and Shrines!

2008-11-15T17:17:00.000+10:00

Historic neighbourhood

2008-11-15T17:11:00.000+10:00

Just around the corner from Yanaka Ginza we found yet more history!
Old timber houses /shops,retained as a reminder of earlier times.
Then there was the Tsukijibei Fence:A traditional stone fence that followers of Ninja movies will recognise.

Tokyo streetscapes

2008-11-15T16:12:00.000+10:00

YANAKA GINZA is a small street market that retains the warm atmosphere of

Shitamachi,the traditional section in Tokyo with origins from the Edo period.

Yanaka is also known for its cats,and I was intrigued by the various figurines of cats in the Yanaka Ginza.

The two above are known as Maneki Neko ,or "prosperity" or even "Beckoning cats"
Many were seen like the two above at the entrance to a business.
It is reckoned that if the left paw is raised,it is beckoning customers into the business premises;If the right paw is raised it's meant top be attracting money or good fortune!
Along this lane there were cats on the awnings and roofs in all sorts of poses......
and just around the corner in a small temple was a live cat sunning on the shrine steps,until a monk came out and fed it!

2008-11-15T09:53:00.000+10:00

Quirky Tokyo

2008-11-14T16:01:00.000+10:00

Tokyo can yield some interesting sights..................
Strolling down the Ginza our fist day revealed some "interesting shoe fashions for the coming winter!

Home again!

2008-11-11T21:57:00.000+10:00

After four weeks travel in Japan,I'm once again home in Oz!
I had many reasons for visiting Japan ............and one was to see the Autumn foliage;

When we arrived in Shinagawa October 13,Nature had not yet decided that it was actually the Autumn season,and flashes of colour were few and far between, which I found a tad disappointing,but as the days rolled by,so the foliage colours changed:

At first,there were hints of gold and then red,orange......a veritable explosion of colour.

KenmaursCorner

Champagne bay & Port Vila

Purrfect kitties

Sam

Christmas is coming!

Mug rugs

Song title:

A fishy tale

Post card collages

Wish you were here

More Postcards

Ugly fabric swap

Another wandering "baby"

Snippets Postcards

Recycled clothing

You've got mail!

Back yard birds

Girlie postcard

curli's photostream

Recycled

AND SEW IT GOES: Another beetle and a little tutorial

HAIKU ART..: Sunshine

Haiku: Using "sunshine" as the word prompt

March Haiku : Sunshine

Possum and the Rainbow bridge

Farewell (Princess) Caddie

A Sparkling Butterfly 0001

Creating Angelina Appliques Part 2

Creating Angelina Appliques Part 1

AAQI Postcards

February Haiku: (Romantic) LOVE

Postmark'dArt : Buttons

February haiku

Nearly there!

Postmark'dArt : Round 12 :A WiP

Work in Progress: Tropic seas dreaming

Paper fabric

The flood continues

HAIKU ART..: (Beginnings) Fire-storm

Breakfast at Woody Point

Murky Moreton Bay

Finally....

Haiku...January "Beginnings"

I've got maill!

I've got mail

Today's mail

Petroglyphs

Landscapes in one colour

I've got mail

Postmark'dArt : Dragons & Peacocks

Postmark'dArt: ELEMENTS: Water

Mixed-Media Textile Art (Download) - Interweave

Collage Fast & Furious (Download) - Interweave

No fairies at the bottom of my garden

I love a sunburnt country!

My Country - Poem by Dorothea MacKellar

Colouricious Christmas - Talking Threads with Mary Gamester

WWF - Tigers - Tigers Among US

Come into my garden!

Acanthus

Firestorm

Photos on Artist's canvas

Preparing fabrics for printing

You've got mail!

Cyclamen

Iceland poppies

July Garden

Work in hand!

UFOs

Work in progress

ELEMENTS: Fire

Paper fabric

WiP Elements: Fire

What do you do...............?

Ready to mail out

PostmarkdArt: Sunrise/Sunset

RSPCA cup cake day

Reverse of "Do you remember"

Work in progress

I've got mail!