DJ Pettitt's Photoshop Manipulation online class

Finally I've had a chance to have a play and do some of the exercises for this class.

I'm only a beginner at doing this so don't look to closely. I had trouble selecting the antenae on the original photos, and didn't have the patience to fiddle too much, so my poor butterfly hasn't got any.

The photos used are not mine, they are D J's from the class. To find out more about D J Pettitt go to her blog here.

I have two more days off work - Yay!! So tomorrow I'm going to get stuck into doing some beading so I can catch up on the bead project.

A Change of Plans

Photo from World Expeditions website - Sherpa Everest Trek

I had a phone call to say that my Nepal trip had been cancelled as 4 people had pulled out and there weren't enough people to run the trip. I was really disappointed, but I had the option of going on an alternate trip that leaves around the same time, called the Sherpa Everest Trek.

This trip goes to all the same places but goes further. It goes to Ama Dablam Base Camp which is 4800m in altitude. So this is the trip I'm going on now. I'm very excited about it. It leaves on the 25 March (3 days earlier than the other one). The only disappointment is that Sorrell Wilbey wont be on the trip. Go here to see the trip details.

I can't believe January has gone already. I've been exercising heaps, losing abit of weight and starting to feel abit fitter.

Its been hard with school holidays and work to try and fit in some "me" time to do some creating. But now school has started again, I'll be able to do some beading and embroidery on my days off when I'm home alone.

We're back from our short holiday by the sea

We spent 5 days staying in a cabin at Corindi Beach Caravan Park, near Coffs Harbour. Its located on a headland looking over the beach and our cabin had ocean views. It was a really beautiful spot. I woke up early each morning to see the sunrise. We saw dolphins swimming around a few times. After the sunrise I went for an hours walk along the beach. This is something I'm really going to miss.

The lagoon area out the front

Looking to the left down towards Red Rock.

(I didn't take a photo out to the right of the other longer stretch of beach were I went for my morning walk)

The view from the cabin

Our cabin by the sea

My husband and son fishing at Little Beach at Red Rock.

Then the days were spent relaxing, swimming and fishing. We also went to another place close by called Red Rock. My husband and son fished at this great spot called Little Beach, where the river flowed out to the ocean. It was a really pretty spot, the water was beautiful and I really enjoyed my swim there.

Our late afternoon hangout - such a beautiful spot

We finished off the day by sitting looking over the ocean, having a few drinks and talking, before having a BBQ dinner. The weather was lovely but hot. I slathered on the sunscreen, but still managed to get abit burnt. We drove back home today and I'm going through withdrawals. I really missed my swim in the ocean today. Oh well, we'll just have to go back there again another time. Its only about 2 hours drive away so not too far to go. Its back to work tomorrow for me....oh well, I shouldn't complain, it's only 2 months and I'll be going on my overseas trip to Nepal. Time is getting away quickly, already one month of 2010 nearly gone. I hope the rest of the year slows down abit.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!

Hope you all enjoyed your New Years celebrations.

I hope 2010 is your best year ever.

So...another year begins. Another blank canvas to fill with wonderful experiences, happy memories and fulfilment of goals and dreams. I've written out my list of things I want to do and pursue this year. I love doing this as it gives me some direction and sense of accomplishment.

For anyone wanting a challenge for the beginning of the new year, Dale from The Thread Studio, in Perth, Western Australia is taking submissions for her exhibition "Textile Tantrums". That theme really gets my creative juices flowing. I would like to do a submission but not sure if I will have the time. If you are interested the details are here. Submissions must reach them by 26 February, so there is still time to get working.

An excerpt from the Terms and Conditions for the Exhibition - "As many pieces as possible will be presented in an exhibition that is planned to be shown at various venues. The exhibition will be opening at Australian Quilt Convention in Melbourne (March 2010) and shown at other venues including Textile Art Festival in Brisbane(May 2010), WA Craft, Quilt & Stitch Show in Perth (August 2010) and The Knitting and Stitching Show at Alexandra Palace in October 2010, and another couple of events still being negotiated. The exhibition will be featured on The Thread Studio website in a special gallery section and featured in at least two international magazines. You must be prepared for your work to be retained for at least a year and possibly longer".

I saw the exhibition last year and it was wonderful. I would love to have a piece on show. I'm pretty busy throughout January but maybe I could get something done in time. I've never had anything in an exhibition before, it would be very exciting to have a piece picked to go in it. I think I will try.

Travel Blog for my Nepal Trip

If anyone is interested I've written my first post on my new blog I've created for my Nepal trip and any future travels.

It's called Travels Beyond My Dreams.

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas!!

Merry Christmas everyone

and

I wish you all an abundance of

Love, Happiness and Good Fortune

in 2010.

Have a wonderful day tomorrow

and stay safe over the holiday season.

Lots of Hugs, Barb

I Joined the Bead Journal Project!

After reading Kaite's comment about joining the BJP (Bead Journal Project) I decided that I might as well jump in and do it. Thanks Kaite for the prompting.

I'm going to try to be organised from the start with maybe my backgrounds ready so it makes it easier for me to get started on it each month. They are not going to be totally beaded pieces, but beads mixed with embroidery/mixed media, etc.

I'm actually feeling excited about doing it.

Also for anyone interested in online classes the new Joggles classes for next year are up on their site.

Beaded Art Doll Finished and Final Day to Register for the 2010 Bead Journal Project

I've finally finished the Beaded Art Doll from the online Joggles class I did awhile ago.

Also if you are interested today is the last day to register for the Bead Journal Project for 2010. I would love to join but not sure if I could keep the commitment.

To register and find out more go here.

Needle Magazine

I really like the new free online magazine "Needle". It's for those that love embroidery, both traditional and contemporary. Its put out by the Hand Embroidery Network. There's even an article in this first issue on Susan Sorrell - yay!!

Go here to take a look at the magazine.

You might like to also go and look at the Hand Emboidery Network (HEN). They have a call for entries for their online Winter Embroidery Exhibition with the theme "Winter Wonderland". They have extended the deadline to 31 December. More details can be found on their blog.

Also, view their current exhibition "Living Organisms" here.

I'm going to Kathmandu!!!!!

I'm excited!!!!!!!!!!!

I've been wanting to see Everest and go trekking in Nepal for a long time. So since I'm turning 45 in December, I wanted to do something special.

I've been looking at brochures and thought I'd picked out one I wanted to do, but then I went looking on the internet at a few different companies. I then found the perfect trip with World Expeditions. It leaves at the end of March for 15 days. Its a fundraising trip for the Australian Himalayan Foundation and part of the money goes towards teacher training (something I'm interested in). We trek for 7 days and camp for part of this time. We also visit the first school and hospital that Sir Edmund Hilary built.

The thing that also makes this trip really special is that Sorrell Wilby is escorting it. Sorrell is an amazing woman. She rode a bicycle through Asia, walked across Tibet, walked the length of the Himalayan Mountains and climbed all the major mountains in Africa. She wrote books on these trips and worked for Australian Geographic. She now does segments on an Australian travel show called "Getaway". I remember reading her books when they first came out and loved them and her sense of adventure. Its going to be wonderful talking to her and listening to her stories.

So, abit less that 5 months to go. Now all I have to do is lose weight and get fit. I'm off to a good start. I've been exercising for 1 - 2 hours most days and I've lost 2.5 kilos in abit over a month. I'm going to start a new blog for this trip and the lead up to it. I'll keep you posted on my progress.

Catching Up

This is a painting my son did for me in the School Holidays. I was with him when he was doing it and it was great seeing him work out the different things he wanted to do. Although I'm not teaching anymore, (I'm trained as a primary teacher) I had to stop myself from trying to give him ideas or direct him. That would have just stiffled his creativity. I love how it turned out - its something to treasure.

I can't believe its almost the end of October. I haven't posted for awhile as I've been busy with school holidays, work, etc.

Its my son's 8th Birthday tomorrow - time has flown. Last year he had a Halloween Birthday party but this year he's not having a party. We are just taking him out to an indoor Play Centre for the morning and he wants to have lunch there as well.

I have some big news - (no I'm not pregnant). I'll leave you in suspense until my next post but I'll give you a little hint. I'm doing something really exciting that I've wanted to do for a long time and since I'm turning 45 in December this year I decided it was about time to do it!!!!!!

Spring has Sprung!

Its beautiful seeing all the flowers blossoming. This is a new hanging pot of Petunias that I got. I also have a purple one. I was just sitting it in the wooden planter box until we could hang it. They have really brightened up our outdoor area.

Some big news - I'm a Nanna!!! My step daughter had a baby last week. Its a little boy and they have named him Flynn. Its good that they have moved closer to us. They're only an hours drive away now, so we'll get to see them lots.

Also my 7 year old son is excited to be an Uncle!!!

I've Missed Stitching!!

This is my latest creation.

I've really missed doing embroidery and beading. I haven't attached it all together yet. I'm going to attach it to the purple silk background and then stitch it onto the painted canvas. Its only a small piece and the canvas is 6 x 6.

Back to Normal

The dust has gone - blue sky and clear air today.

It really makes you appreciate this lovely spring day and the lingering scent of Jasmine in the air.

Dust Storm

We woke to a lovely day today and watched on the news where there were dust storms in Sydney and other areas down south. The pictures showed an orange sky with poor visibility. The ferry's on the harbour had been cancelled and flights diverted to Brisbane airport. I was thinking poor people down there.

But by 9.30am the dust started rolling in here. Sydney is approximately 600 klm away so we weren't expecting to get any dust here. Its been windy and hazy since then. I'm glad I'm not working today so I can stay inside and also my son is home sick today from school with a cold. So I'm glad he's not out in it either. The light outside has a yellowy twilight tinge to it. It's a little bit eery.

These photos were taken about 10.30am. The sky isn't orange here, just a dirty white colour. It looks abit like heavy smoke lingering in the air.

We have a festival of Cricket on in our town this week with state sides playing. I'm wondering whether they will have to cancel todays games. Also tomorrow is our Main Horse Race day of the year. There's a half day holiday for it. I'm not going this year but I'm hoping that tomorrow will be all clear for those going, otherwise it would be disappointing.

Week One - Petit Dolls Class with Suzi Blu

Here are some of my first drawings. Sorry, no masterpieces here. I just wanted to put them on here to document my progress. I haven't had much experience at all of drawing, so I'm happy with my progress so far. The class is open now until the end of December so I'm going to spend more time than just one week particularly on this first lesson.

She's Finished!

Saffron

She's all finished and I've named her Saffron. That was really fun. I'm sure I'll be making more of these.

I'd like to come up with my own pattern and idea. I have a few ideas swirling around in my head that I'd like to make sometime. I might put them down on paper and see what I can come up with.

But in the meantime, I have drawing to do. I need to start on my Petit Dolls Class. The good thing is that Suzi has now opened this class until 31 December, so there's no rush now. I'm not the best with short classes, I tend to be left far behind and life always seems to get in the way. So this is great news as I can plod along at my own pace.

Hope you are having a great weekend.

Nearly Finished

She's nearly ready to go out on the town. Her skirt is all finished and ready to go on her today.

Cloth and Clay Doll Progress

This was a progress shot from yesterday. I've attached her limbs, done abit of the painting and made her skirt. So she just needs abit more painting and the skirt to be attached. This was really fun making her. Darlene from Art4Sol left a comment saying that I'd got the doll making bug. I think I have!

I had these three Kookaburras on our side fence yesterday. The weather is starting to really warm up and I was having lunch outside. They stopped laughing when I came outside with the camera so I couldn't get one of them in full song.

Its nice having lots of wildlife around. We have a little strip of reserve beside our house and a creek and reserve behind it. Last week when I came home I saw a Kangaroo munching on grass just over the other side of this fence in the reserve. It makes you feel like you are living out in the country even though we are in a residential area.

Petit Dolls and Cloth and Clay Dolls

Suzi Blu - Les Petit Dolls Online Class

I'm very excited as I've enrolled to do Suzi Blu's Les Petit Dolls Class. I've wanted to do this class for awhile now. If you are interested in doing it, the class hasn't started yet. It starts on 5 September so there is still time to join the class. Suzi is a great character. She teaches in a very fun and flamboyant way. I love her style and hope that some of her talent rubs off on me as I'm only a beginner drawer. Go here is you want to find out all about the class and to register. You might like to also go here to find out more about Suzi and her Les Petit Academy.

Jane DesRosier's Cloth and Clay Doll Online Workshop

I've also enrolled in Jane DesRosier's Cloth and Clay Doll Online Workshop. The good thing about this workshop is that it is available at anytime and you work totally at your own pace. I love these dolls. I've started my first doll and I can't wait to get her finished. If you would like to sign up or register go here. Or even just go to the site to check out all the gorgeous dolls.

I've set aside the beaded art doll from the last class I did as I need to contemplate the type of hair to do on her. I will get her finished soon!

Beaded Art Doll Progress

My progess so far on my Beaded Art Doll. I just need to bead around the head, add beaded hair and then attach the head. The photos aren't the best but I'll get a better one when it is all finished.

Computer Trouble

Had some computer trouble. There was a virus that wouldn't let us log onto anything on the internet - abit scary, but all is fixed now. That will teach me to download something from one of the facebook ads on the sidebar - you live and learn!

I'm also going to start moderating my comments - I hope no one minds. I'm just doing it as a precaution as I don't want any spam or virus links put onto my blog. I'm probably just getting paranoid but anyway it wont hurt to do it.

Doing some more scans on the computer tonight - will try to get some computer time in tomorrow night and finally post some photos of the progress I've made with my beaded art doll. It's been awhile since I said I'd post them - I'm sure I'm testing everyones patients!

See you.

I'm back!!

It's been awhile since I last posted. I've been having abit of a stressful time with work and also a few health issues but nothing major. Things have started to settle down now though and I'm feeling alot better. I have a full week of working this week but then 6 days off - Yay!!! So I'm going to have some time to play.

I've been working on the beaded doll. I've finished the body and the beaded shield. I also got side tracked and did some embroidery as well. I haven't got photos yet, so I'll post some when I get a chance.

The new Joggles online classes have been posted. There are 43 classes this time around. I like the sound of the Altered Journal class with Sarah Whitmire. I'm not sure if I will do it this time around as I have some other online classes that I'm really interested in doing.

Have a good week!

Still Playing

I'm still playing around with the background on my blog. I'm trying out a few different ones. On the weekend I'll get time to fix my header up and make it fit in with the background I choose to go with. So in the meantime the header may look abit strange with the background.

I've Been Playing

This is my second beading sample. I'm starting on the beaded doll now. I'm not sure what design I'll do on her yet. I like the colours in this beading sample so I might use them again unless some other idea pops up.

I've been playing around with my blog today. I still have some playing to do. I kinda like the 3 column look as 2 columns can get abit crowded. The background is a freebie by Itkupilli I think she is very kind to give these for free as well as all the information that she shares on her blog.

I'm not sure if I will keep the blog header or change it. Also I'm going to do some rearranging of all the sidebar icons and maybe delete some that aren't necessary. I'd like to be able to create my own blog background but I'm not that clever yet. I think I saw something on Itkupilli's website which mentioned how to do this - I might have to go and have another look.

Thanks Marga!

"Sunshine" - ATC by Marga

I received this lovely ATC in the post this week all the way from Florida from Marga

It was a lovely surprise and the first ATC I have every got from anyone - so its extra special.

It came in this little cover that she had also made, which is a great idea.

Thanks again Marga, you made my day!

Some More Beading and Hand Embroidery Group

I've finished this sample. The edges are abit wobbly and the beading isn't the best but I like how the motif turned out. It is my first try at this type of beading so its going to take abit of practice. I found it abit hard sometimes when trying to get into the corners to make it even. I suppose it all takes practice. I need to put a backing on it and do some edging and that may fix the edges up abit.

I really like this sample so far. It looks terrible in the photo. The bugle beads are a very light green and a darker green alternated, with a gold seed bead on each end. It wouldn't scan. When I've done some more, I'll try to get a better image of it.

This weeks lesson is the start of the beaded art doll. We are making the face moulds, the body and starting on the beaded shield front. I haven't started yet so I'll have to get cracking!

For the Hand Embroiderers out there you might like to visit the Hand Embroidery Network Group. I've joined but haven't had a chance to have a good look around it yet.

Have a good weekend!

A little Weekend Visitor

Last Saturday this little cutey got handed into me at work. It had been found in the children's park right next to my work. I rang Animal Rescue and they didn't have room for it, so they asked if I could take it home for the weekend and ring them again on Monday.

So when I took it home I was sure to tell my 7 year old son that we were just acting as carers for the weekend and it had to go back on Monday. We already have a cat Jazzy and really can't afford at the moment to have a second cat particularly as we go away abit and have to put our cat into a pet resort for those times.
Anyway, within moments of bringing him home it had the name "Midnight". It was so affectionate and playful. We all fell in love with it. It kept ending up on my husband's tummy or shoulder - I think it was trying it's hardest to win him over. When I fed it for the first time it must have been so hungry that it went splashing right through the milk to get to the food. In the night when it was getting tired it snuggled up underneath my chin, which was really cute.

Every time our cat would see it they both would hiss at each other, but on the morning before the kitten went Jazzy was hanging around getting abit closer. It was best that she didn't get too close to it though as she probably would have been heartbroken when it went. As it was, in the afternoon she looked all over the house to see where it had gone. There were also a few tears on my sons part.

On Monday I took it out to Animal Rescue and they said that it was only about 2 months old. As it was so loveable and friendly they said that it shouldn't have any trouble finding a home. Also they said that everyone usually wants a black and white kitten. It still pulled on my heartstrings - it would have been nice to have kept him. But I suppose sometimes you just have to do what you have to do.

I couldn't work in a vets or for Animal Rescue, I'd fall in love with all the animals and want to keep them all. My sons like that too.

So heres hoping that little Midnight is snuggled up somewhere now with a new family who are going to love him like crazy as he had such a beautiful nature.

Another Surprise!

Spirit Garden

My Spirit Garden piece is this weeks most popular photo on the Fibre Focus group. That was a lovely surprise which made my day!

If you haven't been onto this group before, take some time to check it out. There are lots of interesting and very talented people on there.

Textural Beading and Embellishment Class

I've started doing a Textural Beading class with Janet Lasher. This is one of the samples I'm working on. The class also involves making a beaded art doll. I've wanted to make one of these for awhile now and haven't got around to it, so I'm looking forward to finally doing it. The class is up to week 3 already. I wish the classes where 2 weeks to every lesson. It would give alittle bit more time to work on things as life always seems to get in the way. Anyway, I've been enjoying it and I'm interested in learning more.

A bit of an update on my mum - she is finally out of hospital after 8 weeks. She had her 75th birthday in hospital and my brother and Aunty came up to surprise her.