2011 - Here We Come

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!

We are standing on the threshold of the doorway into 2011

May the New Year bring a breath of fresh air into your life.

And may it be filled with opportunity, passion, laughter,

inspirational people, creativity, kindness, peace and

lots and lots of love.

Let the adventure begin......

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Hope you have a wonderful day.

Eat, drink and be Merry!

2 Sleeps to Go!

Waiting for Santa

Santa don't forget the Cat!

Twas the Week Before Christmas and All Through The Shops......

Christmas is fast approaching. I think I am nearly organised. Just a few more presents to get. I'll try to get it done early in the week as things are starting to get crazy at the shops.

I'm moving in January, so I'm looking forward to getting settled somewhere and getting back to being my normal happy self, without all the stress. Thank you for all your lovely comments, I appreciate it.

The new online Joggles Classes for the first part of 2011 are out - I'm going to be checking them out today.

Have a great week.

Sorry I haven't posted for awhile

Life is abit tough at the moment. We are selling our house and also there are other major changes happening in my life. I know I have to just go with the flow and let go, but sometimes its abit sad. I know that this door is closing and another better one will be opening for me.

So, sorry that I haven't been posting, its been very hard to be creative, whilst this is all going on. I hope you will stick with me, and even though things may be quite over the next months until the next chapter in my life begins, know that I will be back in full force once everything is settled.

I'll still be visiting all my favourite blogs though!
Take care.

Another Bead Journal Finished

Before I start I'll apologise for the terrible photo. I have so much trouble trying to photograph my work.

This is my February Bead Journal finished. I finished it a few weeks ago but couldn't take any decent photos of it. This is the best of a bad bunch. If I can get a better photo at some stage, I'll replace it.

Also one other thing I should point out is that I ran out of the larger gold beads that are around the edging, so that's why there are only the gold seed beads in the left hand corner. I couldn't find them anywhere, so if I ever do I'll redo that corner.

I've started my next bead journal. This one has a Spring theme and is actually the September one. I still have some other months that I need to go back and do.

Spring Has Sprung

Sorry it has been so long. I've been going through abit of a tough time. Its wonderful to see Spring finally here. I thought I would post some lovely flower photos.

Don't you just adore the beautiful lingering scent of Jasmine on a spring breeze. This is our beautiful Jasmine vine on our side fence. I usually get a big wiff of it when I come home each day.

I also have some news. Tomorrow is the last day of the 10 Week fitness challenge I've been doing at the gym. I lost 2.5kg which isn't alot, but I also lost 47cm from all over my body. So it has been working, but I've been mainly toning up and getting more muscle. I'm feeling good and have really noticed a difference in my fitness. I hated running before, but now I actually like it. I've been doing so much variety of different exercises and classes that it hasn't got boring at all. I'm going to continue on at the gym with early morning classes and also they will have a bootcamp class on a Tuesday morning with Rani our Challenge trainer. So I just need to keep persevering. I think there is about 10 weeks now until Christmas - so I'm going to keep going with my own personal challenge and see how much I can lose by Christmas.

Bead Journal Challenge 3 - February

This is my latest bead journal piece I've been working on. February was when I did some beginners classes in Tribal Bellydancing. I'm just about finished with all the beading, so will be able to show a photo soon of the finished piece.

I don't know where July went. I've been busy lately. I always seem to be saying that, but time just seems to fly. During July the job I've been doing on a casual basis for the last 4 1/2 years was advertised as a permanent position. I applied for it and luckily got the job.

Also I've started a 10 week challenge at my local gym. We do 3 group personal training sessions a week and then fit in exercise classes and gym workouts when we can. I'm basing my diet on the Weight Watchers points program. I've been overweight for 8 years now and during that time have been on different diets and my weight has gone up and down. I'm determined this time to lose the weight and get back to the weight that I'm comfortable at. It will be good to be a size 8 or 10 again.

I just have to stay focussed and keep exercising. I find that if I exercise alot I want to eat properly. I also like the Weight Watchers points eating plan as it so flexible and you can have a few treats here and there if you want to so you don't feel like your depriving yourself.

Have any of you been on the Weight Watchers diet? Does anyone have any tips for me, for losing weight and keeping it off?

Anyway, back to the beading. I'll try to focus on getting it finished over the next few days.

New - Quilting Arts "In Stitches" E Magazine

Do you know that Quilting Arts have put out a new E Magazine called In Stitches. Click on the name to find out more about it and to purchase it.

I've just bought it and I'm downloading it now. It looks great. I usually like my magazines in hardcopy, but I like how this has extras attached such as slideshows, videos and other info.

Bead Journal Project 3 - May

I finished my May Bead Journal. The white cat is our cat, Jazzy. The black cat is a male cat from our neighbourhood that has just started coming around to our house sometimes. Jazzy always hisses at him and tries to get him to go. But he just ingores her, goes straight up to her, meows, and goes and finishes off her dinner.

Now onto June. I'm running behind, I still need to do February, March and April. I'm thinking that I will try to keep up now with each month and then try to fit these in.

Some things from Nepal

When I was in Nepal I bought this wall hanging and some other bits and pieces that I wanted to show you. I love the colours, materials and beading used on this piece. Here are some more detailed photos.
These look like exotic buildings.

I also got a material panel that is big enough to use as a table cloth.

This is a table runner I bought in Lukla. Its not a great photo and only shows half of it. But you can get the idea. The designs are embroidered on.
I love the colours of this scarf. Also I got this cute little purse in Namche Bazaar.

Show and Tell time - Vintage Sari Border

I recently bought this gorgeous Vintage Sari Border from Rayela on Etsy. It is so beautiful that I can't bring myself to cut it up just yet. The photo doesn't really show up the lovely gold colour that well. I'm thinking maybe I could incorporate it into a wall hanging, make a runner for the end of my bed or some cushions. I'll just have to see.


If you're interested in finding out more Rachel did a blog post on them on her blog Rayela's Fibre Focus. If you are interested in Ethnic textiles arts you will love her blog and also her Etsy shop.

TAST 2 Catch Up - Week 3 to Week 15

With my trip away and things being busy at work and home, I ended up getting way behind with TAST 2. So here is a catch up piece with a small sample of each stitch from Week 3 to Week 15.

The stitches are Week 3 - Beaded Hedebo Edge, Week 4 - Portuguese Border Stitch, Week 5 - Knotted Buttonhole Stitch, Week 6 - Buttonhole Eyelet Flower, Week 7 - Rope Stitch, Week 8 - Fancy Hem Stitch, Week 9 - Raised Herringbone Band, Week 10 - Cloud Filling, Week 11 - Bullion Buttonhole, Week 12 - Sorbello, Week 13 - Raised Cup Stitch, Week 14 - Buttonhole Herringbone and Week 15 - Ladder Stitch.

I've been learning alot by doing all these new stitches. It's funny how the stitches I don't think I'm going to like, end up most of the time being stitches that I really like doing.

Free download of Beading Book - One Bead at a Time

Robyn Atkins has kindly let her book "One Bead at a Time" be downloaded for free from her blog. While you are there also check out her latest book "Heart to Hands Bead Embroidery" which can be purchased directly from her.

Travel Diary

Its taken me awhile to settle back into normal life again. I've started a travel diary on my Travels Beyond My Dreams blog. The first post is mainly text, but I promise there will be more photos to come.

I'm Back Home and Missing the Mountains!!

Namche Bazar (3400 metres in altitude)

Hi everyone - I'm back!!!!

It was an amazing trip. It was very hard going at times but it was also so rewarding. There were amazing views and sights around every bend. Namche Bazar was one of my favourite places. I go back to work tomorrow and I know its going to be very hard to concentrate. I've only been away for 2 weeks but it seems like months. I'll tell you more about my holiday and show more photos soon. I'm missing those beautiful Mountains already.

I'm off to Kathmandu Tonight!!!!!

Everythings ready for me to go. We drive to Brisbane this afternoon and my plane leaves from there at midnight. I fly to Bangkok where there is 4 hours before flying onto Kathmandu.

Its very exciting!!!

I've been emailing a few of the people going on the trip, which has been really good. I've kept in fairly regular contact with one of the people. So it was nice to send an email to her and say "See you in Kathmandu on Friday".

I'm a little bit nervous to. Its a big adventure for me. Its the first time overseas by myself, the first time I've gone on a trek and the first time I've been away from my son for more than a few days. Also there are those little doubts that come up in your mind about whether I will make it through the whole trek and whether I might suffer from Altitude sickness. I know its natural to feel these things.

But when I get on that plane, I'm going to take a deep breath, relax and let go of all this and go with the flow of the experience. (Well, that's the plan)

It is going to be such an amazing adventure. I'm sure when I'm high up in altitude, with Everest and the other mountains all towering around, its going to be such a magical experience of feeling like being in the presence of the Gods. I can't wait to see how magnificent the Stars and Milky Way look.

Be back soon!!!

Barb

TAST 2 - Week 2 Knotted Loop Stitch

Week 1 Diamond Stitch and Week 2 Knotted Looped Stitch

I love this week's stitch. I have always liked using buttonhole stitch in my work, but I think this is going to be my new favourite. It gives a great effect when stitched over and over again like this coloured sample below.

Its fun stitching curves and I also like the effect of the random length stitches in the purple sample.
If you would like to learn how to do this stitch or to learn more about TAST 2, go to Sharon B's blog Pin Tangle.

To see an interesting sampler of this stitch go to Fat Quarter's Blog. She's come up with some interesting variations. The square looks great. You can see the full sampler on her flickr site.

TAST 2 - Week 1 - Diamond Stitch

Week 1 - Diamond Stitch samples

This was a new stitch for me. Don't you love it when you first start off on a stitch you've never done before and you have to study the instructions while you are trying to do it, and finally it all clicks and you can do it easily.

If you want to find out how to do Diamond Stitch go to the TAST 2 Week 1 Blog entry. You can also see some of the other participants work by going to the TAST Flickr site.

If you want to find out more about TAST 2 and to explore the participants blogs go to Sharon B's blog entry.

Bead Journal Project 3 - January

January - Sunrise at Corindi Beach

This is my January piece - I'm running behind but hope to catch up in the next few months. Each of my pieces are going represent an experience I've had during that particular month.

Each of my pieces are going to incorporate beading with embroidery, etc. I'm hoping to incorporating some more elaborate beading in the other pieces as I go along.

I was going to bead around the edges of this, but I've decided that when I finish at the end of the year, I will join them all together to make a wall hanging, so I will do some beading around the edges of the finished piece.

Come have a cuppa with me and be inspired

Come join me.

Would you like Tea, Coffee, Hot Chocolate....

I'm having Chai

Get comfy and come exploring with me....

First up, go and have a look at this new free E-Zine called Textile Arts Quarterly.

For some TAST 2 (Take a Stitch Tuesday) inspiration go to CJ33's Flickr page to see her Embroidery from the first TAST.

Also Camzy's Flickr page has some amazing TAST embroidery.

And Kay Susan's TAST pieces show many interesting variations of stitches.

To see some more gorgeous stitching go here to Mrs Kitty's page on the Hand Embroidery Network.

Now for some Textile Art:

It was a nice surprise to stumble across this colourful Needlefelted Textile Art piece by KoolKookyKreatures

To see some amazing talent go to Moy Mackay's Gallery. Her felted pieces look like beautiful paintings. She has come up with an inovative idea of having an exhibition of her Scottish landscapes available as an application that can be downloaded onto iphones. We have an ipod so it should be able to be downloaded onto that as well. For the details go to her blog post.

To see a Flickr Mosaic of the gorgeous Fibre Art of Karen Cattoire go here. If you would like to see lots more of Karen's work go to her Flickr site. She is an amazing talented Textile Artist.

To see lots of beautiful colourful Fabric Art creations go to Molly Jean Hensons Flickr site. If you would like to find out more about Molly go to your blog Creative Life and Times.

How about some Painting and Mixed Media:

I love these whimsical folkart paintings by Karla Gerard. To see a gallery of her work go to her flickr site.

Find lots of creative inspiration from Love Stitching Red's many Flickr Mosaics

And for the grand finale of our little adventure go to Art Trader Magazine where you can download these free e-zines. Issue 6 has an article on Karen Cattorie who was featured above.

Now that should keep you nice and busy! Hopefully it has your creative juices flowing.

Thank you for coming along on this little cybertrip with me. I hope you had as much fun as I did. You'll have to come for a cuppa again with me soon!

Join Sharon B's TAST 2

TAST 2 (Take Another Stitch Tuesday 2) with Sharon B starts on 2 March. Its free to participate. If you would like to find out more go to Sharon's blog post here.

Even if you don't want to participate its worth a look as there is a list of links to all the participants blogs. So grab a cuppa and do the rounds of some wonderful creative blogs.

Shimmy those hips!!!!

'Fat Chance Bellydance Group'

I couldn't help myself, I had to post one more Tribal Bellydancing clip.

I love the lighting on this, it creates a wonderful atmosphere and enhances the costumes and the dancing.

Enjoy!

Tribal Style Bellydancing

'Heavy Hips Bellydance Group'

I've started doing a beginners class in Tribal Style Bellydancing. Its so much fun. I love the costumes.

I found this clip on YouTube. Hope you like it and it gets your hips wiggling!

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.