Kate&Co

Done Done

2012-01-30T06:02:00.000+10:00

The quilt is F.I.N.I.S.H.E.D. and entered.
First time doing free piecing, first time doing a facing finish, first time submitting an art quilt for jurying. Yikes!!

It is a truism, but oh so true, you learn so much by doing. Whatever happens at the next step kind of doesn't bother me - I have gotten so much from working through the process.

The Quilting Has Begun

2012-01-29T11:32:00.000+10:00

There was a bit of this

then a bit of this

and now there's some of this...

Tennis

2012-01-29T06:19:00.003+10:00

I've enjoyed the tennis in Melbourne - wish I were there!! This cartoon on the subject amused me. And check out this short (2 1/2 minute) clip from the Murray/Llodra match - they worked hard!

Experimenting

2012-01-27T12:52:00.000+10:00

I love it when things work together. I spotted a pattern a friend (Hi Jan) had designed for a mag. I loved it, but it was all hand done - sorry, but not for me. I then happened on a website where there were some interesting ideas for creating blocks. By machine. Now THIS looks like my sort of thing. First, you sew BOTH edges of a strip to another strip - good contrast is a must. Mine are the standard 2.5 inches wide.

Slice them up - these are 3.5 inch lengths.

Cut them on the diagonal (NOT through the stitching line), making sure the diagonal is the same direction in each case (ask me how I know).

You need them to be perfectly equilateral, and mine weren't at this stage, so I used my 60 degree ruler to trim them up. Then play! I ended up with the same pattern (I think) that Jan had, but my block is all machine done. This test block is now in a box with the fabrics I want to use. I just need some good black fabric to go with the Lisa Walton hand dyes, PLUS, I have to figure out how to connect hexagons by machine....

Prep

2012-01-27T12:40:00.000+10:00

Continuing my rationalising, sorting, de-cluttering, I earmarked fabrics for a pattern I found - A Ritzy Cracker Quilt.

I made two test blocks

and put them in a box with the fabrics and the pattern, ready to go when I want a project.

Redcliffe Peninsula

2012-01-27T12:25:00.004+10:00

In the crazy weather on Tuesday I drove up to Redcliffe - so much quieter than market day (of course). I don't remember seeing this last time

The Union Flag was everywhere - it may as well have been called the Jack, considering the weather conditions.

At Scarborough I happened on this cute coffee/lunch place - I read my book and looked out at the rain.

If you're a coffee and cake person, bring a friend - the cakes are enormous! Honestly! These are about 10 inches cubed.

Rain makes things more beautiful I think - it heightens colours and softens sharp edges.

But there is a limit. Sadly, this place is called Shangri-La.

Cat Nap

2012-01-27T11:52:00.000+10:00

Napping...

but always on the alert.

Dex-troyer

2012-01-23T05:51:00.000+10:00

Pre Dex

Post Dex

Nest

2012-01-23T05:45:00.000+10:00

Crosswords

2012-01-23T05:41:00.000+10:00

I have a calendar for the year with a crossword a day -

some are fiendishly difficult, but on 16 January I solved the entire thing - then again on the 17th and 18th. I think they slip simpler ones in so you don't lose heart...

They Work!

2012-01-23T05:35:00.000+10:00

Remember yesterday's post with my $2 tea light treasures? They work! I think they're supposed to be like this -

but I like them better like this -

Saturday Field Trip

2012-01-22T07:58:00.001+10:00

I do like a good forage, and found out about The Rubbish Removers this week and had to visit their warehouse on Saturday to check it out for myself. Turn here -

yep - still on the right track

now down here

It's a big, big shed full of stuff. It kind of made me sad - all these things we buy and then get rid of. Here's someone's school shirt with messages - no longer wanted - I wonder why?

I found a couple of beehive shaped candle holders - I'll used them outside - originally marked at $24.95 now $2 - but wait - is this the bottom and they should go the other way? I like my way better.

I also found a ceramic water cooler for the fridge. This is a business with a wonderful attitude - see their philosophy here.

As I was already in the Logan area, I thought I'd keep driving and see what there was to see. Have not been here before so I had a poke around

stopped off here and got rhubarb and some Vietnamese Coriander/Cambodian Mint (which looks like spiky weeds but smells awesome - if you like coriander that is)

had to laugh...

found fun things at the op shops - a Jetson plate - yep, said "Jetson" on the reverse

I have one of these already

AND these - I've been wearing my version all week - but they're my size and everything and only $5!!

New Purse

2012-01-22T07:16:00.000+10:00

A few years ago I decided to have all my cards with me all the time, and I bought a fun purse for that reason

but the wear and tear of being flung around inside a bag every day took its toll

so I'm going to coopt a purse brought home for me from Turkey by a friend - looks good with my money purse I think...

A little brightness for the black depths of my handbag.

Car Games

2012-01-22T07:06:00.000+10:00

I've always loved making words from licence plates - small things amuse me. This caught my eye the other day -

bright yellow - "gelb" in German - how fitting!!

More Book Reviews

2012-01-22T07:03:00.000+10:00

I've updated my January reads page to include -

At Risk - Stella Rimington
Red Dog - Louis de Bernieres
A Visit from the Goon Squad - Jennifer Egan
The Apricot Colonel - Marion Halligan.

The page includes the 2 previous reviews for The Good Theif's Guide to Paris and The Hundred-Foot Journey.

I was going through photos in my Picasa album and came upon a folder from about a year ago called "Possible Reads' - there was a photo of the cover of The Hundred-Foot Journey. I'd totally forgotten about it, and a year later I was given the book - how strange...

Glitter Cupcakes

2012-01-16T16:14:00.000+10:00

I finally got around to making the coconut cupcakes I found on this blog...using some cake glitter - yes!!

obtainable from here

located in Darra - how cheerful!!!

and you KNOW you're in the right place when you see this in the parking lot.

So how good does this look?? It tasted just as good...

and there are more colours to try!

A Win!

2012-01-16T15:58:00.000+10:00

I was lucky enough to win a calendar from Unique Stitching - it's perfect for the side of my new fridge - thanks Cecile!

Sinuous Southbank Seating

2012-01-13T16:15:00.000+10:00

Look Again

2012-01-13T15:51:00.001+10:00

The bow of a ship?

no - art

A fancy building support?

no - art

The side of a building?

no - art.

Mary Street

2012-01-13T15:36:00.000+10:00

The awning

reflected as a shadow...

Ikan Bilis

2012-01-13T15:29:00.001+10:00

It looked so good on one of the TV cooking shows - dried anchovies, peanuts and sambal...my version looked and smelled fine...

but the anchovies were hard and the peanuts still tasted raw..hmmm - not a keeper.

Decluttering

2012-01-13T15:27:00.000+10:00

My magazines went from occupying this whole bookshelf

to taking up only a little shelf space here...

I Thought Crocs Were Meat Eaters?

2012-01-13T15:24:00.002+10:00

*I've now found a great childrens story/myth about a crafty crocodile, a clever monkey, and mangoes!!!

Reading

2012-01-07T07:27:00.001+10:00

I bought this at the Folio bookshop in town - 2 years ago. I'd started it and then ended up back on my shelf. But this time I got stuck in and enjoyed the romp. The concept isn't new - Lawrence Block and I think others have done similar things - but Ewan writes well, I love the Parisian setting and there is some good humour alongside the nastier characters - although not really very nasty at all I guess, compared to some books.

This was give to me recently - and I was drawn to the food theme. There are some amazing descriptions of food, and some wonderfully larger-than-life characters, but I think it could have been so much better. What was the focus? There is a lot of set up to Hassan's eventual start as a chef - but then it's as if the air is let out of the balloon - the high energy kind of dissipates. There were some annoying little editing glitches - nothing major, but still.... A good book, yes, and it definitely draws you in, yes, and it's well written, yes. But certainly not outstanding....

Nails

2012-01-07T07:16:00.000+10:00

Had a pedicure for the first time in a long time - sparkle-arkly pink!

Fresh Eggplant

2012-01-07T07:15:00.000+10:00

I was given eggplant straight off the bush the other day - the dark purplish colour is gorgeous isn't it? So I did something simple - scored the flesh, drizzled with oil and baked

it kind of collapsed and turned a bit mushy - and tasted great with taco sauce and cheese and jalapenos on top!

Ready for 2012

2012-01-07T07:10:00.001+10:00

I know I've just missed the 12th night cutoff for Christmassy things - but.... I bought two packs of cards you "make yourself" and while watching all those DVDs got stuck in - stuck is right. Lots of fiddly twiddly bits, and what possessed me to pay over the odds for something I had to assemble myself? Don't know the answer to that...but I do know I'm ready for next year - and it kept my hands busy..

Holiday DVDs

2012-01-07T07:06:00.001+10:00

I had a binge of DVD watching over the holidays - I was cutting fabrics prepping for quilts, and doing other hand-y things - most of the time. Here's a quick run down.

My second time watching this (the first time was at the cinema more than 20 years ago), but this time I paid attention to the details - the cooking - the feast of the title - is incredible and wonderfully filmed. But the poverty of spirit, the idea that our true happiness and fulfilment will come in another life - that was dark and depressing. Well worth watching, though.

Talk about wonderful - this is one of the best "behind the scenes" docos I've seen. All in French, with subtitles - it give you a sense, one little tiny inking of all that has to happen before a production appears on stage. The dancers appear to be doing everything just right, but then they are told to adjust this, change that - almost imperceptible, but always seeking perfection.

I'm pretty sure I've seen this before, but couldn't remember all the details. The delivery was rather rapid fire - more suited to the stage I feel - or maybe it was to give a sense of the hustle and bustle of Sydney? Some great lines and good concept - but I did find it all a bit neat and tidy and packaged - lacking some emotional depth.

What a marvellous pair - Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce. I'm a huge Holmes fan, and these movies stand the test of time - clever twists and turns in the plot, and great acting.

This is based on a book by Elliott Tiber - his version of how he got involved in Woodstock. The organisers dispute his claim that he was instrumental in getting the festival moved to a farm neighbouring his parent's motel - who knows? As a movie, it stacks up well - and I knew that when I saw that Ang Lee was the director. The parents are a bit too black, Elliott a bit too white, but emotionally it draws you into the unreality and amazing experience of Woodstock.

Pretty raunchy, and very Spanish - meaning nothing really gets resolved and there are some strange characters - but it's a kind of musical in a way, so it all works. I don't know why, because there were a couple of characters I could have happily punched, but I liked it.

I was given this DVD set as a gift a few years ago and have only just now got around to watching it - all 5 DVDs!!! The pilot was shot in B&W and I watched it 3 times - once on its own, once with Mel Brooks' commentary and once with Buck Henry's commentary. It was hilarious that Smart has to leave a concert because his (shoe) phone is ringing - commonplace now!!! The episodes are great - lots of different writers meant that each storyline had its own flavour, but of course consistent with the original concept.

Wow - mud music and madness indeed. What an undertaking! A lot of the film has the organiser Michael Eavis talking to camera as he drives around the site. He has been doing this since 1970! A farmer and chapel goer, he kind of looks Amish with his beard, but he is so positive and still gets into the spirit. If you've ever been to a festival you will recognise the silly, enormous, hats, the earth-lovers, and mud, but there's a lot more nudity and extreme views and some rather wild performers too...all just wonderful stuff.

At one stage (quite a few years ago now) I could say that I had seen every Woody Allen film - loved them. Now - not so much. This is not a bad film, but it's dark. At one stage I was madly in love with Kenneth Branagh. Now - not so much. He has the trademark Woody Allen fumbling/stammer-y delivery down pat - and he captured the essence of the character, but....hmmm...those thin-to-the-point-of-disappearing lips... But it's really an ensemble movie, and there are some great moments.

One of my absolute favourite TV shows - I had seen most of the series on TV but they bear watching again. Wil Anderson's timing and control of the discussion is perfect, and the insights from the panel are amazing. Psychology at it's absolute applied best.

Industrious

2012-01-03T11:07:00.001+10:00

Spring cleaning fever has struck a few of us this holiday...I sorted through my drawer of 2 1/2" strips to get the colours for this quilt,

trimmed them to 1 1/2" and packed them away by colour

then stacked the other fabrics,

and packed everything into this box ready to go...

I have a whole heap of hand dyes -

can't even remember when I got them - but found a great pattern

even made a sample block!!

and got a new black that coordinates well

New

2012-01-03T10:53:00.000+10:00

I wanted to start the year seeing the sun rise so I drove to Wellington Point. The blush of the sky gave the first indication of the beginning of the day

Here it comes..

a bit more...

like a fire on the horizon

it's definitely going to happen

watched by other like-minded people...

Ending the Year on an Arty Note

2012-01-03T10:43:00.000+10:00

This is a fabulous exhibition! Curated with an artist's eye, it inspires. Rather than walking through static displays you feel the vibrancy and life of the artist. And his hard work. For one major piece alone, Matisse made 3,000 sketches!! At the exit there is a drawing room and I had a play, to the sounds of live violin. While having my coffee overlooking the river, I did some more sketching..

New Year's Eve - Southbank

2012-01-03T10:36:00.001+10:00

30 December 2011

2012-01-03T10:31:00.000+10:00

I know, I know!!!!

Out With the Old

2011-12-30T09:34:00.000+10:00

I guess we all have sagas about a particular appliance or piece of furniture. This fridge has been around for a long long long time, and even though it hasn't really worked properly for at least 10 years I've hung onto it. We lent it to DIY friends when we lived overseas and he modified one of the shelves. It was a perfect size in Canberra but became too small for the heat of Brisbane. It played second fiddle for a while then had to step back into first place when we moved, as the nice big new shiny one didn't fit the space. It became Bronte's major art piece when she decided that she would rather paint it than the microwave we bought for the purpose. In case you are wondering, she never did take it into school as a show and tell...

Over the years I've cleared Antarctica-sized icefloes from the bottom of the fridge part where all the water pools - but no more! Today it will be taken away, and while it will be wonderful to have a working fridge again, I will miss it and the memories it sparks...

Surprise - 3

2011-12-30T09:16:00.000+10:00

This little watercolour captures so much in a few lines - I can just imagine her saying "L'chaim!"

Play Day

2011-12-30T09:11:00.000+10:00

I had a great day with fellow artists yesterday learning new techniques - but first, I found out my gas soldering iron was a bust - sigh! and my blowtorch ran out of gas way too quickly - double sigh!! Still, some metal did get torched -

and some lutradur did get melted,

and I did learn about other techniques - which I am keen to try on my own pieces.

Sorting

2011-12-30T09:04:00.000+10:00

I have nothing against things - they anchor us to this world and our memories and experiences - but when I start to feel overwhelmed, it's time to let go. So a purge/clear/sort mentality has been at work here for a while, and part of that blitz has been getting things out of boxes in cupboards. This stitchery was finished in 2008 and it was time to figure out how to make it up into a quilt. I really, really, really, wanted to use fabric in my stash, but honestly couldn't decide on anything. I turned up at Spotlight when they had 30% off fabrics this week - good timing eh? I found two fabrics that I was happy with, but even as I was driving home, I was having second thoughts -

then I tried a third border...still not sure

of course, I then found something I had all along - more subtle rather than bright - but it works well I think.

So I needn't have made that trip after all!!

Siamese Computers and Black Biscuits

2011-12-26T17:31:00.000+10:00

I bought a new laptop and am using work down time to transfer everything from old to new - thanks to a handy dandy transfer cable...

There is still much tweaking needed though, and I got distracted with Picasa, and hence - boo hoo!! BLACK biscuits, that were supposed to be light and airy and snowy white with powdered sugar - sigh.

I am consoling myself by nibbling on the dough that is left - don't have the heart to try another batch today....

The Anti-Bottle

2011-12-26T10:59:00.001+10:00

How cool is this? Flat

Full

More here.

Christmas Day 2011

2011-12-26T10:49:00.000+10:00

Wild weather on the Gold Coast

didn't deter me from a drive there to watch the sun rise. And the weather did not put off the swimmers and the surfers...

I couldn't get a shot of the actual sunrise, because it was overcast - oh yes, and because the beach was not oriented to the east - oops! But we did have a nice BBQ breakfast

and saw some intrepid runners decked out in festive headgear

I'm A.... What?

2011-12-26T10:42:00.000+10:00

I saw this sign and thought - What's a "Gine"?

Then summoned the little energy I had left from shopping and re-focused...Oh, I get it....

Keeping Up My Fluids

2011-12-26T00:50:00.000+10:00

I made sure to keep up my fluid intake in the heat yesterday - some of this

and some of that

Not the Usual 12 Days...

2011-12-24T06:33:00.002+10:00

Trees

2011-12-21T08:23:00.000+10:00

Mark One - not quite right - gorgeous background fabric but too dark

Mark Two - yep, I think I'm happy with it

(D)extended

2011-12-21T08:20:00.000+10:00

One stretched out cat...

Surprise - 2

2011-12-21T08:17:00.000+10:00

Nothing beats a creative gift -

Each stack of stars has been quilted individually...

Surprise - 1

2011-12-21T08:14:00.000+10:00

This was a lovely, thoughtful surprise the other day -

I like the back, too...

Weird

2011-12-20T10:48:00.000+10:00

I just had a funny experience.
I did a google search to find different ways of displaying my fabric postcards - they are currently in a nice bowl, but I'm looking at new options.
As I was working my way through the images that google came up with - surprise! - there was my bowl!
I did put that image on my blog some time back, so google found the image and presented it back to me...circle of laugh? (re)cycle of life? Something like that...

This and That

2011-12-19T17:35:00.000+10:00

Take some of these

cut off these

use this

to make this

to decorate this

I have a few more to do....

Move Over, YMCA....

2011-12-19T16:44:00.002+10:00

Glitter Update

2011-12-19T16:43:00.000+10:00

Went a bit fancy and put three pears in martini glasses...I like it!

Books

2011-12-18T18:31:00.001+10:00

Well, I've had "Our Ms Books" running for a while now - 2+ years? And I just don't get around to writing reviews often enough. As you can see - last post was August 22.

I do want to keep a record of what I'm reading, though. So I've started a new page on this blog. I've caught up all my reading since August...I THINK it's all my reading!...and will start a new one for each month next year. A few jotted notes and thoughts - and I think that will do it for me.

PS - you ARE allowed to peek - if you want!! Or just have a look under "Pages" on the right hand side...

Always Someone There to Help

2011-12-18T06:32:00.000+10:00

Never fear - if you're not quite sure what to do, just chat to these guys at Irish Murphy's pub in town...

DVD Catchup

2011-12-18T05:56:00.001+10:00

Amazing stories of backyard passata making, epic bread baking and all the good things that come from good produce and love for tradition. I was particularly taken with the family feast where they pour the polenta (and the ragu with a dozen different meats) out onto a large table and everyone grabs a spoon and starts eating from the edge!

I missed this on TV and I'm kind of glad I did - it started a bit slowly for me, and the weekly commitment would have been a bit much. But having all the episodes right there, I could keep going, and I got caught up in the characters and the story. Maggie Smith is just stunning, and of course the life depicted and the Abbey - well, it does draw you in.

This is my 3rd viewing and it's still as funny as it ever was. Dreams within nightmares of a film shoot going anything but smoothly. Egos bigger than the room, technical difficulties, rotten milk and unrequited passions - it's all there and just wonderful.

I used to like this show on TV - this is the first series and Kevin isn't quite as arrogant as he later becomes. I just couldn't bring myself to finish watching - more stories of things going wrong, and all the pressures of building...

I think Miranda is one of the funniest people on TV. She is fresh and honest and has the best piece to camera bits and eye brow raises ever. Very very good.

Wow - well worth watching. "Officially" only about 40% true (to which of course one responds - which 40%?), this is an eye opening account of the incredible success of facebook/Mark Zuckerberg. Can it only have been 2004 when it started? Great performances and very interesting.

Glitter Pears

2011-12-18T05:21:00.000+10:00

Had to try this...probably not a permanent option, as the pears underneath are real - but I'm happy with the result...

Rocky Trip

2011-12-18T05:13:00.000+10:00

This year I've had some wonderful trips through work - I love flying and seeing new places. My last work trip for the year was to Rocky - only a one-dayer unfortunately.
I love take off - the slight tilt backwards and the lift as you lose contact with the ground - and if you're sitting near the wing like I was, and you watch the wheels fold away, you know it's for real - you're flyng....

Framed Cross Stitch

2011-12-18T05:01:00.001+10:00

It's been a year since I finished a big cross stitch project, so decided it was time to have it framed as a present for Mum. I was very pleased with the finished product done by the Framing Corner at Toowong. They do a lot of work for Peppermint Stitches (a shop in Toowong that specialises in cross stitch as well as quilting fabric).
It's hard to take a good photo - here are a couple

It's not as yellow as the first picture and not as pale as the second...the frame complements it nicely. But as I was taking the shot - uh-oh - something I didn't want to see -

It had to go back to get the glass recut.

Meanwhile, Dex thinks the wrapping is a great toy to get his claws stuck into!

Kangaroo Point

2011-12-18T04:45:00.002+10:00

As you're heading towards the Story Bridge, on the left is a lovely park that sits atop the cliffs. When it opened a year or so ago, people complained about the lack of shade, but the other evening it was lovely. More pics here.
Wonderful views

And art work of course. The following refers to what I captured in the photos below -
Seven Versions of the Sun is an art piece integrated into seven arbours via seven highly polished screens laser-cut to create motifs of the sun. The art pieces are created to cast shadows on the landscape, illuminated by the sunlight flooding through the negative space, projecting motifs of the sun inside the cast shadow. Forming a visual connection to the trajectory of the sun, the motifs are there to trigger people’s awareness of seasons, following the position of the earth’s rotational axis.

I walked through the park to get to St Mary's Anglican Church where there was a carol service along with a performance of A Ceremony of Carols by Britten. I have never heard it live and it was amazing.

Merry Christmas

2011-12-08T07:11:00.000+10:00

Yep - doing some finishing up kind of tasks this week. I did the cross stitch last year - luckily Christmas comes around every year. The buttons I've had for about - ooh - 10 years?

Pincushion

2011-12-08T07:07:00.000+10:00

You know how you see an idea and want to do it straightaway...and then don't? Because you can't? I first had to find a suitable frame (the price is still on it - a whole $1 at a thrift store). Then I cadged some stuffing from a friend (thanks Margaret) because in a fit of tidy-up-itis I threw mine out (what IS it with stuffing - it just keeps expanding...like the universe...) Then I had to buckle down and do some problem solving, because all I had was a picture and I had to figure out how to make it work (not that it's hard, mind you, just kind of fiddly).
Anywho, here she is - I'm pretty happy. The frame was originally a pewter grey, so I did a white wash with acrylic paint.

The best part? It works!!! Yay!!

Snake - or Part Thereof...

2011-12-05T08:37:00.000+10:00

I haven't seen the owner of this skin, but he's fairly long...

Christmas Stitching

2011-12-05T08:34:00.000+10:00

I got some of my stitching out of the cupboard and stretched them around artist boards. I'm pretty happy with the results - a few more to do...

Christmas Craft

2011-12-05T08:29:00.001+10:00

I like to make stuff every year...and this year I had a go at paper lanterns. I used up some paper I'd painted, and cut out the shape

then glued the tab to make the cylinder

Et voila! Pumpkins! Or perhaps poppy seed heads? No matter, it was fun. The third in the series (the blue one) is vliesofix I painted and then glued to white paper - that's the one I like the best.

Three Minute Video

2011-12-04T08:52:00.002+10:00

For those who think they aren't musical:

A Good Place to Be

2011-11-30T22:38:00.001+10:00

Sitting on the edge with your feet dangling in the water, feeling the late afternoon sun on your back and listening to the gentle cascade down the rocks

Lucky?

2011-11-30T22:33:00.000+10:00

This caught my eye

then this...

So, either he was very lucky and made a million and didn't need to run a shop anymore, or....

Goanna

2011-11-30T22:28:00.001+10:00

On Queen Street, not far from Customs House (on the opposite side) is a high end pen shop. When I entered the building to get to the shop entry, this is what I found - just love it!

Bloggy GTG

2011-11-30T22:18:00.001+10:00

Nothing beats turning up to a GTG and knowing no-one, but feeling like you've known everyone for ages. I hope I remember everyone - here we all are before I had to leave.

From L, around the table - Michelle, Me, Lynda, Noela, Susan, Marilyn, Cheryl, Joy, Maree.

We were sitting out the back of this well known hotel in Cleveland

enjoying the weather and good company. Thanks ladies.

Advent

2011-11-30T21:48:00.001+10:00

The Abbey Museum was the venue for a lovely concert on Saturday. Three of us went - and joined the other 120 to fill the small church. The stained glass was as old as the gregorian chants sung by Schola Cantorum - and there was only candlelight, no fans or other distractions. Gorgeous.

Schola then led the carol singing over supper - and of COURSE we all remembered our Latin to sing along.

Thrifting

2011-11-30T21:32:00.001+10:00

I finished work early and stopped at the EBCC Thrift Store on Vulture Street the other day. There were no prices, so I picked out a couple of things and went to the counter. Is 50c each OK? the volunteer asked. Yep!!

And how about $3.50 for a brand new fondue set? Oooh, I think so....

Still Playing...

2011-11-30T21:26:00.001+10:00

I think this series is the best yet...

And finally - the "real" thing - banoffee pie!!

I Want One of These...

2011-11-30T21:16:00.001+10:00

Swimming

2011-11-30T21:15:00.001+10:00

On my way to an early meeting I realised that the blue was water

then I saw a dark shape emerge

pause

and head back for another lap.

Travelling North

2011-11-30T21:09:00.001+10:00

Inside 111 George Street, down the escalator, is a large mural/sculpture about Queensland called Travelling North - It's rich with interesting texture and meaning

Playing With My Food

2011-11-30T20:53:00.001+10:00

I do love my new Paper Camera App...

Cairns Souvenirs

2011-11-26T16:18:00.000+10:00

It's hard getting unique things that aren't tacky. Chocolate from the Far North

and mango wine

Flying Home

2011-11-26T16:14:00.000+10:00

I scored a window seat coming home, and got some great shots of the sunset, like this one

then switched on the Paper Camera app and got shots like these -

My Last Cairns Meal...

2011-11-26T16:03:00.000+10:00

...a wonderfully presented Indian feast - doesn't it look like a paint palette?

High Dinner

2011-11-26T16:00:00.000+10:00

I ate dinner up high one night in Cairns - at Wink II - great service and lovely food.

No Need For a Translator

2011-11-14T17:24:00.000+10:00

Art Gallery Entrance

2011-11-14T17:20:00.000+10:00

One Tree...

2011-11-14T17:18:00.000+10:00

has all these lights...

Cairns Esplanade

2011-11-14T17:12:00.004+10:00

The boardwalk along the water is busy in the morning with walkers and runners and bike riders. The lagoon opens at 6am and there was a swimmer ready to go in right on opening time.

The curve of the benches accommodates shorter and longer legs and echoes the shape of a gentle, shallow, wave.

The end caps look very decorative to me.

This enormous mosaic is called Telescopus by Dominic Johns. It is made of iridescent and phosphorescent tiles and Chillagoe marble.

What a lovely design on the reverse side.

In My Room

2011-11-13T19:30:00.003+10:00

I've been making these

while watching this

on this...

More Art

2011-11-13T19:15:00.001+10:00

Kick Arts in Cairns is currently showing Eternal Alchemy by Yuki Horiki. A lot of the pieces seem to have been created on prepared artist canvases in various sizes. At the entry is a line of 30 4" X 4" canvases.

All works are based on the circle.
I loved the Art-o-mat I saw in the lobby..

Port Douglas

2011-11-13T19:01:00.000+10:00

I drove to Port Douglas this morning and it was wonderful to see the ocean right next to the Captain Cook Highway

The markets are close to the water, as is this gorgeous little church

Envision

2011-11-13T19:00:00.003+10:00

Next to where I had my morning coffee I came across an interesting shop front. The small space - c1907 contemporary art space - contained an exhibition of work from Creative Industries students from JCU. Some of the work was quite mature and thoughtful. I particularly liked "Spirit Souls" an installation of 601 white paper cranes.

Babinda

2011-11-13T18:52:00.000+10:00

I drove south of Cairns to spend a few hours kayaking along Babinda Creek. I stopped at Babinda for lunch - and was taken with these fun signs

I liked the term "picture theatre"

So here's my transport

along a creek I had pretty much to myself for two and a half hours

Driving back to Cairns I saw a house and sheds well on the way to collapsing back into the landscape. I kept thinking of all the fabric rusting opportunities...

Amuse-bouche

2011-11-13T18:45:00.004+10:00

Prior to dinner the other night the chef offered a surprise shot of gazpacho

intense and refreshing.

Cairns Airport

2011-11-13T17:56:00.000+10:00

Challenge

2011-11-06T16:53:00.001+10:00

The latest Broadstrokes challenge stemmed from a visit to a coffee shop that had some coffee bean hessian sacks on display. The shop owners had some spares that we divvied up between us last time we met at Mel's. That same day I bought some of Mel's fabric. I knew the hessian and her fabrics would work together and they did - a bag was the result

One side had the hessian bag, and I made a tiny sack that I filled with coffee beans

When I was growing up Dad worked at Aroma Coffee and Tea in Redfern. I used to hang out there during the holidays and I'll always remember clambering over the mountains of sacks stuffed with green beans waiting to be roasted. So this little sack represents that part of my history.

Mel's fabric makes up the rest of the bag. I used Nest, Roughing It, and Trunk Culture.

Cookie Cutters

2011-11-06T16:33:00.000+10:00

As a collector, I get all excited about finding things in the wild and bringing them home. And then I wonder why....
I've just been sorting through my cookie cutters and I must have gone bananas over all things Texan at one stage - even though I lived there for only a year. Anywho, Exhibit A

Who wouldn't want to eat a road runner shaped biscuit - or one that looks like an armadillo? And that's not all, I also captured one in the shape of the Texan flag...

Other cutters I found - heaps of Halloween ones, fruit ones, a maple leaf and a tiny turkey. I guess, though, the pieces de resistance are these -

hmmmm......

Finished Finished

2011-11-06T15:59:00.000+10:00

This redwork wreath is now FINISHED!!!

Every stitch is done, the piece is stapled to a stretcher frame, and neatened on the back with a complementary piece of fabric

little eyelet screws are in place ready to hang - woo hoo!! In the process I tidied a couple of "everything drawers" looking for the bits and pieces I needed - double woo hoo!!!

Glue

2011-11-06T15:54:00.000+10:00

I had this glue in my cupboard - I've never used it, and I'm not an appliquer, but for some reason I must have felt I had to have it - even at this price...

Sewing Flowers

2011-11-06T15:50:00.001+10:00

During our Broadstrokes get together someone mentioned this technique that I knew I wanted to try. I put the flower head between clear contact

then sewed and cut around it.

The sewing is a bit rough because it caught a bit on the machine, but overall I'm really happy and have a project in mind...

Clothes Line

2011-11-06T15:44:00.001+10:00

The clothes line was smack bang in the centre of the only lawn area I have, plus I have a huge aversion to them anyway, so out it had to come. Much digging and levering resulted in an enormous hole

because of the chunk of concrete anchoring the thing

DVDs

2011-11-03T01:02:00.001+10:00

The script was written by Ian Parry-Okeden, a veteran of radio. It was very well done, and having people like Noeleen Brown narrating it, was enjoyable. The best, of course, was all the historical foootage/soundage. Listening to a young John Howard on a quiz show was hilarious.

Simple, short, easy to follow. I wanted to just make sure there was nothing I was missing and it aligns perfectly with what I know to be the case. I just wonder who the audience/market is and whether they even know it's available. Some good tips, but there's no getting past it - it's still hard work.

I missed most of the the TV series, so as usual, caught up on DVD. Amazing, what his kitchen produces. Also amazing are his thought processes - his creativity. However, all the processing and handling that goes into the final product - hmm will try not to think about it when next I tuck into a cake...

Hidden

2011-11-01T02:27:00.000+10:00

When you walk, it's amazing what you come across. This gap in the vegetation

reveals an old fashioned tennis court

the kind that I remember growing up - a community social gathering place.

Coffee Guy

2011-11-01T02:19:00.000+10:00

I was working at Kedron the other day and parked near Coffee Guy - not too far of a walk. This is a cool place. Big tables to share, interesting coffee paraphernalia

interesting sugar

wonderful service, and good coffee!!!

Chris Cornell

2011-10-26T10:52:00.002+10:00

I first heard him on YouTube - through a chance mention. I had no idea who he was, but loved the sound of him and his guitar. So when he came to Brisbane, I was so pleased to go to the concert.

It was kind of weird - it was at the Concert Hall; most ticket holders knew the score and didn't come in till after interval. Their loss - they missed the support act Mat McHugh. I was probably the oldest there and definitely not a rocker, so I looked quite different. But it didn't matter. Chris was amazing - he appeared relaxed, at home, invited people onto the stage, had great audience rapport. Even though I didn't know many of the songs, it was still wonderful.