Happy Festive Season

It's a beautiful sunny Christmas morning here in Australia temperature expected to reach 31C. I'd like to thank everyone for your support during the year, I really do appreciate it. This Christmas won't be quite the same for us with the passing of my sister, but we have the birth of a new grandson to help us get through. Wishing you all a Merry Christmas or a Happy whatever it is you celebrate and please all stay safe.

7.30am view from our back deck Christmas morning

my work room last week

my work room last night ready for the celebrations

MERRY CHRISTMAS

and thanks again, catch up soon

Published twice

I've had the very good fortune to receive two fabulous books this week that I've had work published in. The first one is by British textile artist and publisher Maggie Grey. I was very honoured to be included with five other artists in Maggie's latest book 'Approaches to Stitch', and what a fabulous book it is, I love all of the work by all of the artists, such a talented group.
I was also fortunate to be included in Seth Apter's latest book 'The Mixed Media Artist', too. These have been lovely highlights to the end of the year.

this is one of ten pages that feature my work

Seth's new book features a piece of my jewellery

Thank you again for visiting and for your lovely comments.

Happy arrival

We had some happy news this week. The arrival of another grandson, Logan Julian, (Julian after my sister Julie Anne). Another little artist to add to my clan. I now have another mural to paint on his bedroom wall.

I've also added another necklace to my Etsy shop. This one features some very old brass and metal buttons that I've hand beaten to represent old coin relics. It's very light and comfortable to wear.

it also features a little wooden tiger

the beaten buttons

Thank you for visiting and for taking the time to comment, I really do appreciate it.

Journals and bags

I've added two of my hand made paper journals and another bag to my Etsy shop. 

Thank you Clare for purchasing my necklace, it will be heading to the UK this week.

There are fifty pages in total consisting of my decorated papers and water colour paper

some of the pages in this journal

the second journal

some of the pages in the second journal

the front of the bag

the back

the inside lining

this is a guatemalan worry doll stitched on the front

this is a stitched medallion from an Indian necklace.

Thank you all again for visiting and your kind words

Thank you all again

Thank you everyone for your words of support, it really does help knowing there are people out there who have experienced a similar sort of loss and have got back on track with their lives. I have a wonderful brother and we talk a lot, this also helps knowing he shares the same feelings as I do.
I've started to list some things in my Etsy shop and hope to have more in the next few days. They take so long to photograph and list. Here are a few of the pieces. I will have more jewellery and bags as well as stamps soon.

the front

and detail, the buttons are polymer clay made by Sabine Spiesser

the back

the inside

one of my hand made necklaces, there are more photos in my shop

this one features an eclectic mix of repurposed elements

a brass key plate and brass flower form the centre piece.

I cut off and drilled, then added eyelets to a silver teaspoon handle

I also soldered and added an eyelet to a piece of vintage china

the long bead is one of my fabric beads

the owl has swarovski crystal eyes

I'll have more soon.

Thank you all once again, I really do appreciate your support.

Thank You

I'd like to thank you all for your kind words and prayers over the passing of my sister. We are slowly accepting that it's happened and that we have to go on. I went into my studio for the first time today and feel the need to get back to a routine. I've left some blank pages in my journal as I can't bring myself to write about it yet but I will when the time comes.

Below is the beautiful sunset at Watego beach, Byron Bay where we stayed, if only briefly. We will return in happier times.

Thanks everyone once again, I really appreciate all your support.

Family tragedy

We have had the most terrible week. My husband and I drove for three days to Byron Bay in northern New South Wales for a two week holiday. We had only been there for three days when my brother rang me at 2.00am Wednesday morning, to tell me the dreadful news, that my sister had died in tragic circumstances. Our world fell apart. We turned around and drove home again. We still can't believe it happened, she was only fifty five, way too young to die. Her husband is shattered as are we. She was the most loving and caring sister you could ever have. Life will never be the same again.