Lost Aussie on the loose

Just bizzy

  I'd like to say I've "gone fishing" however the weather is a bit too naff for that and the truth is that I am busy seeing to the last of the 'must do' stuff for the boys.

I picked them up from the airport in Perth on Monday evening and by Tuesday 7am we were in the car and hurtling our way down south.  By one pm I had them trying on trousers and doing last minute hems and what not before inserting them (and a fair portion of their junk) into our little green froggie mobile and on our way back to school.

Thankfully they were both as happy as little piglets in mud - back with their mates and all boys doing the "I can tell the tallest vacation tale" thing.
I hope they have a great day today!

Just for fun

A quick dig' doodle before I head for bed.

and...Missy Collagecat..if you are reading this, you better email me before I come hunt you down with my boomerang!!

This N That

I guess I am being productive!  The house looks like a cross between a supermarket and a chinese laundry with all the books, supplies and clothing that is mounting up in preparation for Tuesday when the boys go back to school.

I have to take a break and drive back up to Perth tomorrow to collect them from the airport, take a breath and then drive them back down early on Tuesday. 

Oh what a merry-go-round!  ..... When I took time out today to sneak a walk on the beach, I realised that I have just been home a week and it feels like an age.  Speaking of the beach, it was another day when you would have thought it was autumn rather than high summer - gray skies and murky seas - the weather sure is funny this year - even for this part of the world!

One Oh at Four Five

I was tagged recently by my blog buddy Caro to share 10 little know facts about myself and since today is the annual milestone, seems appropriate to let go a little...

1. I was born in Wrexham, Wales UK not Australia. I emmigrated to Australia with my parents when I was six and have called it 'home' ever since.
2. My great great Grandfather was sent to Australia as a convict.  His crime was moving a bag of hops from a farmer's gate all the way down to the pub as a practical joke.  He was 14 and sentenced to 7 years hard labour.
3. I eat like a vegetarian even though I am not one.
4. I am a self taught art person.
5. I own more than 70 pairs of shoes (and no my name is not Imelda!)
6. The first time I went out on a date I asked my mother if I should take a book in case I got bored (true story).
7. I read the last page of the book first.
8. I don't particularly care for chocolate unless it's the excruciatingly expensive white truffle sort.
9. I finished High School (all of it) by the time I was 16.
10. I have very little patience, except for those who need it.

Next? :-)  ....feel tagged if you are so inclined.

Illio Friday - Glamour

Here is this week's entry for Illustration Friday

Note: Text portions and background elements of this digital collage have been borrowed from a cover of Glamour magazine. No copyright infringement or offense is intended. This piece of art has been created for artistic amusement only.

I love a sunburned country..

Quiz Question

How many of you figured out how many cats there were in the piece for Illustration Friday?

Just curious!!

All Sewn Up

I could not resist the stash of fabric sitting on what should be the dining room table.. I've been eying it off for days and last night finally succumbed and opened a pattern that I bought recently and started on Miss Lavender.  Since I was up with the birds this morning I managed to complete the doll and even went fossicking in the garden for some twigs and dried sprigs of lavender to finish her off.

As with many projects, the prototype leaves a bit to be desired and I am pretty sure I will whip up another one in a day or two with the learning curve attached!!

FYI - It's actually Australia Day today and in the midafternoon hours the sun has finally come back so I am off to tread a bit more sand and hopefully garner a few bright and "oh so downunder" pics.

Stamper's Delight

I had one of those lovely moments today...as I delivered three sheets of rubber stamps to a lovely lady here in Albany.  Seeing the look of glee and anticipation  on her face makes the design and creation of them so worthwhile.

  Sometimes it's hard to believe the stamps are 'mine'.  Given that barely one semester my 8th grade art teacher blew me off and told me I did not have an arty bone in my body, I wonder a lot about how things have come to pass and the passtimes that give me joy and pleasure in my life now.

While there was plenty of fun and travel in my 20's and 30's, the "hard yakka" side of life was always science, medicine and other socially and upwardly mobile occupations.
I'd love to meet my 8th grade art teacher NOW!!

Hot or Not

I left the balmy summer weather of Perth and drove some 400kms south to Albany today.  It was a wonderful 30C as I walked on the beach before leaving.  At 4pm I was clearly on a differernt part of the planet - and not one that included summer obviously!!  Blah!

I now have several days of solo time but a fair number of 'to do's' for the boys which will have to take priority over anything else ('cept maybe some art!)"

I'm pleased to say that the new Valentine rubber stamps that I've designed for Red Lead are now available in their store.  It's always fun to see what starts off as a small gem of an idea reach fruition.  These stamps are available exclusively to Red Lead, so check em out.

The artwork for today's post - "A fool for love" is another of the altered cabinet cards that I have been doing.  There's a fair collection of them now and if I can get myself into gear, will post them in their own gallery on the website soon.