Wednesday, December 31, 2008

more hibiscus



I'm definitely having a run on hibiscus at the moment. I'll get these paintings properly scanned and upload the results to my website - taking happy snaps doesn't do a lot for the colours.

Have a happy new year everyone and a very creative 2009.

Monday, December 29, 2008

Sunday, December 28, 2008

catch them before they fade


Hibiscus flowers don't last very long. After two days the large apricot and red blooms had withered. There was one pink bloom left so I painted that one.

Saturday, December 27, 2008

hibiscus


I picked these flowers on Christmas day and started painting them today.

If you see a strange woman around Sydney picking flowers from bushes on the side of the road she may be painting them instead of just putting them on top of the telly....

Friday, December 26, 2008

Boxing day beach bracelet

It's Boxing day in Sydney and where do you go if you're not going to the sales?

To the beach of course.

Here is a simple pearl bracelet - wrap the strands three times around your wrist for an elegantly casual little bracelet.

Could also double as a necklace.

Thursday, December 25, 2008

pastel bead charm bracelet


Season's greetings all.

A slightly different take on the charm bracelet theme. Made of gemstone beads and quartz 'points', interspersed with silver charms and bead drops.

something to sparkle along with the tinsel

Saturday, December 20, 2008

gingerbread house



I thought I'd attempt to make a decorate gingerbread house for a family gathering tomorrow (children present). I used a cardboard template made out of a crispbread packet for the house... and of course the bits didn't fit together properly but it's amazing what you can do with a whole bowlful of royal icing!

The first attempt ended in collapse but with a little perseverance and the icing talents of the resident 18 year old we have a centrepiece worthy of Christmas.

Hurrah.

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

earrings for a Tuesday

I've been so caught up in the whole Christmas palava I haven't had time to post.

Apologies.

Here is a selection of dangly earrings to counterbalance those festive numbers I've seen dangling from ears at office parties.... I like to call them 'chandeliers for the ears'.




Rose quartz, labradorite, swarovski crystal and amethyst: To enhance wisdom, intuition and truthfulness. For happiness in love.


Turquoise nuggets and coral: To cool tempers and promote friendship.


Amethyst and clear quartz: To promote wisdom, intuition and truthfulness. For balance.


Vintage crystal, amethyst, garnet & cloisonne beads: To increase self confidence, promote wisdom and truthfulness. For luck.



And I'm very proud of these: Indian silver 'tassel' earring fixtures (from Hyderabad), rose quartz, amethyst and swarovski crystal: To promote wisdom, intuition and happiness in love.

Monday, December 8, 2008

Mango frooty spicy tea


To drink with all those cupcakes and gingerbread cookies.

Ingredients: Hibiscus (Rosella), ginger, citrus peel, green tea and cloves. If I'm feeling adventurous I'll add pineapple shavings as well. Him indoors insists on cloves in the mix....

Sunday, December 7, 2008

watercolour work in progress



After a bit of a slow-up in the painting department, I've started again.

It really does take me a while to get into the swing of it and pictures have to get built up after days. I bit problematic when trying to capture flowers - by the time I got around to some beautiful peonies him indoors bought me, they'd mostly blown and started to lose their petals and stamens.

Here is a picture of the one remaining peony in full bloom after a week and work in progress.

Monday, December 1, 2008

batik beach bag


So I took note of the feedback from friends asking for a shoulder version of the batik and denim bag.

Here is a prototype.

The handles keep their shape by way of nifty plastic tubing. Him indoors put in the holes - makes it look less 'handmade'.

I haven't gotten around to addressing the zipper in the pocket request yet... I'm thinking about a button fastening rather than a zip.