Christmas is a wonderful time for children especially.

Here's a line drawing that my youngest has pasted proudly 

on our front window.....

I rather like the detail.

The garden is flourishing at the moment, and I especially love white flowers

indoors, but these one's I must confess make me sneeze a bit.

We've been making hand made stars from clay,

to give to little friends.....

And finally some photos taken outside......

these will inspire my next painting.

There's nothing I like more than a good summer storm,

and we've had no shortage of them the past month.

Infact , we've had the heaviest rain since records started 

early last century......no doubt climate change is partly to blame.

And as the human race continue to live without a concern for

their offsprings', and their offsprings' future,

things will only get worse......not being pessimistic but realistic.

Still , these alto - cumulus clouds reaching for the heavens

just blow me a way, and I love a thunder storm such as this.

One loud and wild enough to tell us 

- who's boss.

Old suitcases and other stories

A rainy day indoors today, but for a short walk around

the corner to the nearest polling station to vote in the state election.

Camille and I made a few christmas stars today using clay, white paint 

and silver glitter . I may post some photos when they are finished and dry.

But for now, I wanted to show you some areas around my home,

I've had this cupboard for 15 years or so, simply painted in a watered down white

paint. I love collecting old suitcases. They are invaluable for storage 

and look good. Occasionally they need a bit of a lift with a lick

of paint such as this one here.

My hand-knitting is salvaged from old towels that they once

adorned and serve as decoration until they find use again.

And just little things , like old crystal buttons and embroidery scissors

found on ebay , make me smile. Simple joys that gladden the heart.

Pottering about indoors.......

Well, I've just come home after a spell of shopping.

My eldest son is suffering terribly from hayfever at the moment 

and top of the list of necessities to buy this morning was hay fever medication.

I too,  am staying indoors until the wind has settled down

in anticipation of the rains that should come tomorrow to give

us all some relief. 

As well as painting and working up to my next exhibition

at Burrinja Art Gallery next year, I like to busy myself with 

vintage paper crafts. They look really beautiful

dotted around the house amongst pristine white roses from
my garden. These little details are important

in giving a home a lived in, loving atmosphere. 

Here's the story behind the blouse a friend of mine gave me that she found

in a charity shop - she was displeased with the bulkiness of the fit.

 So I deconstructed it, and sewed it up into a simple summer top

with vintage lace detailing around the collar and sleeves.

I'll ask her if she wants the blouse back now.

A

Pure and simple soap making.

.

Mild sunny days spell good weather for soap making.

This, my second batch so far this season.

I so enjoy crafting handmade soaps, but, as always, immediate attention

is the order of the day. Not one of my batches has failed yet in the course 

of my ten year practice, nor do I intend to make any unsuccessful batches

as it is an expensive hobby.

 This recipe, is based on a basic moisturising soap recipe, containing the ingredients

coconut oil, olive oil, distilled water and lye. *Palm Oil, of which I used to use, is

no more on my list of ingredients, as the habitats 

of orangutans are being wiped out due to

the extensive plantations of palm oil trees. 

To this mixture at trace

I add supplements such as oats, essential oils , decorative flowers and further beneficial

ingredients that may complement the therapeutic values of the soap.

I prefer basic , handcut blocks - nothing superfluous or fancy-

just honest and simple.

 A bit of a reflection on my outlook on life as a whole.

A

Daily snapshots from around the home.

.........images from around the home...

detail of old 40's window handle,

newly poured kelp, bergamot and oatmeal soap,

vintage Charles Dickens books on coffee table, 

(my art in the background)

and still life of heavenly scented lilacs in a glass vase on the dining table.

Moments in time captured during the pleasant , warm days of October .