Woah! It's Been Months!

Wow! Was my last post really in January?

I can't believe I have been that lax in writing here, but really I have been very busy in my art/craft world.

Okay... here goes!

Last year, I resigned from the Queen Beez Craft Group after around 5 years of being a member there. I have totally enjoyed being a member and have learned a lot from those lovely ladies - but it is time I moved on and really did jump into the art school thing on a more permanent basis.

And speaking of the art school thing, I'm going to the Logan Artists Association every single Monday to get in and do some serious painting. So far, I've completed 1 painting and I'm getting right into my second one... not too bad for somebody who took over 4 months to complete their first painting last year.

If you recall, last year, I started knitting a large throw rug for my bed? Well, it's coming along really well! I've completed the centre square - at long last - and am now working on the pieces I need to fit around it! I've worked through 3 cakes and am about to go onto my 4rth one.  Not bad if you ask me... and now I'm looking out for another 2 of the cakes at $2.00 stores if I can find them to work on the throw; it shouldn't take me long to get all the pieces done. And my knitting is becoming faster too!

Over the past few weeks, I've been given about 13 - 15 used canvas' to use in my next exhibition of Brunswick Heads - which ought to be great! Aaron Pocock has looked at my photos - which were taken on my phone and on the tablet - and he said that I took great care in photographing the little arty township; and my passion for my subject shines through the photos. He also has told me that I have more than enough photos to choose from - from now and the past - to pick from to make a great exhibition for myself. What I have to do is get myself to paint faster; and he's teaching me all the tricks to do that. 

The best thing is that next week, my first painting for Brunswick Heads will be going into the Logan Artists Association Members Exhibition - Part II. It's going to be 'The Harbour Wall - Brunswick Heads' and I'm putting a good price on it. The opening is on 21st, April and I hope to see some of you there. Until my next post, keep creating!

Back To Crafting At Springwood

Today I started back at the Queen Beez Craft Group at the community centre up the road from my parents' house. It was so good to catch up with the ladies there; despite how hot it's been lately - and today was so very steamy too!

Thankfully we had a nice storm and a good drenching of rain to help with the humidity. But the air-conditioning was something of a blessing to us inside. The ladies were amazed at how long my hair has grown since last December and that my right hand has healed so well since I was unable to really work with it the last time I was there.

They were equally amazed at what I've been up to lately too over the last month since my scar has healed properly. I have been making some lovely pin cushions - double-sided ones - of all sizes and have started selling them online as well as by chance when people walk into the Logan Art Gallery.
But not everyone was pleased about my little endeavour of how I was making them. The one lady I thought would love them wasn't pleased with them. She said 'they were okay... I guess.' and wouldn't touch them. She asked if I missed out on putting the tassel and cord in for the scissor-keeper. I said no, and that I had made them bigger and heavier so they were pin cushions for traveling, or for that time for when you don't need so many pins, or when you just need to use needles and that's it. She still didn't like them and walked off.
Ilene - one of the other ladies - told me that this lady who had taught me needlepoint last year, and had helped me through my first day when I burst into tears - didn't think of it first. And seeing I did, she didn't like it. I thought my teacher was being a wet blanket about it when a student does better than her. And that's the thing about teaching somebody something: if your student becomes the teacher and shows you something new, never poo-poo it. It's just not right.

Everyone else loves my double-sided pin cushions. They think they're wonderful; and that's it's even better that I have already sold two of them before going to the markets. 

First one sold

Lady Lace Tiny One I use

Aren't they the cutest things? They take three days to make and I have made about twelve of them so far. They price between $10 and $20Aust with a shipping fee depending where you live of $3.00 Domestic and $5.00 International (anywhere in the world). 

So, what have you been up to over the New Year period? Do let us all know. Until my next post, keep creating!

Wet and Rainy Days

I love doing craft things during wet days; even though it takes ages for things to dry. I could sit and paint, glue, stain and work at things until the cows come home - and really it's because I'd be sitting at my work bench (or standing, depending on how I feel) and just working on new pegs, new coat hangers or new little portraits until the light fades from the back door.

And I'd be happy... buzzing with caffeine from the many ice coffees I'd made that day, but happy.

Rainy days are the best time for me to get into the craft and work the hardest at them - and they're also the worst. My arthritis plays up in my right hand and wrist and I can't grip things as well as I normally can on dry days; and that sucks. So, when these days come along, I wish my joints didn't play up so much. But on the other hand (pun intended), I don't mind the grey skies which keep me trapped inside all day long.

Besides, right now, I'm working on a birthday gift for my niece, Riley, and it's taking some time to get finished. Some of it I have bought and hopefully she'll love, while the rest of it I'm making for her as it's something of a special birthday - her 16th - and I'm making sure she has something special to have her whole life. I'm not revealing anything until her birthday comes up... as some of it might not work out; yep it's experimental and I haven't done this before. And if it works out, I'll see if I can work it into my usual works for the markets.

Otherwise, in the past few weeks, I've been getting into staining any of the coat hangers I have in my wardrobe - to give them a little bit of class. These are the rejected coat hangers I can't paint up but I don't want to throw out as they're not that dreadful, they're just not good enough to use. 

I'm also learning new things at the Queen Beez Craft Group - needlepoint. Now, I'm not much a stitcher, but I'm getting there. My hands aren't used to all the threading and I'm not used to counting all those threads, but I'm enjoying the learning. And Mum's so proud of me for doing this as I'll be getting some other new things done soon... I've been thinking of getting in and working on a pin cushion. So far, I've cut out the squares of material for it, and now I have to decide on the design. This ought to be fun!

Well, that's everything from the last few weeks. I've been meaning to come on here and tell you all about the new things, old things and other craft things I've been doing - but have been so busy lately I haven't had time. What have you been up to? Until my next post, keep creating! 

What a Month and... Where Has it Gone?

We are halfway through July and I'm wondering just where it's disappeared to. 

I've done so much and yet feel as though I've done so little.  But that's how things go when you're having fun I guess.  I worked hard on my Grandma's Glory Box and it's come up a real treat.  Now this Friday and the weekend, I just have to get my butt into working on the lid and putting bees wax polish into it all and getting everything put back together and it brought to my place... this will take a day or so to do, but it will happen.  
During that time, Mum wants to get the table for the basin, jug and wash set that she's given me for my bedroom and bring it to my place at the same time - which sounds like a good idea.

And just last night, I started seriously working on really brightly painted pencils and more pegs to pull together more stock for the Creative Markets.  I've got 5 Cool Pencils so far which are beautifully bright and aimed towards girls - as boys aren't looking at them anymore - and there's going to be a new line of things I'm bringing in at the end of August.

So, I've been very busily working away at my little hobby business to get it hopping along again.  I'm also working at my Secret Santa's present for my craft group; and I'm halfway through it... I'm looking forward to seeing it finished and giving it to the lady who it's going to.  I hope the person who is my Secret Santa is working on something nice for me too.

So, do tell, what have you been up to?  It's Winter here in Australia, so working indoors is something that us Aussies do quite a bit during the colder seasons... but I've been working outside and inside lately.  Have you been working in the garden, working on your craft, or have you been finding you're kicking back and keeping warm (or cool if you're in other climates)?  Love to know what you're all up to.  Until my next post, keep creating.

Busy Week - Especially Today

Today, I was hoping it would be a good, slow day of catching up with the small stuff.

I was wrong.

Instead, there was a lot of small stuff, but really it was just fiddly crap I didn't like dealing with, and other stuff I needed to do before the Creative Markets started up again this year.

So, I was out the door before 10am and off to Logan Central Plaza to Go Fabrics where I bought 4 metres of white polycotten to make a throw for displaying the little jugs this month.  I'll reuse the fabric to display the coathangers next month or so that I'm working on; so that won't go to waste.

Anyway, I was off to the Op Shop around the corner to collect a book for an overseas thing I was doing online with Bookcrossing.com.  This didn't take long, but I did get chatting to the lady there.

Once I was back on the road, I headed to Springwood, where the really fiddly bits started for me.  First:  the bank.  I had to get some money out.  Second:  Sam's Warehouse for a box.  Third: the doctor's to drop off a cheque from Medicare.  Then, I was off to Coles where I bought some chocolate and then I was off to Mum and Dad's house after running into some of ladies from Queen Beez Craft Group.  We chatted for a while, and then we went on our way.  

While at Mum and Dad's, I told Mum that I really wanted to get myself a stamp to put on the paper bags I had bought last pay - to make it look cool.  She thought it was a nice idea.  So, she looked up the stamp company she used when she worked at Mt Gravatt Primary School and then we made a plan about the stamp and she called for me, and we had to wait for an e-mail with a quote.  

Not lot ago, we got the e-mail and between us, over the phone, we both talked it out on what the stamp should look like and found it was going to look great.  Well, I hope so... it's just going to be a plain old rubber stamp where I'll need a stamp pad and ink (these two things I can get from Officeworks; easy!) and so I'll be more into the markets than last year... I can't wait!

Three weeks to go before the first Creative Markets on 23rd, February at Springwood State School.  9am - 1pm.  Until my next post, keep creating!

Queen Beez Craft Group Breaks Up for Christmas

Today was my last day at my craft group.  So, instead of taking along my craft gear, dressing in my paint-stained outfit and smock and taking along something to share, I dressed in a lovely outfit and took along something to share and left my painting gear at home.

Yes! I went there today to socialise, not to paint. 

And everyone noticed what I was wearing.  One lady complimented me on my lovely skirt and top; and I said I wanted to have a good day off and just hang out for the last day... and she smiled saying that it's good I do keep my good clothes separate from the clothes I use for my paintings and artwork.

But we all brought along a plate and there was so much food we all went back for seconds and had a lovely time just sitting around and chatting about what we were going to do for Christmas, what the Christmas Party was like for the craft group and how our weekend was too.  
Before we knew it, two hours has passed and we all packed up and left to go home one by one... not to see each other until next February.  Coral and some of the other ladies bid me farewell and told me to take care of myself until next year; and I told them that Mum might be joining us next year too.  Coral smiled saying 'the more the merrier'... and I really do hope Mum does, she'd love the social arena of it.

This arvo when I arrived home, I got changed into my painting clothes and sat down at my craft table and worked on a few things before dinner.  Then, I worked for an hour and half after dinner until the semi-final of 'Supernatural' came on.  Tomorrow, I'll be out for a good part of the day to lunch, but for the rest of the week, I'll get my butt into the craft chair and working hard at my Crafty Pegs.

So, what are your plans for the holidays?  Working at your craft like me?  Or are you going to take a well-earned break?  Until my next post, keep creating!

Busy Art Week

This week has been one for the books.  I've been so busy art-wise that I've found myself wanting to just turn out the light without reading at night.

On Monday - as you know - I began attending a craft group.  And what a group!  The ladies at this group are lovely and very informative and friendly.  They do all kinds of art and enjoy each others' company very much and do the most wonderful art and craft.  And they have agreed to help me with learning to crochet too.  Fortunately, I took photos of how the hook has to rest on my fingers and the position of my hands so I don't forget for the next time I wish to crochet.

Otherwise, I've really gotten into my painting again; in more ways than one, and I got the best idea for finishing off a painting I got stuck on last year in of all places, but my shower (isn't that always the way?). Anyway, after I had the idea in my head, it wouldn't leave and so I pulled the painting out and tried out the idea and found it's worked!  How cool is that?

And over the last day or so, I've been sitting and painting more clothes pegs than I actually own personally.  These are to hopefull sell at the Logan Art Gallery.  If I can't sell them there, I'll try selling them at the Queen Beez Craft Group as the ladies there are anxious to see what other crafts I'm into.

So, that's what I've been up to this week.  I've been very busy and so I'm very tired from working hard at my art and craft.  What have you been getting your nose and hands into lately?  Until my next post, keep creating!    

Busy Beez at Queen Beez Craft Group

Today, I woke to a dull and wet day, but I needed to go out.  I had promised to get my butt out to a craft group this year - to get myself more social and improve on my craft skills - and this was what I was going to do.  

So, after breakfast hunting around for my 'Crobots' book my brother  gave me for Christmas - and finding it - I caught the bus to Springwood and walked to Mum and Dad's place.  Sure I was two hours early, but with the weather the way it was, I didn't wish to be late, and I didn't want to trust the roads being all that safe.
My folks were reading The Sunday Mail from yesterday.  They had been out all day seeing my brother at Brighton, and didn't get a chance to read the paper, so spent the morning having a good look through it all.  Meanwhile I sat and read 'Anna Karenina' by Leo Tolstoy until it was time to leave for the Springwood Community Centre; only a 5 minute walk up the road.  And soon, it was time for me to take off up there, where I arrived 10 minutes early and in time for introductions to everyone there, including Coral, who remembered me from around 15 years ago when I had attempted to join up with them but wasn't in as good health as I am now.
I explained that my health is a lot better now, and I am able to attend groups such as these on a more regular basis; and everyone was pleased.  They also took the precaution in asking me to sit on the outside of the tables because I've got a medical condition where I'd need space if I collapsed.  Good thinking, but I told them I was fine now and stablised; but still they insisted.

The ladies there varied in age from around 35 - 85 and they were skilled in all kinds of crafts; from needlepoint, tapestry, crocheting, knitting, painting and other styles of work as well which they couldn't bring along, but they did bring the finished products to sell.  Then, we had myself and Christine - both of us new-comers - who wanted to learn something new.  Christine could crochet, but wanted to learn to knit; whereas I could knit but wanted to learn to crochet!  How's that for irony!  I offered to teach her to knit, but she brushed me off a little for somebody else a bit older.  I didn't mind as I really did want to concentrate on learning better techniques in crocheting from these ladies.
Coffee and tea was supplied along with the ladies of Queen Beez Craft Group supplying us well with home made goodies of jam drop biscuits, scones and other such treats to scoff into!  Yummo!  I had some ice coffee I made there in a small mug and ended up eating some of the goods.  Then, I found the hand-made items on sale pretty nice too.  There was a knee rug I liked and bought for $10 from one of the older ladies which was in the colours of my favourite AFL team; I can't wait until the season starts!

Too soon, the 3 hours passed by and it was time to go... actually, we broke early due to the weather and not knowing if it was going to get worse.  So, we put away out chairs and packed up.  Once the rain settled down, we all rushed off to our cars and I walked back to my folks' house with my umbrella.  They were pleased I enjoyed myself and that I wanted to go back next week.  Until my next post, keep creating!