Camping

The little blond poppet is Caitlyn, my 3 year-old great-niece, and she had her first camping trip this weekend with her grandparents and our friends, Peter and Heather. It was for one night only but the bush telegraph reports it was great fun. Of course, she had to have her own camp chair! Wanting more photos?

A NEW IDEA ( for moi at least!)

The early mornings have been stunning the last few days...calm, clear...the early morning colours always have a coolness to them, even the oranges and golds of sunrise.

I thought I would do a series of posts about colour and randomly choose a different colour for each post. The posts could take any form. I'll write some colour words on little cards and then draw one out each day and that will be the subject for that day's post. BUT...then....remember, the only rule is no rule! The thought of 'randomness' is intriguing......

.....Noosa....you love it!

The things to love about Noosa?Because I am a water/bush/beach/river/boat type of person, the things I love about Noosa generally centre around the water and the national park. Perhaps that's also because it's slightly less crowded out on the water or walking in the national park.

Above, sitting on the little ferry that plies the Noosa River between Tewantin and Noosa is wonderfully relaxing. Below is the Noosa Sailing and Rowing Club which, from it's wide and completely open verandah, has great views up and down the river, and to the distant hills. It is a stunning place to sit with a glass of bubbles and good company, and solve the world's problems.


Noosa National Park is the perfect cure for the crass, extravagant side of Noosa. The walking tracks goes all the way round the coast to the beach at Perigian, and also explores the hills and more forested areas. A few years ago, I walked straight past a tree here where a koala was sleeping! Thank goodness my walking companion was more alert!Below, a lone surfer paddles round the point. The water was not as clear as usual due to recent very heavy rain.


This photo shows some of the typical coastal vegetation of pandanus, cotton trees, palms and eucalypts, and looks towards Cooloola national Park.

Noosa....you either hate it or......

Ah, Noosa. I think it would be fair to say that anyone who's been to Noosa, on Queensland's Sunshine Coast, has a definite opinion about the place and it tends to be either black or white, and not much grey. Visiting the area again, last week, when I was staying at nearby Tewantin, it was easy to see both sides of the argument.

So...today the black side. The beach, above, reminds me of one of the crowded French Riviera beaches, where all the 'beautiful' people lie side by side, in the latest resort gear. The main street, Hastings Street, is home to restaurants, cafes that look like something on the Champs Elysee, expensive resort wear boutiques or cheap, imported souvenir shops. Below,houses lining the river or the man-made canal estates sell for up to $8 million.

Enough! Next...the things to love about Noosa.

The Three of Us, 1985 - 2007

My two special friends in the photo above are Veronica, on the left, and Tricia, on the right. We first met in a pub in London, in early February 1985, when we were Australian exchange teachers with the League For Exchange of Commonwealth Teachers. The three of us quickly became great friends and did many amazing and memorable things that year. Even though they both live in Queensland, our friendship has remained precious to the three of us, and we try to get together at least once a year.

Below is the three of us, in a photo taken in Jerusalem, in April, '85.

New ATCs

Today, a bit of show and tell about some recent work I've been doing with Artist Trading Cards, and in particular,different techniques for backgrounds.

Above, are cards I made for an insect swap. I just love dragonflies, and believe they are my totem. Below are the cards made for a Dream swap I'm hosting. Amazingly, they are nothing like my original idea, and I'm not quite sure where that idea disappeared to. The original thought was characteristically dark and obscure, so the final result couldn't be more different.


These last two were done using a technique from the fabulous book by Bernie Berlin, "Artist Trading Card Workshop". 'Confronting ' is something I think I strive for in my work.



I'll be away for a few days.....I'm heading up to Tewantin, on Queensland's Sunshine Coast, to spend four days with my two special friends from our exchange year in London, wa-ay back in 1985.

Recent Jewellery

.

It's been a while since I've had a show and tell with some of my recent creative output. So, I'll devote the next few posts to both jewellery and ATCs, and then I thought I might take you on a brief zip around northern Australia, aka the Top End. We'll visit some of my favourite places from 2003.

But for now...of course, I had to lead off with a charm bracelet...I just LOVE them! Below is a necklace made with moonstone, and three red-pink coloured gemstones( the names escape me, but one of them is probably rose quartz)



And finally, a necklace and earrings made from rose quartz and polished onyx.


Now , a plea for help! I would be grateful for anyone who can explain to me , in words of one syllable or less, how to post larger images on my blog. Thanks in advance.

ELEMENTS : earth

earth....earth with a small 'e'......today's picture is of a rock map we came upon in an extremely isolated part of the Kimberley area in N.W. Australia in 2003. Made by a local mob of Aboriginal people, it is a map or picture of their country. It's not difficult to see the connection between a rock map and Aboriginal 'dot paintings'.

Vale Pavarotti

On last night's 7.30 Report, Kerry O'Brien replayed part of an interview he did with Pavarotti when he visited Australia for the last time, in 2005. O'Brien asked Pavarotti about his most- loved memories of his career. This was his reply:

"There is a phrase in Italy. We say, 'The first love you never forget,' so let's say that La Boheme is my first love. "

The photo above is of Pavarotti in the role of Rodolfo, in Puccini's 'La Boheme', in 1988.

Vale Pavarotti....thanks for the memories.

ELEMENTS : Air

"What is it about a beautiful sunny afternoon, with the birds singing and the wind rustling through the [grass]"? - Jack Handey



Fingal Head is one of my favourite places on the coast. It's usually always really blowing a gale, especially if the wind is from the south, as it was this day. This patch of leathery grasses was so bent over because of the wind, and made such a wonderful wild rustling sound.

Thank you for your concern regarding the collapsed guttering. Hopefully it will be replaced soon.

Wild Weather Warning!

Sending another Wild Weather Warning! While I deal with the insurance assessor and roof plumber, after my guttering collapsed in last night's storm( yes more water!), please do yourself many favours and lose yourself in this amazing blog.

There are breathtaking and miraculous photos of the nature and landscapes of Finland. If you care to follow the water theme, then February, July and August are sure to thrill you.

ELEMENTS : water

"In the sweetness of friendship, let there be laughter and sharing of pleasures. For in the dew of little things, the heart finds it morning and is refreshed. " Kahlil Gibran

Elements: FIRE

Fire that's closest kept burns most of all. - Shakespeare

Wattle Day

1st September is Wattle Day, the day on which we acknowledge the wattle tree which is Australia's floral emblem.Most Australian sporting teams are decked out in the green and gold of the wattle.Sadly, many people are allergic to wattles, which can bring on hay fever and other respiratory complaints. Happily for me, I'm not one of them, and have 4 in my garden. In case you missed it, there was another wattle pictured with Vivian, the cheeky beach babe featured in yesterday's posting!

The first of the four elements will appear in my next post.

And check this out, to see an awesome photo of this week's lunar eclipse.