Saturday 31 December 2016

A sad day

Life can turn in a split second. It did for me, unexpectedly 4 days
before Christmas.

A last minute appointment meant I was driving back home in the
mid afternoon, and then as careful as I was, was mightily crashed
into by another car.

Horrific sound of metal on metal, screeching brakes, and being spun
180% out of control and into another car as well.

What a shock, then off to hospital in an ambulance. Now I'm stiff,
sensitive and sore from the injuries. More tests to do.

Still not confident and nervous as a passenger and only have driven
once Christmas afternoon just a kilometre up the road and back to
take Ben home.

Still lots to do as to Insurance. Will Rosie be written off? A sad end
for her. I have not seen the major damage myself, too upsetting and
shocking, the family have.


 As sore and fatigued as I was, the very next day I had to catch a train, and walk some distance to meet Bec and travel out to the Tow yard to collect all the personal effects from the car. I still couldn't see the damage as luckily she was parked aginst a wall. Bec took photos to show the family.


 Bec did some climbing to get a final photo of the bonnet. She had to wear her gumboots 
from her car (Bush Regen job) as you had to have enclosed footwear.

 You can just see the rear corner damage but the bulk is side-on damage. 

I'd only just finished work on the Tuesday, and had to remove the tinsel from 
my crossing job. Rosie still sports her tinsel tail. 

Friday 30 December 2016

Christmas 2016

It was good to be able to enjoy Christmas, to be actually here and very grateful
after having a car accident only 4 days before. Counting my blessings!

Spending time with family and seeing all my children was what I wanted most.

 My children look bemused at their whacky Mum's request to recreate the
traditional Christmas photo in front of the tree. It has lapsed a few years. 


 Sam loves to do the tree, and she also likes to wrap all the gifts. Bearing in mind limited finances
this year, I made hamper gifts for all and used Opshop finds to put things in like dishes,
and bowls etc. An ethical and sustainable Christmas. 

 Somehow Bobbie is always the centre of attention. He has just 
taken to this basket as his sleeping quarters.

 Bobbie was spoilt with a bag of Greenies treats and a tuna loin. 

 Mike is stoked about his personalised Vegemite jar!

 The cat is not amused! It's his basket - not the wrapping dump!

 Ben travels with his new camera these days. 



 Bobbie and the Christmas prawn peeling, his favourite tradition!


 Cool drinks and a nice selection of food. 



Thursday 29 December 2016

More art market

I had a trip down Memory Lane of 5 years worth of Printmaking, and was able
to show people art pieces and tell them these artworks were created in this
building.

Later in the day I gave a demonstration of the Gelatine Plate Printmaking
technique, and it was a winner with the crowd. It also helped me to sell more
of the kits, even get back orders.

I had a large portfolio of prints to sell. Although I didn't sell any, it did lead to
conversations, and public education on the printmaking studio and what diversity
could be produced from it.

 Monoprints, 2 treatments. 
 Woodblock.
 Water-soluble oil pastel prints of real leaves. 
 Cut work Collagraph. 
 Early Encaustic. 
 Drypoint.
 Engraving on copper sheet. Addition of tea wash, and garden berries, including Lilly Pilly Ink. 
 Water colour added to a Collagraph.
 Different water colour enhancements of a Pelican Drypoint, 
and collage of hand-dyed papers with food colouring. 

Art Market

Daughter Rebecca and I participated in an art market recently.
It was held at our local Arts and cultural Centre, Wallarobba
in Hornsby.

Bec did Eco Wraps, which were bee's wax and pine tree resin
food wraps made from delightful 100% cotton fabric.

It was an interesting community-based day, meeting lots of people,
chatting and even reconnecting with other marketers we had met
before.

Very much enjoyed seeing the product and art of others. Rebecca did
some personal and Christmas shopping too.














More Community Garden

Only a few weeks and the garden is flourishing.