my creative space - time

If it wasn't for the cough I took away with me on holiday it would have been the perfect break. We managed to fit in a trip to a country nursery, some op shopping and old waresing (spoils above), lunch at a cafe, lots of family catchups and big dinners, a long walk around my sister in law's bush block  and pruning my mother-in-law's 30 plus roses. Not to mention finding the right buttons for my cardigan and some new jeans for growing boys.
It was cold but not cold enough for snow, which I was sort of happy about.

When I got back my Daisychain sampler embroidery kit from Alicia was here! I couldn't resist ordering this a couple of months ago. I think the fabric is such an interesting colour and it will be a great way to learn some embroidery stitches. A good long term project to potter away on. I'm always happy when I've got something to pick up and work on when the mood strikes.

For lots more creative space don't forget to check in here.

(p.s. Can you see the four little kangaroo heads in that second landscape!)

my creative space - custom bokeh

My girl was at a loose end the other day (school holidays don't you know) and we came across this idea online. By using a custom made filter you can fashion the out of focus shafts of light, or bokeh, to shape the light.
It's probably much easier and better at night, but we used dappled light through trees to get the same effect. Her heart shape and my star were cut out small in black card that we just held over our lens, we didn't bother in our experiments to make a complete cover. That way we had access to the manual focus on the lens, which we blurred.
These are the best, though we should probably go back and read the instructions more closely to perfect it ;-)

Inspired by MasterChef (we never miss a show!), the boys and I made our own custom rocky road, with maltesers and fresh coconut and cranberries, marshmallows and glace cherries. We got nine out of ten from all the judges.

We're going away on Saturday to visit family out west and I can't wait, I'm planning lots more photo and food adventures.

For lots more creative space action here.

The 2011 Flower Press Brooch Swap!!

 

Dear Brooch Swappers,
One last post as promised to share all our amazing brooches and to tell you how fantastic you are :-) What a completely fabulous bunch of swappers I was lucky enough to enrol in this mad scheme of mine. You took my little idea and made it something really amazing!

I can't tell you how inspired and delighted I've been by all your clever brooches. I've marvelled at your inspiring ideas and the many different techniques and skills you've used. And your generosity has touched me. I'm sure our Flower Press Brooch Swap Flickr pool will live to inspire many people in the future.

On top of that I was blessed with a delightful group of swappers. I've had so many lovely emails over the past few weeks, full of inspiration, enthusiasm, and excitement. And gratitude. Thanks.

Did you know that there were 88 of us in the end! That's pretty amazing!! My little list is all crossed off (wow!), though I know a couple of brooches haven't made it to their final destination so if you are still waiting for yours give me a yell. My aim is that everyone who made a brooch receives a brooch and I'll work it out somehow. Thanks to everyone for fulfilling their commitments and making this such a great swap.

I think I need a little break now. In fact I might need a long one. But a tiny twinkle of insanity in the back of my mind is thinking this might have to become an annual event. What do you think?

Susie x