Where this woman creates

This week Where Women Create from Stampington arrived, with each issue I think that they couldn't possibly find more beautiful studios or workshops, but they do it again.                           This is my studio or workroom our large second bedroom which on the plan was two small bedrooms and we changed it to one.  Not up to WWC standard but most of the time it works for me.

 Recently I bought this neat table from Ikea, luckily the last one in stock until more come in.  The trestle legs can raise or tip the table top which was what I was looking for.  Lots of time when I am painting I like to work standing up and all the tables or trestles I looked at where just a bit to low, causes my lower back to get very sore after a period of standing and working.  The set of thin drawers underneath are on rollers and can be pulled out to give extra space to put things on.

 Lots of light comes in from this set of sliding double doors plus fresh air.  Cupboard to right at the moment is used to store my paints and cartons that need sorting, that will come, room underneath for slim old suitcases.

 Mostly display stuff this end but have the laptop in front of the window, just enough space for working here.
Spaces for some of my books, the rest spill out all over the family room.

Hanging above the bed is a vintage Japanese Hakama made of hemp, this is a skirt that a man would have worn.  I bought this off Ruth at our Miss Johnson's Vintage and Handmade Market.  I love to buy items that I treasure from our stall holders, always find something lovely.
A very good bit of news that I want to share with you is that Nina Bagley is still coming to our retreat at Dwellingup in July.  When New Zealand had to cancel (we where sharing the airfare cost) and then Nina's fathers health deteriorated I was concerned that she would not want to leave him at this time.  But she is excited about coming and so are we.
I am off to Bunbury with two of my Granddaughters from Perth Maddison and Kaitlin, picking up Alyssa from Collie where Maddison is having skating lessons from some overseas tutors.  Kids are excited, we will be staying at the Lord Forrest hotel, going to the movies and just having fun.  Will spend a night at Kirstys before coming home on Monday.
Hope you all have a good weekend
Jacky

Holidays 3

I just had to discreetly photoraph this gorgeous Macaw just sitting on this guys shoulder at a wonderful market we went to.  If you have not been to Queensland, it is in the tropics and has the most amazing fruit and vegetables, so cheap I just pigged out on pineapples.  It is also very lush and green after all the rain they have been having, not much evidence of the disastrous floods not long ago.

this little guy was such a poser, taken at the Botanical gardens, they lost over 2000 plants in the floods

late afternoon shadows in this park in the city with the ever popular palms

 

 with a much loved cousin that we spent so many good times with growing up, all looking into the sun, who's idea was that!

Cathy Pentons lovely little shop just outside Toowoomba

 this wonderful old cow shed is on Mandy Woodham's property which is a kids idyllic playground

and Mandy's wonderful typical Queenslander home, the old homes in Queensland are unique, I have not seen the like anywhere else in Australia

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and finally the sisters posing it up

Well that was a marathon effort, hope I didn't bore you with holiday snaps but it is all so pretty...

Have a wonderful Easter

Jacky

Holidays 2

Beautiful arcade, I love old arcades and the photo above is taking a photo of Phillipa and I in a mirrored sculpture in the arcade, crazy huh.

They have these amazing sculptures of feathers along the mall looking as if they are floating in the air.

An inspiring afternoon was spent at the Gallery of Contemorary Art, Brisbane has amazing Museum and Art Gallery and I could have spent all day there.  This skater was in this darkened hall will lights highlighting the objects.

Can you see us off centre taking photo's

The colours in this photo just blew me away, look at that indigo fabric

There was this amazing display of all kinds of birds nests made from shredded paper, wow!!!!!

You just wanted to give this sleeping elephant such a big hug, but there was this lady just sitting with her eyes glued on it to make sure you didn't touch....

if you look real close it looks like a fabric painted grey with these little hooks painted all over it, so realistic

this sweet little statue was on the lawn by the cafe

and this little guy was a little too close for my comfort, he came out of the hedge looking for dropped crumbs

a great view of the city from above the bus station, very good bus system

mmmh wont let me download again, I need a new computor............

Holidays

Back again, been busy, crazey busy, but here I am now.
I have just spent two weeks holiday in Queensland with my three sisters, or should I say 9 days with 3 sisters and 5 days with 1 sister.  However I want to share some of the hightlights of our time together. From the Gold Coast we spent a day exploring a wonderful rain forest, amazing trees.  No that is not a real crocodile but does make a good photo.

The coastline was stunning, the water so warm, I wished I could have gone swimming.

Look at this amazing eagle sculpture looking out over the coast

                                           Food was good especially this apple and rhubarb pie
We spent 4 nights on the Gold Coast then went on down to Brisbane, staying in a hotel walking distance from the shopping centre (up a hill) great exercise.  Having problems downloading photo's so will have another go later.