Dotty Jean's Journal

New Beginnings- Sunday Selections

2012-01-02T11:09:00.009+11:00

As a new year begins I begin my usual mental list of changes I want to make in my life. The 2 biggest changes this year will be that I will blog more often and create more art. I know I have said that many times before that I will blog more but this year I really do mean it. Now it is written for all to see I can't go back on my word. I have also decided to take part in Sunday Selections from Frogpondsrock another fellow Tasmanian blogger. This is another something I have been meaning to do for a while. I am going to start the year with some photos taken at my Spiritual home - a rainforest. This particular rainforest is Liffey Falls, a beautiful enchanting piece of nature in the North of Tasmania. I have been to Liffey many times and it never ceases to energise me with the wonderful array of rocks, ferns and plant life. The area was covered by sea millions of years ago then a glacier carved out the valley and river. If you look very close to the rocks in the river you can see fossilised paw imprints of animals. In this photo you can just see a huge paw bigger than my hand. To run my fingers through the grooves in the fossil trying to feel the energy and imagine what type of animal made the imprints was mind blowing. One day I will revisit the falls and sit on a rock on the edge of the river and spend time meditating.

Catching up

2011-12-26T17:30:00.003+11:00

I am sorry to say that I am not a regular blogger. I have tried to post more often but my arch enemy, good old Procrastination always seems to win the race. However, I hope to turn over a new leaf in 2012!!
This is a painting I finished a few months back from a tutorial on Cheryl Iwin's site . Again, I procrastinated about trying the tutorial I was so happy with the result. The painting now hangs on my wall as a reminder to not let procrastination rule my life.

Poppy love

2011-10-08T18:26:00.005+11:00

I have discovered a love of poppies, well actually I have rediscovered my love of poppies. I love the fragility and the stength of the poppy. The way the petals are so soft and delicate but hold on tight to the seed case and flutter and bend in the breeze.
I have joined the Poppy Spree class over at Studio Margot blog. Margot is a beautiful soul who shares her love of Poppies by teaching a free class on how to paint her favourite flower.
This is my poppy from the class.

Prayer Flag swap

2011-09-26T09:01:00.004+10:00

Yesterday I made 4 sets of Prayer Flags for a swap on Goddess Guide Book , 2 will be flying off to USA and 1 will be staying in Australia and the 4th set will be a give away on this blog and Dotty Jeans Journal FB page.

Making these flags was such a calming & serene way to spend my afternoon, it was definately an act of active meditation. Each flag is 5 x 6 inches, hand died, embroidered in the centre with a spiraal of seed beads then hand sewn onto natural jute for hanging.
All you have to do to be in the draw for the Prayer Flags is to leave a comment on my blog and suggest my FB page to your friends. Make sure you ask your friends to mention your name when they like the page. This competition will be open until the end of October so there will be plenty of time to enter.

WATCH THE VIDEO

Supplies Me homework

2011-09-10T14:53:00.001+10:00

I have just finished my first weeks assignment for Supplies Me with Jane Davenport. I made my journal from a tutorial by Teesha Moore, I have a short attention span so made the journal instead of having a large one to fill I will have several smaller ones. That way I won't have an anxiety attack thinking I have so many pages to fill!! Mind over matter works every time.
I have really enjoyed the process of making this first journal spread, I didn't know what my firs page would be until I woke this morning. It all came to me in my sleep, I would create a page depicting me as a butterfly emerging from the cocoon of self doubt into the world of creativity. I love metaphors, this one is perfect for me. Now I'm inspired I am off to paint the background of some more pages.

I'm excited

2011-09-07T21:57:00.003+10:00

I have just joined Jane Davenport's Supplies Me online workshop, this is the first time I have participated on such a workshop. I have made myself an art journal using Teesha Moore's tutorial, I am so looking forward to filling the pages with beautiful art. This is going to be such a fun filled class full of great students who are so inspiring and Jane is such a great teacher.
I hope to have some pages to post in a few days of the start of my journal, because I have a short attention span I have decided to make smaller journals instead of one large one.

New art work

2011-08-28T10:57:00.000+10:00

I found a you tube video from Tim Coffey a couple of weekends ago on howw to create a piece of art using a glue gun and paints. I have to say that I love this style of art, I intend to make many more to hang on the walls of my home. I have some ideas floating around in my head that I hope to use on various pieces, the time to make these pieces is my arch enemy though.

Art Journal

2011-08-01T16:24:00.000+10:00

I have just stumbled across a wonderful site called Wild Precious . I have spent many hours looking over this great site and have come tot he conclusion that I want to try my hand at Art Journalling. I have avoided journalling all my life because I didn't think that i had anything worth writing down. I still don't think I have much to say that is worthy of putting in a journal but Art Journalling is not about prolific writing, instead it is about feelings, art, creativity and having fun. So, I searched my bookshelf looking for a suitable book that I could use, all the while feeling guilty because I was about to deface a book. Then I thought about it for a moment and realised that if there wa a book sitting on my shlef that was fit to be transformed then it was never gong to be read. So, I chose a gardening book with a hard cover that the silver fish had started to devour and that was the begining of my 'next creative passion'.

Art pieces

2011-07-16T20:56:00.000+10:00

I created this piece of art a few months ago after a wonderfully uplifting meditation session. I used chalk pastels on this picture, I LOVE using pastels, the way they blend together is a magical process. I have called this picture Eyes of Buddha.

This second piece is a Zentangle I did this evening. Zentangles have a way of making me feel relaxed, the active meditation felt through creating Zentangles can be a bit addictive.

Creative Meditation

2011-07-06T20:20:00.001+10:00

Two days ago I listened to Goddess Leonie's week three meditation from her Creative Goddess e-course. I still feel relaxed and uplifted from sitting and working through the meditation. I haven't meditated for a couple of months but as soon as the meditation started I was taken into a beautiful visulization to meet my creative Guide. I do love to meditate, I must continue to make an effort to keep meditation as a big part of my life. I am half way through this e-course and can't wait to make my piece of art for this week.

Just popping in for a minute

2011-01-16T15:16:00.010+11:00

I have just finished tiling my laundry. I have always wanted a light airy laundry room and now I have one complete with white walls and white tiles. I have waited 23 years to get the room I wanted and if anyone messes it up they have me to contend with.

This is what I have just finished making a Snow Queen Dotee for Martha in a Winter Dotee swap. She was so easy and quick to make and I have to say I am very pleased with the end result. I sure hope Martha likes her.

I found these photos f an Arum lilly on my camera when I was uploading the Dotee. I an so please with my lily, it is in the perfect spot and grows like a weed. It is amazing how different it looks using different settings on the camera.

New family member

2011-01-11T11:30:00.003+11:00

I hope to post to this blog more ofter this year. I'm sure i said that last year and the year before but this year I really will try to make an effort.

We have a new baby in the family. Aidann summer Rose arrives on 7th January 2011 weighing in at 9lb 8 1/2 the biggest baby this family has seen for a couple of generations. The second child for my eldest son Sam and his beautiful partner Tab and a little sister for Corbin. We have had lots of photos and will be having lots of cuddles on 22nd January when Iain and I meet her for the first time. At times like this I realise jus how much I miss my Sons and thier families, being a long distance Grandmother isn't an easy task to perform. But I make up for it when we do visit.

Retreat

2010-03-07T16:01:00.000+11:00

I recently arranged a Women's Retreat with a group of women who were mostly strangers to each other. I have wanted to participate in a retreat for a long time but haven't been able to find one close to home and with the principles I hold dear to; Spirit, Nature,Mother Earth & Drumming. I found a lovely lady on the net who just happened to live in the same sate as me which in it's self is amazing. I contacted Jane and asked her to run a weekend in the North of the state and so our retreat started to take place. We arrived on Saturday morning with an open Heart, good cheer, friendship and food!! The day started with an individual of each participant, which for me was a whole new experience. An experience which I might say was very pleasurable and grounding. We sat in a circle and passed the talking stick and that was another first for me but again very pleasurable and grounding. When the last participant had finished two hours had gone by. My, how a bunch of strangers can talk. the afternoon session was spent singing and drumming on medicine drums, what a connecting time. The second day started with the talking stick and then straight into drumming and singing. The morning was drawn to a close with a long visualization and meditation and then silence for the next 2 hours until the afternoon session was ready to commence. The silence was deafening, I was so amazed at the amount of sounds that a person can hear when there is no conversation to enter into. At the end of the weekend we, who started the previous day as strangerswho shared some intimate stories, singing, drumming and dancing were bonded into a friendship of kindred likeness.

A mid week holiday

2010-03-03T16:16:00.000+11:00

I have reached an age where I no longer feel I need to do things with other people. I have learnt that I can have ME time and not have to share my space with another human being if I don't want to. Today I did something I have been promising myself for a long time; I spent a day mid week at the beach all by myself and feel inspired to do it again. The weather was perfect, the water was perfect, the shells were perfect, the sand was perfect and the seagulls were perfect. I walked the beach and quickly found myself in the familiar pose of a frustrated beach comber; head down, hands behind my back looking for treasures in the sand. I found things that no-one else would treasure but me. A piece of brown sea glass to add to my ever growing collection; a beautifully worn shell with a perfect spiral inside to remind me that sometimes life can spiral out of control and I need to take myself off somewhere quiet and reflect on life and gently bring myself back to the centre and move on. Two shells that were so fragile that they broke into pieces before I finished my collecting, then I found a couple of stronger shells. The shells reminded me that life can sometimes fall to pieces unexpectedly but if you look around you can find something strong to replace your broken pieces.
While sitting on the sand the seagulls came to visit looking for food. I noticed one of them only had one leg and he was just ah happy and capable as the others with two legs. He reminded me that life continues no matter what. Just suck it up and move on!!

Collage Therapy

2010-01-09T11:35:00.000+11:00

This collage was created out of Love, Frustraion & Fun!!
The Love is a Mothers Love for a Son who was in a long time unfulfilling relationship. The Frustration was that as a Mother I was not able to make my Son happy. The Fun was listening to Nickle Back and creating something that I didn't plan, think about, ponder over, worry about or procrastinate over. I just went with the flow and created whatever came from my Spirit. I incorporated paint, collage, stamping and journaling and when I had finished I was amazed at what had transpired!!

NYE 2009

2010-01-03T14:18:00.000+11:00

The NYE fireworks were spectacular as usual. Dissapointment was not an option. Although every year I experience them through the lens of my camera I am still excited to see the flashes and hear the bang of the show.

This was the full moon on NYE. One side the fireworks sparkled while on the otherside the moon glowed an eerly glow through a hazey sky. Look closely and you will see orbs around the moon, strangely enough there were no unseen beings anywhere to be seen around the fireworks. Draw your own conclusions!!

My visions for 2010

2009-12-29T19:13:00.000+11:00

I don't usually do New Years Resolutions but this year I have decided to crete a Vision Board and a Vision List. I am starting with my Vision List first because I can easily create that where the Vision Board will need more work and thought.

My Vision List for 2010:

continue to be more creative
be more positive
do a retreat
create a workshop/retreat
read more
meditate more
anything else I feel I need to do to nurture my Soul

2009-12-28T16:17:00.000+11:00

One of my passions in life is photography. I mostly photograph natural objects and I don't think you could find anything more natural than a glorious rainbow. I was driving home from work one afternoon when I saw this beautiful rainbow in a paddock, the closer I got to home the more I realised that the rainbow seemed to be following me. I'm not sure if rainbows choose someone to follow but it certainly seemed that this vibrant rainbow was following me.
This wasn't an ordinary rainbow it was a double rainbow which made the experience even more special. I felt that I could reach out and actually touch this beautiful creation of nature. The experience was something I will always remember.

I'm excited...

2009-04-01T16:23:00.005+11:00

...because I will have a strawberry to pick in the next couple of days. I have never grown strawberries before and am so pleased that this plant has so many strawberries on it. The first crop of fruit was eaten my some mystical creature/animal in the night!! I don't know what the creature was but it only ate the strawberries and not the stalks or any other part of the plant. I have moved the plant closer to the back door behind a fence in order to keep it protected from harm. I know it sounds like I'm a bit pathetic being so excited about a strawberry plant but we have had such a bad summer with none of our vegetables producing fruit for us. The only ones to benefit from the plants will be the chooks when they are let lose in the garden this coming weekend. I will keep you posted on the strawberry plants progress.

How time flies

2009-03-28T12:31:00.013+11:00

I just looked at the date of my last blog entry and forgot how time flies.
Last time I blogged I had intended to have some of my creations made and ready to post here but I have to say that I haven't made a single thing in this time. However, I plan to do some sewing this afternoon so I may have something to show for my effort.
So, in the mean time I thought I would share with you my passion of photography and some of my favourite photos of my garden. Some may look overexposed but they were taken on a dewy morning.

Just a small selection......

2009-02-25T19:10:00.005+11:00

....... of the beautiful collection of cloth dolls I have from my many friends I have met on the net over the past 9 years.

While re-arranging my studio yesterday I came to realize what a wonderful collection of cloth dolls I have been fortunate to have received in swaps from Internet groups. I decided to keep these wonderful dolls all together on a set of shelves so I could gaze at them and remember all the wonderful friends I have met on the net since I started cloth doll making about 9 years ago.

Until I started making cloth dolls I didn't know anything about the net let alone how to chat on line with anyone and become firm friends with them. Some of my bestest friends are cyber buddies that I have never met and probably will never meet but that doesn't deter me from meeting new net friends almost on a daily basis. The generosity of my cyber friends is just so amazing, when I tell my 'real' friends about my cyber friends they look at me with a strange look and think 'what a loser" but if only they knew!!

Anyway, what I really want to tell you about is the wonderful mountain bike I was lucky to get from Free Cycle today. I have wanted a bike for a long time so I could try to get fit and now I have one I am over the moon. It needs a little bit of work and 2 new tyres but that is minor work that I am going to enjoy fixing. And yes, it was a 'cyber friend' that was there at the right time to help out when needed.

Do the frogs know something?

2009-02-24T16:40:00.000+11:00

I am sitting here writing this while family of little brown frogs that live in a garden just under my lounge room window are calling to me. I wonder if they know it is going to rain even though the sun is shining. These little creatures live in a large leafy plant and love nothing more than getting a little shower from my hose when I water my garden, they come out and croak away to their hearts content. Unfortunately they have to be content with the hose and not rain because we haven't had a lot of rain for a few weeks now.
I do wish you could be here with me, the frogs are croaking, the wind is blowing and rustling the trees and the wind chime I bought for my husband is playing a little magical tune for me. So all in all I can say I am reveling in the wonderful nature that abounds my beautiful bush sanctuary.

New doll

2009-02-08T18:26:00.004+11:00

I have just finished this Healing Doll. I got a bit carried away with the beading as I always do. Once I start I find is hard to stop, In was just going to add beads to the front but continued on the back as well. I love the feel of the beads when I run my fingers over them so I just continued beading until I had covered all the red and blue pattern on the fabric.
She is approx 4 inches long not including the hanger or tassels. Her face is a clay mask I made and painted with bronze paint, another thing I love doing with my dolls. I love the texture of paint on fabric so most of my dolls lately have had their bodies painted.

2009-02-07T14:32:00.013+11:00

It has been a little while since I last blogged. I have been playing Grand Mother and coping with the extreme heat for a couple of weeks. Playing Grand Mother has finished but not the extreme heat we are experiencing. We have had several days of 40+ and I can tell you that is is very ard to get through the day whith no air con. I told my husband 3 summers ago that if the heat continued (then is was around 30!!)that I wasn't going through another summer without a proper cooling system. Well guess what? Three years later and we still haven't got one. It is very rare that we experience such conditions in my little part of the world and I cna only think that is is going to stay this way each summer. So, I think next year will the the year to do something about it.
I have posted 2 photos of the same subject. One was taken by my 10 year old Grand daughter Ivy and the ther one was taken by her ? year old Grand Mother. We took lots of photos while Ivy was visiting, it is a hobby that we both enjoy as does her Father. She seems to have inherited her Father's talent for photography because on several occassions she took some fantastic shots. Here are some more of her work.

2009-01-22T20:33:00.002+11:00

I have been makink Dotees for about a week now. They are so easy and quick to make that I have made about 8 of them so far. I have seen them on the web on various sites and didn't take too much notice of them until a friend in a Yahoo group showed us some of the ones she made. I decided to try my hand at one and have been making them all week. I accidently found the blog of the creator of the original Dotee it is such an inspiring blog that I have visited it several times this week.

2009-01-20T21:36:00.002+11:00

GEMINI - The Twin Nice.

Love is one of a kind. Great listeners Very Good at confusing people.... Lover not a fighter, but will still knock you out. Gemini's will not take any crap from anyone. Gemini's like to tell people what they should do and get offended easily. They are great at losing things and are forgetful. Gemini's can be very sarcastic and childish at times, and are very nosey. Trustworthy. Always happy. VERY Loud. Talkative. Outgoing VERY FORGIVING. Loves to make out. Has a beautiful smile. Generous. Strong. THE MOST IRRESISTIBLE.

If the above is true I have a lot to live up too!!

Luck of the Fae

2009-01-10T11:21:00.007+11:00

I have just signed up for a Faerie swap at Fairy Child Heirlooms blog I haven't been involved in a swap for a few months now and am looking forward to this one. Here are the details if you are interested in joining.

~0~0~0~

Now, here’s a few rules I’d like my swappers to follow:
You need to have an active blog…….posting a couple of times a month
NO SWAPPING FLAKES ALLOWED! I know that life happens so if you sign up and then realize you can not follow through for any reason then let me know ASAP so I can find your partner a new sender.
Email your partners. Get to know them so you can send something that they’ll really like!
$20 limit before shipping. (No junk allowed!)
Have fun & use your imagination to make this into a magical swap for your partner
Make sure you “thank” your partner – very important

Back to the real world

2009-01-04T17:56:00.005+11:00

I don't usually study the sky too much during daylight but I just happened to look up when taking the washing off the line. The moon looked so clear and close over the tree tops that I just couldn't resist taking a photo of it.

Well, my Christmas break has come to an end, I return to work tomorrow not knowing when ,my next break will be. We are having a new state wide computer system taking over from the old system and all hands need to be on deck. It is lovely to be needed but not when it may impact on my much need break away from the drudge of work. I am totally convinced that I only work to feed my habit of eating and paying bills.

Revamp and Face Lift

2009-01-02T20:34:00.006+11:00

I thought with the coming of the New Year I should overhaul my blog. I have spent several hours putting the new look blog together, I hope you all agree with me. I would love to hear your comments, so, leave comment if you like.
Last night we helped my Brother in Law to celebrate his 50th Birthday, usually we sit in the blazing heat but not this year. My Sister decided to have an evening celebratration this year because last year the temperature soared around lunch time. But, this year the temperature plummeted so low that we sat around fire pots to keep from turning blue with the cold. Guests big and small enjoyed the warmth from the fire, Clancy, my Nephew from Townsville, was the chief stoker for the evening.
Just a few days ago we were loving the heat but I can't say we are loving the return of winter.

Happy New Year

2009-01-01T10:02:00.027+11:00

Happy New Year to all my readers, I hope 2009 brings you all the joy and happiness that you deserve. I hope you all had a safe and joyous night doing what ever you do on New Years Eve. I spent the evening with my brother and sister and their families at a public gathering at the local football oval. There was live music all through the night, food and drink stalls all around so no one went hungry or 'thirsty'. The weather was more like Autumn evening than a summer evening but we all rugged up to enjoy the festivities and the fire works display. This is my Great Niece Maya, who turns 2 in a few days time. I am not being biased but she was the prettiest child of the evening! Don't you agree? Last year she was mesmerised by the fireworks but this year she was more aware of the noise and didn't like them at all. We all left just before midnight, I have a 30 minute drive home so I arrive home a few minutes before midnight, just in case I turned back into Cinderella!! These are some of the photos I took, we weren't positioned well to get good shots but I am happy with what I got.

LETS START 2009 THE RIGHT WAY..By giving

I found this lovely giving idea on my friend Laura Ann's blog. I decided to play along because I think giving is something we all should do more of. I have just pasted the rules here from her blog Artisan Memories

The first 3 visitors to my blog who leave a comment saying that they would like to be involved will receive a handmade gift from me within 365 days.

You must email me to confirm your details. These 3 visitors must have their own blog, place the PIF logo on your blog and link it back to me. Then you must offer the same to the first 3 visitors to visit your blog and follow the above steps that I have done. Remember there is no stress...you have one year to PIF.

Big Day Out

2008-12-29T21:00:00.007+11:00

It has been so long since I have been to the beach, a pass time I really love but rarely indulge in. My Brother is visiting from Northern Queensland so we spent the day touring around. We followed our noses and ended up on a beach that I haven't visited for about 20 years! I took these photos and am so pleased with the results, I used my digital camera and couldn't see a thing through it because of the glare from the sun, so I just went with my instincts and pointed and clicked and these are the results. I was so surprised when I downloaded them to the computer, perhaps I should use the blind persons technique of photography more often. The water was perfect for body surfing as long as you had a thermal wet suit!! The wind was amazingly strong but not as cold as you might think. We were sand blasted while descending the steep dunes to the beach but it was worth the experience to get to our destination. The wild life on the beach was extraordinary, a Fairy Penguin, Fur Seal and a Wallaby and the most extraordinary thing of all was that they were all dead!! The Fairy Penguin and the Fur Seal were washed ashore but the Wallaby was mumified!!
So, all in all it was a day out for us all to remember.

Mother Nature

2008-11-22T11:12:00.007+11:00

Isn't Mother Nature a magnificant creator?

I was adding roses to my dehydrator to create some pot pourri when I stopped for a moment to look at the blooms before I turned them into dried petals.

These beautiful creations leaped out at me just asking for one final photograph before I flicked the switch. Now I feel bad because I am turning something so beautiful into a dried up thing for my so called enjoyment. I really have difficulty making Pot Pourri with such magnificent flowers but I do enjoy them while they are in full bloom, only picking them when they are past their prime. That way I can continue to enjoy them for many months to come. I suppose in a way I am doing my bit for recycling.

I am flattered

2008-11-22T09:24:00.004+11:00

What a lovely surprise I had yesterday when I received this award from Laura Ann. It is my very first blog award, I will treasure it forever.

The rules are simple...to keep the award active...just * Put the logo on your blog or post.* Nominate at least 5 blogs (can be more) that for you are Uber Amazing!* Let them know that they have received this Uber Amazing award by commenting on their blog.

Now for my chopice of 5 blogs I enjoy reading.

Karen - Karen's Dolls and Stuff

Kirrily- Five Roses Prim and Pretty

Lisa- Craftye Ladye Creations

Crystal-Ewe and Me creations

Susan- Rabbit Hollow Prims

Enjoy your award Ladies, you deserve to be rewarded for your beautiful blogs.

Twice in one month - a record!!

2008-11-14T20:06:00.012+11:00

I can't believe that I am blogging twice this month, let's see if I can make it thrice!!
I had the good fortune of reconnecting with one of my doll artist friends today - Flora Dora. I haven't spoken to her for ages and finally caught up with her on Face Book. It is such a treat to find friends again and continue on as if you haven't been parted, that is a sign of a good friendship.
Flora Dora is such a beautiful artist and doll maker that she gets me inspired every time I see her work. I haven't created a doll in ages, time has just been very limited.

I have been working on my garden and hope to get some more weeding done this weekend, I have a friend coming to visit and I hope I can tempt her to help me out. My garden had really been neglected during the winter months but now the warmer weather has arrived I have a renewed enthusiasm and a need to make the garden come to life again. Having had these beautiful roses sit on my desk for a week and smelling their perfume I am rearing to go. I arrived at work on Monday morning to find a glorious bunch of roses in a vase sitting on the counter, dear Gabby had bought them from her garden. what a magnificent garden she must have if she could spare these beautiful blooms for her work colleagues. Thank you Gabby I have drooled over them all week.

Darby and Joan again

2008-11-05T13:04:00.005+11:00

I have just shed a tear or three as I waved part of my precious family goodbye. Hubby and I have had our treasures eldest son, his beautiful partner and their precious son Corbin for 5 days. I am too much of a cry baby to drive to the airport for farewells that my dear Hubby has to be brave and go it alone. It has been nearly a year since they visited, Corbin was just a tiny baby of 3 months and now he is a thriving bundle of energy at 15 months!! It was just a treat to be 'real' Grandparents' for a few days, it is hard to be a long distance Nanny and Pa when your Grandchildren live in another state.
Once again, I had a smile on my face as I was driving around with a car seat on the back seat of my car. It might seem such a natural thing for most Grandparents to do but for me it is a once a year special treat. I thought
I had child proofed my house so Corbin could run free relatively safely, but alas, there were many things I thought he wouldn't be interested in, What a silly Nanny I was. I did remember to move all my dangerous cleaning products from under the sink but of course I forgot to tie up the kitchen draws didn't I?
I was reminded of the strange shows little people love to watch on TV, gone is Sesame Street and in it's place is Iggle Piggle. I have to say that I much prefer Iggle Piggle to the whiny voices of the Sesame Street characters. Even at such a young age the world stops at 9am for Corbin to sit glued to Iggle Piggle, a whole 30 minutes where grown ups can do whatever they want without a little helper tagging along.
How strange it was to wake in the middle of the night and hear a little voice chatting away or crying as it happened on a couple of nights. Last night I thought about getting up to him then I remembered that I was the Nanny not the Mother, with a rush of sudden relief I rolled over and went back to sleep, not like the old days!!
Now I'm off to finish 'unchildproofing' the house till next time.

How time flies

2008-10-05T15:05:00.003+11:00

Well I did say at the very beginning that I wasn't a regular blogger. I hadn't realized how long it had been since my last post.
Spring is well and truly here in Australia. Wattle blossom blooms all around me at the moment, every second year the wattles put on a display of glorious gold for all to see and this year is no exception. Bulbs are flowering, making my garden look colourful. I took a bunch to work last week and had so many comments on the colours.

I haven't been making dolls for several months now, but this weekend has been a time of reflection for me. I awoke this morning and decided to start up again but with a little twist. I have loved art dolls for a long time now so, have decided to give them a try yet again. I have a few dolls that I was never happy with and as I write one of them is drying by the fire. I have decided to give her a good paint of gesso and see what happens. I just love the feel of paint on cloth and my hands, so my new venture is to paint my dolls with various paints and gels to see what effect I can come up with. I have also decided to minimize the size of my dolls, I usually make 12 - 18 inch dolls but want to try some smaller ones ranging in size from 6 - 10 inches. I have found some inspirational blogs this morning with an array of textures and colours so I am very eager to give the new styles a go.
I can hear my doll calling me, saying that she is dry and ready to decorate.
Stay tuned for the next installment of my new style of dolls saga.

Back to the real world

2008-07-13T14:41:00.002+10:00

Today is the last day of my week long holiday.
I took the week of work just to do stuff for me and I have had a wonderful week. I got up when I wanted, ate what and when I wanted and best of all did the housework when I wanted which I have to say wasn't very often. I thought I would have a sparkling shiny house by weeks end but I can tell you that it is not shinier than it is on any other Sunday afternoon. I think that just goes to show that I am not a housework nutter like some people I know.
However, I have done some cooking this week that I would usually take about 2 months to do. I have made spanakopita, two batches of cupcakes, apple strudel, braised steak and onions (well I am going to make that before the day is out) and my husband have loved me for it. I am not known for my love of cooking, perhaps that has something to do with the fact that I work full time and am usually too tired to cook much at night and too busy washing and cleaning at the weekend to cook.
Well, I'm out of her now to make some phone calls and get the braised steak and onions cooked so my husband will love me more!!!!!!!!!!!

I was recently in Italy...

2008-07-10T10:05:00.004+10:00

...well my spirit was in Italy!!
A good friend of mine has just come back from Italy and I met her yesterday for coffee and a chat. She took me with her in a little piece of her heart. She sent me a postcard from Tuscany to say that I was in Tuscany with her, I asked her yesterday if I had a good time there and she replied - the best!!!
Listening to her made me realize that I really want to go to Italy and see the country for myself. She did all the tourist things and everything that I would want to do and more. She brought me back a glass ring from Venice, I saw one similar in a shop just around from where we had coffee but mine is much more special than the imported one because mine came from the factory where it was made via my friend.
Now I'm off to dream of Italy.

A small world

2008-07-08T16:24:00.001+10:00

Isn't the world a small place? I lost contact with my friend from Brazill for nearly a year and guess what? Today she contacted me, I am so happy to be in contact with her again. she is a beautiful person and is a fantastic doll maker. She has a wonderful site here on Multiply but alas, I don't speak Portugeuse so can only guess what she has written on here at least. Luckily she speaks English so we email each other.

We are well into winter here in Australia, some places are colder than othrs I have to tell you. Unfortunately I live in one of those places. I just went outside to do some p[runing and my feet just about froze so I am back at my computer tapping away like I have been doing most of the day.

Till next time
Jude

2008-05-29T20:05:00.005+10:00

My good friend Flora has tagged me with this very revealing tag.
Tag the ABCs about you. Each player then tags 3 people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know that they have been tagged and asking them to read your blog.

A -Attached or single: Attached

B- Best Friend: My Sister

D-Day: Sun

E- Essential Item: moisturiser

F- Favorite Color: purple

G-Gummi Bears or Worms: worms

H-Home town: Launceston

I- Indulgences: Mud Cake

J- January or July?:.... January the weather is warm

K-Kids:.... 2

L-Life is incomplete without: My family

M- Marriage Date: March 23rd

N- Number of Siblings: Two

O- Oranges or Apples: Oranges

P- Phobias or Fears: High bridges, big spiders

Q- Quote: I am what I am

R- Reason To Smile: I'm alive

S- Season: summer

T- Tag Three: Kristine
Terri
Angelia

U- Unknown fact about me: Can't tell ya ..then it will be known :)

V- Vegetarian or Oppressor of Animals: Opressor of animals

W- Worst Habit: misplacing things

Y-Your favorite food: Italilan

Z: Zodiac Sign: Gemini

Getting older

2008-05-29T19:53:00.003+10:00

I will be another year older in 3 days time!!!
Where has my life gone? I seems only yesterday that I turned 30 and was so depressed now I am just happy that I am a year older. Funny how ones thoughts change as you age.
I got a parcel in the post from my sons today, it was delivered to me at work so I just had to open it to show everyone what was inside. The box was beautifully wrapped in a delicate ribbon so I immediately knew my daughters in law were involved. Inside was the most beautiful cherry red dressing gown, so soft and cuddly that we all had a try of it. I wanted to wear it for the rest of the day but was reminded that my Birthday isn't until Sunday. So, back into the box it went until I got home where tried it on again to show my husband and then back into the box it went again until Sunday!!!!!!!!! Needless to say I can't wait for Sunday so I can finally take it out for the last time and wear it. My boys know exactly how to make their Mother happy. Now I need to go and buy myself a decent pair of slipper to go with this beautiful dressing gown.

Million Paws Walk

2008-05-18T14:49:00.002+10:00

This morning I took my dog Staffy to the Million Paws Walk, which is a fund raising walk for the RSPCA. I went qwith my lovely friend Shakira and her gorgeous husband, Ariel along with our dogs, Staffy and Millie. There were so many dogs of all colours, sizes and breeds out to enjoy a walk with their owners. Our dogs got a bit tired and had to carried some of the way but most of the time they trotted along with the crowd. I have always meant to go on this walk but something always came up and I never got to participate. But, this year I made the commitment early and signed up and paid the money and went along and had a wonderful time. I was a bit hesitant taking Staffy in the car because she isn't a good traveler but today she traveled like a pro and sat up in the front seat and was on her best behaviour.

I had plans to do all sorts of things this afternoon but I think the walk had made me a bit lazy so I think I will just sit by the fire and start knitting a jumper for myself that I have been meaning to do for ages. I haven't knitted for a few years so this will be a test to see if I still have the patience to knit adult sized jumpers or not!!
Signing off till next time.

Mothers Day

2008-05-11T09:11:00.004+10:00

Happy Mothers Day to all the Mothers who read this blog!!
I have just opened my second Mothers Day present to find the perfect present for a Mother- an electric knee rug!! I am very excited indeed, and as I sit here typing away I am using this fantastic rug. It is like a very soft electric blanket just made to throw over your knees or around the shoulders as I am doing at the moment. My husband said that my son must think I am getting old to need a blanket like this. Well, let me tell you that I am and don't mind admitting it if it means that I get wonderful presents like this.
My sister and I are taking Dotty Jean out to lunch today - that's if we can find somewhere that isn't booked out. As usual it was a last minute decision and needless to say we haven't booked but I know what ever we do Dotty Jean will love it.
Enjoy your day
Jude

Twice in one week!!

2008-05-08T20:26:00.002+10:00

I can't believe it, I have actually written in this blog twice in a week.
I had a great day today considering I am just getting over a cold. I got 2 parcels in the mail for Mothers Day and I have opened on and kept the other one for Sunday. The one I opened contained decorations from The Crab Apple Bakery to decorate my cupcakes. They are pink icing roses, just the perfect topping for vanilla cupcakes with pink icing and rose water flavouring. There was also a gorgeous ceramic cupcake trinket pot, all very feminine!! I am making a conscious effort to get in touch with my feminine side I fear I have been a Tom Boy too long. I'm not sure what is in the other parcel but it is squishy and big so looks like I will have a nice surprise on Mother Day.
That's enough for now, the washing up awaits me. This blogging might become a regular passtime, who knows.

Am I lazy or what???

2008-05-05T13:24:00.016+10:00

I am ashamed to look at the date of my last post. I did say that I wasn't a regular blogger!!

Well, let me up date you. Since my last post I now have a new Grandson. You can see his first photo in my previous posts. His name is Corbin and he is 9 months old and just a delight to be around, here he is with my Grand Daughter Ivy who is nearly 10. I spent the Easter break with my Sons and their family and as you can imagine I didn't want to come home.Another exciting addition since my last post is our new sun room that was added last November.
It started off to be a modest addition but like Topsy it just grew and grew. It was going to be a basic room with tiles on the floor but now it is an addition to our lounge room. Sometimes when I sit in it I think it is like a Prim shop with all the Prim dolls and decorations I have added. All that is missing is the price tags!!I have become addicted to making cupcakes. While I was in Melbourne at Easter I visited the shop where one of my Daughters in Law works. It is called Crab Apple Cup Cake Bakery. The owner has published a cook book with all her delecacies in it and I am working my way slowly through the recipes. Here are some of the pictures from the book. I can tell you they are just as yummy to eat as they are to look at.

If I updated you on everything that has happened during the past months we would be her for ever and a day.
Until next time, Prim Hugs.
Jude

Checking in

2007-07-30T19:45:00.005+10:00

Forgive me readers, for I have been bad. It has been a long time since I last blogged

Life just seems to get in the way sometimes.

I have been busy doing the usual, working, sleeping, eating, housework, computer etc. I seem to spend a lot of time on the computer but don't seem to get around to this blog.

Now let me tell you what has been happening to me.

My son and his partner are having a baby as I write. The due date is August 9th but baby has decided to come a bit earlier than expected. Tab has been in labour since last night and went to the hospital at 4pm this afternoon. We had a phone call at 6pm to say that things were progressing nicely and they hoped we would have some news later tonight. But, you know what babies are like. They come when they want to!! So I am expecting news tomorrow.

We have had a new addition to our fur babies. He is a gorgeous Labrador called Patrick and he has been part of our family for a few weeks now. Like all puppies he is naughty, boisterous and adorable and has stolen our hearts, not to mention the hearts of our other 2 dogs and 2 cats.

Mothers Day

2007-05-14T14:31:00.000+10:00

It has been a few weeks since I last wrote in the journal. Life just seems to take over and the next thing you know the weeks have just flown by.
I had a lovely surprise on Friday, I received a large parcel at work from my sons for Mother's Day. I had the parcel sitting next to my desk all afternoon and was told be everyone that came by how strong I was not to have opened it. I have learnt in the past that my youngest son has a passion for large amounts of bubble wrap and sticky tape. I think the poor boy has inherited a genetic defect from both of his Grand Mothers. So it is much easier to take the parcel home and unwrap the multitude of layers in the privacy of my home. My present was an electric foot massager. My boys know me so well!! I would pay my husband and anyone else to massage my feet for me, but alas, my Husband doesn't like massaging my feet so I just go without until now. All I need to complete my massage package is a back massager and I would never leave the lounge chair at all.

I spent some time with Dotty jean yesterday. She is in the middle of a bout of Plurisy. She has been complaining for a couple of weeks about a stiff neck that she thought she got when she visited the hairdresser. My sister told her that she probably slept in a bad position in bed but no, Dotty Jean knew better!! It was the wet towels the hairdresser left on her neck. So her stiff neck has progressed into Plurisy which is totally unrelated to the wet towels but you try to tell Dotty Jean that, she is a great believer in Old Wives Tales. Anyway I had a longer visit with her than I had planned, I stayed for lunch and we chatted and caught up on family news. Then it was off to the supermarket for me to spend my hard earned money!!

I have been been away from home over the past 2 weeks, I have had the luxury of being driven in a swanky car, staying in a motel and having my meals either catered for or added to an expense account. Sounds wonderful doesn't it? Well it isn't all as good as it sounds because the trips were work related and there is another trip to come next week. The Health Department is purchasing a new state wide computer system, tenders have been accepted and now the hard work begins of evaluating the systems that have been selected.

I have had the day off work today with what I susspected was an eye infection. I wasn't able to get into the Doctor until tomorrow so decided to just let things go and see what eventuates. So far my eye prpblem hasn't progressed any further so I think I will be safe to go back to work tomorrow. I was glad for the unscheduled day off work because I was able to catch up with all the housework I didn't get around to doing at the weekend.

Rain at last

2007-04-29T11:44:00.000+10:00

This morning I awoke to the wonderful sound of rain. We haven't had rain for several weeks now and the garden and lawn is looking like a it wouldn't last much longer without some moisture.

I knew it was going to rain because when I went to bed last night the frogs were singing their rain song. They are the most reliable weather forecasters, better than any human or mechanical device!

Today I have added some more links to my blog. If you click on the links to the left of this message you will see that I have added links to my Prim Dolls blog, my Graphics blog and my Prim Doll Patterns blog, I seem to have been blogging all weekend!!

I have to spend this afternoon making items for my Chocolate Crow pages for May. At this stage I really don't know what I am making but I'm sure something will come to mind once I sit down to look at my patterns.

This Melodie, my latest doll. She is a Prim & Proper Folks design. I think I might have to keep this doll for myself, I don't think I can part with her.

2007-04-25T16:39:00.000+10:00

Today is ANZAC Day which is traditionally the day that we have our first fire for the season but today has been such a beautiful day that I don't think we will be sticking to tradition. The weather has been unseasonably warm for April, another sign of global warming me thinks!
Today I finished another doll, this one is a Prim & Proper Folks design called Melody, she is not my usual style of doll but I have had great fun making her. I'm not sure if I will sell her on my website or just keep her for myself.
It has been lovely having a public holiday on a Wednesday, it will make my working week go much faster and the weekend come much quicker so I can get back to my sewing. I have a Golliwog to make for a swap so the creative thoughts are starting to flow about the style of Golliwog I will make my partner.

This is a collage I made of mad of my sons and their partners and my beautiful Grand Daughter Ivy.
The afternoon has finished badly for me. My beloved Bombers have been defeated by the Magpies!!

First entry

2007-04-22T12:49:00.000+10:00

I am taking time to write this entry while the washing machine is churning away.

This is the very first time I have ever written in a journal!! I'm not really sure I have anything of interest to offer you but I am going to try to keep this blog as up to date as I can.

This is a photo of Dottie Jean and me.

It is Sunday afternoon and I have been at the computer most of the day so far and I guess I will be for the rest of the day off and on. I am slightly addicted to my PC, if you ask my husband he would disagree and say I am totally addicted!!

Let me tell you a few things about myself. I am married to my best friend and have been for a third of a century, but that doesn't make me OLD. I was 18 when I got married, so you could say that I was a child bride. I live in a rural setting 40 minutes from a city but if you looked at the view from the house you would think we were days from civilization. That is just how we like it, no neighbours or traffic to annoy us. We have lived here for nearly 20 years and won't move out until we are carried out. We both commute to work each day which is an effort but it is well worth the travelling when we come home to our little piece of paradise. We have 2 sons, ages 28 & 30, they both have long time partners. My youngest son has a daughter, named Ivy, who will turn 9 in September. Yes, your calculations are right, my son was 18 when his daughter was born, so I guess that makes him a child father!! My eldest son will be a Dad for the first time in early August, we are all looking forward to having a baby around us again and Ivy is very excited because she is going to be a cousin for the first time.

The washing machine has done its work so that must mean that I have to stop rambling and hang out the clothes.

Now that wasn't too difficult at all to write, I wonder how difficult it was for you to read.