A VISIT TO THE JAPANESE GARDENS
A couple of weekends ago, my daughter Katrina and I spent a lovely day together, although the weather was a little overcast and drizzly.
We spent most of the morning at some of the various beautiful craft spots at Highfields, just a little North of Toowoomba.
We started at The Danish Flower Art Complex, which would have to have one of the best and most varied supplies of beads and jewellery findings available. Next we stopped at The Chocolate Cottage and then The Quilters Angel at The Village Green Highfields, went across the Highway to Jacaranda Manor where we visited Gottabee Country and completed our day at The USQ (University of Southern Queensland) Japanese Gardens. It was my first visit to these beautiful gardens and we had taken some lunch with us. We were able to have a relaxing time watching the birdlife (ducks and ibis), fish and turtles swimming in the huge lakes, before walking around to admire the spectacular plantings in the gardens. I took quite a few photos, also managing to capture a few of the hundreds of flying foxes that hang from some of the taller trees on the perimeter. I can imagine the Gardens to be a wonderful, calm place to study for the students on campus. I'm looking forward to visiting again, maybe in Springtime.

A NEW YEAR - A NEW BEGINNING



A Happy New Year to everyone.
Above is a pic taken yesterday of my 7 week old Great Great Niece, Ameleah Paige. She brought some joy to our Family after the passing of my Brother in Law to prostate cancer late last year. My niece, Ameleah's Grandmother, has just been diagnosed with breast cancer, so I'm really hoping and praying she recovers after treatment.

I'M BACK!
It's been far too long between posts. I don't feel I've had anything worth sharing. Will have to remedy that.
Just look at this great craft pack I received last week from Julie at "Simple Stitches". My name was picked from all of those who joined her mailing list last month. There was also a couple of caramel hot chocolate sachets, but they didn't last very long. To visit Julie's blog see the link in my sidebar.
With a few extra prim supplies I have ordered from "Tanyas Prim Thyme Designs", another prim site I love visiting, I've got absolutely no excuse not to begin making some things for Christmas. I recently came across another wonderful prim site called, "Soft In The Head", home of whimsical soft sculptures made in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. Links to both of these sites can also be found in my sidebar.

I've recently had to deal with some health issues of my own, plus those of some close Family members. My SIL's husband, is at present fighting a huge battle with secondaries from prostate cancer. He also has heart problems that in his weakened state, can't be fixed unless the chemotherapy he's having is successful. We're all praying for his recovery.
My niece has to undergo a ductectomy (I think that's what it's called) next month to check that she doesn't have breast cancer, so I'm hoping all will go well for her.
I'm recovering from carpal tunnel release surgery that I had at the beginning of this month. My other health worries are ongoing for the present but will hopefully be nothing too serious.
Below are some photos I took at the weekend of my SIL's bush house and garden. They have regular visits from a couple of pythons, but thankfully not while I was there. I don't mind pythons, but preferably those which are used to being handled, not wild ones.

How's about this lady for a bit of recycling? Don't you love the rug made from old socks?

I just thought I'd show you a few shots of the Rosalie Gallery Shop. There are crocheted,knitted, felted and woven articles for sale, books written by local authors, hand-crafted jewellery, spoons,stirrers and walking sticks made locally from recycled woods, even local olive oil and preserves,etc.

ABOUT US - The latest exhibition at our local Rosalie Gallery. A collection of art works, textiles, jewellery, quilting, doll making, photography, scrapbooking, treasures and collections. This represents the diversity of talent and the interests of the volunteers of the Rosalie Gallery.
The group has encouraged arts and cultural activities since the Gallery opened in 2004. They have seen it develop into a "sought after venue" for exhibitions.
I went to the opening of this latest exhibition on Sunday. We were invited to a 'light' 3 course luncheon. I'm sure there must have been well over 100 in attendance. We were treated to a delicious meal.
Below are some of the photos I took on the day.

QUILTIE SWAP # 2


Above is the quiltie I received from Jo in our second quiltie swap. It's called 'possum in the ginko'. It was painted with paintsticks and has a cute little wooden possum button stitched to it. It is backed with an earthy leaf print and has 2 tiny golden leaf charms stitched to the label.
Below is the quiltie I sent to Jo. I always have a very hard time creating anything a little abstract and always seem to end up embroidering some flowers.



MY GINGER BOY HAVING A NAP

Below is Myrtle The Marvellous Witch Of The South. I received her from Marilyn in a swap I took part in on The Craft Magazines Forum. Above is Lizzie, a doll I made for Bec in the same swap.

TEXTURES, TEXTILES AND TREASURES

The exhibition opening this afternoon was a great success. There was a Fashion Parade of some of the wearable art which was very hard to photograph with the number of people present, so I just took some pics of a few of the exhibits before too many arrived. The following was on the catalogue-
"Textures,Textiles and Treasures represents the diversity of talent within Darling Downs Spinners, Weavers, Felters and Wearable art practitioners. Spinning, weaving and hand dyeing are just a few of the skills utilised to create this exhibition."