I have to confess I didn't do much on my creative day yesterday...just a few stitches...

On this...a tapestry I started a while ago. When the 22 year old saw me drag it out of storage he said 'about time mum...you started that 20 years ago'. Honestly, that child exaggerates...it couldn't have been more than 10!

I found the pattern in a (now) ancient magazine and started it because it reminded me of a lovely black and white cat called Licorice we had back then. Unfortunately she died which made us all very sad. And we were left with this...

Just as I suspected...no better in black and white. And yes, I do know that when Buffy goes to cat heaven I'll probably be sad. Probably. This is for you Edith. For someone so cultured, your affection for the vampire slayer has me completely bemused!

And, lest you think I have been neglecting the first born's crocheted rug...this lovely box I bought a few weeks ago is now full of squares...

...only 15 13 white ones left to make. Then I have to figure out how to put them all together. I'm sure the bloggy world will have the answer! But lest I think I'm getting ever so clever, I saw these bits of textile and embroidery deliciousness on The Selby yesterday...oh how I wish!

Go and check the house out as well. Bohemian heaven. 

And while you're blog surfing, hop on over to Kirsty's Kootoyoo for Thursday's main 'my creative space' event.

Canberra really is a great place. 

And it's an especially great place for glass art.

... with the world class Canberra Glassworks that has been built in the old Kingston powerhouse...

This is where practising glass artists and amateurs alike come to create. 

I've done a couple of courses here and I love it.

It's also where the Ranamok prize finalists' works are exhibited for several weeks each year. 

That's what you've been looking at.

My friend Susan and I went a few weekends ago and if you're in Canberra it's on until 23 September.

when you see pieces like these you understand why glass art is so expensive...

but so completely worth it...

as long as there aren't a bunch of kiddly-winks running around the house!

My photos don't do these beautiful art works justice, so here's the link to the Ranamok prize site...for Australian and New Zealand contemporary glass artists. Do yourself a favour as they say!!

all images by me, with permission of the Glassworks (they're good like that!)

Sorry I didn't have anything for you yesterday...

I'm in a bit of a post winter slump. Or funk, more accurately.

Surely you're supposed to get the blues in winter, not spring. Perhaps I just like to be perverse!

So to make up for it, you get a double dose of lovely pics today...the weekly top 10...

a long, hot soak might make me feel better...

or a lie in...

perhaps a cuppa...or four

...and the August leftovers...

Enjoy bloggy peeps, enjoy...

They're lovely aren't they?

...and I'll try to get out of this less-than-up mood as quickly as I can.

I'm thinking of planning a trip here as a bit of a pick me up in the new year. Anyone want to join me?
these images are from all over the shop and I haven't attributed individually, but why not choose a blog from this list if you haven't been there before and go and visit?
desire to inspire; lona de anna; 10 rooms; the city sage; byzantine design; the painted hive; lou, boos and shoes; belgian pearls; flourish design + style; head over heels; cornflake: the decorista; paper tree design; color outside the lines; vintage by loulou; apartment therapy; lime in the coconut; little blue deer; kelly green; driftwood interiors

Do you know Chania over at Razmataz. She's doing some lovely things with her photography and has started a weekly photo challenge. Each theme is different, and this weeks is eggs.  I don't normally post on a Saturday but since I was given some beautiful chook and duck eggs (most of which I've already eaten) by a very generous friend yesterday...and as I'm in a very foul (fowl, get it...sorry) mood...I thought why not?

There is something soothing about taking some photos, compiling a blog post, visiting yours...

...even the 22 year old's canvas satchel flung on the kitchen bench doesn't cause a problem...in fact it adds a certain little something-or-other to the photo I think

...as does the daphne and it's lovely shadows...

...but there are, I know, only so many egg (and onion) photos you can look at in the one go! But thanks for the distraction...I'm feeling a bit more zen-like now and the remnants of my frustration should be beaten into submission by a vigorous bout of spring cleaning...even though it's cold, wet and miserable here today. Spring? Ha! It's taking its time coming...just like our bloody government!

all images by me with the generous cooperation of animal, vegetable and mineral!

I've read some criticisms lately of posters and things like this...the objection is that people don't need to be told what to do.  I think that's mostly true.
BUT...
sometimes we need to remind ourselves. So if you need a little reminder to do some stuff for you this weekend, maybe this can be a little prompt.  It's not like I'm ordering you or anything (although I was an Army officer so I know how to do it!!)
BUT...
wouldn't it be lovely, if over the next week or so, you did some of this...just for you. Or for someone else
AND...
I'm pleased to say I've been able to tick quite a few of these off lately. 
BUT...
for really good people who are ticking things off by doing things that they've never done before and raising money in the process, and for an opportunity to donate to a good cause, please have a look at this site...

30 days has September

...and maybe find someone to sponsor. I did. It's a fantastic cause; to raise $100,000 to fund supporting programs and services for Aussie kids who have been affected by substance abuse, mental illness and/or homelessness.
quote image from here
P.S. thanks so much for the clever/funny/ever so slightly 'psst I think she might be a bit of a nutter' comments about the crochet covered rock yesterday. I'm pleased to see that you all have a fabulous sense of humour and if the postage on rocks weren't so prohibitive I'd be sending you all one in the mail...yes Edith...even to Maida Vale!!

I ended up deciding to make something yesterday...it seems I can't help myself. Can you see it...there in the bottom of the picture...

...a crocheted jumper (pullover) for a rock...and no, I have not gone completely mad...not yet anyway. And aren't the daffodils lovely.
It was pretty easy and didn't take too long...there was even time for a bit of a magazine browse and a cuppa...

Here's a close-up of the front and back. The most difficult bit was the last round that had to be crocheted with the rock in the jumper.

This is where it'll live for the time being...on the coffee table...it's meant to look a bit like a sea urchin...I think it does. And I also think it's very important when decorating to have a sense of humour about it all! 

It was certainly quicker than the knitted dishcloth, but I think it needs some friends :)

I got the pattern from here.

Head on over to Kootoyoo for people doing useful craft...although I guess this might make a cute paperweight. My poor friends...crocheted rocks and knitted dishcloths for Christmas this year...beware!! And the first born will be getting more than one after she sent me an email saying "oh yes...I've always wanted a crochet rock!!" I'm sure she doesn't get her sarcasm from me...no, simply not possible ;)

I'm linking up to Flaunt it Friday at Chic on a Shoestring too.

I'm enjoying my day off and at the moment I don't actually feel like creating anything...although that may change!

So of course I'm glued to the computer...but not for much longer...there's sun in the courtyard...hooray!!

the pacman's coming to get ya... and who wouldn't want to use the slide...at least once? Great fun for kids big and small...

and so sorry about this next one...but I couldn't resist

...perhaps it's spring fever!

Update: spoke too soon...sun's disappeared and rain clouds have taken its place...bloody heck!

all images from here