Travel Journals

I am leaving for a European Trip tomorrow - and am very excited to have the opportunity to travel with two of my sisters and one of their husbands. Isn't he lucky?

I always journal my travels, and love recording unique events, places, words, expressions, experiences ... and whatever else takes my interest. My first overseas trip was in 1985, and it's interesting reading back over my impressions from then. that journal was written only. The page to the left is from my 2008 journal.

And a written and collaged page from the same journal.

Now that I have discovered altered books and collage - my recent journals are a mixture of words and collage - from train tickets to interesting images from tourist brochures. I have altered the covers of the journals I'm taking with me - with scrapbook paper and printed serviette layers. This makes it an art experience for me and has channeled the excitement into something useful. There seems to be a bit of an unintentional theme - flight! Birds and butterflies. Also brings to mind "freedom" of travel, which I love!

Cover of my "Getting Ready" Journal .

Cover of a sewn notebook that I'll take.

Inside pages.

Covers of the travel journal.

Back and front cover of the travel journal - but sorry - I can't get the photo to be around the right way!!!

Cards for Special People

Here are two of my latest card creations. I've been making cards for over 10 years now and when I give them to people they are appreciated. I am always updating my designs and see that I have had a pink theme here. I tend to favour the simple styles with just a bit of bling.

This card was made for my wonderfully talented future daughter-in-law, Hannah Norris. We are very proud of her, and especially now, because she was awarded the Curtain Call Award for best female actor in the 2010 Adelaide Fringe Festival for her portrayal of Rachel Corrie in the play "My name is Rachel Corrie", a very moving story of our times. The play will have a season in Melbourne in November.

This card was made for one of my sisters, Mandy. She is going to be the Mother-of-the-Bride on 8/9/10 in New York when her very talented daughter Jade marries Andrew. Jade Arnott is the name behind the Arnsdorf fashion label and we're very proud of her too.

One corner of my studio where I work sometimes...

The cards are both in the mail now so I hope they like them and know that I'm especially thinking of them both.

or I might choose to work here in another spot with a lovely view to our bushy backyard and down to the creek.

My Junk Journal.

The two covers - just begun.

I recently attended a Junk Journal Workshop day at Ro Bruhn's place. I had a wonderful day - playing with paint and stamps, chatting and laughing with fellow workshop members and relaxing & enjoying gourmet morning tea and lunch, cooked and served by Ro's husband Steve. A delicious spread.

I had been collecting interesting papers and envellopes for a quite while in preparation - I can't throw anything out now I've caught the "bug" and so I arrived at Ro's with a huge box full. I used mount board for covers and decorated these with gel medium applied through a piece of lace curtain.

This gave interesting texture and I painted it when dried. I will do more work on it as I think it looks a bit plain so far- maybe it needs more colour and some outlining or collages or ... 

Two signatures joined together

Front of one signature

I painted and stamped manila folders (signature covers) and assembled the papers in an interesting way and sewed these into two signatures. My journal still has lots of work for me to complete as I still have to sew the signatures to the spine of the covers. I loved some of the serendipity designs that happened during this work and as you can see - anything goes when using colours and stamps.

Painted page and some "Junk" pages.

One double page spread begun with a 10 minute Spontaneous Collage

Beanies for babies

These have recently been finished and are being worn by babies in this cold weather in Melbourne! I love experimenting with colours in my knitting work.

Inspiration

I have been on school holidays for two weeks and had time to go through photos taken when my husband and I went to Paris to celebrate my 60th birthday in 2008.

Looking at them yesterday, I realised that I had captured quite a few decorative designs and some quaint kids-wear shop window displays. I need to practice putting photos on my blog so this is a good opportunity to share some of my inspirations for my knitting and crochet and art work (most likely sub-conscious) and practice putting photos on at the same time.

 

More of my knitted and crocheted creations ...

 This jumper is knitted to one of my favourite pattterns by Debbie Bliss, a pattern I use often with various 8 ply yarns. It always works out really well and the mums love the easy - on - easy - off  style. The crocheted beanie with crocheted flower is also another favourite for me to make and receipants to wear. This set was given to my daughter's girlfriend who has beautiful little 8 mth old baby.

A crocheted Granny Square rug made with my stash of wool for my future daughter -in -law for last Christmas.

A pile of knitted jumpers, some for my own beautiful little 2 year old granddaughter, others for various little people.

A baby rug made by special request for my niece's baby, a beautiful little girl.

As you can see I have worked out how to add photos - thanks in part to two wonderful friends - Sylvia, who seems to know so much about computer workings - and my terrific daughter-in-law, Tanya - who also knows so much about computers and who helped me last night. Thank you both! And thank you too to the people who visited and commented and encouraged me too. It turns out that my photos are too large ie too much resolution therefore take so long to upload. But now I know, all shall be well. Fingers crossed.

Winter Woolies

It's certainly winter here in Melbourne now with temperatures of between 0 - 15 degrees most days. A lovely time for me to be on school holidays for 2 weeks and spend time indoors - creating. My ideal days usually consist of reading in a warm bed with a cup of tea, then some essential chores followed by some creative pursuit - either alone or with my 2 beautiful granddaughters who just love Nan's room with all its bits and pieces, and cupboards and drawers full of interesting stuff! After dinner I just love to sit down and watch some TV or a DVD with my husband - and  knit or crochet. I've been knitting and crocheting constantly since one of my younger brothers was born - in 1960. And now I have two granddaughters, niece's babies, friend's grandchildren, little people next door so my beanies and jumpers and jackets are much appreciated. I am still finding adding photos a challenge, especially as I've just added 6 and now only one is showing! Will try again another day.

A stack of beanies ready to be given as presents or for sale on ebay.

A new beginning ...

I have had great fun learning how to create a blog, guided by my wonderful friend, Sylvia. She guided me through all the various tabs and options - with an earlier name I chose (Fresh Freesia) which I wasn't really happy with, even though Freesias have been my favourite flowers ever since I can remember. I now have another name - Sue's Craft Cupboard, as I think this reflects me and my life long passion for all crafts. I can now get busy putting up photos of my work to share with some online friends I've met through Lawendula's fantastic Paper Swaps this year.