Empress Wu Designs with Wilma

Eco Print art tags # Wilma Simmons  “Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts. There is something infinitely healing in the repeated refrains of nature -- the assurance that dawn comes after night, and spring after winter.”  ―  Rachel Carson ,  Silent Spring Can you hear the songs of spring ?   ( Click here to see more eco prints) Eco Prints  stitched -#Wilma Simmons  Eco print tag -#Wilma Simmons

Christmas Countdown ...4...    Christmas Cards are another tradition started in England in 1843 by Henry Cole by John Horsley who was the designer of the first Christmas card which was quite expensive – one shilling. As railways were built, postal services became cheaper (only halfpenny for a Christmas card in an unsealed envelope), and printing methods improved, Christmas cards became popular by the 1870’s . At first nativity scenes were depicted on cards, and then images of red robins and winter snow scenes.  the first Christmas card 1843 ( from  http://www.whychristmas.com/customs/cards.shtm) l

I have been spending a little more time in our garden lately, and have noticed that this week it is definitely showing signs of summer. This morning, I took a break from weeding and photographed  many bushes and trees with their flowers coming to an end after the Spring burst....  like the bottlebrushes (above), shedding their flower spikes; the last Kangaroo paw, waving in the breeze.... and the Dianella droppingtheir bright purple berries ....  but some are still in full bloom like the purple melaleuca.... and the 'Robyn Gordon' grevillea which seems to flower all year round   I want the Australian Christmas bush, with just a few buds opening now, to slow down so it will be beautiful for Christmas....  While most of our garden is native,  the little chameleon roses are blushingly beautiful,  but the summer aphids are also busy as you can see from this photo ... and this year, I planted a hydrangea cutting, and its ...

I am determined this year to be better prepared for Christmas. I decided to give cards as gifts for a few people this year, so this meant having them made and sent, ready for them to use as Christmas greeting cards. This last week was devoted to card making. I went crazy and spent almost every spare moment making cards. I was also very happy that I used only paper and card which I already had. Some are in traditional colours and others are just using leftover bits and pieces. Having sworn that I would not take up yet another creative interest, I started some life drawing classes last month - only of course, to help me improve my doll making. Tonight will be the fourth week of a six week course and I am really enjoying it. Ann, my teacher is great and  has classes for beginners and the more experienced. Look on  Facebook the drawing room . These are some of my drawings from last week's lessons. And, I almost forgot - Happy Halloween to blog friends particularly i...

2010 crept up on me, but I did make some New Year's resolutions. I am going to try to make less waste, especially with creative resources and to clean up my workroom after each project. I've done well so far, but 361 more days yet...  Ruth's bag (pictured) finished just before Christmas is a good example of using up bits and pieces of yarn and wool and recycling a handbag to create an altered, unique, scrumbled creation.  The wooden button is also made by my husband from offcuts of timber. By the way, my friend, Ruth was happy with her bag, too.   Between Christmas and New Year, I attempt to rid our house of unwanted clutter, so when I was going through old cards, I thought they were all so beautiful I should do something with them. Easy - I used the cuttlebug and cut the fronts of  greeting cards from years past to make hundreds of colourful and useful gift tags. I now have a supply of gift cards for all occasions. Perhaps you recognise a card you...

We all say it's hard to believe but it is almost December. I was asked quite a number of times this week if I had done the Christmas shopping or am I ready for Christmas - the answer predictably is no. However, I did get into the Christmas spirit yesterday ... ate some chocolate sultanas and nuts, helped Brandon punch holes and thread ribbon on cardboard stars, and prepared the making of Christmas cards from Dylan's drawings for our daughter Naomi. Brandon and Dylan are our two older grandsons , aged almost 5 and 3, so Christmas is a very exciting time for them. This week, I also prepared a sample beaded star for the Hello Dollies Christmas party activity and am madly trying to make things for the Handmade Treasures Christmas Sale here next Saturday. I was excited that the feltfollies (last blog) were popular and I had ETSY sales on the day they were put in the ETSY shop. This weekend, however, I am going to get started on writing on Christmas cards. That will be between goin...