Empress Wu Designs with Wilma

While it seems rather strange to be creating "winter "themed tags in scorching summer weather, this was the theme for Tag Tuesday. ... I created two tags, with similar backgrounds and added a stamped figure which I coloured a little to give it a bit more life, and to the other, a die cut bird. The backgrounds are collaged and then partially covered with digitally printed organza.  I have not been participating in Tag Tuesday for some time and have missed the regular tag making, so this year, I will try much harder. I had good intentions and started the previous theme "celebrations'. I didn't quite get around to finishing on time, but here they are now.... featuring postage stamps on a collaged background.  Pop over to Tag Tuesday to see other artists' tags and take the opportunity to join in for the next theme.  

April 21 - Tea Day - Amy pouring herself a cuppa.  Sometimes, it is just fun to celebrate a week of special days when nothing very special is happening. This last week was one of those weeks for me. Starting off last Saturday, 21 April was "Tea Day" - a celebration of the amazing drink tea is.  Tea is a wonderful drink that comes in a wide variety of different flavors, each of them having a distinct personality and character. It’s been used for everything from a simple morning libation to the central element of certain social and religious rituals.   April 22 - Sunrise at Hall's Gap, The Grampians , Victoria 22nd April was Earth Day  which is not only a celebration but a call to protect our natural environment. it is customary for  groups and individuals to mark the day with community environmental activities.    April 23 - English Language Day - Watercolour drawing and collage: Wilma Simmons  Monday 23 April was the United Na...

 Happy Chinese New Year - the first day of the lunar year was last week, but with celebrations continuing  for at least two weeks, we had our family get together last night. We all look forward to the celebrations because they all mean something special to each of us Chinese New Year = colourful Lion dances  Chinese New Year = loud music and fun  Chinese New Year = lucky red packets of money  Chinese New Year = a special event and dressing up Chinese New Year = yummy food and lots of it Chinese New Year = family and friends celebrating together All the best to my family and friends all over the world during  the Year of the Snake.

Congratulations to winner, Gill who will soon receive her own traditional bilum and wooden wall hanging from Papua New Guinea.. The selection of a winner was a serious process, with all entries' names placed in the bilum and one chosen. Thanks to the eight followers who entered – perhaps the prize wasn’t to everyone’s liking, but these items were made with love, pride and generosity in far more difficult conditions than we can imagine. Please remember that this week is International Anti-Poverty Week. Congratulations too to all who participated in the Hunter Homeless Connect Day Sleepout and event this week. I survived only because I had a really great swag to sleep in – it was a very cold night. Thanks to fellow Rotarians who joined the District 9670 team in the sleepout and to my wonderful club, Rotary Club of Wallsend-Maryland who fed all the homeless pretenders on the night. Special thanks to all my family, friends and the Lemon Grove Hotel, Wallsend who spon...