Art on the beach

Another weekend is upon us and I can't believe it is nearly a week since my two day embroidery workshop. It was most enjoyable where we explored running stitch and Kantha work. Not a lot to show but the brain is full of ideas! One of the stitches was very similar to what I had seen in the UK examining some of the embroideries at Red House. So the samples will be tucked away for another day……

Another highlight for me was purchasing a lucky number and receiving this beautiful embroidered pin cushion……

During the week I posted a letter to the Embroiderers' Guild thanking them for a great weekend but also to the group who made the gifts….and today I received a phone call from the lady who made mine! Carol was thrilled with my thank you note and I discovered that this little cushion is in fact a Biscornu. I had to search the net to find out more and I even wonder if I might be able to adapt one with some appliqué! Thanks so much Carol..it will be treasured! Yesterday Larry and I decided to visit the Brighton Jetty sculptures. Their website seems to be down at the moment but it is an annual event at one of our local beaches. It was a beautiful day and some interesting work was on show - these are just a few…………..

 I would love to have this candelabra at home………..

Each day at home we have been watching with delight the peach tree from the back neighbour which leans right over our fence……….

 The neighbours are obviously not into peaches as we are watching them drop to the ground or be eaten by the birds. Some from our side of the fence are finding a new home - delicious after dinner but some are needing a little more sun!…... 

 The roses are still blooming as are some lilies that Jackie left behind in the garden…..which reminds me that we have been in our new home for 12 months (Moving day was two days ago!). It was lovely to witness these plants appearing almost overnight…….

Tomorrow we are on babysitting duty caring for both the little ones so more of that later. Till next time take care x

The lycra comes 'down under'

Since this morning's post we've had lunch with friends, but before that we captured some of the 'lycra down under'! The Tour Down Under is the equivalent to the Tour de France only here in my hometown! We cannot believe this is the 17th one to be held in Adelaide……that time has scarily flown by! We are very lucky as we were able to get some magical shots just a short walk from home. We waited about an hour and then they whizzed by in a few seconds - but what an amazing thing to be able to stand so close…….

waiting, waiting as a few others join us including the amateur cyclists……. 

 This is the closest we get to a field of wildflowers…….but maybe they are weeds??….

 The first car appears and we get excited……….

 Hhhmmm…….one of the amateur riders disappears behind a tree…..I will leave why to your imagination!

 Then another car teases us that they are really close……...

 Still waiting along with more amateur riders……….

 Now it must be close!……..

More police cars…..

 Inevitably the bike race frustrates some people because they can't get through. So the u-turns and impatience starts to show…...but honestly - how could you miss this amazing event?

 And here they come………..

 And in a few seconds they are gone! But the sensation and buzz as they speed by is just wonderful followed by media helicopters, support vehicles and I guess the 'hopefully not needed' ambulances…….

 So we walk back home across the bridge and look over to see that in just a few minutes they are back out on the main road….(you can just see the group coming out on the main road under the green sign)

 And finally even more support vehicles - this time the ones that take their bikes back to the city. A wonderful event for our wonderful state!

William Morris and Andy Warhol (?)

It must be high time I got 'back on track' with some William Morris interest so this post is for you the reader to make you own opinion. I was aware some months ago of several Morris exhibitions on the horizon including a current one at Modern Art Oxford. It runs until March and then travels to the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery. Now I haven't seen the exhibition but I've certainly read several reviews. I have my own opinion but I might leave that in my own head space. This video is well worth watching just to be moved by the amazing tapestry and also to see the incredible ceilings in the Oxford Union - click on the link……

The Making of Love is Enough

Alison sent me a news clipping review of this very exhibition some weeks ago that was sent to her from a friend in the UK and it is great food for thought!  The journalist calls the exhibition a "half baked self indulgent mess"! This is the very reason why art is for the masses and if it creates discussion then I think that is a good thing! Enjoy the video and the review here: Warhol and Morris.

The next two days for me will be pure bliss as I hand stitch a design similar to the one above at the Embroiderers' Guild of South Australia's 2015 Summer School. This was my Christmas present from Larry and our tutor will be Barbara Mullan. Now it is not a design I would normally do but I am looking forward to seeing if one day I might interpret some of my Morris inspired designs into running stitch….so see you the other side of that!