Introducing Mrs Thatcher, the vintage camper van

On a whim a few months ago the hubby and I bought a vintage campervan. We have been doing up the inside as it was pretty stinky and in bad shape, and have finally finished. She's a beauty now!  The outside remains original but the inside is now luxurious and beautiful and fit for a floral artist like me!  She's called Mrs Thatcher because she originated in old Blighty and was driven all around the world before settling in Australia.  The maiden voyage will be next month when I go to Woolmers at Longford for Festival of Roses where I will be having a market stall selling my wares. Can't wait!

A little bit inspired

Have a look at these absolutely beautiful crocheted vegetables! I must admit to being quite partial to the odd yarn craft - I knit, crochet and sew, but these little things take crafting to a new level.

These little beauties have been created by a lady called jungjung.

Have a look at the amazing things on her site.

all of them crocheted by her.

Her tools of the trade include crocheting needles as thin as 0.4 millimiters,

and size 80 dmc yarns that she dyes herself.

Not only are these delicate offerings pieces of art in their own right, they are jewellery as well,

mostly brooches. I would love a whole garden's worth to wear on my coat. AMAZING!

Abstract

It was such beautiful weather here in Hobart today I couldn't help thinking spring is just around the corner, and you know what that means.....I just wanna paint roses! I really had the bug to paint today but didn't feel like concentrating on precise details.  I just felt like getting really messy with bucket loads of paint applied to the canvas.  It's a really energetic way to paint, it feels like it just flows out of you like an extension of your own body.  Or something like that anyway!  Here's my efforts from today:

Dark Mofo

To the Lighthouse

Last weekend I went to Bruny Island for a day trip.  I love this place! It is so wild and beautiful and despite being moderately populated it feels quite isolated.  Probably because it is a completely separate island that must be travelled to by ferry. I drove down to Cape Bruny which is on the Southern most tip of the South Island.  Here there is one of the oldest continually operating light houses in the southern hemisphere. This place is majestic.  It is wild and beautiful and so very inspiring.  I took a small travelling kit of water colour paints and some cards and painted the view from a few places.

Curiouser and Curiouser

Today I went to the fabulous Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery and was totally inspired by the interesting displays and slightly foreboding atmosphere. This place is rife with Victoriana Naturalism, if you know where to look, and everything is shown so beautifully. The lighting is dramatic to say the least! I love the quietness of the place as well. You get a real sense of discovery as you wind your way through the rooms and vaults, finding all sorts of things that pique the interest.

 

An Autumn Stroll

I went for my daily walk this evening in crisp Autumn splendour. These are the things that caught my eye (and my camera lens!) - The beautiful colours of the season with a few last fading blooms being replaced by fiery toned leaves. With the smell of wood smoke and apple cider wafting down the rivulet from the nearby brewery, I really felt immersed in the season.