My sister Patricia gave me this book and I highly recommend it if you are open to metaphysics.
It is published by
Harper Collins
ISBN 0 586 09171 8

click this picture to see larger image in a new window

Keeping a journal is a way of identifying what I value in life.

Jacinta Leishman, representing Pictures in Time at Paper Arts Tarts, demonstrates a method of making beads.

Fifi Hedwigger
Sunday 26 March 2006

Wow, what a coup! I've managed to get world famous stamper, Fifi Hedwigger, to write a column for the Studio Astarte website. Who else but Fifi could write a column entitled "Cards That Suck" and get away with it! True, she's made some unkind comments about the work I gave her to analyse, but I guess I had it coming, and it's all in the name of education. Once you've read to the bottom of "Cards That Suck", follow the link to my interview with Fifi. Read "Cards That Suck"

Quantum Physics
Friday 24 March 2006

As we approach the end of March, I've been reflecting on what a magnificently creative three months I have had so far in 2006, and how grateful I am to have documented it in my blog. Then I wondered, has the blog contributed to my output? Has the journaling process (particularly since it is so public) motivated me to produce more than I normally do? I think it has.

I remembered something I learned about quantum physics through a book called the Holographic Universe by Michael Talbot:

Tiny tiny subatomic particles like electrons have a shape-shifter ability. They can function as either waves or particles. Because they can transform back and forth from one thing to another, it is hard to categorise them so these subatomic particles have their own category called quanta. The really interesting thing is that many physicists believe these quanta convert to particles (solid matter) only when they are being observed. Otherwise they are waves.

I think it is amazing that the basic stuff our universe is made of is either solid (when we're looking) or it is not (when we're not)! Makes you question the reality or solidity of all things, doesn't it?

So I was comparing this fact to my life as a productive artist. Like quanta manifesting as particles when they are being observed, I am most productive/creative when I am being observed - even if it is just me that is observing myself. Take the analogy a step further and you can say I am most physically real when I am being observed. I certainly feel happiest when I am achieving lots, and happiness is at the core of my authentic self.

Immersed in Feltmaking
Tuesday 14 March 2006

I've just completed four days of feltmaking with a little polymer clay and a couple of field trips thrown in. The piece above features samples I started in Polly Stirling's Nuno Felting workshops (see February archives). During the past weekend I linked together the samples with strips of felt, backed the piece with stiff interfacing and hung it on an orange wall above a wide door in our family room.

The end result of my long weekend: I finished four scarves, a table runner and another wall-hanging besides the one shown above. I also felted two small wall pieces to be embellished with stitching down the track. Confession: I also attempted two large nuno wraps, neither of which turned out as planned and they'll have to be cut up for use in other projects.

There's not enough space on this page to show all my photos, so please click here if you are interested in the pictorial documentary, or "blogumentary", I created:

Feltmaking Photos

Giving one's self the time and space to work creatively is just as refreshing as going away on holiday. Maybe even more!

Artist Weekend
Sunday 12 March 2006

It's a long weekend and the boys left for a four day camping trip Friday morning. It's just me and the dog, here, so I have declared this an "Artist's Weekend'. WHOOPPEE! Apart from working on the blog, just about everything I do must be in pursuit of MAKING. I decided to focus on feltmaking and polymer clay. As the weekend evolved, I decided to create some pieces that combine the two mediums.

Friday I was off to a great start. There was a phone call from Linden Gallery saying I'd sold both polymer clay pieces I'd entered in their Postcard Exhibition. Just the thing I needed to put me in an artist's frame of mind. I set up the dining room table for felt making and pulled out all my fibers. Hmmm, would like a few more colours, so I made an appointment for Saturday to visit Chrissy at Fibre Fusion.I then took a break to drop-off a painting and an assemblage at my favourite framer, Icon Frames, then wandered two doors down to Lumina Gallery. This is owned by Cathering O'Leary and the gallery specialises in textile art. It's at 89 Waverley Road, East Malvern. Luckily for me, Elizabeth Armstrong was there, hanging work for her solo exhibition (11-31 March, Tues-Sun 10am to 5pm). Wow, here's a feltmaker who isn't scared of colour! The work was really cheerful. I decided it is a wonderful thing, to create art that lifts the spirits! I went home and started my own feltmaking, and kept at it till midnight.

Saturday. How should an artist start the day? With a great breakfast. I went to the Turtle Bean Cafe in Poath Road, Hughesdale and had my favourite chai latte and a huge breakfast, including turtle beans. These are sort of like baked beans and I'm told they are very nutritious. They originated in South America.

I finished felting two pieces I'd started the night before; left them to dry and drove off for a big field trip "up north" to East Kew. First I spent an hour at Abracadabra, an antiquarian book store that also sells old photos, postcards and other ephemera. I picked up a copy of Frazer's The Golden Bough - a must for lovers of mythology. Can't believe I've gone all these years without owning it. Then I went to Chrissy's and drooled over the felted samples in her home-based shop. I left with two big bags of fiber and the needle-felted wool "fabric" she specialises in. THEN I drove to Manningham Gallery in Doncaster to catch the Selvedges textile group exhibition there. Fantastic. I've seen two great exhibitions featuring felt in two days. Home for more feltmaking of my own. And I'm only halfway through my Artist's (long) Weekend! When I report again, I'll share some photos of what I've created.

Big Fish
Sunday 5 March 2006


Yarra River, Melbourne, Australia

Melbourne will host the Commonwealth Games this month and the city is getting ready. George, Chris and I strolled up and down the banks of the Yarra to see this huge art installation being prepared. Each fish represents a different nation participating in the games. Most had little information plaques so we could identify the fish and why it was chosen. It is great to see public works of art like this. I wonder what will become of the fish when the games are over?

Paper Arts Tarts
Saturday 4 March 2006


The "tarts" are shopping, folding origami, painting journal covers and making artist trading cards.

Twice a year I hold Paper Arts Tarts events at Mt Waverley Community Centre. The catch-cry is "bring your own scissors". All else is provided for people to sit and craft or stand and shop. We also had some gorgeous art journals to look at this time around. Here's Rae, minding the journals. The sign says "Please wear white gloves for Journal Handling".

You can see samples of these luscious art journals on The Thread Studio website.

We would have liked a bigger crowd, but all in all it was a fantastic day for the customers who came along and they walked away with some gorgeous creations. We make a donation from our door entries and this time the money goes to the Cancer Council. Next Paper Arts Tarts event: 17 June. We'll be making our donation to Beyond Blue.

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