Linocut

I love linocuts and woodcuts.  It's funny how we're just drawn to certain things.  I always have been - from high school art classes to present day.  So I've done a couple of weekend workshops at the Fremantle Arts Centre in linocut.  So fun!.  The apple above is the result of one workshop.  I've printed up about 30 tea towels in various configurations - all over designs to motifs randomly placed. I'm using them as gifts - part of my "using up reserves" pledge!  So lookout friends and family - one is headed your way this Christmas!

On the subject of tea towels, another one of my great loves!  I have quite a collection and can't resist them.  My favourite Perth homewares shop "Bed, Bath and Table" always has a wonderful selection.  In saying that I have resisted purchasing any at all this year  (mmmm - just made the mental connection....is that why I've made my own?), but when we head to Europe in 3 weeks, I may not be able to resist a couple of souvenir versions!!  My lovely neighbour Rachael, returned from London with a gift for me of Cath Kidston tea towels!  How did she know!  They are much coveted and yet to be used.

Pattern Inspiration

When I look around I see pattern everywhere.  Our trip was rich in pattern and here are just a few pictures taken on our travels.  Pompeii was an amazing source palette photo opportunity.  I was issuing instructions to the girls to take photos (I was sacked)!  But the mosaics, the streets, the tiles, staircases.  I want to turn them into a quilt so that I can wrap myself up and take myself back there in my mind until I can venture back for real....

A day of firsts

First Breakfast at Paul in South Kensington

First tube ride - Gloucester Rd to Camden Town

First of many stunning hanging baskets

First (and only) lock

First (of endless!) cobblestones

Travels

I don't know where to start with photos from our European adventure.  Every moment was precious... so many sights, smells, tastes to just soak up.  London was absolutely amazing - the weather was a freak Indian summer with glorious sunshine and blue skies. Flower baskets still hanging everyone and crowds gathering outside pubs and cafes of an evening.  It was magnificent.  Its parks were stunning with so many flowers still out and deckchairs to sit in, with squirrels scurrying around. Everyday was jam packed and still we didn't begin to scratch the surface of all London has to offer. These taxis were calling to me and my girls - in fact they were screaming stay, stay, stay!

The food everywhere was delicious... I think we sampled every gelato shop we passed in Italy - at the very least we went in to admire and drool over the display and check on all the flavours on offer so we didn't miss any.  The job became too big and we missed heaps. Georgia and I voted the best to be seaside in Messina, Sicily.  It was to die for and being our last Italian stop, we went back for seconds!

I've long had a love affair with donkeys - since my first visit to Greece when I was 14.  I just love their faces and for some reason they just make me laugh.  Their nature can be so contrary!  I had an hilarious riding experience on them in Eqypt, riding out to the Valley of the Kings.  My donkey completely went at its own pace, there was absolutely no controlling it... it ambled exactly when it wanted to and galloped at precisely the moment it wanted to, so I was never with the group - I was either way out in front or way way out the back. I laughed 'til I cried.  Another time I woke up in a paddock in Crete with one licking my toe.  All my encounters have been interesting and never dull. So imagine my thrill and squeals when we came across several around Mallorca!  All the memories came flooding back.

It's all in the details as the expression goes... the lamps on the streets, the cobblestones, the shutters, doorways, the bollards!! Everywhere oozes charm and history and layers of time.  It was sheer heaven.  I'll be back with more as I re-live my holiday through the 1000's of photos.