Camping at Lucky Bay

Camping means time outside in the open, enjoying great friendships, surfing, laughing, breathing in the moonlight, expertly built campfires,  toasted marshmallows, and leisurely beach combing............and we had it all to ourselves.

Not a soul in sight.

It's taken me ages to get this post loaded. Mainly because I didn't take my camera away last weekend when we went camping and I had to resort (under sufferance) to using my phone to take a couple of shots.  I had absolutely no clue what I was doing....and couldn't see anything at all on the phone screen.  What's with that?

'Rust and Tannic' Journal

Here are a couple of images of my latest journal.  It was made with papers and fabrics dyed with 'Rust & Tannic' and Indigo dyes.    

Working with these natural fabrics, old lace and op shop doylies, made me think of my 'Nanna', her beautiful sewing skills, (and even more amazing sewing room) her years during the depression, and how she always managed to make do, be happy with what she had and to just simply 'get on with it'.

I have used papers and fabrics that remind me of her, have been dyed naturally...well sort of (no harsh bright artificial synthetic dyes), look old and rusty and incorporate lace - which she always managed to find a little bit of, to embellish something special.  

I have called the journal 'Tide Marks and Contours' because some of the dye marks reminded me of aged topographical maps, and also because we can't always predict where life is going to take us, and sometimes we just need to go with the ebb and flow of the tide.

Mending Party

Yesterday we had a 'mending party' at our house.  Have you ever heard of such a thing?  Me either.

I always thought mending was a chore, which is why it seems to keep building up untill I get a pile of it somewhat similar to the Leaning Tower of Pisa.  Yesterday my two beautiful daughters came over, armed with smoothies from Macca's, (and their mending) and we proceeded to chat, mend, sew, measure, decide on shapes, draft patterns, remodel an apron, drink smoothies, design pyjamas, spray spiders *squeal!* alter bathers, match colours, try on clothes, make coffee, photograph roses........and it was just the best afternoon.

Who would have thought that a pile of mending could provide company, laughter, nourishment and fun?  Me either.

Free Spirit Tribal Fusion Festival

Well hello Freo!

I'm back in one piece (just) after a  fun filled long weekend in Fremantle with a bunch of girlfriends.............

..........staying at 'The Mustards' - a revamped soap factory.


......to attend the Free Spirit Community Tribal Fusion Festival (what a mouthful).  Saturday was a day of workshops...........

Poi.........
(I've never had so much fun with balls in socks!)

Flags..........

Gypsy Caravan................
This was absolutely mesmerising.  Yes, I look pretty mesmerised there I'd say.

Kaleegy...............

.....and performing our 'Mastom Mastom' at the Hafla.................

followed by a frantic shopping expedition at the Fremantle Markets before driving home - of which there is no evidence, thank goodness!!