Saturday 24 November 2012

Jacaranda time and a day with a blogging friend

We have 2 jacaranda trees in our garden. The one in the backyard was already there when we moved in 26 years ago. The one in the front was put in by my husband some years ago and it is his pride and joy! This year, the flowers have been glorious and this photo does not do the tree justice. When one stands under the tree, it feels as if your world has a purple hue to it.


 
Jacaranda tree in front garden


 

 
Close up of jacaranda flowers



 
Last week I met a blogging friend. She was visiting Sydney with an overseas visitor and we decided to meet up for the first time. I decided that a walk along Sydney Harbour would be a nice way to see Sydney and also a visit to Nutcote ( May Gibbs' House) along the way . May Gibbs is Australia's  equivalent to Beatrix Potter. We met at Circular Quay and caught the ferry to Neutral Bay ( where Nutcote is)  and walked to Cremorne Point-- and caught the ferry back to Circular Quay.



2 visitors to Sydney 
 
 
 
View from Neutral Bay across to Sydney Harbour
 
 
 
A jet boat on the harbour trying to do a fast turn
 
 
 
A Masked Lapwing ( a new bird species that has come to live in suburbia in the last few years)
 
 
 
 
 
Kangaroo Paw Flowers ( an Australian native flower)
 
 
 
Kookaburra in the backyard
 
 
I enjoyed the day with a fellow blogger and we hope to repeat this meeting soon. We did conclude our time together by visiting the patchwork shop that I usually frequent. Of course a patchwork shop had to come into the meet.
 
 
Enjoy the rest of the weekend.

Saturday 3 November 2012

Thimble No. 2 for the Olympic Challenge

Melanie, (www.houseelf-doings.blogspot.com) is hosting the Olympic Challenge and this is my attempt for the No. 2 Thimble.
Australian animals are quite unique and I have a few laser cuts that I have painted as brooches and buttons. The Australian flowers are also different and I have attempted the bottlebrush ( on the Australia brooch), Flannel flowers ( on the kangaroo and possum) and a small amount of wattle ( on the possum).
 
 
Kangaroo, possum,Australia, wombat, platypus,and echidna
 
 
Life is a little hectic at the moment-- painting these have been rather relaxing-- as it gets me into another space.
 
 
Thank you for visiting my blog and will aim for  a longer post soon.
Take care,
Yvonne