Operation Kitchen Unit...

I love this simple design and I totally love the colours.  It's my favourite colour at the moment.  They match The Blue Nook - our little kitchen nook area.  I have about 4 sheets of tiles left so I have decided to do The Blue Nook eating table too.  I am not generally a table cloth person so this is a much better idea for me especially in high eating and messy area.  I love the idea of just being able to wipe a surface instead.  Much more hygienic for me.  Quite stoked actually!

Brave Faith...

With my word for 2012 being BRAVE.  And with the new movie coming out called BRAVE.  I thought to paint a brave red head... I also know the most incredible little red head and her name is Faith... So let me introduce you to... Brave Faith.

 I know her hair is very neat and not true to the BRAVE movie or to the real Faith.  But I was testing the waters with red hair... so far so happy.  I love that this painting is a alittle different but I kind of love her, she's regal and looks pure of heart.    This is a tiny painting too so it was tough going.  I plan to do a red head with crazy curly hair... coming up next!

Mosaic Heaven....

I have finally found a wholesale mosaic shop in our area... and they were having a special.  When we moved into our very old little house, we had a buy and extra kitchen unit.  It was a raw pine workbench, so I knew I would have to treat it but didn't want to paint it or vanish it.  It's been 6 months and I still haven't done anything.  I knew I wanted to mosaic it but jobs like this can cost a pretty packet.  With their special on this month, I will be able to do the whole project for a fraction of the price including wood sealant, grout and flexibond.  Too stoked for words!

Friday painting day...

Ahhhhh man - I am desparate to paint.  My commissions are piling up and I still have to build stock for my shop and a little gift shop that is keen on my pieces.  I had much work to do this morning for work work.  So I woke up early and faced that until around 2pm - and then hit my canvas'.  My niece and her beau were coming over to paint with me and experience oil painting for the 1st time.  I love sharing oils with people because I know a lot of people who are afraid of it yet I find it the most satifying and wonderful medium of them all.  We nestled up by the fire and painted and chatted all afternoon.  I love that when your hands are busy creatively - lovely gems fall right out of the heart.  It's really "play therapy" in many regards.  I love these two people dearly and it was a beautiful way to spend my afternoon.  Treasured moments.  The bonus of our time together - I managed to finish a small commission today and start a new one for my stock.  #Stoked

Cabin Fever...

With it being school holidays, raining so much, bitterly cold and my running partner away to see a specialist about her ITB... I haven't been able to get out and train as much as I wanted to this week.  Aren't you loving all my excuses.  But come Thursday evening - the cabin fever had seriously set in.  With it being so busy in the home this week too... I hadn't even got enough hours in the studio.  Needless to say... I'm feeling a tad frustrated.

When the hubby asked if I wanted to go for a walk in the forest - I almost bolted right out the door without my running kit on...

I've been trying to map out some trail running routes in the forest for us... so we were without a doubt exploring.  We discovered this awesome trail called #Woodcutter's Path and it was delightful.  I am bringing the girls back, for sure.  It was a welcome surprise and hard to believe this special place is right in the middle of our city.  I know many people who live where we do and don't even know that this place exsits.  A little piece of heaven.  #priveledged

I found this amazing big log that had been cut into a bench.  what a stunning place to rest!



My one word for 2012...

Some of my Instagram buddies encouraged me to choose a word for 2012. I always find these kind of challenges difficult. Another buddy said - it would just come to me... The word that keeps coming up for me over and over again the past while has been...

This year seems like it's all about bravery for me.  Trying new things.  Having the courage to share them out loud.  It has always been easier to just quietly go with the flow but this year has really been about making choices and stepping into those things.  I guess it's in the stepping out, that delightful unexpected and unexplained things happen.  And when you start to listen to the whispers calling you - it takes courage and bravery.  I don't think being brave comes naturally to me.  Maybe it doesn't come naturally to any of us but I do believe, that we are called to it!

My studio table...

I have a gorgeous 2m long art desk... I had it made for me about 3 years ago and it was stained dark wood... but it was time for a change.  I have been wanting to do this for weeks now... and tonight was my night.  I thought I would just start it and do it a piece at a time because it felt like a mammoth task but a few hours later, I was finished. I found some miniture old pics of the girls from an old school project and some old notes from people and they have also found their way onto this desk.  And I absolutely love it... My little art studio is a long narrow room so the desk fits in perfectly.  This is totally becoming my happy place.  It's creatively beautiful!!!  #Delighted!!