Progressing two projects - poem publication and workshop preparation

 

Whilst we are still in the latter stages of jet lag, both Fiona and I are progressing work that applies to our next visit to the cottage.

We have agreed to do another Pop Up Art Show in our local village hall; but we have also been asked to do a workshop each.

The opening and following photos show the progress I'm making on printing a 16 page A7 pocket poem book. Before heading over to Scotland in early April I had worked with our friend Kim Herringe to develop a template that could be filled in in Word and printed double sided; and once cut into appropriate pieces would become a small A7 booklet. As you can see I have managed to populate Kim's template; and printed a draft document. The good news in Kim's template worked - I just need to get her assistance on steps required to remove the grid lines before making edits and printing some final copies to take for the Pop Up Art Show!!!

The final copies will be stitched along the spine instead of stapling.

After some discussion with Fiona I have decided to offer a one day (really 10am to 3.30pm) of simple silver plate jewellery making - see the design options document etc below. I have also started to cut the silver plate blanks from silver-plated placemats.

 Whilst I have started the metal preparation there is still quite a way to go. I will grind all the rough edges off the blanks - don't want participants cutting fingers; and starting with prepared blanks means they will achieve more. I imagine participants will most likely finish 2-3 pieces - pendants and/or earrings.

Sculptural walk on a rainy day

 

Yesterday morning Fiona and I grabbed a moment between rain showers to do the Peace in the Trees Sculpture Walk. The walk is  the continuation of the boardwalk that starts behind the Riverside Shopping Area in Maleny.

As you can see from Fiona's photo below, the wide pathway enables all to walk and use places to rest; the lush growth makes for a gentle nurturing meander.

We got to reacquaint ourselves with the sculptures including Judy's - detail shown in the opening photo and below.

And Cathy's platypus - Fiona's photo.

Of course there were beautiful rain drenched fungi; and a cormorant on the Obi.

How fortunate are we in Maleny to have such a beautiful peaceful walkway right on the edge of town

Farewell to cottage and cove

 

How quickly time had passed - we are on our way home to our Maleny home; and we have said farewell to the cottage and cove.

A few fragments here to remind us of the beauty we find around the cottage each time we visit - how fortunate are we!! I never tire of looking west from the upstairs window enjoying sunsets such as the following.

Armadale Bay at sunset - looking east from the upstairs window

A few other fragments including lambs, the cove and Eider Ducks on the cove beach and our potatoes planted in pots for harvesting when we return!!!

Soon we will be back in our Maleny cottage and sharing some of the beauty were find there on our walks.

For those who love the beauty of rust

 

Our recent road trip and visits to small fishing harbours has offered me the opportunity to delight in some of the beauty of rust. Sure the objects and pieces of equipment with disappear as they rust away; but for now they off texture and patina. 

This wee blog post simply shares some of the beauty of some of the rust we saw.

Hope you enjoyed the texture and patina as well.

Tiny beauty

 

It seems to be the time for the tiny flowers - poping up by the side of roads and walking tracks. We have heard the call of the cuckoo in the village so I guess it is not surprise that we are seeing many Cuckoo flowers such as the above on our morning walk.

Violets are also showing their intense colour amongst the grasses on the verge of the road.

Following are some other fragments of tiny beauty.

The bumble bees are anxiously waiting for the wee flowers on the Cotoneaster and Holly bushes out the front of the cottage. With the naked eye you can hardly make out the petals - close up phots are helpful - bumble bess do not have a problem identifying the flowers.

Nature reminds us that beauty can be found in the smallest moments and fragments.

A new start

 Yesterday we finished our maintenance tasks for this trip - just in time before the rain sets in for the next week. This meant I have been able to start s few more watercolours (see above); based on the photos taken over the last couple of weeks (see four chosen and printed out below).

A few preparatory sketches follow.

I'm not sure how much progress I will make on these; but given the rainy weather forecast I might get a couple of painting sessions.