Goanna after the eggs...

Both will go into the Jumpers and Jazz festival in Warwick. This are the decorations for the Maryvale Craft Group entry :)

The nest will be in the tree and the Goanna going up the trunk of the tree. Our decorated tree this year will be outside the Warwick Friendly Society, three trees up from the Warwick Post Office. Loads of people will be able to admire it and the hard work that went into it.

Us craft ladies got one last look at it today, as tomorrow it gets put up onto the tree!

Here's hoping we score a prize :)

Cheers

Learning to knit :)

While we had Russell's mum over for a week, Josh came up to me and asked if I would teach him to knit. Didn't have to ask me twice... :) I loved it that he asked me. Love teaching stuff to my kids :)

Cheers Damaris

Jumpers and Jazz, 2011

'Starry, Starry Night'

'Romeo & Juliet'

Here are the two entries that were made by our Maryvale Craft Group... They turned out really great. For the 'Starry, starry Night' we ended up scoring a Commendation... :)

For the 'Romeo and Juliet' display some of the roses were stolen and the drop of poison was broken off. Shame but am thinking that someone needed the roses more than us. lol

Cheers Damaris

Birthday Girl Lil...

The lovely Lil, our Birthday Girl :)

One of the locals, Lil had her 70th Birthday last week so we had to celebrate off course. :) Doesn't look a day over 40 :)

So happy to have been part of the celebrations. :)

Cheers Damaris

Jumpers and Jazz...

Juliet loves Romeo...

Russell was asked this year to help out with creating a plaque for one of our Craft entries... It needed to be a wooden heart with Romeo and Juliet's initials on it with an arrow...

He went to town... He made the arrow with the back having guinea fowl and duck feathers. The front of the arrow had a polymer clay heart for an arrow and he even put a green drip on it for the poison... He chip carved the initials and even put the hooks on for the back. Now here we are thinking that someone may likely steal it so how to fasten it to the tree so it is secure. Don't know as yet what we will do but Russell was held in very high esteem for the end result. All are so happy with it and I am off course immensely proud of him. He got to put most of his talents to good use and show off just what he can do.

Clever sweetie he is :)

Cheers Damaris

Big Morning Tea for Cancer...

My 1st prize winnings...

Won two beautiful pillows made by local Joyce Locke, gave one away :)

Love the royal waves Ladies... Craft Ladies enjoying themselves. :)

Had the privilege in the middle of May to go to this up at our local Bestbrook Mountain Retreat. Was wonderful to catch up with many of the locals and to meet new people as well... I was lucky enough to win a few prizes. Including 1st prize no less :) Dinner for two up at Bestbrook Mountain Retreat to the value of $50.00. Will be using this when Timothy goes to Blue Care next... Wonder who can take Joshua for the night... Think I have a couple in mind... lol

Cheers Damaris

Meet Lauren Emily...

All finished...

Here is my doll all done... Have gotten allot of great feedback. Not bad for a first timer. :)

Cheers Damaris

Garden and Patio Statues...

Fencing wire, Aluminium foil and masking tape are used for the body

This is how she started out...

Cloth wrapped around after dipped in glue and paint...

Small Doyle used as a top...

Cotton cloth was used for her skirt and waist sash...

I had the honour of attending a workshop last week and will again this week at our local Hall. We have the very talented Lorraine showing us how to make Garden and Patio Statues... She sells these at the markets where she comes from up north.

It involved quite a process and am glad that she did the first bit for us all. Then we did the rest... Has been a wonderful experience. Mine won't go in the garden though it is a present for someone close to my heart :) All I have to do now is put hair on her and paint her a little. Then she is done. :)

Cheers Damaris

She's in the paper...

Ellen and her fans. :)

Ellen that is. For her 90th Birthday. :) Again, Congratulations Ellen. :) :) :) And yes I made it in there again as well. lol Shame it was before I had my hair cut though. Never mind...

Cheers Damaris

First time Sketching...

My first ever Gum tree...

Naomi helped a little with this, but mainly my work.

Well I am hooked... I will use this to relax and have already, when driving, found myself thinking of how to put that particular scene on paper... I have taken a step that I have been afraid to do for many, many years... To learn how to draw...

Locally we have a renowned artist Naomi that gives painting lessons each Thursday down at our local Hall. She has done that for a long time. I have been tempted many times to go myself but have been too afraid. I would always end up comparing myself to my sisters who draw and paint so beautifully... I just couldn't compete. That was until I realised that I don't have to compete. I have a different style and actually prefer to draw trees, especially gums and the scenery around where we live. I can't wait to get going with it all...

This month Naomi is running Drawing Workshops and I have joined in. We got her to run these through RADF funding and the lesson for three hours only costs me $8. How cheap is that??? She has so much knowledge and is currently teaching us about shading and shadows etc. I went to town yesterday so got myself a smaller sketch book that I can take with me. I have also bought some good quality pencils... I am on my way.

Guess what I am doing this weekend... Getting out a chair this arvo and sitting out the front of my house and doing some drawing... I think I actually prefer to do it in lead pencil as well and not colour... Will see where this adventure takes me :)

Cheers Damaris

Craft Group Christmas Morning Tea :)

Even Boule was played :)

On Tuesday the boys and I went down to one of our parks. The one near the creek. There is a lovely walk you can take there where a group of people back in the 70's made the trail. Even plaques are there... There is a large platform as well, under cover and Tuesday was the only day in a about a week where the weather was fine.

We all brought presents for each other as well and names were drawn out of a bag by Santa, aka Joshua. Timothy handed out the presents to everyone :)

The boys had a ball at the creek and I loved to mingle with the rest of the group. We got together about 10:30am and the boys and I left just after 1pm. Was a wonderful way to spend a chunk of a morning. :)

Cheers Damaris

New Me :)

Hair is gone... weight has come off my shoulders...

This week I have been doing allot of soul searching. I have been shedding things and activities from my life that I no longer want to deal with or need... One thing that went this week was my hair... I have not had it short for over five years so it was a huge change for me, to say the least.

I go every five weeks and get a trim usually from Christina... She comes to our Community Hall and gives a haircut to anyone that wants one. :) Excellent service and also great business... Many heads to do in one local location. Gotta love that. And on top of that Christina only charges $17 per cut...

The boys were shocked when they saw me but have gotten used to it. Though they still laugh when I first get up as my hair is sticking straight up in the air after my night's sleep...

Cheers Damaris

Oops, now what???

Hose ends ready for the joiner...

This bits don't help. Will have to buy a joiner on Thursday...

I mowed about last week and had to change the chooks water this morning. Well that was not happening today. We are currently giving them water from the bore tank... I mowed over the hose and didn't even realise... I got the hose about five metres from the bore attachment so at the moment have about 85 metres of useless hose sitting in my yard... How silly am I.

Today I was supposed to also Gerni the outside of the house and wash the outside windows. Another job that has to wait till the end of the week as on Thursday I go into town and will have to get a joiner for the hose then. I am rather annoyed with myself I must admit for doing something so foolish... Well one learns I guess...

Was the perfect overcast weather today too to be doing it. Never mind there is always Friday :)

On a brighter note, am off to Craft group this morning... Have not been for four weeks due to appointments and two weeks school holidays. Can't wait to get there. :)

Cheers Damaris

Senior's Morning Tea...

Some of the Seniors at the Hall...

More Seniors and School Staff...

Ms Shelley with the kids, singing... :)

Yesterday the village was in for a real treat... The kids had been practicing and you could see Joshua just busting to share his singing abilities. hehe

Yesterday we had our Seniors Morning Tea at the Maryvale School of Arts Hall... We had a bus load of people even come out from one of the retirement villages in town. There would have been around 30 people and then the 14 school kids on top of that...

So they sang and entertained us with their Music Teacher, Ms Shelley. It was wonderful to hear them sing. They even sang harmonies which was very impressive to watch and listen to. The Seniors had a ball. You could see the light in their eyes. :)

There was more food there than you could poke a stick at as well. Joshua was good and only ate what I had brought. There was plenty for him and he was happy to spend most of the time taking trays of food around and seeing if anyone wanted a cuppa. Garry was there too, our neighbour, was so nice to see him there. He seemed to have a lovely time. :)

I spent allot of my time with the Seniors from the retirement village and came across one lady that I will be seeing again. Her name is Barbara and she has no parents, brothers or sisters... The way she spoke had me very interested in getting to know this lady better. No such stories of self pity or sorrow. Amazing lady. I asked her if I could come and visit her soon and she said she would love that. So I am going to... I also would like to write to her as I don't get to go into town all that often other than to shop... Will see what happens :)

Couple of the parents of the kids at the school also came along for the singing and general chit chat. Was so nice to see them. :)

Cheers Damaris

Local Ladies...

Our neighbour Tricia is sitting on the left. :)

Look what the local ladies have been up to... A couple of weeks ago, the day the freezing cold Sports Carnival was on in Warwick, a journalist came out to Maryvale School of Arts Hall and interviewed the Ladies from our Craft Group...

This was all in preparation for Senior's week which is on soon. :) Can't wait for the school kids, all 14 of them :), to perform for the Ladies... Tuesday, next week it will be :)

Cheers Damaris

Joshua's French Knitting Effort...

Joshua and his French Knitting... All 10.91m of it :)

OK, so at last count the long snake ended up being 10.91 metres. It was used for the School's Jumpers and Jazz entry and the tree was lovely as I have posted earlier. :)

Can't quite believe it ended up so long but did watch him do most of it. He did a great job... :)

Cheers Damaris

Gifts I received...

The rooster one is my favourite... :)

Yesterday, Russell came home after a LONG week in Brissie... He had a package for me. :) I peeked inside and there were 10, yes 10 double hand towels... They are currently being washed so I can use them asap. How sweet is that of Russell's Mum??? Very, I say. :)

Can't believe how lucky a gal I am!!! I feel very blessed right now :)

Cheers Damaris

Jumpers and Jazz

The beautiful Sunflower...

The leaves are attached to the trunk of the Tree...

This photo I took for Timothy... He loves his stuffed dogs. :)

Well it is that time of year again and this year the celebrations started off on 15 July. They will conclude next Sunday with markets and lots of Jazz music... It has been piped through the main street of town during this last week and has been nice walking along seeing all the different trees dressed up for winter. :)

Maryvale School of Arts Hall has a number of dedicated locals that have put together a beautiful sunflower this year... Oh how proud I am to have seen this one grow from a little 'pup'. It has been fascinating watching it grow into the end result... I was supposed to have made green worms from French Knitting but didn't end up getting time to finish it. Other things kept getting in the road... I do feel bad about it but am glad to still be able to enjoy the end result.

Well done Ladies... My sincere Congratulations. :)

Cheers Damaris

What are you doing today???

Hope I have time to paint today. Missing it...

Yesterday I treated myself to a pedicure in town. Love it when I get a chance to do that. Today though I need to bake two loaves of bread, bake a heap of muffins with pear as well as carob and make yoghurt chicken for dinner.

Russell comes home tonight and I can't wait to see him. I like to have a nice meal ready for him for when he walks in the door. I know he appreciates it also so easy to do. :)

So today my day consists of using my Thermomix allot, hanging out washing and bringing in washing, folding and putting it away. I will also try and get some painting in there as well... Quick sweep of the floor and I am done for the week. :)

Cheers Damaris

Jumpers and Jazz Entry update...

What a bright and sunny Sunflower...

Here is the latest photo of what us ladies have done... I have not done any of this though... I am doing snakes to go into the tree. They are french knitted...

Each of these petals were knitted individually by a number of ladies in our Craft Group. I am loving how it is coming together. This is our Sunflower to go into the tree. The stem of the flower will be the tree trunk and will be covered by knitting as well. You can see that at the base of the flower here.

The frame of the flower was made by one of the Ladies' husband and after the show will adorn their beautiful garden. They have a beautiful collection there... Isn't he ever so clever???

Bugs and little animals are yet to come. There is a bee on the left of the flower and a snail on the left bottom leaf. Can't wait for it to be finished... This was thought of and decided upon last year as the other Jumpers and Jazz was happening... Can't wait for July for it to be on display. :)

Cheers Damaris