Some inspirational images to share after 2 weeks of bliss....

There are somethings that can't be beaten when it comes to beauty, here is my baby; the very loved and adored Henri. He really is a stunner, lovable, playful and just a gift....my life without him would certainly not be complete.

Below are images taken while away. As you know I am a teacher and a well deserved break was calling. My ideal holiday for relaxation has to include a tropical island, warm sunny weather, white sandy beach, a few novels to plough through, a bikini, big sunnies, water and lip balm. I am a girls of simple requirements and will happily wile away the hours...... Mana Island- Fiji. Am I lucky or what????
View from the top of Mana Island....The airstrip at Mana, look at the water colour in the background- beautiful!
Some of the tropical plant life to shade one from the heat....

Many miles of underwater coral and sea life that I shared the warm waters with! Really it has been two weeks of bliss. Too bad that tomorrow, reality comes crashing back.....

Yum Cha, Chocolate and Henri...

A delightful Saturday spent celebrating my mum's 59th birthday.... So mum wanted lunch so off to Yum Cha we went..... I must say yum cha is my ultimate meal, you can eat steamed and all is served with tea!!! Yum cha meaning to drink tea, what a fabulous idea..... if only all meals were like that! After that mum wanted gelati but as it was soooo cold a hot chocolate was decided upon from my ideal destination- Koko Black... click on the link and begin to drool!

-Here are the 3 hot chocolate combinations you can have- cinnamon, chilli and dark chocolate.....

But we all know that dark chocolate can never be compromised and that plain is best.... OK maybe coffee can make an appearance sometimes but never in a Koko Black hot chocolate... an experience worth savouring....

Here is my baby, the most photographed dog in the west! I can' help myself, testing black and white shots of the style king himself- Henri!

All Alone Saturday.

I woke early like usual, I am an early riser and early to bed type of girl....Late last night, I was thinking about getting back to making a geisha/ kokeshi soft doll. I have a beautiful wooden one which is always a joy to look at, but my attempts at making one out of material have always failed. I thought about it before bed last night and the dreamt about how I would sew one up. This morning I knew that I would be spending the day all alone except for Henri, so I went ahead and drew up a simple design. Then I thought about material? or shall I shall, not thought properly about the material?

So I began to make a pattern, and here she is- a little disaster. I think that I like the head, but I am certainly going to have to make drastic changes to the body. I also changed the arms around and believe that here the body needs to be bigger. The material is important too, I can see here that my choice was totally wrong, but- we live and learn! Isn't that what they say?

Here, Henri is with the finished prototype kokeshi doll. I have to sneak a few of my baby in once in a while. Like a supermodel he waits patiently.

All the modeling is putting him to sleep!Also had to share my passion with you for new lip balms, I am a compulsive collector of lip balms. I have so many and just can't get enough. There is no limit to what I will do to find and test new ones. This new one I was lucky enough to find in the supermarket- a gem, very affordable too. In fact only $3.00. I think that has to be the cheapest in a long time... It is called Lip Ice, very cute container and nice to wear. Also some button I had given to me, the house is now a mess after my kokeshi doll endeavour! Threads, material snippets, wadding all over my wooden floor. But of course- RED Lips... kiss kiss! How could I not end with red? Happy Mother's Day for tomorrow, all you wonderful mums out there in the world!

Getting My Act Together....

What a lazy day, it is Sunday after all. Washing, cleaning and finally creating a record of some of my artwork. My beautiful hubby took out his super dooper camera and documented my creations.

Henri was like usual unimpressed and decided a snooze on the bed as it was much more interesting. Isn't it so nice being a very pampered pooch? Henri certainly thinks so!

Then organizing all the images into relevant folders on the computer...So here is the result, just a few creations, let me know what you think? I would love to know what you think about my ideas and art work. It is always great to hear what other interesting individual think.

Here are my Ballet Dolls. These are my favourite to create, each one is different and no two are the same. Just like people they each have their own personality... The middle one has my hand in the image so at least you can see a height reference point. They are around about 30cm in height. Maybe a hand model is what I can become if Art stops being my thing! Probably not. But aren't they cute?


This is one of my tapestries. One thing I did learn at university was my love for the time consuming, warp and weft skill. I was lucky enough to indulge myself and really absorb this amazing skill. This is one thing I really do miss....

My Lino Print.... I do love printing such an immediate way of creating with line. Again spoilt for choice in my life as a student, as now I teach my 3 class of very enthusiastic Year 6 students how to do their own lino cuts. After repeating again and again that hands and fingers should never be in front of the lino blade/ tool they have created their own wonderful creations. My love of line and lino always get a great workout at school every year. This lino print photo doesn't do justice, even if I have so say so myself!

And this is my gouache painting that I happily paint away whenever I have a spare minute at work. The students also see me paint and like the fact that I am busily working on my own artwork. Lets hope it inspires them to keep creating later on in life and not just in their early years... This painting hangs on my bedroom wall. I happily wake up to this image every morning...

Lets see what tomorrow brings. My lunchtime "Gnoming group" brings in 20 students who are learning to dry needle felt...We are felting gnomes and little people. It is really interesting to see students learn a new technique and skill...

It All Begins....

So my very first entry, I am sooooo excited as I have no idea where to begin! My name is Hannah and I do promise that each post will get better and better. I have much to share and much to tell.

Where,

What,

Who and

Why?

This is one of my creations when I have a spare minute and like to indulge in all the things that make my life glorious to live. I make, create, play, design and totally love to get lost in the moment. At work and at play I always say what I want and who I am... Life is there to be lived.

I want to share my ideas, thoughts and love of all things arty, crafty, chocolate like, lip balmy and Henri (ish)... He is my baby Golden Retriever whom I adore to pieces. Well lets say he is a a 6 Yr old dog who thinks himself human in every way, very loving, very cute and many times very naughty. Henri is a constant in my life and keeps me real, loving and always giving.

I have always kept a diary up until a few years but I think it is about time to share my thoughts with all those creative and pondering like minded individuals.

Now I am off to have pancakes skillfully cooked my my brother, yummy.....Maybe plough my way through the "Good Food Guide" with Lyn, while we eat pancakes. I really need some good restaurant therapy... Moretons Brasserie in Carlton last weekend was wonderful.

http://www.moretons.com/

If you want a quaint French restaurant that serves a delicious French feast check it out.... Co- owner Jenny is warm and welcoming as is the service. Anyone want to suggest a good resturant to try out?? Right, I'm off to try a crepe, maybe some berry jam and sour cream... I am already dreaming about it.