And another thing...

Photo: Magnolia and flower illustration no. 6692 by Kari Herer Photography

The start of a new month brings challenges. This time it's personal. I'm no stranger to setting myself physical tasks and September is about moving EVERY SINGLE DAY for a minimum of 30 mins (which from here on in will be referred to as the 30/30 challenge). If, by the end of the month I manage to do that, not missing one day I will treat myself to the print above (or hopefully one similar if it sells out!) I absolutely love the combination of illustration and photography.

I'm done for today: 40 mins walking. Only 29 days to go.

Making the most of being indoors

I am very very close to finishing. All the squares are joined in rows, I'm just in the process of joining the rows together. It feels like it's taking forever! At least the weather is conducive to being indoors.

Fear is a Forest

I got the idea for this little piece as I was driving home from art class a few weeks ago. I heard an interview on the radio where the musician (I thought it was Sarah Blasko, but it might have been Jen Cloher) mentioned 'fear is like a forest', I can't remember the exact context I think she may have seen a painting with that title. Whatever the case, it stuck with me for some reason, probably because I was (still am?) struggling with the fear of a blank canvas.

And I finally I put it in a frame, now I'm just playing with where to put it.

Oh and there's another thing I get to cross off my list of '9 things in 09'. I went to the dentist today, for the first time in years. It wasn't that bad and now my teeth look so much better. And now I'm going to share the keyword of the day. Floss. Your teeth will thank you.

Slow Sunday

Yesterday was an incredibly difficult day on the bike, we battled hills, wind and rain. I'm not sure it could have been more unpleasant. As the Golden child said, it's one of those days that makes you want to ride more to get that much fitter and yet at the same time makes you never want to ride again. I have no doubt I will get on the bike again, it just might be after this windy weather subsides. At this stage there seems to be no end of it.

Today was far more low key. A slow start including coffee, breakfast and papers in bed. This afternoon there were patches of sunshine that meant some time could be spent in the garden. I planted some more rocket, basil (though I'm sure it's still too cold), coriander, mini beetroot and baby carrots. I also harvested the first of our tiny potatoes.

Heading into the weekend

I bought this material the other day to fill in time after missing my train. Having a fabric store so close to the station is often dangerous. For me, anyway. Hopefully this weekend I'll have some time to do something with it. Seems unlikely at this stage.

Tomorrow the Golden Child and I are riding in the Whittlesea Challenge. 108kms of it. I might need a nap after that. Then I'll frock up and accompany Mr T to the Melbourne Awards Ceremony at the Town Hall. Sunday involves football and hopefully some much needed down time.

Enjoy whatever it is you're up to this weekend!

VCA Student Gallery

I work in Southbank which I see as both a blessing and a curse. A curse because it's not quite in the city and much like the Docklands, because of the high rises it's a major wind tunnel. That said it is close to the city and is known as the Melbourne arts precinct that incorporates many a gallery and performance space. All within walking distance.

So at lunchtime I decided to break free of the screen and headed to the VCA gallery at gate 4 to check out Now or Never, a painting exhibition curated by Dawn Tan who has a lovely blog Handmade Love and was recently featured on The Design Files. There were some great works, but no information about any of the artists. You could pick Dawn's work though - a long bag of marshmallows. It made for a nice change of scenery.

The student gallery changes almost weekly showcasing different disciplines, so I'll be dropping in again no doubt.

The postman's been

Our bedroom is a simply adorned room, the view over the rooftops is almost enough, but I felt as though needed something. I love the simplicity, but also the texture of the feathers in the Sharon Montrose Love geese print. The turtle shell is Sharon's business/thank you card. Sweet. I just have to sort out the right sized mat to frame the photo.

This week in the garden

There's some early spring colour. The tulips are starting to flower.

Under clear instruction

Thank goodness for ridiculously detailed instructions on the overlocker. Changing the black thread over to white was relatively pain free.

Mondayitis postponed

I was a little bit grisly this morning. Far too late to bed last night. I could have happily stayed at home hung out in my slippers, drunk hot chocolate with homemade marshmallows and watched the rain.

In the end today wasn't too bad. I'm one step closer to getting my passport renewed, my tax return came through so I can now pay for trip we've booked to Singapore, Vietnam & Japan and we received an invitation to a much anticipated wedding. Not bad for a Monday.