Blue and the Girl

patchwork

2012-07-09T00:12:00.000-07:00

Do you have those days - when the patchwork has too many grey spaces, the colours clash and finding the right pattern, or any meaning in the fabric - is just so hard?

Some things need shelving! And folding is one of those things I've got worked out.

Hope the colours are working out for you today.

brain wave

2012-07-02T19:35:00.000-07:00

Promontory by Joel McNeely on Grooveshark

I've been falling into the screen visualiser on my computer monitor -
It's too mesmerising - intimate - intense.
Like a fire.

contemplative

2012-07-02T02:20:00.000-07:00

FREDERIQUE K

ideas born

2012-03-23T23:26:00.000-07:00

It's happening isn't it?

Unborn Ideas - Catrin Welz-Stein

I'm slowly - but quite surely, beginning to abandon my blog.

I've had my needs met -

Used her for all she's worth....

I grasped for her in the beginning - begging for space and a voice and 5 moments every other day that would allow my other voice to sing out - the one that doesn't have dishwater hands or stoop to scrub the glue-like substance of weatbix from the floor -

the space that encouraged me to express my love for motherhood and the bits that challenged me -

a space that reminded me that I see things in feeling -

and feel in colour -

a space to record thoughts and moments, not let them float up - away.

Now there is a reversal -

and expressing ideas are a weekly requirement. Now they flow out in rapid succession to be analysed and evaluated, challenged and questioned. Now expression is being assessed.

It's filling me up and spinning me with stimulation.

I have no time for her anymore, this blog of mine - though I love her still.

I wonder if she'll continue to bother with me.

senses shared

2012-03-08T16:20:00.001-08:00

read: Alice Pung's Unpolished Gem for Uni - and with pleasure.

taste: All the wonderful meals that are being cooked for me - tasting so much better now that the kitchen is his place not mine.
see: Kescha's magnificent creations - oh to have pink wool hair and a love heart nose!
hear:
Seven Devils by Florence + The Machine on Grooveshark
because i can't get enough of Florence + the Machine at the moment.
smell: Patchouli and soap
touch: The spines of books in the library - light finger-tipped and searching.
think: On knitting as the days start to cool but don't quite know where to start - it all looks so good!
feel: The reaching out into the world and finding so much there.

Senses Shared

Autumn

2012-03-01T01:42:00.001-08:00

The first day of autumn and already she is pushing through her dark bright lights - the cool and the colour is whipping at our ankles, bunching at our necks.
This one is vibrant and determined.
Cheers to you. Celebrate.
Season changed.

putting the call out

2012-02-20T20:05:00.000-08:00

sounds that unite....

where are you now?

because sometimes words ellude.....

shared senses and a deep love for MONA

2012-02-13T16:55:00.000-08:00

I enjoy visiting bohemian twilight and wandering through Monica's shared senses -
I love how a very clear and full picture can be internally painted via a few thoughtful words and a tune.
Monica invites visitors to join in and share in the senses tour..

mona

wim delvoye

see: MONA - Museum of Old and New Art - in Hobart, Tasmania. There will be many posts to come about my experiences within that brilliant and extraordinary place.

hear:

A Few Hours After This by The Cure on Grooveshark
- an old album on the new record player.

read: Indelible Ink - by Fiona McGregor. A slow start for me but the the writing drew me in eventually with its fine and sometimes cruel insight into the dynamics of family. First book for the newly formed book club.

taste: Coffee. Always Coffee

touch: Small hands. Soft skin.

think: On a big change

feel: Revived and renewed after experiencing a deeply thoughtful gift from my partner - 3 whole days away in Tasmania, to delve into the stunning gifts of mona.

{shared senses}

birthday girl

2012-02-04T22:18:00.000-08:00

It's the besties birthday today -
She's jam packed with generosity and spot-on insight, thought and loyalty.
She's got dag and style, super sharp intellect and a heap of quirk.
She's got a lot to give - and she does.
I'm lucky she's my friend.
Happy birthday P. Every time I hear this song - I think of you.

reconstruction

2012-02-01T13:09:00.000-08:00

I Shrunk The Hand Knits........... There. It is said!
Mum - I am sorry!

I'm a knitter. A - not especially often and very slow knitter - but a knitter non the less. I know how much work and love and not-particularly-cheap yarn goes into a child's jumper. I know that when it is a gift it is made with thought and generosity and a whole-lotta time.

I know that wool hand knits require hand washing. HAND washing!

I now know that the hand wash setting on the washing machine does not mean that the machine has hands...... no no no - that machine does not have hands, so don't you go believing that when you read it. And, even though that machine is only attached to the cold water tap - it can heat itself up All On Its Own. It's true.

I also know that even when the grubby hand knits that have been sitting in a pile for days, weeks.... waiting to be hand washed because well -

there are lists upon lists of things that are waiting around to get done and it's only the basics that ever seem to get a look in -

that actually, It Really Is Best to let that pile remain a pile for as long as deemed necessary, than be thrown with ignorant trust and faith in everything 'n anything written (setting: Hand Wash) into said washing machine that does not come with hands - and get...... shrunk.

But surely there are ways to redeem such naivety (laziness)?
Re-construct. Recreate. Recycle. Redeem.

Even in the midst of Summer our girls like to take a hot water bottle to bed....yeah, go figure.

Anyhow Harper Blue needed a cover for hers.

Done.

And all that lovely work that my mum created has not gone to waste. It will still be snuggled into and loved - every night - yep, even when the temps hit 30.

And there is still plenty more for pieces to be made into small cushions for both the girls.
Redeemed? maybe...

Any recreations or redemptions been going on at your place this week?

Visiting: our creative spaces

the music plays for you my friend

2012-01-24T21:17:00.000-08:00

Angie by Tori Amos on Grooveshark

luli sanchez

Listening to Tori Amos is like being transported hard and fast back into my 17 year old self.

There is the same heart-shape, tender skin, quiet raw ache.

I don't listen to Tori much these days - it can be exhausting - but I do value those moments when the portal presents itself.

Music is power.

Thank you Amanda for helping me overcome my fear of 'the html' so that I can creep down / and share, a few more portals of the past and present variety - this one's for you!

And thank you too - to those who left comments ensuring its ease - appreciated!

they live there

2012-01-23T21:06:00.000-08:00

"I have drawn my children and painted them endlessly and I cannot distinguish them from my soul.

They live there."

Mirka Mora

Wicked but Virtuous: My Life

Paintings: Mirka Mora

noticing

2012-01-21T00:50:00.000-08:00

I'm really enjoying visiting blogs at the moment that offer a music console with a song to listen to while reading. It creates mood - and insight into the musical tastes of the blog's author. Pretty great way to discover new music too.

I first noticed it here, and then here -

"where's she been?" I hear you say.

Well - at times I can be a little slow on the uptake...

So I would love to add my own console to my posts too - as further illustration. Problem is, my brain has been bent in half and turned in on itself trying to work out how. I know that there is a simple method - there must be - surely.... But the pain of the search has got the better of me.

So until I work it out I'm going to stick with the good old faithful utube link - where you get the whole kit 'n caboodle!

Today we attended a fundraiser for Daylesford Community Food Gardeners. There was music and wonderful food and catch ups with friends - and the MeltDown of a certain four year old - which progressed into the tremendous meltdown of the almost two year old.

Tomorrow is a new day.

How is your weekend going?

like a new friend

2012-01-15T02:54:00.000-08:00

I found this beauty at the Sunday market. She's a limited addition print by artist Antonio Munatone - 1977 - edition 10 of 12.

I've haven't been able to find anything on the artist - but the subject and I, well, we kinda feel like we know each other.

It's a wonderful thing - when you find a piece of art work that you know will always be with you -

they feel like home and validation and relief -

they are like a new friend that you have known for a long long time.

Do you have any particular pieces that you feel especially strongly about - hanging on your walls? Is there one special one that you daydream into on the days that you are feeling a little crappy - a little displaced - that helps you to revive?

Weekending :: the habit of being

it's not where you take things from - it's where you take them to

2012-01-09T17:43:00.000-08:00

via

I pinned this on to one of my pinterest boards via every day dreamer yesterday - and given the number of times it's been repinned, it must be ringing true for many...

I came across this wonderful free beanie pattern on Ravelry a while back (if you want to give it a go - it doesn't hurt to add a few extra rows...).

What I particularly love about this pattern, apart from being a quick knit and keeping heads warm, is this note that the creator of the pattern added at the end:

"feel free to distribute it, copy it, profit from it, learn from it, discard it, and/or share it. Pah! on copyrights that keep loved ones warm!"

There is so much value in influence and the ideas shared by others (enhanced so much these days by the generosity of the blogosphere) - it is in everything we smell, hear, touch, read, feel, make, taste, share... - and we bring them all back to the place we stand and offer a different take on them.
A unique take because don't we all stand within a different space - even if it is just ever-so-slightly?

Celebrating thievery. What do you think?

mad moon rising

2012-01-08T00:39:00.000-08:00

Finally!
There are poetry magnets on our fridge!
I have been thinking about them for years - and now that they have arrived - well, it seems they have a bit to say....
It's a full moon tomorrow - he says (we have started a new communication - via our magnets) that he loves my mad moons. He is being generous!
Tomorrow those words are likely to be arranged into something else....entirely!

I visited a friend today (in this realm and the other) and listened to the voice and offerings of Eve Ensler.
I took note of my pulse rate and the heaviness of my brow - the nodding of my head, and thought - think on this, keep it, don't turn the page too quickly.

Do you have those moments? When you are moved or angered or inspired, driven and excited and you know that if you don't take the essence of that and move it into your life permanently - actively, then the day will close, the heart rate will level, the page will turn....

What do you do with those moments?

Wishing you....

2011-12-30T20:06:00.000-08:00

via

Happy New Year to you.....
May the strength of your intuition be alive and bright in 2012!

Image source via

play time

2011-12-28T21:18:00.000-08:00

del kathryn barton

"The pursuit of truth and beauty is a sphere of activity in which we are permitted to remain children all our lives." Einstein

It's play time, rest time, re-arrange the furntiture time, a few vain attempts to work out tech-issues-with-blogger time (my posts aren't getting updated in readers/email - hmph!), a touch of drink-and-be-merry time and even a bit of sleep time in these parts!

What kind of time are you spending in these last few moments of 2011?

Thank you!

2011-12-19T17:38:00.000-08:00

via

We're heading to the hills tonight - for festivities and play and rest...

Taking a break from the computer until next week - as I am sure many of you are.

When I return I've decided to host a bit-of-a-giveaway.... In celebration of the time of year - and because I've just posted my Treasure and it felt pretty good!! - but mostly because this little breathing space of mine, this refuge and hiding place, this voice - has just turned exactly 4 months and 5 days old... what better reason huh!
Thank you so much for visiting me - sharing your thoughts - supporting - and teaching me that there are so many different ways to connect. I feel that with some of you I could easily sit down over a glass of wine and talk and share and laugh and find comfort..... and I haven't even heard your voices - such a fine thing that is!
A wonderful christmas, solstice, holiday and new year to you all!

Mika x

Rainy day with rodrigo y gabriela

2011-12-17T16:36:00.000-08:00

It's raining here - hard!
I was really hoping to go to our local sunday market to get a few of the final bits 'n pieces needed before we head to the hills for Christmas.....
Instead - we're stuck inside. Plenty of things to do and organise and make and pack.... for sure - but we're needing a little help to pick up the tempo. So we're listening to Rodrigo y Gabriela to help us along.
Put it on full screen and turn up the volume:
just Try not to dance!

Murmuration

2011-12-13T03:46:00.000-08:00

If you get a moment - please watch this.

I don't have the words....

the countdown calendar and a creative community

2011-12-06T01:09:00.001-08:00

The countdown calendar got done! Phew!

I am personally looking forward to the 5th day before Christmas - it reads:

"paint mama & papa's toenails any colour, everyone get Dress-Up-Box dressed for a pancake & popcorn dinner!"

If you're interested in the painting above the fireplace - it's by local artist Marcia King. We bought it from a wonderful shop called can't think straight - just around the corner from us.

When I saw it - it immediately left a very deep imprint. I couldn't let it go. Some people find it very dark and then they look at it a little longer - a little harder - and see that it is quite the opposite.

To me it says... 'we're all just feeling our way'.

I live in a small town full of creativity. I am reminded of it in the corners of my home.

That beautiful bird painting was created for us by our friend and artist Josh as a gift for a bit-of-a-celebration we had back in February (i'll write about it soon... it was insanely fun!).

She's special that bird, don't you think? She Knows things!

You can read more on Josh here and here.

The mortar and pestle were also gifted to us In Celebration by a group of very thoughtful women who know that I am quite taken by the works of local ceramicist Bridget Bodenham. The majority of her work is exquisitely fine - smooth - personal somehow. If you follow the link and see her spoons, you'll see that they have no place in a home that is shared with a 21 month old.... no way!

And the plates on the lower shelf - again gifted - and again by another very talented local ceramic artisan who forms a part of Clayspace - Daylesford Region Ceramics Co-operative. If you're ever in the area - please visit them. Their very inspiring, beautiful space sits looking over this lake:

via

Yep - not a bad place to live at all....
~
Visiting: Kootoyoo's creative spaces

better late....

2011-12-04T22:09:00.001-08:00

It's late I know - but I'm on the job to get this made As Soon As Possible!
It's time to stop putting it all off and embrace the spirit of it!
Also - finding a whole lot of inspiration here - and wishing I could get my knitting fingers to dance....
Oh - and if you recall me ranting about this bloke - you'll know I'm a fair bit fond of him!
We SAW him perform on Friday night at the Corner Hotel - He absolutely did not disappoint!
Nor did the surprise Melbourne getaway - nor the Greek feast - nor the very fun company of 'me man'...

Silence

2011-12-04T10:00:00.000-08:00

via

Silence

There’s a viciousness in silence

It can lead the mind to overact

Plump it up with

Toxic imaginings

Embroider it with after shocks

Starve it of its’ fluids

Ungentle it with a cold rip

Don’t offer your quiet

When they have asked you for sound

Or text or image or touch

Lull that thunderous blow

It will only take a moment

To move the sharpness of it

Into a soft humid still

Be generous

All of those who surround you

Are calling for it.

as long as i live

2011-11-29T17:20:00.000-08:00

I watched Small Town Murder Songs on dvd the other night.
The opening scene was thrown out at me with the power of this song.

It is a tremendous, stabbing, alluring opening sequence.

It's the music - definitely - and the slow movement of the camera panning across the shocked expression of a woman's reaction to something that has just happened, that drew me in.

Slow Motion.

I Love slow motion - particularly when it's lifted and highlighted and intensified with the very direct and pounding gaze of the right Music!

That's how Jane Campion's The Piano got to me.
All the vessels from my heart got vacuumed into every detail of that film.

Small Town Murder Songs, for me, is a film lifted by the soundtrack.
The content lost me a little - but not in a bad way - in a way that a dream does when its focus keeps shifting. You know those dreams that leave you with a strong sense of colour and feeling, faces and moments but leave you unable to describe it.
That's how I experienced this film. I could tell you what it is about but my re-telling would be without conviction or certainty.
I could absolutely tell you how it feels....
And it smells - like this:

via