VonnieMay

See the light in others

2017-01-28T20:05:00.002+11:00

Colour me Positive - Week 4 - See the light in others and treat them as if that is all you see.

I love this quote - a nice simple reminder that everyone has an internal light. You may not see it straight away - but it's there - you need to keep looking.

I was traipsing through my collage pieces and came across these 2 dapper gentlemen, that seemed to encapsulate the quote for this week. Hope you like it!

Artist Trading Cards

2017-01-21T22:33:00.000+11:00

Had some fun making some Artist Trading Cards (ATC's). Great way to use up some magazine clippings, paint and see some finished works done in no time at all! Lots of fun and really, just some playtime!

Colour Me Positive - Week 3

2017-01-21T21:51:00.000+11:00

OK so here we are at Week 3 - Colour Me Positive with the prompt "New Beginnings are often disguised as painful endings".

I thought about this quote and decided to put a more positive spin on it - my translation was "One door closes, another opens". This is a motto I find rings true more often than not. What do you think about the quote? Have you found that the closing of a door, one part of your life, often moves to opening another?

Here is my art journal translation of the quote. It was great fun to do. I enjoyed drawing the doors (after spending lot of time flicking through magazines, looking for pictures of doors I decided to draw them myself). Cheers!

Daily AND Weekly Challenges!

2017-01-14T16:04:00.000+11:00

Here we are with days 7, 8 and 9 of the daily challenge. I have also started a weekly challenge on Colour Me Positive. This is a Facebook group where a weekly prompt is posted each Friday. So far I have completed week 1 - Power and week 2 - Discipline. Here they all are! So far my creativity is increasing - I just have to keep going.........

Day 7 - Plant

Day 8 - Fish

Day 9 - Berry

Week 1 - Power - I have always loved this quote. Having this belief, I feel, provides the power needed to keep moving forward.

Week 2 - Discipline. - I think it takes discipline to fall in love with the process so the end results will come. You need to keep telling yourself, its all about the process - and in my view, this takes discipline.

Days 3 to 6 of 365

2017-01-05T17:55:00.000+11:00

OK this is really keeping me accountable.

Here are days 3, 4, 5 and 6 of my #drawriotdaily challenge.

I must say, I am finding it not too difficult to do some art each day, especially while I am still on holidays! I think the challenge will begin next week once this blissful lazy holiday time is over and I begin again on the daily treadmill of life!

It's also a challenge working so small. My pictures are only 2" x 4" which in the 'cup' picture means that all those tiny pieces of paper that measure about .5cm (1/4") needed to be put in place using tweezers. - That's something I have never done before.

Until next time! - thanks for stopping by.

Green

Hope

Light

Cup

Daily Creativity - that's the plan!

2017-01-02T16:34:00.000+11:00

Hi there!

It has certainly been some time since I have visited my blog. Shame, Shame, Shame :(
But - in an effort to fulfil this year's goal which is to make time for creativity - daily - I will use my blog to post my efforts and to help keep me accountable.

So here is where I will be posting a daily record of my creativity - with the aim to have at least 365 posts by year end.

To help me along my way I have joined Draw Riot and #DrawRiotDaily
The art is created in a tiny 2" x 4" book with the first two prompts being 'Joy' and 'Fresh'.

This is a start anyway - it all depends on what happens through the year as to what path this blog will take - but at least this will get me started!

Would love your encouragement to help keep me honest!!

Here are my first few efforts.

Enjoy!

Paleo Promise

2014-09-27T17:02:00.000+10:00

Hi there! I can't believe it has been 8 months since I posted to VonnieMay! Time certainly flies and lots has happened between then and now. Life is good, always busy and lots to do with so much to be grateful for and so much life to look forward to.

Well, my latest efforts of healing myself through diet are finally paying off. In my aim to lead a healthy lifestyle and prolong this wonderful life as long as I can I have adopted a Paleo Lifestyle.

Granted...its early days. I started on 1 September - a new Spring promise to myself. It seemed the right time, the days are getting warmer and its time to shed our winter coats.

Back to my Paleo lifestyle. I must say that it only took 3 days of removing Grain, Dairy, Sugar and Processed food from my diet and I already felt different. Gone was the bloating, the fullness, the tiredness, the lack of energy. As I work my way through each day, I find I don't miss those foods that were so much a part of my life (bread, cheese, wine...you know all those things that we think we can't live without!) and I find I really am enjoying a bountiful of vegetables, fruits and good quality grass fed meat.

Another positive is that along the way I have lost 5kg - and I'm only up to day 27! The main thing I have noticed is that I just plain feel great!

Another benefit is that I have become acquainted with my kitchen again and enjoying cooking, finding new 'Paleo friendly' recipes.

Here is a favourite breakfast treat - which only takes a little while to whip up - but is extremely yum!

Here is how to make it - grate some sweet potato, mix in olive oil, pepper and salt. Squish into some large muffin pans and bake in the oven until just soft. Meanwhile stir fry some chopped bacon, mushrooms, capsicums and any other veges you have hanging around. Once sweet potato is ready carefully crack an egg on top of the sweet potato and cook in the oven until done - around 5 - 7 mins, then serve up, top with the stir fried bacon, mushrooms etc and a spoonful of guacamole.

It tastes so good - and is so good for you (I sound like some cheesy commercial, I know!)

Hope you have a go at cooking this up - let me know what you think.

So - please leave a comment and let me know what you have been up to or if you have any questions about Paleo - I have researched and researched so I can certainly direct you to some great information.

Talk soon!

VonnieMay xx

Best part of the day.

2014-01-29T23:10:00.001+11:00

In keeping with my efforts to live more 'in the now' - to stop and take time to appreciate - to see, to acknowledge and just look - I got to thinking about what are the best parts of my day, when I find it a little easier to stop and take notice.

One of my favourite times of the day is when I walk out of my office at the end of the day and stroll down Blue's Point Road to catch the ferry home. I love the onslaught of fresh air as I walk through the door after sitting in an air-conditioned monolithic building all day. The feel of the breeze, the sun on my back, the smell of frangipani and the visual feast of the lovely terrace houses, the beautiful gardens and the expectation of the iconic view of Sydney Harbour that awaits me at the end of my walk.

I look forward to this 20 minute trek and it never ceases to raise my spirits. Then its the ride home on the ferry. Each day I am amazed at how lucky I am to be able to travel to and from walk on the ferry.

There are lots of other things that qualify for the 'best part of my day' category such as the first sip of coffee, waking up to the beautiful sunrise I see from my bedroom window and of course curling up in my comfy bed at night.

I have so much to be thankful for. I just need to learn to be more aware of the small things that make up lots of best parts of my day. What is the best part of your day?

This week's challenge from the documented life project was to add a doodle to our planner page - here is the result of my playing.....

Doodled over gelli-print tip ins - added a couple of stickers and washi tape...looking forward to next week's challenge?

Just Keep Swimming

2014-01-20T22:06:00.000+11:00

How true - I need to remember this - just keep swimming - problem is - I can't!!

Being part of the Documented Life Project seems to be helping me address a few issues that I just keep putting on the back burner. This week's challenge is a great example. The challenge was to write a secret message and then paint over all but one key word. As I started to think about the challenge the words 'Don't Quit' kept popping into my head. Then I realised that if you read 'don't quit' and hide some of the letters you get 'Do It'. Perfect.........what is something that I need to do! - LEARN TO SWIM!!

I know, I know, how can you live in Australia and not learn to swim....I just never have really. It was last year's new year resolution, and I did give it a go....but I quit!

So now, with my new inspirational planner (thanks to the documented life project) I refuse to sink!

Here is my page this week..........

Thanks for stopping by!

Back again!

2014-01-17T20:27:00.000+11:00

I know, I know, I said I would be back soon, but better late than never!

We have moved into our apartment and settled in beautifully. Absolutely loving the apartment lifestyle, and really enjoying our new life!

Where to start.....so much has happened since I last posted! Maybe I can do it in pictures!

Here is our new view! A bit different from looking out over bushland in the beautiful Blue Mountains, but beautiful in a city sort of way! Either way - we love it!

Creatively, I have joined up with the documented life project, and have been having lots of fun creating a planner. It has helped make sure I allow time for creativity and there is lots of inspiration from wonderful people who are involved. Below are a couple of my pages and here is a link to the website.

Well I will catch you next time, hopefully with a few more planner pages done and an update on city life! - as always - feel free to leave a comment - always great to hear from you!!

Take care....VonnieMay x

Its been a while!

2013-09-27T22:33:00.000+10:00

Hi there,

I can't believe it's been 3 months since my last post on Vonnie May!

It has been an extremely busy few months and I am only now starting to get back into a routine, and hopefully will be able to continue with the blog and share some of my latest news!

Well, you may recall we decided to make a major life change and downsize our house of 33 years, and move into an apartment by the water. Well, it has actually happened, well sort of :)

We are on our way....we have packed up our house and its up for sale. This was an amazingly emotional roller coaster of a ride! The packing up, sorting through and getting rid of a huge amount of stuff was extremely cathartic, as well as extremely hard! So many mixed emotions we have travelled over the last few months.

But now we have moved into an apartment until our new apartment is finished being built - a bit of a halfway house really. This isn't our final resting place but it is easing us into this new 'apartment life' .....and we love it!

Apartment living is something I thought would take some getting used to, but we have found so many positives to living in an apartment. In future blogs I will try and explain this and update you on the journey we have been on, and continue to travel.

Meanwhile, here are a few pics of some things I have been up to since we last chatted! Hope you stick around - I promise I won't leave my next post for such a long time.

Thanks for stopping by....feel free to leave a comment. x

Packing up all my fabric

Lots of new paint!

Results in a new painting!

Beautiful Clivia from the front yard

Bye Bye Front Deck - I know I will miss you!

A quick trip to Melbourne

My latest best friend....Lucy...isn't she beautiful - we have lots of adventures planned together!

Spotted on one of my rides through Bicentennial park.

Not long now! peering through the construction site!

Freecycle Junkie!

2013-06-23T08:53:00.001+10:00

Well the purge continues. And in its wake I have discovered a new obsession....yes I will admit it.......I have become a freecycle junkie!

Freecycle is a global group whose mission is to keep stuff out of landfill. It's made up of 5,104 groups with 9,399,620 members across the globe. The proviso is that all stuff must be given away for free.

But to me...its like the 'get rid of stuff fairy'.

Simple - as we clear out all the stuff we have been hoarding for the past 34 years - good stuff - stuff that we couldn't sell - but it is just too good to throw away, we post it on www.freecycle.org - we leave it out the front - and just like magic - it disappears!

It has become a bit of a sport in our house - like fishing - we unearth the stuff - throw in the line (post in on free cycle) and wait for the fish to come in!

Here are some pics of stuff that have gone to good homes and are being appreciated again, that otherwise have been taking up space in our house.

This was our 'honeymoon' tent!, we took this tent on our honeymoon 34 years ago. - It was a bit hard to part with this one, but we were so happy when a young couple came to collect it. They were so excited. It brought back some lovely memories.

I'm sure these videos are being enjoyed by some kids somewhere.

Old railway racks - now being renovated . These were a 'hot' item on freecycle - everyone wanted them!

Overall Freecycle is great! - It is such a good feeling to know that stuff you just don't need or want anymore has a new life with someone new who really appreciates it.

A win win all around really!

Thanks for stopping by.

Unearthed treasures

2013-06-07T21:59:00.001+10:00

Well we are continuing with project downsize....clearing out the house of 34 years to fit into a brand new apartment....there is so much stuff to get rid off. Freecycle, Ebay, Vinnies and the local tip are certainly getting a workout.

But once in a while we come across some treasures that we just can't part with. The photo below is a pic of such treasures. These are melamine plates that were made by the kids, in their kindergarten years. These 'kids' are now in their late 20's early 30's!! These are the treasures you just can't get rid of...but what do you do with them?

Camping break

2013-06-01T21:50:00.000+10:00

The pace of life has been extremely fast of late, with the new job, project downsize and everyday life, things have been quite hectic.....to say the least.

So recently we decided enough was enough, packed up our Pod and headed off to the Wollemi National Park to spend a weekend away camping, getting back to basics and just enjoying the great outdoors. We went with our dear friends Fed, Fliss and their Flock, and had a fantastic time - as we always do, with such great company.

The weather was great, a bit cold for some of the group, (mr fc!), but no-one else seemed to feel it, and thanks to a great fire, great food and lots of laughing and fun we came back home feeling refreshed, and a little sad that the weekend had ended so quickly.

Here are a few shots of the weekend..........we have promised to do it again soon, but for an extra night to really have time to kick back and enjoy!

Time to catch my breath!

2013-05-13T21:46:00.000+10:00

It's been a little while since I have had time to sit and blog. My life is hurtling along at an alarming pace at the moment and I really need to take some time to chill! Hence this beautiful picture of the sunrise on Narrawallee Beach!

So what is keeping me busy?

First - I have a new job, that is keeping me very, very busy with something new happening each day. I find my mind is totally absorbed in it at the moment. I know it will settle eventually, but I must admit I am enjoying meeting new people and coming up against new challenges each day.

Second - you may recall we have started 'Project Downsize', and that too is in full swing! We have made a decision about downsizing to an apartment, and have found the perfect place! So now, we are sorting through finances, and cupboards!!!

Unfortunately, not much time left for creative arts, and my art journal and sketchbook are gathering some dust - but I have been able to get out the camera and take a few creative shots.

Thanks for stopping by!

Its in the Stars!

2013-04-26T08:16:00.000+10:00

Last week I was sitting at the hairdresser - enjoying some time out and congratulating myself for getting back on track with my diet and exercise regime. I was flicking through a magazine and decided to read up on my stars and this is what I read.......................

Well......blow me down, the next day I received news that I was appointed to a new position at work, that would certainly challenge me, but also give me a greater level of job satisfaction.

............................Plus the diet and exercise comment................

Now, I am usually a bit of a sceptic when it comes to astrology - but.......sometimes you just have to believe.

Thanks for stopping by!

Soggy South Coast!

2013-04-24T07:11:00.000+10:00

Last weekend we headed down the South Coast of NSW for a bit of R&R - (that's rest and relaxation) but it turned out to mean Rain and more Rain! It teamed down!

So what do you do when it rains and rains and cabin fever starts to hit - you take your gummies for a run and play in the puddles!

We then decided to warm things up a little and went to our favourite Cafe in Ulladulla called 'The Treehouse Connection' - we had lunch there, then went back for dinner!

If you are ever in Ulladulla - this quirky cafe is a must!

Thanks for stopping by!!

More art cards brightening my mailbox!

2013-04-22T20:23:00.000+10:00

How lucky am I!!! Here are a few more beautiful art cards from ihanna's art card swap, that I received over the past few days. There was so much care, creativity and love in these cards, they certainly brightened my day!!

Where I could, I have linked back to the artist's blog or site - just another way to 'share the link love' - enjoy!

This card is from Matthew at the material whirl - its is beautifully collaged and the colour is lovely!

This one is from Tammy at Daisy Yellow - beautiful stitching and lovely coloured papers and fabric.

This one is just lovely from Susan in California. It has beautiful stitching around the edge, and rick rack, and is sort of a 3D card.

This beautiful card is from Jeannine in the US - it includes watercolour and washi tape.

This lovely card is from Dusty in Canada and was done on water colour paper - I loved the Titanic stamp on the other side - thanks Dusty!

This lovely card is from Elizabeth in Scotland. Elizabeth has used lots of Washi tape, postage stamps and even some dymo labelling.

This card is from TJ - I loved the calligraphy on the back which said "Hello beautiful artist - this card is magic and it is impossible for you to have bad day now" - Love it!!!!

Link Love - go and visit!

2013-04-16T08:24:00.001+10:00

There are so many creative and clever people, with wonderful blogs out there, I would like to spread the word so I have joined Daisy Yellow's Link Love.

In future posts I will share links to articles I find interesting, tutorials I love, sketchbook inspiration, art journal ideas, new blogs I find and old ones that I go to regularly.

Here are a few of the blogs I follow, that inspire me. So grab a cuppa, sit a while and get lost in the blogosphere - I always find it a great way to chill!

Art For Happiness
This blog is by my friend Vallie in the UK - she is always an inspiration and always makes me think!

iHanna's Blog - always full of inspirational ideas to get the creative juices flowing.

The Sketchbook - Shari completes a sketch each day - and each one is amazing.

Alisa Burke - A beautifully put together blog - with lots of creative ideas.

I would love to know what you think - so please leave a comment. - Enjoy x

A sketching day out

2013-04-13T20:12:00.000+10:00

Hi there,

Today I had a very creative day, joining the Sydney Sketch Club to take part in the 39th International Sketch Crawl. This was my first outing with the Sydney Sketch Club and certainly won't be my last. We had a fantastic day. The venue was the Powerhouse Museum in Sydney, then after lunch a few of us made out way to the Kaldor Public Arts Project - 13 Rooms, which certainly made you think!

We then wandered around Sydney Harbour and stopped for a glass of wine and enjoyed the Sydney sunshine. All in all a fantastic day out, and a great way to meet new people that have similar interests.

In the Powerhouse museum I was drawn to a special exhibition titled 'Faith, Fusion, Fashion' which was an exhibition about Muslim women and their fashion. Here is my sketch from the exhibition.

and here we all are at 'show and tell'.

Great fun - can't wait until the next one!

Sunrise

2013-04-09T21:00:00.000+10:00

I love watching the sunrise.

To me it such a special experience.

When I was last down the coast at Narrawallee, I took an early morning walk with my daughter Jac down to the beach to watch the sunrise and I took these pictures.

Somehow, it always makes me feel a deep sense of appreciation and of having the privilege of being able to experience another new day.

Last week it was still dark when I left for work in the morning. This week, thanks to the end of daylight saving it’s now light when I leave.

Although this now means that I can see where I am going as I walk to the ferry or the train station, I think I will miss that ‘appreciate a new day’ feeling I always get when I see the sunrise.

Here are a couple of sunrise shots I took on the way to work last week .

View from the Ferry

and the moon was still up!

and from the Train

Thanks for stopping by!

Weekend catch up - Art Cards Swap, Ebay and Apartments!

2013-04-07T16:48:00.002+10:00

We have had a very productive and busy weekend, with a bit of mixture of things going on.

First of all - I received two art cards in the mail - Yaaaay!!! They are beautiful, one from Janet in the US and another one from Yvonne in Sweden. So exciting to find these beauties in my mailbox.

Project Downsize - We have decided after 34 years in the same house it is time to downsize and look at moving into an apartment closer to the city. The idea is still in its infancy, but we went and had a look at a few apartments - and the reality hit us - where are we going to put all our stuff!!

Hence, I became friends with ebay and freecycle this weekend.

We have started to sort into boxes - ebay, freecycle, throw away (we really don't like this category very much), give away, and things that we want to keep.

Here is the potential ebay stuff - lots of dishes, crystal, and wedding presents (34 years ago!!!!) etc that we just need to let go of.

It's going to be a long, slow process - but at least we have made a start! I have already sold some quilting fabric on ebay, so things are looking promising. I'll keep you posted on 'Project Downsize'

Hope you have had a great weekend!

Till next time.
VonnieMay

To Sweden and back!

2013-04-06T21:16:00.002+11:00

Roddy's back from his awesome adventure in Sweden. He loved every minute, particularly catching up with his old mate Lars and our Swedish family. He also fell completely head over heels in love with a husky named Nappin!

Here are some pics of his trip - it was freezing -22 degrees C!

Lunch in the snow

Nappin - what a beautiful face!

Nappin

Napping with Nappin

Breakfast - have to keep the strength up!

Napping Nappin!

Rosa - with 2 different coloured eyes.

Time to post my art cards!

2013-03-28T06:44:00.001+11:00

It has been so much fun taking part in ihanna's DIY art card swap and I have thoroughly enjoyed putting these cards together - so now we have to part ways and hopefully the recipients enjoy receiving them in the mail. I can't wait to get mine - I will be checking my mailbox regularly!

Here are the pics of my cards. The names of the recipients are underneath each one.

Do you have a favourite?

Luci - USA

Urska - Slovenia

Greta - USA

Shannon - Canada

Kathyrn - USA

Carroll - USA

Samantha - WA

Stephanie - USA

Naomi - USA

Bev - USA

The results of my R&R down the Coast

2013-03-27T12:24:00.001+11:00

Hi there!

The sea air definitely got to me on my recent jaunt down the Coast. I have been very creative and have been practicing my sketching and must admit I think my faces are getting better - although there is still lots of room for improvement! It's true what they say practice...practice...practice!

I have been mixing up my creative life a bit and have also been doing some journaling and some photography - I think I need to schedule a few more trips down the Coast - I might just improve even more!

This is what I have been up to!

And taking photos of my daughter Jacqueline - riding the waves at Narrawallee

Add caption

Thanks for stopping by!