Annabella Moonthreads

Chilly July

Chilly in July this year ... I for one, am enjoying sitting by the fireside and snuggling under doonas even though it is Queensland!!

Wintertime never seems to be as frantic as summertime - there seems to be a certain stillness in the late afternoons.  I really enjoy a beach walk as late in the day as possible. Most beach swimmers and walkers have usually ventured on home but this is a grand time for me to enjoy the stillness and the sunset over the river.  I usually start the walk on the ocean side, walking around the point and finishing along the river side, about right in front of where the beautiful sun will set for the day. 

Well, I do not have ooodddlllleeesss to report on the sewing front, but I can report that I have been busily creating artwork for sale and for commissions. I thought that, because the blog is sooooo empty, I would share a couple with the avid readers, even though it is artwork and not sewing.

Oh, I must make mention that the jasmine on the trellis is budding - can you believe this?  It means that before too long ... well and truly before Springtime, I will be breathing in the heady perfume of that delightful flower.  Thank you Mother Nature.

In the meantime as the season of winter draws to a close, take care of yourselves.

Cheerio .....jo

Oh could you please excuse the glass reflection on the frames - it does hinder getting a close up, but you will have a little idea as to what I am doing of late.

                   

Show off!!!

Hello there.....I have just finished drawing up some designs for framing ... so I thought that I would share them with you, as I find them quite the thing to brighten one's thoughts during this time of year.

I also wanted to share this delightful photograph with you of one of the 'boys'.  He is such a softie!  He loves to be rubbed and loves to smile - with joy.

It is a precious moment I feel.

Farewell to you & keep your tootsies warm.....byeeeeeee, jo

Summer colours merge into Winter.

Yes it is officially winter time here, and I have to say I am loving it - even though we have had ooooodles and oooooodles of rain.  Yes, it is hard to avoid turning a wee bit mouldy.

I just had to share these little pictures with you.  A friend sweetly rang to say that she had taken one of the designs from 'High Tea' and turned it into a combined paint and stitchery effort.  I found it very eye catching, I wonder if you will agree.

My friend also said that she'd had so much fun painting up the fabric before stitching that she not only made a bag for herself, but for other family members as well.  Then she went on to "show and tell" the bag to one of her friends.  That friend is currently on tour around Australia with sewing machine in tow (in the caravan), plus paints and brushes.

What do you know - several painted and stitched bags are being lovingly made for her children for forthcoming Christmas gifts as she travels around the country.
 

I trust that life is good for you all and that you are all, like me, enjoying the beautiful season of winter.

Winter blessings.....jo

Easter Blessings

Hi to all,

Being Easter Sunday, I am feeling very contented after a delicious feast with my family. Right now most of us are chilling out on the lounges or sunning themselves on the verandah. I thought I would include a picture of some of the cute chubbies that I used as a center piece for the table - all hand made too.

It has been a wonderful few days with family and friends with the most yummy treats to nourish us!  Yes, including chocolate, and lots of it too!!  I should be right now until Mother's Day, but I may sneak in a little more before then though, ha ha!

Wishing you all the happiest of times.
Cheerio....jo

                                        

Shoes Mumma!!

Autumn in the air tonight...

Hello, because I feel the air is different tonight (much to my delight), I am sooo happy that there is a change of season at hand.  I know that last night I reached for a light coverlet to drape across my legs!

This change of season means goodbye to droplets of sweat on my forehead (caused by any outside activity) to roll down into my eyes and cause episodes of stinging eyes followed by puffiness, so I am happy to kiss the humidity away now that autumn is here.

Lately I have been making endless amounts of hand drawn and painted cards for various people.  I have also continued to fill my little art journal with lots of drawings of animals, flowers, landscapes, lettering to name a few.  I thought that I might show a couple of floral snippets.

 

The little narrow one above is part of butterflies and florals floating in the sky. The other one is of a vase sitting on top of a very pretty floral tablecloth in a sunny room.  Maybe one day these little drawings will turn from paper to fabric and thread!!

Well I must close for this evening and continue on with my cards.  In the meantime take care of yourself and one another.

jo.

Season of summer almost coming to a close...

Hi there....I really have no idea as to where to begin....as the gap has been huge since I last attended to the blog.

Several full moons have come and gone with not a lot to show as my partner Kate has been out of action for a long time unable to work with needle & thread. My little creations have been hiding in my book waiting for Kate to unleash them but unfortunately it is not to be as yet.

I am attaching a recent project that appeared in the latest Country Threads 'Applique'.  It is a very cute little satchel that Kate made up several months ago using one of my designs.  We were both so happy to see that it made it to the cover of the magazine.   Thank you to the girls at Country Threads....x 

Here is the magazine cover.... and a closer look at the satchel.
 

On a more sombre note, we throughout Australia have been numbed and stung by the recent unravelling of Mother Nature's wrath....a side that we do not witness too often ...thanks to our lucky stars....

I am humbled by the wave of 'people love' that is winding its way throughout this great nation....I am sure so much of the love is touching, healing and calming those that need to be consoled, cuddled, listened to and helped in many many ways yet to be seen.  I find myself often closing my eyes and feeling a build up of love and energy and then I imagine it to radiate out and drift down and around in hope that those suffering might feel something...might even feel a kiss on the cheek or a hug or just a warm loving breeze around them.....

Goodnight and blessings..Jo

A Little Book of Inspiration...

Hello again, mmmm time really does get away especially now that Spring is officially here...the days seem to be skipping along.  I intend to get used to this 'blogging' in time....I shall become more familiar with the set up and how things work.  You see I am really more comfortable when I have pens, pencils or paints in hand....but it is always good to have a challenge, isn't it?

I thought that I would have a crack at including a snapshot of our little book that we put together not too long ago. It is a little book of inspiration consisting of various teapot shapes filled with grand flora and it goes by the name of High Tea.

The designs in the book can be used on many different items such as - linen/cotton tea towels, table runners, table cloths, framed stitcheries, cushions, curtains, aprons etc.

The designs can also be used for punch needle, applique, embroidery, stitcheries ...using simple stitches, lots of color or mono color, such as redwork. 

Beginners, intermediate or advanced stitchers can use the designs - beginners can start by stitching just the outlines, intermediate stitchers can stitch outlines and some of the detail, and advanced stitchers can stitch the whole lot!!!  The exciting part is then decorating the designs with beads, buttons, sequins, felt, ribbons etc, not to mention all sorts of fun stitches that can be used to bring the designs to life.

It is a little book to stir your creativity....to make you wonder..."mmmm what if I did' or 

'yes I can do'.

There are indeed other ways in which the designs can be applied....for instance I have used the designs for painting up cards, wooden hanging designs and boxes etc.   Imagination is such a gift and I know each and everyone of us has that.

I shall share with you a little saying that I have above the kitchen sink.  "Take each day in your stride."  Each morning I gaze at it and begin the day with more intention and with my senses awakened.  It works for me, I begin to think of how much I can do to fit into the 'gift' of a new day.

blessings,
Jo

 

We've been Asleep!

While we were sleeping, a season has passed us by, but I am going to try, try, try to assist Kate with blog entries.  I tend to use pencils, pens and paints during my days.  I am not what you call really computer literate with my little Apple Mac - shame, shame as it is begging for me to challenge it at some stage.

It’s been so cold here lately!  I’m a Queenslander, living on the coast, but find I have had to be totally rugged up in the evenings of late.  In fact, for the last three weeks our wood fire has been chugging along low and slow throughout the day, blazing away at dinner time and then at rest time low and slow again.  We have been able to gather and cut up some fantastic wood (all the time being mindful of the creatures that live near and around the old timber) that enables the fire to be shut down at night and burn for about six hours unattended.  I might add this is happening at my house.  Kate’s fire doesn’t burn all day long, but it is lit every night to warm up the whole house.

Back in June of this year - yes it is an age ago, Kate and I headed off to Sydney for the Quilt & Craft Expo, the trade show at Rosehill. the venue was the Exhibition Centre at the Rosehill Racecourse.  Our lodgings were right across from the venue, which was fabulous as going home to be fed and watered was so easy.

Our stand at the show.

It is the first time I have been to a trade show, so it was all very new to me and quite amazing to say the least - the colours, the fabrics and the new people I met. I met two fantastic girls who were so warm and friendly - Natalie Ross and her sister Melanie, from Natalie Ross in Stitches.   If you ever get the chance to meet up with them I’m sure you will find them to be just as friendly and full of fun as we did.  I really enjoyed my time with them.

Natalie, Kate and moi!

I must also mention another new friend Lisa Dopking, bear maker extraordinaire.  Lisa accompanied us to the trade show and gave her warm and endearing time to us throughout the weekend - full of great wisdom too.  And what a small world it is!  About twelve years ago, I was in an arcade in Brisbane, daydreaming away, and I looked through the window of a bear shop.  Right in the back section I noticed a remarkable bear.  I awoke from the dream and knew I had to have it.  I really had to make a serious decision.  Thank goodness for lay-bys.  Twelve years later I met the creator of that bear - Lisa Dopking!!!  Wow!  I was totally blown away by that.

Anni (from Hatched and Patched), Lisa and me.


Anni, Kate and Lisa.

'til next time,
blessings, Jo.

Margarita

Hi everyone!  I'm so pleased to be here, and I'm also pleased Rhyll was introduced before me - she was starting to get on our nerves back there.  So impatient!  She might have very pretty clothes, but she could at least have done something with her hair before she went out.  I've just used the straightener on mine, I can't do a thing with it otherwise, it's wild hair, let me tell you.

I've also dressed in my favourite outfit.  I love this one (it's nicer than Rhyll's, but please don't tell her, it's not worth the drama).

And here are my shoes.  Do you like them?   The shoes I like, but I do wish Jo wouldn't insist on making me wear socks with them.

Sometimes I have to shake my head and wonder.  Tell me you agree with me ... I won't let Jo know what you think, promise!

Wait till you see Lulu's shoes though.  So pleased she has them and not me.

I'm a bit sad about the state of the photos, they just should take more care, hey?