the postie has been! the postie has been!

{Not my car but my house.}

{Weather not fit for a convertible.}

{With three emus on the property.}

Today I had intended to take you all on a little sojourn. A little scenic spin, a trip out of the city, a drive to Castlemaine, but alas, as all plans so oft do, my plan has come happily unstuck.

Several days ago now, L & L & I did indeed motor to Castlemaine, 2 odd hours drive away from the city. We drove in the pouring rain (for winter has just arrived). We drove across the Westgate Bridge in heavy downpour and were blown by gusty winds that forced our vehicle to 40km per hour. It rained from the minute we left the city and it rained until we unlocked our front door, some eight hours later. So, my friends, what I can show you of Castlemaine is a view from the back seat of the car. Windows wound down, rain on the lens, here are several emus, several ducks, and several handmade balls of coconut ice wrapped up in the recycled plastic tubs that ripe strawberries had once come in.

Buying fresh leafy basil in a pot, quince paste and a bag of pink lady apples from a store by the road… fine mini road trip fare. Munching on an apple with a browned leaf attached to the stalk, it was an enjoyable, albeit soggy day.

{New green growth abounds almost overnight.}

{A bumpy old ride... with coconut ice treats, a packet of sour squirms and a bottle of water on the back seat.}

The day prior to our little damp, wet-cuffed adventure out of the big smoke, a powder blue convertible with the top down, parked in front of the house. An all white interior of leather, and every inch gleaming, it made for quite a sight. Its length was as wide as our single fronted terrace house. From one end of our veranda to the other, this car reached with ease. Its rear bumper lined up with the far wall of the bookbinding studio, its front bumper perfectly in line with our front door and hallway. It beckoned to be photographed, it sung out for a drive, but this was neither our car nor a friend’s car either, and it was not the car we drove to Castlemaine and back with one cd on repeat.

What do I instead have to share with you? Why, the immense kindness of dear blog friends. Today from Lisa S arrived a yellow package of untold splendid contents. Inside was a pair of beautiful periwinkle bow tie drop earrings made from pale blue Czech beads which I had ordered through her Underdog Ink store (photos of them dangling from my ear lobes in due course… I promise, Lisa), an assortment of collected papers (again, what I do with these papery gems, I promise to post here), two beautiful art school dropout owl pins which I have already pinned one to the lapel of my new blue coat (Louise has hers pinned to her canvas tote), and an invitation, one apiece, to Lisa and Kerri Rosenstein's recent exhibition at Richard Levy Gallery (I'd have been there if I could... next time). Such wonderful gifts complete with port2port stationary and all wrapped in perfect blue tissue. Thank you, Lisa, thank you (♥)…

{Periwinkles and found paper delights, invites, owl pins and more.}

Also included, and I have saved the best for last as is my want, was a beautiful artwork… a grey hued paint chip card embroidered with a fetching squirrel (further squeals of delight really ought to be inserted here). A lone squirrel on a sea of Granite Boulder, Dusty Mountain, Black Bean and of course, the colour Squirrel… how marvellous is that? LJ & I plan upon getting this work framed so as to admire it constantly (another photo of which you’ll also find here in the coming weeks).

How exciting to receive by post. What a thrill, what a frightful honour! I’m completely overwhelmed (which seems to be a somewhat constant state with everything to do with this little blogging community).

{A squirrel to call our very own.}

The postie also delivered this week, Louise and my new membership to Mav’s The Card Society, which only recently celebrated its first birthday in fine style. Two beautiful May numbers arrived in our post box and really, I can’t seem to say this enough, I couldn’t be more chuffed. Thanks Mav (♥), your polar bear ought to reach Portland sometime soon, especially if the speedy arrival of Briana’s package is anything to go by. That polar bear will be hollering for his tea and making himself at home very, very soon.

With Wednesday nibbling at my heels already, it seems a fine time to introduce you to {On a Wednesday}, a new flickr group for you all… “Ah, Wednesday, that near to midway point... that day happily sandwiched in between Tuesday and the favourite of many, Thursday. Here is a group all about Wednesday, be it a photograph taken or a drawing or collage created on a Wednesday, or perhaps something you'd rather be doing on a Wednesday. It can be something a little less literal too, something that suggests a Wednesday, or something where the word 'Wednesday' appears. It's up to you where you want to take it. There are no limits to how abstract or literal your Wednesday contribution can be, and no limit on how many images can be added to the group. Enjoy!”

So with that I prepare to bid you farewell. And, as always, find me lurking on Sew Green, until next time. I’ll leave you in the hands of several collages recently taken down… three giant postcards from Shari (♥).

(If you’d like to own a collage work, do, please, drop me an email and we can figure something out. Each one is $50 (AUD). I’d also be happy to trade, which is just what I’m doing with Fliss… an owl and companion for a mightily handsome stitched penguin – marvellous, no?)

{Hoping no one would find my sanctuary.}

{No flop-eared mule, but a bear and cub.}

{Mirroring the other.(Hope you like the additions, Shari.}

Comments

[shari]

wow. i really love what you did with the giant postcards. i think my favorite is the first one. what a lovely little sanctuary indeed. hooray for great mail, road trips (even soggy ones) and road trip provisions. thanks for sharing the link to udder. i adore the penguins. xoxo

[cruststation]

The convertible, wow! I'm transported back in time (perhaps your time-machine is working after all)...sorry about the downpour, but it looks like you still had a great time there -love the emus. Wonderful package from lisa, oh my goodness, her squirrel embroidery is just the most amazing thing ever, lucky you :) Beautiful new collages.

[risa]

what a fun journey! and fabulous mail. i adore lisa. and her art. and i still owe you guys an email. i'm sorry!

[lisa s]

hello ladies... i'm so glad the package made it safe and that you are pleased with the contents! i really wanted to make you a mouse - but alas could not find a paint color that would oblidge me. i thought squirrel was the next best thing :)

you earned your prize so really.... it was nothing!

it's the least anyone can do for such continued lovely posts and amazingly inspiring creations and for you and L just being YOU.

big hugs!
xo

[jen]

love your photos from your journey! that squirrel from lisa is amazing {of course}. lucky you!

[comfies]

thank you thank you thank you!!!!
i got the package. the print looks just stunning and i'm so thrilled. xox.

[comfies]

p.s. love these that you've posted! i want them all!

[diana evans]

Kicking myself I didn't make it to see Louise & your exhibition at Greville street. Your work looks simply beautiful!

[julie]

Day trips in the rain, giant collages and wonderful post from sweet lisa..i love her squirrel piece...and its so nice to have a peek of your street :)
Happy wednesday to you (i posted a wednesday post for you :))

take care xxx

[Brydie]

lovely car, powder blue, lovely trip with an emu or two. Lovely mail from Lisa S, lovely squirrel, holes and thread to dress. Lovely post for all to see, lovely lovely lovely G!

[Veronica TM]

that is wonderful mail! and even though it rained, it still seems like you had a good road trip.
i joined 'on a wednesday' but didn't get a chance to post today, i will soon.
lovely collages, as always.

[Mrs.Staggs]

I've enjoyed seeing your photographs from the car very much. I like pictures like that have a just as they're happening sort of a feeling, like these do. The one of the ducks is especially wonderful, I think.

[gracia]

I’m glad, Shari, really pleased. I still have one or two more of your postcards to show you, don’t I? It sounds as though I am being quite the tease. I seem to have made so many collages (for Imp) at the last minute (as I always seem to do, working up to the very last second), and I have so many still to show you, from my perch in the treetops. Soon, I promise. I also promise a little postal joy. I have a box set aside that Louise and I are filling with treats for you. It’s fast turning into quite the menagerie… tassie tigers, bears, quokkas, wolves and just today, a host of little white dogs were added.

Thanks, Crust Station. How marvellous is that convertible… If only I realised it was a time machine. Alas it never occurred to me and as a result, after taking a few photos of it parked out front, I promptly went back to my slice of toast with jam.

Hi there Risa,
I love it too, my very own grey squirrel. LJ & I are needless to say, over the moon and beyond. We’ve looped it twice! It was a thrill to pick up this package, and one from Mav too, at our local Post Office.

Hey there Lisa,
Thanks, again… love it? Oh, yes! A grey squirrel… a perfect fit, my friend. And, no, I don’t suppose there is much of a market for ‘Brown Rat’, ‘House Mouse’ or ‘Little Rodent’ in the land of naming paint colours but then again, maybe you will find something near to this in Japan - have a great trip! Sending big hugs, and wishing you bon voyage all at the one time.

Thanks, Jen.
A soggy day trip in the car is better than none at all. We are still enjoying the fresh potted basil and make nightly feasts with its use specifically in mind. Next time I take you guys with me, hopefully a little walking will be involved.

I’m thrilled, Comfies, that it arrived safe and sound, and that you love it too. I’m so happy that a little sea otter of mine can live with you guys… he is quite the talker, and very fond on collecting gems and shiny trinkets so keep an eagle on your belongings. Enjoy!

Thanks, Julie, for sharing the Wednesday love. I’ve never organised a flickr group before so I’m sailing in the dark with this one. So glad everyone has jumped on board to play… can’t wait to see some of your blue skies and other Wednesday things next week too. And, yes, isn’t Lisa’s squirrel fantastic! I can’t enthuse over it enough.

Glad it was so all round lovely for you, Brydie. I’d hoped to get some photos of echidna holes in the ground, and of the rabbits frolicking in the new green growth… next time, eh? Day trips are good for the soul even when not in pale blue machines like the convertible out the front of our place.

Thanks, Veronica TM.
Glad to have you on board with the Wednesday group… it’s always been a favourite day of mine. Looking forward to seeing what you post this coming Wednesday and all those that follow. And I’m still besotted with the mail received. I also have some new snail mail to share but that will have to wait a little while for I am, like everyone, snowed under with daily necessities and work.

Thanks, Mrs Staggs. Ducks and chooks, geese too… love ‘em all. If I could I’d have a chook run. One day, perhaps, one day. There is something about them, their plumage perhaps, that holds me entranced. And ducks with their long necks and beady stare… yep, I’m a fan.

take care, g

[bugheart]

oh the prizes
from lisa!!!
and the squirrel...
how
wonder
ful!

[Marieke]

All so great - yay for the postman! x

[amisha]

oh how i missed my visits here to your magical world, grache. and i think my postbox was also singing for joy when i returned to find your wonderful parcel... thank you so, so much!!
i have loved going along on your rainy-day journey, opening mail, and enjoying new collages with you today. off to catch up further with your adventures! xoxo