fiveandtwo

Gifts, Birthdays, Mess

Look, look, look what came with the parcel man today!

From Victoria, whose art I really admire. It's a beautiful piece of work which I'm honoured to have.  It's of Clare and Ally (and Suska the dog) dressed as princesses (one of the Twelve Dancing, and Clara ,from The Nutcracker) for Book Week.  Lucky, aren't I.

Speaking of Clare and Ally, they've just had their eighth birthday. We made this stupendous cake which started out as a castle but was so loaded with lollies and the like, well, you wouldn't recognise it as that.

See what I mean?

But it was "all good".

Hmm, but their room is something I'll tackle with them this week, now that the birthday and all is done. Look at this (or maybe you should avert your eyes).

A bit of sorting and tidying is in order, I think.

Now for some peaceful sunlight.

Now that the days are getting shorter there's sunlight all the way across the kitchen in the late afternoon. The tall windows require ingenuity to keep extreme heat out, and cold out (thick blinds and curtains) but it's so worth it. So I can gaze at patterns of sunlight on the floor, on the wall, across the furniture.

This place was an absolute dive when we bought it. But like our first place, it meant we could still pay for it even if neither of us had paid work (because that's been the case in the past). Heck, the first house was four rooms plus lean-to. No bathroom, outdoor dunny (bonus!), rusted out wood stove in the "kitchen". Paper-and-hessian wall lining. Good living, but got really squeezy when bub number three (Leah) came along. And I really wanted more room to grow vegies.

We'd fixed up number one house slowly, over four or so years, and were fortunate to get a buyer who really wanted it.

So to house number two, this one. We're here for the long term. All the work over the last twelve years has kind of custom-made it for us (contrary to teenage opinion - why haven't we got a TV Room, a Family Room, a Pool, a Spa, a Tennis Court, a Boat Mooring with large motor boat, and so on...) I must say this comes from Giles and Leah. I think Linsey remembers the "poor years".

Well, this is rather a ramble. Not  what I intended.

Cheers.

Egglites and Glow Bands

Just some pics taken recently. Clare and Ally got ""Egglites" for their birthday, and glow bracelets at a friend's party today.

Mucking around with the camera. One of the stupendous bonuses of digital. Mucking around is not expensive.

My greatest interest is light and its nuances.

I have a tripod for my film SLR, it doesn't fit my DSLR.

I like these blurry, ephemeral-looking images.

I've lent my film SLR to Linsey's best mate, she's had it for a couple of years now.

I swapped a Big Day Out ticket for two wonderful photos that were part of her year 11 folio. I've matted and framed them but undecided where to hang them.

I think my love affair with digital is its affordability. When I used film I took  loads of photos. Perhaps a quarter (if that) of each film was any good. Expensive. I had a special "photography" part of my strict budget back then. It was factored in because it was important. Most of the photos were family anyway.

The expense with digital is the photo paper, if you decide to print. I do print some, with the best paper possible, because I keep albums. Dry mount with the "who, what, when, where" description. No scrapbooking. Apologies to scrapbookers, it aint for me.

A bit o' fun with not much available light-no flash-slow shutter speed stuff.

Sometimes inspiration just happens upon you.

Completed Creatures

Two likely lads, about to set for a stroll.

The lad claimed by Linsey has facial features (and a bellybutton).

This sleepy one has its own reversible bag for snoozing in.

I did a post about the book the patterns are in here. I really like them, enjoyed "bringing them to life".

However, I don't think I'll make any for a while.

I really  need to focus on only two or three  (perhaps one or two) particular art/craft endeavours. My usual method is really scattered. So many projects, none of them completed. So often exploring new inspirations, while those previous, they languish.

Then there's my love affair with blogland, I need to rein that in somehow.

But you people have been so supportive, you've provided feedback on my various projects, empathic comments when things have gone pear-shaped, useful links and snippets of wisdom. A special window to your own experiences and making of splendid arts. Enjoyed immensely.

How do you lovely people resolve this dilemma? I aim not to occupy the computer during the day, but the evening is when the teens want to use the machine. I always defer to homework do-ers. Linsey is the only one at the moment (year twelve). Sometimes I get up really early to "catch up", and do a post. Depends on the lateness of the previous night. Not from partying, oh no. From waiting up to pick up offspring from their part-time jobs!

Basically, I think I should close my blog rather than post sporadically. Particularly since there isn't much continuity. Subject matter is quite random I imagine many of you have reached this point. How have you made the decision?

Bubby Stuff

Guest appearance of Clare and Ally.

I've made some things, but the photos I took are not up to scratch. When I've taken better pics I'll post about that.

Meanwhile I'm posting some bubby-pics. They're not "bubbys", but because they're the youngest, that's the tag. Give the girls the small digital camera.

I remember being really nervous with the older kids and the camera. Gosh, developing and printing film was expensive. With digital they can muck around, experiment, with the DSLR there's as much scope as my old film SLR.

But there's nothing like seeing the photographic print emerging from the chemical  bath.

Here's a selection of photos:

This is a "cop out" post. Pictures instead of words. There's nuthin' of reading and considering 'round here lately. I'm doing my usual "escape" reading. Young Adult fiction. Quick to read, no strain on the brain. So many extraordinary YA books out there (oh, I'm so glad). Gary Crew, you're splendid.

When I was breast feeding the twins I read the entire "When the War Began..." series (John Marsden). Breast feeding is terrific for catching up on reading. Once the bub is latched on...it's hands free. However, many were the times when I fell asleep and was caught dribbling on my shoulder by the older kids. More dozing than reading went on, I reckon. The fog of those first couple of twin years...I'm not sure it's lifted, actually. Could be an excuse, possibly.

The Old Laundry

Abandoned buildings. Ruined, not one pane of glass intact.

I am drawn to poking around in them. Creepy, but irresistible.

Near my house is what used to be the original town hospital, then it became the town geriatric centre, finally sold to Sea Sun College. People from China whose plan was to set up a school to be attended, periodically,  by groups of students from China. That seems to have fallen through somehow. Only one group ever came, and that was six years ago. Rumour has it there were problems obtaining visas. I don't know.

The original hospital building is heritage listed (it's beautiful: old, red brick, ornamented, gothic windows...). Other parts of the complex are rented to community groups like the local theatre company, country music club, U3A and family history association. One whole wing was the premises of our short-lived Steiner School.

The old laundry was rented to the gymnastics club for a while.

It's been unoccupied for several years now.

Vandals have had a fine time.

Once buildings aren't occupied, they seem to deteriorate rapidly. I reckon the old laundry would make a great conversion/renovation project. I doubt anyone round here has the kind of dollars required for such an undertaking.

Look at these sky windows.

English ivy invades.

The boiler room chimney.

Boy, would I love to get in and photograph all those pipes and cables in the boiler room. Tantalising glimpses through broken wall panels.

The space once used by the gymnastics club.

All windows broken, inside and out.

Boarded up.

Want to see some sinister artwork and animation based around the abandoned factories of what was East Berlin? Visit 99rooms. Amazing, definitely sinister - some rooms are downright scary. I love it!

P.S. Things are settling down around here...for now.