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 "eye-spy something soothing". I've had urchy flu this week. Urck. But lucky for me it's coincided with the most Summer-like weather. We're not even out of Winter yet, and it already feels like late Spring. So to sooth myself while feeling urchy, I've been perching myself in the warm sunshine on the back deck with a cup of tea. Sitting quietly with my eyes closed, feeling my muscles melt, and my skin unclench. The sunshine is that perfect level, not too hot to feel burny, just warm and relaxing. It's so warm I can smell jasmin in the air, and the birds are in full sing-song. It's been very soothing come to think of it. Aaaaaaaaaahh. :)  (Thanks to Aussie Waffler for this week's theme.)
"eye-spy a collection". I have shown you all my collections before. The blue painted porcelain, the village store tins, and the vintage glass collection. So this time I thought I'd share another collection that lives with us... Mr You has a couple of collections going, one being interesting instruments. It's fairly newish, and he's discerning, so our house isn't filled with bits of broken stuff that isn't playable. I think one day when we have a house of our own, he'd like a whole wall where he can display them all. They're mostly string instruments, but there's a couple of odd Asian wind instruments now too. There's the obligatory guitars of a few varieties, a mandolin, a banjo... Then last year his Dad found a type of Italian mandolin that we think is about 100 years old. He recently had it restored, and it's beautiful. At Christmas I bought him an Appalachian Dulcimer (as a combined Christmas/engagement gift). He loves it! It's so beautiful just as an object in itself, with it's heart shaped holes. But it has a really lovely sound too. To play it you lay it across your lap facing up, and either hammer or slide the strings. It's WAY cool.  I think next he might have his eye on an Indian sitar next. :) This weeks theme from Liesl of Hoppo Bumbo. (p.s. GOSH a whole week slipped by between posts then. Where did that week go?)
"eye-spy beauty". What a great topic this week, simple but expansive. Love it. So... at the risk of seeming totally materialistic, I spy beauty...  Antique lace rocks my world. And these dresses do for me in a big way, I think they are truly beautiful. Next time Johnny Depp invites me to the Oscars (cough cough) I will be wearing this blue dress. I won't be wearing the Lisa Simpson beads with it though. No, no necklace, but maybe some earrings instead, something more art deco to match the belt buckle. Yes, I can picture it now... ahhh beautiful! BOTH dresses, and loads of others that are simply stunning, come from Timeless Vixen Vintage on Etsy. (And, might I add, isn't it a treasure to find someone with really beautiful vintage taste these days? The term "vintage" gets bounced around so much, it's nice to find real vintage, not just some fugly multi-coloured knitted jumper from 1986). So if these frocks rock you like they rock me, and like me you need to look at them from all angles, go take a closer look: - 1910's Antique Edwardian Couture Wedding Dress- 1920's Vintage Flutter Crepe-Chiffon Art-Deco Couture Dress(This week's thought provoking but deliciously eye-candy topic by Stacey from Sheep's Clothing)
"eye-spy something I should use" (more). These are my legs:  Why am I showing you my legs? Because these are what I should use more. I should get up out of this chair and use them, for goodness sake. When we moved here (to a smaller town from the city), we assumed we'd be moving to a healthier lifestyle. This is not the case. We were both so much more fit and healthy in the city; walking everywhere, dashing here and there, making an effort to stay active. Here, everything is so convenient that people have become so lazy. They complain if they can't get a car park right outside of where they are going, heaven help them if they have to walk more than 1 block. People drive to the beach, and it's only 2 blocks away. Once our neighbour drove to our house! And I recently discovered that the motor registry office has a drive through window, to save you parking your car, getting out and walking inside. When we realised all this, we made a pact not to let ourselves become lazy. We park at the far end of carparks, we NEVER drive to the corner store or the beach, etc. Yet we still find ourselves moving and walking much less than before. Somedays I just crave activity. I've never been a runner or jogger, but I spent so much of my life sitting in a chair, somedays I just can't stand the stagnation anymore, and nicely dressed I burst out of the house and sprint up the street. But, that's rare. Hence, why I think I should use my legs more. (Great topic this week from The Bird Bath)
I had completely lost track of eye-spy again recently. But thanks to a weekend trapped inside due to torrential rain and a great topic from August Street, I'm glad to be back at it again today. I love funny sign spotting. So I have a few to share: I took this first photo because it totally sums up our town, (LOADS of older folks flock here to retire). It' not so much the sign itself, more the "display". It cracked me up when I saw it:  The next one is outside the corner store, (chipped and faded), here in our little village. The ad agency must have had a ball with this campaign:  Mmmm, so I've heard. ;) Meanwhile, back in Sydney, to THE BEST Chinese dumpling place in town... The menu alone was packed with jems like this:  The signs on the walls were all excellent too, and on our way out we grabbed one of these menus:  And we had to pose with this brilliant sign on the window. If you look closely you can see all the "corrections" they've made so far... (speciaL, noodel, etc), just haven't made it all the way to Firday yet ;)  Before you ask, yes we have both the Engrish and Chinglish books. :D
"Eye Spy something green(This week's theme by Trashalou.) It's been aaaaaages since I've played eye-spy, and although I'm a little late, I'm welcoming it with open arms this week. It's come at a perfect time to break my blogging drought (I'm having one of those un-inspired nothing-to-write-about times). Anyway, on with the green...  I would LOVE to spy this teal-green lounge in my house everyday... But right now I just look at it on Etsy instead, and dream of how it would brighten up our loungeroom. And then I dream of the cushions I'd make for it, and then I dream about the ways in which I would lounge upon it, and the books I would read to it, and the movies we would watch together. Ahhhhh! Dreamy lounge, how I love thee. Check out it's Etsy listing HERE.
"Eye Spy a new development" and "a new discovery"(This week's theme by A little bird told me.) I've been so tied up with other stuff recently that I've missed quite a few weeks of "Eye Spy Sunday" :( But I'm jumping in real quick this week to try and get back on the wagon, so to speak. I'm combining both topics from last week and this week. My discovery/development comes in the form of a cure for the insomnia I've been stuck with since early in the year. You know those nights where there's so much stuff running through your mind, and despite being drowzy, it just won't let you slip into sleep? Well I've been suffering from those for the past few months, getting increasingly upset and short-tempered as a result. Then when I do fall asleep around 3 or 4am, I dream thinking thoughts, so I don't end up feeling like I've slept at all. To shut my thinking brain up, I tried lots of things; - reading until I was just about asleep - more exercise during the day - stretching for 1/2 hour before bed - listening to soft music on my ipod in bed - listening to guided relaxation on my ipod in bed - I even resorted to sleeping tablets for a few nights, (but didn't want to fall into that habit) ... but as soon as I turned off the light, or the ipod, my mind would flick back on. Until... the new development / discovery. It's listening to books on my ipod in bed. It's working a treat! It's different from music and relaxation tracks because you're forced to concentrate on the story which doesn't give you mind a chance to wonder. I can keep listening until I'm asleep, then just rewind a little the next night to catch the bits I missed out on. I'm listening to Mansfield Park by Jane Austin. It's a free download. It's ideal because of the perfect mix of a gentle slow moving story, with having to concentrate to keep up with new characters, etc. Because the readers are volunteers, each one has a different reading rhythm, and accent, which forces you to concentrate to catch all the words too sometimes. Although it can be a little odd hearing such a british book being read by a very heavy southern American accent (like Forrest Gump's mum), it's always a surprise to see who'll be reading the next chapter. Anyway, it's really working for me. I've got my yummy mindless deep sleeps back, and I'm becoming aquatinted with a new literary classic at the same time. It's great!
"Eye Spy my favourite colour" (This week's theme by Amityville Boronia.) Favourite colour overall = blue. But right now... YELLOW = rockin' my world + making me happy.  (Isn't this little guy cute? Have you ever seen a cuter fish chin? I wish he lived with me.) This post just reminded me of my maths tutor in high school. I was so bad at maths that I got an after school tutor. It had no improvement, until... she started using my tubes of paint as props. "If we have this many cool coloured paints, and this many warm coloured paints, what fraction of the paints are cool?" After that things started improving, hehehe. She even let me mix paints together, and I got to teach her some colour theory in return. Ah, happy maths-making days. Despite all that work, I still miscalculated my coffee money the other day. I like to put some change in my pocket so I can get take-away coffee's on my way back from having a swim at the beach. So the other day I packed money for 2 coffee's in my pocket. "1 coffee = $3.50. I'm getting 2, I'll need $6..." I know! I was very embarrassed when I went to pay. Luckily they kinda know me now and gave them to me anyway. I must go pay them the extra this week. ...blush... If only I had a few tubes of paint with me. :)
"Eye Spy something that makes me HAPPY!" (This week's theme by Iris + Lily) I get really happy when I'm reminded that the most un-naturally amazing colours, are in actual fact, completely natural. In this life where I'm so often sat in front of a screen, being blown away by the "real thing" never fails to make me happy.  While this isn't a photo of the beautiful sunset we saw just last night, it is my (un-enhanced in any way) photo of one we saw just over a year ago.
"Eye Spy love" (This week's theme by Cindy) A little while ago some friends asked me to paint a picture for their wedding invitations.  The brief was to have a pair of swallows (because they mate for life), in an art nouveau style. The finished result of the invitations were to look like French vintage postcards. I designed them too; I toned back the colours of the illustration, making them a touch more sepia, and had them printed on cream card stock. The back of the postcard holds all the details of the wedding. I'd love to show photo's of the finished invitations, but since my computer lost power earlier in the day, I haven't been able to retrieve any of my photo's... gulp. Anyway, my friends really loved the illustration, which, as always was a great relief. We get to go to their lovely wedding in April, and I can't wait. P.S. Speaking of weddings... How far in advance is it reasonable for me to start talking about our wedding stuff, without me seaming like a complete noodle?
"Eye Spy my secret (food) shame" (This week's theme by Jade) If you think I'm going to openly admit, in this public domain, to the unhealthy obsession of eating peanut butter with a spoon, then YOU sir are very much mistaken! Indeed!
"Eye Spy something delicious" (This week's theme by Handmaiden) Chocolate brownies. YUM. With nuts. DOUBLE YUM. And a sprinkle of sweet stuff on top. YUMMUM YUM. I spy these... in my dreams! At least I'd like to. But they're certainly not in my house!  No, all we have to satisfy our sweet cravings are some shithouse bottomless cupcakes I made yesterday. They were suppose to be great. They were supposed to tame the wild cake craving I was left having, after Mr You came home from the doctor the other day with medicine that makes him smell like cake. Instead the cupcakes got stuck in the stupid tin, lost all their bottoms, ended up half the height, and now look flat and decidedly un-delicious. The taste? Passable. But certainly not delicious. For that I'm dreaming of brownies. In all their forms... Like the ones HERE.
"Eye Spy a small object" (This week's theme by The Crafty Librarian) Looking for small objects in my house I realised most of them are souvenirs from varied travels. On grand adventures souvenirs are a must, but with overloaded backpacks it's essential to make them small and light.  The first "small object" souvenir here is a wood carved henna stamp. It is apparently to be used for creating henna mehndi, but I suspect in India that's all skillfully hand painted. This was given to us my Mr You's friends after they returned from a holiday to India. We've never used it as a stamp, it's far too beautiful, and instead we admire it as an ornament.  The next is a crystal droplet from a chandelier in Venice. This was brought back for me by one of my dear friends when she travelled to Italy. There's a little hook that comes out the top, and you can easily imagine it hanging, as one of a thousand, from an ornate ceiling of a theatre.  This last one is my own souvenir collected from Paris. The first time I visited Paris I was traveling on my own. I quickly fell under the spell Paris casts over newcomers, and I practically skipped around town the entire time I was there. Humming French tunes to myself, positively swooning with adoration for that city. I couldn't free my mind of music the whole time I was there. My souvenir, befittingly, was a tiny wind up music box thingo, that plays Edith Piaf's 'La Vie en Rose'. I adore it. It's still one of my favourite small objects.
"Eye Spy something beginning with J" (This week's theme by Lauren) I searched high and I searched low, and I've come to the conclusion we live in a J-free zone (how odd). So I've defaulted to flashing about some jewellery for this week's eye-spy. Conveniently they are all things I've been meaning to "show and tell" for a while now anyhow...  That first little rabbit brooch is something I splurged on at the Finders Keepers artist markets. He is "Made by White", and suitably Mexican in influence to make me quite gleeful. The middle pic is the awesome multi-layered, ultra-compartmentalized, (with hooks for hanging too) jewellery box Mr You got me for Christmas! No more tangled crushed clumps of chains, beads and hooks for me. No Sir-ee! The other week after the too-short haircut I mentioned, I cheered myself up by making a pair of earrings to compliment my new hairstyle. These are those. Tiny emerald coloured flowers. Sw-eet, I can almost hear the butterflies flapping past and the birds singing merrily. And yesterday I picked up this little bouquet of glass leaf beads. In some form or another, they'll be next to move into the fancy palace of a jewellery box! 
"Eye Spy a taste of Summer" (This week's theme by Anastasia C) Summer food is yummy. Lots of fresh crispy salads, ripe juicy tropical fruits, and fresh straight from the sea seafood!  My eye-spy Sunday has been slipping to Monday. But my excuse for this week is a good one... Yesterday was spent on an engagement ring retrieval mission. Happy to report the mission was a complete success. Ring is back securely on my finger. Phee-ew! Mum and my step-dad drove north, we drove south, and we met in the middle. We moseyed around the town together, and had lunch by the river. It was a really nice way to spend a Sunday actually. And the best part, was when mum pulled a ring box out of her bag, opened it up, and I got to see my ring for the first time all over agin. I'd almost forgotten how pretty it is. Almost! :)
"Eye Spy something I want to try in 2009" (This week's theme by Red Chocolate) I like New Years Resolutions. Most people don't. I guess I just don't beat myself up over them, instead I use them as a way of keeping focus throughout the year. I don't usually commit them to type either, but this year I'll be brave... Actually before I do, at the end of last year, when I was in Sydney I went to dinner with my Uncle and Aunt. My Uncle asked if I'd achieved what I'd planed to this year, and we each went through what we'd hoped for, and how the outcomes formed (yeah, it was kind of heavy for "dinner conversation"). I had 3, and they were all focused on my art. He had categories and started listing the aims in each; professional, personal, family... etc. This, to me was a revelation, highlighting the fact that I'm so singularly focused. And while I don't think it hurts to keep it simple, I also see the value in adding in a few to help balance life overall. So, with that said. In 2009 I'd like my focus to be: Personal: - Build some "self" time into my day. Each day. To focus on listening to a dialogue between all parts of myself, in an effort to find more emotional balance. - Each year I put "yoga" on my list, and each year I do a couple of months of yoga, and then stop for some reason. So I'll do it again. Hoping this time I'll be more consistent. - And as always, the old favourites; Don't get fatter, aim to get fitter, eat more nutritionally. - Generosity, Understanding, Love, and Fearlessness.Relationships: - Try to mend some family bonds, in a way that I can remain true to myself. - At least one day a week aim to get out of the house and go on a fun adventure with Mr You - Stay balanced and grounded while planning a lovely wedding day for us (yikes!) - Be open, creative and brave in trying to make new friends - Stay in close contact with existing friends. Professional: - Create a more efficient weekly routine, including at least a day to create new work, and a day for "getting it out there" - Continue to build on my art style - Catch up on my income tax (uurrrrghhhhh) - Learn from others, listen to the omens (hehe, a little "Alchemist" reference for the fans out there) - Believe, aspire and be gratefulBut bringing it back to Eye-Spy... Eye Spy something I want to try in 2009" In 2009 I'd like to try to find out how to be part of group art shows. I always find out about them just as they're opening, and I'd really like to actually be involved in some this year. So, if you know how this happens, or have any leads, I'm all ears :D Phew, re-reading that it feels a bit huge. Breath... But I have a whole year ahead of me, right?!
 Eye Spy "a bit of bling" We were off celebrating early Christmas with Mr You's family yesterday, so I missed sharing Hoppo Bumpo's topic my eye-spy bling. But here it is. We also shared this bit of bling and the news that goes with it with that side of the family yesterday too. That was fun! :) We'll be celebrating Christmas day with my side of the family this year (which is rare), so we're looking forward to it. I'm already in holiday mode, not wanting to do anything but potter around aimlessly, nibbling, and grinning. I'll be taking a much needed break away from the computer screen for a week or two. So, if you're celebrating Christmas, then may it be a wonderful one. If you're not, then may you have a wonderful time anyway. Stay safe, be merry, nibble and grin! See you in the Happy Happy New Year :D flossy-p .xx.
"Eye Spy a burst of colour" While I was in Sydney last weekend, walking through Hyde Park, I noticed this little red tree. Small against the ancient fig trees, it seemed determined not to go unnoticed. I could almost sense the little tree, like a child in a classroom, with his hand in the air, bursting to get the teachers attention over the other children. Being as bright as he could, on the opposite side of the colour-wheel, to his counterparts.  I wonder if he's still bursting with red this weekend? I'm not sure he could have kept it up for long, he may have popped. But at least for a while he stood out, stopped people in their tracks and had his picture taken. :) For anyone who's ever come across Shaun Tan's book "The Red Tree", you'll know why I stopped and took notice. 
With so many possibilities for eye-spy it took me a while to settle on one for this week. But I have narrowed it down and chosen: "Eye-Spy a burst of colour". Colour where it isn't expected. A tiny bit of colour peeping through the grey. A contrast of colour against the rest. A brave choice of colour that stands out in your wardrobe. Or just so much colour you can hardly bare it. :D Come, play along, go to eye spy to join in on Sunday.
"Eye Spy something in my garden"  I'm kind of cheating because I showed this same picture of the golden christmas beetle that I found in my garden earlier in the week. But I just got back from Sydney and I'm far too tired to go looking round the garden now, and... well, I think the beetle is well worth a second look :D A lovely eye spy topic chosen by Curly Pops this week! Oh Gosh, and I get to choose next week! I'll have a think and let you all know soon :)
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