SUMMER SELECTIONS

Hello,

This is my 199th post, and the blog is almost two years old.

Keep watching, because on my 200th post I will be offering a 

Red Cardinal Giveaway ...

The red bird thanks you all for reading, and here's a tip:

Becoming a Follower will enhance your chances ...

The unrelenting heat continues, so I figured I could produce another floral summer dress.

I am doing a re-run of Vogue V8786 in cotton/spandex, with an extended shoulder and no sleeve. 

And just to prove I am continuing my journey of sewing self-improvement ..

I found my old twin-needle and used it to stitch down the neck and armhole bias edging.  

And I like the result very much.

I've been like a magpie, acquiring cheap shiny trinkets at the sales which I am not attending when heat forces me to go walking in the Mall.

$6 necklace of enormous 'gems' -

Hello, Opera Queensland 2013.

Been playing with pineapples prior to eating them ...

We recently visited the Hobbit film set, Hobbiton, in New Zealand, so what better way to escape the 40 degree heat hereabouts today, than to see the movie.
We spent the afternoon enjoying three hours of beautiful cool air conditioning...

playing the "Been There" game (but not out loud)...

Bilbo's front door - lots of scenes were filmed here ..

Praying for rain and cooler temperatures.
I want to get back to cultivating flowers like a Hobbit!

Enjoy your weekend, wherever you are ..

xxx

THE SPANISH STILL LIFE

I have been amusing myself making photographic Still Lifes at the Art Gallery.

Have you been to see Portrait of Spain: Masterpieces from the Prado yet?

Located at the exit, for those who have attended the Exhibition, is La Sala del Prado,

a cafe and lounge environment designed for visitors to experience the vibrant Spanish culture.

A cafe serves  Spanish snacks and drinks.

An long still-life installation features products introduced to Spain from the New World of the Americas.

Items like chocolate!

Visitors can capture their own still life on multimedia tablets or on the pencils and drawing paper made available for the purpose.

Or, like me, you can take a photo:

Hurry along - the Exhibition finishes on November 4th.

We had a visit yesterday from an unusual bird: the Pheasant Coucal, found in eastern and northern Australia.

It is a member of the cuckoo family, but is unusual in that it incubates and raises its own young.

It is found in grasses and low bushes - no wonder it came to our Garden of Neglect!

And it survives on a diet of small reptiles, small mammals and large insects.

We have plenty of those hereabouts too.

Now, those who know me well, may have noticed I rarely wear florals.

Nonetheless, and obviously affected by the Floral Fest popping up in this summer's fashions,

I not only made last week's red floral, but have brought home this:

Black on white rose floral printed cotton, with matching black.

To make this:

Vogue V8786, floral centre panel, yoke and sleeves,

and black side panels.

Fingers crossed ...

I hope the week is going well for you ..

Adios

xxx