Onyx and Dalmation Jasper Pendant

In between doing end of year financials..... I took some time out and made this pendant. I just love the black rectangular Onyx and decided to match it up with the Dalmation Jasper.

It has a drop of approx 65mm or 2 5/8".

Baillie & Harley

My old camera managed to come back to life.... and I was able to retrieve some photos from last year.

I think perhaps the boys could do a commercial for Pump Water, don't you think? lol

Creating at last!

I have been busy making earrings over the last couple of weeks, have some on consignment and need to concentrate on using up my supplies!

I purchased some watch hands from Julie H ages ago, and together with the large stash of watch pieces I decided to actually make something as that was the intention when I bought them! These are listed in my Etsy shop.




I just love these Dalmation Jasper gemstones.... need to play with them a bit more!


These are some wonderful new findings.... just love the colour of the freshwater pearls and also these hammered disks are fabulous!

Baillie Watching TV

Baillie really has a *thing* for TV when there are dogs or other animals present. He does sit there for a while but once they start making a noise I am sure he really wants to join them!

Harley, on the other hand just wonders what all the fuss is about!

Kangaroo Valley

Usually, when I leave for work and the sky is blue, once I get to Cambewarra Mountain and before I start the desent into the valley, this is the view of what the fog is like. We sometimes have it for quite a few hours before it burns off!

Remembering Corky

Yesterday, my sweet Corky crossed the Rainbow Bridge. Corky was 14 weeks old when I rescued her and has just turned 15. As I was moving and having to rent, Corky and Jessie went to live with my ex.

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.

There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.

There is plenty of food and water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.

The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing: they miss someone very special to them; who had to be left behind. They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. The bright eyes are intent; the eager body quivers.

Suddenly she begins to break away from the group, flying over the green grass, her legs carrying her faster and faster. YOU have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again.

The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Meeting up with friends

Last Sunday we had a wonderful lunch with Suze & Lenny Weinberg, Phyllis, Jo, Richard and Hugo at The Harbour Front Restaurant in Wollongong that lasted for over 5 hours..... lots of catching up, laughter and fun was definitely had!

Enjoy the rest of your trip downunder Suze & Lenny!

Humpback Whale Migration

As some of you know, one of my other passions is Marine Mammals. The Humpback whale Megaptera novaeangliae will soon commence their northern migration and ORRCA holds an annual Whale Census Day on Sunday 29th June.

Groups of people gather at certain spots along the coast and spend the day counting the number of passing whales.

We record all types of observations e.g. species, behaviour and of course number. The statistics are correlated and available to anyone with an interest in cetacean research; the National Parks and Wildlife Service add our figures to their data on marine mammals and it all goes towards managing our ocean in a manner conducive to the well-being of marine life.

Apart from providing useful data it’s a terrific way to spend a winter Sunday.

No special equipment is required, just a comfy seat, food, drink, warm clothing and, of course, a pen. A pair of binoculars is a great help as is a camera.

There are particular places that are used every year but if you would like to participate at your own favourite spot that is fine too.

The count goes from 7:00am until 4:30pm but not everyone can manage a whole day, however even a couple of hours will help. If you are interested in participating, please email me and I will arrange to have the recording forms sent out to you!

These photos have been supplied by my dear friend Wayne. Wayne and I started up a land based whale watching many years ago observing the Humpbacks on their migration north. In the photo above, you can not only see this humpback's throat pleats, but if you look carefully you can even see his/her eye in the bottom right.

A great pic of a "tail slap".

This pic shows the humpback feeding. He/she is on their side, they scoop up a mouthful of water and then the krill/etc is forced out through the baleen which acts as a sieve.

A spyhop.... some times you wonder just who is watching who!

A pic of the flukes. Photos such as these are used for identification purposes. This one appears to have a "bite" taken out of the left hand side! More than likely an encounter with an orca.

And finally, a photo of a Common Dolphin delphinus delphis. See the hourglass shape on the sides?

Many thanks for these great photos Wayne....

Weekend accomplishments thus far

Well, have actually made a few pieces of jewellery today.... Having a four day break is wonderful.... hopefully I can do a few more things over the next couple of days too!

I recently picked up some silver plated vintage cutlery and managed to put together the following. A fair bit of wire wrapping, drilling, polishing etc.... gotta love my dremel! lol

The fork was a bit of a trial.... I managed to break off one of the prongs... so made it into a loop! Then when I was trying to polish it, went a bit crazy with the dremel, therefore I had to create a pattern on it to cover up the mistakes!

Backyard visitors

Whilst taking a break from trying to tidy up my studio on Sunday, I managed to snap a couple of the regular visitors to my backyard.

This Kookaburra stayed for quite a while while the female King Parrot feasted on the feed and then flew off to join her mate.

Michael de Meng Sydney Workshop 15-17 Feb 2008

Finally managed to work on the photos from the workshop. It was such a great weekend.. cannot wait to do another! Fingers crossed for June!

Various Pics

The following pics were taken from Cambewarra Mountain on the way home from work. It is always a bit hazey.... but at least it gives you an idea on the area in which I live.

I've used a telescopic lens with this one.

• On the left is Coolangatta Mountain.


• Shoalhaven River


• Far right leads down to Jervis Bay

One World One Heart Drawing

Happy Valentine's Day!

I am pleased to announce the winners

#1 - Earrings go to Freya











#2 - Dichroic Pendant goes to Sandi Moran!

Congratulations girls.

Thanks to everyone for participating!

ONE World - ONE Heart #2

Here's #2

Dichroic fused glass pendant. Set on a black base, this pendant is made from beautiful blue and green dichroic glass that just dances in the light. A sterling silver plated bail is attached to a black rubber necklace.

Whilst you are here, please sign my guestbook at the bottom of the page. It will be great to see where everyone is located.

Enjoy!

ONE World - ONE Heart #1

Lisa Oceandreamer of Heart of the Nest is hosting the 2nd annual ONE World-ONE Heart Event, which commences 1st February. Everyone who participates will be giving something away on their blog.

To participate, all you need to do is leave a comment on THIS and the NEXT post.

If you have a blog and want to give away something, or if you just want to meet the other participants and have a look at their giveaways click here.

Have fun blog hopping and meeting new people - it is going to be lots of fun.

There will be lots of fabulous, creative items being given away. You never know, you might just win something!!!

What IS ONE World-ONE Heart?

This is a world wide blog giveaway event.

Lisa's original idea was to bring bloggers from around the world together - people who might ordinarly never get the chance to meet!

Not only may you win a prize, but it will help us to interact and discover new friends

Last years event had nearly 100 participants and many friendships were made.....

Good Luck everyone!

I am going to have two give aways.

The first one is a pair of Sterling silver and Bali silver bead earrings with tangerine Swarovski crystal beads.

Whilst you are here, please sign my guestbook at the bottom of the page. It will be great to see where everyone is located.

The second is a Dichroic glass pendant with beautiful blue and green shades. This has a SS plated bail and comes on a black rubber necklace.

I'll do a second post for giveaway #2!

Enjoy!

A Place to Bark - Bernie Berlin

The amazing Bernie Berlin needs our help! As most of you know Bernie is a dedicated animal rescuer and operates A Place to Bark.

I am asking you to HELP A PLACE TO BARK WIN A $50,000 GRANT !!!!!

A Place to Bark is participating in a challenge being offered Six Degrees, partnered with the Case Foundation and Parade on America's Giving Challenge. The four USA charity badges that have the most unique donors through the America's Giving Challenge will receive $50,000 for their cause. We are entered in this contest and need the help of each and every one of you. The Challenge ends on January 31, 2008 at 3:00 pm EST. Each $10 donation gets us one step closer to winning a grant of $50,000!!!

Please donate by clicking the orange "donate" button to the right of the screen.

Please make sure you have enabled popups on your browser, the donation box opens in a new window.

Please visit Bernie's blog http://www.aplacetobark.blogspot.com view the pictures, watch the videos and take some tissues.

There isn't much time left so please help... it only requires a $10.00 donation and in the US is tax deductible!

On behalf of the animal
xoxoxo

Journal Prompt

Here is my first page in a journal prompt programme I'm doing in a yahoo group. Still trying to sort myself and my art studio out... but at least I know where my paints are and a couple of stamps if nothing else!

Can you believe this!!!!!!

The following article was posted on a group I am on. "101 dogs seized from "kennel hell"." In this instance the boarding/grooming kennel have let the dogs live in the most disgusting of conditions! They were raided by RSPCA and the police and the dogs have been removed.

http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,23043473-952,00.html

Someone else then posted a link in regard to a group called "BLEATS" - Bisbane Lawyers Educating and Advocating for Toughter Sentences! I think this is absolutely fabulous and is something that is long overdue. Sentences for animal abuse are appalling...... go here to check out their website

http://www.bleats.com.au

While you are there click on the link to sign the petition Support Tougher Sentences for Animal Cruelty! http://www.gopetition.com.au/petitions/support-tougher-sentences-for-animal-cruelty.html

Please feel free to pass on the above messages and links! Thanks!

Sand Art

Isn't this amazing!


Love 2008 - Click here for funny video clips

Happy New Year

When a greeting is sent

Across so many miles

You can't hear the wishes

You can't see the smiles

But you can sense the feelings

That brought it so far

To wish you life's finest

Wherever you are!

Wishing you a wonderful 2008 and may your life
be filled with celebrations of happiness.

xoxo