Sunday 7 June 2015

Small Joys

 
I've recently created a miniature garden using only Australian native plants. I made the ceramic toadstools with my own fair hands.

 
 
 
 Australian natives are perfect for miniature gardens as many of them have the most delicate flowers.

 
 I caught these miniature villains in the act, but before banishing them to the far reaches of the garden I did a photo shoot!

 
 
Another garden under construction
 
 
                                                               A Stylidium garden
                                                                               
 
                                      My one small foray into painting over this past month.

 
My sister's book is now available on Kindle as well as in print form from Amazon and The Book Depository.
 
I am getting ever closer to finishing my own book. The cover design is almost complete and I am doing the final tweaks to the manuscript. It has consumed me of late but I realised when looking through my recent photos that I have had some very pleasant interludes amongst the toil. Some of them I caught on camera. There must be something in the air as many of my friends have been bringing out their most fetching tableware!
 
 
 What I thought was to be a catch up for a simple cup of tea one day turned into an elegant repast.
                                    
                                          

Another friend had recently inherited some beautiful old china
 
 
Another day was an al fresco lunch on a friend's balcony with the prettiest pavlova served for dessert.


 
 
And a recent afternoon tea to celebrate a friend's kitchen renovation.
 
 
                                   It's always worth taking the camera along on a bushwalk.

 


 
 
                                                           And on a beach walk!

 

 
Surfers at sunset.

26 comments:

  1. I'm excited about your book! And congrats to your sister also! How proud your family must be of the two of you! The garden is so pretty. You certainly have a green thumb. I'm so impressed with all your creative ventures, Wendy!

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    1. You are very kind Katherine!! I'm so impressed with all YOUR creative ventures!!! I will post more about my book as publication draws closer!

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  2. Those miniature gardens are so pretty. And the sea photos are beautiful. I really love seeing the sea in different parts of the world.

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    1. Thanks Loree, I've really enjoyed seeing the ocean and beaches in your part of the world too!

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  3. How great that you are doing a book! That is so exciting...two authors in the family! Love the photos of your beautiful garden and your area! Thanks for sharing!

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  4. You have been busy Wendy!! I love the miniature garden and pleased to hear you have nearly finished your book. You are so talented! The china brings back memories of my Mother and Grandmother, it's so lovely to bring it out and use it along with all that delicious food:)

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    1. Thanks Karen! I think that is why I love bringing out the old china too - it comes with so many nice associations!

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  5. Exciting news about your book, Wendy! How wonderful your sisters book is doing well too! I really enjoyed all the beautiful photos! Your garden is lovely! Beautiful card for your mom too!

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    1. Thanks Celia, you are very kind! I'm glad you enjoyed the photos!

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  6. How beautiful Wendy. I love your flower on the Mother's Day card, and the friends' china shots are beautiful. Plus walks, and beaches -- what a treat. Congrats on your sister's book and it will be great to see yours. The miniature gardens are wonderful. I have a few regular size snails visiting the very beginnings of my garden here. Happy June,

    XOXOXOXOXO Barbara

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    1. Thanks so much Barbara! I also found a few regular size snails after I'd sent the mini ones packing. They ate the "lawn" in my miniature garden to the ground - it is just recovering now!

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  7. What a lovely story all these photos are telling :-) Can't really get the pavlova out of my mind , must have been a dream to eat :-) Your little painting is so pretty and so are your little gardens , creativity is coming out from all pores . xx

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    1. Thanks Jane! Yes the pavlova was divine! It is a very popular Australian and New Zealand dessert but I'd never seen one decorated with roses before. My friend is very original and creative!

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  8. Oh my Wendy-what gorgeous creations. I love them. Your talent not only on paper but in the garden too. Did you use polymer clay for the mushrooms? Just so lovely. Your Mother's Day card is beautiful too. Loved seeing your photos of the Bush. It is always wonderful to visit your part of the world. Hope you have a grand day.

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    1. Sorry to take so long with my reply Debbie! I have a friend who is a potter and has her own kiln. My daughters and I had a session with her to use her wheel and to try some pieces by hand. I was hopeless on the wheel and I'd had a miniature garden in mind for a while so I made these toadstool houses from my mind's eye. My friend showed us how to paint on the glazes and also fired our work for us. So much fun!! I hope all is going well with you!

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  9. Love the garden Wendy ! You spread your creative talent everywhere! Enjoyed all the photos.......looking forward to the book!!!

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    1. Thanks Helen!
      The book is nigh!
      I love my cricketer!! and the others too of course!

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  10. hi Wendy, the wee fairy garden is so sweet, and I'm impressed with your handmade ceramic mushrooms. they are just perfect! how nice to do the miniature garden with native Australian plants. Congratulations too on all your hard work on your book, Wendy; that is quite a commitment. Enjoyed the tea service photos and that pavlova, so pretty!

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    1. Thanks so much Sally! I have missed visiting your blog and hope to make up for it soon!

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  11. Precious these gardens in miniature, that delicacy and charm to emerge.
    Congratulations.
    Best regards

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  12. Hey Buddy!
    So very sorry I haven't been commenting on your wonderful blogs as often as I should. My stupid shoulder injury is so very frustrating. Keeping me away from my art and my art blogging. I am happy today that I am at least back commenting on my favorite art blogs! Yours certainly is on the top of the list!
    I so love all your photos! Not enough time or space to write all I wish! The little gardens are beautiful. Great colors and textures. I also love your little painting! All the Australian fauna photos are so very nice. Of course I love your last photos of the sea! Ahhh! Sunset at a beach. Can't get much better than that! Soon I hope to post some art I have been trying to make and maybe a few photos of my little flower garden!
    Take care my Australian Cobber!
    Your Missing Art So Much Art Buddy But Soon To Be Back Painting Buddy!
    Michael

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    1. Hi Michael, I too have been absent from blogging lately! Thanks for all your very kind comments! I love your latest photos of your paintings and spring flowers. I was so pleased to see that you have been able to paint again after your shoulder injury.
      Take care,
      Your art buddy,
      Wendy

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  13. Your photos just reflect so perfectly how you find such joy in life every day! Love them!

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    1. Thanks so much Katherine! I hope to visit your blog again very soon, it is always a joy!!

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