Display wall for my baskets

I thought it would be nice to have a decent spot on which to display my baskets - both at shows and for photographic purposes and came up with this.....

I'm quite happy with the outcome!  And now it's back to work on this most gorgeous, rainy day!  We so needed rain and I'm doing a happy dance!

Hope everyone is keeping well.

Stay tuned for the giveaway - I haven't forgotten.

Grafton Paperclay Workshop - 8 and 9 November2014

My Walled Secret Garden

Left side detail

Right side detail

I got into Sydney from New Zealand on 30 October and literally hit the ground running.  I had to get myself organised and ready to drive to Grafton just over a week later.  Peter, who had been in Iraq for just under 3 months, was even worse off - he got back home on Friday afternoon.   Jet lag?  What's that??  No matter - we left home on Saturday morning at 7am, heading for a 9am start to the workshop in Grafton.  We had 5 participants and a very busy 2 days was had by all.

Getting started

Peter Sinfield's pristine piece!

Denise's pristine piece!

Denise's left wall in progress

Peter Sinfield's right wall in progress

Yvonne's work in progress

Rosie's work in progress

Rosie wip!

Margaret's dirty wash!

Everybody got all the walls up, clayed and mostly painted.  Nambucca Mini Group is meeting on Saturday week and hopefully we will see most of the finished projects then - so more photos forthcoming!!

We worked long and hard - 9am start on Saturday finished up at 7pm and Sunday was an 8.30am start which finished at 6pm so it was pretty full on but no one had time to complain.  We had a load of fun - a lot of laughs and plenty of good food!  Another whirlwind weekend!

And now - back to the baskets!  I have to get ready for 2 shows in May 2015 - the Sydney Miniatures Show and Kensington Doll House Festival.  These two events should keep me pretty busy for the next six months!  Bring it on!!

Take care everyone.

NZAME Convention 2014 - Nelson, New Zealand

I can't believe that it's been and gone!  And what a whirlwind it was.

I arrived in Wellington, New Zealand on Tuesday 21 October where I visited with the lovely Maria and Peter for a couple of nights - chatting and catching up generally.  On Thursday, five of us piled into the van for our road trip to Nelson.  First stop, the ferry terminal, where we were in very good company indeed - surrounded by a rather large group of Mustangs.

The crossing was calm and uneventful and the weather was good, which made our drive to Nelson pleasant too.  I was duly deposited at my accommodation to unload my goodies and then we headed to Kim and Kerry's for a scrumptious dinner.  Friday morning was quiet time for me - gearing up for the setting up at Convention.  All went smoothly and the sales room was in operation on Friday night. 

There were some lovely displays in the exhibition room and this wedding marquee really got my attention.  It really looked sooo good.

We ventured out for dinner one evening and Pinocchio certainly enjoyed the Margueritas!  The steak wasn't bad either.

On Sunday I had an all day basket workshop.  I'm afraid I didn't get any shots of work in progress  - much too busy with 16 participants, but I did manage to get a group photo - minus 3 people who made a very quick get-away!

I am really disappointed that I didn't get more photos of completed baskets  (they all promised to)  - but here are a couple of pics I did get.

Sandra's basket - thank you for sending a pic!!

Marg Todd - thank you too!

Maria's basket - made at our own little workshop in Wellington after convention.

I was thrilled with all the participants work - they all did a wonderful job.

Convention dinner - plentiful food!

Convention cake!!  I was told who made this and I can't remember who it was - but I DO remember that it was just delicious - fruit cake yum!  And I'm not normally a fan of fruit cake!!

The organisers all deserve a huge round of applause - and a big thank you from me for the opportunity to attend.