Sunday, September 21, 2008

A welcome distraction

Boy, after my last post I really jinxed myself. I felt great for 3 days. And like I said - I was 'popping' with energy and enthusiasm. And then suddenly it wasn't me that was popping, it was just my ear. I've been laid out flat with a horrendous ear infection for the last week. My first one ever, and boy are they horrible - the worst pain ever, the dizziness, the nausea, and the walking into walls because balance is totally shot. Blah - who invented that one!!!

Anyway, I'm still deaf but starting to pick up, and I have been tagged by the lovely Flossy-P for the 'on my walls' meme. This couldn't have come at a better time, as I have nothing at all crafty to show or to talk about, and I'm pretty sure there's only so much whining about feeling crappy that people will put up with reading.

So I will do some show and tell instead, and I won't feel like I have totally neglected my blog.


Firstly, above is my favourite piece of wall decoration, and my only original piece of art; Inner Peace by Alesha Cox, who is an artist that lives on the Sunshine Coast. I'd had my eye on her paintings for a while, and watched her delivering some of her pieces to a gallery once - she seemed like such a nice person, which made her work appeal to me even more. So when the opportunity to buy one of her pieces arose, I jumped at it. This is in our lounge/dining area, and I like that it always reminds me to stop and breathe when I'm having a day that's a bit of a shocker.


Framed print of The Ride by Elsa Mora (Elsita). This hangs in our entrance at the bottom of the stairs, and puts a smile on my face each time I enter the house.

Green Birds On Flowers - a limited edition gocco print by Bernadette Sipkes (Sugarloop), a printmaker and illustrator from NZ. This hangs on the wall leading into our kitchen, and I love how it looks with all the natural light falling onto it, and our fire engine red kitchen tiles in the background set it off so nicely (I couldn't manage to get them into the shot, sorry!)


This original batik painting, stapled to a wooden frame, was bought by Matt before I met him, while he was traveling through Indonesia. Matt has always loved it, and I was never much of a fan, but it has grown on me over the years, and I now find the spooky faces familiar and comforting.


These are actually paintings I did when I was pregnant with Lee. I wanted to decorate his nursery, but we couldn't afford to buy anything at the time. So I decided to have a crack at some simple paintings myself. They now live in the kids playroom, but will probably be outgrown soon. Now you can see why I sew, rather than paint :P

And what would a family home be without kid art and photos.


We have some beautiful professional photos of the kids, but I'm afraid I'm not going to show them in any detail here - for one thing, I think we are always much more enamored of our own photos than other people are, and also it's just a bit too personal for me. But I will proudly show off my kids' bedroom, which for me is a little work of art in itself, complete with colour, their own artworks, and many many treasures.


Train Collage by Lee. He told me what pieces he wanted - I cut them out for him and he put the whole thing together. We then framed it in an old frame I bought in an Op Shop for $1.



Rainbow Painting, Christmas Tree Collage, and Rocket Mobile by Lee, and Wiggly Picture by Kate. I love these, they are so happy!



Stained Glass Windows by Lee and Kate. After seeing something similar on Playschool we decided to have a crack at making some windows ourselves. Admittedly they look a bit crap when you're standing outside looking in, but they look lovely from inside the kids' bedroom, and they love looking out from them.


Bling Bling Mountain Bike Collage by Lee
- a Father's Day present for Matt last year. This one has pride of place in Matt's little office.

And now I get to tag some people, and I'm going to choose three very creative gals who always amaze me with their own works of art. So I'd be very interested to have a sticky at what they have on their walls, if they have the time and inclination to play :)

The Tiny Little Girl

Twinkle Star Art

Hey Harriet


Play if you'd like to. Or don't. Whatever makes you happy. No pressure :)

22 comments:

April Ellis said...

Hi, I love the art work in your home, especially those by Lee and Kate. Tell them to keep up the great work. Great blog by the way x April

Amalou said...

You have some wonderful art hanging about your house Bec. I especially love the 'Inner Peace' painting - very calming. I have bookmarked Alesha Cox with my favourites.

Thanks so much for tagging me to join the fun. I have my space rocket prints and some limited edition prints from one of my favourite photographers at the framers. I'll wait until I have them all hanging so might not be for a week or two before featuring on my blog.

Hope you and your family are feeling better :)

Bird Bath said...

what a great post, I really enjoyed the tour of your artworks. many wonderful things decorating your walls. of course the kid's work is magic....I also like the top painting, and the batik.
Hope you're on the mend, sounds like your ear was giving you a really hard time :/

flossy-p said...

You DO have some amazing things on your walls after all. I'm glad you were able to look with new eyes, because from where I'm looking it's gorgeous.

As I was scrolling through reading this post, each picture became my new favourite. But now I can' decide, they'll all so lovely, and seem to fulfill their purposes in their spaces so perfectly.

I Love the deep, soulful colours of Inner Peace, but then I also love the cheerfulness and quirky shapes in The Ride (what a great pic to welcome you home!). The Green Birds are so stylish... Your kids paintings are adorable, and I love the glittery bike collage too. It's all so vibrant and joyful!

p.s. your backyard looks gorgeous too :)

flossy-p said...

Oh, and I hope your ear gets better soon, sound like hell.

...and thanks for sharing your weeping feinting story, made me feel a bit better :)

Michelle said...

Hope your ear gets betetr soon - sore ears are the pits!

And gosh, what can I say about your walls - love love love!!! It's all utterly devine. What a happy house you have!!

Cindy said...

I really enjoyed this post, You have some great tips on where to find some gorgeous stuff. I love all the little artists too - They are fabulous!

Little Mary Moo said...

Hope you are feeling better soon Bec, ear aches are certainly one of the most miserable things around. Your art work is beautiful and unique but I do love the kids pieces the best.

Hey Harriet said...

Love your walls Bec! All the artwork has such a happy vibe about it. it would be difficult to be crabby for long, surrounded by such cheerful pieces (though I could somehow manage ;) Your paintings are sweet, as is the artwork created by your kiddies!

Thanks for tagging me. I'm happy & keen to play along with this one. If I don't include it in my Wednesday post, it'll be in my Sunday post for sure :)

HOPE YOU'RE FEELING BETTER NOW! YES I'M YELLING COZ YOU'RE DEAF! Seriously, that sounds really sucky having an ear infection. I've never had one before. Fingers crossed I never will. Take care & I hope you fully recover really soon! xo

Paula Weston said...

You have a truly funky and meaningful collection of art. I've alway loved that "inner peace" painting. And I'm pretty sure some of the kids' work would draw a good price in a gallery - I particularly love Lee's Bling Bling Mountain Bike Collage!

Anonymous said...

gorgeous stuff on your walls girl!!! hope you are feeling better :)

Hot Fudge said...

What wonderful walls you have Bec. I think my favourites are the kids' efforts - particularly the stained glass windows.

I do hope your ear is behaving itself and that you are once again feeling on top of the world.

Impossible Alice said...

Those are some amazing paintings! That first one is beautiful.

Melanie Gray Augustin said...

You poor thing! That's just awful getting so sick again after being so sick. Big get well hugs from me!

I love all you pieces of artwork, especially the first one and the ones by the kids.

Hey Harriet said...

I'm happy you enjoyed checkin' out my walls :)

And hey nerdy girl, 'Metropolis' will be screening at GoMA at 6pm on Friday 17th October. Not that you probably need to see it again, but just in case you want to you can. I haven't seen that film. I'm not a big sci-fi fan. I've tried to get into sci-fi but it just never works for me :( I do love your enthusiasm for the film! My fave film of all time is 'Harold & Maude' & I will not reveal how many times I've viewed that one ;D

Lin said...

I love that first painting - it's a lovely choice. And the kid's paintings are just so special.

Cathy {tinniegirl} said...

Ear infections are the worst. I haven't had one for years thank goodness. I hope you are on the mend very soon.

Thanks for showing us all your lovely art work. Your home looks so bright and happy with all those great bits and pieces.

Jenny said...

Hope your ear is better and you are on the mend-love your walls some really lovely things:)

Anastasia said...

Ouch!! earaches are always bad...i love all your walls...the kids room is awesome, i have my kids stuff up on their walls too!

EmBelISH said...

Hey Bec, Ear infections are no fun at all :( I had my first one earlier in the year and it was terrible!
Thanks so much for sharing your walls, you have some really beautiful pieces. I LOVE the green birds on flowers
Bel x

bec said...

Have the flu at the moment, so can sympathise, but also had my first ear infection in january- bring on childbirth any day! Thought I was dying, you have just reminded me that this flu is nothing, really!

Have tagged you as favourtite blog if you want to play, can't work out the pic or link, but i'm getting there! Cheers.

Anonymous said...

It's such a lovely idea to have so much art around, and to frame your child's work like that must make them feel very special.