Studio progress

We have paint on the walls,  electrician coming tonight,  office painted and sanding done for the windows and skirting.  It is looking amazing.

A trip to the hospital

This week has been a very quiet week. I have been on forced bed rest after a rather nasty bout of vertigo.  Unfortunately this episode ended up in hospital on a drip after repeated vomiting with every movement. I haven't been able to view a computer screen for very long and even reading for the first couple of days was difficult. This has been a very challenging week for a girl who has such a busy brain.  I think these things happen sometimes just to make me rest.  

Making a list of what I have done and what I am grateful for when weeks like this happen, makes me feel better and helps me see the beautiful parts to an other wise rotten week.

What I have accomplished and what I am grateful for this week

• Lots of beautiful sleep
• Rest....plenty of it
• Watching a few great movies
• doing a little more on my daughters scrapbook
• Talking
• Cuddles with the cat
• Cuddles with the kids
• Quiet
• Basic meals
• The washing going into the machine and someone else hanging it
• Supervising the studio build (we are almost ready to paint!!)
• Sitting in the sunshine
• Cuddling under blankets (its been a very mixed week of weather)
• Not having to drive
• Planting a few lettuces
• Having visitors to chat with
• Re defining what is actually important.
• Being rather than doing
• Peace
• Hearing the birds and all the outside noises I miss when I am rushing around
• Thinking
• Processing information I have been given
• Hugs
• Prayers
• Slowing down and smelling the roses

Progress on the art studio

We have walls. After an epic effort today by my father,  my hubby and a friend my studio has walls!!!!!

The new window in

Wool bats ready to go

Phil working hard

Gib board in

Wiring in the wall

Oh dear we have a leak.  that will need sorting before the wardrobe goes in :)

Roll on Monday for the door,  French door to go in,  plastering to start and a leak to fix.

Progress on my art studio

2 1/2 week ago we started converting our garage into an art studio space for my work.  We have 2 garages one close to the house that is already lined and has 2 windows in it.  This is the garage that is going to be my space to work in.  

Read my first post here

Work has been progressing nicely.  We have been very fortunate to have a bit of rain so my husband has been able to work at home for a couple of days. 

Read my second post on our studio build here

We are working on a very tight budget and so far it looks like we will be under the $5,000 budget we set thanks to some amazing blessings.  

Read here for some great ideas on saving money on your art studio

All the insulation is in,  the door way cut and the floors have had their first grind and grout.  I am starting to see what it is going to look like and I am getting so excited.

The before picture

The insulation is in

The wiring is ready to go

The doorway is in (behind the machinery) 

The before picture of the concrete

The after picture.  

The beginning grind has been done on the floor and we have beautiful Waipa stone in the concrete !!!!! it looks beautiful

New art work

The scales fell from your eyes

This quilt has been made for the 

New Zealand quilting guild challenge 

'Purple'

Purple is a wonderful rich and beautiful colour with so many different hues and tones.  Purple is a colour I often associate with dragons so I made a dragons eye.

The scales fell from your eyes

30 cm x 30 cm

By Catherine Parkinson

I think the eye is the window to the soul. So much of a person can be seen through their eye.  Truth shines through your eye whether you want it too or not.  When the scales fall way everything becomes clear.

White cotton fabric painted with textile inks.  Machine quilted with polyester thread.  More colour added with oil paint sticks, coloured pencil, Inktense pencils and  crayons. 

The reflection in the dragons eye

A close up of the eye

Photography this week: Guy Fawkes

Every year on November the 5th New Zealand celebrates Guy Fawkes.  This year we attended a bonfire night at a friends.  We had a wonderful evening  great company,  great food (especially the home made doughnuts) and fantastic conversation.