A trip up the coast

Just back from a few days up the coast to a place called Tea Gardens.
The weather was cold and windy but fine.  We had a nice warm unit to go back to each day so enjoyed ourselves.

the next village is called Hawks Nest but the hawks came across the river to visit us

we drove along the coast and stopped at this beach access - the colour of the water would make a beautiful glaze

a wonderful feeling driving through the bush - here near the Myall Lakes

and here on the dirt road to the west of the highway

on our way back to Sydney we called in to visit a potter, Marian Marcatli who makes some beautiful porcelain pieces. Check her website here: ceramics--by-marian

Marian also makes wonderful pink macaroons with creamy pink filling.  Thanks Marian for your hospitality.

clay alternatives

What does one do when one can't play with clay?

Well the weather is cool and so I've been doing some knitting..

these are blanket squares knitted on the diagonal.. so easy for anyone not skilled at knitting...
just cast on 3 stitches then K1, increase 1 in next stitch, knit to end of row. Continue until edge equals 25cm then reduce by K1 K2 together, knit to end of row repeat until 3 stitches remain, cast off.

I'll be sending them off to a charity to be made into blankets for needy people.

Probably this one - an Australian volunteer group: Wrap with Love, the pattern is on this site..

I also like to cook some 'extras' in this cool weather.  I use a gluten free flour and recipes I've collected over the years.. some work better than others with gluten free flour.. these worked OK..

Jam drops with plum jam and some have coconut sprinkled on top..  if you called by expecting something about pottery/ceramics then I can recommend hopping over to Sunday Ceramics - the blog linkup for those who play with clay...

Tissue prints, cold weather and a broken foot

It is ages since I have been able to get into my studio.. I have an almost healed broken foot and have been lugging around one of those 'moon boots' or walking splints for a month now... at last I can take it off for short periods to walk around the house.. still no driving which is so restricting... just as well my husband can drive me to do the shopping at least.

Its the middle of winter here in Sydney, the minimum temperature last night was 3.7 degrees Celsius - it would be easy to stay in bed on such cold mornings.

Before the enforced break from my studio I did make and bisque 3 bottles.  Just tiny ones that a customer was looking for when I last had a stall.  They can be used as bud vases.  In the warmth of my kitchen I decorated one this afternoon with tissue prints.  The glaze can be applied straight over the top without having to bisque again.

Teapot Show 2014

The Sydney Teapot Show is at the end of this month - official opening is 1 August but I'll need to have my entries in before then...

I have two little tea bowls to go with one of them.  They are either his and her tea bowls or summer winter tea bowls.. and will be offered as an extra to go with the teapot.

Here is your invitation to come along during the month of August.  There will be Amazing teapots there - can't wait to see what my friend Tanya of Hop'n Frog Pottery will present this year...  that's her "Jonah Saves the Whale" entry from last year in the bottom right hand side of the invitation - such a clever lady.

Might see you there - Inner City Clayworkers in Glebe.