MIT app inventor

So, I have this great idea for an App (KILN SCHEDULE APP) It is very specific and doesn't exist yet. I am slowly working my way through some beginners projects at MIT Appinventor a very cool site where you can learn to make apps. Very simple ones to start with, like the examples below.

You don't have to learn to code (phew) but you do learn to work out how things fit together. Those little blocks I guess have a whole heap of code behind them to enable someone like me to build them together to make things happen.

Now I realise that now there are 'drag and drop' style app builders (like App pie), but the feel too simple for the kind of App I want to build.

I am scheduling in one or two exercises a day from the MIT 'Course in a box' to see if I can build up some new skills!

Cycling in the evening sun

Needing to return someone else library book (much more urgent than ones own) I cycled to Erindale, the nearest library. Delightfully, I only needed to cross 2 roads over 5.8km. The bicycle tracks and underpasses of Canberra are actually really great. I love not having to worry about cars.

GLINT 2015

I received a reply to my GLINT residency proposal. While I crossed my fingers of my left hand and squeezed my eyes shut with hope, I opened the email.

YAY! I got in. So thrilled.

Here is a look at last years GLINT.

Megalo Print Studio and Canberra Glassworks have partnered to create an exciting residency opportunity appropriately called GLINT, a combination of Glass and Print. 

In 2014 this project offered eight artists a unique opportunity to explore the connections between printmaking and glass practice, working across the facilities of Canberra Glassworks and Megalo.  

The eight artists were selected as a result of an Expression of Interest process include Scott Chaseling, Emilie Patteson, Ben Rak, Annika Romeyn, Dionisia Salas, Mark Thiele, Annie Trevillian, Melinda Willis. 

IMAGE: Emilie Patteson + Annika Romeyn working on a lithographic stone

The artists, made up of 4 glass and 4 print artists, worked in a collaborative manner, sharing skills and forging the links between Glass and Print through a two month residency concluding 30 May 2014 

The work created during the GLINT residency culminated in an exhibition at Canberra Glassworks Gallery from 25 June – 4 August 2014, curated by Alison Alder, former Director of Megalo.  

This was the first collaborative project between Megalo and Canberra Glassworks. Both organisations are excited about the prospect of future collaborations and look forward to working together to establish Kingston Foreshore a visual arts hub for Canberra.

Spring bulbs

Such fun opening a parcel this morning from Diggers. Among other selections of Bluebells and Freesias I opted for the 'Gambler's Choice' bulb pack.

Inside the pack, were Daffodils, Hyacinths, Bluebells, Tulips, Freesias and Ipheions.  I quite like surprises like that. A busy time planting all of those in April.

Long promised peg apron

I have finally got my straight stitcher going, with a few problems solved from when the removalists moved it. I made a friend a peg apron, which she has had to wait a fair time for. The fabric is from a duvet cover I bought in an op shop.

Organisation in the sewing room

Finally getting myself a little organised in the sewing room. I have worked through the problems with my straight stitcher and I have realised I do need to take the Elna for a service. Let the sewing commence!

sunflowers

Love those Prado red sunflowers!

KIGA prize entry

For the second year of Kirra Galleries light prize, I entered these sketches. Called 'Telling the Bees'

(I have now since found out that I didn't get in this year... Oh well, maybe i'll make it someday)

Business cards from Moo

Finally I got around to ordering a few artist business cards, which arrived in the post today. I'm not sure I want to give them away!

even more soccer

Well I think this will be the last for me as Dougie has a fellow Patrick Thistle fan in Canberra for the remaining games here and keen soccer fans for the games in Sydney. It was a more lively game than yesterday AND it didn't rain. Asian cup 2015

the obligatory soccer selfie

The soccer fan

the bizarre 'nutmeg' dancing wombat?!

the game UAE v Qatar

More soccer

I never thought I would attend so many soccer matches. Probably after the world cup in Brazil (2014) I thought, no more. Dougie has tickets to a few games for the AsianCup 2015. For the most part, he has soccer fan company, but today and tomorrow he has to put up with me. As you can see from the images, it was a wet game. S.Korea 1 Oman 0.

growing things

I swear, every time I turn my back the beans have grown again.

beans and sweetcorn

Chillies, peppers and cucumbers

the delightful aroma of French Earl Grey

Without collaborating (having not yet met) My mum and Dougie's nephew gave me partnered presents for Christmas. Gorgeous French Earl Grey Tea (smells amazing) and a fabulous tea cup.

Hogmanay

This year we stayed at home, really, in the house. But I wanted, as we now know we are staying, to ritualise Newyear/Hogmanay to include our home. I put together a bit of a mishmash of tradition and neo pagan elements.

• Lit candles to start (a little before midnight)
• Ate the handmade biscuits to thank all the good things from the past year 2014
• At midnight we Drank to the New year along with our hopes and plans 2015
• Opened the back door to let the old year out.
• Swept the living room with a broom made from a bush in the garden to the front door.
• Opened the front door to let in the New year
• Placed the broom at the threshold.
• Our cat Thistle was the  'first foot' :)
• Lit the smudge stick and smoked it through all the rooms in the house.

It felt right to mark the turning of the year in some way. Lets see how it goes!

After sweeping out the old year, our garden broom lays across the threshold.

Ingredients for the smudge stick were all gathered from the garden. Dried lavender, rose petals and rosemary. It smelt good.

Red and white

So Christmas has been and gone. It was manic right up until Christmas morning as I had a commission to finish and presents to make.

Love this contrast of strawberries and cream consumed on Christmas day and the display at Darling Harbour on Boxing day.

Glass gifts on Christmas day

We spent Christmas day at parents house in the Central Coast. 'We' being Dougie, Matt (Dougie's nephew), myself and Mum and Dad. Apart from getting a commission finished I also wanted to give gifts that were hand made.

The woodland tankard is finally finished! Along with some international beers I gave Dad the 'Woodland tankard' that I have been working on here and there for a year or so. I love the look with beer inside.

'Woodland tankard' full of beer. (cast glass)

For my Mum, a cast crystal relief of blossoms. It has found a spot where the light catches it, in her very meditative bathroom.

and finally, a late present for them both for their 40th Wedding Anniversary. I had cast the keys in Ruby crystal (40=Ruby) but the glass had other ideas. Luckily I ended up with a gorgeous orange, a colour my mother loves. The interlocked keys are quite tricky, more for getting them out of the mould material and polishing really. Patience!

Happy Birthday Mum

For my mum's birthday I stitched a small embroidery of a Californian poppy. I have been saving seeds from our own flowers, so I included a little bag of seeds too. Those flowers have given us so much happiness and colour over the last few months, I hope they give the same in my parents garden.

Happy Birthday Mum!

Keys for Kieu

5 keys for Kieu. I love this colour way. I hope her friends like them!

Field of sunflowers

newspaper potting factory, Limoncello bottle just the right size

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My order of seeds and plants arrived the other day. I've been madly making newspaper pots. Sunflowers, beans, corn, tomatoes, Calendula, Chamomile and Sweet peas sowed today. I've run out of newspaper for now...

Star shortbreads... a quick break from rolling pots

A quick trip to the Goldcoast

As usual my short holidays are actually accompanying Dougie on business. He gets to work, I get to relax. The last few days were spent in the Goldcoast which is really lots of sun, beach, nightclubs and shopping. (Not actually any of my favourite things to be honest) However, on the plus side I was able to catch up with a very good friend and see her Honours art work in exhibition. I did visit the beach and found some lovely shells and pumice. I read by the pool. We had breakfast with friends. I went op-shopping (OK there are some types of shopping that I like). I swam and did yoga.

Deb's Honours Art work, taken with Deb and her Mum

A beach

Very good lunch at the Commune cafe

Very good iced coffee

proof that I went on a beach

an idea in the early stages