Beautiful Fresh water Pearl,  multi strand necklace ( value $100) , all proceeds go to the Hope From Ashes charity to assist those rebuilding their lives after the Toodyay Fires of December 2009

Check it out here
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Necklace-Fresh-Water-Pearl_W0QQitemZ300394576350QQcmdZViewItemQQptZAU_Womens_Jewellery?hash=item45f0e979de

Delicate necklace with multi strands of small freshwater pearls from India. Small pearl clasp ( Suggested  value $100) Length 55.5 cm VERY HAPPY TO POST AT BUYERS EXPENSE  Donated by Artisan Emporium South Fremantle
Hope from Ashes
The Hope From Ashes auction will run online starting on the date of the benefit concert with new items being put up daily over the next week.  This online auction will raise awareness and funds and give people the opportunity to contribute and help Toodyay people who are rebuilding after the fire.

We have tried to gather together a range of diverse and high quality items and services that in some way reflect the diversity and creativity of the Toodyay community. In finding a gift for yourself you will be giving to the Toodyay community and we hope the excitement and high energy of the auction will be uplifting and inspiring in its way.

The auction has the Hope From Ashes flavour celebrating and demonstrating the generosity, positivity and support that has flowed so readily for and within the Toodyay community.

As well as people from Perth many local Toodyay businesses and individuals have also contributed to the auction, some although deeply affected by the fires through loss of home or workplace. Artworks, craft items, trips away, fantastic meals and even life coaching sessions, massages, motoring items, clothing and collectors plates are just a few of the amazing items we can offer you. The list grows every day so “no napping” or you may miss a fabulous item…which is just what you need!

We hope you will enjoy the items on offer and we hope you have fun whilst you bid big as we pull together to raise much needed funds for the survivors of the Toodyay Bushfires.If you wish to make a donation in person, please use the following Bendigo Bank details. Thank you.
Hope from Ashes
BSB: 633 000
Account: 139 064 364

In this age of electronic text messaging and emails, we tend to spend less time Writing Letters with Pen & Ink.

I have never had good handwriting, so I have tended to use email in preference myself yet I know that treasure receiving personalized letters and I strive when I travel to send hand written postcards to my grandchildren who have been a little young to email.

These are some good books that assist those wanting to improve their writing style.  Write Now is one I have just borrowed from my library.

Is there someone special you could pen a letter to, today J?

This post is illustrated with one of the bookmarks and one of the pens, I will have for sale, ‘direct from the artist;, available at our caravan awning studio, during our tour. These pens and bookmarks feature my own artwork images and are nor available for mail order.

 

The Giveaway:

In conjunction with Mummified Times Five, I am giving away up to $1000 worth of Maimeri Classico oil paints!

Each prize pack includes 10 tubes of Maimeri Classico paints valued at $9.55 each…so with free postage, that’s a prize pack valued at over $100!! And we have 10 packs to give away!!

To enter, all you need to do is:

-comment on any post ON EACH of Kathy Shell’s blogs (listed in my blog side bar and below):

http://www.artslim.org/
http://www.cards-art.com/
http://www.kathy-shell.net/
http://www.doggiesblog.com/
http://www.gray-nomad.com/
http://www.bloggermuse.com/
http://www.functional-art.net/
http://www.postcards-art.com/
http://www.campfire-yarns.com/
http://www.fridgemagnetart.com/
- then go to the competition post at

http://mummifiedtimesfive.net/2010/02/01/spotlight-on-kathy-shell-giveaway/

and say why you would like to win a 10 pack of Maimeri Classico paints.

(Both steps are mandatory to be in the running to win this prize)

Giveaway finishes 15 Feb 2010

 This blog post has been illustrated by postcards from the art of Kathy Shell. These can be orderd through the artist's postcards-art web site or purchased 'direct from the artist', in her caravan awning studio

I am promoting a fantastic plant, I would love to own for my own garden, and a great opportunity to support a worthwhile charity auction. Take a look.

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/1x-Large-shiraz-grape-vine-in-45ltr-bag-12-yrs-old_W0QQitemZ300393279158QQcmdZViewItemQQptZAU_Plants_Seeds_Bulbs?hash=item45f0d5aeb6

1x Large shiraz grape vine in 45ltr bag 12 yrs old – Value $150.00 - please note picture is for illustration purposes only, your plant will differ, all proceeds go to the Hope From Ashes charity to assist those rebuilding their lives after the Toodyay Fires of December 2009


1x Large shiraz grape vine in 45ltr bag 12 yrs old – Value $150.00 Syrah, or Shiraz as the grape is known in Australia (and increasingly elsewhere too) has an exotic history. Thought to be of Middle Eastern origin, it is very possible that the grape was originally grown in the area which includes the ancient city of Shiraz which lay to the south east of what is now Iran. The vine was probably brought to Marseilles by the Romans or the Phocaeans and was certainly established in the Rhone Valley in the latter part of the Roman occupation. Syrah reached Australia rather later in the 1830s where it was to find another great home. Today about 40% of all red wine plantings in Australia are of the Shiraz grape variety.

Syrah is a grape that produces wine that is dark coloured and dense with wonderful smokey and spicy characteristics – attributes which have made it very popular amongst those who appreciate full rich fruit flavours. But with modern wine making techniques it can be produced to be everything from a medium weight crisp red to a classic powerful blockbuster like an Australian Barossa Shiraz or even a Hermitage from the Rhone. This is undoubtedly one of the world’s classic grape varieties ( value $150)

Provided by Tass 1 Trees


 

Hope from Ashes
The Hope From Ashes auction will run online starting on the date of the benefit concert with new items being put up daily over the next week.  This online auction will raise awareness and funds and give people the opportunity to contribute and help Toodyay people who are rebuilding after the fire.

We have tried to gather together a range of diverse and high quality items and services that in some way reflect the diversity and creativity of the Toodyay community. In finding a gift for yourself you will be giving to the Toodyay community and we hope the excitement and high energy of the auction will be uplifting and inspiring in its way.

The auction has the Hope From Ashes flavour celebrating and demonstrating the generosity, positivity and support that has flowed so readily for and within the Toodyay community.

As well as people from Perth many local Toodyay businesses and individuals have also contributed to the auction, some although deeply affected by the fires through loss of home or workplace. Artworks, craft items, trips away, fantastic meals and even life coaching sessions, massages, motoring items, clothing and collectors plates are just a few of the amazing items we can offer you. The list grows every day so “no napping” or you may miss a fabulous item…which is just what you need!

We hope you will enjoy the items on offer and we hope you have fun whilst you bid big as we pull together to raise much needed funds for the survivors of the Toodyay Bushfires.

If you would like more information about the auction or have a donation for us to consider please contact Bruce or Linda Sharman by completing the website contact and writing DONATION at the beginning of your message.

If you wish to make a donation in person, please use the following Bendigo Bank details. Thank you.
Hope from Ashes
BSB: 633 000
Account: 139 064 364

The Hope From Ashes auction will run online starting on the date of the benefit concert with new items being put up daily over the next week.  This online auction will raise awareness and funds and give people the opportunity to contribute and help Toodyay people who are rebuilding after the fire.

We have tried to gather together a range of diverse and high quality items and services that in some way reflect the diversity and creativity of the Toodyay community. In finding a gift for yourself you will be giving to the Toodyay community and we hope the excitement and high energy of the auction will be uplifting and inspiring in its way.

The auction has the Hope From Ashes flavour celebrating and demonstrating the generosity, positivity and support that has flowed so readily for and within the Toodyay community.

As well as people from Perth many local Toodyay businesses and individuals have also contributed to the auction, some although deeply affected by the fires through loss of home or workplace. Artworks, craft items, trips away, fantastic meals and even life coaching sessions, massages, motoring items, clothing and collectors plates are just a few of the amazing items we can offer you. The list grows every day so “no napping” or you may miss a fabulous item…which is just what you need!

We hope you will enjoy the items on offer and we hope you have fun whilst you bid big as we pull together to raise much needed funds for the survivors of the Toodyay Bushfires.

If you would like more information about the auction please contact Bruce or Linda Sharman by completing the website contact and writing DONATION at the beginning of your message.

If you wish to make a donation in person, please use the following Bendigo Bank details. Thank you.
Hope from Ashes
BSB: 633 000
Account: 139 064 364

Reg and I have been out and about around the Goulburn Valley in Sepparton region this week and next week we will be heading over toward, Bendigo, Victoria.
We both love beeing close to nature, where we live and explore. We thrive on this Eco-therapy lifestyle.

Ecotherapy is not a fad, nor a new marketing approach for the psychology profession, and not just more “green exercise,” although it does include fitness and wellness practices.  I try to do my exercises as much as posible in nature, bushwalking is our great love. Even when we relax at home, we love to have a window view, unbroken, looking out over nature. The tranquility this brings Rus is the eco-therapy I speak of.

Some examples of recent ecotherapy research findings:
- “Equine Therapy Helps Withdrawn Vets Reconnect”
- “71% Report Depression Decrease After Green Walk”
- “Immersion in Nature Makes Us Nicer”
- “How the City Hurts Your Brain...and What You Can Do About It”
- “Connection to Nature Vital to Our Mental and Physical Health, Scientists Say”
- “Drug Addiction: Environmental Conditions Play Major Role In Effective Treatment And Preventing Relapses, Animal Study Shows”

This post is illustrated with a poster that is being made, using the art of Kathy Shell and the poem, An Irish Blessing. This may be ordered direct from the artist, through the contact pages of this web site.

Reg and I have wonderful memories of taking our two daughters out on evening torch light walks, often with a ranger guide, to find the nocturnal animals in the bush. Both our children are now grown and they share this love of nature with the grandchildren and Reg and I do our own thing and still take part in many ranger guided walks where we learn to see the creatures of the night and learn to recognise their trails during the daytime.

This year’s ‘Summer in the Alps’ run  by National Parks of Victoria, celebrates 2010 as the International Year of Biodiversity.

Become a bush detective and track the secretive animals of Mount Buffalo. Find the clues that animal leave behind including tracks, scats and territorial markings. If you are quiet and keep your eyes open you may even track down one of the furry culprits!
This activity will run on Friday 1, 8, 15 & 22 January – 1.00pm – 2.30pm
Activities are free and suitable for the whole family, however an adult must accompany children at all times.
We look forward to sharing the Alps with you this summer!

Mount Buffalo National Park
Start of Chalwell Gallaries walking track
From:   Sat, 26 Dec 2009
To:   Sun, 24 Jan 2010
Time:   -
Melway Ref:  
Bookings Required:   no
Further Information:     Parks Victoria
13 1963