Taking a moment

Hello to all my lovely followers. How are we all coping with the lead up to Christmas and New Year?  I've been rather frazzled amidst all the parties, concerts,  markets, orders, visitors and birthday parties - so this morning I took a moment to just put my legs up and rest. 

I'd like to wish everyone a beautiful Christmas with your loved ones. May you treasure all the blessings that are in your life and be filled with love for one another. Have fun, eat lots of yummy food and just enjoy being together. Christmas can also be rather difficult for some people, particularly those who have lost someone close to their heart. I offer these people my prayers that  happiness will return into their lives soon.

Merry Christmas everyone, and thank you for reading my silly little blog. It is very much appreciated :)  

Last year I left you all with a bit of Judy Garland and Dolly (of course). This year I'm leaving you with Elvis at his best....

Phwoar!

Take care everyone and god bless,

Alisa x

Guest Post:: Tara Chiu NETS Calender

Today I'm handing over the reigns to my darling sister Tara, an amazing photographer who has volunteered her time to raise money and awareness for the service that saved the life of her little boy, my beautiful nephew Jarvis. Please take the time to read this.

Hello,

My name is Tara Chiu and I am the sister of the lovely Alisa Burlington.

I have created The 2012 NETS Kids Calendar which is now available for sale. Following is some information about NETS (Newborn & paediatric Emergency Transport Service) and what they do. It would be wonderful if you could help by supporting the service that saved my little boy Jarvis' life and continues to save children everyday. Every cent of profit goes straight to NETS (except printing costs) and the calendars would make lovely Christmas presents for family and friends. You can have up to 5 calendars included in a single REGULAR post pack.

Thankyou,

Tara Chiu

Seasons in Art Photography

www.seasonsinart.com

What is NETS?

 NETS the 'Newborn & paediatric Emergency Transport Service' is a very unique organisation, one which 

operates within NSW and the ACT on a 'twenty four seven' basis. The service provides expert clinical 

advice, clinical co-ordination, stabilisation, and emergency treatment for very sick babies and children up 

to the age of 16 years. NETS provides peace of mind and special support for parents and family members 

during times of despondency and disbelief. The service takes mobile intensive care to critically ill babies 

and children. 'NETS is a Hospital with no Walls'. 

The NETS Kids 2012 Calendar is aimed at raising funds for NETS to help maintain and replace the vital 

equipment the service uses on a daily basis. 

The Calendar is the brain child of parent and 'Seasons in Art' Photographer, Tara Chiu, whose own son was 

transported by NETS in 2008 after a near fatal fall. To show her appreciation, Tara created the NETS KIDS 

2011 Calendar, which featured photographs of 13 NETS patients along with a short paragraph of the child's 

experience with NETS. The calendar was a huge success, so Tara has now created a 2012 calendar. 

This year the NETS calendar highlights the work of NETS and the impact the service has on the families of 

the babies and children that are treated, stabilised and transferred by NETS. The Calendar contains the 

NETS patients' photographed in the role of NETS Staff. The photo on the top and the calendar month on 

the bottom with a short paragraph of the child's experience with NETS and subsequent recovery. 

The calendar is available on the NETS website at  www.nets.org.au 

Thanks for taking the time to read this. I'll forever be grateful to NETS. They saved our little Jedi.

Alisa x 

Peace and Joy

Alisa x

My weekend :: Rylstone Street Feast 2011

The annual Rylstone Street Feast was held on Saturday. I had a little stall there and spent the day soaking up the atmosphere. It was quite hot but thankfully my position had a cool breeze flowing through it.  Below are some pics from the day....

I also had the pleasure of being beside this fellow.....

His name is Brett Nutting (pictured in the top photo with the red shirt) and he is one talented man. He creates the most beautiful furniture from recycled timber under the name AdHoc Furniture. He's also rather funny and had me in giggle mode for most of the day. It's wonderful to have a great neighbour at markets, it helps the day progress that little bit faster.

Brett's showroom is in Kandos, NSW. He also has a website that you can see here. Amazing stuff !

All in all, it was a lovely weekend. Although I am pleased that the frantic pace of last week is over. For now anyway. Christmas is looming and I ain't ready, not one bit. 

I hope you all have a lovely Monday.

Alisa x

Church St Gallery Exhibition

I'm taking part in a group exhibition at Church St Gallery and I'm rather chuffed about it all. It's really exciting to be exhibiting in such a cool place. If you are in Mudgee town then please pop in. The opening is tomorrow night. I'm excited to meet some more artists from the region, indulge in some arty-farty conversations whilst sipping on local wine. It should be a great night! Details are below....

Alisa x

On a Dolly high

Well I'm back and I'm on a high after seeing my lady perform in Sydney. She is everything I ever dreamt she'd be. It was an intimate concert with everyone sitting most of the time, listening to Dolly talk about the stories behind her songs, her memories and her loved ones. It was so special. Below is a clip from her show in Manchester earlier in the year. Dolly was wearing a yellow dress for the Sydney show but her performance was just as impeccable as this.

One thing that marred my trip was an embarrassing parking incident in my old haunt of Balmain. I was meeting a friend and decided to park outside a cafe. Lots of people were there, watching me negotiate the Subaru alongside a curved gutter. 

Now those that know me are well aware that I am a little top heavy (we're not talking Dolly size thankfully). They often get in the way and this time was no different. I hit the gutter with a jolt which thrust me forward, making my chest hit the horn. I turned and looked at the small crowd who were all staring and noticed that John Waters was one of them. Lordy I was embarrassed. I got out of the car and sheepishly explained that "I'm from Mudgee way" which they accepted. Little did they know, I'm just a shitty parker. Well, when it comes to curved gutters anyway :)

So to those who were at this cafe yesterday morning, my apologies for disrupting your peace and quiet. I'm such a goose.

I'm sure to have a "better day" today when I drive to Mudgee. It's all angle parking there! 

Alisa x

Mon Alisa Design Shop is OPEN!!!

Wow, what a weekend! The shop is finally open! I had a fantastic opening day with lots of customers stopping by. It was lovely getting to know people who were either from the region or just visiting. My beautiful parents came up to help me with the girls, gardens and everything else. Big ups to my mother who cleaned up my studio....a HUGE job! I'm so lucky to have such great support.

This post is rather rushed I know.  I'm trying to get everything ready while I'm away at this........

Uh huh, that's right..... I'm seeing my lady tonight. I'm so excited! I'm packing like a banshee!! 

Enjoy your day,

Alisa x

Green window

Alisa x

Recent paintings

I've been a little busy bee. 

Enjoy the weekend folks, I'm a little stressed as I'm opening the shop on Sunday. There's still so much to do! EeeeeeK!

Alisa x

Busted Custard

Sunday morning. Haidee is coming out of my bedroom with a twinkle in her eye, camera in hand.

"Give me that please missy.... What have you been doing in there?"

"Nuffink mumma" 

'Have you been up on my dresser?"

"Nope"

"Alright then, hop into the kitchen for your snackie, and no more touching the camera...k?"

"o.k mumma"

Fast forward to this morning. I'm loading photos onto the computer and look what I find......

Cheeky rascal. But what else should I expect from a child who does this to me.......

Seriously. This is how I look as I write this post. Cotton buds in my ears and goggles to help me see the screen. 

One hot mumma!

Take care all,

Alisa x

Country Graffiti

That's about as wild as they get out here folks. It did give me a giggle though.

Alisa x 

Meet Scott and Charlene...

 

H's latest purchase so he doesn't have to mow the grass as often.

They are a bit cute. The white one is a girl and the brown/white a boy. There were so many names I could come up with (the obvious one being Kenny and Dolly) but in the end I chose Scott and Charlene. 

I think it has something to do with the curly hair, and the wedding dress....

                                              

Not much of a difference really, except that the sheep would have eaten the bouquet.

Have a good day folks!

Alisa x

Church St Gallery ::: James Kearns

Last week I visited Mudgee town for one reason only. To check out Church St Gallery which has been opened by the very talented James Kearns (or Kearnsy). I remember first reading about him over at Mandy's blog 16 house. I had no idea at the time that he was living out my way.  He was featured in the local paper recently promoting his new gallery and I just had to rush in and have a look......I was blown away. Below are some photographs of some of his work, however my camera doesn't do them justice. They are all so rich in texture, beautifully haunting in the layering of paint, lace, papers, silhouette and colour. 

This man can truly rock a painting.

Lovely aren't they? It's exciting to have a contemporary art space so close. Haidee and I had a great time meeting James and chatting away. A top bloke. 

You can see more of Kearnsy's paintings on his website here. He also has a blog. 

Church St Gallery is situated at 98 Church Street Mudgee NSW. It's a great space :) 

Definitely worth a look see.

Alisa x

Listening to....

Roy Orbison.

One of my fathers faves.

Enjoy the weekend folks,

Alisa x 

Where do you keep your letters?

This is an old window shutter that we found in the shed. It makes a wonderful letter holder for the hallway, so that when H comes home the letters (bills) are waiting for him. Otherwise they would get lost in the abyss that is our house. We put a backing on it and hung it crudely with copper wire.

I do have a habit of shoving other things in there too (like The Spice Girls CD cover face up so Haidee can't see). I must clean it up a bit.

Anywho, I just thought I'd share it with you all. Where do you keep your letters?

Alisa x

Playing with painting

I'm taking part in a little exhibition called "Postcards from Rylstone".  Local artists, parents and friends have been asked to contribute some work that will be auctioned off to raise funds for our local school. Here are two of my little artworks that will be auctioned off. I have a 3rd one but have handed it in already, will have to photograph it later (it's my fave)

Acrylic paint, pen, tea bags, vintage book pages, japanese paper and lots of fun!

vintage stamps, old flip number cards from a broken alarm clock, acrylic paint, pen.

Isn't it a super idea? I love the thought of everyone getting creative for the school. Whether they're artists or not...it's all just a bit of fun really :)

And *ahem*  the invitation is extended for anyone else who wants to get involved....hint hint?? Although all works need to be returned by the 28th of October.

If you are interested than just let me know. I can send a wee little canvas to you.

So yes, I didn't end up going to Mudgee today. Even as the drab weather turned out quite pleasant. I ignored the laundry, dishes and vacuuming. Plonked down, watched Sunset Boulevard and painted.

Bloody awesome day.

Alisa x

P.S Sorry for the dodge pics. The camera and I are not friends.

Lazy mornings

I'm loving this Saturday morning. Echoes of the holidays, when I was able to lie in bed and not worry about having to be somewhere at a certain time. The girls stayed in the spare bedroom last night. They were so excited to be sharing a "big bed" AND watch a movie. Kind of like a little sleep over party just for them. As a result they've woken up in chipper moods and are playing beautifully with their Sylvanian families, making playgrounds for them out of lego and toilet roll holders. I was thinking of heading into Mudgee for the Farmers Markets to pick up some Gingle mil wine. However it's looking a bit drab outside today. Perfect weather for drinking lots of tea and painting.

Enjoy the weekend folks.

Alisa x