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