Up a tree

When thinking about my last Koala made for the Morphe II exhibition and some of the comments people left..... I thought ...yes, why be embarrassed by making one of our native animals (we tend to shy away from making anything too Aussie) and then I thought .... here in Australia we are always looking at snowy white Christmas images and decorating with snow flakes etc.. when infact it is usually 35 degrees C .... Every year I have a personal battle with myself to use Aussie Christmas ideas for decorations and end up giving in at the last minute to the blessed paper snowflakes....

Well I think I have found that new decoration, my Christmas Koala. The koalas (or rather 'Walas' as Moopy would say, like a true Aussie dropping the 'K') are even making regular visits to the gum trees in my parents garden (they live a couple of minutes from the Belair National Park). I am going to try and make a few more of these Christmas Koalas for that big bare tree in my shop. I will let you know if it ever happens..

I have just finished a customer order (I don't do orders and now I know why!!) I must have had a momantary lapse... I find customer orders really difficult to finish?... and this one was particularly hard because the fabric that was given to me (to be exclusively used.. the grandma's, who had passed) was all polyester/nylon and all very neutral in colour.... I wasn't going to share these picks because of the whole nylon thing...but I think the learning curve is worth sharing.

Now that, that is done ..I am going to spend the next 2 days cleaning our pig sty house..our house gets like this when Chris is madly studying because he is so wonderful and usually does much more than his share of housework, but he has his final assignment due for his degree so it's all up to me ....I have no idea how I will cope when he goes back to full time work away from the house??? I am being shoooed off the computer as I type...ok bye then.. sorry for any missing emails/communication... I literally have not been near the computer for days.. see you when our house is back to 'normal'.

Comments

[Kate]

Love the koala! There is such potential in Australian animals.

[Miss Dot]

I know what you mean, it is hard sometimes making authentic decorations. It is wierd how snowflakes still look super cute when it is 45'C in the shade. I think it is the novelty, I haven't seen snow for 36 years :-)

[Fiona]

As someone who saw the original bag full of nylon, I say you've done an amazing job with that order!! Good luck with the cleaning!

[susan sobon]

i think you did a bang up job of those two!
the colors while a bit drab are pretty colors nonetheless. very nice, and i love the walla!

[Tiel S-K]

love the wala bear. I posted about my dilema with australian christmas icons/imagery. I would love to wipe away that tacky Aussie element of native animals in silly santa hats and try to explore a differnt side to it all.

he/she is gorgeous.

[kirsty]

Great Koala, Asleep or with attitude??
I know what you mean about orders, I have been painting emus all week ordered in Feb. I'll have to make sure they are sitting down before I tell them its ready!!!

[Judy]

Never be ashamed of Aussie animals. I made Kangaroos for my Holiday ornament swap and used Prints Charming fabric.

[Fiona]

I think the Koala is gorgeous. Can't wait to see how your tree turns out.

[Verrito]

ohhh i think your walas are a great idea for the christmas tree... really beautiful...

;)

[allison]

love love love the koala and think it is fab idea. i live in the northern hemisphere but was even questioning the whole winter wonderland since we never have snow on christmas. i like the idea of doing something regional.

[tracy]

any chance of a koala in the shop?? i have a koala lover here that would be crazy for one...

[Emma]

I love the koala! My dad always tells me I should be making Australian animals, instead of deer and puppy plushies hehehe.

I also feel the dilemma of the Aussie Christmas... sitting down to a big roast meal on a hot summer's day is a bit silly and I have never even seen snow!

[Rebecca]

Oala is lovely.

Here in the midst of ice and very occassionaly snow, we dream of a hot balmy Christmas!!! In reality though, I'm sure I wouldn't be able to convince myself mentally, that it was Xmas, unless my toes were suffering frostbite!

[leanneshouse]

LOVE your koala. I tried for the all Australian Christmas theme this year. Then Georgia (5 years old) started crying. Back to the traditional Christmas.

[elizabeth]

Great wala. I've been trying for years to come up with Aussie Christmas themes, got as far as poinsettias once & gave up. There doesn't seem to be anything making as much headway as the Easter bilby, "Six White Boomers" doesn't quite get there. Maybe a diorama of a cross extended family wilting on a 40-deg day while Mummy struggles with a roast turkey & trimmings?