Fins

Looks like I won't have my board back before Christmas. With any luck I can find something else awesome soon. Went down to Surf Beach yesterday, just James and I. I hired a 7' softboard and James used his board. I got some great rides! The soft board totally takes away the fear of nosediving. You're not worrying about it being hard or damaging it. Tried to paddle onto some biggish stuff and close outs. Stood straight away and didn't nose dive. Caught one wave out the back and rode it all the way in on the angle, along the reform, pretty much to the beach. Had one of the instructors on the shore whooping me. Felt good to see someone else stoked for you. :) I also had another cool ride where I was crouched right up the front with one foot on the nose. Such a classy ride! And to top it off, the wave sectioned off and broke on me. Washed me right off the board. :P A perfect dismount. I only had the board for an hour so returned it and then used James' while he played on Errol (his name for the new foamie). He had an excellent time throwing himself and ridiculous waves without a fear. Even managed to stand up on it. By this time the tide had come up and it was getting harder to catch the reforms. Stuff out the back was all closing out and huge. Did manage to get a few more nice little rides on James' board. Managed to transfer the 'just bloody stand' philosophy to the fibreglass board. Feels good to mix it up. Swell got up to 2m off Rottnest today and was probably around 1.8m when we were out. Next thing I need to work on is rollercoasting... As well as keeping with the stand up - weight on the back-and you'll be fine thing.

Birthday presents and drawings!

I've just made a present for a friend who's birthday is this weekend. I've done a bit of a tutorial, taking photos along the way...This is lying out bits of vlisofix on black felt. Laying out squares onto the felt.Ironed and ready to be stitched down properly. Stitched using straight stitch and metallic thread.Painted and stamped with puff paint, ready to be puffed. After puffing it with an iron, I painted the puff and any bare bits with black felt showing through. Then rubbed in treasure gold too. I painted some sticks and wound them with wire and beads. Cut my fabric into an arch shape and sewn it into my frame. I glued moulded, painted model magic in the centre and attached beads with wire off the bottom. Here's some of my drawings!

Foam and frothing

Hanging out for a surf! Broke my fin out last weekend in the super shallow water at Scabs. Still at the shop getting repaired. As a result I've been looking for something that I can ride when the surf is shit, shallow but I still want to go out. Found 2 7' foam learner boards in the quokka, but both had sold by Sunday when I phoned. Quokka came out this morning and I was ready. No 7 footers though. Only this: For $40, I didn't really think I could go wrong. Boogie boarding, I want to stand up, so with this hopefully I have a bit better chance of success. Plus, no fins to break!!! It's almost crunch time if I'm going to paint the van over the Xmas break. Gotta get my paint this weekend. Here's my design ideas so far...

No Go

Went to Scarborough this morning on my own. It's Friday and I was really hoping dad could come out with me but he had to work. There just didn't seem to be any shape. I certainly couldn't find it, anyway. Almost full moon so the tide is super low. Swell was down to 0.8m. Not looking terrific for tomorrow...

Surf Beach Overnight Adventure

1m swell. Light ESE winds. Good company. Good times.

Packing the vanConvoySunset with Biff and Mustard.

James playing harmonica Tea time!

Waxing up

Morning stretch before hitting the water.

RichJames James and I Short, small rides today. They were ending just as we were getting going. Paddling back outLove this shot!Rich above ^ & James below v

November Arch and Journal making

I have finished my 2nd last arch for the Textile Challenges group on yahoogroups. This one is for Kate who likes autumn colours and vintage things.Last weekend my husband and I nested.... He in front of the xbox and I at the kitchen table. We had a fab weekend. I basically started and finished this travel journal for my friend for Christmas. Here's some pages...(cover)

This page has a sewn clear pocket for goodies.Envelope for more goodies. Spots to write This is a little fold out book for more writing space. Little clear pouch on the left with tags inspired by Jo36. :)