![\"altai-eagle-festival-1\"](\"http:\/\/janmullen.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/altai-eagle-festival-1.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nSo this weeks images are courtesy of the Altai Eagle festive in Bayan Olgii, Mongolia. Despite being another big photo week I also finished another feather board – the green square one shown in various posts in preceeding months as a work in progress. It was united with its backing board\u00a0at last. After completing this weeks priority that FTN#13 was, I started my next big ticket item on the list – clearing out the back part of the upstairs studio. It now needs to store my slowly increasing pile of artworks – those that aren’t hanging downstairs or elsewhere. It also needs to keep storing my reference materials and ‘hope to be projects one day’ boxes. I also want to try to sit and draw here – perhaps sitting under a perfect drawing lamp? I also happen to have an odd, small drawing? table that we found amongst the discards at our little house. It is small and ugly<\/em> but it can tilt. I think this may be a help too? It certainly was part of the clear out impetus.<\/p>\n I know I am lucky to have the space to separate place parts of myself in – even though all spaces are shared by family and visitors and pieces from our past. SO….spare shelves that I had put aside for the Girls Shed down south have been called into play and BY CHRISTMAS<\/strong> – I have to do it if I write it<\/em> – we will have the next phase of this totally multi use space. On the weekend, we were off as usual to our little house where I picked blueberries and strawberries – miniscule<\/em> amounts mind you – but it does mean the plants are surviving.<\/p>\n We netted the ‘old’ plum tree – which is tiny and lichen covered but is amazingly productive. The bloke made headway with the Girls Shed. So much so that I will have to start painting the uninstalled windows and lining boards next visit…..I’m excited about the outcome but not by the slog work in the summer sun.<\/p>\n The week ended with candles – it was one of two Mullen birthday weeks – where we have three family birthdays within a week. The night was even more chaotic than usual…which is quite difficult to achieve.
\nWhen I saw that Gabriella’s next tour was going there<\/em> I had no hesitation in signing up.
\nFor me it was one of those once in a lifetime experiences that was meant to be. The textile component was always second fiddle to this.
\nI have shoved TOO many photos in this post but these fellas, and the few girls that take part, seem to have become my friends lately….
\nPlease note the obsession with feathers that matches my own….owl feathers tied to hats and eagles and car mirrors help to ward off evil – so I was told.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n
\nIt is numbered ‘feathering the nest #13′<\/strong> but is as yet not photographed and is still unnamed. Still, wonderful to have it finished. Wonderful to be making…<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n
\nI set this area up as ‘Black Swan Central’ very close to two years ago – when I started work on this blog.<\/em>
\nBack then it was a fantastic space to sit away from the world enabling me to formulate plans and to spark ideas but it is not<\/em> a stitching place or even a playing with fabric space. The lighting is way under par for a start.
\nAs I very slowly<\/em> make physical some of those initial ideas, it has slowly reverted to being\u00a0 a storage area\/holding pen for things piled up and moving in and out.<\/a><\/p>\n
\nIt needs to be a space that can cocoon my thoughts and spark ideas away from the computer that sucks my time.
\nIt needs to be away from downstairs distractions of the many works already in line or those progressing.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n
\nI drew happily in the quiet of my room in Mongolia but find it difficult to regain that corralled, focused mindset.
\nAs I write I think I am seeking an isolated retreat there amongst the eventually<\/em> well stored starting points and finished works?<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n
\nI suppose I chase perfect space to help me achieve my aims – a form of cocoon?
\nJust the next plan\/hope in a continuing search?<\/p>\n
\nYIKES.<\/p>\n<\/a>The Studio Class held here on Friday was the last for the year.
\nFive lovely bods worked on various projects, all making good progress, with a shared lunch and an extra lunch guest to keep the conversation flowing.
\nAll going well I will continue next year with the same format of a one day class each month. This ‘work’ makes my noggin click over and my heart sing whilst it pushes and pulls the participants along.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n
\nThe enormous ‘new’ plum tree gives shade but small amounts of fruit – though the bloke is pruning it harshly every year to hopefully change production levels.
\nMe, I am not the plum lover in the family so shade suits me better:)<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n
\nSunday night was a girly night with three-year-old Esther, one-year-old Ellie and almost-quite-old ‘Annie’ on the very pleasant present receiving end.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n
\nThe piles of presents tottered and the two youngsters took it in turns to receive.
\nGeorge, who’s recent birthday set the precedent, was eager to help gather and pass each relevant parcel to his sister – the uninterested\/oblivious Ellie.
\nEsther had to be held back. This taking turns gig is difficult.
\nThe lessons three-year-olds have to learn…<\/p>\n