Dutch Iris from seed?

I wonder if my Dutch Iris seed will grow.

I found these seed pods the other day.

I didn't pick the flowers as they bloomed out of sync

with the farmers market. 

Oh well, might have been the best thing.

I harvested heaps of seed. 

Under that thick exterior, the seed looks just like a corn cob.

I did some research and most sites say to 

cool the seeds for some weeks before planting.

Most waited until the pods had dried before harvesting the seed.

I had one pod dry from the year before, and yes it was much

easier to extract the seed.

I was careful not to squash the seed. 

It was so plump with promise.

I thought I might do a series of experiments.

Plant directly, cool some for 6 weeks, 

plant some cooled ones after just 3 weeks.

My research encouraged keeping the seeds damp while cooling.

I wonder if that goes for dried seeds or fresh ones.

There is another two experiments.

If all of those seeds turned into flowers...wow.

Keep in mind, 

don't count your Dutch Iris before they sprout

Welcome Luka

Luka is a yellow Labrador

A boy!

We heard he needed a new home and

we had a recently vacated food bowl.

He is a very loving dog and will hold your hand for ages.

Full of life, 21 months old.

Very well behaved. 

We are taking two walks a day, swimming, fetching sticks.

He is not so good at giving them back...

I was trying to tempt him with a treat this morning but it only works for Stella

who gives the stick back anyway.

It is a bit scary when they both arrive at the stick

at the same time.

Here we had a major battle for the stick,

two dogs swimming vigorously in opposite directions.

I think it must have been this battle that lost Luka his new collar,

with an engraved name plate/ phone number

and the lifetime council registration tag that I got yesterday.

Stella won the stick.

The Murray River is very wide here at Mildura

We are just a few km's upstream from the weir,

so the river levels here are fairly constant.

Pool level, they call it.

I don't think I could dive for the collar as they were a fair way out.

A stick's throw in fact. Its pretty deep out there.

Pottery Club Fundraiser

Inspired by some great photos

The Pottery Club has decided to raise 

a few dollars to put  towards the new studio.

by producing some blank cards for sale.

Members were asked to provide a photo of their work

Collectively they were sent to the printer. 

The above image is the one that sparked the idea.

Thanks to Jennifer Gadsden and 

her fab photos of pendents under construction.

The cards are high quality glossy.

Some identify the artist, the above image is one of mine.

Egyptian paste bracelet.

Renae makes beautiful bowls.

This clay looks like pressed sand when fired.

You guessed it, Renae!

These became the most beautiful Christmas decorations.

With a little bit of gold lustre and some string.

Renae again.

This is another one of mine.

Raku plate. 

Jennifer has been making rings, cuff links and pendants.

This is a father and son collection.

Nicholas and Bob Reither

I hope I have the correct spelling this time!

Renae is getting serious about her pottery, 

she has developed a business name 

based on the pronunciation of her surname.

Very professional. You might find her work on instagram?

This is another of Jennifer's. 

These sculptures were made by David Gee

Approximately 50 cm's tall

It is the Aussie version of 'See no evil,

Hear no evil, Speak no evil'

Cards are available at $3.00 each or 4 for $10.

If you are interested in purchasing some cards, send me an email,

leave a comment or call in to the studio.

Fresh flowers today,

$5 per bunch

Varieties include Shasta daisy, Alstromeria, Coreopsis,

Statice, Fever few, Penstemon. 

Great value. 

48 Etiwanda Ave Mildura.

Help me fund the replacement umbrella, last one was totaled by the wind.

Note the lime green top.

I was unable to buy a navy blue one

The photo is a little blurry but the flavour was clear and sharp

A tree full of cherries. This is just a small pick.

Best crop in years. Wow! 

Every household should have a cherry tree...they are the best.

And they don't stain your hands and clothes when picking and eating. 

Unlike our Australian weeping Mull berry which had the best crop too!

It will fruit again around Easter.

Do you eat globe Artichoke?

If so you would be sad to see I have let the blooms flower.

MS had said they were stunning flowers so I had to see for myself

The transformation from the buds shown here either side slowly

broaden...then came what looked like blue spiders legs slowly

emerging....I was surprised to see it end up like a giant thistle.

Maybe next year I will take the plunge and eat the artichoke.

They need to be picked early 

and it is the inner core of the bud that is eaten.

Herb labels

I have been making heaps of herb signs.

I hope they are going to be popular Christmas presents

I have noticed that all those that have been on really hot days

are flushed with my sweat.

Can you see the orange blush on the worm heads?

I wonder if this colour will burn out in the next firing?

We have had some very hot days already 

and Summer is still a few weeks away.

We will be right with the air conditioner now installed in the studio

It dries out any clay that is left unwrapped though

I will have to be careful of that.

I have also been working on set of beakers.

Hot or cold cups

no handles

I think the Japanese were wise to ignore the handle concept

Saves a lot of time, less can go wrong

and the cups are stackable, space saving crockery.

I have often struggled to get handles attached before the pot is too dry.

With the studio in the back yard I now have no excuse however

I am enjoying the simple shape. 

Note the middle blue cup

I must have forgotten to stir the glaze with this one,

it's not very blue

I must have dipped the blue first then the satin white.

There is a lovely feathery lilac where they meet.

I must try a tester where I am going for mostly lilac, 

 I am not sure that is a good food colour though?

Then there is the debate about blue and green together.

I like this one, shame about the flat spot 

where I accidentally pushed the wet pot against something.

Oops

I have two more sets in the kiln at the moment.

I have tried a few different combinations and will post some pictures

when they come out of the kiln early next week.

Swings and Roundabouts

Life is just full of swings and roundabouts

One minute you are up 

and then the world comes crashing down.

I guess it is all about how you handle it.

I have been working very hard to 

get the new studio up and running.

I had lots of help especially my friend Lou 

who painted and carried her way through some annual leave.

 My sister's husband's Aunty and Uncle

 who were camping in our paddock  helped me install the sliding door. 

Polycarbonate will let some morning light into the studio.

An air conditioner was installed 

into the wall space next to the door. 

Lucky as we have already experienced 40 degree afternoons.

The children were quite pink on that day as we only had fans at that stage. 

Brave and determined creative kids to come to class on such a hot day.

 There is one last bit of wall still to build.

The section above the front door.

I have to get the sign writing off, it is upside down and back the front.

The door was from a shop that sold balloons and fireworks.

There has been a lot of recycling on this project.

It has come a long way...and 

we have already held some classes in there.

The first after school students, Amilia and Sasha

This space is going to be fantastic.

I have been using it in the evenings to 

make some things for Christmas markets.

First of which is due out of the kiln today.

Hopefully they are all fantastic and worthy of a post later in the week

Skittles V's snake take 2

Last Friday Skittles was down in the garden with me.

not far from here.

 I saw her bouncing about...

hunting something near a big pile of weeds. 

She was a reptile fan and understood when I called out 

"That better not be a lizard!"

This is skittles just 12 months ago, she was bitten but survived

thanks to the vet.

Unfortunately her fascination with reptiles

caught up with her last Friday.

She must have been bitten just before lunch

I found her at tea time under the kitchen table

We have lost the most loving dog I have ever met!

Patient and kind.

Loyal

Labradorable

Best friend of Stella.

Who is now a "lone ranger"

Too soon!

Too sad!