This more than makes up (x one million times) for yesterday’s tennis disappointment when neither of my favourite players got through to the final of the Australian Open :0(

This weekend I am learning to screen print (last time I tried it was cancelled but so far so good…fingers crossed just in case).  I have abandoned all previous plans of printing badgers in 2 colours and have designed something a little less ambitious for my first attempt – a raven, inspired by the 3 that hang out in the garden.

PS Top pic, Ted at the front Wes Raven at the back

Panda Man has been at it again.  Another bird feeder, still needing something to put the seed in, this time for the smaller varieties.

Blossom is such a delight that I wanted to get to know more magpies so one of my ‘among other things’ over the holidays was befriending the troupe of magpies that live over the road in Wood Chopper’s garden.  (Wood Chopper actually moved out some time ago and has been replaced by Mullet Man but the original name has been retained).  This seems to be where Father Ted and Feck come from – and not Blossom, so no relation  there after all.  Father Ted was easily trained with treats and being a bit doddery on his feet I think he is very pleased to have a free meal, and good news travels fast so I now have regular visits not only from Ted but also Feck, Cherry Pie, Apple Pie, Blueberry Pie and Stargazy Pie. Occasionally they all get dive bombed by Meat, who is a boisterous young man from another gang. Blossom keeps her distance from them most of time although she is very curious and keeps watch from her tree.  They are truly fascinating creatures.

A superhero eye

A decendant from the Asian wolf eye

A space on the hessian for a precious eye.

I have been losing momentum over the last couple of days so have resigned myself to tying up a few loose ends and doing things that don’t require too much concentration, including the above. In the true recycling spirit of the 1930′s I am making my canvas for one of my Safe Keeping pieces from the stretchers of a dud painting (which I did in the winter when it was too cold and all the paint crazed) and a piece of hessian, which came with me from England over 10 years ago, bless it.  I knew it would come in handy one day.  So, I thought that the hessian would tie in nicely with the hessian used on the sides of the Coolgardie Safe, although by the time I have covered it in primer and paint I don’t know how obvious it will be.  So far after 2 primes it is still hairy and nubbly so I am hopeful, well, I think I am as I am wondering how it will actually be to work on.  It is tricky keeping the tension though, maybe I will ask someone with strong panda hands to have a go at tightening it.  Maybe it will all be a waste of time…

So, that is me for this year.  The pagan in me is celebrating the death of 2011, a year that hasn’t been particularly kind, and awaiting with excited anticipation the birth of 2012.  Thanks so much for taking time out of your day to visit Badger Harry Presents… I will be back after the holidays.  Happy Christmas! X o<:0)

The Christmas tree is up and Christmas drinks for self-employed people who have no work party to go to has been had.  Still waiting for the festive spirit to arrive though.  Some snow, a lazy wind and some Bing does Winter Wonderland might do the trick.

This is a Coolgardie Safe.  I guess you could call it the fridge of the 1930′s (ish).  I went to meet it the other day at the History House in Armadale as it is my partner in a National Trust exhibition next year featuring 20 or so of these beauties paired with art works along the theme of ‘safe keeping heritage’  which explores some aspect of WA’s natural,  Aboriginal and/or historic heritage to keep safe for future generations.  Old stuff and conservation – right up my alley/dirt track!

So, this fridge is a cool thing… look it’s been a long time between holidays, I am tired and it’s the best I can come up with!  Anyway, for the benefit of the overseas and young folks the way it works is that water is poured in to the round thing on the top which has a tiny hole in the bottom so the water drips through on to the tray underneath. The little flannels dangling over the sides then soak up the water from the tray and transfer it to the hessian on the sides.  The wind blows and cool air is circulated through the unit enabling jellies to be set and butter to be kept.  I think I have remembered that correctly. See, a cool thing, although not much room for your magnets.

PS As seems to have become tradition at this time of year my camera has died, so I am  trying to get to grips with taking photos with my phone.  Please excuse any rubbishness worse than usual. 

PPS To find a better word than rubbishness I have looked in my thesaurus and discovered the word trumpery. So please excuse any trumpery worse than usual.