Gypsy is Home!

Oh, my lovely Gypsy is home!

She is a travelling art journal from the sixth round of the Australian Art Journal Swap and has just travelled around Australia, now she is home and full of stories to share, the horses are unhitched and free to roam, so find a space by the fire, pour yourself a glass and enjoy her return with me.

Once we open up the wagon we are greeted by my gypsy woman page, she is waiting at her crystal ball and ready to tell your future. She shared her message with all on her way.

Her message is bound in red thread and tucked in behind her crystal ball when folded open and removed it reveals the stairs to enter.

There are mysterious old maps on the inside covers no doubt showing the secret gypsy pathways for her to get where ever she needed to go, they must be good maps too because she has made the full circuit and returned home.

 

First stop was in Cairns with Janie, oh the things they got up to!

Barefoot dancing in peacock feather skirts, poetry, palmistry and more feathers!

Then she took the long road over to Western Australia, I just know we will hear many more stories about Darwin and the far north of WA but that will be at another campfire.  Once she got to Perth and caught up with Deb they got serious about the palmistry and they had a bright and beautiful time. 

She hitched up the wagon and headed back east to visit Jenny and all of her adorable kitties. Jenny had a paddock full of the most amazing sunflowers and the sunsets were amazing.

The wagon looked so good nestled in that field and I believe a lot of creative fun was had with Jenny and they wore fabulous fun and funky hats. 

Next camp was at Lisa's in Melbourne, the horses were not impressed by the trams in the city apparently, however, they got out the beautiful Tarot cards Lisa created and I hear some coins crossed their palms in the Burke St Mall. 

There were many wonderful camps in Victoria however the call of catching up with Colleen in  Yacka, SA,  her gorgeous camp was just what was needed after the big smoke and the horses were much happier by  the beautiful bubbling brook 

Colleen pulled out a fabulous old map and shared some definite possibilities, this Gypsy girl has itchy feet and is always looking for the next adventure. 

Robyn put out a call for a gathering happening that our gypsy just had to get to, it was so good to catch up with everyone and the music around the campfire every night was fabulous. 

Robyn even made a beautiful tambourine, and the gorgeous silk ribbons were scented 

Our gypsy girl was really keen to catch up with fellow gypsy and super talented painter of gorgeousness Annabelle, 

Annabelle has a bit of a reputation for her beautiful faces and despite a heavy travel schedule supporting family on opposite sides of this vast land they really enjoyed catching up and Annabelle even beautifully captured one of the horses. 

Catching up with dear Rozzie was next who had so many stories to share of all the gypsies all over the world, and she not only put her heart and soul into her pages, she used gorgeous fabrics, beads and coins from her clothes.

It was really beautiful camped at the foot of the Blue Mountains, the stars at night were so clear and the air so fresh, especially in the mornings. 

Next camp was a home camp <3
Camping with Mama,
looking out on Mt Arthur every morning and the amazing skies.

 

Family is important to gypsies, as are friends,
human connection makes life so richer and I am very blessed to have this evolving group of wonderful creatives to share this journey with year after year. 

Next camp was at Sharon's,
she was putting on a show and it was going to be spectacular!

The set was so lush and it was a fabulous evening
the highlight of the show has to be the snake charmer!

Thank you so much to all of the beautiful creative gypsy women who hosted my journal on her journey and worked so beautifully in her. I treasure it. She is a little worn but how could a handmade wagon cover all of those miles without showing signs of all the love and work she gathered.

A little bonus is the charms added on the way - thank you again.