New Design Release - West Australian Seahorse

Western Australia has always been known for its expansive coastline and marine parks, wildflowers, mineral resources and its rugged natural beauty but did you know that it is also the home of a delicate seahorse - aptly named the West Australian Seahorse. This special little fish is only found in this part of the country from Cape Leeuwin to Shark Bay and during summer in its breeding season inhabitats areas such as the Swan River Estuary and Cockburn Sound.

                                

Once again I marvel at nature with this dainty creature which is not only found in a variety of colours of brown, white, red, orange and purple but has the ability to change colour as a form of camouflage in order to escape predators.  Just how great would that be!  As you can imagine growing to a total length of 25cm (and that would be with its long tail completely unfurled) its protected status is under threat not only from other larger marine life but from development and pollution of its habitat. It lives in sheltered reefs and sponge gardens clinging on to sea sponges and seaweed.

For my design of this sweet fellow I was spoiled for choice on which colours to use to portray him but decided on the purple hues to contrast against the blue water, golden sand and green reeds.  Ten (10) colours throughout have been used with four (4) for the seahorse for shading and highlighting and three (3) to blend the sand.  When worked on 14 count aida the design measures 64 x 82mm (2.5 x 3.2in) and uses 35 x 45 stitches.  

Hope your day goes swimmingly!

Ros

'Small kindnesses, small courtesies, small considerations, habitually practiced in our daily life, give a greater charm to the character than the display of great talents and accomplishments.' - Mary Ann Kelty

Design Release - Blue Surgeonfish

The weather has finally started to cool down with the change of season into Autumn and the mornings and evenings taking on a definite drop in temperature.  I can't tell you how wonderful it is to be able to snuggle and cosy up underneath the doona in the early hours of the morning instead of having to keep the aircon or fan going all night in order to be able to get a decent night's sleep and be fresh for the day. 

But whilst the southern parts of Australia experience autumn and winter considerably more severely than here in tropical Queensland, the northern parts of Australia hardly experience winter at all with their days being absolutely beautiful and balmy.  It's a perfect time of year to visit the Great Barrier Reef and explore its many wonders with no threat of cyclones or severe storms and it's here that you will find the subject of my new design - the rather quirky but delightful Blue Surgeonfish.

Quirky because of its unusually shaped flat body, markings and pointed snout-like nose and delightful because of its intensely exquisite colourings.  You may also recognise this particular fish as the lovable 'Dory' in the popular animated movie 'Finding Nemo' with the frustrating short-attention span and forgetful memory who befriended Nemo's father on his journey to find his son.  Blue surgeonfish (which incidentally goes by a few common names depending on the species) inhabit coral reefs, are found living in pairs or small groups and grow to a length of 30cm (12in) and have the ability to be able to disguise themselves by becoming semi-transparent when faced with danger.  They are also believed to be one of the most common and popular aquarium fish.  

It was a joy to be able to use so many bright colours (8 in all) for this design and to capture the subject in its natural environment of coral.  With the design consisting of mostly full cross stitch, it is quick and easy to complete and ideal for anyone - young or old - who has a particular interest in fish.  

Maybe just having a soft spot for 'Dory' would be justification enough to enjoy stitching this design.

Ros

'A man is happy so long as he chooses to be happy and nothing can stop him.' - Alexander Solzhenitsyn

Design Release - Rainford's Butterflyfish

The release of my latest design coincides with the fact that Summer is upon us and with it the onset of long, hot, steamy days.  Here in Australia, of course, that means visits to our beautiful sandy beaches to soak up the sun and swim in our waters around the coastline and one of the most popular tourist destinations, both locally and internationally, is the famous Great Barrier Reef off the coast of northern Queensland.  It's in this natural environment of clear, coral-rich areas of lagoons and rocky reefs that you will find, amongst a myriad of other beautiful marine creatures, the brightly coloured Rainford's Butterflyfish living on a diet of algae and coral.

In actual fact, the Rainford's Butterflyfish 'home' extends as far south as northern New South Wales and north past Cape York Peninsula.  The size of this pretty little fish is quite small in comparison to some of its 'friends' at sea with it growing to an approximate length of 15cm (6 inches).

In order to be able to capture its overall beauty, a total of eleven colours have been used in the design highlighting the distinctive black strip over the eye, brightly coloured coral and water indicative of its natural environment.

I couldn't imagine anything more enjoyable and relaxing than stumbling across this happy little creature whilst snorkelling in the warm tropical waters of the Great Barrier Reef.

Ros

'Don't undermine your worth by comparing yourself with others.  It is because we are different that each of us is special'.