.girl ferment.

and so are you...

2011-02-01T22:23:00.002+11:00

New blanket cards in the shop.

when in progress

2010-12-20T08:25:00.003+11:00

Also, I was recently inspired by the glowing colours of Howard Arkley's work. (The online images don't do it justice, something to behold in person).

open etsame

2010-12-15T21:14:00.003+11:00

The walls smell like fresh paint.
Gift-tags populating the new shop.

pastel furrowed brow

2010-12-14T22:23:00.001+11:00

make day

2010-11-28T11:16:00.004+11:00

Finished box.
Unfinished box.

One far outweighs the other , but I have a gorgeous rainy Sunday today to change that.

can you see him emerging?

2010-11-21T15:32:00.002+11:00

Hoping to get a couple of furrowed brows finished for the market.

killing me with candy colours

2010-11-20T10:39:00.001+11:00

greyscale

2010-11-16T08:47:00.006+11:00

I am trying to think in shades of grey rather than so much black & white.

handmade market december

2010-11-11T09:49:00.002+11:00

I will be holding a stall at the Canberra Handmade Market on the 4th of December. My new mantra is ' every spare moment I must be making'. I will be sure to post snippets of what I am working on.

elk zine

2010-11-05T13:54:00.003+11:00

Purchased ELK the other day - one of the most impressive zines I have seen in a while.

extended tea break

2010-11-03T13:56:00.004+11:00

Did you miss me like I did you?
I promise to be around more often now.

enough with the baby stuff but....

2010-08-26T23:22:00.001+10:00

Onesie screen-printed by hand and birthday card, all for my favourite 1 year old.

mix cd?

2010-08-05T22:02:00.002+10:00

Never quite as cool as a mix-tape, but trying to reclaim a little of the nostalgic quality.

inspiration for the weekend

2010-07-30T13:11:00.002+10:00

Plus illustrator, animator and designer extraordinaire Kristyna Baczynski.

i had some people to write cards to...

2010-07-27T12:31:00.002+10:00

the keg show

2010-07-13T10:22:00.003+10:00

I had a peek at The Keg Show opening the other week at aMBUSH Gallery. (A space I am now going to keep my eye on). It gave me a colourful and desired dose of not taking things too seriously.

The Beci Orpin and Catherine Campbell kegs, highly recognisable.

the placement of type

2010-07-10T16:09:00.003+10:00

Rub-on typography.
Why have I not played with this before?

A Cock or Two: Fatigue, Cynicism, Existential Pointlessness by typographer and graphic designer Jonathan Barnbrook particularly spoke to me at the Cockatoo Island Sydney Biennale exhibition.

furrowed #3

2010-06-20T18:52:00.004+10:00

he will walk through the wall if he wants to

2010-06-14T18:12:00.006+10:00

Sweet colours from a building by my favourite lead architect.

The train passed a wall in Melbourne today that had the words " f@*k your blog" painted over layers of graffiti that I am sure would otherwise end up on one of our blogs. I like it!

you would think it is winter

2010-06-09T11:13:00.003+10:00

My blanket is getting smaller as fragments of it keep making their way onto cards. (Many wonderful people were born in June).

Mike's envelope project.

Oh and speaking of Melbourne, besides the obvious, are there any suggestions on where I must go whilst there this weekend?

daniel edwards at the market

2010-06-06T19:00:00.003+10:00

Two of the stalls at the Handmade Market stood out to me yesterday. The first was the stall of Daniel Edwards (an amazing textile artist who I had been reading about recently), with his friend. I bought the hexagon brooch above from them, does anyone know if they were selling under a select name or who the lovely female element was? Secondly, was Klei, where I feel in ♥ with the whale on this embossed porcelain pendant.

Check out the Hand Drawing collective.

a travel wallet

2010-06-01T20:56:00.004+10:00

Also, stunning travel photography by the new breed of documentary photographers over on verve photo.

blanket wrapping of the uncommon kind

2010-05-30T14:29:00.004+10:00

A pressie ready to go for a partner in Kawaii crime.

Blanket Magazine.

weekend for making

2010-05-29T08:21:00.000+10:00

Happy Weekend!

characters and colours

2010-05-25T19:00:00.003+10:00

Making their way onto my wall.

Today I am liking, this, this and this by Xavier Ness.

indie art and design

2010-05-18T22:07:00.004+10:00

I am so pleased to begin contributing to indie art & design. I have fancied "indie" since the early days of my discovering the online craft and design community, and am superbly excited to be involved in something that so irresistibly supports Australian independent art and design. Its creators Carolyn and Martin have already established a wonderful resource, with an art and design directory, blog, online magazine and webshop, (plus I know there are more wonderful ideas brewing).

Bookmark it!

(If you have made your way here, from there, welcome).

found and kept

2010-05-16T14:42:00.009+10:00

The finders keepers markets last weekend were a joy. My slight budget allowed for a few treasures to come home with me.

Illustrated postcards and card by my favourite flossy-p
Screen-printed calico bag by Little Gonzales. (How unusual I would like a calico bag with a simple print in bold colours)
Screen-printed tea-towels by Kristen Doran, Puddin'head and Tinker for my ma

Other holders of note were:

blannk (clothing). her styling and branding were also superb
lox + savvy (paper goods you needed sunglasses to look at)
white square (although i felt a few too many people had discovered the laser-cut machine, her designs were cute)
made by white's mum (knitted awesomeness)

and the photo don't look a thing like you

2010-05-15T12:23:00.003+10:00

I am not really a hip-hop girl, (and i use that term in a very broad sense), but I have kudos for a select few musical masterminds that fall into the genre. It has surprised me, that the only 2 hip-hop gigs I have witnessed are among the best live sets I have ever seen. Something about the energy, bravery, audience interaction and the dirty truth.

Last night, 1 of those occasions was Urthboy's set with Jane Tyrrell and DJ Elgusto.

(If anyone wants to know, the first occasion was Spankrock with Amanda blank. Think playing on the back of a trailer in the rain).

Happy hip-hop weekend to you.

attendance by proxy

2010-05-12T22:22:00.002+10:00

Unable to make a birthday bash, I sent some stand-ins through the mail.

happy mothers day

2010-05-09T16:42:00.001+10:00

japanese fabric haul

2010-05-03T19:21:00.003+10:00

I recently went on a Japanese fabric binge.

My latest superflat crush is Chiho Aoshima. I particularly admire her seamless ability to merge her digital techniques with those more traditional ones. If only all train stations looked a little something like this.

trans-tasman

2010-05-02T15:47:00.003+10:00

I am pining for my love. Softening the blows by creating a super care-package, one element above.

rays of fever

2010-05-01T18:48:00.002+10:00

Since early last year, each Fever Ray song I have heard on the radio has gradually engrossed me, and I have finally purchased the album. It is smashing, like neptunian chanting toying with rhythm and sound.

The cover illustrations by Martin Ander are equally impressive.

we ♥ liam fundraising giveaway

2010-04-29T21:06:00.003+10:00

Lynn Russell of Satsuma Press is holding the most super of dooper giveaways in order to raise funds to remodel the household bathroom for her precious son Liam, who suffers from a neuromuscular disorder. The list of goodies and contributor s is spectacular, and I hope that enough money is raised to see Liam get his accommodating bathroom and beyond. Join in!

I have borrowed the photo above, of Liam, from Lynn. Thank you.

Found via.

everyday temptation

2010-04-27T20:14:00.001+10:00

I stole these from my ma, because i want those colours. Justified?

post-consumer

2010-04-25T15:25:00.003+10:00

I have found a new paper and card stock. 100% recycled from post-consumer waste, it is delicious.

Parasol, gorgeous digital magazine.

sewing behind thighs, in a toilet

2010-04-23T19:43:00.003+10:00

Hooray for sewing skills. (But derr!)
Started my day with the bus-stop seat biting holes into the back of my tights, on both my legs. With legs swung onto the toilet lid I had to stitch behind me without seeing. It may not be pretty, but it saved me from a progression of tearing and embarrassment for the rest of the day.

Have a wonderful weekend.

cute + poo (not mutually exclusive)

2010-04-21T21:17:00.005+10:00

A brilliant find in Chinatown a few weeks ago. The label said it, "faeces doll".
Poo can be cute, plus here and here.

The sweetest (and non-poo related) of friends pointed me towards Andrea Kang. Super cute stuff. Watch her animation.

blues and greys

2010-04-20T17:57:00.003+10:00

Loving these colours at the moment.

Happy to discover This Art Is Yours today.

the colours of making paper

2010-04-19T20:19:00.003+10:00

(Thanks to Dan for being an ultra-humble assistant).

because i will be waiting forever if i knit them myself

2010-04-18T17:54:00.004+10:00

Op-shop find. Gloves to replace the precious ones I have been wearing since I was 10 years old.

coffee

2010-04-17T18:36:00.002+10:00

things are getting goaty

2010-04-14T18:09:00.003+10:00

Working on my favourite goat in screenprint form.

Saw many beautiful photographs yet to be taken today. An older lady, aqua jacket, purple skirt, riding her hot crimson bike, hair net and all. Two women, long dark hair, filling their grocery trolleys with flowers from bushes beside the footpath. Ashamedly I had not one camera to capture them.

experiments taking shape

2010-04-13T17:29:00.002+10:00

Cooler weather has called for cooler colours in the making.

I look forward to the opening of this on Friday.

the extraction of wisdom

2010-04-11T13:05:00.004+10:00

Mr Bunnyford here, (created by Mr Fox) is seemingly sharing some of my current tooth angst.

time shift

2010-04-07T14:44:00.000+10:00

Did your clocks change?

to the day

2010-04-03T18:03:00.003+11:00

Amazing day. Burmese feast with my second family, heartening and inspiring conversation with old friends and stewing over ideas for a collaboration with a precise woodworker, (some of the bounty he gave above). Haven't decided what to stain the bangle with yet. Hope you all experience a day like this soon.

This, have you seen it yet? Astoundingly brilliant. Via.

happy easter and all that

2010-04-02T17:57:00.007+11:00

This bunny is confused regarding the delivery of eggs. (Where he comes from, the dropping off of chocolate eggs mean something different).

Song of the day, for its Creamy goodness.

traditional craft

2010-03-31T12:57:00.004+11:00

I was blown away whilst reading the paper today by a project and travelling exhibition called tayenebe: Tasmanian Aboriginal women's fibre work. Made of natural plant materials by a number of Aboriginal women and girls, the creation of the exhibition pieces has served as a means of re-connection with traditional Tasmanian fibre-craft. So minimalist, functional and exceedingly elegant.

blank film and black dog

2010-03-29T23:09:00.002+11:00

Don't you hate it when you forget to photograph something you make before gifting it? Had a new card to show, but has been passed on now. It would have illustrated the spooky coincidence that, like this lady, i have crosses (or t's) and speech bubbles floating around in my head at the moment.

On the darker side of being in one's head I am impressed by the 21 postcards developed as part of the Black Dog Project. ( A communal and ever-growing space dealing with mental challenges, focusing on young people). Please check it out if you have a moment.

handmade market

2010-03-28T16:12:00.005+11:00

Today I moseyed around the handmade marke t for a few hours. There was a huge number of people there, so surely a fantastic day for the makers who were selling. I picked up a few goodies, and some supplies as well. Honestly, it was lovely to be saturated in the handmade, and the quality of work and finishing in most cases was spot-on, however a lot was left to be desired on the originality front. (It was hard to not become the handmade police as a few copy-cats were selling items made obviously from other people's original designs).

Some of the cool kids that impressed me though were:

Schmooks collage style prints and cards
Formosa hand-printed textiles
amanda-rae hand-printed textiles
Electric Firefly Design & Creation lamps made from recycled plastics
Ro-junique's natural yarn
jackson & kerr organic t-shirts

It must be said, I could not resist the above little reel of bakers twine from paperklip, presented in such a cute manner.

bright triangle

2010-03-24T22:33:00.002+11:00

Posted today for a fifth birthday. Book bag and gorgeous 'All In A Day' written by Cynthia Rylant and graced by Nikki McClure's solid and striking paper-cut illustrations.

lessons the cat dragged in

2010-03-17T17:06:00.003+11:00

(You don't want to hear the gifts our cat has been bringing me this past week).

Instead I will tell you that Cat-Rabbit is a girl, and Cat-Rabbit rocks. (The latter I already knew). The fact she is a she just brings more kudos to her wonderful but slightly scary sense of style and talent. This week I purchased one of her Cat with Fedora Hat brooches, (psst she is having a sale on this series of jewellery in her etsy shop right now). I have been wearing it endlessly already, and the tag on the box went straight to my wall, how fantastic is it!

maps of colour

2010-03-15T21:18:00.003+11:00

I saw a bold installation by Kirsten Farrell recently and was blown away. She had created fictional topography with bright coloured plastics, layer upon layer. Definitely an artist I am adding to my ♥ list.

little red lantern

2010-03-14T17:00:00.005+11:00

I found myself a special little wooden letter pendant to wear to a wedding next weekend. (Which letter? It is a secret for now, never sure who is lurking).
It was made by Little Red Lantern, and I wanted to share some of the other lovely items in her shop. Something special is that all the veneers are sourced from species not on the 'World List of Threatened Trees'.

Top: Wooden Initial Necklace (Letter A)
Middle: Wooden Bird Brooch with aqua stitching
Bottom: Wooden Geometric Flowers Earrings (Beech coloured)

Thank you Simone for the use of your images.

oxytocin

2010-03-12T14:40:00.006+11:00

Onesie decorated with the chemical formula of oxytocin hand-embroidered onto natural linen.
The package of goodies to post, I thought that Lara Cameron postcard was fitting.

Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend.

in bloom(ers)

2010-03-11T21:43:00.006+11:00

First set of bloomers completed. Difficult to photograph, but they are incredibly cute! Looking forward to seeing the 1 month old Bump model them.

books for big kids

2010-03-06T20:21:00.002+11:00

Birthday card to be given with this book (hard to not keep the book for myself). Finally cutting into my Camilla Engman ribbon.

finishing the unfinished

2010-03-05T00:24:00.007+11:00

Trying to stop being the one with a stack of unfinished projects. (Like this unfinished set of photographs for my friend's fashion range, years left undone).

the trouble with sci-fi covers

2010-03-02T19:14:00.002+11:00

There are many beautiful geeks in my life and therefore a lot of sci-fi books. I always gape at the dreadful covers the majority of them wear. One exception is Penguin's current group of John Wyndham novels, which all have amazingly illustrated covers by Brian Cronin.

Perhaps I should recruit some wonderful illustrators and start a tasteful sci-fi cover company?

organ donation

2010-03-01T22:48:00.004+11:00

brain, spine, lungs.
Originally uploaded by stephiblu

A few of the blogstars have been spreading the word about Australian Organ Donor Awareness Week and I thought I would do my part too, with help of this gorgeous soft-sculpture by Steph.

If you aren't already registered to donate your organs and tissue when you or your body no longer needs them please think seriously. There is always someone who will cherish you passing them on.

If you aren't an Aussie there is probably a similar register in your own country.

what is with the flowers?

2010-02-27T11:34:00.003+11:00

Not a floral person, but alas, I couldn't resist this upholstery sample as the feature fabric for the pencil pocket on my new diary. I have chosen to look at flowers all year, and have started making baby stuff. Am I becoming everything I don't like about "craft"? Will I be quilting next (urrgh)?

Happy weekend.

mini nickies

2010-02-25T17:48:00.003+11:00

With the influx of babies making their debut in our lives I have purchased Lotta Jansdotter's fantastic book, Simple Sewing For Baby. (I am totally clueless about sizes).
Above are the beginnings of some bloomers, one of the projects in the book.

letting the camera speak too much

2010-02-24T13:08:00.003+11:00

Call me a critic, hypocritical even, but I have begun blog hopping again and in turn have been reminded of a constant question. Why, when armed with a cult-ish camera, (polaroid, diana etc.), are the basics, such as composition and working with light, allowed to be ignored? The romantic qualities of these mediums aren't always enough.

I am trying to remember this whilst playing with my pinhole.

Am I alone in thinking this?

an inspiring location for your washing

2010-02-23T22:38:00.003+11:00

Vitoria, Spain.

bump

2010-02-21T17:15:00.004+11:00

The bump in the family has finally arrived. Onesie and welcome to the world card, a beginning of the myriad things i intend to make for her.

gifts that have been gifted pt. 4

2010-01-30T18:21:00.006+11:00

A growing obsession with wood people led me to a search on etsy for some custom-made mascots as part of a Christmas present for some family farmers. Liz (aka Blessed Lessons) made the top dolls for me, from just a few photographs and descriptions. They look even better in real life and were perfect. The other pictures are also examples of customs she has produced. V. cool!
[Thanks Liz for the photos].

natural waters

2010-01-29T17:01:00.004+11:00

Summer, one of its only saving graces is swimming in natural waters, whether the ocean or places like this.
Jellybean pool, cute name huh!

gifts that have been gifted pt. 3

2010-01-27T16:04:00.004+11:00

Mens belts made from recycled bicycle tyres. Fantastically well made and super stylish.

Top: Hutchie belt 1 by 2kerek in Hungary.
Bottom: Mild Road Tread belt by julienjaborska. (Rebicyclist blog here).

On another note, roasting almonds in honey and homemade banana milkshakes, yum.

gifts that have been gifted pt. 2

2010-01-24T19:00:00.009+11:00

Letterpress calender by seesaw designs.
Their blog is also a pot of visual stimulation.

gifts that have been gifted pt. 1

2010-01-24T19:00:00.006+11:00

Sharing some of the gifts we gave this past Christmas. With no time or space to make my own this year I had to rely on other people's wonderful handmade.

Baby Chick Shoes by Lotta Jansdotter, so adorable for our favourite foetus.

craft hope for haiti

2010-01-18T22:38:00.004+11:00

Supporting Doctors Without Borders, donate an item or purchase one from the dedicated etsy shop.

jet

2010-01-18T22:17:00.001+11:00

Have I introduced you?

pin hole

2010-01-15T16:49:00.003+11:00

A happy new year to you.

This, one of my Christmas presents. The "make-your-own but spiffy looking with working sprockets" pin-hole camera. Intrigued to see the resultant film, heading to the mountains tomorrow and hope to pinhole away some more there.

pretty spats

2009-12-06T09:49:00.003+11:00

Chrissy shopping on etsy I cam across these pretty "spats" by La Jolie Femme De Marron. All up-cycled, there is myriad designs in her shop. So special. Thanks to Natalee for the photos, she also has a blog here.

melding again

2009-12-06T08:58:00.003+11:00

Here I am again. Melding back into reality.
Chuffed to be at the blog once again, so please come back and read.

madrid 3

2009-10-10T00:27:00.000+11:00

a bear and a strawberry tree

2009-10-07T05:12:00.003+11:00

Madrid. Is there a city with a cuter coat of arms? A sable bear eating strawberries on a strawberry tree.

from the banks of the rhine

2009-09-30T21:19:00.003+10:00

painted lantern

2009-09-29T03:33:00.002+10:00

I was inspired by these light fittings in one of the lovely rooms we are staying. It is a nice spin on the white paper lantern that will probably always dangle from my light globes. I thought home-painted versions would be a fun thing for children's rooms.

lolly legs

2009-09-27T03:44:00.003+10:00

A creature who's parts get stuffed in my backpack and carried around as I create them on our travels. Thinking candy colours teamed with white are yummy at the moment.

I normally don't like the constant glorification of fashion in the blogoshphere, but today I must be hypocritical and point you towards sesame magazine. The again candy colours in the sirens and rainbow bright photo shoot are taking my fancy. Also watch the sweet celine and lou lou, by talented and creative animator Isobel Knowles.

hush and focus

2009-09-20T17:27:00.002+10:00

Sorry for the abscences, we have been rambling through foreign vineyards and I will post when time suits, I hope you still read then.

ny 3.4 - tiles

2009-09-16T04:20:00.001+10:00

Tiles in the footpath and subway station, southern Brooklyn.

ny 3.3

2009-08-30T00:26:00.008+10:00

Cute space invader mosaic - East village

A Fafi spotted in alphabet city at the Lower East Side Girls Club Bake Shop. (A great organisation, please check out their website).

Guerrilla knitting installation on 9th street fence - East Village. (We also spotted some street pole mosaics, perhaps from a time of "mosaic bombing")?

ny 3.2 - bold walls

2009-08-29T02:31:00.004+10:00

Metropolitan Lumber & Hardware - Soho
Coney Island
Soho
Schoolyard - Upper East Side

ny 3.1

2009-08-26T01:32:00.004+10:00

Cute burger man, Coney Island.
Truck that has been coloured, Wall Street.
Head of ventriloquist dummy, antique shop Chelsea.

making cards in transit

2009-08-16T01:38:00.003+10:00

Armed with a travel sewing kit and some graph paper. Wedding card for friends.

first ny 3

2009-08-10T22:33:00.003+10:00

View from our window and the Times.

sight for tired travellers

2009-08-10T22:27:00.005+10:00

The wonderful apartment we get to call home for the next few weeks.

billy boy and mia

2009-07-31T10:24:00.002+10:00

My everyday bag finally hit the deck, and as I cannot find time to make one at the moment I went on a fun handmade bag search. Nothing came from the local markets so trusty esty it was and I found the bag above from talented seller billy boy & mia. I just adore the bag, down to the way it was packaged in a drawstring and the bonus keyring that came with. billy boy & mia makes items from vintage and salvaged fabrics, i look at the store and think "she makes what i would make". She has a lovely blog and can also be found on madeit.

who knows new york?

2009-07-25T11:27:00.002+10:00

Soon I shall be visiting New York and thought to ask of any special crafty or art must-sees/dos? (Especially the secret ones).

of glass

2009-07-21T08:37:00.003+10:00

I saw Ruth Allen's 4D2 exhibition at the Canberra Glassworks on the weekend. I was rather impressed by her pieces from the Synergetic Series. Quite inspiring.

Also impressive was jewellery by Lisa Cahill in the shop . On exploring her website I see she makes amazing glass panels and plates too.

digital bubbles

2009-07-17T21:32:00.006+10:00

A mock-up of the sparkling wine label that I created for our friend's wedding.
I will be interested in seeing how the labels come back from the printers.
I must say that I found it restrictive and difficult with this to try and incorporate handmade into something that ultimately and largely had to be done in the digital realm. For me, taking the digital into handmade is a motivating and dynamic process, but i struggled with the opposite. Need to work on it.

happy weekend

2009-07-17T21:22:00.002+10:00

stitching up the nga

2009-07-17T20:52:00.010+10:00

The result of the Stitching up the NGA community project.
Can you see my length?

Also on knitted works, see Housecosy by Bronwen Sandland in this city, 2002.

stitched up...quickly

2009-07-12T11:51:00.008+10:00

My garish knitted length for the Stitching up the NGA installation.
As I only found out about it 2 days before the contributions were due, I pulled out my fattest needles, some awful yarn and knit 1.4 metres with haste.

soft sculpture

2009-07-08T18:59:00.006+10:00

The soft sculpture exhibition at the NGA was pretty tantalising.
Some of the stand out artists/pieces:

Ernesto Neto, more incredible works here
Hans Bellmer
Claes Oldenburg
Eva Hesse
Hilary Archer
Colin Lanceley
Annette Messager
Peter Vandermark
Angela de la Cruz
Nell

yarn-bombing

2009-07-06T21:39:00.002+10:00

In a case of good-timing I happened to be hanging around the National Gallery whilst Magda of Knitta Please is visiting the gallery, sharing some of her "guerrilla" knitting.
She gave an intriguing artist talk about the convergence of her knitting with street art and the impact she wants it to have in urban environments. Today she was completing her knit-tagging installation.

In haste, I have contributed a knitted piece for Magda, Denise Litchfield and Indigenous artists to use during this week as part of a community project to transform the entrance with knitting.

closing of boxes

2009-07-04T19:57:00.004+10:00

The last of the moving has been completed, thankfully.
The blog shall now be tended to.

at least some of the boxes are colourful

2009-06-26T09:33:00.003+10:00

yep, still packing.