Desktop fancy: March calendar

Can you believe that it is March already? What have you planned for March? This month is going to be super crazy. Exciting things are happening for my line of products, lots of illustrations to be made, learning to say good bye to my closest friend who is moving overseas and a celebration for a 5th year anniversary for Mat and I. Sometimes I wish we have the ability to slow down time, but I guess it wouldn't be as exciting than.

I hope you will like this desktop calendar I have created for you. All you need to do is to click on the link which corresponds to your desktop size and save it on your computer. Let me know if you have a specific screen size in mind and I will try to accommodate.

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Illustration fancy: Collette Sewing Handbook

Date acquired: Late January 2012

Emotional worth: 4 stars

I have been wanting this book since the day it was released, but was reluctant to buy because of the many dress books gathering dust on my bookcase. But since 2012 is to be a year of making rather than buying, I thought this little book will help with the creative process. Poor excuse really.

I am absolutely in love with this book. I love the modern vintage feel of the dress patterns, the easy to follow instructions and for the design/colour nerd in me, the muted pastel colours used throughout.

Being a haphazard dressmaker, not following instructions, and making things up as I go along, this book has taught me how to slow down and plan. So far I have only made the meringue skirt as seen here  but have already picked up quite a few valuable tips which I will treasure with me forever. I doubt I will turn into one of those people who make muslins to make sure everything fit perfectly, but at least I can start taking little steps towards the path of a tidy and well organised sewer.

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Illustration fancies: Camper booties

Date acquired: 02 February 2012
Emotional worth: 4 stars

Do you have a brand of shoes which you keep going back to because they are just so damn nice and comfortable? My favourite is Camper shoes, I'm not a big fan of their casual style, but every season they seem to bring out one or two designs that are filled to the brim with old school charms.

This is my latest addition, they are made from the darkest of suede with nautical inspired heels. It passed my comfort test with flying colours. I did a little dance in the shop to test out their comfort. Yes, you heard right, the only way I can tell whether I will take a pair of shoes home is by doing a little dance in the shop, sound silly, but how else will you know whether it will last a night of merry making?
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Illustration fancy: wicker basket bag

Date acquired: 05 Feb 2012

Emotional worth: 3.5 stars

Apart from clothes, I am pretty picky in terms of what I buy. Rather than going for "that will do" and replacing it at a later date, I would wait and wait until I find something that is just right. Sometimes this search for perfection would take years, it took over a year for Mat and I to find the perfect couch, 2 years for me to find the right watch and 10 years to find the perfect doctor-esque bag. It sounds excessive, but I firmly believe the hunt is usually a lot more fun than constant gathering.

I've mentioned we went to  Middle Head  last weekend, but what I didn't tell you is I found my perfect wicker bag in this little cafe/shop called  Burnt Orange . I have been searching for the right wicker bag for years, but they were always either too big, too floppy or just too gimicky. I wanted something not too small and not too big, something lightweight but sturdy, with distressed ashy colour, not the pine looking stuff you see in two dollar shop and chunky weave with a hint of that lovely wicker smell. I told you I'm picky!

Well, as you can see, I've finally found my perfect wicker bag, and I LOVE IT! Have been using it every day since, I am in love with the hint of wicker smell which reminds me of the beach, and on top of everything else I've mentioned earlier, its lovely raw heather handle and the candy stripe lining. I'm tempted to go back and get the other one with blue lining just in case I can't find another one just like it in 10 years time.

What do you do? Are you as obsessive as me in terms of finding the perfect item on your list? I'd love to find out what you do.

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Desktop fancy - February calendar

One thing I've mentioned in  13 by twenty thirteen  is to give back to the community. So in response to spreading some love, I've created a desktop calendar for all you lovelies. I hope you'll like it, I'll be making a new one each month, so be sure to come back for more. 

All you have to do is to click on the link which corresponds to your desktop size and save it on your computer. I tried to accommodate everyone with different screen sizes, but if I have missed you, let me know and I will do my best to accommodate.

UPDATE: I have saved the wallpapers to Media Fire as the other photo sites automatically shrink down the image when you download. Once you have click on the screen dimension, it will take you to the Media Fire site, all you have to do is click on the green download button. It won't ask you to sign up to anything and it's very safe.

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Illustration fancy: fan

Date acquired: around 2010

Emotional worth: -5 stars

Who thinks fans are ugly? Since I've been working from home, I have developed a love-hate relationship with Mr fan here. Although he does keep me sane and productive during the really hot days, the rest of the time he just sits in a corner wasting space and gathering dust. Surely there are better looking fans out there, but I just can't bring myself to spend a lot of money on something which you will only use a few times a year. I guess I just have to accept this eyesore and learn to love him for what he is.

Aerogard

Date acquired: Summer 2011
Emotional worth: 5 stars

This is no exaggeration, mosquitoes loves me, they love me so much they will make strategic plans just so that they can suck on my sweet sweet blood. I told Mat once and he thought I was crazy until the night he saw an army of mosquitoes attacking me while him and his family looked on not even getting a tiny sting. They were horrified and could not believe their eyes, I honestly don't think any of them saw me the same way ever since.

Oh Aerogard, what will I ever do without you? You save me from armies of blood thirsty mosquitoes just so I can go for long bush walks, watch outdoor movies, have picnics with loved ones and sleep tight like a baby at night.

On a side note, this is my 100th post. This blog has evolved quite a lot since it started, from an illustration only blog to crafty projects, cooking adventures and just general random ramblings. People say you should only really focus on one topic and stick with it, but I would not do it any other way. Happy 100th post my little bloggy friend.