Desktop fancy: May calendar

Another month has sneak up on us. What have you got planned for May? This month, I am determine to finish my Colette Pastille dress. It is the most difficult dress I've worked with and I have been hearing lots of horror stories regarding the fit. Hopefully, all will go well and something decent will come out of it. Apart from that, I am also working on a new crochet project, contemplating a short weekend day trip and hopefully sort out all our US happy snaps. Geez, lots to do! Hope you enjoy this May calendar. Don't you just love lovebirds?


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Desktop fancy: April calendar

Can you believe my last post was in January? Oh, how I have neglected this blog... Many things has happened since. Highlights included an amazing trip to the US as well as being interviewed by the lovely Ciao magazine in their Art Month issue. I do promise I will make a more regular appearance from now on. In the meantime, please enjoy this April desktop calendar. You know the drill, right click and hit download.

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Fancy adventure: Watercolour class {week six}

On Saturday, our watercolour teacher bought some fresh flowers from her garden and we were given the task of painting the flowers freehand. Meaning no pencil marks on paper, just paint as you please. Must admit, I was a bit nervous in the beginning, worrying about the proportion and placement. However, once you have battle away the fear, it was rather enjoyable. Painting this way forces you to really focus on the subject matter and although still unfinished, this painting is by far the best I've done in the six weeks. Am already planning on doing more free hand painting practice during the Christmas period. Here is a close up of what I've done so far.

Fancy adventure: Sculpture by the Sea

Went to Sculpture by the Sea on Sunday. Wasn't too impressed with the artwork this year, in my opinion, majority of them looked a bit dull, as though they were designed to be purely sold to corporate offices. I was more interested in taking pictures of the giant fluffy cloud over the horizon.

Nonetheless, there were a few pieces which I thought were quite interesting. Did you get a chance to visit Sculpture by the Sea this year? If so, how did you find it? Which one was your favourite?

Fancy announcement: Food Fight: The Snack Attack Edition

What are you doing this Sunday? If you have nothing planned, why don't you come along to Sweets Workshop for the launch of their Food Fight (which I'm super lucky to be part of) exhibition? On top of that, the Summer Hill Food Festival is also happening on the same day, meaning it is the perfect excuse to grab yourself some gourmet goodness while appreciating some food related art.

Oh, and if you are feeling extra generous, why don't you buy yourself or someone special a print by me. It is super limited. And I'm sure will be a perfect addition to anyone's kitchen. ;)

Food Fight Exhibition

Sunday 7th October - All Day

Sweets Workshop

Shop 4, 58-60 Carlton Crescent, Summer Hill

Fancy announcement: Melbourne Curvy launch

If you are in Melbourne, do come to the Curvy launch at Frankie and Swiss this evening. For what I've heard it is going to be a blast! This exhibition will feature works from a selection of artists in this year's book as well as a special collection by the super talented Miss Van. A range of works from 25 artists (which I'm lucky to be part of) will be available for purchase exclusively at this one night only event.

Here is a sneak preview of what I'll be showing tonight, I do hope you can make it. x

Curvy Melbourne launch @ Frankie & Swiss

12 September 2012, 6:00 - 9:00pm

Studio 8, 199 Toorak Road

(Corner of Claremont Street) South Yarra

Fancy outing: Biennale of Sydney - Cockatoo Island

These are some of the pictures I took while at Cockatoo Island for the Biennale of Sydney. I was really inspired by all the different textures and forgotten objects scattered around the island. I can't help but ponder what the island was like back in its heydays. 

In case you are wondering, I purposefully did not post pictures of the artwork here as I think my lack of photography skills will not do them justice. For those of you who have not yet been to the Biennale, I urge you to go as soon as you can. I promise you it will not disappoint, I for one left the island with bewilderment and joy, and most importantly lots of lovely ideas to ponder about for the next couple of days.

Desktop fancy: August calendar

Another month another lovely calendar for you to adorn your desktop. What have you got planned this August? At the moment, I am dreaming of a succulent wonderland, developing a close to sickening obsession with polka dots and hoping to develop some better time management skills. I am also planning to get back to regular posting, so stay tuned for more random musings from yours truly.

In the meantime, I do hope you'll like this little calendar.
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Desktop fancy: May calendar

I can't believe it is another month already. Where did the time go? What have you got planned for May? This month I am dreaming of a great escape. I will be reading more, going to more pilates and yoga classes and catching up on all the forgotten projects I have set myself to achieve. May will also be a month of celebration, I will be exhibiting my tea towels at the Curvy book launch, meeting lots of amazing artists and planning a mini birthday celebration for this little blog. Fun times!

To download this desktop calendar, just click on the link which corresponds to your desktop dimension. I do hope you'll like it.

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Fancy outing: Down the rabbit hole

Sunday was spent visiting the  White Rabbit Gallery  which I happily declare as one of my favourite galleries of all time. If you haven't been, you better make a dash for it. Not only does it host one of the world's largest and most significant collections of contemporary Chinese art, it also has a tea garden where you can sample teas and dumplings to your heart's contempt. The building itself is pretty amazing too, light floods in from all direction, creating the perfect setting for art appreciation and photo taking.

Illustration fancy: Japanese Maneki Neko tea towel

For the past couple of days I have been working on this tea towel design, I wasn't too happy with the colours and texture in the old design but I persisted thinking that it can be tweaked once finished. Although I was sort of happy with the outcome, it just didn't feel right, the colouring was too controlled, too cartoonish. I went back to the drawing board and came up with this second idea. It is now more muted with less colours and am now very happy with the result.

Just need to work on two more designs and get it printed. I can't wait to show you once it arrives, really excited.

I have posted some pictures of the Oxford St Design Store launch party on my  facebook  page. It was such a fun night and it felt so good to see my tea towels in a shop. There were only two left, so I'm assuming the others were already bought and taken to their brand new home. :)

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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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.

Twelve by 2012 recap

So we are officially well into 2012, did I achieve the 12 goals set for  twelve by 2012 ? 

Well, lets see...

1. Start an imagined travel series 

Not exactly a series, but I have started and the idea is more refine now which I am happy about. See the first of the series  here .

2. Finish my crochet cushion cover  

Yay! I even made a fabric one to accompany my new crochet cushion. See  here .

3. Add more paintings and crafty goodness to my  shop 

A bit of a fail here, but one new item is better than none right?

4. Sell at least one item in my  shop 

Woohoo! Had my first customer on Christmas eve, he bought the tea towel within 30min of me putting it up in the shop!

5. Get back into dressmaking

Sort of, I am in the middle of finishing a dress, will show and tell soon.

6. Make more jam

Nope, no jam making unfortunately. Will need to make some by the end of this month.

7. Bake more

I have made the ugliest but tasty  choc chip cookies , meringue, super moorish poprcorn crunch using this  recipe  and a few ultra delicious veggie quiche. This is quite an achievement for someone who used to bake once a year. 

8. Try making macaroons 

Failed, see  here . Will need to try again very soon.

9. Finish reading all my magazines

No, not really. Only finish reading 2 Frankie magazines, still have a stash to go through.

10. Take a road trip  

We took a trip to  Barrington Tops  for my 31st birthday, visited  Watsons Bay  for the first time and went bush walking around Berry Island Reserve.

11. Do something unexpected for someone

I'm not sure whether I have achieved this goal, hopefully I had put a smile on someone's face this last couple of months.

12. Make at least one new friend

I'm glad to say I have made a couple of really good blog buddies and met a few new friends from Brown Owls. I look forward to developing these friendships this year.

The land of giants

Thanks for everyone's lovely comments on my  Macaroon disaster , I think I will give it at least one more go before I throw in the towel and give up.

Well, apart from my adventure in baking, my weekend was filled with a trip to Bondi's  Sculpture by the Sea . It was a beautiful misty day as evident by the moody picture above. I can't help but notice a trend towards giant reproduction of animals and everyday objects. I wonder what would happen if a giant visit this exhibition.

Yellow Melissa shoes

Yellow Melissa shoes
Date acquired: March 2010
These are one of the most comfortable high heels I own. They are made of plastic and smells like bubble gum. The yellow is so bright that I'm surprise it doesn't glow in the dark. I always know that I'm going too have a good dat whenever I put these on.
Emotional worth: 5 stars

Q-pot teapot necklace

Q-pot teapot necklace
Date acquired: October 2007
This was a present from Mat for my 27th birthday. It is a clever little ceramic teapot. The chain is attached to the lid and when I'm not wearing it I can easily tuck the chain back into the pot. The perfect jewellery and desktop ornament.
Emotional worth: 5 stars