Pip, pip HOORAY!!!

Soooo i managed to pick up a copy of the fabulous 'Meet me at Mikes - 26 crafty projects and things to make' by the amazingly talented Pip Lincolne. It is fantastic, so yes you should get one. Here's why:
Beautifully shot and layed out - makes you go 'ahhhhh' and stroke the page.
Lovely projects you actually will want to make, like Moopy's notebook holder (above) or Fliss Dodd's Udderly lovely cow softie, or Marianne's ephemera mobile, oh! and Suzie's Butterfly Evelyn.. so actually my Easter is looking busy... It's wonderful to see a showcase of talented Aussie crafters.. I'm sure you'll agree!

Alterations

Hello. How are we? Amazing that it can be the end of March.. I love Autumn in the air.. So I'm up to my usual: "where did the weekend go? and "Really need to go to bed - but will just quickly get this in"..
The weekend was lovely and included a trip out with the girls from the 'altered book' club.. (where we all have chosen a book - we alter its pages then pass it to the next person..). This involved meeting for lunch at a cosy Sydney cafe. After much deliberation - my choice was the homemade ricotta ravoli with asparagus, roast tomato and pesto. Yumbo!
The book - shown here (the figure influenced by Yoshimoto Nara) is my third one, as i have been using children's board books. This one is exactly the same as the first one! However, last time i went for a sleep theme. This one is all about choosing a verb. The one above is 'ANNOYED". 'As in: 'Daisy gets... annoyed ... when people talk crap.'

Oh.
Is that what I just did?

Will try and pop back with a short post tomorrow..

Embracing the uncertainty..

So this weekend i managed to spend some time in the shed, door onto the deck open, breeze flowing in, ABC radio in the background... and this is what i came up with "Age of Uncertainty" paintings.
Titled, left to right: 'It confuses my heart', 'The future, something should come', and "Is the answer known?"
They are wee acrylic original paintings on wood. Perfect size for shelves or displaying in nooks and crannies..
When listed on Etsy or Made it - they will make for economic shipping too...

I did 3 sets, here's the others, as yet untitled:

Oh! the suspense...

I bet you've spent all week wondering.. how did the year 5 'Gold Rush' project pan out.. Well after a bit of "ok, so you just need to type out your dictionary meanings," "now label your invention," "have you done your gold licence?' You know, because there was 4 parts to section A and 2 parts to section B. BUT like ducks to water these two just loved the models ( i had to strongly usher them back inside to do the rest).

And yuh, of course we used the whole 6 weeks we were given, really well. (Nuh).
So here's how the models ended up .. Mr R snr just built the base. I showed Mr R jnr a picture of a 'cradle'. He scanned his figures, while Miss R drew hers. I suggested a billy tin + pan to Miss R, who already had the fire and everything else going, being horse mad that was her focus...

Taaaa Daah!




ps: as you may know, my father passed away 5 years ago. About 6 1/2 years ago he sat with my son and showed him how to make his very own Thunderbirds 'Tracy Island' from polystyrene, plaster, scrunched up paper and paint. I think that day made a big impression... reckon he'd be proud of his jiggers (as he called them).

so more: sweetness and light..

Finally! I got to my desk on the weekend for a wee while and completed a new zine: Maurice has a think.
Maurice I've discovered - having got to know him a little better, is quite anxious... about all sorts of things. This zine is him thinking about the future. It's child friendly AND you can colour it in! wow.
It's available now on Made it and Etsy... with BONUS printed card.

hip hip hooray, indeed...

So last weekend, sorry about missing my post. This was the reason: the twin birthday parties. On the upside: that's it for 12 months. The downside: a whirlwind of organisation, activity and ..... noise.
It started about 6 weeks out :'so mama, when can we - you know - like, discuss our - like birthday situation?'
It continued ... progressing with 'so mama - i've like made my decision. This is all i need' he hands over pictures numbered one to five with prices and descriptions.
To one week out: 'So mama, like - have you been shopping? Is it all under control?' followed by 'So like - what time shall we like come into your room? (discusses with sister to set alarm on D.S for 6am so they can 'chat' electronically). Meanwhile Miss R just rolls her eyes, much like myself...
No wonder i was exhausted and overwhelmed before it all started... we had games, model making, singing, more games. It all went well.
So not much time at my desk - but - I guess that is the creative juggling isn't it?
And, sadly, as the kids grow up the games will change..!

It's a small world

So on the weekend i went back for another workshop - only as chauffeur of course - for Miss R and her friend!! Well, who could resist making a miniature tempura prawn udon?? (The coin is meant to show scale here: is an Aussie 5 cent piece like a U.S dime?).. Lulu always makes it look so easy.. but hey, i thought my efforts turned out ok.. best not to think about the 'why?' Although i wonder what reflections my daughter will have on her childhood when she's in her twenties...

walk this way

So every now and then i ask myself: 'why do i blog?' i usually answer with 'to be part of a creative community'. I don't know what motivates others, what drives them, how they find so much to share? Which means sometimes i agonise over what to post - the old: 'do they really want me to share that?' do they care?
Then days go past... maybe even a week or so.. do they wonder what's happened to me? Hhhmmm.

So anyway, I'm fine. Just the usual life issues.. so much time spent at work, but glad to have a job, can't complain. Have been feeling odd, but nothing drastic, can't complain. Often bogged down by domestic chores, but have a family, can't complain. Want to create more, experiment! lucky to fit in small things, can't complain.

So the other day while i walked to work.. i was the nutter taking pictures. I am mesmorised by the endless pacing feet around me every day. It was quite therapeutic, this taking of shots.. which i'm going to use in a zine... so i guess what i mean is even when you feel in a bit of a rut you can do something.. do you agree?

ps: thanks for grass is greener comments, feel free to still contribute..