tsk tsk

meet frankie

one little project that I've been wanting to finish for ages is this little bird. Meet Frankie. He lives outside so I made him a scarf for the fresh winter nights. I've admired some other bird softies for quite sometime, so couldn't resist giving it a go too!

new week::new discoveries

i'm a day late for my second new week::new discoveries entry. I wanted to blog about something else but haven't had a chance to photograph/scan the images...maybe next week.

So, if you love textiles and surface design, this is a must visit. grab a tissue to mop up your drool.

ID textile is a french blog that offers a beautiful range of textile samples and trends. My French is poor, but I have spent some time just looking and gathering new designers' names that inspire me to create.

rice pudding for breakfast?

i've been so spoiled these school holidays. spoilt? spoiled?

And so have the kids.
My two little poppets have been having a wonderful holiday with both sets of grandparents. Visiting castles, making cakes, watching African children's theatre, eating rice pudding for breakfast (don't ask...I didn't) and having dessert every night!!! They'll both get a rude shock getting back to a normal life here tomorrow.

I've been enjoying so much peace, empty dishwashers, less laundry, time to work without interruptions, being able to walk the dog at a fast pace, eating Japanese mid week without the hassle of getting a babysitter, talking to Mr N and finishing a sentence. AND the mornings....being able to sleep in until 8.30am!!!

Don't get me wrong, I have missed them, and I can't wait to give them big squeezes.

dreaming eskimos

my son has been asking about Eskimos lately and last night I had a dream about some. They weren't real, but rather little, animated characters fishing in their boats.

So today I illustrated my dream for him. Maybe one day I might even have it printed onto fabric.

new week::new discoveries

I often sit down on a Sunday, click away on my little computer and add a few new URLs to my Bookmarks. So I thought I would share.
I've been a little focused on fashion and textiles recently and one of my favourite finds was through Bloesem's website where I discovered Mina Perhonen's design work.I just love the simplicity of these skirts.

Another link is from The Girl Effect. You must watch this. Once upon a lifetime a go I taught graphics and 2D animation and this took me back to the wonderful and powerful things you can do with typography. It is so well done.

So maybe I might make Sunday night a new discovery night and try to post a little of what is inspiring me. Join in if you would like.

dutch courage

Bianca from Hollabee tagged me tonight with a very challenging Dutch meme. I don't think she even knew what it was about, which kind of intrigued me and made me want to know more.

So I've taken the challenge.

And as it turns out, I do have a connection with The Netherlands. A town with my name! My mother didn't intend this, I don't even know if she is aware of this..anyhow I'm rambling again. One day I would like to visit.

Infact I really would like to go back to The Netherlands. On my recent European jaunt, Amsterdam was by far the most enjoyable and friendliest cities I went to.  The most impressionable images were the canals, the bridges, the houses, Oh the houses! The flower markets, the bicyles especially the ones designed to fit 3 kids on...magic. The quaint little bars away from the mainstream, touristy places and the friendly people. Someone told me that Dutch people are meant to be the friendliest in Europe...was that you Bianca?

The one thing that stuck out was the locals' obsession with Argentinean restaurants. They love their beef! Every eat-street had at least one meaty restaurant in it! I only had 2 days there, but I could buy a house there any day of the week, such a livable city.

Now, why do I get the feeling that the person who initiated this meme is working for The Netherland's tourism board?

I'm also going to tag these dutchy blog ladies, Erika and Nicolette.

6 girls in print

Sadly I didn't get my printer fixed. Instead I got a new one. Its heaps better than the old one, but isn't it a shame that we live in a world where the costs of fixing something is almost the same as replacing it?? What do I do with the old one? Anyway, I have broken in the new one with these 6 prints now available in the shop.

Wishing Tree

A little while I ago I commissioned some artwork by Becky Blair who resides in the UK. I have admired and been influenced by her work ever since seeing it in a Real Living magazine some time ago. Anyway, I took the plunge and asked her to paint a canvas. Isn't it lovely? It is titled Wishing Tree and the colours are so warm and rich. The sun (not much today) filters through my verandah doors and draws out the most amazing honey hues.

Mr N has been wanting a new TV for ages, but even he admits that this is way better than any TV.

More photos can be seen here.

I'm also loving natural and organic shapes at the moment. Pears and seeds are timeless favs.