tsk tsk

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.

toasting the week

I'm in design mode. I have four children free days. There is nothing else to say. Here's to a good week.

mother's honesty

remember the monster truck quilt I made under duress? Well it not only impressed my son, but also the team at Homespun Magazine who asked if they could include it in their latest edition. There's also a little blurb about me too. Thanks Homespun. And don't you love a mother's honesty!!!! My mother said 'gee that isn't the most flattering photo of you'. thanks mum. Yes my hair is still wet and it was taken by my then 4 year old!!!!

What do you expect?

Is there ever a good photo of me?

surface love

There has been a lot of textile action happening here of late. Designing. Purchasing. Promoting.

I stumbled across Michelle Engel Bencsko's work via flickr today. She makes the most beautiful fabrics, amongst other things. And what a joy to find out that she has two Etsy stores, Cicada Studio, for homewares and What's Buzzin Cuzzin, where you can buy her fabric.

Now if you are in Melbourne at the beginning of August get yourself down to the Life in Style Boutique Tradeshow and have a look at Sprout designs latest fabric range, (uhum, of which I have been apart of..just a little wee mention). You might even see me, if I can organise a flight and someone to take care of the kids! I so need some mummy-free time and a Melbourne fix.

Now in other news, I have been asked to design some more textiles for Paper and Cloth. That's all I can say for now, all hush hush. But they are keeping me busy!!!

On this Sunday

I sent the kids away with Mr N to get hair cuts and to run a few errands, whilst I spent some time in my studio finishing works and drawing out new ideas. I've been struggling to break free from the 'matryoshka hooded face' for sometime. I'm still drawing these, but I get a bored with them from time to time. This new series, Folk Girls, is the best I've managed to produce so far. Now all I have to do is get my printer fixed and I can start to see if they will make a good print to sell. I also will be updating my shop with some new works, including some collaged shoes, just as soon as I find a shoe box for my son to play with, hang out the washing, clean the kitchen and replay the same home video movie of Miss M when she was a baby to keep her happy for the next 30 minutes.

she sews...and finishes!!

do you ever stop doing something you love because life gets in the way? Stupid question..of course you do.

For me it has been sewing. I've barely sewn all year. Two weeks ago I dragged out the beast and started a floor mat for a not to be named or mentioned baby that will be arriving soon. (Not me by the way! I'm not going back for more when I have seen the light again.) And typically I didn't finish it when I started and both the quilt and sewing machine have been new decor items in my dining/family rooms ever since.

Today I did it. Finished. It was easy. Took me longer to find my walking foot for the machine than it did to sew it together. I machine embroidered the top and back, kept the fabrics simple and both gender suitable. I used a lovely Japanese bone coloured fabric that has the most gorgeous texture throughout. It will blend perfectly with baby drool and regurgitated milk.

I finished the hand sewing whilst watching Miss M clean her kitchen. Hope your weekend was a healthy and happy one.

knights in shining armour

I often get asked to create more art for boys. Having one of each I know that there seems to be more choice for girls when it comes to interiors, furnishings, fashion etc. So often my friends who have sons say how they hate all the skulls/spiderman/machoman/Thomas ugliness that swamps the shops. And I agree.

However, I really struggle with creating imagery for boys. I want to produce something that is simple, clean and different to the rest, but also something that evokes imagination and play. Currently I'm exploring toy soldiers and knights. Not by any means a new idea, but one that I haven't played with before. The release of Prince Caspian has sparked a few ideas in my head so I'm making an effort to satisfy a few requests. It is challenging not to be too illustrative and 'cartoonish.' Girl art for whatever reason just comes more easily!

Any suggestions?

on my desk today

on my desk

commissioned art ready to wrap and send

strategically placed strong morning coffee

my Orla Kiely notebook I use everyday

an Eiffel Tower eraser sent to me by my very dear friend

Japanese embroidery and pattern books to inspire

Etsy mail to send tomorrow

canvas of an Indian girl that has been hanging around waiting for me to decide if it should stay or go

canvas in progress for Geninne

the usual suspects

crafty cards for crafty people

So it is my mundane posts that seem to invoke conversation??!!! thanks for your lovely insight into the habits of your bedmaking. I'll try not to delete so often.

Today it is pure self promotion I'm afraid. New greeting cards are now available in the Etsy shop...or you can just email me directly. I'm still to add some but I have to re-photograph because the photos on some came out blurry. Hopefully in the next 24 hours I will get a chance!

delete delete delete

I'm going to write this post and not delete it. I've been doing that lately. I type away and once it is written feel like that is enough...the typing bit! The getting it out of my head! I feel like there is no point in posting all my thoughts and nonsense of everyday moments. When it comes to home life I don't write or post for anyone but me. Infact I often feel uncomfortable talking about and exposing details of my life for the world to see. Memories, ideas, ironing, rodents..oh that's right I deleted those last two.

Looking back over old posts has prompted me to not be so quick with the delete button. I'd forgotten about many ordinary moments. It is nice to revisit them.

So without any further deleting here is my post for the day....

As a child I never had to make my bed. It was one house hold chore that my mother never cared about. We only did it once a week or so when we had to strip the linen and put on the fresh sheets. But it is so much nicer to sleep in a well made bed don't you think?

I went through a crazed mother phase where I would insist that the kids' beds be made on most days, even if it was done late in the afternoon. Of course it was me who would do all the making, I'm not a slave driver to a 4 and 5 year old.

But then they would jump on them, make a cubby house on them, stack all their toys on them...what is the point? I've decided to follow in my mother's footsteps. I only ask now if their friends are coming around.....or mine! And I know that their friends couldn't care less about the state of their beds. They are more interested in the toys! Mr A has a bit more pride in his room, but Miss M is shockingly messy.
I certainly don't make them everyday. Do you?  I feel like deleting, I feel like deleting. I'm going to stop now.