tsk tsk

this week

lots of school related time this week for me, but when I can I'm trying to sew the top of my scrap quilt together, and eat this rhubarb and apple crumble.  I don't often bake, but I swear this is so good. Infact i've never cooked with rhubarb before. I followed Maggie Beer's recipe from her book, which is a little different to what I found on the web. They left out the cooking in orange juice steps on the internet. I added apple and a dribble of triple sec to mine, because i had them.

Apart from that, I'm working on some new card designs, finishing off some commissioned works and reading this hilariously funny book to the kids. Traction Man is Here by Mini Grey. if you have boys or adventurous girls, they will love it. Thanks sis!

curiouser and curiouser

Miss M went to a birthday party yesterday and she wanted a ribbon in her hair. After carefully explaining to me how it was to sit on her head, I said "Oh you want it just like Alice." "NO" she said "Just like Sophie wears it at school sometimes".

So then I started telling her all about Alice in Wonderland and I even pulled out my books to show her some pictures. One of these books called, The Art of Alice by Stephanie Lovett Stoffel shows so many variations of Alice and all the other characters from the book.

This got me thinking about my own interpretation of Alice. Does she have long hair? Short hair? Blond hair? Curly hair? I bet most of you would say she has long, straight, blond, hair and wears a blue dress and white apron. Is that just Disney's vision or is it written?
I started reading to the kids last night, but we are still stuck in the rabbit hole and I can't remember if she is described in the book or not. What do you think she looks like?

I started sketching her last night whilst watching the TV. I really need to do this more often. Sketch that is. I don't watch much TV at all. Perhaps something will come of these. Prints maybe?

Should I modernise her a little? Which face do you like?

8 days a week

do you have artwork in your laundry? I do. but I'm a little tired of it. I try to spend as little time as possible in the laundry, but it just so happens to be the brightest and often warmest place in winter. Maybe if there was more in the laundry to entice me to stay.  A masseur perhaps!

Well, lately I've been feeling very domestic and have been working on some early spring cleaning. (mostly I'm buying new stuff to clutter my house and I'm moving furniture again)
So I decided that my laundry needed something new and fresh on the walls. Hence this new print. Or should I say, prints. I can't decide which colourway I prefer.
The print is called '8 days a week' and it will be available in my shop within the next few days. It is an A3 limited giclee print in either blues or earthy tones.

And my sale will be finishing sometime Friday night, (Australian EST) so get in quick if you are still thinking about it. Thank you to all who have bought something. You certainly have kept me on my toes and in my local post office. :)

organised collections

today has been a day where nothing seems to happen. I have started many projects and tried my hardest to paint, sew, sketch and even photograph ideas in my head. I feel like I am staring at a blank wall.
I'm thinking of making a new cushion...apparently kransky wants to help too.

I'll keep pondering. One place I do like to go and look for inspiration is in the organised collection group on flickr...so many great objects to see.

new dolls for the shop

I have just added some new items into the shop. Two new matryoshka softies and a new giclee limited edition print.

weekend delights

enjoying the smells and tastes of a good weekend.
I bought some new tea, a fresh bunch of jonquils and  rosemary for cooking. And hidden at the very top of the fridge out of sight from little eyes, is a pack of orange flavoured m & m's. Because orange and chocolate are my favourite sweet duo.

SALE

I'm having a sale in both the Etsy and Bigcartel shops. Limited edition A4 prints reduced to $20 AUD. Also if you purchase any full priced item I will send you 3 greeting cards for FREE.

If you aren't on my mailing list and would like to be please email me via my website.

The house is mine, ALL MINE!

The first couple of days after the kids go back to school are just the best. The house is mine, ALL MINE!

The only noises are that of the cars, the birds, neighbourhood dogs barking, and the little tippy tappy sounds of Kransky walking across the floor boards to find a new resting place.
I have some reading to catch up on and plenty of artwork to complete.

through the midnight air

It has taken me an embarrassingly long time to complete this canvas. Commissioned by a Brisbane lady, it will fly away to her home this week.

"Fly away through the midnight air
As we head across the sea,
And at last we will be free."

Paul McCartney

jigetty jig

we didn't buy any pigs or fat hogs...but we did buy some ice-cream, a cool pencil and an adjustable flower ring, and lunch. Oh and I just remembered a lovely hairpin from this shop. It will help get me by for another week of hair misery until I get the hairdressers.

But the main reason for trotting along to the Boutique markets was to sell some of my work with Udessi. Lack of time and plenty of slackness meant that I was preparing my prints and cards at the last moment. I've always been really reluctant to do the market thing. Mostly it is the preparation time needed, and I just have trouble finding those extra hours in the day. Also, I'm a little scared that I won't have enough works to sell...OR I won't sell anything.

I'm sure that Kim from Udessi and Renee who was there helping out today had a super positive day for everyone who sells under the Udessi umbrella.Thank you Kim for all the hard work.

It has been a super sunny Sunday. And before we came home again, home again, we took the kids for a bike ride and I watched Mr A master his tiny wee bike without training wheels around the loop, over and over and over again.