I love it when little kids get their words mixed up.
Mr A: Mummy. What are you doing?
Me: Painting. Aren't you meant to be having a rest in your room?
Mr A: I feel too sick to lie down. Mummy?
Me: Yes.
Mr A: Can I paint a baba ganoush doll too?
Here are some I have just been admiring in a new book I purchased.
I'm exploring this wonderful book Contemporary Whitework. I spied it at my local library and it is full of the most amazing embroidery that showcases a variety of stitch techniques and contemporary styles. The bottom left image is something I am working on but I cannot reveal anymore until finished.
My car looks like a mini cyclone has been through it. I am so sick of the mess. Every time I go somewhere I look at the floors and the seats and there is always something on them. Thank goodness I don't take friends in my car very often. I tell myself each trip that I will clean it up. But when I come home all I want to do is get the kids inside and my arms are usually full anyway. Even if I did clean it up, keeping it clean is my problem. So like any 21st century mother I create/buy something to store the mess in...hence the car bag for the back of the front seats.
My kids love Beetle cars. Every time we see one on the road we yell out 'Spotto'. Did anyone else play that game as child? Items that will hopefully live in it are, hats, suncream, pencils, drawing pads, sunglasses, drink bottles, snacks and books. I'm not sure about the books however. I think I might have to redesign the next one because the pockets aren't big enough for the weight of the books. Regardless of the design, I'm sure I'll find the odd sock, teddy, leaf, sand, shell, plastic packaging, orange peel, apple core...........
Hubby has swapped cars with me, so I'll have to wait to test it out tomorrow.
i bought 2 mags from YesAsia recently. When looking for interesting Japanese Crafting books I get overwhelmed by the websites. I've tried a few, but YesAsia works for me. I can spend ages looking and still not be any clearer as to what it is I am buying. I know that Crafting Japanese has some great links to other sites giving some details on various mags. Anyway, I received them both yesterday and one of the mags I bought just doesn't do it for me. Oh well, you win some and you lose some. That is the risk you take when ordering somthing on line.
It is called Embroidery Patchwork Quilt. ISBN4-89396-918-8. There are over a dozen patchwork bag designs, appliqued blocks, stitching and needlework techniques,a few quilts and a few other household items such as coasters and tea cozies.
So, there is no point in me keeping it. Do you want to buy it? It is in perfect condition I haven't even bent the spine. I bought it for US $18.25. AUD $23.10. I'll ship anywhere for free.
If you are interested, then contact me via my email. Or maybe we could do some other kind of crafty deal?
I have been reading this book on and off for some time. Months ago I posted a WIP of a quilt that I wanted to start for my mother in law's 60th birthday. Her birthday is the day after Christmas so I really need to get cracking if I want to give it to her. I love several of the quilts from this book, but I decided to stick to Sally B Davis' Co-ordinated Chaos quilt.
The bottom image shows how it is coming along. I have chosen fabric to suit her decor..not really my cup of tea....but I think it will pull together quite well.
Thought I would share a tutorial about how to create a block or relief print. There are many different printmaking processes. Lino or wood block printing falls under the catergory of relief. Basically anything carved away from below the surface of the block won't print. My days of being a printmaking student at university are far behind me. This is my very first attempt to print without a press. And it is easy.
1. first you need all the equipment. I have chosen speedball products. Waterbased inks are ideal for home use (although I miss the smell of oil based inks).
2. start by cutting your image. Draw or transfer an image directly onto the block. Carve away what you don't want to see. Make sure you clean away any residue before printing or you will end up with furry bits.
3. basic registration makes life easier. On a piece of paper, draw the size of the paper you are going to print on. Then place the block in the centre or where ever suits and draw around this with a pencil. This will give you a position for the block and an outline to see where you place the paper for each print you make.
4. On the glass (which is wider than the width of the brayer), squeeze out a small amout of ink across the top of the glass and also slightly wider than the brayer.
5. roll out the ink, making sure that you get an even coverage across your brayers surface. as you are rolling down, lift the brayer up and let it spin and then place it down again...this avoids one side of the brayer being covered in more ink than another.
6. ink your block. Knowing how much to have on sometimes takes pracitce. You'll know when you pull your first print.
7. Place your block onto the registration sheet. Avoid any dirty fingers at this stage.
8. Place your already prepared printing paper over the block and align it to the registration marks.
9. with the back of a kitchen spoon, carefully and evenly apply enough pressure to the paper and rub across the back until the print has been made.
10. Pull it back...that is it. Simple.
Below shows my work space and some recent hearts I have printed. I picked up this book, Papua New Guinea Prints at the National Art Gallery in Canberra, I find the line work so inspiring.
I'm a little busy doing some 'real work' at them moment. I'm designing a logo, some freelance illustration and of course some more ABCmes. I went to a new cafe yesterday with two friends. It is called Breathing Space Cafe, check it out here. A group of mums have started this up specifically for families to have somewhere nice to go AND have a break, with/from their children. I have to say there really isn't much around here like this. I was impressed by everything...
the food: I ate a pumpkin fruit cake with some tea. Delicious. My friend B had some corn fritters with smoked salmon and it looked soooo good. You can order lunch for children for $5 that includes a sandwich, a tub of yoghurt, milk or juice, a cheese stick and a little box of sultanas. My friends 2 year old was so excited. he even started waving his hands around and jumping up and down on his seat. I mean give him that at home and its like....BORING!
the service: we felt like we were the only ones there and given that it is school hols here, it was very busy. "is your table big enough?" "just let us know if you need anything." "You're not too hot in here are you?" Truly lovely and friendly staff.
The children can go into a side area and back yard where there are more qualified child care workers to take care of them. There they can play, make things, run around, dress up......etc etc. There are balloons just hanging about..help yourself. They even have extra nappies and wipes if you don't have any. I mean how good is that? It only costs $5 for 1/2 an hour and if your child is out there and decides not to stay, then you don't have to pay.
I just really hope that they are successful, because these group of ladies are honestly so nice with such a great, useful and for my side of Brisbane, unique idea. I'm going back for breakfast on Saturday with my non-mummy friends. They even have given me a space to hang some of my work. Great exposure.
So if you are ever here in Brisbane with children, it is well worth the visit.
I don't have much to show, so here is a Felting mag with some pouches and handbags. If you are a felter, it is a great resource to get your hands on.
Some last minute work going out the door. This one is heading all the way to WA.
Some inspiration to share. I'm loving this magazine, it is full of wonderful ideas.
