Cover done...maybe..?

After chopping up all those old envelopes (mostly bills) for their patterned interiors this is what I came up with for the cover of my sketchbook (can't tell I'm a pattern designer/addict can you?)- and while I was at it I chopped into the cover as well, which of course then meant I had to start something on the inside... I'm determined not to be too precious about this sketchbook but to just keep working on it as I am inspired- there are quite a few pages to fill and my interpretation of the theme "nothing new" will be fast and loose! But it's fun!

Sketchbook ruminations...

Getting started on my ideas for the Sketchbook Project...the theme I chose is "Nothing New" which I have to admit was a spur of the moment, instinctive decision without an enormous amount of contemplation...but I like it. Lefty always wants to help by sitting on whatever I'm doing.

Beautiful bees

My love affair with bees continues as we have recently been given this hive of bees at the Northcote Community Gardens by the lovely people at Melbourne Rooftop Honey. They are elegant little fellows and let me stick my camera into their faces with only a touch of annoyance. I intoduced myself and we had a chat and they seemed to tolerate me. To switch topics completely...on my way to the gardens I spotted this new bit of street art and it delighted me.

Happy Birthday Bec!

This is a birthday post dedicated to my fabulous friend and textile artist Bec..she really is fabulous! Take a look at Bec's website...

Sketchbook Project 2012

So excited to get my little sketchbook in the mail the other day for the Sketchbook Project 2012 run by the New York based Arthouse Co-op. Now I just need to fill it up and send it back to them before the end of January next year. I was really excited to find out that all the sketchbooks will be on display here in Melbourne at the NGV next year too as a part of their tour around the world. Once they've done their travelling they are then held at the Brooklyn Art Library- cool huh? It seemed like a nice opportunity to "get something out there" considering I haven't managed to get a show happening this year, and I have even coerced Ms Kerry-Ann into doing it too!

October pinboard

Note the "October" in the corner which I stamped using my new fancy rolling stamper but I initially put the letters in the reverse order so under "October" it says "Rebotco" which I kind of like...

Inkodye joy!

I hinted a little while ago that I would have further sun print experiments to show, and today with the cooperation of the sun I was able to play with my lovely light sensitive dye from Inkodye- a product I first spotted on How About Orange. I am delighted with the results even though I was a bit messy with the dye in my enthusiasm! I covered a stretched canvas that still had it's plastic wrap on with some kitchen paper then taped a cotton napkin to it, stretching it out as much as possible. Then I applied the Inkodye (Blue) with a large brush. The company recommends you use a foam brush and I was sure I had one but couldn't find it, so I just used a large bristle brush instead and I think a foam brush would have given a more even result.

Anyway, being a nature girl I then snipped some of my favourite daisies and placed them on top and popped it all out in the sun for 5 minutes. I could watch the whole process happening and was terribly excited to bring it back inside and wash out the dye in hot soapy water. I was grinning and rushed off to photograph it while it was still wet! I love the result with it's cyanotype feeling and am now bursting with ideas. It was so easy to use and so effective!

The lovely Inkodye people are based in America but are hoping to get their product into Deans Art stores here in Melbourne. I think I may be addicted to it!