Endings and beginnings

I was quite sad to read that one of my favourite art blogs Dear Ada may be ending- at least for a while, but I was very happy to read the reason for it too- good luck Birdie and thank-you for all the wonderful art you have shared.
Happily I have also just discovered another wonderful blog Geninne's Art blog and here are some delightful hand carved stamps made by Gennine. She also takes some truly beautiful photographs of her art,home and collections of things that inspire her.
Lovely.

Mail Art 2

Here's my next sending to Kerry-Ann in our Mail Art project.We've often discussed our favourite seasons and so I decided to put that into this piece- especially as I am avidly watching for Spring blossom and leaf buds at the moment. (If you can't quite read the letters it says "I know you love Autumn the best but my favourite Season is Spring) We are certainly having a grey and wet Winter this year, but Spring is around the corner...hurrah!

Talented Friends

Here are two beautiful little Mixtape zines made by my multi-talented friend Shelley. They are beautifully drawn and tell really enchanting little stories- I found myself sighing a little at the end...in a good way.
They have been sold at Polyester in Melbourne (even though Shelley is originally from Vancouver and now living here)and I can't wait to see what she produces next!

Mail Art No 1

Here is my friend Kerry-Ann's first contribution to the mail art exchange she and I have set up. I think there's a great cubist feeling to this- and you can just make out the bag designs that it's woven out of. Such a delight to receive in the mail! Thank-you Ms Kerry-Ann!
(I forgot to photograph the first one I sent her- but will definitely pop up a piccie of the next one I do- this is fun!)

Snazzy little box

Today is freezing cold- and I mean cold -like 8 degrees inside the house at midday cold- but I've had a lovely time making this box for Jemima's birthday.(Very belated-sorry Jemima!)
It also does contain something, but I can't show you that because Jemima hasn't received it yet.
I put the heater on high, shut the door to my little room and began painting and cutting and gluing happily away until suddenly I had this snazzy little box in front of me. The lid features a 60's or 70's style hankerchief I found the other day at a great little local collectibles shop. (It was probably printed much later than that, but who knows?)I'm really loving the colours with the ribbon trim and the little modelling clay heart I made and stamped with a J.
Sigh- such small things but they bring such a feeling of joy!
Happy Birthday lovely Jemima.

Playing with old designs

The other day I recieved a big box of my old designs which didn't sell from Lewis, and have had fun sorting through the contents. Some are pretty horrifying, but some are actually quite lovely, and I decided to cut and paste some new designs from the old onto my Spoonflower site. Here's a very simple little blossom plopped onto a blue background that I may just have to order for myself. Might make a nice spring curtain/teatowel/bag or skirt?

Amy Rice

As a continuation of my love of all things bee-esque, here is a new piece from the wonderful Amy Rice and another with puppies....irresistible, right?

Lori Nix Photography

Lori Nix is a photographer who creates miniatures to shoot. I spotted Lori via the 500 Photographers blog and I just loved this one "The Library"- from a series of post apocolyptic scenes she created.

Just a little joy I felt like painting....

I decided to warm things up a little with blogger's new designs- hence the new template and colours, but I also indulged myself in a little floral tribute to joy. Sometimes just squeezing the paint out of the tube and listening to the clinking sound of my brush in the water jar is enough to
give me a little thrill of joy.
A little bit of Spring in the middle of Winter. Happy Winter Solstice.

Australia's first female PM

Well, I know she wasn't voted in by the people (yet) and I know it was a fairly unpleasant way to gain power, but by golly she's a real woman, not a pretend man, and Julia Gillard is our first female Prime Minister!
I also know a lot of younger women couldn't care less, (which saddens me) but I care...deeply, and I always have, and I'm very very excited that this day has finally come... and I'm alive to see it.
Women are finally finally being allowed to lead this country. Of course she may stuff up- but hey- no worse than the men huh?
Congratulations to all those women who have worked for this for generations. You are spectacular.
The young ones may not get it, but I suppose that in a way that's the point isn't it? We almost want them to just expect this to happen, and to see it as no big deal?
I just wish they could appreciate what has gone before a wee bit more.
Yay for us!

Beautiful Byron Bay

My Lovely Ben whisked me away to Byron Bay for a few days so that we could take one last deep breath of sunshine and ocean goodness before plunging into what is shaping up to be a seriously old school Melbourne Winter...and it was divine.
Thank-you Ben.xoxo

I love bees

Here are my new little bee earrings that I found at the Melbourne Botanic Gardens shop, and instantly had to have. Plus a very cute little bee- inspired purse from Emengee designs on Etsy.
Considering Australia is the last continent on Earth to not have that horrible deadly bee virus, I think we should all be treasuring these little pollinators.

Gorgeous cards from Beau Ideal

More Spoonflower...

I covered a little hard covered note book with some of my Spoonflower fabric- "deco flowers"- and I'm quite happy with the results.

New designs at Spoonflower- awaiting samples..