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!

More Cecilia

Herbario from Cecilia A.E. on Vimeo.

Once again don't know what's being said on this little video from Cecilia at Una Flor de Papel but it's all lovely anyway...

Abstract art

This is the piece of wood Ben uses as a substitute neck when he is re-finishing vintage electric guitars. Doesn't it have the most beautiful landscape of layers of paint on it?

Mysterious paper sculptures

Loved this story spotted at All Things Paper about an anonymous artist leaving his/her sculptures around Edinburgh as a homage to literature and books.

September pin board

Sunprints

Recently we had some SUN and I finally got around to experimenting with this Sunprint paper I bought from the Melbourne Museum shop ages ago. I've always loved the look of cyanotypes and this was my first attempt to get something that looks a bit like them. I picked a few dandelions popped them on the paper and covered it in a piece of glass in the sun. The effect is not quite as clear as I'd hoped but they are still pretty.
I'm awfully excited about a light sensitive dye I bought online from America the other day, and am hoping I'll be able to do something similar to this on fabric with the dye...watch this spot.

Amy Rice and Spring

Loved this poster for Amy Rice's new show- it feels very Spring-like to me. Despite being struck down again with a nasty cold/flu thing (I'm usually not such a sickie) I have had a nice day with the sun shining and a super early birthday pressie from my Mum because she couldn't wait. (It's a schmicko potato masher so I can make gnocchi-yay!)
Sorry I can't make the links work properly to Amy's blog (the blogger people insist on changing things that worked perfectly fine before and now they don't) but her blog is listed on my "blogs/sites I love" to the right.

summer in a dress

Ashamed to say I can't remember where I snitched this image from...but it just looks like the ideal Summer frock to me. Spring is valiantly attempting to arrive, and the blossoms are out but it's still cold and cloudy...just longing to be hot now!

August Pin Board

A mixture of mine and others' photos and bits and bobs that I've been looking at a lot this month.Thought it might be nice to change the pin board each month and record it here as a sort of ongoing collage.