Weekend project

We got a little crafty over the weekend, my husband and I. Not only did I paint our entry door (and learn a lesson about not letting almost 2 year olds near drying paint!), I started whipping up a few ornaments for Christmas. I'm starting to take this Christmas thing a little more seriously - maybe it's having kids and seeing their total delight at decorations and the unknown fun to be had (and presents, of course). So I've started myself a little tradition - to actually make a few decorations each year, so that eventually we have a whole collection of handmade ones that feel a little more authentic than plastic fantastic.

And my husband's efforts? Well, he's been embracing his duel (US/AUST) citizenship recently, and carved himself a killer Halloween pumpkin (we even got a couple of trick-or-treaters! Not usual for our part of the world, and thankfully he'd thought to also buy lollies). He also made that delicious, incredible looking raspberry tart above, which for some reason is now gone...

Friday finds (and an interview)

Today's Friday finds came from two different junk-shops, and amazingly they're quite complementary. The black bowl fell into my hands with a heavy thud, and the touch of it insisted that I had to part with the $2 (seriously, I'm lucky I collect little bowls that cost almost nothing - the collector gene is strong in this one).

And the little white bowl just seemed to fit, with its bumpy surface and white sheen, they just go together naturally. I also picked up a little crochet mat in a very sweet pink and white. I'm not sure what it's destined for, but I'm sure I'll find room...

Also, if you like you can check out an interview I did over at Momographica. Barbara asked some interesting questions and it was fun (and challenging) to articulate these ideas.

I'm hoping to start working on some home made Christmas decorations (I really cannot believe it's already approaching, but if I don't start now I'll never get around to it). Have you started thinking Christmas?

Hope you have a great weekend!

inspiration and frankie mag

I've been slowly reading through the latest issue of frankie magazine. It's lovely as usual, with some interesting features such as some great stories of mothers balancing work and family and creativity - as well as all the beautiful and creative and pretty that I've come to expect of this magazine.

Also featured is an incredible restoration of an old church, now a rustic and eclectic home. It's a secret dream of mine to do a similar restoration, completely transforming an old building and turning it into a home, studio, and hobby farm. Stories like this are incredibly inspiring. 

Spring clean

I spent the better part of yesterday cleaning, cleaning and... more cleaning, all in preparation for... more cleaning, well, organisation to be more exact. It's finally time to get my act together and sort through the piles (seriously, piles and piles) of kids and baby clothes and toys and products that are no longer being used. We're not planning on extending our brood, so things like high chairs and teethers just aren't relevant to our lives any more (hooray!) and it was time to let it go.

I did get a little sentimental and had to hold on to just a few things, like this dress I bought in Paris while I was pregnant with my daughter.

I'm trying to keep the nostalgic pile small, as really, I only need one or two things to remind me of the joys (and the difficulties overcome!) of newborns. I feel that in order for good things to come, there needs to be space for them, and so every spring, like many others, I search out the old, tired and unused to create a (relatively) clean slate. Most of what I've found can be re-used by others (and in fact, a lot of it was already handed down or thrifted), so I don't feel completely sick about how much stuff there was.

Now, back to the cupboards and boxes, as I want to make plenty of room.

weekend finds

It feels like our weekend flew by, and I think that had a lot to do with my having dragged my little family around town, picking up a few treasures along the way. So what did I find? Well, to begin with things most useless, a little Kodak Instamatic 100 in it's original little bag (such an endearing little bag, fits right in my hand) - my Dad always had a collection of cameras he rarely (or never) used, so perhaps the tendency has finally rubbed off on me - probably not a good thing.

I also found this lovely and intricate Italian made mirror - not particularly precious but it looks quite lovely, and another little spot for hanging jewels.

There's a few other things that have moved into our place, but until I find a home for them they're lying about the place. I might make use of this hideous indoor weather and make room where I can.

Canine

How do you feel about triangles? The dogs are still with me, though they're taking new forms. I completed this painting over the weekend - I think I'm getting RSI in my wrist - is there such a thing as painter's wrist? There must be. Anyway, the process is part of the fun, experimenting with shapes and the movement available within them. He's quite large, not enormous, but enough to make a statement.

And he keeps looking at me... it's a little disconcerting, but also a little soothing...

Dirty Projectors + Bjork

OK, I thought I was done for the week but I had to share this. I am the first to admit that I am not really a music person - I've never had particularly good taste (Mariah, anyone?) or skill in that department (my sister is a pianist, the shame!) but hopefully, like the rest of our lives, we evolve as we get older. Nor does this blog have anything to do with music, but I happened to catch this beautiful song on the radio yesterday and I think this album will be accompanying me while I paint all spring and summer long. Each song is a dialogue between a mother orca and her babies, and you can learn more about it at the Mount Wittenberg Orca website. Seriously, have a listen - it glistens.

Sonnenzimmer

I feel instant calm when I see this work from Sonnanzimmer. There's something so elegant about the lines and soft hues, equally at home in a gallery or a child's room.

We are headed into a relaxing weekend here, complete with (hopefully) beautiful spring weather. I'm hoping to carve out some time to start on some Christmas (YES, already!) projects. And perhaps a glass of sparkling wine in the sunshine. Enjoy!

the pretty horses... and the Queen

These last few days we've been able to enjoy the best of Canberra weather - cool mornings, gorgeous sunshine and light air, heavy with blossoms. I took my daughter out for a little shopping trip this morning - it's a sad fact that once you have more than one child, it's so difficult to get to spend one on one time like this, so while my son was whisked away by his grandparents on a royal stalking (more on that later), we went shopping and had lunch with my man, and it was pure delight.

Now my studio is crammed with art supplies, but I did manage to squeeze in some space for a new find, courtesy of a local garage sale. This little print of horses was so charming and already framed, I couldn't resist - I would have hated this a few years ago, but tastes change.

And as for the stalking, Queen Elizabeth 2 is in Canberra this week, and yes, he did get to see her as she slowly sailed past on the lake - apparently she smiled at him - and after a quick dash down to the boat (after she was off it), he got to sit where the Queen and Phillip had just been sitting - what a special bum!

psyched

In another world (almost a decade ago, yikes!) I was an undergrad studying psychology - I loved it, mostly, so maybe that's why I'm so drawn to these beautiful Rorschach inspired Fox Ink Blot Mugs from Culture Label? Don't they look like the right size, too? Perfect for cradling a hot coffee, sipped slowly while you psychoanalyse your friends.

those dogs

New in the gallery, I've been working with a much steadier pace lately, and it's interesting to watch my style and techniques evolve, both subtly and, in some cases, completely. It keeps things interesting. Lately it seems these dogs just keep poking themselves into my paintings. Eerie little creatures that they are I'm not surprised. Likewise, these zigzags have been hypnotising me or something, popping up all around the place. They're a pain to paint - literally my wrist is killing me, but I prefer to do things free style so I'll take what I can get.

colourful and kind

Hmmm, I can't decide if I like these colourful alternatives to taxidermy, from Dwell Studio. I don't think I could ever stomach the real thing, no matter how good it might look, so these are certainly a better option.

Friday finds (Fritz)

Introducing Fritz, a little something I picked up op-shopping today. I'm experimenting with where I'm going to put him, but for now he has a temporary home in the junction between kitchen and hall. I have another of these cross-stitched (or is it long-stitch?) boys, one of the 'Crying Boys' (rumoured to be very bad luck, or is it just very bad kitsch?) given to me by my sister (who also has one - we share a similar aesthetic). Maybe I'll paint his frame in a brighter shade to bring out his fine features. Either way, he's a charmer and I love him.

I'm tempted, almost, to start a little collection... Happy Friday, I hope you find something you love this weekend!

Marimekko

I've been ogling all the beautiful things in the Finnish Design Shop. So much perfection, and here I am, so far away (and with such light pockets!). These Marimekko dresses caught my eye amongst all the lovelies. It's wearable art, and they look both elegant and comfortable (not an easy balance to strike).

And I think the way they've styled such elegant dresses with tights and flats is so charming. I could wear these to work or a wedding, but really I'd just like to frame them and hang them in my bedroom to admire.

imperfect

If you've had a look in my gallery, you might have come across the following painting, recently completed. I've been indulging in the slow process of making patterns.

Up close you can see the imperfections, but that's the way I like it - it's about the bigger picture after all.

living large

High ceilings add so much impact to a room, though they do tend to add some practicality issues too (heating/cooling, painting, dusting). The biggest challenge of our own high ceilings has been painting the darn beams (apparently they hold up the house or something...), which for a lot of people would be as simple as calling up a painter and getting it done. Well, we're DIYers, so this project has been on hold for... over five years. I thought I'd pull together some high ceiling inspiration, and maybe we'll get around to this sooner, rather than later.

via KML Design

via KML Design

via Ravenous

I'm hoping that by painting our own beams white, the entire room will be lifted and brightened. It will also hopefully take the room into the 21st century - right now it is stuck quite firmly in 1972, not the most stylish year...

Finished (?)

Yes, I think just maybe, it's finished... I've put my name on it and it's in the gallery... time to let go. I haven't posted about my painting for a little while so here is my most recent work.

A little close up of my canine friends, as well as their master. This is a large (30"x40") painting, and unfortunately the photos just don't capture everything in it (even with my fancy flash). 

Now that this is complete I can move on to something else - I'm more than a little over this colour scheme.

Stamp power

I'm very glad I gave myself a free pass when it comes to art supplies during buy nothing new October. Otherwise I couldn't have convinced myself that I needed this, from kikki.K.

I love the simplicity of this stamp, and it works perfectly on the back of the wooden frame of my canvas', giving me an easy place to sign and write the details of my work. Perfect. And it comes beautifully packaged, in this case in a sweet little canvas bag which was ultimately what helped seal the deal. Sometimes, when something is this cute, I allow myself to be a less than savvy consumer.

About me

You might have noticed that I've added a new 'gallery' link to my right side navigation bar (you may also notice there's a little photo of me there!) - I've finally managed to create a little gallery of some of what I've been working on in recent months. I've also updated my about page, complete with action shot! This is well trodden ground for bloggers, but for me... well I just hate having my photo taken.

Now, to get on with my Thursday...

bow bun

I've been looking for a way to cute up an ordinary high hair bun, and I think I've found the perfect fix - this gorgeous hair 'bow', from Katie of Skunkboy Creatures via A Beautiful Mess Blog.

And a little mini bow at the back, so cute! Full tutorial available here.

Lovelies

These are seriously beautiful, via One Kings Lane, found via Svpply.

Nothing like a long weekend to re-charge, and the best bit... we get another one next weekend - sweet. I finally took advantage of a day-spa gift - heavenly, and yes, I think I might be glowing, just a little. After this I trudged through the miserable weather to attend the handmade market which is always a pleasure. Now technically, I am trying to buy nothing new this month (food, toiletries and art supplies excluded), but I figured, as it was only the first day of the month, and I was supporting a wonderful Australian artist, it was okay to buy something small. And I didn't need to tell myself twice.

These little pieces are by artist Kim Aitken, and they're just beautiful. You might remember I picked up the pink one a little while ago. This new piece complements it perfectly, and I'm quite happy to support this small growing collection in the future.