Drawing Words

Etsy Store is finally here

2010-10-03T22:46:00.001+08:00

check out my new etsy store www.etsy.com/shop/flokatii
It's been a long time coming!
Also, new blog to come soon: http://www.flokatii.blogspot.com/
Hope to see you there.

xx

latest work in progress...

2010-01-20T20:20:00.003+08:00

just to let you all know I'm still around and still working, although with less ferocity than previously, for obvious reasons.

This is Ellie Rose, born August 10 2009.

Somehow it seems I'm still living in the dark ages, on dial up internet access (!) which is such a frustrating time waster that I seldom bother.

But how I do miss all you blog land buddies! I'm dreaming of a time filled with super speed broadband....sigh.

Busy days...

2008-12-01T12:17:00.005+09:00

Another thing that has kept me rather busy is the annual exhibition at the Bunbury Regional Art Galleries, The Christmas Shop. It's a very unique exhibition in which all works are for sale and once sold are removed immediately and replaced with something new.
I entered six pieces this year and was accepted. I entered two art quilts and four Obi Belts (I'm hoping that by making them something practical they will be more likely to sell)
They are all hand printed, dyed, stitched, quilted etc.

I've also been busy establishing my Etsy store. More on that later :-)

Advent

2008-12-01T11:11:00.004+09:00

So, yes it's been a while. How quickly the months roll by.

Suddenly we are on the home straight to Christmas.

I had an idea last year to make the children an advent calendar, mostly inspired by my loathing for those store bought chocolate ones. I really despised the fact that in the lead up to Christmas my children were looking forward to having a chocolate each day more than anything else.

Now, my husband and I are not particularly religious, but to me Christmas should be about family and taking the time to reconnect and really just being together. I wanted to create an advent that would really imbue the entire family with the Christmas spirit.

In typical Nichole style I waited far too late to start making these bags which I planned to hand embroider and applique every single one, but I did still manage to pull it all together with a combination of decorated and plain bags.

The contents range from small gifts or chocolates (the fun factor) to activities such as making decorations, making bon bons with individualised fillings, donating old toys to charity, special outtings, hand made wrapping paper with stamps, making reindeer cookies etc.

So it's going to be another busy month, but I think it will be fun. I am already feeling the Christmas cheer, and for the first time we are going away, just the four of us to enjoy a peaceful Christmas, in stark contrast to all the others where we race from house to house. And for the first time we will create our own traditions.

Self Portrait - Vessel

2008-08-15T14:34:00.002+08:00

Superfine merino, hand felted, stitched.

My Place - exhibition of Art Quilts from Australia, NZ and South Africa

2008-08-15T13:28:00.002+08:00

How much do I wish I'd entered this one now! However the time wasn't right for me.
View the exhibition online here.

Art vs Guilt

2008-08-12T14:09:00.003+08:00

Tuesdays are supposed to be my art days. The one day of the week where I don't have to feel guilty for doing no housework. Supposedly.

And yet I find myself sweeping the floor, clearing the dishes, baking bread, wallowing in tremendous guilt that my child is reading to himself, eating 2-minute noodles, playing alone in the silence.

Perhaps I undertake these chores so as to not feel like I have achieved nothing. So I won't be greeted with the judgement of my husband; judegment merely perceived or actual? I don't know.

Perhaps I'm too hard on myself. Is it ok to just sit and ponder away an entire day? For the sake of art?
Is an artists life so self indulgent that it should come with it's own serving of guilt on the side? Or is guilt just a woman thing?

a month in pictures

2008-07-30T13:49:00.004+08:00

1. silk quilt, 2. girl with umbrella embroidery, 3. hand knit bolero, 4. journal cover, 5. snowflake, 6. hapa zome leaf print, 7. stitched and bound catalogue, 8. arm warmers, 9. handspun merino, 10. little mittens, 11. diagonal knit throw, 12. chunky handspun merino, 13. handspun merino neck warmer, 14. diagonal knit scarf, 15. tree challenge painting

in stitches

2008-06-18T12:56:00.003+08:00

I had to rescue this circa 1950s quilt from the op shop - it was destined for the welfare bin. I'd hate to see it go to a home where it was less than cherished. I can't believe that something like this has been discarded so thoughtlessly! My assumption is that it has come from a deceased estate and the grandchildren or whoever has seen little value. This is how we lose our history! Some woman has spent hours upon hours lovingly hand stitching this beautiful log cabin.

Wouldn't you just love to know all the secrets contained in those stitches!

I've discovered that I'm a left handed knitter, after knitting right handed for ...well my entire life! What a revelation! I have actually (finally) finished knitting projects I've started.

This is a neck warmer for my sister (hopefully she isn't reading this before it actually reaches her!) Knitted with handspun merino.

I'm eager to tackle socks. I have much to learn but I'm getting there. Everyone warns me off socks saying they are much too hard, this just makes me all the more determined!

apron love

2008-06-11T11:11:00.005+08:00

my apron from the swap did indeed arrive yesterday much to my delight. The pattern is very similar to one from my apron book which is fantastic as it's actually my favourite design!!

This one is reversable as you can see! Twice the fun, and all my fav colours.

Thanks to Raelene from Sew 4 it.

A new find from the op shop. Martin spotted this and knew I'd love it. I knew he was good for something!!

apron swap

2008-06-09T22:16:00.003+08:00

So, I decided to take part in the sassy apron swap after reading about it over at a little bird told me so.
I actually bought totally different fabrics to use and right at the last minute I changed my mind. I hope the new owner approves of my 50s tastes!
And hopefully something yummy is on its way to me...this one, along with a matching oven mit should already be in the hands of its new owner.

on the sticks

2008-05-26T23:41:00.005+08:00

A month ago, if you asked, I would have told you I can't knit. Despite the fact that I actually can since my Nan taught me to do so when I was about 5 or 6 and surprisingly I've never forgotten.

It must be the little rhythm we had going:
"Through the hole, around the needle, back through the hole and off!"

It became a kind of knitting mantra that I never really let go of. But despite the cool chant, my knitting skills were, well, lack-lustre. I couldn't do much else that knit and purl and I don't think I ever even finished a scarf.

I do enjoy watching the knitting show on cable however, and have found myself drawn to try different things, which upon watching the techniques, I find I can actually do them.

Inspired by the ever-talented and truly lovely Peta, whose hand knits are to die for!! I decided to bite the bullet and just go with the flow.

Peta describes her style as "organic". She doesn't work to a pattern, but rather she allows the yarn to speak to her as she creates beautiful one-off pieces in this simple yet sensitive manner. (Knit-nazi's schreech: "what!? She doesn't use a pattern!?)

Considering I can't read knitting patterns anyhow, this method really appealed to me, so I went out and bought home a bunch of yummy yarns and whipped up my first ever completed knitted item! (A petrafanella rip-off no less) To the discerning eye it is less than perfect, but that just makes me love it all the more!

And I've been practicing. My knit-literacy levels are up and I have a couple more projects on the sticks.

Sketches

2008-05-26T23:13:00.006+08:00

Craft is a place i visit between doing other things. I have always held a distinct line between what is art and what is craft, and I'm cool with that. And with crafting making such a resurgance, I'm happy to poke my head out of the crafting closet and hold it high.

I was explaining to my friend Carly how between making art I make craft; as a way of keeping myself busy but also as a way to explore techniques in a non threatening way - and I can make something useful from it!
And she said to me that it wasn't really craft, it was more like preliminary sketches, the same as she would do for a painting in her journal.

and i like that.

Sketches.

2008-05-20T13:14:00.002+08:00

Honestly, I never expected that I would be selected to exhibit in Stitched and Bound. This was my first quilted piece and a huge learning curve and now that it's finished I look at it and think ugh, I could have done this or that so much better.
So when I received a letter saying congratulations, I'm in, I nearly flipped. Excitement was closely followed by self doubt: If I was questioning the integrity of my work then how would it stand up to being exhibited publicly?
Doubts aside, I am going through with this. We all have to start somewhere and I learned from Paulo Coelho to recognise self-sabotage. I decided a while ago that it's better to be making crap work and nurturing your inner artist than to not make work at all. It's so easy to give in to fear and equally important not to!
When I spoke to the organiser of the exhibition I was astounded to learn that the judges thought of my work as "exciting" and "sensitive to my theme"
Well...I'm not going to argue with that!

makin' stuff

2008-04-24T00:18:00.002+08:00

a birthday gift

and a work in progress

The art of making do

2008-04-23T23:16:00.002+08:00

A thought has lingered in my mind for some time now about our consumerist nature. I find it so easy to be seduced by new and beautiful fabrics both as an artist and as a collector of pretty things. When I immersed myself back into my textile work I really struggled with pulling out old panels of fabric that I had printed, dyed, stitched etc. to re-use. I had this mentality that if I was using my old pieces then I wasn't moving forward artistically. But the more I pondered on this the more I came to resolve that I need not start with new cloth but instead work with what is already available to me; a kind of reclaiming of the past. And why should a piece of cloth that has been dyed and printed and stitched upon, but is for the most part useless, why should it be left to wither in a box somewhere if it can find a new lease on life by being recycled into something new. After all, the dyeing and the printing and the stitching are still my own work and ideas can be recycled too. That's not to say that I am still making works based on the same concepts that birthed these works, but rather my concepts have evolved and I am challenging myself to bring these new ideas to fruition without the need for new cloth. Why must every painting start with a white canvas?
For example, the other day I found some beautiful linen that I resist dyed about 11 years ago now. At the time I was designing a man's tunic and so the linen is cut into the pattern pieces and has sat like that all this time. I can pretty well determine that I'm not going to finish that project now given that the husband thinks it's not really suited to his style (whatever that may be!) and I have no use for a man's tunic. But what a shame to waste such lovely fabric! I contemplated recutting the pattern to fit me, but can't really be bothered with that, so I think I will instead cut it up and use it for an art piece, perhaps a pieced quilt or such.
This is just one example of many, and I'm really looking forward to challenging my creativity by recycling what I have at hand rather than buying new pretty white cloth. Over the past weeks I have thought of ways to recycle more in my life. It's really disapointing to me that my local shire won't provide recycling bins for us out here. Perhaps the cost of running the truck out here out weighs the benefit of recycling, who knows. But I hoard all I can to take into town to the big bins, but still I want to do more. I have some ideas for plastic bags so stay tuned.
Today while nursing a bad headache and a large basket of laundry Martha was making these. Struck me as something fun to do with the kids while I brain bash them about recycling.

softie love

2008-04-23T21:21:00.006+08:00

I have to confess to alot of thinking and not alot of doing this past month. It's been a busy one and perhaps a bit of a lazy one... I had great intentions for these school holidays to be doing some making with the little ones, some felting, some printing, some general mess making, but so far nothing. The realisation that I am a terrible parent sometimes thwacks me full force. How I envy the likes of Soulemama and Angry Chicken and other seemingly super-mums who just spend their time doing.
So anyway, after a good dose of mother-guilt got to me, I decided to do something a) nice for the girl child, and b) crafty - because sometimes I just need to craft.
Nothing like some mid week softie making to put the mama back in favour!

also, very excited to discover EcoColour has arrived in the bookstore, hopefully I will venture down that way before the week is out.

Parkland

2008-04-15T23:02:00.005+08:00

My best friend Carly opened her solo art exhibition this past weekend in Denmark at the Old Butter Factories Art Gallery. I was so proud to be there to be part of this very special and exciting event with her. Carly and I have known each other now for 13 years and although for much of that time we've been separated by physical distance, I always find we slip so easily back into our comfortable friendship without even trying. She is such an inspiration to me. At 30 she is establishing herself as an artist, she is a specialist art teacher - having worked in some very remote communities; she is a wife and a mother to the most precious two year old twins. Somehow she manages to make her art an integral part of her life and devotes the time to persevere with her craft, whilst balancing family life and also her career as a teacher.

You can see why she is such an inspiration.
I am so damn proud of you Carly!

My New Toy

2008-04-15T22:58:00.004+08:00

need I say more?

PIF exchange

2008-04-15T21:57:00.003+08:00

So, finally finally FINALLY, I caught up with Peta the other day for coffee and fast-paced chats etc and I took along her yellow felted necklace that has been sitting, packaged and ready to go for three months! I know I could have posted it, and the thought did cross my mind, but I think it's so much nicer giving a gift in person...don't you?

I think she likes it...she wrote some pretty nice stuff about me here. :-)

I actually never commented on Peta's PIF, but being the gorgeous soul she is, she decided I should get a gift anyway. (So I went back and commented after the fact)

I've had such fun experimenting with ways to wear this gorgeous wrap.

I also scored these adorable silk slippers that she bought on a trip in Vietnam

I can't even begin to tell you how devestated I am that Peta is moving back to Perth. It's been such a pleasure having her as a friend these past two years. It's not often you stumble across someone so like minded and I really will miss her creative spirit and fantastic insight about all things textiles and craft! Hopefully I will be able to make more time to visit her and my other neglected arty friends in perth!

new additions...

2008-04-09T16:06:00.005+08:00

A few new books on their way to my collection:

I'm so seriously happy about getting a copy of Eco Colour! I've been anxiously awaiting its release.

And to satisfy my crafty urges; to whittle away at my fabric stash; and to aid in getting rid of this stupid Doubleday membership! In the future I will be buying books through amazon or through Boffins in Perth. Doubleday have the most abysmal selection ever.

In case you were wondering, no I didn't get Eco Colour through Doubleday. I called a bookstore and have it on order, in this case it was Dymocks.

Stitched and Bound by themes...

2008-03-29T18:33:00.008+09:00

So the 'quilt' is done, with much relief. I'm reasonably happy with it; in hindsight there are things I would perhaps do differently, but given that this is my first large scale attempt at making a quilted textile piece I'm pretty happy with the result. It has been a learning curve and has certainly fueled inspiration to produce more pieces like it.

I've been doing loads of research into quilts, tradional and contemporary. View the stunning online exhibition Australia Wide here. One artist I particularly admire is Pamela Fitzsimons from NSW. [I can't find a website, but there are a few images online if you care to google.] Also Wendy Lugg is very inspiring. Wendy is a WA artist so I have had the pleasure of viewing her work in the past.

Anyway, I digress. A HUGE thanks goes out to Clare Day for taking some

snapshots of my quilt and burning them to a disc for me, the images have been submitted to this years Stitched and Bound exhibition which will be held at the Mundaring Arts Centre in July. Fingers crossed!

There are a few other art awards and exhibitions coming up later in the year which brings me to a point that I'm struggling with: Working to a theme.
Some of these awards have designated themes to which the artist must adhere. Some are easier than others. This one in particular has me stumped! The theme is Gold.

I've never really worked to a theme before, usually I have my own direction or themes present in my work, so this is a challenge .

If anyone has any useful advice I'd be most appreciative!

sweet potato and ginger muffins

2008-03-26T22:13:00.003+09:00

do you ever get an idea that sounds a little crazy, but you think it may just work?? Well that happened to me today as I was driving home from Bunbury. I'm not sure why I was thinking about sweet potatoes, but I was, and this idea for muffins kind of whalloped me on the head. So when I arrived home I set to work, and I have to say they were absolutely scrummy!

Sweet Potato and ginger muffins

I medium sweet potato or kumera (the orange sort)
1 3/4 c SR flour
3/4 c dark brown sugar, packed
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp ground ginger
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
1 tsp grated fresh ginger
1 tsp vanilla
60g butter, melted
1 egg
1 cup buttermilk

stick the sweet potato in the oven at 180 degrees, skin on, for about an hour or so, until really tender. Allow to cool, then split open the skin and scoop out the deliciously caramel flesh. Mash roughly with a fork or the back of a spoon. Combine with the melted butter, egg, fresh ginger, vanilla and buttermilk and whisk until combined.
In a mixing bowl sift together the flour, sugar and spices and make a well in the center. Pour in the sweet potato mix and fold together with a knife or spatula. It's really important not to over-mix, you want it to just come together in a thick batter with some small lumps. If it seems too dry add a splash of normal milk to loosen the mix.
Once combined, spoon into muffin cases and bake at 180 degrees for about 20-25 mins or until a skewer comes out clean. Serve warm with butter and honey if desired.

An option is to sprinkle the tops of the muffins with a mix of finely diced crystalised ginger and raw sugar before baking for a yummy crunchy top.

These were sooo yummy that the whole batch disappeared before I could take a photo! A great way to get veg into fussy kids!

Pixel Magix rock!!!

2008-03-26T21:48:00.003+09:00

A BIG BIG thank you goes out to Kylie and Mike of Pixel Magix who brought fun and exuberant energy to Martin's and my wedding day. These guys were the most amazing photographers; they were super funny yet professional, brilliant with the hoards of kids and most of all, they helped us to relax and enjoy what will be a memorable day for the rest of our lives.

Check out some of the amazing shots taken here.

Yikes!!

2008-03-25T21:17:00.009+09:00

okay okay...

I admit, I've been lazy in posting in the last month, but not without good reason.
Firstly let me just say that the 30 day thing was a pain in the ass and I'm not going to finish it...and honestly I never do finish things like that, so if you see me start one again, please pinch me! {But on that note, my waterymelon didn't make it...due to some rather greedy kangeroo's who felt the need to demolish anything remotely green in my garden!! Kangaroo Stew! That's all I'm saying.}

So the last month or so in a few happy snaps:

going back to early feb...this went off to Meet me at Mikes for the I Heart Mirabel challenge. I hope it got there in time!!

Valnetines Dinner: Slow roasted pork belly with seared scallops and chilli jam. Super dooper yummy!

The birthday girl. Absolutely thrilled with her coconut and strawberry cake.

Making fig jam with figs plucked from a sprawling roadside tree. With just a hint of ginger and scraped vanilla seeds.

the boys looking all handsome on the wedding day.

exchanging vows on the jetty...

the children being cute...

most gorgeous flower girl...doing an outstanding job!

work in progress...this is a 'quilt' to be entered into the 'Stitched and Bound' Competition. I have just 7 days to finish it and send off the images!!! eeeeeeek!more works in progress. I've been playing with paint again after many many years of having not. Some of my paints were so old I had to wrench the lids free with pliers!

These are unfinished works, but I'm really enjoying just playing around and finding a style that suits me.Something to do between bouts of stitching like a madwoman!

Now, since it's taken me about 3 hours to upload these photo's (dial-up!!!) I'm going to bed.

zzzzzzzzzzzz.

It seems so long...

2008-02-20T23:07:00.003+09:00

...since I've been gone.
with my wedding just 9 days away it seems I have little time for much else. My days are a whirlwind of cupcakes, sugared roses, flowergirl dresses and such.
Been working on a larger scale project also.
Will post pics and bits after the big day!!
Stay tuned and wish me luck!!

30 days - day 9

2008-02-03T23:07:00.000+09:00

Our 'treechange' home was finally completed a year ago after two long and arduous years of building. It's been an exhaustingly long haul, and with the impending wedding (27 days and counting!!) money is rather scarce. I'd love to have a lush garden overflowing with the fruits of our labour; I'd love to be as self sufficient as possible, but alas, we can't even afford proper grass or pathways. It's amazing that we can grow anything in this chalky sand. Below the house, which is raised on a sand pad, the actual ground is gravelly and rocky proving extremely difficult to cultivate anything in. Two of my fruit trees are showing signs of promise. I have some baby figs and lemons that I'm keenly watching in the hopes that they will come to maturity. This week we've had an abundance of green beans! They are loving this hot weather. And one big fat watery-melon. This thing seems to be growing at super-sonic speed. Also a butternut pumpkin is growing slowly but steadily. Here's hoping.

30 days - day 8

2008-02-03T23:00:00.000+09:00

Bella has taken to stitching like a fish to water. She is completely addicted to watching foxtel program 'Simply Quilts'. Another budding textile artist?? Maybe...

30 days - day 7

2008-02-03T22:40:00.000+09:00

a visit to the library and brand new ear piercings. It hurted alot mummy, but it's all better now.

30 days - day 6

2008-01-31T22:39:00.000+09:00

new music and moleskine...such pleasure.

summer's simple delight. fresh berries and cream.

30 days - day 5

2008-01-31T22:06:00.000+09:00

bushfire is an frightening reality out here in the bush.

exhausted after a long day trip to mandurah...
stupid cat moved and ruined my perfect shot!

30 days - day 4

2008-01-29T22:36:00.001+09:00

yoga, shopping, stitching while Indi naps, gardening barefoot after dinner... another hot day comes and goes.

30 days - day 3

2008-01-29T22:21:00.000+09:00

the spinning wheel is, at last, working.

30 days - day 2

2008-01-27T21:49:00.000+09:00

finishing a hot and busy day with a refreshing mojito...

Hearts for Mirabel and 30 days of the everyday - Day 1

2008-01-27T01:12:00.000+09:00

I love this time of night when everyone is in bed asleep. It's just me and the sound of the wind shaking the trees. And the occasional resounding smack of a honkey-nut as it hits the water tank...

Something to fill my time and give me that fuzzy feeling of good will; Mikes are fundraising again for Mirabel. This time it's hearts. Check it out.

And the latest meme going around: 30 days of the everyday. A photography project that started with Soulemama, and has caught on with quite a few bloggers. Seems like a good way to take a step back and appreciate what's happening in my life.

Two others partaking in photo projects for this year: six one way and Noticing Project. I love a good project. :-)

So for the next 30 days I'll be posting photo's that detail some aspect of my everyday life; starting now.

making homemade pizza for the first time in the pizza oven we scored for free from the op shop (because they can't sell electrical goods) The oven is virtually brand new and works a treat.

Old friends, new treasures

2008-01-20T22:35:00.000+09:00

A few old friends have surfaced in the last week or so. My mind seems a little crowded with ideas that seem to snake off on their own tangents. I had a realisation the other day that I spend far too much time trying to resolve the (artistic) process in my mind, rather than just getting on with it and enjoying said process. I guess this is the foundation of my procrastination.

It's kind of ingrained in me (from many years spent at uni) that a project needs to come to some sort of resolution, otherwise it is a pointless excercise. I guess they say this crap to you to make you really think about what you're doing and why; which is great, but often the thinking is at the expense of the doing.
So, I guess what I'm getting at, is that while I really enjoy being crafty, I find myself craving something more. But I can't seem to get past the thinking stage for fear that the work I produce will be shit.

Enter old friends. My major at uni was textiles so I enjoy working with fabrics and paper and such. But my time at uni was spent exploring identities and particularly women's cultural identities. Text has played a massive part in all my work, as I never was able to seperate my writer self from my artist self, and with the guidance of a very special lecturer, I stopped fighting it and started using it to my advatage.

This is my underwood typewriter. I got him second hand in a funky (if not a little festy) maroon and cream vinyl case. I had a much more modern typewriter, but alas, during the emotionaly hormonal period that is pregnancy, he met rather fatally with a wall.

My spinning wheel. My pop bought this from a junk store on some whim, much to my nan's disdain, and when they found out I was spinning they disassembled it and sent it across from Victoria to me. At first I couldn't get it to work, then miraculously it did. And now, it won't again. Which is frustrating to no end as I actually want to use it for something specific.

My other half is the retail manager of Vinnies, so I get to go op-shopping alot!! I found these beauties right after christmas. They look old to me, but could be worthless. Nevertheless, I think they are gorgeous, and I know someone else who will love them also...

And inspired by three things: dodgy foxtel craft show, fantabulous new wool from treetops and lovely book Felt; a felt bead necklace. Also destined for someone worthy.
Will be making more of those...I find the process rather soothing, plus I love unusual jewellery. Bella also loves making these. It's lovely to think that I'm passing on something special to her.

On a much lighter note, I made Indi's pants for the wedding today and they look cute. I got some little Bibi leather sandals on ebay for 99c (brand new in box) what a steal! Next I have to tackle Bella's flowergirl dress, which is a little daunting, but time is slipping away like sand...

Felt

2008-01-18T10:16:00.000+09:00

Every day for the last week I've been driving into town to check the post box to see if my parcel has arrived. Finally yesterday it did. I ordered 3 new books from Doubleday (apparently I have to buy books to honour my commitment!) As I mentioned before, Peta told me of the India Flint and Toyoko Sugiwaka book Felt, which excited me so much, I rushed home that very day and ordered it. Now I have to admit, I'm not normally very excited by 'how-to' craft books; but this book is just so beautifully excecuted and the projects are simply lush! Already today I've been making felt balls with my new wool from Treetops Colour Harmonies (which arrived in the post just 2 days after I ordered! Well done guys.)

And, now (three days after initially starting this post) I discover I have another book from the same series from Murdoch Books: Paper

flash

2008-01-17T22:56:00.000+09:00

lots to write about, but not in the melting heat. Perhaps another time.
But for anyone interested, one of my short short stories (aka flash fiction) has been published by online mag onefifty available now for download.

a day of [re]discovery

2008-01-07T14:48:00.000+09:00

After posting last night, I tumbled into bed thinking sleep was imminent, but in fact my mind was running a marathon. With ideas swirling and foaming in my head, sleep was surely not going to happen and shoot! Mr DW was trying hard to sleep so I couldn't very well go switching on the lights to pour out my thoughts into a journal. (Don't you just hate that!)
So I grabbed hold of these new ideas as tightly as I could in the hope that they would stick with me til morning, a mere 6 hours away.

And they did thankfully!

This morning was spent felting, an activity I thought the kids would enjoy.

Bella is a natural!

Speaking of felt, so very very excited to have order India Fint's book Felt. Thanks to Peta for letting me know it was available on sale through doubleday.

The wool I have is called 'sliver' which means it still has grass seeds and bits in it. So I just payed a visit to Treetops to order some superfine merino wool tops. I've ordered a bunch of natural undyed wool because I actually like it undyed, plus then I can dye it myself if I wish; plus I ordered a bit of yellow...hmm strange colour choice for me! Could it be I have something special in mind for someone special???

image courtesy of Mel Robson

Stumbled across Mel Robson's blog today. Now by my own admission I'm not really into ceramics, but I was really captivated by the delicacy, translucence and narrative of Mel's work, in particular the use of text such as family recipes. Check out these gorgeous wall tiles.

Interesting that I would come across another artist using text when I've just been jotting down all my new ideas using text and poetry and stitch...hardley anything new for me though. But I love love love that she uses recipes!

an ounce of resolve...

2008-01-07T00:37:00.000+09:00

I'm not really into the whole new years resolution thing. Even for me as a longstanding champion of procrastination, I think if you need to elicit change in your life then there is no better time than the present. That said, I've just been thinking (and blogsurfing and doodling etc etc...) and I really think I need to resolve to spend more time writing in my journals.
I have more journals that you could poke a stick at, each one with a different and specific purpose. Right now I have my visual diary, which, sadly, rarely sees the light of day; I have my writing journal which I write poetry and all manner of random ideas in; I have my mini moleskine, which I carry with me for when an idea absolutely needs to be jotted down THIS instant; my BIG moleskine, which is yet to be christened and categorised, and I have my scribble pad which sort of gets used for everything in between-things not worthy of the affore mentioned journals. Sad isn't it.
So yes, I admit to having a journal addiction, perhaps even a fetish, because I actually have many many more lying around that just haven't been assigned tasks yet. I'm hopelessly undisciplined and resort to buying journals at any given oppurtunity.
So, I was sitting here pondering over a poem that leaped into my mind earlier and was about to start typing when I realised how much is lost in typing. That is to say, when I'm writing longhand, I might scribble and cross stuff out and write in random circles, but ultimately the whole journey of the thought process and the birth of that piece is documented, lumps bumps and all. And that is a beautiful thing. My journals don't come with a spell check or a delete button to erase the musings that are created in the process.
I came across this idea for quilted postcards, and there is a flickr group for anyone interested, and I was caught by the idea: The challenge is to produce a fiber postcard once a month that records what you have been exploring, doing, or thinking about.
And that's what got me to thinking that I don't really spend enough time recording what I'm exploring or thinking or ideas that may not even eventuate. It seems that I wait until I think an idea is solid enough to warrant it being jotted down in one of my journals.
So as of today, I am resolving to journal more, longhand, like they did in the olden' days...and who knows...I may even make a quilted postcard or two...

2008-01-04T15:18:00.000+09:00

Gasp! has it really been more than a month since my last post? How time flies! So much to catch up on. Firstly I hope everyone had a safe and happy christmas and if you are over here in the west I hope you managed to stay out of the heat!

I've been pretty busy over the last month working on a mock wedding dress for a film-maker friend of mine, which is thankfully almost finished. I have a love hate relationship with sewing...I love the idea of designing and making my own clothes, sometimes I even entertain the idea of making one off ball gowns and wedding dresses from home, but my god! I would be so absolutely stupid if I did! If I ever mention the thought of doing it, please hit me!

I don't think there's been a moment where I haven't regretted taking on this job. The fabric is awkward to work with, the pattern (1950s style gown) is incredibly complex and I guess I'm just not inspired to do it. But that said, I'm anxious to do a good job and my biggest fear is that it wont fit the actress properly or sit nicely. Here's hoping.

But as much as I hate (and love!) sewing, I do really enjoy designing and making patterns. Mid wedding dress I had a slight sabbatical to make this dress for Bella for christmas. The fabric was actually for an advent calendar that I'm going to make the kids for next year (oops...this year!) I wanted to avoid the cliche and rather garish green and red and go for something more fun! Anyway, Bella and I fell in love with this summery print and ended up buying far more than we needed, so the dress was born. I have to say, I am rather chuffed with it. The pattern was designed by me for Bella's flowergirl dress. This version has had a few alterations and I think it makes a gorgeous summer dress and it took me less than a day to make.

A few other decorations that I made pre-xmas...

and the completed pink bird...

And finally, best christmas present ever... a Moleskine journal! Thanks Mum!!

now...back to the wedding dress....

2007-11-26T11:49:00.000+09:00

more christmas decorations...

This little guy is hand beaded and embroidered. A slow and time consuming technique, but a relaxing one.

the bird motif seems to be a very popular one, and one that I normally avoid. But it seemed appropriate for christmas.

I decided to steer away from felt for this one. Ideally I'd like to be using more vintage fabrics, but my stash is a little depleted. So vintage silk wings (one of my favouritest fabrics courtesy of mel) teamed here with striped cotton that was originally intented to become 3/4 pants for miss bella. Not finished yet, but I mainly wanted to test out the hand applique stitch that I recently saw demonstated on a daytime quilting show (very sad, I know..but these nanna's have a lot of skills to teach!)

I have a bunch of ideas fliting around in my head, so hopefully there will be loads more to come.

one big softie

2007-11-22T14:00:00.000+09:00

here's my latest creation, his name is Moxy-Maou.

I think softies are so cute, so I couldn't help making one. feeling a bit creative this week. I'm making christmas tree decorations again, same as last year. They look really amazing when hung on a tree.

These little gems are all hand beaded and embroidered. I'm wondering if I should consider an etsy shop? but it's probably a bit late for this yuletide season...

I also dragged the sewing machine out of hibernation...I need to make my daughters flower-girl dress, for which I drafted the pattern months ago, managed to cut out the toille and never took it any further. Well today I sewed up the toille (test run made from calico) and fitted it so now I can make any alterations and proceed to make the actual dress. Fun times. :-)

Don't forget to comment me below on the PIF post if you want a free handmade gift...

Pay it forward

2007-11-19T21:18:00.000+09:00

I'd never heard of this before, what a fantastic concept.

Here's the deal: The first three people who leave a comment on this post will receive a handmade gift from me. In return you have to pay it forward by sending a gift to three people on your blog. Leave your email address so I can grab your postal address later on.

To find out more about Paying it Forward, click here.

snowflakes!

2007-11-16T00:27:00.000+09:00

click on the little snowflake icon over to the left...it's so much fun and totally addictive!

inspirations part one

2007-11-14T13:43:00.000+09:00

If you asked me who my inspirations in the art world are I'd be hard-pressed to find a definitive answer. There are loads of artists whose work I admire and sometimes even draw inspiration from, particularly if they might have worked with the same medium or in a similar style to myself. But when it comes to words, ask me who my literary heroes are and I will gush forth a plethora of names.
Inspiration can come from so many sources, some entirely unexpected. Not all of my inspirations are writers, though most are. And often the inspiration I draw has to do with aspects other than their writing.
Numero Uno has to be Tim Freedman, songwriter and singer of The Whitlams. I am seriously in love with this man's mind. Songwriting is not something I aspire to at all, but they way he strings words together to paint a visual image is incredible.
Markus Zusack; I love that he is Australian, I love his style. It seems that every sentence is riddled with cliche (number one writing no-no), but it works. His writing is vivid and sensual and intoxicating. I could drown in his words...
John Parkes; John was my uni lecturer and encouraged me to write and write even though he was my art lecturer. He taught me that writing isn't something I do, it's who I am. Thanks John :-)
Jodi Piccoult; I came across Jodi as I was working my way through the A&R top 100 books list. I'm new to Jodi's writing as I tend to avoid mainstream fiction these days, but after reading 'My sisters keeper' I was struck at how seamlessly she paints a portrait of peoples ordinary lives and makes them seem so real.
Angela Meyer; a fellow blogger and young Australian writer. I can't even remember how I tripped into her blog (LiteraryMinded), but I love her dedication to her craft. At just 23(?) she has been published in many journals and mags and is working on two novels. If that isn't inspiring, I don't know what is! Good luck Angela.

stay tuned for more....

post secret

2007-11-08T14:37:00.000+09:00

it's not the first time I've stumbled upon this site, but it still intrigues me, so I thought I'd share.
http://postsecret.blogspot.com/

post secret is a community art project where people send in secrets written on a handmade postcard. Some secrets are funny, some are sad, some are downright crazy. All of them could be the basis for a story! What fantastic insight...

divine candy

2007-11-07T17:43:00.001+09:00

Inspiration comes in many shapes and bright colours... many many years ago I was training to be a fashion designer, and even though it's a career path I've long since given up on, you can never really take the designer out of the girl! I don't get inspired to sew very often, I find it frustrating and time consuming and I am a terrible perfectionist striving for a level of perfection that I am simply not patient enough to achieve.
That said, I was seduced today by the array of vintage prints available in spotlight so much that i couldn't resist buying some.
You see, I've been suckered into being the costume designer for a film a friend of mine is producing, and I'm required to construct a 50's style wedding dress as cheaply as possible. We have pretty much decided on the design, so today I was looking at patterns for some inspiration for the actual construction and some idea on how much fabric i will need (as I'm making the pattern myself, I won't know these kinds of details).
Anyway, I discovered the 'Vintage Vogue' pattern collection which are basically recycled 40s and 50s patterns. Oh my god, they are fantastic! So Stepford Wives!
So I've actually altered my design to incorporate a few extra little features that I found in these patterns to give it a little more authenticity, and now I have to do up the sketches and pattern flats for the film guys to check over.
While I was browsing around, I noticed that there are alot of very 50s style prints in store, and they are so delecious, I simply could not resist. I got carried away on the thought of designing an entire summer collection, just for myself, based on 50s prints and styles.
How could anyone resist fabrics that look like lollipops?!

shifting down a gear

2007-11-05T16:05:00.000+09:00

Today marks the start of a new chapter in my life.
After being the sole breadwinner for the past few years, my partner and I have now switched roles again with him re-entering the work force and me becoming a full time mum again.
It struck me today how easily I've sliped back into this role, like sliding back into step with an old friend...
The first time around, when my daughter was born nearly 6 years ago, I struggled with all sorts of identity issues surrounding the shift into parenthood which i then tranlslated into artworks during my last term at uni.
Since I've been working, I have put off doing all the things I really want to do in terms of writing and art, perhaps because I was lazy and it was a convenient excuse...either way, now I'm hoping to open up these avenues again and get creative.
I've been rolling an idea around for about a year now for a novel I want to write, so hopefully now I will find the inspiration to get it started.
Also, last week I was offered a new job working from home as a copywriter. I wasn't looking to continue working at this point, but this may be a blessing in disguise. I get to keep my hand in the jar (so to speak) while still being at home with my kids.
Bring it on!

2007-07-27T22:45:00.000+08:00

Anticipation balls inside her
deep and hungry
she slides into her lipstick
dangerous red.
And walks, careless in the night
heels clacking defiant against the cold
hot breath swirling, dissolving.

(will he remember me?)

And there he is, across the room
catching her eye
she catches her breath
and plunges into his unexpecting embrace.

(it’s ok, we’re old friends)

Awkward.
Smiles.
Flirting glances.

(is he watching as I remove my jacket?)

I could get lost in your conversation.
Words dancing between us
from your lips to mine.
All your stories are mine.

(when did desire arrive?)

Wine wraps its languid arms around us.
We meander in the night
lag behind
lost in these moments
so transient.

(if only we knew)

I remember your hands
cupping my face
my averted gaze, blushing.
You’re beautiful, you said.
You’re lying, I said.
I’m not used to such boldness
but I believed you, anyway.

2007-07-17T17:05:00.000+08:00

what makes me happy:
the colour pink
the smell of coffee
fields sprayed with flowers
dark chocolate
being hugged from behind
being kissed on my neck
laughing with friends
good food
writing
reading good writing
sunsets across the ocean
an unexpected smile
french pastries from Fre-Jac
meeting people of like mind
cats
spontaneous hugs from my babies
garlic roasting
wet sand between my toes
collecting seashells
the smell of books

my fingers tap-dancing across the keyboard

2007-07-16T22:37:00.000+08:00

I have been writing a lot lately. It feels so good, so right and natural. But at once it is frustrating, and I spend much of my day pensive and gazing into space; into my imagined reality.
During the day when I am busy at work, i crave writing, but by the time i get home, cook dinner, play with the kids, get them off to bed, eat, tidy up... where does the time go? And all my energy and inspiration is sapped.
How do women do this?

I feel so sad for Sylvia Plath. her poor poor children.

thirty minutes of solitude

2007-07-02T11:06:00.000+08:00

this morning i drove to work in silence.

i switched off the radio and stepped into my own thoughts.

i was thinking about the book i am currently reading: 'the unbearable lightness of being' by milan kundera.

a couple of things: to me this book is an ultimate celebration of post-modernism. the author invites you into his story, he tells you it is nothing more than a story. are the characters imperative to the story? the author himself acknowledges that they don't exist beyond the bounds of this book, they are not people, merely tools driving the story (this is especially evident to me in the way that some seemingly important characters have dropped off throughout the story). I kind of wonder if this novel is merely a means for MK to assert his philosophy on love; as conflicted as it may be...on one hand he is exploring the sanctity of marriage and monogomy, and on the other (perhaps a desire to be a part of) the world of adultery.
there is so much subtext.
i love when i find myself staring into nowhere, suddenly seduced by what is unsaid (unwritten).

i love when he uses of words outside my own context. (imperative)

(sorry Peta...there are post-its all through your book :-)

random thought:

i was living with my head in a cloud, eating poetry for breakfast lunch and dinner, when Life sidled up to me, silent and coy, and gently took my hand.
Life brought me back to this reality of work, children, cooking countless dinners, watching tv, shopping, making love.

journeys and endless roads

2007-06-26T23:34:00.000+08:00

those of you who know me probably know about the journey quilt project (link somewhere down there) It was an idea designed to impel myself and Peta to work continuously, autonomously, creating art to a central theme, and coming together at the end to create something together.
The idea is something I have toyed with for years...making a piece of work on a regular basis, be it daily, weekly or whatever, as a form of documentation. For me it stemmed from the idea of keeping a journal and that journal becomming the work that it inspires. The form of a quilt seemed to be an appropriate medium for us both at the time of conception; it is tactile and nurturing, yet in so many ways a quilt is like an open story book; the pages splayed for all to see rather than closed against the world guarding its own secrets. An open book, documenting many journeys.
Everyone has a story to tell. Everyone has a different way of telling it.

Naturally when I stumbled (with a shove from Peta!) into Ness Donnelly's blog, 'Folk'(...link over there near the other one) I was intrigued. This idea is not original....what ideas are these days? but here is someone with the courage and tenacity and sheer dedication to continue working inside a set of guidelines for a specified period of time.
I have really enjoyed following your progress Ness. I will be watching with interest to see what you get up to next!!
Today Ness has posted a link to another incessant artist: Kirsty Hall and The Diary Project (do I really need to say it again?) How intriguing! I will be keeping an eye on this one also.
I wonder how many more of us there are?

My first ever implication that I might want to make a quilt was as part of an ongoing daily journal, where I had to produce a square each day for the course of an entire year, then sew them all together. This idea stemmed from another, back when I was making books....instead of making blank journals to fill, I made pages one by one and bound them into books. A diary of sorts. The quilt was merely an extention, a different medium to push the boundaries, to relate my work back to textiles.
A quilt in its very essence is like a map; a series of squares, fields across the earth; boxes on a callendar; pages in a book.
Squares are so comfortable...yet so contrived.
Squares are manmade, sharp angles, firm lines, endless roads.

yet journeys come and go in circles.

secrets

2007-06-18T14:54:00.000+08:00

I found this article online the other day; an art conservator in Victoria, while restoring an Arthur Streeton painting (Spring) discovered secret love notes, or rather, inscriptions of love, in the painting more than 120 years after it was painted.
http://www.cbc.ca/arts/artdesign/story/2007/06/12/streeton-secret-love.html?ref=rss
It got me to thinking: what secrets would be revealed if people were passed under the UV light? I mean, everyone has secrets: secret thoughts, desires, history's.
Think about it...what information do you choose not to disclose to people?
I love the idea of something hidden just below the surface, hidden layers, secrets trapped.
It takes me back to some of the work I did while at uni that stemmed from the idea of layers as applied to the facets of a persons personality. The notions that we are in fact many different people in all the different situations in our lives. We are never just a writer, an artist, a mother, a sister, a daughter, a lover, a wife. We are all of those things and many more. And of those, how many more facets are there that we keep hidden?

2007-06-15T16:27:00.000+08:00

a while back a friend sent me a copy of Jack Kerouacs thirty essential 'Beliefs and Techniques for Modern Prose'. The whole list is strange to say the least, not quite adhering to what one would expect from a guide to writing. Number 14 though resonated with me in its strangeness:
"Like Proust be an old teahead of time"
I couldn't make any sense of this and was keen to find some sort of explanation.
My initial search led me to believe he was a 'pothead'. probably not a far stretch for a writer, but this didn't seem to sit quite right.
Anyway, I pulled a book of essays off my shelf the other day called 'Timepieces' by Drussilla Modjeska. I bought it years ago after partly reading Stravinsky's Lunch (sadly i never finished). Anyway, I was randomly leafing through and Prousts name jumped off the page and slapped me in the face.
Here's what I found:

"I think I'm a temporiser. It's a term Andre Aciman uses of himself, and of a certain sort of memorist, of whom the greatest- the incomparable- example, is Proust. Temporising, in Aicman's view, is an attitude of mind which develops in certain people who can find themselves engulfed, even tipped off balance, by the sadness of the present. "The incurable imperfection in the very essence of the present", Proust says..... they slip into other time frames; in other words, they play with time. They propel themselves into wishful thinking, fantasising, all kinds of story telling, as a way of coaxing life into more controllable possibilities. They return to a troubled present once it has passed and reconsider it from a safer vantage point. A life of imagination, lived on the page, takes on a reality that can be a powerful as the reality their body inhabits."
(page 75)

It all makes perfect sense. Imagine living your life not in the present, but outside this moment, only to return when the dust has settled and take it all in, analyse from an objective standpoint.
To the active mind, I think, analysis offers a 'safe' way of dealing with issues; with emotions. As the analyst, you objectify what is happening around you, to you.
Callous and un-compassionate? or simply protecting my most fragile asset? My heart.

2007-06-11T13:12:00.000+08:00

cliche or metaphor?
what's the difference?