The Doily

The Ballarat Small Works Show

2011-05-17T22:03:00.000-07:00

This week Marcia and I have a very exciting announcement to make, after plotting and planning for several months we are now very proud to be able to announce the inaugural Ballarat Small Works Prize!

The concept is an oldie but a goodie, works submitted are to be no more than 30 x 30cm, in any medium but ready to hang on the wall. A panel of judges will pick the winner of a $500 value voucher for services at RU Advertising, Ballarat. (Thanks RU!)

We are accepting submissions now, visit the website for a downloadable application form. Submissions are only $15 per artwork, max of 5 works per artist. All entries will be displayed in the show which will be opening on the 9th of July. You gotta be in it to win it!

Horray!

- Steph

Hints and tips from Marce

2011-05-10T21:59:00.001-07:00

Tips Part 1. Successful Art Openings.

Hello,

Every day is a school day, and this week we are sharing some of the things we have learnt since we have been artists and more recently gallery owners.

Marcia is an experienced artist with a whole gamut of shows under her belt and shares some tips on exhibiting!

Tips for Successful Art Openings

"I’ve written some of my thoughts in regards to Exhibition openings. Some of it relates directly to Red Brick and how you can make a Red Brick exhibition work best, but I think most of it can be applied to all exhibitions. For some of you what I have written will be obvious, for others it will be the information you have been waiting for. Some of you will disagree with what I have written and that’s OK. I certainly don’t claim my thoughts to be the only way to approach exhibiting and there is much more to think about and do for a successful opening than what I’ve included here. However, now I’m an owner of a gallery I want to help break down the barriers between the gallery owner and the artist. I want to pass on the information to help artists exhibit and have a successful exhibition and I figured this was a good place to start.

An art opening at an art gallery is always a momentous occasion. The atmosphere is festive; the art is fresh and new. Everyone from the artist to the gallery owner is optimistic about the prospects for healthy sales and favorable reviews. In a sense, the art will never look as good as it does during its opening, and as such, this particular circumstance always represents an opportunity for significant advancement in an artist's career.

A successful art opening creates a buzz in the art community, not only about the art and the artist, but also about the gallery. The better the opening, the more people talk; word spreads and subsequent attendance at the show increases. And we all know that the more people who see the art, the greater the chances of making sales. With these facts in mind, the following pointers are designed to make your openings successful in terms of publicity, attendance, and sales.

The best way to make your art opening work for you is to create, in advance, a level of anticipation that encourages as many people to come and see your art as possible. Craft a compelling announcement or press release, disseminate it as widely within the art and general community as possible-- typically at online art and event websites-- and make sure that everyone sees it in plenty of time to make plans to attend your show. This announcement should be clearly written (so that ordinary people can understand it) and contain two to three paragraphs of two to three sentences each-- nothing more-- keep it simple. In addition to events websites, email it to relevant local arts organizations, newspapers that list local events, and any local radio or TV stations or shows that regularly cover on local arts and culture happenings (including community access channels).

Red Brick will send press releases to local newspapers, register your events on community event pages and publicize your show on face book, blogs, through newsletters and the website. But follow up all these avenues personally as well. Submit your own press releases to the local paper, they sometimes respond much better to an artist than the gallery itself. Send your CV and artist statement to Red Brick as early as you can. The sooner we have this information the sooner we can promote you. We send information weeks in advance to some places in the hope that your show might fit into a special event planned or it suits a topic they are exploring within their publication.

People love pictures, being an artist myself and one who does a lot of work right near the deadline I can understand you may not have a lot of images to send, but as soon as you have them even 2 or 3, send them to the gallery, include them with the press releases you send out. People may love a picture we post of your work and this may encourage them to come to the opening or even purchase your work. Press publications also like to put a face to a story, provide images of yourself also! The more of the work you do, the more likely it is that your exhibition will grab the attention of the media and potential guests for your opening!

Tell us about your accomplishments, this is your time to dig deep and find some inner courage and talk about yourself or write about yourself which is what I find easier. The more we know about you leading up to and during your exhibition the better we can help sell your work and promote you as an artist. I have been caught out a few times where customers have asked me questions about exhibiting artists but I don’t know the answers, this is because Artists can be shy and a bit aloof. We understand you are shy and may have trouble discussing your work but try and at least share your ideas and thoughts with the gallery owners, if they know the answers they may be able to do the hard work for you. But share and share openly, don’t make it hard and don’t wait for lots of questions from the gallery.

Also get to know and schmooze media people like critics or art writers, no matter how small or insignificant their publications or websites or how much you disagree with their views. You want your shows to be reviewed, so make sure you know your local reviewers and chat them up at your opening. Publicity is always good, no matter where it appears or what it says. When someone writes about you, that means you're worth writing about.

Make sure all art is priced and the gallery has your price list early. Make sure you consider the galleries commission before pricing and include that in your price. During your exhibition make sure your resume and prices are visible and within easy reach of anyone who wants to learn more about you and your art. Always include the title, size, medium and price on your price list. Some people want to know if it’s going to fit their walls.

Some more tips....

1. ALWAYS sign your work, it shows a level of pride, ownership but also adds value to your work.

2. Label your work accurately. If you are exhibiting prints, that’s fine but include 'digital print' for example in the description. The buyer is less likely to want your piece if you say it’s pencil in the description but it’s really a digital print. People will lean more commonly to original one off pieces when buying but will often buy prints if it’s clearly stated and that print is editioned

3. Take pride in the presentation of your work. That doesn’t mean always professionally framing work etc, it just means really look at it before putting it on the wall. Make sure there’s no hair under the glass (been there lol)... make sure the image sits in the frame nicely. Make sure it’s ready to hang, not just for the galleries sake but for the purchaser sake. Wire on the back through two eyelet’s on either side of the frame is the best way to prepare your work for hanging. Even if you are using cute little ‘found’ frames... put wire on the back. Those tiny little clips on the back just don’t really work and make it hard to hang.

Art buyers who see an artist's work for the first time and who like it would rather review prices and career accomplishments in private than ask about them. First, they want to decide whether they can afford the art. Those who can afford it and who are impressed by your resume will then speak with you, your agent or the gallery owners.

Be on time to your opening.Your visitors are your customers, you are hosting this party so be there to welcome your guests. Create atmosphere, complimentary drinks and nibbles need not be expensive but can make the difference between securing a sale or not. Also think about how you wish your guests to feel about your work, would a musician or playlist help create that?

Be available to speak with anyone who shows any level of interest in your art. Don't make yourself difficult to access by surrounding yourself with friends and acquaintances; you can see them anytime. The new people-- the first timers-- these are the ones who you should be talking to. The better people understand your art and the deeper the connection they feel to you, the more inclined they are to buy. So get out there and mingle.

By the way, walking up and introducing yourself to someone who's seriously studying your prices or looking at your art is perfectly acceptable, but be sensitive to the viewers and be careful not to overstay your welcome. Also make sure that everyone selling your art has been briefed on your career, has access to your resume, can speak knowledgeably about your selling prices, and can refer to your past sales, successful shows, names of people or institutions that already own your art, and similar hard art market facts.

Now get out there and make a name for yourself!"

- Marce

I love my Mum

2011-05-02T21:44:00.000-07:00

And I'm telling the world!

I also think your Mum is pretty rad too! To prove it we are offering 10% off your purchase this weekend if you bring your Mum! Alternatively, purchase a gift for your Mum and the discount still applies!

Bottled Magic!

2011-04-20T21:19:00.001-07:00

I have pink hair. Very pink hair. My hair is so pink that people often ask if Im wearing a wig. Thats pretty damn pink.
Those in the hair-dying-know often ask how I get it so.... pink! They also ask how long it lasts. Thats because if you have ever entered the world of uber-bright hair dying you will know that it's tricky getting a vibrant colour, but its even trickier getting it to last beyond a couple of washes! Not me. My neon pink stays shockingly bright for about 5 weeks, and thats including lots of shampoo-ing, swimming in dams, and other hair-colour abusive behaviours! After those 5 weeks are up its time to colour the re-growth and refresh the rest with a new sploge of dye.

So I have decided to share the bright-colour love and we are now stocking a very limited range of Special Effects hair colours. This brand is the BOMB! I use 'Atomic Pink' and one bottle of this will last me 2 dying sessions it's so strong (AND it glows in UV light, how cool is that!?) Usually I buy my colour in from the USA as its not readily available in Australia, but now we are stocking a small range of colour instore.
We currently have in stock Wildflower, Blue Haired Freak, Purple Smoke, Sonic Green, Limelight and Hot Lava. Get it while it's hot! Seriously, this stuff is magic in a bottle!
Have a great Easter weekend!
Steph xxx

A Fluro love affair

2011-04-14T19:29:00.000-07:00

It feels so wrong, but oh so right.

I can't help myself. There is something about the way the colours make my eyes tingle.

3 of my favourite things, garden gnomes, fluro paint and making window displays!
If you are an artist and think you might be interested in designing a window at Red Brick you should get in touch. Today our Gnomes are witnessing the opening of Jessica Bellmans show 'Mememto' from 6pm tonight. This morning the lovely Margie from the ABC online popped in to interview Jess and I can't wait for her to upload the interview so I can check it out! I shall update with the link as soon as I can!
Happy Friday!

Steph

Lady Bellman

2011-04-13T18:55:00.000-07:00

I have said it before, and I will say it again,one of the best bits of being part of Red Brick is the amazing and talented people I meet on a daily basis and Jess Bellman has to be one of my faves!
Favouritism may be wrong, but this girl really doesn't give me an option, and I am extremely excited about her exhibition beginning tomorrow and have been taking a sneak-peek at her work in progress shots on her website.

Her paintings are seriously beautiful, but boy, they are a little thrillingly creepy too!

Have you seen our website? I LOVE it! I will fess-up that some of it is still a little clunky as we are still learning how to use it! I do however, feel seriously indebted to the very talented Jess Bellman and her wonderful hubby Glenn who designed it for us. Its not very often that you get to work with someone who gets your vision in an instant and turns that vision into something a thousand times better!

As well as exhibiting with us, Jess also has some design action going on with her equally talented hubby Glen, they do graphic design, websites n other great stuff and you can find them here.

To top it all off, Jess will be giving away one of her original oil paintings on her opening night tomorrow! Wow! To win, find Jess at her opening and quote "Great googly woogly!". How ace is that!?

Here is the piece entitled 'I'm with you' that's up for grabs!
Jess's show opens this Friday the 15th at 6pm and runs until the 28th of April. See you there!

Steph

Handmade love

2011-04-09T21:19:00.000-07:00

Handmade love

I seriously can't think of a better way to spend a Saturday afternoon than hanging out watching a movie. Actually. I can. An afternoon watching a movie about craft, feminism and political activism, with creative people, in a beautiful building, with an opportunity to meet the film maker, who is lovely, and friendly and answered lots of interesting questions!

Seriously, it doesn't get better!

Thank you, thank you, thank you Anna for an amazing, inspiring and stimulating day! You can buy Anna's film 'Making it Handmade' on DVD here. Do DVD players have a 'repeat' button?!

Super-special fim showing!

2011-03-29T19:55:00.000-07:00

I am very excited!

I am helping to host a film showing of a documentary on the rise of Contemporary Crafting and all those rad Melbourne chicks that have been movin' and a shakin' the nanna crafts!

The showing will feature a Q and A session with the film maker Anna Brownfield herself!

So, without further ado, here are some words about the film by Anna...

After a sell our screening at Melbourne International Film Festival, "Making it Handmade" will be screening in Ballarat!

A seditious and subversive subculture is gaining momentum in Melbourne. But rather than wielding megaphones and placards, they’re cross-stitching slogans on hurricane wire and constructing plush female genitalia from craft supplies.

Following four Melbourne women who’ve taken a seemingly staid past-time and injected it with a youthful, modern aesthetic, filmmaker Anna Brownfield shows a side of craft more closely aligned with punk DIY culture than with Martha Stewart and ‘home sweet home’ tapestries.

“I wanted to show that craft was no longer daggy but had moved into a new era and was being reclaimed by women who had been brought up as feminists.” – filmmaker Anna Brownfield

Filmmaker Anna Brownfield, who was born and breed in Ballarat will be on hand to introduce the film and answer all your questions afterward.

Where: 14 Camp St, Ballarat (the old masonic hall)

When: Saturday 9th April 2011

Time: 3pm, doors open at 2:30pm

Don't miss out, book your ticket today.

You can get your ticket here. And I will see you there for an afternoon of mingling with crafty types!

My New Home

2010-11-16T21:21:00.000-08:00

I have some exciting news.
The voice that is Doily is re-locating due to some exciting changes, you will now find me at theredbrick.blogspot.com where I will be nattering on about the latest developments at my new gallery and shop!
Yes, I did say gallery and shop! Red Brick gallery and emporium will be opening in Ballarat in December and will be showing the best emerging artists and featuring super-duper independent design-wares and other great stuff!

I know, its a long way removed form a skating rink but life brings challenges and along with them come opportunities too exciting to miss out on! I will be working with the ever-clever and talented Marcia King and our new blog will be bringing you up-dates on our progress.

Rennovations on our 2 story space begin on Dec 1st and we are currently seeking submissions from artists as well as products to stock so if you are, or know someone who may be, interested get in touch with us at hello@redbrickgallery.com.au and lets have a chinwag!

Oh golly... really, the excitement! See you at the Red Brick!

Inconsistent

2010-10-06T13:54:00.000-07:00

The time I used to spend pottering in blogland have been replaced with living. With becoming Prez of my roller derby league, falling in love, plotting and planning for the future and hibernating over winter, I have had very little inclination to blog. Sometimes there is just too little, or too much to say.
My ex partner and friend Simon died recently from a head injury he received in a brawl. That morning my world got a whole lot emptier. The next day I sat with and his family in the hospital and said goodbye, he was warm, and machines made him breath, but everything that made him Simon was gone. I spent a long time that day trying to memorise everything about him, the dirt under his nails, his one grey chest hair, the feel of his skin, the hairs on his arm. I dreamed of him last night and even in my dream I was sad because I knew he was gone.
But this week, the sun has been shining, the garlic has been shooting up in my new veggie patch and I am regaining my equilibrium. I'm still all kinds of ups and downs but I'm able to cope with normal everyday things like showering and washing dishes. I think it's important to see the best in even crappy events so today I see I am lucky.
I am lucky to never have lost someone so close to me before. I am lucky that after several years with him, I am not going through the trauma of losing a partner, just losing a loved friend. I am lucky to have someone to support me through this time with love and affection. I am lucky I got to say goodbye, in a way. I am lucky to be able to forgive.
So today I will try not to be sad, a little less sad anyway, and look at the best in life. Here are some things that are cheering me up today.My pink, pink hair. (Note to self, pink+orange=not good)The garden in bloom, for pretty things to wake up to.New to me op-shop eiderdown bought for me, by him.

My latest project, derby inspired embroidery

Simon

2010-09-20T17:39:00.000-07:00

You were my best friend, I loved you. I refuse to say nice things about you because you are gone. But I will say things that are true.

You pissed me off, you drove me mad, you were grumpy and short tempered and selfish when you wanted to be. If someone asked for your help you begrudged it.
But if someone NEEDED your help you were there, you would travel oceans for the people you cared about, and sometimes even those you didn't. I once told you you wouldn't do anything for nothing, but you proved me wrong over and again.

But I do know that's what you wanted us all to think. You said you were a rock. you said you didn't care about anything or anyone. You were also a terrible liar. You were a rock, you were MY rock, you were my constant. But you were also my stormy ocean.

I hated how you would ring because you were bored, I heard about every bite of food, every breath inhaled, every conversation you had. You NEVER asked how I was going. It drove me mad. When I woke up today I wondered when you would call because you did every day. And then I remembered. Today I am looking forward to that moment tomorrow, those split seconds of semi-consciousness before I remember you are gone.

I miss you, I miss your smell, I miss crosswords, I miss your constant talking, I miss your grumpyness, I miss your food, I miss stealing hugs from you, I miss you making excuses to come see me. I wish you were here to take control of this crisis. When things are at their worst, you are at your best.

I know you would be shitty at me for caring. You would be scowling at me sobbing over my keyboard and telling me to harden up, that life goes on, that you don't care. You would be organising things, making deals and preparing for the future.

But you are not here. And I want you back.

I want you to message me crossword clues. I want you to tell me to be good. I want you to boss me around. I want you to to be a pain so I can tell you off. I want to correct your spelling and grammar. I want you to bag out my relationship, and call me fat, and be an obnoxious drunk. I want you to say Roller Derby is for fat ugly lesbians. I want to make you things that you don't like. I want you to be embarrassed by my clothes, my hair. I want you to make politically incorrect comments just to shit me.

You were my friend, you were my family, and now I don't really know what to do without you.

feathering my nest

2010-07-22T18:47:00.000-07:00

I'm seriously nesting. It must be the weather, this chillness is making me into a homebody and that's just fine by me!
This week I painted a kitchen and hallway in Melbourne and it has me wanting to reach for the roller at home, I want freshness and whiteness and a clean canvas . I want to repaint kitchen cupboards, rip down the worlds ugliest Venetian blinds that make me feel like I am living in an 80's bank. I want to paint furniture, sew curtains, bake, be cozy.
But I'm still integrating myself into the Mr's home, because this is HIS house, that he has owned and lived in without me for a number of years. I'm still feeling a need to be respectful of that despite the fact that is taste in home decor is an abomination!
What to do? It's odd how quickly one can become accustomed to naff artwork and expensive, but ugly furniture but its just not moi at the end of the day. So today I am starting with a little project and painting some draws, then I will pull out the vintage wallpaper stash and start thinking.

Realistically it won't be long until I am a very busy bunny indeed. It seems that RetroRink has a home, all 1,400 square meters of a home, construction on the cafe and shop begin soon and in a couple of months we will begin turning what is now an enormous, empty warehouse into a skating rink. Then, it will be all hands on deck to get stock in, floors painted, kitchen fitted, shop fitted and barriers built. A daunting task but I really can't wait!

2010-07-05T17:13:00.000-07:00

I lost my making mojo there for a while.

I have been busy skating, moving, organising and keeping warm.

But I think the mojo is back. I made this skirt for the hell of it this weekend. It's a bit small for me but I have in mind a little person who might like it.

When I first met my beau I made him this and it is still probably my mostest favouritest thing I have ever completed.

In replacement of embroidery floss I used strands of my hair.

The technique is a bit tricky, you need to use about 6 individual strands to form one 'floss' otherwise you can't see it properly.

I have been inspired by this blog post shown to me by a friend and have been fairly obsessed with the idea since.

I love that this piece of work contains literally a piece of my body, each strand holds the genetic information that makes me individually me. Yes, it's a little grotesque, but I think that's what I find so compellingly beautiful.

When I was a little girl I remember seeing a very, very old sewing kit in a stately home. The curator told me that the tiny little silver scoop it contained was for scooping out ear wax to wax the thread!

Don't worry, I didn't use my ear wax, but a little bees wax helps tame the 6 strands enough to make them easier to work with. Lucky my hair is very long right now!

Continuing the theme of inappropriate embroidery I am working on a series of re-loved doilies, adorning them with profanities.

I like the contrast between their prettiness and naughtiness!

I have never really played with embroidery before so my skills are a little shoddy, but I'm loving its portability. I can do it anywhere and even whilst I am engaged in other tasks, it even got whipped out this weekend at at training session on the updates to the roller derby rules!

Hopefully your are staying warm and cozy? Brrr... it's chilly outside!

Goodbye house

2010-06-29T18:03:00.000-07:00

Goodbye barn,

Goodbye outside loo.
All my moving has been done. I have cleaned and left my old house to its wintry-ness and I am snug and warm in my ugly double-brick abode in town.
But I have a confession to make... now that the 'work' of shifting trailer-loads, cursing at the generator because I got the power off too early, and cleaning up mountains of rat poo is over.....
I just can't be stuffed unpacking!
I still have a car-load I have been carting around since the weekend, there are boxes unpacked loitering in every corner and I have no motivation whatsoever to deal with it.
Sigh.
Last night I sat on the toilet seat and it broke in half. To be fair it was a wooden one that popped at the joins. I whipped out my wood glue and hammer and had it clamped back together in a jiffy.
This morning I browsed facebook to discover that whilst I was jimmying back together the loo seat, D was very helpfully posting about it on facebook, prompting a healthy debate on his usage of the phrase "she sat on it with her big fat arse and is fixing it all by her self!"
Sigh again.
Anyone got a trained man-about-the-house they would like to donate?

What the...?

2010-06-27T20:19:00.000-07:00

Oh dear. Oh dear oh dear oh dearie me...
Look what turned up again? I removed this delightful picture to make room for my cupboard of vintage fabrics, and lo! here it is again, perched loftily atop. I'm sure it's not bloke-stuff retaliation, I'm sure he actually thinks it looks GOOD up there!

Sigh, in this whole 'bloke stuff' debacle, the advice from all sides is that his gear must make way. The nicest advice has been to gradually replace things one by one and if defiance is met to give him a 'pool room' for all his blokey gear.

Interestingly, not one person has suggested allowing his stuff to stay, or that his interior expression is just as important as mine!

Oh well, I think that I'm gonna have to call in the big guns and (*gasp with horror*) actually have a CONVERSATION about this!

My Creative Space

2010-06-24T15:37:00.000-07:00

Enough already! I'm so well and truly over this moving house thingamy that I have gone on strike!
It was a disgruntled little Doily that sat down at her sewing machine but now she is much more content...
Inspired by my fabby friend Kate, I have been hewing into my vintage blanket stash and whipped up my very own reversible woolen blanky pinafore dress!
No, it isn't scratchy at all, and I LOVE the vintage sheet lining, and super chunky buttons.... mmm... cozy winter woolen goodness!

Phew, now doesn't that feel better!

Visit Kirsty's place for more creative spaces.

I'm moving house...

2010-06-20T18:03:00.000-07:00

...and hating every moment of it!
I have moved house 14 times over 3 continents and I'm well and truely OVER IT.
Pack boxes, move boxes, unpack boxes, pack boxes, move boxes, unpack boxes. I'm sensing a very boring pattern.
This time I'm moving in with my beau. Logically I am hesitant to give up my 'plan B'. Plan B is a pesimistic sod and says that "this is too good to be true and therefore can't last so it's best to have a back-up."
Plan 'Reality' says "you haven't been home in 3 months and all your stuff is being eaten by rodents including your beautiful vintage fabrics... boo hoo, and can you really justify a pretty cottage holiday home in the country right now?".
Plan Reality has won and I am on the move.
My next dilemma has been that my lovely man has lived alone for a looong time. He, like me, has a house FULL of stuff.
Except his is BOY STUFF. And mine is NANNA STUFF.And therfore overwhelmingly, well, overwhelming!
How do I do this? Subtly remove the pictures of him racing motorbikes... ...or blatently let him know his stuff is hideous as all hell?
I think we have achieved a compromise, in this 3 bedroomed and 2 loungroomed house there should be room for us both, so the 10thousand motorbike parts have been shifted and the crochet is movin' on in! He can have his ugly boy-room, and I will have my cozy craft room and all are happy.
Craft night anyone?

Curriculum

2010-06-06T21:26:00.000-07:00

Have you read Extra Curricular magazine?

In their own words...
"Extra Curricular is a publication dedicated to showcasing people who do interesting creative projects in their spare time as well as encouraging those who wish they did."

I am very excited about a conversation I had today with Ellie the Editor (ooh, that has a lovely ring to it!) and hope to be submitting some words on this weekends Great Southern Slam!

Yup, I'm heading to Radelaide (AKA Adelaide) to the inaugural Australian Roller Derby nationals! I am the founding member of The D-Team (dedicated to crappy D-League Derby girls everywhere!) and will be skating against the New Kids On The Block.

My first proper derby bruise is fading after an impressive 'superman' over Fireblades head last week at training,

and although I made the poster...

(can you spot me?) I didn't make The Rat Pack team, so this will be my very first official foray onto the track and I'm nervous as all hell. This is going to hurt!

Dreams

2010-06-05T00:37:00.000-07:00

My dreams have been very vivid this week.
I have dreamt about helping a friend move house (giant soft-toys and all), my teeth crumbling, and my (dead) grandfather dying.
Dreams are funny things and in the wonderfully quirky way of the English language, I love the way we use the same word for waking as well as sleeping fantasies.

The things I have dreamt of doing in my waking life have sometimes grown with me. When I was 6 I dreamt of being a ballerina, then an artist. Then of travel and adventure and now of domestic bliss.
Last year my friend and wisest sage Kate, told me this would be my year. Thanks for the positive thinking darl, because although I don't want to speak too soon, this year has been full of really great surprises.

Domestic bliss has come my way, I'm happy as Larry and now I know that nothing is perfect, but this one is as close to perfect as it could be.... and funnily enough, so far from what I thought perfect was... does that make sense?

Some dreams creep up on us slowly, like drifting off to sleep. And some land on us suddenly, like jumping awake to the alarm.

Right now another dream is blossoming, one I didn't even know I had. It's landed on me, taken on a life of it's own and is becoming very, very real, very very quickly!

It's still oh-so soon, and there are so many things that could still prevent this from happening, I'm nervous, I'm excited, and I'm having to hold my hands behind my back to prevent my from spending money before the lease is signed, renovations are complete and permits are in hand.

So, no. I'm not preggers and I haven't bought a house...it's bigger than that... much bigger! And you will never in a hundred-gazillion-billion years guess what it is, it's not crafty in the least!

As some of you do already know from my nervous chats in 'real life', I may as well let the cat out of the proverbial bag... I'm opening a skating rink.

Yup. You heard correctly, an enormous, 1,350m2 skating rink, cozy coffee shop and retail store.

Crazy? Yes. I know.

Good bye Becky Bloodnut

2010-05-20T16:09:00.000-07:00

In case you hadn't noticed the blog has taken a back-burner for me of late. Generally when that happens it's because my 'real life' is going too well to make time for my usual blog-land whinging and now is generally no exception... I'm too busy enjoying life to yack about it.

Today though, I have been inspired to post. Yesterday morning, due to complications with her injury, our friend and team-mate Claire Smith (aka Becky Bloodnut) passed away.

I can't really put the way I feel about this into words, I know I say this so often it's probably so tedious to hear it again, but community is everything to me and my community of Derby girls have been rocked, shaken and bowled over by losing our friend.

Yesterday we gathered together in shock, weepy and dis-believing. I am so proud of my friends for supporting each other during such a horrible time. For turning tears into good memories and for celebrating Bloodnuts' life and all she gave us, together.

Today I am still a rather weepy mess, and I know that on the 6th of June, the next time the team skates together against Geelong without her, I will be again. But this mornings hangover is with every moment.
Goodbye Becky Bloodnut, and thank you. My thoughts are with your family,

New friend, new blog

2010-04-21T21:11:00.000-07:00

I would like to introduce you to a friend of mine Screamstress. Like all of us whom unite through blogland Emily is stepping out into this new world and I can't wait for those moments us bloggers share.
I'm so looking forward to exclaim "Blog it baby!" next time something awesome happens, and learn more about her through her pages. Plus, what an awesome jumpsuit!

Under the hammer

2010-04-17T03:27:00.000-07:00

Tonight I played auctioneer at the opening of a new ceramics collective in Daylesford.
This is a new game for me as not only have I never taken the podium before, but I have actually never even been to an auction! EEK! Well... you can imagine how nervous I was, but, as I'm sure how anyone who knows me would guess, once I was up there, gavel in hand I really quite enjoyed myself.

There were some really amazing works going under the hammer and it made me feel proud to be a fellow 'muddy'. I suppose my background in ceramics is why I ended up there on stage under those lights, fumbling for numbers and missing waved bids and thumping down that great big hammer.

This amazing space is so inspiring and I'm so proud of Sue, Kath and colleagues for making this dream happen.
But, as I stood up there, gazing vapidly around, trying to remember if i had said 190 or 180 dollars, I thought to myself "wouldn't it be nice if there were someone here who came to support ME".
But never fear Doily-ateers, as they say in the Homeland, 'you wait ages for one bus then 2 come along at once!' .. indeedy , indeed they do.
Well no news as yet to report on the bus timetable but I'm taking it easy, eyeing off the timetable, no need to rush.
But today was the most fun I've had on skates in a carpark. And thats all I'm saying.

My Creative Space

2010-04-16T01:58:00.000-07:00

I have been super lucky to have been the recipient of some awesome op-shopped pressies lately. How amazing is this Smurfs sheet? Hmm... shame summer has waned as this would make a wonderfully sweet summer frock. If I continue on the same progress schedule as my Humfrey dress I may have something complete by then!
I have been working on a gift for a crafty gal (or her bubba anyway!), well done Kirsten, great procreation guys! I have also been drafting up some new toy patterns, I've been thinking of ways to use these snuggly wool blankets and I think I may have solved el problemo with Une elephant and wee Scotty dog.

As you can see in the background The blankie is still growing. Slowly.
Whats the longest-running project you've ever worked on?

For more Creative Spaces clickety,click to see Kootoyoo here.

Admitting defeat..

2010-04-16T01:32:00.000-07:00

... is never easy.
Sometimes things just don't work out the way you may have wished.
My high hopes have been dashed. I spoke too soon and now I'm regurgitating a bitter pill I had to swallow last week. What should have been a romantic sojourn to le beach resulted in loosing the war.

I have admitted defeat. Somethings are just too hard so what can I do but shrug my shoulders and square them again once more to enter the battlefield.

Sigh. Oh well, tonight I'm gonna cozy up with my dog, fortify myself in my studio and give my neglected sewing machine some overdue love.

In a way, it's nice to have my single life back. Oh fee oh fie. Whats a gal to do but keep on sewing! :)

Hello. My name is...

2010-04-06T23:19:00.000-07:00

?
So some assistance here please.
I have to select a Roller Derby name, I thought I was all set with Demolition Doily. That was until I checked it on the international derby name register. Unfortunately there is a 'very high' match with Demolition Dolly. Darn that Rose City Rollergirl!

So now I need a second choice as a back-up. The problem is that has opened a whole new can-o-worms! I just can't decide!!!
Here's my shortlist:

Doily Dread

Oops-a-doily

Granny Squared (or G2... get it!?)

Poppin'Pom

Purl-Hurl

Pommie Brasco

Atomic Pom

Chuckle-buster

Knit-Brit

Help!

A petticoat nightmare!

2010-04-06T21:36:00.000-07:00

Sigh, enormous red crinoline = 54 meters of gathering hell!

And it just doesn't sit right! I think, after 3 days of working on this that I'm going to have to add another layer to the top, a full, double layered circle of netting might help it maintain its shape.

It's just kinda 'boofing' out at the bottom... see what I mean? What have I started?! Groan.

Dress in progress

2010-03-30T19:12:00.000-07:00

I've had the idea for this dress in my mind for a very long time and although it began to take shape a while ago it has been a long road to completion and it's still not there!

I loved this children's doona cover and it wasn't until I showed a friend that it was pointed out that it's actually a print of Humfrey B. Bear. That doesn't mean a whole lot to me as I missed out on this Aussie childhood phenomenon but I still adore the print!

The next step is to make a crinoline for under the skirt, I'm thinking super-puffy red fountains of tulle. Mmmm, delicious!

Boy stuff

2010-03-26T19:58:00.000-07:00

My goodness. Its been so long since I popped in here to say hello. I have that feeling I get when I see an old friend I haven't caught up with in ages, there is sooo much to say that often you don't know where to start!

I feel a little like I have been living in some sort of dream-world for the past couple of weeks. I haven't even been home for 7 days and am starting to feel slightly dis-connected from reality. Its time for me to stop, and think a little and try and feel like I am anywhere near having my feet on the ground. I'm beginning to get vertigo up here in the clouds!

So you may ask why on earth I am feeling so odd? Well I met someone. A male someone. A male someone whom I think is pretty damn rad and who crazily enough seems to think the same about me.

Yup. I know. Pinch me someone!

This is a strange post for me to write, my bloggie monologues on romance (or the lack of it) have been disgruntled rants of dis-satisfaction, whinges of un-fulfilment and break up blues. So this, my bloggie buddies is new territory for me and after spending the past 3 weeks in a blissed-out daze I think it's time to come back to reality.

I have a tendency to over-think things and have to constantly pull that little cord which brings me back to the here and now. Today I have remembered to give that cord a little tug, abandon the 'what ifs' and just see what happens, remind myself that if I spend all my time worrying about the future then I will be missing out on some awesome things happening right now!

In the meantime I haven't made a thing in the past few weeks.. all my creative energy has been focused elsewhere I guess but I have also been day-dreaming about a new tattoo... (hence the random tat shots!) how about these beautiful babies?

images from here

Know what I Love Most About Blogging?

2010-03-01T23:58:00.000-08:00

It's meeting new, real people, local to me.
Like this chick...
and this dude...

I love local bloggers! Click the pics to vist Love Again and AW Comix.

oooh... nice skates!

2010-03-01T20:19:00.000-08:00

Oh hello!? Who's that hottie in the local rag? Oh, Lo! It's me! You can read the article here, but who cares about that when you have my lovely mug to look at eh?
Cripes, nice skates sista. Tried out my new outdoor wheels today at the local skatepark, boy, did I feel like an oldie on wheels! The only others present were 12 year olds cutting school but I'm sure they were as impressed as me... maybe.

You can get your tickets for Ballarat Roller Derby grudge match here. Or from me.

Derby Inferno!

2010-02-28T16:09:00.000-08:00

I have had a couple of skating milestones lately, firstly, I am no longer Fresh Meat! That's right dudes, I have been deemed 'competent' by my Freshie-Mamma Fiddle Fingers and I'm about to go in with the big girls in Inter-meats!

And did I mention I'm terrified?

I'm gonna take the advice I give to all of those out there thinking of joining a Roller Derby League and just go for it! Do what I can and try my hardest, and if it hurts then I must be doing it right eh?

Speaking of hurting, I have been in top-to-toe pain this week. I'm aching in paces I never knew I had. Thanks HelterBelter!

In other related Derby news I am helping organise the next derby bout this weekend as part Daylesfords Chillout festival.

Derby Inferno kicks off at 4pm, Saturday 6th March. I can guarantee it's going to be an exciting event as, like always, a roller derby bout is much more than just a game... it's entertainment!

You can get tickets online here, or from the venue (ARC, smith st next to the Daylesford high school) or from me!

I know there are a couple o' bloggers coming along that weekend whom I can't wait to meet! see you there!

When it rains it pours!

2010-02-27T17:06:00.001-08:00

Good-times that is!
I had the most rad day on Saturday. After getting off to a slow start things just looked up and up!
I attended the launch of my very clever friend Cam's Hideaway Gallery,

hung out with some other talented artists,

then went on to look kinda creepy at a 'Turning Japanese' party, on to Karova for a natter with the cool kids, and finally back to Hideaways after party!
Need less to say it took me a whole day to recover yesterday.

Rad oppy finds

2010-02-25T16:09:00.000-08:00

$2 children's typewriter from Ballarat oppy and $4 cute desk from the tip-shop. I heart the tip shop big time! I adore the laminex map on the top of this sweet 50's number, you can always tell where in the world maps are made, as that country always sits in the middle of the map! The yanks put North America in the center and the poms Europe. This one has the commonwealth highlighted in pink, very 'Rule Britannia'.

So now I have stopped bitchin' n moanin' about other folks blogs ;) Painting has been the name of my game this week, I have been painting the eves and fascia of this very pretty local church, a long but satisfying job.

Due to dwindling church-goers (6 to be precise!) it seems that this gorgeous little property may not be a church much longer, I'm worried about its fate as it sits right on the creek it would be nigh impossible to install a septic and therefore can't be bought as a house either!

I'm in love with the Sunday School building, so pretty.

I AM NOT LOVELY!

2010-02-20T15:50:00.000-08:00

I'm Really not.

I'm sometimes grumpy, I can be self-focused, I'm shallow in that I spend too much time looking in the mirror, I laugh at my own jokes, I have problems controlling my temper. I enjoy gossiping, I can make bad decisions and this week I pissed of one of my closest friends who is amazing. No... I'm really not LOVELY. I'm human.

This morning I stumbled on this post on Make and Meaning written by Pip and I almost yelled out in agreement! the article on '(blog) Fame' essentially discusses bloggers who 'cash in' on blogs by pretending they are something they are not, to quote:

‘Here is a corner of my perfect home.
Here is a perfect thing I bought.
Here is the perfect thing I bought IN the corner of my perfect home.
Here is the perfect thing on this perfect chair (currently featured on all the design blogs), in the corner of MY perfect home.
Here it is again with a lovely shadow cast over it… and some sea glass scattered on the floor boards.
I love nature and organic things and I am very sustainable too.
Please follow me.
Subscribe to more content here.
INSERT SOME SPAMMY KEYWORDS HERE ABOUT USED CARS or SUGAR LUMPS’

I hear what she's saying, she isn't bagging-out bloggers with pretty blogs and nor am I, I love some visual candy. What I am saying is that the blogs I adore reading the most are written by those who blog in their 'real voice'.

There is a strange phenomenon in the blogging world in that we drop our usually suspicious attitude to Internet content and believe everything we read!

I mean, how do you know that the 30 something mum of 2 crafter you check in with very week/day isn't actually a balding 50 something sleazebag? If you were on any other online forum would you take things with a bigger grain of salt? I know I would.

Sometimes I get a bit downcast by the blogger with the gorgeous white, spotless home, beautiful children and delicious but wholesome home baking.... And then I remind myself that the only reason her life appears on her blog as so perfect, so bloody LOVELY is that SHE IS TELLING ME SO not because it is real. I'm sure behind the lens there is a great big pile of shoved-out-of-camera-shot-junk like the rest of us.

And then, once my eye candy need is fulfilled.. 'click' .. on to some reality, the blogger who is secretly struggling with feeling overwhelmed by her family, who has moved to a new town and is finding new connections difficult, who is a single parent trying to make things work, or is having an 'everything I touch turns to shit' day.

You are the bloggers that rock my world! Your honesty and bravery at being yourself gives me goosebumps. So reality check guys. I'm so over LOVELY for the sake of it because (to quote Pip again) "You are you. Yes. You are ace just the way you are." and if, like me, you do a little dance every time you see that someone enjoys connecting with you enough to 'follow' you, then rock on my friend, rock on!

An Apple a Day

2010-02-19T14:42:00.000-08:00

Picking,

and mulching,

and pressing,

tart, juicy apples for cider.

I LOVE cider, it is my favourite alcoholic beverage of all time. It's hard though to buy good cider in Australia, it's all sickly sweet. The French make the best cider of all from both apples and pears, my childhood holidays were spent touring French cideries with my dad and step-mum who were probably responsible for my passion for this refreshing, zingy and delicious drink.

But I love English scrumpy the best, cloudy and 'applely' and the downside of a monster hangover. Lets hope this homebrew comes anywhere near close. Roll on two weeks sample some with me?

My Creative Space

2010-02-17T16:12:00.000-08:00

Playing with texture,

and colour, for a cushion cover. For more creative spaces see Kirsty, clickity click!

the winner...

2010-02-16T22:16:00.000-08:00

This giveaway is officially closed!It's taken me so long to get organised to pick a winner that I'm calling it the Valentines Day giveaway.

So with these,

And some of these,

Indi helped me pick a winner.
And the luckiest heart shaped Doily of all turns out to be..... Angela! Horrah! Expect your winnings in the post some time before next Valentines Day.
I've been a busy bunny this past week of so, away from the computer painting a friends house in Melbourne. But today I got to catch up with some friends back home and am planning some cider making in the next couple of days. I can't wait to press my own apples and will keep you informed!
I hope your day has been as sunny as mine!

My place and yours

2010-02-05T16:57:00.000-08:00

My bag baby...

is actually a basket at the moment.

It contains my crochet, purse, camera (currently in my hand), trusty paw-paw lotion and sunglasses. All the essentials.

For more places click here. I'm hoping your Saturday is as lazy as mine!

Playing at home

2010-02-05T15:58:00.000-08:00

Remember that awesome fabric stash I showed you? Well look at this wonderful velvet print I found. But it gets better!

Circa 1973 (allowing for Newlyn behind the times fashion) Mrs Bomphrey Senior was exactly the same size as me! All I had to do was finish the hem and sew in the rest of the zip and voila!

As modelled my myself and Mr Fraggle.

Aside from posing with my newly dyed hair (perhaps a little dark methinks but 2 weeks down the track it will be perfect!) I have been doing some home improvements.

I have a photo shoot at home on Monday which I'm very excited about, so in preparation, instead of cleaning up like I should be, I have been spray painting this rail I found in one of the outhouses.

As well as some pegs to hang up an new tablecloth turned kitchen curtain.
And I also found on my rummaging some awesome textiles I will show you soon.

Tomorrow I have these awesome kids at my place, I can't wait! (image from Foxs Lane)

My Creative Space

2010-02-04T22:16:00.000-08:00

I'm just adoring my current crochet adventure, it's coming along nicely indeed. (Excuse the dirty toes!)

My buddy Cam sent me a link to this...(Image from here)

... to which I nearly had palpitations! Aahhhhhh.......

But I think that this is perhaps the inspiration for where my efforts may end up.

(from here)

But do you think maybe I should keep going? I'm almost at tiny -weeny blanky stage?

For more creative spaces click-clickerty click kootoyoo.

Hey hey Mr Postman!

2010-02-02T15:38:00.000-08:00

Oh how I waited! Running to the kitchen window each time I heard a car passed, minutes stretched into hours when I knew you were coming.
I day dreamed of you, wondering how you would look, feel once I had you.
And now you are mine! Oh Riedell R'3's, how I adore your hot pink laces, your matching toe guards and Cayman wheels.

You have travelled far and wide, crossing continents to be mine, (via Adelaide and Geelong!) and now, I promise, I will love you forever! Roll on training night!

Connecting the dots

2010-02-01T16:29:00.000-08:00

I have never won a game of connect 4 in my life.... until last night that is anyhow! (thanks to a whole bunch of help from a certain connecting 5 queen, thanks Hayley)

I have always struggled with mathematics. I'm not dumb, in fact I don't think I have ever had a grade lower than a C in my life, I actually got several A*'s in my academic career, I have a degree, I am a smart cookie.

Now I'm not telling you this to brag, but if I told you that if you asked me what 6+8 was that I would go blank, try to secretly count on my fingers and then still get the answer wrong. If I was working in your local pub and gave you the wrong change. If I handed you 3 $10 notes and thought I had given you $40, you would be forgiven in thinking I was a dummy.

I got a B+ in maths for my GCSE's (think like 16 year old school leaving type exams) and then I breathed the most enormous sigh of relief when I got to drop it like a hot brick. Those tears of frustration, the years of panic hiding in my maths class (the top stream by the way) hoping the teacher wouldn't call on me. Thank god those days were over.

When I was about 25, I realised I can't play card games. Well, actually I can't play any game including connect 4. Numbers change before my eyes, patterns fail to appear and that club I was holding in my hand weirdly becomes a spade once it was on the table.

I also worked out that timekeeping is hard. Like, really hard. I can't remember phone numbers, even basic number sequences evade me... what is my house number again? 31 or 32?

My younger brother is a whizz, he got a first class degree a couple of years ago and out of the 5 of us kids he is the most achieved sibling of all. He is also Dyslexic. I am so proud of how he worked his little bum off and studied and succeeded despite this. I mean, I really think it helped that it was recognised because if he were older, rather than younger than me I 'm just not sure it would have been. Maybe people would have thought he was a dummy rather than the very talented man I know he is!

Then, in about 205 (EDIT: That was NOT a deliberate mistake! Typo!) I googled 'maths dyslexia' and got a result that left me gobsmacked. Ever heard of dyscalculia? It ain't a relative of Dracula, but instead a learning disability relating to mathematics. As I scrolled through list of symptoms I mentally checked nearly every box... obvious inability to retain numerical information, inability to conduct financial transactions, difficulty sight reading music, limited strategic planning ability (for games like connect 4!) even my un-coordination became accounted for!

Dag-nab it! So I'm not a freak after all! I just have a disability right!? Cool! So maybe if that was recognised like, sometime before my schooling career was over, my maths teacher may not have looked at me like a freak with 2 heads and instead given me a lap-top, and extra time on exams like my bro got!

Bonus!

So thank you guys, for breaking my fear of connect 4, I had a blast. Just don't ask me to score the next roller derby bout!

EDIT:
Oh, dearie me, I had to share this wee video I found...

I just love the "... I'm normal..just like you!" bit. Cracked me up! Soooo serious!

Ballarat Wedding Expo

2010-01-31T03:04:00.000-08:00

Loose ends.

2010-01-30T00:18:00.000-08:00

Weaving them in as I go.Slow and steady wins the race.

How To.... Continued

2010-01-28T20:40:00.000-08:00

....Make an English Pudding Heaven in 10 Easy Steps

Mix 4 cups of blackberries with half a cup of plain flour and a cup of sugar... try to find caster sugar but use brown instead. Cheat and line pie receptacle with ready made shortcrust pastry

Pile in blackberry mix

Add pastry lid and crimp,

Have fun playing with leftover pastry,

Brush the top with milk using a handy paintbrush when you can't find the basting brush,

Make sure the oven fire is roaring,

Hope oven is about 200 degrees C, sprinkle top of pie with more sugar and pop in oven.

Lick spoon and leave dishes for 'later'.
Make some scrummy instant custard ,sieve sugar to get rid of ants (note to self... get finer sieve) and pour into jug. Minimum surface area = less yucky 'skin' when reheating at friends house later on tonight.
When pie looks the right nice-ness of brown, take out of oven and smell. Smell again. Ok, smell one more time. Wonder at slightly odd appearance of pastry and decide not to care. Salivate and trot off to see pals for dinner. Yummo!

How To....

2010-01-28T19:50:00.000-08:00

....Pick Blackberries.
Be sure to eat as many as you gather, Take home haul and admire in earthenware bowl.

Play with food making words...

...and pretty pictures.

Photograph and sent to friends as an invite for a repeat tomorrow!

Still Time..

2010-01-27T17:35:00.000-08:00

... to enter my giveaway! Entries close this weekend.

Hip to be Square

2010-01-27T16:22:00.000-08:00

Thanks for all your awesome help chappies, I think I have worked out my problem a la crochet. I have followed Pip's very helpful words. I have wriggled my bum, shaken those hips, jiggled those digits and shaken it loose baby... Voila! regular (ish) loose and lovely crochet!

Yesterday I got a swanky new phone. I'm not diggin' these silly phone goodness. I wanna call, text and occasionally check my emails when I'm camping. What I don't want is to carry my PC around with me. Why? I ask. Why? I also refuse to jump on the 'super-duper-flash-branded' phone train. I'm sure they are the most amazing thing since sliced bread but spending hard earned dosh on the the phone of the i so I can carry my work in my pocket? No thank you!

But this crazy little device just came free as an upgrade. Mmmm.... not convinced as yet. I live in a black hole of range. No broadband out here, and hardly any phone reception. So I was chuffed to get this new 'blue tick', enhanced reception phone.

WELL. As far as I can work out this is worse than the last! (which was pretty great) plus I had to get the help of 2 other people reading the manual to work out how to lock the keypad!

Give it time, give it time. Sigh.

Keeping posted

2010-01-26T23:26:00.000-08:00

Well I said I would so here it is...

I struck gold! Look at all these amazing prints dropped off at my place this morning! I'm ecstatic, couldn't be happier. Can you believe these nearly ended up in the rag bin on a farm? Crazy how different tastes and perceptions can be!And a bonus bag o vintage patterns. Hoorah!

Happy Hol!

2010-01-26T14:28:00.000-08:00

So after my 'good start' I have hit a few hurdles. Firstly, what is the story with tension!?

For the first couple of squares I have been wingin' it, then I checked in with Pip to refine my technique. Now that I'm holding the yarn correctly my tension is so much tighter... look at the size of my new square!! Boo Hoo.

The main problem is that the first few squares (although a tad lopsided) are much nicer and softer to the touch. Snugglier somehow. What to do???? How can I sort this out??? Advice please!!!

Have you any idea how tricky it is to photograph your own bottom? Luckily for you guys that's a fact, as I plan on wearing these babies with leggings but have snapped them sans. Mmmm... love that thighy goodness!

So this is where I'm at with my roller derby 'bout-fit'. Some ruffly goodness on my toosh. But now what? A wee skirt over the top? Some ruffles on my leggings? Sigh. Decisions decisions!

On a less creative, but more practical note I have been preparing for those cold winter months. My draughty old farmhouse is super-duper cool in these hot summer months, even on those stinking hot days I sometimes have to open some windows to warm the house up. But come winter.... Brrrrr!

I will be working from home this coming cold season and intend to have all the home fires roaring! Although it was hard to think about that time of year right now, I swapped some hours painting Simon's house for him helping me to cut a trailer load of wood...
Mmmm... testosterone!

This is about how much I go through in a week. I have an open fire in my craft room, a wood heater in the lounge, and a wood burning stove in the kitchen. With all those roaring it just about makes me comfy enough, so these summer stock-ups are sooo necessary. More next week I hope!
To top off a productive day, I moseyed into Ballarat for a picnic at lake Wendouree and watched the Australia day fireworks with one of my fave folk. I'm interviewing her for the next edition of Thaw mag so keep an eye out.

I'm pleasantly surprised and impressed with the Ballarat council for putting on such a great display, as well as managing more hyped up teenagers than I knew existed! I think the whole population of Ballarat's 11-17 year olds were out in force last night.... a veritable army of hormones!
Today my 'token bogan' pal is dropping off a stash of fabric from her mother-in-laws farm. I'm half excited and half dubious that I may end up carting it all to the op-shop, but what the hey! It's worth it just for the rummage, I will keep you posted on any awesome finds.
I really do hope you're having a brill day back to routine after the long weekend (if that's possible!) Any ideas on my crochet/ruffles dilemma?

A Good Start

2010-01-25T17:57:00.000-08:00

Thanks to several hours at the Mallow after skating last night I got a real hooking sensation on the go. The best conversation starter ever. I would highly recommend it when, like myself, a drive home and therefore a 'soft drink night' is required. Kept me content through the night, thanks for the pointers Kimmi!
The Mallow Bar really is the place to be for me at the moment. If you're looking for a good meal, some great company and the absence of BBB's (Bothersome Ballarat Bogans) then this is the place to be seen. I whiled some hours away, bumping into the beautiful (and creative!) people in our awesome community including Mr and Mrs Thaw, co-skaters, more couples on date-night and a mustachioed dude from this band.
I'm using Lucy's join as you go technique... very satisfying.

Slow going on those roller-derby ruffles but you get the idea.

I'm so excited! I finally ordered my new skates! I can't wait for them to arrive... darn this public holiday!

Yesterday...

2010-01-24T16:06:00.000-08:00

The cutest handmade buttons from the Daylesford Sunday market.

Yummy coloured yarn I can't wait to use.
Tea with a friend (and a nosey bloke at the next table!).

Fabric for my new 'Bout-fit' (Roller derby outfit). Think ruffled knickerbockers.

Flats and Pancakes

2010-01-23T14:01:00.000-08:00

Hey! What an awesome party this is turning out to be! Thanks for coming those who have commented so far!

Like all good parties I'm letting this one go on as long as it needs to, no 9pm kick-out here guys, lets keep rockin' till the early hours! Still plenty of time to comment on my giveaway should you wish.

I had a sleep over last night here. Imagine my surprise to find after a lovely afternoon this.... Not 1 but 2 flat tyres on the trusty Magana! Bren was a hero but after checking a gazillion tyres on a trillion trailers on the farm. No joy.

Nevermind! To make the best of a bad situation we celebrated by watching 'the boys' on Entourage and ate cupcakes, real...

...and not so real. Mmmmm

I'm going to have to wait till tomorrow to get that tyre fixed, but I think I'm in the best possible place I could be to get stranded...Ohh... I can smell those pancakes already! Thanks Bren!

Giveaway

2010-01-18T13:49:00.000-08:00

Oh dearie me. I'm a wee bit nervous! Today is a first for me. I'm excited but unsure of myself. Let me fill you in.
I don't ever win stuff. Not really, no raffles, giveaways, competitions, none of that Jazz. But there is a very good reason and that's because I don't enter them. Makes sense really doesn't it? But I have somehow decided that despite the logic, perhaps I'm just not that lucky?
By this flawed logic it stands to reason that I wouldn't be good at hosting a giveaway either. What if nobody enters? Like hosting a party I have the irrational fear that it might be a no-show. Sigh.
So I'm on a mission! This weekend I went Kombi camping with these awesome dudes. To celebrate I stitched away at some dinky brooches (tee hee, the spelling of that word always makes me giggle!)
Now I'm no crafting genius, but like pop-offs crafting is not a choice for me, it's a compulsion! No... that's wrong... it's a bodily function! I just can't NOT make stuff. Pretty much every day. If my hands are not occupied in trying to exit all those ideas flying around my brain, then I am dis-satisfied in a really physical way.
So, I want to hear all about your 'necessaries', what is it that you just couldn't stop yourself doing if you tried? Blogging? Checking out hotties at the traffic lights? Picking your nose and doing the roll and flick? Oh do over-share with me!!
Post a comment and I will put my braincells to work coming up with some entertaining, random and blogworthy manner of picking a 'winner' and a new home for my slightly inept crafty offerings pictured above.
Meanwhile, I will sit here, watching the clock and worrying if anyone is coming to my crafty party! See you soon!

A Mystery

2010-01-18T13:46:00.000-08:00

I love a good mystery and this one has me stumped. Last week this bunch of carnations arrived at the front gate. No card, no one has owned up and only one clue... packaging from Ballarat. Hmmm.
My neighbour says I should just let my imagination run with this one and not try to solve this mystery. My friend says it would kill her not knowing. Another told me of a random gift appearing in his mailbox, (imagine... a random nice-gift-leaving-for-no-reason- bandit in the neighbourhood!) Although I have a couple of theories, on this mystery, yup, I'm stumped.
Stumped but chuffed.

Resolute

2010-01-05T18:14:00.000-08:00

I have been thinking a little about my posts lately. Considering I spend so much time composing them in my head, for some reason when it comes to spewing them onto my keyboard something entirely different comes out!

So here is the real post I have been thinking about this week.

I have been doing a bit of retrospective thinking as well as making some resolutions. I have only just thought about the root of that word, 'resolution'. Now that I see it away from new year wishes, a resolution is a problem solver... a fixer... a thing to be resolute about.

So what are my issues? I have been looking back over the year and thinking about its highs and lows. What I celebrated and where I struggled and the themes are re-occurring. Friendships, family (or lack of), relationships, creativity. Nothing new there.

Something I'm chuffed to note is the lack of this fella... so aptly named by many as the 'black dog' but named by me as THE FEAR. He has passed through my neighbourhood a couple of times this year, but its been a while since he last sat hunched ominously on the end of my bed.

This year I read an amazing description by another blogger of the 'Bastard Black Dogs' place in her life and recently I have been discussing with a wonderful friend what to do about hers.

This week I can feel the dog a-creeping. Right at the edges of my vision he is lurking. But, although my sense of panic and the need to be constantly in the company of others is there, this time I know why he is visiting. And it's because I have invited him.

There is someone in my life who represents all that is screwed up about me. I'm aware enough to know that he is the symptom, not the cause. But I have spent the last 2 years of my life playing push-me-pull me with him, creating for myself all kinds of highs and lows. Sometimes he is my rock. And sometimes he is my stormy ocean. And sometimes both at the same time.

For the first time ever I have made 2 resolutions this year and I think they ultimately amount to the same thing.

Resolution 1: Next Christmastime, this person will not play an important role in my life.

Resolution 2: I will not run away from things that feel too hard to deal with.

By making these resolves I have opened up that chink, cracked the door and the dog wants in.

This time last year I was pro-active about THE FEAR. Isn't it funny how it's only when he is furthest away that you can see him clearly? But, related to resolution 2, it didn't last. I think it's time to try again, today, on a good day.....while I'm still capable of going to the supermarket without dread!

Out with the old, in with the new!

2010-01-04T17:59:00.000-08:00

This expression has never really held much sway with me... I mean, I'm so not into ditching 'stuff' , my theory is that if I still like it, or it's not irreparably broken then why does it need to go?

But this baby......

...... was once the love of my life. Now the poor darling sits in the barn... not because she's broken or unloved but because for the past couple of years I have lived a long way from the waterways she's designed for.

In a former life I was an instructor on a school camp, I lived and breathed the outdoors (which is not my forte at all!) and just couldn't heave my bum out of this polyurethane hull. I paddled her camping, I worked from her and I cruised many a km on the river that ran through the property.

So, I am letting go. It's not easy, I still have the urge to sling her on the roof of the trusty Magna and hit the water..... but it aint gonna happen. She deserves a much more attentive owner than I. So off she goes to Ebay.

So here comes the new bit, I scored a much needed whipper-snipper this xmas as well as these totally awesome gifts from the UK....

This wonderful book of recipes form childhood stories, including 'Mrs Beavers Gloriously Sticky Marmalade Roll' from the Lion the Which and the Wardrobe and Swallows and Amazons seed cakes. Yummo!

Then this little fella!

I don't know if Morph was a very British phenomena, but the show he featured on in my English childhood was my favourite!

The presenter of the show, Tony hart, was a rel hero of mine. The gift was accompanied by a letter from my Mum. apparently my brother recently met his wife and had a lovely chat and was invited for tea and a tour of his artworks. Jealous. I'm really not sure how many, many drawings I submitted to the shows 'gallery'!

Now I'm off to make my own Morph and stare at ebay watching for bids.

Wish List

2010-01-04T15:48:00.000-08:00

Oh Yes Please!!!!

Goings on in the land of Doily

2010-01-03T16:29:00.000-08:00

Not a hard one to guess but lots of making things. A new ipod cover inspired by this lady.

Embroidery destined for notebook covers.

An amazing gift from my Aunt... Thanks Teresa! Really touching.
Christmas day, been and gone!

Hanging out with some old friends....

.... and the mostest awesomest of the new.

(image from Daylesford Organics)

An evening of egg-cellent puns in the cool room with my nicest pretend family grading these....

in preparation for opening farm gate sales at Daylesford Organics.

Thanks guys for such a wonderful weekend!

First I...

2009-12-22T22:01:00.000-08:00

and then I...

and after a while....

Ahhhhhh!

Impetuous? Moi?

2009-12-15T14:03:00.000-08:00

This year I thought I might not bother with a Christmas tree. When I was a kid, the very idea of even settling for a plastic tree seemed appalling... whats Christmas without the scent of pine needles?
But I will be honest, I'm having problems getting into the whole Christmas spirit this year. It's not that I don't love the festive period coz I do! I love the lights, the decorations, the excitement. But there are so many other things that mean Christmas to me that are missing. Ice skating, snow, dark nights snuggled up singing carols with the family, counting Christmas trees sparkling in peoples windows as you wander through the dark, crisp evening air.
You get the idea.... to me Christmas is just so.... seasonal! It doesn't belong now, here, in the 35 degree heat. My body just isn't digging it so my brain can't either.
But then. Last night. With 10 Min's left on the roast chicken, on a whim, I set the timer, jumped in the car, drove just down the track, cut down a baby pine from the bush and was back, tree in pot in the living room just as the timer bell rang.
Ta-da!
No, I'm not sure what prompted that bit of crazy tree cutting action either. But to celebrate my childish whimsy, I made some space-invader style canned spaghetti and potato gems to go with the roast, and spent the rest of the night making paper chains out of story books. All the while pretending that outside, the grass was silver with frost, the night clear and moon-lit and my breath was hanging in small cloud-like puffs in the air. Merry Christmas.

My Place and yours: 5 minutes peace

2009-12-13T16:31:00.000-08:00

Once again, this game is tricky. I live alone (thanks for rubbing it in crafty dudes!) and therfore have peace in abundance! But I haven't always. For a while I lived with my ex-certain someone and his children, when the living room. kitchen, office and craft room were all full of teenage bodies I found sanctuary in my bed. For some reason if anyone came to find me there they would climb on up and join in the peaceful time.

My bed is where I go when I need comfort, quiet or just need to go back and get outta the right side again! My bed is amzing. It's so high off the ground that every time I clamber up onto it I feel like the princess and the pea. Its awesome for cups of tea, crosswords, thinking, snoozing and (aherm!) ... you know.... other stuff. (sheepish grin)... but mainly crosswords.

You can find other spaces if you visit pip over here

Carry on camping

2009-12-13T14:26:00.000-08:00

It's that time of year again and boy, do I love it! I think the world is separated into two types of people. Folk who love camping and folk who don't.
Each to their own I say, but there are definitely those in the second category who I know would love it if they gave it a go.

Things I love about camping (The None-definitive list)
1. Waking up to a beautiful view. 2. Setting up camp

3. Allowing the kids freedom
4. Cruising in the boat, finding a picturesque spot and tying up to do some fishing

5. Being creative with what you can find around you

6. Peaceful moments with easy crosswords

My place and yours

2009-12-09T20:10:00.000-08:00

I have been doing more thinking than blogging lately, although I wander through life composing interesting and challenging posts in my head (do you do that too or is it just me???) I have been more involved in 'living' it than 'blogging' it.

There has been a lot of talk of 'homes' lately (... I blame Pip personally!) and I have been unable to play along as I'm too busy thinking about the concept instead. I am a serial house-mover. I moved house 11 times before I was 20. In the past 10 years I have lost track of my different accommodations... many of the temporary,youth hostels, other peoples homes, live-in jobs, in-laws houses... it's too complicated to even try and remember!!!

At last I have settled here and for the first time in longer than I can remember I have stayed for two years this week. That's a record for me!

So if home is where I lay my hat that presents a problem, I couldn't for the life of me think of an object which has been with me more than this period of time. And then, I found it.... and it's the most boring, ugly thing I own. It's something that has been stored in the cupboard in the spare room since I moved in.

It's this....

My backpack.

How dull and dusty can you get?

I got this when I moved to Scotland for Uni back in 2000. And it housed my worldly possessions for 4 years.

Now that is an image not worth blogging about if ever I saw one! But this is one I have been thinking a lot about too...

High winds brought down these nests a few weeks ago and I'm absolutely fascinated by them. At first I was attracted by the pretty Rosella feathers, but then I looked closer...These nests are cleverly made up of bits and pieces of things that have been found round and about my property. See the poly-fill? Red sewing cotton?

And most fascinating of all, look closer still and you will see long, dark hair. On closer inspection you will find some of it comes from the angus cattle in the back paddock. But not all of it.

My house has a seriously old-school water disposal system... that is to say it doesn't have one at all. The water from sinks, showers, washing machine all run into shallow, open, brick drains outside the house walls. open to the air they then run off into the garden or sit and evaporate.

Did you know I have long, dark hair? The same long, dark hair that was plucked from the shower drain, cleverly woven into a home and then dis-entangled by me from this birds nest?

If I am part of this birds home then I think, just like this bird, I have created a home, woven from nothing but myself and some bits and pieces found around the place. I am my home and where ever I lay myself I guess that must be what makes it.

Softies for Mirabel

2009-12-09T17:28:00.000-08:00

Only a little late I finished up my softie for Mirabel. I'm pretty darn pleased with the pattern I made up, loving the chunky hands and feet...

...but a little concerned I managed to make her look alarmingly like a bratz doll!!

Aside form that we have been exchanging goodies at craft group... Thanks Jodie and Kim!

And replacing buttons...mmmm...buttony goodness!

I had some really good news that I'm not sure who I have and haven't shared with lately. For the past few years my application for Australian residency has been floating around in the abyss of the department of immigration. A couple of days before my birthday the other week I received the final green light and am now officially an Ozzie resident!! Horrah!

As I scanned the pages and found that vital word 'Approved' I found myself not nearly as relived as I should have been. I mean... 3 years of filling out forms, and waiting, and always being slightly nervous that something could still go unreasoningly wrong is a major thing to feel relief for... right?
But finding that joyous word just wasn't all that joyous really. Sure, no panic ensued, but really I'm not sure that it has sunk in. And anyway, the release is a bit of an anticlimax compared to the stressful build-up.

But here I am. And here I now stay. Awesome. The only down side is that I am now eligible to go plow my way through the minefield of Centerlink... I mean honestly.... 3o mins on the phone just to make an appointment!!??? Sigh.

The Dress

2009-12-04T02:01:00.000-08:00

The front

The back
The shoes

Happy 21st Ebony!

My Creative Space

2009-12-03T18:30:00.000-08:00

Yesterday the table in my workshop contained a painting destined as a birthday pressie. Today it is in the arms of its recipient who hopefully likes it a lot. Or, failing that, pretends to.

For more creative spaces look here at Kootoyoo.

2009-12-03T14:05:00.000-08:00

Great job to the Gold diggers who won this weekends roller derby bout in Ballarat! Go Anarchy Belle! I can't believe how busy the event was, there must have been around 400 folk watching and I'm so proud of the League for a successful first bout.

While we are on the topic, my fresh meat training is going swimmingly, or should I say skatingly?! I'm busy perfecting my T-stops (hurrah for stopping!) and last night I whipped out a few (ungainly!) jumps! Yup, you heard correctly... my skates and I were at least 2 whole centimetres off the ground! Whoop whoop!
'Skate Camp' is on this weekend, no , I can't really think of a reason not to go but I'm not sure if I can handle a whole weekend committed to socialising, training and drinking.... is it just me or is that a wee bit too intense? The teenager inside me thinks that I might be missing out on a lot of fun if I don't go. Hmmm....

The candy pink, barbie-esqe ball gown is finished! Stay posted for some pink-tastic pics!

Goodness!

2009-12-02T00:00:00.000-08:00

In all the hulabaloo of the Makers market...

(here I am lookin' hot-to-trot courtesy of Ro)

I have forgotten to update on my crafty doings. They have been taking the form of a whole pile of dress making. Today's project is under way...

... and will hopefully end up looking a lot like this....
LOTS of fun!

Other exciting news is that the new issue of Thaw magazine is out!!!! If you don't already know about my Thaw passion then you can read here and here about why this indie magazine is so important to our little artisan community. Plus it's AWESOME!

There is a linky-thingy in my sidebar which takes you to their online store. Not only does it feature articles by Bluebell, Rah Rah Red, a hysterical interview with Ric-Rac and Dandelion but there is also a wee tutorial by moi on how to make one of these....

Now I know all you clever crafties don't need those instructions so maybe read my article on Roller Derby instead?!
Hey dudes.... I only had one unintentional spelling mistake today... hoorah!

A great big THANK YOU!!!

2009-11-29T18:19:00.000-08:00

...to everyone involved in this weekends market. Thank you to those who brought along their amazing wares to sell. Thank you to those groovy bloggers who said hello (what a genius idea those 'puffs' were!) and thank you to everyone who came along to look, to chat, to smile and created such a wonderful atmosphere! Thank you!

Today is my birthday.

2009-11-24T12:48:00.000-08:00

And it's a landmark. Thats it, yesterday was my last day of ever being 29. My cuddly mummy called last night to wish me many happy returns and I have a wonderful day of gossiping with friends and doing crosswords ahead.

This is a wierd time of year for me. Having my birthday and Christmas so close together gives me a sense of loss. It is the only time of year that I yearn for my family, to be around those many Mums Dads and siblings who have to love me unconditionally.

I have many amazing birthday memories..... the time Mum stayed up for nights on end to sew me a beautiful new slip cover for my wendy house, embroidered flowers growing up the walls and the prettiest shingles on the roof. Or the time she piled all of us and my friends into the car as a suprise in our fancy dress costumes to go to santa's grotto. And the fairytale castle scenery she painted onto drop sheets on the walls.

I think maybe birthdays should be for Mums not babies, that way mine would have 5 very special days of the year that she deserves... I mean honestly.... imagine squeezing out a ridiculous creature like me!?! Isn't that cause for celebration?

My Collection

2009-11-22T19:06:00.000-08:00

My wonderful friend Kate has been chosen as this weeks theme queen. Her crown bearing choice of 'my collection' has been thought provoking. I like collecting things, junk, treasure, stray and lonely furniture etc but not lots of one particular type of item. After lots of um-ing and ah-ing I have realised that all my most treasured possessions have one thing in common.... their miniature scale!

I love the small stuff.
The itsy-bitsy things.

Real life made mini.

They make me oddly soft-centered,
and demand I give them a loving home.

Whats your collection? You can see more on Pips blog here.

Wicked Weekend

2009-11-22T16:08:00.000-08:00

I have had a very fun weekend. On Saturday I went to the very traditional Clunes show, animals and Beaut Utes. Look at these amazing mini steam engines!

I also had a rip roaring night at Karova where I saw the amazing Helter-Belter from Roller Derby (incidentally if you have tickets for their bout on Sun 29th the venue has changed, see website for details!) As well as met Sarah from blogland, Hi Sarah!
It was also great to hang out with the very clever Cam Suttie who is opening a new gallery in Ballarat, if you are interested in exhibiting in this awesome new space send me an email and I will pass on your info
Sunday saw my wee birthday party. Thank you all so much for coming and making it such a lovely and mellow arvo. Last year I organised a bush dance at our local hall and was so busy rushing around being being the hostess with the mostest that I didn't really have all that much fun. But not this year... oh no!
I think the highlight for at least the kids were the cutest wee chicks that Simone brought..... awwww!

And although they were unnecessary (but entirely loved!) and my birthday isn't until Wednesday I also got some lovely pressies, a crystal garden I can't wait to grow,

An amazing book written by two wonderful local authors,

and my very first pair of roller derby socks!

I had such a fun day but I think my lack of sleep and several glasses of champagne caught up on me (I haven't over-shared for a while so I think it's time) and I ended the day with a messy sobbing session. Oh woe is me! It was a...... I'm-30-and-I-can't-find-a-boyfriend-to-make-beautiful-babies-with-and-If-I'm-not-careful-I'm-going-to-be-stuck-with-the-ex-certain-someone-(who-doesn't-appreciate-me-and-hits-on-my-friends-even-on-my-birthday-which-last-year-he-forgot-incidentally)-for-the-rest-of-my-life.... kinda sob, you know, the snotty ones? The messy ones? The ones that really aren't helped by being hormonal? Yup. That's the kind.

But! I have no time to be silly and snotty I have lists coming out of my ears! The Daylesford Makers Market is on next week and I just can't wait! I have a million things to do and I will fill you in tomorrow on all the exciting things to expect on Saturday the 28th of November from 10-4! See you there!

This....

2009-11-18T03:20:00.000-08:00

...just squeezed through a gap in my office floor.
I sent a photo to a friend and this message came in response...

"Oh my, haha. Last night I shared my bed with a goat moth. I felt it flapping around my inner thighs before I jumped jumped a metre high out of my bed shouting obscene things at the top of my lungs. The moth wasn't overly fazed, I guess it just wanted to chew a hole in my knickers... Which I suppose is quite a normal thing for a moth to want to do...."

I also sent the same image to my ex-certain someone. His response was

"you should kiss it"

I responded

"I tried that with you and look where it got me"

He countered

"I'm not a prince. That's where you went wrong"

No Kidding.

I think it's an omen

My place and yours : through the front door

2009-11-14T16:00:00.000-08:00

Not a lot goes on through my front door. It's almost never used as it doesn't go, well, anywhere really...

...just down this path....

...to this view.

Today I will be using my front door instead of hopping over the cattle grid, and taking a stroll across the paddock for a swim in the deep, clear, cool dam. Wonderful! And to think... I used to love living in the city! Bah!

I LOVE this time of year

2009-11-13T17:17:00.000-08:00

I know, perhaps it's a little on the warm side, but there is just something about being able to wander down to the creek,

cook up some bangers. Invite over some friends,

And while away the evening in the comfort of your own back yard.

We are sooooo lucky!

My Creative Space

2009-11-12T02:35:00.000-08:00

....has been displaying Foxs Lane T-shirts at Dear Prudence

Screen printed duckies,

anchors

and my personal passion, the caravan!

Don't they look wonderful!?

Guess..

2009-11-10T13:55:00.000-08:00

... where I will be today?

I'm holding the fort at Dear Prudence! Pop in to see me up the hill on Sturt St if you are in Ballarat!

I have done it!

2009-11-09T20:36:00.000-08:00

You can follow my journey from Zero to Hero on my new blog 'Slam-a-lam!'. In conjunction with Thaw magazine, I will be logging my 'Fresh Meat' experience from Go to Wow-Wow-Wow! Its been a blast already and with 7 more weeks, I just can't control my excitement! See you there!

In times of trouble

2009-11-09T04:04:00.000-08:00

I have just had a moment of panic.
As most of Victoria is doing right now I'm thinking about my fire plan. Generally it goes thus....
Scenario 1. ;receive text message from government warning of high fire danger in bush areas. Pack car, keep dog nearby, log on to the CFA website and tune to the ABC.
Scenario 2: Smell of smoke in the air. call Mrs Bomphrey. Local gossip queen and CFA co-ordinator.
I was just lounging around, performing my nightly crossword routine (how rock n roll is that!) when I heard sirens coming over the hill. It's strange but I am still so 'city' born and bred that it took me a moment to realise the abnormality of that in this tiny country hamlet. As couple of fire trucks whooshed past my house and the scent of smoke wafted through the open door I felt a real sense of panic.
My road leads nowhere but into the bush to several one horse communities like mine.
It's after 11 at night but as I began to switch on the computer, look for the dog and turn on the radio i typed out a message to the Mighty Mrs B.
"sirens at home"
Less then thirty seconds later I received the most magical response
"fire in Barkstead, under control, Troy there"
Good lordy me. There is still no mention on the CFA website, or ABC radio, but I know that the car doesn't need packing, the dog can carry on barking at possums and I can get back to my crossword safe in the knowledge that Troy has it under control!

Too Tired...

2009-11-07T17:12:00.001-08:00

....to blog.

I am bursting at the seams with news, events, images and words. But instead I will just drop in, and news of parties, caravans and newly-forged fun connections can be made another time. Oh so dull I know! Sigh.

However.... I'm playing along with Pips meme. The theme of 'my secret weapon' is proving challenging. As pointed out yesterday, I am away from all these supportive family networks that many seemed to have identified this week. It has taken me a while to ponder exactly who or what fills that gaping gap left behind.

I have found the answer, and I know I bang on about this all the time so sorry to bore, but it really is my community that I draw strength from.From this wonderful party on cup day

to a very satisfying afternoon with some new friends yesterday.

The sense of belonging I gain and in return, the energy I try to put back in is always satisfying, and really not so secret!

And now for my nanna nap.

Happy Birthday

2009-11-03T17:36:00.000-08:00

Image from here

A really super-duper person I know has her birthday today. Like me, to her and her family birthdays are the most-est special-est day of the year. They are the times when all the love and joy and specialness that people feel about you is expressed. She once told me a story about meeting her now husband, and after a very intense time together they were separated and due to time and distance he 'missed' her birthday. She told of how she felt then that it was such a strong symbol of his feelings for her that it would never work out. How wrong she was.

Isn't it funny how we assume our own strongest family traditions are common to all? Such a simple mis-communication could have resulted in two such wonderful people not being the amazing couple they are now!

Kate, I am happy and proud to call you my friend. You are wise beyond your knowledge, kind, generous and loving. You are clever and creative and possess true inner strength that I don't even think you know you have. Happy birthday to you. Our community is a better place for having you in it! Have a wonderful and delightful day!

There were five in the bed....

2009-11-01T22:17:00.000-08:00

and the little one said "roll over, roll over" so they all rolled over, and one fell out

she hit the floor and began to shout,
"Please remember, to tie a knot in your pajamas,
single beds are only made for one!"

I delivered these little Munchkins to Dear Prudence this afternoon. At the 'cool end' of Sturt Street in Ballarat, opposite Le Espresso. I came over all shy when I handed them over, each with their own little 'sleeping bag'.

Sleep well!

The ever friendly Kelly has some great vintage and retro 'stuff' as well as some pretty amazing handmade 'things'... Oh I dooo love stuff and things!

My Fave are the Asylum 7 corsets, made by talented local girl Susie.

Aren't they just incredible!? It's great to see some really amazing regional talent. On that note, I have been hatching a cunning plan and performing some secret squirrel business. More to come on that soon!

Old Artwork

2009-10-25T04:20:00.000-07:00

I recently found some images of some of my ceramic works. Meet Abrasive Andy and Cowgirl Betty. Each are around 30cm high earthenware and were both made for a show I had in North Carolina. I have always had to leave these items strewn around the world in my wake. I guess sometimes you just have to be satisfied with the process of making, not the importance of owning things you create.

I have been reminded of these works by one of their inspirations who contacted me this week after a long time

Also included on the disk was this picture taken just a few days afterwards.

About to embark on a coast-to-coast trip of America with my boyfriend, we were both just learning to kitesurf and were taking a 2 month trip to all the best spots in the country, living out of our station wagon. I remember being so excited but sad, knowing that after that time we would both be leaving the country in separate directions.

Then here I am just 3 months later, a Lavender fairy at Lavandula, our local, beautiful lavender farm. Sometimes life just takes you in funny directions!

Happy Halloween!

2009-10-24T21:21:00.000-07:00

Last night was action-packed! The chicks and I cruised down to Melbourne to check out this!

(Pictures from here)

The Victorian Roller Derby Halloween special! A night of Jammimg, Slamming, Blocking, fancy dress and bottoms.
With three minutes on the clock and 1 point in it, the rink went crazy (and I think I nearly let out a little bit of wee) as the Dead Ringer Rosie's just missed out on a win... Good job Reservoir Dolls on a magnificent win!

If you have never seen the Derby girls in action I highly suggest you check them out. I hate sports... yup, that's a fair statement, Hate 'em! But Oh Hello Roller Derby, I'm won over!

let me let you in on how it works.... (excuse the technical lingo..)

... so, there are a bunch of chicks in hot outfits, looking mean and whizzing around a track. There are 3 types of players, Blocker, a Jammer and a Pivot.

(image courtesy of here)

There is only one point scorer, the Jammer (with a star on her helmet) who's job is to start at the back of the 'pack' (the gang of other players) and after doing her first lap, gains a point for every player of the opposition she passes.

Sounds easy huh? Well not really, as it's the job of the Blockers to do anything possible to prevent the oppositions jammer passing them. Aside from hands and obvious elbows it's fair game and slam-bam-thank-you-mam! The jammer takes a beating!

And did I mention each girl has a Derby name? Betty Bamalam, Skate Bush, Punani Tsunami (yup, you heard correctly!) and Beat Up Bambi to name a few!

So I'm thinking of joining 'fresh meat' and becoming a derby girl... any ideas for my derby name???

2009-10-24T20:49:00.000-07:00

I've been trying to grow some herbs in these old tin kettles but look what I have managed to nurture instead. Hmm, suitable for a midnight, possum madhatters tea party perhaps.

My Creative Space

2009-10-22T00:10:00.000-07:00

My creative space has been on the go this week.

A sneaky pressie and new op-shop buttons,

my trusty toadstool pincushion,

some gingerbread hearts in progress
little crimble trees

all packed inside here

and taken on a merry jaunt in a tinnie down the Murray river. Sew, sew, sew your way gently down the stream....

5 cod, 4 yellowbelly, 6 bream and plenty of crafting in the warmth and sunshine. What a catch.

Flying The Nest or: 'Giving The Bird The Bird'

2009-10-17T21:04:00.000-07:00

Well heigh-ho Daddy-o!
I have barely been able to contain my excitement at the latest event in the Doily saga. There has been some skipping, singing out loud and gleeful squealing at just how great life is right now!
Oh, I know, I'm sorry to brag but honestly, the world seems so full of possibilities! I feel more inspired than ever, opportunities seem to be spilling forth from every last little gap and ideas are sprouting like wildflowers in the pasture!
I have spread my wings and literally flown the coop of Lark, I've done my time and now my noviciate is over. I'm going solo and flying high!
My plans for a well earned holiday have been waylaid as I am proud....no....excited to announce that Dear Prudence (opening soon in Ballarat!!... Watch this Space!!) will be a Doily stockist and have been busy working on the first order.

There's the Daylesford Makers Market coming up keeping me busy and meeting the loveliest new people, (check the blog for announcements on confirmed stallholders!)
Meanwhile I will be keeping it real with my hands in the rich and nurturing earth of Daylesford Organics.
It feels wonderful to be giving my time to someone who actually appreciates it... Me Me Me!

Shelf

2009-10-17T16:26:00.000-07:00

Not one the most inspiring blog titles but one of my most inspiring places. This is the spot in my workshop where I put all those useful little 'things', colours and 'stuff' that inspire me. Some folk have an inspiration board, the things that I like are often three dimensional, so this is their home! I'm playing along with Pips meme; my place and yours. For more shelves you can visit her here.

Want to see more?

The bestest and biggest-est ric-rac I have ever found. doorknobs I rescued from the barn and the most fun you can have with a potato... a spudgun!

Meet Grace Gosling

2009-10-17T02:33:00.000-07:00

She's going for a birthday tea tomorrow so is wearing her best dress,

and has packed her toothbrush.

Luckily this time the poo made it into her nest and not onto Sarah's lap! Go when you can, not when you have too, wise word of advice, thanks Grace!

Getting Stuffed

2009-10-15T15:17:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago I quizzed Ms Ric-Rac about getting stuffed.
For the life of me I just couldn't work out how on earth her toys felt so firm yet squishy whilst mine often felt as lumpy and bumpy as a lumpy, bumpy thing!
It turns out the secret is not so secret after all, it's all in the quality of your poly fill. After doing an on-site touch test I was amazed to discover that even certain high-street own brands of poly fill feel different, one is softer and fluffier whilst the one coming form a place beginning with 'Spot' and ending with 'Light' is distinctly coarser.

Well now I have soft and squishy toys not lumpy bumpy ones. But after a follow-up conversation at ye-olde craft night I'm just not diggin' synthetic. I am under no illusions that I am a wholesome earth mother type o gal... I couldn't be if I tried. Besides (shock horror confession alert!) I think big macs are delish, I drive a car and don't print on both sides of the paper. (Oh the shame!!!)
But really, if it were by any means affordable I would love to stuff my pure wool, up-cycled soft toys with pure wool.

I'm a s**t shearer but my ex-certain-someone rocks at it (shame he is beardless) and he is off to see the wizard this weekend to get covering in lanolin and come home with 6 bales of fleece and I am pilfering one to do some experimenting with.

I have prepared my own fleeces before while I lived and worked as an instructor here, but it's been a while. If all goes to plan I should be rolling in fluffy clouds of 'de-lanolined' and freshly 'teased' wool rovings. Yummo.
Do you think this justifies getting my own baa-lamb now?

My Creative Space

2009-10-15T00:27:00.000-07:00

I am now no longer a creative space virgin! Huzzah!

My space contains a work-in-progress gosling for a little girls birthday this weekend... shhh..... it's a secret!

Sunny Satisfying Sunday

2009-10-11T14:47:00.000-07:00

I really did have the most wonderful day yesterday. Despite having double booked myself and missing out on the bestest cup cake party ever!
I went to see the ever welcoming Prendergast family at Hepburn Lagoon horse rides. A stunning day, a trek through some beautiful bushland and a very challenging game of I Spy kept us entertained on our ride. I have to say, a very welcome glass of wine and food at the other end was just what the doctor ordered to mellow my new sore-bum feeling OVER-SHARE WARNING! (including my newly popped bum-crack blister!)

The two little girls in our party had the best time after the ride was over, helping with the shearing, riding sheep (?) and cuddling these little (actually, enormous at 4 weeks old!) goslings.

I almost came home with one until I came to my senses after a rather messy poo-ing in lap incident.
Flying over to Muskvale to try and catch the last of the party fun I almost missed the birthday girl completely but caught them literally in the driveway. In case you couldn't tell from my last post, I got more than a little carried away in making a gift for a 6 year old, making dresses, sewing doll undies, making luggage and hobo headband. Ooh the fun I had!

But then,... oh dear, I became more than a little riddled with concern that perhaps my gift was a little too babyish for it's intended new home... are 6 year olds too cool for dolls? Do today's glamorous girls demand pop star plastic and strut your stuff garb? Indeed they do, but as it turns out they also love a handmade, slightly wonky, one arm longer than the other, kitted out with clothing, dolly.

Phew.

Hello

2009-10-10T17:33:00.000-07:00

I'm on my way to a party.

I'm wearing my favourite red shoes,

My suitcase is packed,

inside are my pajamas and a couple of changes of clothes as well as some 'stuff' to make some new ones.

My mum also wrote me a note so my new best friend will know where I came from.

Lucky I love cupcakes!

Handmade Nation on DVD...Yes Please!

2009-10-08T17:17:00.000-07:00

I am so excited to hear the Handmade Nation will be available on DVD from November 3rd. I am pre-ordering a copy here and you can do the same.
If you haven't yet seen it you can head over to my place for a movie night and watch this amazing documentary about the rise of the craft movement... it's worth it for the animated opening credits alone!

Mo', mo', mo' your boat...

2009-10-04T20:31:00.001-07:00

From here

I love a good mo'. Not a real one of course, they are one of my least favourite facial hair styles... second to the 'flavour saver' for it's yucky, tickly snogging sensation. My real life fave is a healthy beard.

There's just something about the right kind of beard that talks to me of a man who can split wood, recite poetry, sling me over his shoulder and take me off for a very merry romp. In that order.

But a strong man 'tash in a design sense is fast becoming a design sensation for me,

From here

An evening of babysitting yielded this embroidered masterpiece (?)

While I was at college in Edinburgh we used to raid a local perspex factories rubbish bins for free off-cuts. I'm brewing an idea.

Shake it like a polariod picture!

2009-09-29T20:42:00.000-07:00

I'm loving this gadget. I can't stop 'polaroiding' my pictures! It's a great little tool, you drag your image onto the 'camera' in the corner of your screen and then wait for it to develop... you can even shake it like the real thing.

Here's one of me and my buddy Fraggle. I think this might become my 'Hot-Shot'. You know, the one where you look nothing like yourself but you look kinda hot so you use it on Facebook?... You know what I'm talkin' 'bout!

2009-09-28T18:42:00.000-07:00

The little Doily dress is finished. Actually, it turned out to be more of an Embroidered Tablecloth and Vintage Sheet Dress. I added a wee hem,

and colourful buttons to fasten.

Hmmm... now i just need a 5yr old to fit into it! Next it's my turn, a cute and pretty dress for me, knowing me it may be finished just in time for some warmer weather.

I could gocco

2009-09-28T17:42:00.000-07:00

So Jodie gave us a great gocco demo at craft group last week. Along with others I'm really inspired by this super-simple process and have been playing with some ideas for some printing for the makers market.

I really can't wait to give it a go and how nice would it be to have hand printed t-shirts, totes and maybe even tea towels as prizes, merchandise and thank you pressies?

More importantly a great excuse to play with gocco!

Charmed, I'm sure

2009-09-25T19:02:00.000-07:00

I have a really wonderful stash of charms. Most of them are plastic and colourful but all of them are cheap and cheerful. Some gifted and some scavenged and some come from a plain old online store.

I really want to try casting with resin, how awesome would these look inside a clear resin bangle or inside a globular resin earring stud?

Much as I long for some more Victoria Mason Goodies it's just not going to happen so instead I will make do with my own cheapo version. My skin may go green but what the hey!