3 Sheets

More recycling...

2012-01-28T12:22:00.004+10:00

I've posted on these guys before... They are amazing artists and so inspiring...
luzinterruptus.

They staged an installation in Warsaw called Recycling Sunday to not only
encourage recycling, but also familiarise the residents with the colour codes
used to separate different kinds of recycled garbage... blue for paper, yellow
for metal and green for glass.

1000 bags in these three colours were inflated with lights and distributed

around a plaza.

Apparently, Warsaw has no recycling program... it'd be interesting to find out
whether this installation had some impact on that :)

photos by Gustavo Sanabria

Inspiration: Recycled/Repurposed

2012-01-27T14:59:00.001+10:00

Love this! A recycling feature in the US Elle magazine.
Designers given the task of creating a piece of couture from
a selection of garments.

That ruffled skirt is just magic! :)

Found via Blue Moss

Been busy + getting distracted...

2012-01-22T16:22:00.001+10:00

I've been a bad blogger lately, but I have been busy.
There's been a lot of crocheting going on hereabouts... I'm currently working on
the 11th out of the 20 cushions ordered. I still have a baby blanket to do as well,
so not quite halfway yet.

It's been quite a lesson in staying focussed for someone like me who seems to flit
around from one idea to the next ;)

I haven't quite managed to stay focussed though... I've been crocheting some
more covert bunting... My cousin had a baby girl the other day, so I dropped
everything to get together a little something for her. (Thank goodness I have
so many triangles I've already crocheted in my stash).

I tried something slightly different from last time. What do you think of the white
border?... or does it look better plain?

As per usual, though, when I must be doing something all I can think about is
something else ;) I've been dreaming about getting back to printing some fabric.
Hope you've been doing fun things?

f.y.i

2012-01-19T18:02:00.003+10:00

Something that might interest you...

I've just come across this grant for Australian citizens wanting to expand +
improve their business in textiles, clothing or footwear. All the info about this
government grant can be found here.

They're awarding grants of up to $50,000.

Closing date for applications is 24th February 2012.

Just thought it might be of interest :)

*photos from grant application site.

Mountain holiday

2012-01-15T13:00:00.003+10:00

We're back from a dreamy week away. It's always so restful...

So many amazing sunsets this time...

(This is really what it looked like! I haven't altered the photo at all.)

Chess, Scrabble, jigsaws (and lots of crocheting for me)....

Goanna encounters...

Looking up at incredible canopies...

And walks every day...

I guess that's the end of the holidays. We have to start getting ready for the
new school year now. We have a week to cover school books and buy new
school shoes etc... oh joy ;)
Holidays always go so quickly, don't they? Hope yours are going well :)

Pattern making (of a different sort)

2012-01-07T10:08:00.001+10:00

I found this wonderful book on drafting your own patterns and thought it might
be fun to try this method of dressmaking construction... (I've decided the just-cut-
and-adapt-later method is rather wasteful).

And this is what I made...

I asked my big girl for a description of her 'perfect dress', took exhaustive
measurements and then drafted my pattern. I made a mock-up in calico, which
ended up being the lining.

It's not perfect but all in all I think it's okay. She loves it too and has already worn
it out and about (which surely with any teenager is the real barometer of whether
it's 'passed the grade'?!) ;)

Now she wants me to make her a dress from Belinda's and Susie's beautiful fabrics...
but she'll have to wait for a bit. We're off to the mountains for a break. I'm so
looking forward to pure crochet time :) Oh, and I'm really looking forward to reading
the new Haruki Murakami book too...

Have a lovely week!

Inspired

2012-01-05T11:01:00.001+10:00

We found out yesterday that friends of ours have had a little girl. I saw her photo
and was suddenly inspired... Isn't it funny how that can happen? I instantly started
hooking some crochet bunting, making it up as I went along.

It'll be in the post today on its way to New York :) Welcome to the world Antonia!

Happy 2012!

2011-12-31T20:24:00.002+10:00

There have been good times and bad this year... but so many occasions
to be grateful and thankful. Thanks for your kindness and support :)
Here's to a wonderful 2012!

Holiday share

2011-12-29T21:01:00.002+10:00

Hello again... Hope you've had fabulous celebrations? Did you have fun with
your families?

It's the first year in many moons that I haven't had to host either family at ours.
My lovely sister hosted for my side of the families and we had a fine ol' time,
particularly when a packet of moustaches was brought out :)

My little one made fruit mince pies and they were amazing! If you'd like to try
the recipe I've clipped it below... It's from this book.

The little one has since fractured her arm whilst rollerblading... our first visit to
emergency at the hospital. She, of course, is rather proudly sporting her cast now.

Hope you've had a fun-filled time too... without any fractures, of course :)

Happy happy :)

2011-12-24T13:36:00.001+10:00

Self-Gifting

2011-12-20T11:24:00.001+10:00

It's that time of year when we're all rushing around frantically doing last minute
preparations for Christmas. It's a busy time, but I feel like my Christmas has
already happened... my present-to-self has arrived :)

This is my updated collection...

I've fallen in love with a 1950s dinnerware range by Franciscan Potteries called
Starburst. It was only made between 1954 and 1957. I just love the fresh and fun
1950s vibe. As you can see, it's taken top shelf position ;)

Last month I was an obsessive eBay lurker... all these amazing pieces appeared

and some kind of craziness came over me. Thank goodness for Christmas and the

certainty that my family would greatly appreciate me arranging my own present ;)

Do you do this too? Is it a universal truth that we purchase, wrap and place our
own gifts under the tree these days? I'm certainly thrilled with mine :)
The only thing I really wanted but wasn't able to get was a Starburst teapot...
but then there's always my birthday in March! (hint hint family)

Hope you've all found your special gifts-to-self for this year, or that you have
lovely families who find just the right thing for you :)

Big News

2011-12-13T16:04:00.001+10:00

I'm still reeling here from the amazing events of today... I have my first stockist!
They have placed an order for 20 cushions... and it's all come out of last Thursday's post!

I think the word for how I'm feeling is bemused ;)

The best part is that they insist on paying me what they are worth (wow!)... no more
simply covering costs with a little extra on the top... it's strange even contemplating it ;)

What to do with my pricing on Etsy though? Do I leave that at subsistence levels,
ie. just covering costs? It's a difficult question. Maybe if I don't have the same
products crossing over in both arenas I can get away with keeping things as they
are on Etsy? So, from now on Etsy prices will be like mates-rates for fellow Etsians :)

As you've no doubt noticed by now, the red ripple is finished and made up into a
cushion with natural linen and red buttons on the back. My other good news from
today is that someone has already asked to buy it :)

I don't know why I feel so guilty to be feeling so happy... How ridiculous am I?
Hope you are having a wonderful day and week too.

Our Creative Spaces - Red Ripple

2011-12-08T07:22:00.000+10:00

I've been wanting to do a ripple for a while. Actually, what I really want to crochet
is a proper pointy chevron but have been unable to find a pattern. Anyway, I thought
I'd start with a ripple for the time being.

I've used Lucy's pattern at Attic 24. Her explanations + photos are always so easy
to follow. I haven't had to pull it apart and start again, not once.

There's something so fresh and happy about ripply stripes.

I've started on a chartreuse stripe already and plan to do a yellow one next.
Figuring on getting together a mass of rainbow stripey cushions. (Can you tell
I've been watching The Dukes of Hazzard? The late 1970s version was on TV just before while
I was crocheting... I always end up speaking like that after watching it! :))

Anyway, for all my plans I haven't finished the red ripple yet. This one's still
a front panel only but I've draped it over a cushion to see how it will look.

If you know of a pointy chevron pattern for crochet I'd love to see it.
Hope you've had a lovely week. See more spaces here.

Cloud watching

2011-12-03T15:27:00.001+10:00

I'm back from the mountains. It was deliciously cool – a haven from the
descending summer heat of the city.

I must have had half a brain when packing... I forgot to take the right sized
crochet hook and other bits and pieces that should have kept me busy.

Instead, I just cloud watched :)

Hope you've had a relaxing week too.

Holidays + pressies

2011-11-28T08:24:00.000+10:00

My girls have finished school for the year and we are officially on holidays!
I won't be around this week but I do have a creative space item to leave here...

My youngest's class had a secret santa last week. They were allotted the name
of a class member with whom they are not usually friends and had to do nice
things for them. Then, on the last day of school, they had to give them a gift (no
more than $5 in value) and reveal who they are.

After thinking about what $5 buys these days, the Little One and I decided we
could come up with something better from what we had at home... and so a pencil
case was created for the price of a green zip, a gifted hand-screenprinted panel by
Anna Bartlett at Shiny Happy Art of Christmas Angels and a panel of my very first
attempt at screenprinting on a thrifted tablecloth.

Other stuff which we used that I already had were the Fabrico Fabric Markers
bought ages ago from here. Anna doesn't do these particular panels anymore but
she does have some other Christmas Angels here.

So, this is the result.

I'm told she loved it :) See you in about a week's time!

Finished bag

2011-11-26T13:53:00.001+10:00

Our Creative Spaces: Printing + Bagging

2011-11-24T08:28:00.000+10:00

My creative space this week has been all about fulfilling promises. Some of
these involve screen printing and this orange number somehow came out of it.

I began by printing with fluorescent yellow... but this was all but invisible
except in the sun. (And don't get me started on lining up a screen to print when the
rest of the printed pattern has disappeared into the fabric!)

So, I overprinted with fluorescent pink... but it's kind of bland too. Another sun shot
here... too proud to show it's real dowdy self.
I think the more I use the computer the more I see colour in my mind as this
back-lit explosion of vivid brilliance... which is obviously not the case in real life ;)

Next, out came the trusty embroidery floss... my attempt to add texture and colour
brilliance to lift the bland-ness. I do rather like it but it can't be meterage... too high
maintenance. So, they are going to be bags.

And I've accidentally ticked another job in my to-do list for someone I said
I'd make a bag for. The others may go in the shop or they may end up as
xmas presents.

I've only made up the front and back panels so far but I am pleased with how
they are shaping up.

Note: flash photography can sometimes imitate that back-lit screen look ;)

What's in your creative space this week? See more here.

First sale!

2011-11-23T10:04:00.001+10:00

I've made my first sale on Etsy :) Very excited.
This little brooch is posting it's way to Steffen.

Please have a peek at Steffen's store 3 Girls and a Goat.
She has the most divine paper products.

Sliced bread... (the best thing since)

2011-11-18T07:17:00.000+10:00

I'm a tad giddy with excitement here. Can you see why?

I've just discovered these amazing cross-stitch kits for iPhone 4 covers.

They're from the ever-wonderful Purl Soho in New York.

You can read about the designs stitched in the first picture here.

And Purl Soho have them for sale here.

Our Creative Spaces: Zen Brooches

2011-11-17T07:07:00.000+10:00

Do you remember this brooch? Well, I decided to make some more.

I hurt my foot and haven't been able to move around much.

I had to do something, so I've been micro-crocheting and constructing some
more Zen brooches.

I like the idea of things being a one-off so they are all slightly different from each
other and the original.

And they're in the shop.

Hope you've had a productive, injury-free week. Find more creative spaces here.

The Other Side

2011-11-15T09:27:00.001+10:00

I've just discovered that a most amazing installation occurred in Paris just after
we'd left. The Place Vendome played host to a ring of 4-metre high mirrored
cubes bouncing light and reflecting scenes. The installation was created by
Arnaud Lapierre for FIAC 2011.

Don't you think it has that funny surreal feeling to it that you get when travelling?
Maybe there's a bit of jet-lag in the mix but also that heady feeling of seeing new
things and they all fracture and jumble in your mind as you try to take it all in and
make sense of your new surroundings?

I love it :) Wish I could have seen it. Better than drugs I'd say ;)

Apparently, it's currently to be found at the Paul Ricard circuit in Castellet and
from there it'll be 'doing the rounds' to several art fairs around Europe. Hope you
get to see it if you live over there... I'd love it if you could share some pics :)

via

Our Creative Spaces: Sausage and greens

2011-11-10T08:27:00.000+10:00

I've been making up some more crochet panels into cushions.

I think this one looks like a sausage dog :) He's in the shop.

And there are (finally) two finished green cushions – a custom order for a lovely friend.

What's in your creative space this week? See more here.

Remembering

2011-11-09T11:07:00.003+10:00

It would be my friend Eileen's 85th birthday today. She passed away in
September, just days before I was supposed to meet up with her in London.

We became friends 12 years ago now. She was 'the old lady' who lived in
the basement of our Victorian redbrick in South Hampstead, London. (We
lived in the top floor flat.)

When my eldest started nursery I found myself at a loss. For two years she'd
been with me constantly and I no longer knew who I was without her by my
side. I wandered into the cafe across the road and there was Eileen.
We talked about books and social justice issues, philosophy and art... In
many ways she brought me back to myself.

Over the last 10 years or so we've met up every year when I've travelled over
there for the trade fair. And throughout those years we have exchanged
countless letters. Eileen hated computers and loved the written word. She would
send a fabulous array of clippings on subjects she knew I was interested in and
we'd have these amazing debates over issues via letter.
She was a prolific writer of novels too. Every couple of months there'd be a
bulging A4 brown envelope in my letterbox with the latest installment from
her oeuvre.

I still can't believe she's gone... and I miss her. It sets me to thinking about the
special people who come into our lives... Older people who have so much to
share with those willing to listen. I was fortunate enough to have four people like
that in my life, and now they are all gone.

Sorry, I'm getting a bit soppy here, aren't I? I could ramble on for ages but I guess
I'll leave it there...

Do you have someone special like this in your life?
Feel free to remember them in the comments :)

A Fortunate Event

2011-11-05T17:17:00.000+10:00

My little one and I have just watched a DVD we haven't seen for ages.
It's a real treat...

A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snickets. I loved these books
and I really love this movie... have you seen it?

The actors are fabulous (Jim Carey, Meryl Streep, Billy Connolly etc) but the
children really do steal the show for me, particularly Emily Browning's 'Violet'.
Best of all, though, are the costumes...

If you haven't seen this movie, I totally recommend it. Here's a taster...

Perfect for a slow sick-on-the-sofa kind of day :)

Our Creative Spaces: bubble and squeak week

2011-11-03T09:16:00.000+10:00

I'm playing along with Our Creative Spaces this week - find more spaces here.

Actually, I've been quite sick with the flu this week, but I do have some bits and
bobs to show you... I over-printed the fabric failure, with mixed results again.
Thinking I should leave it till I'm feeling well again ;)

There's been some experimenting with making the long narrow shape cushion
with the crochet triangles....

I've also been toying with a new pixelated cushion in luscious dark shades....

Hope you've had a healthy and creative week? :)

Fabric Fail

2011-11-01T12:07:00.000+10:00

I let myself be distracted by some screen printing over the weekend.

I decided to make my Atomic design less labour-intensive (I always block
printed it before) and had a screen burned.

I've been itching to try it out for ages. Unfortunately, I rushed the job.

Note to self: a bit of patience is worth it in the end ;)

I'm now thinking a bit of over-embroidery upcycling might save the day :)

500 Posts Winner

2011-10-30T09:45:00.001+10:00

Thanks so much to everyone who entered my giveaway of the new-to-me crochet
technique cushion and yarn-bombing diary.

I haven't been able to get the random generator widget to show the winning number,
so apologies for lack of verification... you'll just have to trust me that lady luck chose...
lucky number 27!

Congratulations to Belinda from Gretchenmist :) I'll be emailing you soon.

The gorgeous paper garland in the background there is by 3 Girls and a Goat.
Hope you have a lovely weekend everyone :)

Inspiration: Mr Dries VN

2011-10-28T12:34:00.001+10:00

I've been crocheting madly here but my mind has been drifting to thoughts
of fabric. I'm itching to start screen printing again and have been dreaming
of different fabric designs.

These took my breath away this morning... Dries Van Noten's Spring 2012
collection. This man is the king of fabric design... his clothes are pretty good too ;)
The pics below are my favourites. You can see the whole collection here.

I have finished going through my two-year's worth of mags... the dining table is
now cleared... Time to start some screen printing I think :)
What do you have planned for the weekend?

Our Creative Spaces: Playing with New Technique

2011-10-27T07:55:00.000+10:00

I've been doing lots of playing this week... experimenting with just what works
(and doesn't) with the new-to-me crochet technique I posted on last week.

Play 1: Multiple colours and creating shapes and shading.
So, multiple colours (I had three going at once) was straight forward.
Creating shapes wasn't too bad (as long as you don't mind a fuzzy definition!)
but shading didn't really work.

Play 2: One colour small shapes.
This was very easy and much more effective. The shapes still don't have definition
but instead look like paint dabs, which I rather like. I like the little speckly peeks of
colour you can see in the spaces in between too :)

Play 3: I did try text too but it was just terrible AND I forgot to take a photo before
madly unravelling it all... sorry ;)

Anyway, I feel like I understand the limitations of this technique a bit more.
I also added bits here and there so I can make something useful out of it...
I'm thinking it could make a cute pencil case if I fold up the halves and crochet a
couple of panels for the sides?
Just an idea... you may see it in the shop one day ;)

Hope you've had a great week... Find more creative spaces here.

p.s. I have a 500 posts giveaway that will be drawn this Sunday 30th October.

p.p.s. There's also a Pay it Forward happening if you're keen?

UPDATE
I have crocheted sides and have an almost pencil case.
All it needs now is some lining and a zipper....

Every little thing...

2011-10-26T08:56:00.006+10:00

I've been thinking of that Police song ever since I received some magical mail...
Contemplating my fabulous arrivals, I've realising that these three bloggers,
well, I just love everything they do.

So, here's some pics – a visual feast – and if you feel like singing 'Every little thing
they do is magic' I don't blame you one little bit.. :)

Seriously gorgeous fabric and prints from the very talented Ms Belinda at Gretchenmist -
blog and shop.

The most stunning graphic prints from the fabulous Ms Francesca at Mrs Eliot Books
- blog and shop.

And the fresh original prints of the lovely Ms Kerry at Seventy Tree - blog and shop.

Actually, these prints from Kerry are my gift from a Pay it Forward... aren't I lucky? :)
But you know what a Pay it Forward means... yep, my turn to pay.

I'm going to put together five different gift parcels of something I've made... not sure yet
what that will be... it could be a brooch, or some screen printed fabric or some crochet,
I haven't decided. I send one of them to you and then you pay-it-forward to five people
on your blog... simple?... My dad always used to say 'clear as mud' :)

So, if you would like to take part in the Pay it Forward and receive a gift from me,
leave a comment and your contact details below and the first five will be my PiFs :)

Leaving a comment does not mean you sign up for it!
Don't feel bad if you can't (it is a busy time of year!) I'll only count you as in if you say
"count me in", okay? ;)

The Switch

2011-10-25T08:29:00.005+10:00

I've finally done it... I've opened an Etsy store! Feeling very happy here :)

Still trying to figure out how it all works and a tad frustrated too that it won't
list my items under the 3 Sheets name... taken apparently ;(

Not so enthused to be listed as kylie67... any suggestions for a new
name...?

Pop over and tell me all the things I should have done too - thank you! :)

Inspiration: Masha Rumyantseva

2011-10-24T08:44:00.002+10:00

Collage is an enduring love for me and the work of Masha Rumyantseva is a
particular favourite. It's so open and witty, but she also employs a deft hand at
colour too that is always visually exciting.

Rumyantseva works as an illustrator for Russian magazines where she
mostly uses collage and ink drawings.

You can see more on Rumyantseva's Flickr Photostream. I found
her work via another fine collage artist Esra Dandin.

500 Giveaway!

2011-10-21T09:23:00.003+10:00

Last month I hit my 500th post. It was a busy time so the postponed celebrations
are happening now :)        * *
*
  *

I'm giving away my new (to me) crochet technique cushion. It's made from the
Australian yarn, Biggan Design DK Merino in natural, yellow, aqua, olive and brown.
It's super soft and cuddly and it has no knots from the yellow up (sorry, the experiment

started at that point ;) The back of the cushion is a citrus-coloured cotton/linen with a

zip, and it comes with a 3 Sheets custom-made insert.

* *

* *
*

It'd make a great neck pillow for reading in bed or to place in the small of your back

for extra support...

*

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

* *

I'm also giving away a yarn-bombing diary for 2012 which I bought at the Pompidou
bookshop in Paris...

* * *

It's super duper fabulous and full of different yarn-bombing pics...

* *

Cute projects (to practise your French on while doing your knittery)...

* *

And a few random crochet/knittery objet d'art... ;)

* *

So, what do you have to do to win this fine booty?

* *

Well, I would prefer it if you are a follower of 3 Sheets or 'like' the 3 Sheets
Facebook Page... but I'm flexible. This is my thank you to everyone who has
supported me through my 500 post journey.

* *

One more thing... if you only like, say, the diary and the cushion is not really your
thing (or vice versa!), then say so in your comment and I'll do a second random
pick for the other item if you win.

* *

Anyway, just leave a comment and I'll do the magic random generator trick on
Sunday 30th October. Good luck and thank you! :)

Our Creative Spaces: New (to me) Crochet Technique

2011-10-20T07:45:00.000+10:00

I've discovered something new! Well, it's new to me anyway;)
I'm so excited about it I've decided to have a giveaway tomorrow to celebrate
my 500th post from September.

Anyway, new technique... I was playing around with some crochet... I wanted
to be able to swap between colours in a row without having to do the old
knot-and-cut routine over and over.

I began that way but the piece was getting a bit bumpy... so, I started introducing
new colours and keeping them running through the piece, picking up different
colours as I wanted them. I think it worked out a treat.

This is how I did it, working with a simple double stitch...

(1) When you get to the spot where you'd like to introduce a new colour, put
your hook through that space and pull through a loop of the new colour, yarn
over with the new colour and pull through the two loops on the hook to complete
the double stitch. It should be half the new colour and half the old colour...

(2) Continue working your double stitches into the next spaces with the new
colour...

(3) Make sure you are crocheting the old colour into the work so that it is hidden...

(4) When you've completed as many new colour stitches as you require,
pick up the old colour of yarn and start working double stitches with it.
Again, you need to make sure that the other colour is worked into the piece
and hidden from view, but ready to pick up again when you need it...

It's almost like weaving in a way because all the threads run along the length
and can be picked up and woven in as you need them.

The finished effect is rather soft looking too - quite feathery in appearance
which is funny. I love that the surface is all smooth and bump free too :)

Strangely, the colour parts are more defined on the back of the piece...

Anyway, in our world where nothing is ever original, I'm sure it's all been done before...
but I do admit I'm quite chuffed at discovering this method through experimentation.

Hope you've had a wonderfully creative week too. You can find more creative
spaces here.

Don't forget to come back for my giveaway tomorrow! :)

Making Hey

2011-10-18T08:30:00.002+10:00

This weekend just past was also the weekend of Make Hey! Pip's new wonderful book.
I've only been able to catch a quick look so far as my big girl has been delving into it
almost constantly.

Not that I'm complaining - it meant we had dinner made for us last night :)
She made Michelle's Couscous Salad from the recipe cards...

... and has been sourcing all the things she'll need to make Ginger Beer.
She's also started crocheting hearts for the I Heart You necklace...

Like all of Pip's books, it's so well written with fabulous things to make.
Big thanks from us Pip! :)

That view...

2011-10-17T16:31:00.002+10:00

Yes, it's that view again ;)

We had a long weekend because the girls' school had a pupil free
day today... so we ran away to the mountains. It feels like we've had
a week off.

Hope you've had a wonderful weekend too :)

Fabric Giveaway

2011-10-15T09:03:00.001+10:00

One of Jane's creations with some of her fabric scraps :)

The lovely Jane at Flaming Nora is having a fabric giveaway.

Working as a costume maker for theatre and film, she has amassed a heap of fabric off-cuts
in small and strange sizes, but sizes that would be perfect for craft projects.

The first 15 bundles, she will post free to anywhere and then she'll be putting them on Etsy.
So waste not a moment, my friends! Get yea over to Flaming Nora's.

Our Creative Spaces: Mag Hag

2011-10-13T09:29:00.000+10:00

It's true... I do admit it... I'm a mag hag. I just love them. It's an expensive
habit but worth it I think. Every so often, they pile up though and I need to
sort out the keepers from the fluff. This is my current pile.

My creative space this week has been all about organisation... sorting,
shifting and throwing. It's taken me an age to go through these magazines.
Some of them are automatic 'keepers' - fabulous resources that I don't think
I'll ever be able to throw away. The others, I look through every single one
to see if there's anything I want to keep. I'm about half way there. I have a
pile of clippings which I'll then sort into folders...

Hmm, starting to feel a bit OCD here ;) Hope you've had a wonderfully
creative week. More creative spaces over here.

Paris: new/old

2011-10-11T12:39:00.004+10:00

The girls were so excited about Paris... recognising icons and linking in with
history lessons made it such an informed part of the trip for them. Basically,
it was all about the Eiffel Tower, the Mona Lisa and the Palace of Versailles
for them.

For us, it was seeing things anew through their eyes... I kept thinking how Paris
is the ultimate postmodern city - the new sits so well amongst the old, and both
are everywhere interacting in different ways.

As it happens, this very concept was being played out at the Palace of Versailles
where they had an exhibition on 18th century fashion, showing original pieces
juxtaposed with modern interpretations by the likes of Vivienne Westwood,
Alexander McQueen, Comme des Garcons etc.

It was heavenly. My fingers were itching to see how pieces had been constructed.
I would have loved some displays showing how the patterns crossed over, but
unfortunately, even lingering was a difficult exercise in these rooms... the long
walk to the Grand Trianon where the exhibition was hosted meant that only the
diehard fans attended... they were many and they were ferocious in their elbowing
to get the best view! ;) This was the other exhibition where no photos were allowed,
so the pictures above are borrowed from here.

We took plenty of photos around the rest of Versailles though... ;)

We covered a lot of ground whilst in Paris, mostly walking from one site to the next...
but Versailles took up an entire day. It was massive, especially the grounds which
were so breathtaking.

As much as I loved visiting the 18th century (particularly the fashion exhibition) I
have to admit that my heart belongs to the 'modern' era, ie. 1905 - 1960... Hardly
surprising then that favourite place in Paris was for me the Pompidou Centre.

I love this place... I love the building... I love the art... it is perfection :)
Kupka, Sonia Delaunay... all my favourites were there...

There was also some fabulous street art out and about too. I know it's quite an
unpopular form of art, but I love it. It's often so clever. Again I admire how it works
by playing the old off against the new.

Okay, I'm sure anyone who is still reading these posts is heartily tired of it all.
Thanks for bearing with me. I guess this blog is as much a journal for me as well as
a place where I can show things I think you might like... So, travel posts are over. ;)

I'll leave you with a YouTube clip about the Versailles exhibition, 18th Century Back
in Fashion:

Antwerpen

2011-10-10T08:04:00.003+10:00

We had a very quick stay in Antwerp again this year. While the Mr was taking care
of business, the girls and I walked around exploring...

I was so looking forward to going to the Solarshop and to the Museum of Fashion...

Unfortunately, it was a Monday and, if you're planning a visit there, I can warn you
ahead of time that none of the museums etc are open on a Monday :(

We did find a honey bear though :)

And we had a great time walking around. I popped in on a lovely friend to say hi...

... and we had loads of amazing chocolate! :) Paris tomorrow!

London (again)

2011-10-09T11:07:00.000+10:00

I realised when I sat down to do this post that I'm not quite done with London yet.
(Truth be told, I never will be!) It's that kind of place for me... when you think about
where you feel most at home; where you've been happiest etc...
Well, it's always London for me. So, apologies for going on, but here are some more...
a new find and an old favourite.

Firstly, the new find... the Wellcome Institute on Euston Road... have you ever
been here? It's an amazing place. I love their subtitle "a free destination for the
incurably curious" :) When I was studying at Birkbeck I used to walk past it all the
time without any idea of the treasures inside. It's a fascinating homage to science
with fabulous exhibitions of the artefact kind and collaborations with artists.

Here's my gorgeous science nerds fascinated with a print out of the human genome...
go figure, hmm? ;) Still, it wasn't just them... we actually went back there twice, there
was so much to see.

So, what's the old favourite? This was the view I awoke to each morning...

... the wonderful fabulous Tate Modern. I nipped in for a look around at odd times of
the day and night in between our other commitments... it was heaven :)

We had the added excitement of it being London Fashion Week when we were there.
It did add to the fun of everything... fabulous young things in their eccentric outfits running
around and about. We loved it :)

photo credit

Where's your 'special place'?

London + Powerful Making

2011-10-07T09:22:00.002+10:00

Timber Wave Cromwell Rd installation by Amanda Levete Architects
Part of the London Design Festival.

There were two amazing exhibitions I saw whilst away where you were
not allowed to take photos... and this was a great shame. One was in Paris
and I'll come to that in a day or so. The other was in London at the V&A
Museum entitled The Power of Making. It was breathtaking.

As you enter the V&A from the Cromwell Road entrance there's a large
space to the left of the information desk where the bookshop used to be.
Here, The Power of Making exhibition will be in situ until 2 January 2012
– a free exhibition celebrating handmade and the presence of craft in
modern life.

I'm sorry if this is text heavy but I just have to reproduce the exhibition's
introduction:

Making is the most powerful way that we solve problems, express ideas
and shape our world. What and how we make defines who we are, and
communicates who we want to be.
For many people, making is crucial for survival. For others, it is a chosen
vocation: a way of thinking, inventing and innovating. And for some it is
simply a delight to be able to shape a material and say 'I made that'. The
power of making is that it fulfills each of these human needs and desires.
Those whose craft and ingenuity reach the very highest levels can create
amazing things. But making is something everyone can do. The knowledge
of how to make – both everyday objects and highly-skilled creations – is
one of humanity's most precious resources.

Guest curator, Daniel Charny

Isn't that just fabulous? The exhibition leaflet listed a glossary of the skills
and techniques employed in the pieces, including: 3D animation, 3D printing,
airbrushing, annealing, baking, beading, blacksmithing, blocking, brazing,
carving, cobbling, cordwaining, crocheting, cross stitch, drawing, drilling,
dyeing, embroidery, etching, felting, glassblowing... and so many more.

It was so very inspiring. We were all blown away by the depth of imagination
and ingenuity... and just when we started, reluctantly, to leave the space, we
saw this lovely fella from one of our favourite movies. The handmade Mr Fox :)

photo credit

There's a vimeo too for the exhibition. My favourite quote is from the
flutemaker, Steven Wessel, when he says "Craft, or working with yours hands,
is fundamental to being human". That just about sums it all up really :)

Power of Making from Victoria and Albert Museum on Vimeo.

Trippin'

2011-10-06T08:24:00.000+10:00

We're back and life feels a bit surreal at the moment. It was soooo hot in
Europe and we've returned to unseasonally cold and rainy weather here
in Brisbane... what's happening with the world!? ;)

I'll post on some of the things I saw over the next couple of days, but just
for now some funny photos. It was so much fun travelling with the girls.

There's no such thing as a stand-in-front photo pose with these two. They
were dancing and singing their way around the streets and catching us up
in their enthusiasm.

Isn't it funny how when they're younger kids can make you feel so old but
then later they can make you feel so young again? :)

Hope you've had a fabulous fortnight too.

Happy time :)

2011-09-16T20:25:00.004+10:00

It's my guaranteed happy time of the year.... the time of year when I get
to travel because of our business. This year, we'll be going here...

and then here...

and finally here (the work part but also a fun part!)...

We're taking the girls with us this year which I'm also really looking forward to.
Quality time with the Mr and our girls :)

I'm still madly trying to get organised and have somehow lost some of my 'notes
to self' of places to see. So, feel free to leave a comment saying "While you're
there you really must visit..." Actually, please do! I'll be reading your comments
until Sunday morning (Australian time).

Thank you in advance and see you in a couple of weeks!

à bientôt!

Photo credits: me :)

Our Creative Spaces - Crochet Couture in Progress

2011-09-15T07:35:00.001+10:00

Okay, so the title is very misleading... The inspiration was crochet couture
but I guess mine is simply crochet clothing item in progress ;)

Inspired by the amazing creations of Helen Rodel some months ago now,
I began hooking away at a bubble cluster, adding a bit of track stitch here
and there for relief.

The idea is to finish with one of those midriff over-smock 'knits'.

These are the stitches I've used...

Click on image to enlarge

I'm going to crochet back and front together when I've got them to the same
length and do a continuous row of the track stitch at the base I think.

It's falling off my shoulders at the moment so I'll have to do some more
track stitch at the top as well.

What's in your Creative Space today? See more here.

Inspiration: Helen Rodel

2011-09-14T09:53:00.000+10:00

A few months ago now I saw this image on Evie's blog and discovered
the amazing crochet couture of Helen Rodel.

Needless to say it was love at first sight...

So innovative and fun...

I knew I had to try it. Stay tuned for Creative Space tomorrow to see my
crochet couture attempt in progress :)

There's a fabulous Vimeo clip of Rodel working on her collection here.
(For some reason, I can't get it to load here, sorry).

You can find her website here and Flickr photostream here.

More green, less white...

2011-09-13T10:31:00.001+10:00

So after the last one I thought I'd design a green cushion that was
more green and less white. This was the plan...

And this is the finished result...

What do you think?

My daughter said, "Yes, less white, but somehow there's more grey".

I think I'm done with green cushions ;)

Karen has woven some amazing cushions here.

New brooch

2011-09-10T18:05:00.001+10:00

I've made a new brooch...

With yarn, felt, a metal sequin and a wooden button...

A friend of mine's been going through a rough time and I wanted to make
her something, so I started playing with a gorgeous yarn find.

I showed a peek of it before, it's another find from Purl Soho when I was
in New York... Alchemy's Silken Straw in the most amazing squid ink
kind of colour.

Hope she likes it.

Our Creative Spaces - MOF 2

2011-09-08T08:12:00.000+10:00

I'm still doing my Month of Finishing (MOF) here. This is an
embarrassing one actually. It's a dress I was making for a friend.
Do you remember this fabric?

It's been draped over the mannequin for quite a few months now.
I just couldn't seem to cut into it. I have no idea what my problem was
but at least it's done now...

I ended up adding a bit of colour on the straps to link in with
the tree colour in the screen print. I also lined it because it
is quite see-through...

My friend has been really lovely about it, but I feel bad for taking so
long. So, I'm working on a necklace design to go with the dress...
a bit of block printing, a bit of stitchery and hopefully finished with
some silversmithery too :)

What in your creative space today? You can find more spaces here.

I nearly forgot! This is my 500th post :)

Big thanks to everyone who's supported me along the way. You are all totally amazing
and have helped me so much with your encouragement. September is a very busy month
for me (we'll be travelling - yah!) but I will have a giveaway in October to say thank you :)

So Many Greens :)

2011-09-06T14:12:00.002+10:00

I'm making a cushion for someone who loves green.
Lime green, kelly green, aqua green, teal, olive green...
There are so many shades to choose from.

So, I decided not to discriminate and instead find a way
to showcase all the greens...

I've been looking at this combination for days and have
finally crocheted them together. Still looking at it, though,
and deciding whether I like it or not...

Is perfectionism a nice word for incredibly indecisive? ;)

Inspiration: Jenni Rope

2011-09-05T11:41:00.001+10:00

I've just discovered an amazing Finnish artist, Jenni Rope, and have
lost hours looking through her incredible portfolio. She does everything!

Based in Helsinki, she exhibits internationally and runs Napa Books
and Gallery. Her works span painting, illustration, jewellery, animation,
publishing and fabric design (for Marimekkko, no less!).

Thanks to Renilde for introducing me to Jenni Rope's work :)

Some favourites are below...

Jenni Rope: Kiipeilypuu / The Climbing Tree from Jenni Rope on Vimeo.

Happy Father's Day!

2011-09-04T10:36:00.000+10:00

Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there!
Hope you have a great day :)

Riverfire

2011-09-03T21:27:00.000+10:00

It was Riverfire night tonight. For those who don't know, Riverfire is a
half-hour long display of fireworks that kicks off the celebrations for the
Brisbane Festival.

So, Brisbane city is surrounded by the river on three sides and there
are boats on the river where the fireworks are set off, some are set off
from the top of city buildings and some from the Story Bridge too, which
is the vantage point from my house.

These are my shaky photos from outside the front of my house :)

Hockey final :)

2011-09-03T13:33:00.000+10:00

My little one won her hockey premiership today.
The score was 3:1 and she saved 3 goals.
Proud face :)