On our desks...

Firstly, i just have to point out that i didn't actually see much of any of my desks this last week.. some how i ended up in bed all week, all through the Sydney rain... dreaming of what i would do when i was free from mucus ( just a bit of green gunk nothing too worry some).
Anyway this weekend free of market stall commitments, i dabbled in a couple of things...

When i am compelled to do a design but get 'white-page-freak-out', where nothing i sketch works, I go to my little box of paint swatches from the hardware store and start cutting them up and seeing what happens. This is what happened, so i stuck it down - next i'll use it to do something digital.
THEN i had to do some embroidery. Again, not quite sure of composition i did a quick sketch on the computer and attempted to transfer it to thread + fabric.. it's not quite exact - but hopefully retains the feel.
As we had family over and it tis Autumn i used that as an excuse to make Nigella's Greek Lamb stew. Which cooks for about 2 hours and tastes absolutely deliciously sweet and tender... yumo.. followed by optional apple + rhubarb crumble with homemade custard... ahhhh..

So in case you've just popped by.. I do have twins, a boy and a girl. Twelve years old. Miss R was seen recently assisting Dudley at the zine fair.. the lad meanwhile is heavy into building.. this was his desk this weekend...

As he cuts + places that foam core into a modern structure.. music blaring... oh his bandaged hand is from last weekend's stitches (accident with a car door, not scalpel)...
Oh well back to my 'day desk' tomorrow.. just had time to check out the 3m swell at Curl Curl beach, Sydney.
Hope your week has been good too.

Paper heaven..

So as Sydney-siders braved the Sunday showers, and i held back the sniffles we all shuffled paper at the 2010 MCA zine fair. It was a great day. There were mumblings about people who don't just sell zines... but i think we should celebrate diversity and welcome creativity in its various forms. Where else do you get to experiment and not ask why? I enjoy seeing what everyone has come up with and was delighted to make my first sale of the day - a little handmade tofu head to a young french boy who couldn't speak English (or read my zines) but was drawn to my piece of tofu..
Thanks to everyone who came by to say hi, to those that loved my tiny button zine and appreciated my 'tofu wisdom' zine (they will be online soon).

Here's my favourite pic amongst many wonderful offerings:

Drawn in by the electric colours, the incredibly detailed works by sisters Anney B and Mechelle B. Who print their illustrations on a Riso/gocco press.
Take a closer look at my purchases:
And it folds to look like a washing line.. awesomeness for $2!

And how cool is this?

So there it was.. i hope everyone had a good time.. the zine community in Australia is quite small it would be nice to all be able to share it...even if you do sell badges.

Sunday in Sydney...

Coming to the MCA this Sunday .... drum roll..
Hence the lack of much blogging, as Dudley + Miss R have been busy..

Sketching, folding, stapling.. and making things that make us smile..

with a few special little handmade items ...

Remember, 'round here we don't feel the need to ask 'why?'
so, if you're in Sydney and fancy a trip out - come and say hi to some zinesters on Sunday!

In the post box.. part 2

Recently i received some of my new Tofu head postcards in the mail. These are little scenes i have set up and photographed - that make me smile (and hopefully some of you, too!)
BUT this time i also tried out the NEW online sticker place Sticker You the one here is quite tiny 30mm, postage stamp size. What is so good about that - I hear you ask? Well, the thing is you can upload ANY design you like and they DIE-CUT it!! So if you had a cloud shape - your sticker would be a great quality vinyl cloud shape sticker!! Cool yes?! For $6.99 a sheet plus $5 postage you get a whole sheet of whatever you choose to put on it.. whatever size + shape you like, as many different designs you want to upload. Yay!
Stickers for your handmade goodies, stickers for your Etsy sales, stickers for gifts... I suggest you go play..

In the post box..

Last week, was this...


Little dolly babe cut outs.. stylish young things decked out in their vintage threads.. who hang around on their own wee clothes line. How sweet! I can't remember how i came across their talented creator Lauren Carney, but you can find her here. She has a fresh batch of girls-to-go and you can pop along and see her at the next Brisbane Finders Keepers Markets in June.
The hanging girls are so gorgeous - they were worth tidying up my inspiration wall for.. a wonderful idea, beautifully drawn - lovely patterns + colours.. I've shown a small selection here - but you can decorate madly with a whole set !

In my suitcase...

The other week when i was away, i did pack some reading material for those moments on the sun lounger.
Amongst the chic lit was this:

I'd heard Kari speak here and here. The interviews had left me wanting more so I popped here to get my own copy. (The book depository was an amaaaaaazing find! At great prices and FREE worldwide shipping - that only seems to take a week - a new world can be accessed with a click - oops!)
Anyway, even though I've read/skimmed/seen lots on this topic, I still think the book is great to have - as Kari has collated all that info (and more) in a very digestible way.
She also has a chatty narrative making it seem like a friendly helping hand.
The layout looks good, makes topics easy to find in a flick and has some lovely sketches by Emily Martin (The Black Apple) and Jen Skelley.

What i really appreciated was Kari's creative collective, 30 creative crafter's who are experienced in their field and who share their advice throughout the book. Of course their own websites are also listed and make another great resource.

My other read - I've been meaning to get to for quite sometime..

How talented is this Australian author?! What a truly gorgeous book this is.
It is set during the war, and i was on holiday in a tropical paradise.. but this didn't matter.. I wanted to savour the words.. like sucking chocolate on your tongue and trying to hold onto it's taste a little longer..he indeed is a crafter of the written form.
Unexpectedly it also had some drawings which was a delightful surprise..

So, have you read anything wonderful lately?
Oh - a couple more finds to chat about pop back again in a day or so..
Sorry - but new Dr Who awaits!