My creative space..

Well it seems I was onto something when I posted about my studio yesterday. The lovely Kristy over at Kootoyoo has started a new group for 2009, my creative space. Thanks to the delightful CurlyPops for finding this fabulous little weekly challenge.

My Creative Space:

Every Thursday post an image of what's in progress either on your desk, sofa, desktop, at the kitchen table... whatever.

As my creative space travels around the house, the garden and often in my depths of my handbag, I thought it might be fun to join in.

So here is my space today, it just so happens to be on the lounge room floor, thank goodness I have an very understanding husband. I enjoy creating on the floor, gives me more freedom to make a big mess and it also means I can do all my cutting and watch a movie at the same time. Right now I'm in the process of making a big batch of brooches for an exciting wholesale order I received.


The only problem with setting up camp on the lounge room is misplacing things all the time! Has anyone seen my tape measure?

Happy Thursday
xxx

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Behind the scenes..

Its been a lovely day here in the country, not quite as hot as yesterday which has been lovely and with the sun shining and the roses blossoming in the garden what a perfect day to be creative.

I've been busy in my studio working on quite a few different artworks, including some new pieces for Art on your Sleeve an upcoming exhibition at Stay Human in Richmond, Melbourne which is being curated by the fabulous Nicole Tattersall. It's been fabulous creating some diverse pieces and developing tiny works of art what will be transformed into badges.

Inspired by Cori's recent post of the loveliness in her studio, I thought I would take a few photos of my own little space while in the midst of creating this afternoon.

Mixed Media work in progress..

Little piles of vintage pages, fabric and postcards seem to develop everywhere!

An old jug filled with ribbon and lace..

One of my typewriters. When the sewing machine isn't going, the constant humming of the typewriter can be heard throughout the house.

My little studio..

A big thank you to the delightful Tinniegirl for her feature of my brooches over on her lovely blog. Tinniegirl has been so supportive of my work. You must check out her fabulous 'Tinnies', yummy vintage tins filled with crafty goodness. I can't wait to purchase one very soon.

I'm off to start work on my besty Courtney's custom order. Keep an eye out for this girl, she is making some of the most amazing hand dyed wool around!

Hope you are enjoying a fabulous day.
xxx

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Treasure hunting...

While I'm on holidays I thought I would make the most of my opportunity to search the second hand shops in the little towns nearby. My lovely friend Joelene and I went on the hunt to Merbein today and found a number of very intriguing little country antique and op shops, which bought some delightful finds. All those years of watching Antiques Roadshow are finally paying off. Some of my lovely purchases include:

These gorgeous little fabric prints

An amazing vintage tin, with cute little handles. Perfect for stashing thread in.

My favourite find.. Very girly vintage gloves! I was going to use them in a piece of artwork but after wearing them around the house I can't bare to part with them. Anyone for a tea party?

I've spent the afternoon hand dyeing my lovely new napkins and doilies for some new mixed media pieces I am working on. I don't think I was ever allowed to use dye when I was younger and wanted to make crazy fairy wings, so I was in my element this afternoon dyeing up a storm. The great thing is with the 38 degree (celcius) heat today, everything was dry in five minutes.

A few of my newly dyed pieces with some sweet lace I found nestled deep at the bottom of a haberdashery basket today.

With all my girly purchases I decided my afternoon would not be complete without a batch of vanilla cupcakes and some delightful Moulin Rogue tea from the lovely Kristy at Floating Lotus. The perfect end to my treasure hunting adventures.

Vanilla cupcakes with rose icing..

I'll be back tomorrow with some behind the scenes photos from my day of creation in the little studio.

Much love and vintage dreams..
xxx

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A lovely Monday to heart Brooches!

Its been very busy around my little house over the past few days. I'm so excited that some very sweet people like my brooches and I was delighted to be wrapping up orders and heading to the post office this morning. A big thank you for your messages and support, I have so much fun creating my little goodies it's so nice to see them go to a lovely homes.

Little packages ready for the mail (as I was putting the bows on I couldn't help singing 'Brown paper packages tied up with string!)

I found myself back in the studio last night replenishing my brooch supplies, coming up with lovely new ideas and thing to heart. This batch certainly has a little bit for everyone, knitters, photographers and even the Marie Antoinette lover.

I just love how they look like yummy little cookies all sitting together.

Here are just a few brooches from my latest crazy little collection which can be found in my shop:

I heart Fairytales..

I heart Polaroids..

I heart to Stitch..

I also made a quick trip to my lovely little haberdashery store for some new fabrics and to the local art supplies shop for some very interesting canvases I have had my eye on. I've been dreaming up some creations on tiny canvases and finally found the perfect size. Can't wait to get back to the studio and see what evolves. Keep a look out in the next few days..

Well I'm off to brew a pot of tea, dream up some lovely tales and enjoy the afternoon sunshine...

Hope you are enjoying a delightful Monday
xxx

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The Box Brownie and the Travelling Circus..

I just adore antique adventures, you start off looking for one lovely piece of junk and come home with something completely different. I'm just so lucky that my lovely husband enjoying hunting through the back of antique shops as I do. So yesterday I went out to find some postcards and some lace and came back home with some lovely postcards but even more exciting I found an original No 2. Brownie. I've always wanted one of these cameras and was so excited to see it sitting in a little back room next to an old compass and a pipe, now the trick is just getting it to work. Here is my little stash from my outing.

My new Box Brownie

An old prescription book I can't wait to find a use for!

My postcard stash, I just love the handwriting and the tales.

My two favourites..

I was also delighted to put the finishing touches on my new piece of artwork last night, which in a round about way gave itself the title of 'The Travelling Circus'. It tells the tale of two lovers and a travelling circus. I'm intrigued by the idea of telling stories through my art work using ephemera that holds so many tales from the past. I just love the thought of breathing new life into the world of yesteryear.

'The Travelling Circus'

I have included an extract from an original poem on this piece and a signature coin from a 100 year old gypsy costume I inherited.

I developed this art work about these two postcards, I found something incredibly intriguing about the gentleman in the photograph.

You can find 'The Travelling Circus' in my little shop now.

Well the sun is shining and today there is so much to do! My husband and I are going to tackle the weeds in the garden and I hope there is enough time to make a few new brooches, bake a cake and spend a little time dreaming the afternoon away in my new moleskine journal.

Much love and happy Sunday!
xxx

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Shopping List Saturday..

Inspired by soft pinks, tulle twirling, satin slippers and bundles of ribbon, my first Saturday Shopping List for the year takes us to the Ballet...

1. Flower Lolita Backless Dress by Flutterbydaisy
2. Limited Print- The Grand Reach by Corid
3. Dreamy Dancer -Fine Art Print by Bluecitrusart
4. In Teatro 1 -Polaroid by Matchstickgirl
5. Original- Blissful Daydream by A Fanciful Twist
6. Momento- Fine Art Photograph by AuraleeDallas

There is just something so magical about the Ballet, I had a wonderful time finding these fabulous pieces on Etsy, dancing through pages tutus, satin and lace.

Take a moment to brew a fresh pot of tea and pop over to the the fabulous Fancy Picnic to check out the other amazing Shopping Lists. The perfect start to a Saturday morning.

I'm off to do some shopping of my own, of the fabulous antique variety. Also on my to do list is to finish a new piece of mixed media artwork based on the tale of two lovers. All going to plan, you will be able to find it in my shop later this evening.

Wishing you a fabulous Saturday
xxx

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A beautiful New Year...

Happy New Year!

These delightful notecards are by Tamar, perfect to celebrate New Years Day with.

I hope everyone had a wonderful night seeing in the New Year wherever you are around the world and made lots of fabulous new years wishes. I always found the first day of the year so exciting as a child, a new beginning, an adventure and I would already thinking about buying new books for school (stationary obsessed from a young age). I woke up this morning with the same sense of adventure and excitement about the coming year. I am so inspired after my holiday I can't wait to share my ideas and creations with you in 2009.

I have already been busy in my little studio making some very sweet fabric 'I heart' brooches inspired by my favourite things. I have introduced eight new designs to the collection with a variety of themes including: lomography, knitting and art history. These eight designs can be found in my shop now. There will be plenty more to come as I have so many favourite things and they are just so much fun to create. Here are just a few in the collection...

I heart Vintage Fabric Brooch

I heart Journals Fabric Brooch

I heart to Knit Fabric Brooch

I heart Art History Fabric Brooch

I had a lovely surprise yesterday afternoon, the mailman arrived with an unexpected parcel. A few days before Christmas I was delighted to win a giveaway draw held by the very talented Shariyah Garner. This incredible artist has recently relocated to New Zealand where she is creating some beautiful artworks. I was very fortunate to win a beautiful art block print 'Mother Earth' which is now taking pride of place in my lounge room.

'Mother Earth' my beautiful prize.

Please go and check out Shariyah's work, she has some wonderful paintings for sale and has recently added some beautiful and intriguing jewellery to her fabulous shop.

I have also completed one of my most ambitious challenges of 2008, filling a page a day in my moleskine journal. I was writing until 11:56 last night to complete the last page and was filled by so many emotions when i was able to tie a bow around my whole year of work. I will be featuring some of my favourite pages from my year in my next post.

Moleskine '2008'

After completing such a vivid documentation of my year I am now beginning a new moleskine with a whole new year of adventures. I love the idea of writing your life, keeping it safe for a rainy day in many years time when it is discovered in second hand store or in a dusty attic box and the cycle of collection begins again.

As the beautiful Joyce Carol Oates once said, 'Write your heart out'.

Wishing everyone a fabulous New Years Day, bask in the sunshine, drink copious cups of tea, find a piece of paper and a pen and write a letter to yourself outlining your extrodinary year to come.

Much love
xxx

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