Remember the character Norm from the famous 80's, 'Life. Be In It.' ad campaign, here in Australia? If not and you want to know who I'm talking about you can check him out here. Norm was illustrated by Alex Stitt a celebrated designer, illustrator and animator who created two feature length animated films; Abracadabra - the first3D animated film and, Grendel Grendel Grendel. The screenshots above are from the latter. How amazeballs is that type and those colour combinations and patterns?! I love the looks of this animation.
Recently I learned that there's only one pristine, original 35mm copy left in existences and that a crowd funding Pozible campaign started by the Melbourne International Animation Festival is underway. With 10 days remaining MIAF aims to raise enough funds to preserve this footage into a quality digital copy so that it can be seen forever! To find out more or to help save this piece of iconic Australian animation head here.
The weather has cooled down heaps here in Melbourne this week and the mornings are super dark. Let's face it getting out of bed is a bit of a struggle. If you're anything like me you end up rushing and in that rush get frustrated putting on your tights because you can't figure out the front from the back. Sound familiar? After a few washes and wears the feet of your tights become worn on both sides and look ugly! Not ideal for wearing with your favourite clogs or open shoes.
TIP: Mark new tights before you wear them with a couple of stitches in coloured cotton inside the back waist seam. If you don't have a needle and thread handy nail polish could work just as well.
This simple solution has saved me frustration, time and probably a couple of pairs of new tights so I thought it was worth sharing.
It's Mother's Day here in Australia this Sunday, to celebrate I've put together a collection of my recent favourite Etsy finds. This is also a mini celebration to my faux mother status. Say what?!! Over the past few months I've been repeatedly mistaken to have children and if I did these are some fun things I'd be happy to see come Sunday.
Back to the faux mother status. I'm interested to hear if you've been
mistaken for a mum when you weren't and how did it make you feel? Truth is, I'd like to be a mum but I'm not so the assumption is frustrating because it hits a nerve. It happens at the grocery store where
there's currently a school promotion running. I've been nominated as a mum
blogger finalist, which is nice but I had to explain how I didn't fit
the criteria! I'm guessing this assumption is mostly made because of my age
and sex. Way to go social stereotypes. Otherwise how does someone look like a mum? They come in all shapes, sizes and ages. I never have kids
with me nor do I post pictures of children on this blog.
I'm a bit confused. If you have any theories please share or if you too thought I was a
mum why was that?
To all the real deal mums celebrating Mother's Day this weekend, have an awesome day x
Do you enjoy doodling and thought you could do more with those quality card off-cuts from your crafty projects? Gift tags y'all! That's what I've been doing and these guys have been making their way out into the world with recent shop orders. I'd love to hear what you do with your card off-cuts. Let me know in the comments if you have any fun ideas!
After spotting Esther Sandler's geometric, cross-stitched jewellery at a local Melbourne market I did what a lot of us do (at least I hope I'm not alone by doing this) and looked her up online. I loved what I saw. Recently, I noticed Esther had designed larger more detailed needlework patterns which have been digitally printed and made into cushions. Complete with the sweetest pom-pom trims! Go check them out here or visit her blog or website because there's so much more creative work and gorgeous patterns to be seen.
Hello. I can't believe that late last week the Handmade Romance Facebook page reached 1,000 likes! I'm always excited when you share, comment or connect with the things I show and make, both here and on Facebook. To say thanks and to show you that I like you too get 20% off storewide all this week in the Handmade Romance Etsy store.
Some months ago I came a cross the Brooklyn-based fashion label, State and
instantly fell in love. I have been meaning to share them with you ever since. State was created by Andrienne Antonson
who is also an extremely talented visual artist. Through State, Andrienne offers
thoughtfully hand made pieces that are one-of-a-kind or of very limited
editions. With it's farm-to-hanger
mentality State is perfect for the conscious fashion consumer. Materials are organic, natural, repurposed and local sourced where possible with additional details such as hand dying, hand painted patterns and hand
stitching adding to the uniqueness of each piece. One of my favourites is their super versatile 'Smock'
made from deconstruscted mens button-down shirts. If you like what you see head on over to the
State store, blog or Facebook page for more.
It fascinates me how words speak loudly to us one day and then silence the next. Like they're made clear at the exact moment we needed to hear or read them. Below are some that have recently resonated with me and I thought I'd share them, who knows today they may inspire you!
Firstly from Dumbo Feather magazine, a magazine with the bi-line that totally lures me in,Conversations with extraordinary people.
"Steve Jobs died at 56, but I mean, who's lived more—the guy who dies at 99 but spent 40 years doing stuff he didn't love, or Steve Jobs?"
David Hieatt, Dumbo Feather — Issue 34 : Ideas to Live By
Next, following a lead on Instagram I ended up watching the below interview with Frank Warren from Post Secret who shares the following;
"The power of that couragewhen one person makes themselves vulnerable is like, it's infective, it just spreads through the whole audience and it's like this cascade of inspiration and courage and healing."
I appreciate the power of vulnerability and know it's an area in my own life to improve on. I put emotional walls up as a coping mechanism but understand by doing so I miss out on deeper connections. Perhaps that's why Brene Brown's famous Ted Talk on vulnerability also resonated with me. Her talk is well worth a look if you're yet to watch it. Brene's book, Daring Greatly is also on my current reading list, maybe it'll offer insight into lowering those emotional walls and breaking old habits. If you've read it I'd love to hear what you thought.
Lastly, from the opening scenes of the 2008, diy American artists sub-culture documentary, Beautiful Losers. "You didn't have to be smart to understand... all you had to do was have a heart and that was enough."
In one of last week's posts I shared with you the Meet Me at Mike's customised booties I made. And like me, I know a lot of you don't always have the time, skills or motivation to hand make gifts every single time your big heart is doing some giving. So, inspired by last week's post and to help anyone searching for a baby present I've put together a list of beautiful handmade baby shoes. I'm lovin' the floral high-tops. So cute! All finds are available online through Etsy stores, links below. 1. Blue lace leather shoe, Pipi Papcus // 2. Coral and pink with laceup, Vibys // 3. Floral high-tops, Bergit Ebser // 4. Soft sole leather shoe, Wolf Industries // 5. Beaded moccasin, Needlehead Crafts // 6. Knitted booties, Leninka // 7. Blue brogues, Aja Lor
Remember that feeling of excitement you got when you discovered a wobbly tooth as a kid? And once you knew it was there, it was all you could focus on until it fell out. Even if you no longer believe in the Tooth Fairy, she still lives on in the magical minds of children everywhere. To help keep those imaginations inspired I've designed and handmade five Tooth Pouches, each one unique and lovingly hand embroidered. Now available in my online store, please stop by if you'd like to see more. x
Hello! Today I'd like to introduce you to P.S. I Adore You, an online store raising awareness and money for those affected by childhood cancer. Recently, Whitney from P.S. I Adore You, got in touch to see if I'd be interested in helping with Brielle Beu's story. Brielle is a 12 year old girl who was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia in 2010. Having bravely fought off cancer twice and undergone two bone marrow treatments,on 21st March this year Brielle and her family received the heartbreaking news that the cancer had returned. This time it would be too much for Brielle's body to withstand a third bone marrow transplant.
As Brielle courageously prepares to live her last days to their fullest and greet her goodbyes, P.S. I Adore You is holding a fundraiser with all proceeds raised donated to the Beu family.Unthinkably Brielle's dad is also living with Myeloma cancer, read more about the Beu family's storyhere.
Whitney asked if I'd donate artwork for a downloadable print, to which of course I said yes! There are 26 artworks by 20 designers (including mine above) available to download from now until 13th April for $5 each. If you'd like to help Brielle and her family or to read more head on over to P.S. I Adore You. Thank you x
If you're anything like me you wish you had enough time to hand make special and thoughtful gifts for all of your favourite people. The reality however is that there's limited time to make even the occasional thing for yourself, so when the opportunity come it feels pretty great.
The booties were gifted to new mums-to-be and I chose to draw little faces of animals that held significance for each of them. The faces were draw onto tracing paper that I laid over the pattern pieces to get the right size and shape before embroidering onto the toes of the booties. Each pair also had, baby + surname, embroidered on the bottom and an additional matching drawstring bagwhich I think turned out pretty cute.
Both mum's now have their bubs and are doing super well.
Do you own any of Pip's fun books and have you made anything from them? I'd love to see! Leave a link in the comments if you wish to share.
Do you ever get to an occasion and realise you haven't prepared anything? I do it more often then I'd like to admit because I also like to think I'm organised. In reality though I'm probably more organised in my mind than in practice which results in last minute rushing around. Luckily I love making stuff! And above are last minute easter cards I put together with sample papers I had, they were accompanied by colourful envelopes made from old Frankie magazine posters (which you can see here). Fun for any mailbox! Happy Easter to you and I hope you enjoy your long weekend relaxing, having fun with
family and friends and possibly eating something yummy. See you back here next week x
All images by Pip Lincolne. Read Pip's take on the conference here and see more of her fab pictures here. Thank you Pip!
This
past weekend is one I will never forget. In a crazy, universe-magic
kind of way I found out around 9am Saturday morning that I had the
opportunity to attend the Big Hearted Business conference, presented by the super-incredible Clare Bowditch at the Abbortsford Convent
here in Melbourne. Tears of ridiculous joy followed as I quickly
gathered my shiet and got my butt to the venue as fast as I could
legally drive.
Inspiring, practical wisdom and honest real
experiences about life, creativity and business were shared by the
incredible guest speakers (see the list here)
and between new found friends alike. The sense of being amongst
kindred-spirits was a powerful force and there was a trust and openness
amongst the 200+ people in the room that couldn't be ignored. Along with
the stories there were tears, laughter, singing (this song, in a church), crafter-nooning, delicious food, champers and more!
My
brain is still bubbling away like a warm pot of nourishing, soul-soup.
Having done a lot of work on my own personal growth over the past couple
of years I feel like everything is beginning to align and the
ingredients I need to live a fulfilled and happy life with meaning and
purpose are becoming ridiculously clear. I have immense gratitude for
this event, the experience, how I came to be a part of it and for
everyone involved in making these two days what they were. Amongst
my notes, which I am still deciphering are a few suggested reads mentioned throughout the weekend which you might be interested
in too. Some I've read, others are now on my to-read list. $100 Start Up, Chris Guillebeau Daring Greatly, Brene Brown The Brain That Changes Itself, Norman Doidge The War of Art, Steven Pressfield Zen Habits, Leo Babauta Seth Godin Choose Happiness, Stephanie Dowrick The Artists Way, Julie Cameron Start with Why, Simon Sinek There was also a top 10 list for living an awesome life by the lovely Pip Lincolne from Meet Me at Mike's, which according to my notes went something like this; 1. Health - take care of it 2. Solitude - make time for you 3. Prioritize creativity 4. Mindfulness - especially for friends and family 5. Write your story 6. Look for clues, that light you up! 7. Be proud of your achievements 8. Do things you don't know how to do - you might learn something new 9. Improve something every day 10. Look for happy moments It's highly likely if you read my blog that you've at least once wondered if it's possible to do what you love, make money and save the world, well, that is exactly what Big Hearted Business is all about. Check-out their website
for more if this sounds like your thing. And if you sign-up to their
mailing list 'Inspiration Bombs' are promised to follow! We got a sneak
peek at the first one and it looked awesome. [ Edit - first 'Inspiration Bomb' has landed, check it out here. ]
Stumbling across Peepwool was like discovering a modern day Geppetto only instead of living in a small Italian village this Geppetto took the form of a husband and wife team, Kelsey and Amy, who home school their three children in a small Wisconsin town in the US. These beautiful images are from, Artist Stories a new series from another talented husband and wife team, Ray and Kelly.
