Jolly good to be handy

When I was a child I received a fantastic book for my birthday, titled The American Girls Handy Book written by Lina & Adelia Beard. It was an old fashioned book published by Tuttle and I have the third edition (printed 1973). The book is filled with wonderful 'olden day' crafts organised into the seasons. While the book is very much orientated toward American culture there is still much to be taken and appreciated for the Australian girl.

See below an example of the lovely illustrations that fill the pages of this book.

This is a response to Pip's Meet Me At Mikes blog entry which details a similar craft book.

Green Bean Baby

Today I wish to share my appreciation for an Illustrator with incredible talent. Her name is Ellia and is otherwise known as Green Bean Baby whom hails from Milwaukee, USA. Ellia's illustrative speciality is with paper cuts (not to be confused with the kind that require bandages and Dettol).

I first came across Ellia's gorgeous artwork through Flickr about two years ago, and since then she continues to be one of my most favorite artists. Having a bad day? Never mind, just take a peak at Ellia's work and it is sure to lift your dire mood.

For me to describe what I like about Ellia's work would be the same as explaining what I liked about Birthday and Christmas when I was a child. Her work is bright, colourful, whimsical, magical, innocent and all sweetness. It is a visual feast in a candy shop. It is the packaging for what could be the most beautiful doll in the world.

Ellia has launched her artwork in a number of directions. Her art pieces can be found on cards, stationery, notebooks and even magnets. There seems to be no limit to Ellia's imagination and there is certainly more to come from this talented lady.

To catch more of Ellia's work online simply visit these links:

Green Bean Baby previewing her art at Flickr

Green Bean Baby selling her art at Etsy

Green Bean Baby blogging her thoughts at Typepad

Thank you to Ellia for allowing me to share her artwork.

Look what I have on my mind...

Bonnie Bunny

I have begun rough work on a new plush doll idea. My concept is a sitting teddy-bunny, which M-Boo has named Bonnie. So her full title will be Bonnie Bunny.

Here is an early concept sketch -

And this is the fabric I intend to use when sewing up the final Bonnie Bunny -

Think Pink

I cannot explain why, but I feel a pink theme craze coming on. I have some pink ideas that I would like to work on. For example I may create a pink lino print and I do have pink/black fabric I just might use for a doll making session next weekend.

Sunday Morning Croissants

There was a time in my childhood when my Dad would prepare a special Sunday breakfast each week. It would consist of a glass of orange juice, plus a large croissant with cheese and bacon filler. It was a super delicious treat to start the day with and would give you lots of energy for the day.

Recently I introduced this delicious Sunday breakfast treat to my husband, and happily M-Boo is hooked.

Following is a recipe for this yummy breakfast treat.

Croissant with bacon and cheese filler

Ingredients

• Large croissant (1 per person)
• Tasty cheese (thin or thickly sliced)
• Rashers of bacon (3 or 4 per croissant, or less if you prefer)

Steps

1. Preheat oven at 180 degrees celcius.
2. Heat up frying pan and on a medium high flame cook the bacon for three minutes on each side (we want it crispy).
3. Turn off the stove, remove bacon from frying pan and drain excess liquid fat off bacon on to a paper towel.
4. Slice open the croissants, slice the cheese and cut up the bacon into slightly smaller sizes.
5. Lay out in the baking tray the sliced croissants, and on the bottom half of each cover with slices of cheese and bacon.
6. Place the baking tray in the oven and and bake the croissants for 10 minutes.
7. Remove the baking tray, place the croissant top halves on top of the bottom half and filler and your breakfast is now ready to be eaten. Enjoy!

Catalina Estrada meets My Little Pony

It is positively a dream pairing between the artist Catalina Estrada and the ever cute My Little Pony model. Hasbro commissioned 25 artists to each produce a creative look for the My Little Pony. The following pictures are a result of Catalina's gorgeous efforts. Girl, you totally rock!



I remember... For my seventh birthday (Wow! That was like 22 years ago!) I was presented with a My Little Pony named Sparkler. She was a year three model (1984-85); she was a blue unicorn with purple and pink hair, and had characteristic sapphires on her rump (as seen below).


I have had a soft spot for horses, even now after all these years. In fact more recently, while grocery shopping - I had no self control - I bought a My Little Pony named Toola Roola (as pictured below). 

I am so pleased that after all these years that some Hasbro toys are making a come back. Now we just need to see Jem & the Holograms back in production.

Dream into Action

Wouldn’t it be nice if you could draw a design on the computer, like for a dress or shoe. And then to have a special three dimensional printer which can process and print your design into reality. A dream into action! Sigh… if only.