Casey Hardman

Pictured Mark & Casey Hardman (father & daughter)

I was horrified this week when I read the news that a girl I knew from work had died in a speed boat crash - Casey Hardman. I almost didn't believe it. I had to keep reading the news report over and over again, until it sunk in.

Words cannot express how much my heart breaks for Casey and her family. Casey's adult life was only just beginning to take shape and for it to be cut short ultimately by a lack of sense and judgement is nothing short of a tragedy.

Casey was always such a pleasant colleague as is her Dad, Mark Hardman. And my memories include glimpsing lovely father-daughter catch up sessions in the office tea room, when they would talk about the weekend or something that happened that day. You could tell that Mark and Casey were good pals.

My heart and thoughts are with the Hardman family.

Tall Lady

Following is another practice run using my Wacom tablet with Photoshop. I call this illustration "Tall Lady".

Squiggly Wiggle Ornamentation

Floral Ornamentation

Practice Round

This morning I practiced using my Wacom tablet in Photoshop, and the following picture is the result.

My First Wacom Tablet

I am so, so excited. For Christmas this year, from Dad and Jenny (thank you), I received a Bamboo Wacom tablet. I have wanted one for a couple of years. Ever since I found out that is what Claire Robertson uses with her illustrations, as well as hundreds of other professional artists.

I have big plans for my Wacom Tablet and will make good use of it.

Mmm! Donuts!

Do you have an appetite? If not, then you will now after seeing these delicious chocolate and strawberry flavoured donuts...

Emjie Zine Issue 1

On Saturday just gone I posted to Sticky Institute ten copies of my latest zine.

The zine is a compilation of my best and favorite artwork from the recent year. To cut down the cost of printing I lovingly produced the zine as a computer disk, and the design you see pictured herein is the actual zine holder.

So the next time you are in Melbourne check out Sticky Institute and have a look for Emjie Zine - Issue 1.

Where is Sticky Institute?

Degraves Subway

Shop 10 Campbell Arcade

Melbourne Vic Australia

When is Sticky Institute open?

Mon to Fri 12-6pm

Sat 12-5pm

My Mix Tape Prize

Today is a day for celebration for two very good reasons.

Firstly I won a Mix Tape giveaway the other week and my prize arrived in the post today. Thank you Mix Tape. I won a lovely plush elephant pattern, which was designed by Louise and Cathy of Audrey and Maude blogging fame.

Also today's entry marks my 100th blog entry on this site. I can hardly believe that I have done so much on this blog in such a small space of time. That is practically half a years worth. My next major milestone would now have to be 500 and then 1000. My goodness, can I truly make it that far???

Something for Gwen

Here is the end result of the shirt that I mentioned in my blog entry yesterday. It turned out quite nicely, and the fabric is so soft and clean.

The shirt and skirt look so cute together.

Feeling Crafty

I am feeling that crafty vibe at the moment. I think I will sew up a baby shirt and include a name to be transferred to the front of the shirt. I'll make this up for my future bub...

Pink Baby Achievements

Check out my latest creation: It is a pleated skirt, similar to a kilt which I have patterned and sewn to suit a 3 to 6 month old baby.

Note: Instead of a safety pin which would usually be placed on this sort of skirt, I have used press studs and a decorative bear button for a bit of 'baby safety'.

This is the first time that I have made an actual pleated outfit, not including the samples that I made during fashion school. Feeling quite pleased with myself.

Meme

I thought I would do the same survey that Pip from Meet Me At Mikes procured.

1. Were you named after anyone? I do not believe so.

2. Do you still have your tonsils? I sure do though there was a close call at age 12.

3. Would you bungee jump? Heck, No!

4. What is your favorite cereal? I am not much a cereal person, but if I had to choose it would be porridge with honey.

5. Do you untie your shoes when you take them of? Naughty, naughty girl. No, I do not. My shoes would surely last longer if I did.

6. What is your favorite ice cream? Oh, this is a toughie. How to decide! I will have to say chocolate.

7. What is the first thing you notice about people? Their face.

8. What is your least favorite thing about yourself? My indecisiveness. I think, though I'm not quite sure about this one. Maybe I'll come back to this question.

9. What's the last thing you ate? Jam on toast.

10. What are you listening to right now? Nada.

11. Last movie you watched? Taken.

12. What did you dream about last night? I do not entirely recall. But I remember there being lots of tall trees and a plaza.

13. What book are you reading? Vanity Fair by  William Makepeace Thackeray.

14. Summer or winter? I am a bit of both, though maybe swayed more toward cooler weather. It really depends on the mood I am in, and what I want to do.

15. Do you have any special talents? I am highly  imaginative.

How do you say cute?

I recently checked out the website for the line of Harajuku Lovers fragrance, which happens to be an offshoot from Gwen Stefani's L perfume and an extension to her growing place in the world of fashion. Yay for Gwen!

You can check out the very clever and cute website for this series of perfumes at Harajuku Lovers Fragrance.

Patch Works

It has been a long while since I have prepared a patchwork quilt and today was feeling inspired to doodle up a mock in Illustrator. The below image is the resulting mock up.

I might try to make this patchwork quilt in the new year. Perhaps it can be for the baby's room, or even be used as a travel quilt.

Rogue & Gambit

Herein is a rough illustration of two X-Men from the Marvel comics. They are Rogue and Gambit - currently my two favorite X-Men characters.

Enjoy the Show

Incey Wincey Spider-Girl

Yesterday I worked on my hand drawn illustrations* and the theme was none other than the future daughter of Spider-Man ~ Spider-Girl!!!

* It feels weird to call these illustrations hand drawn, because when I do my computer art that too is done by hand. It just happens that when working off a computer based art program I am using a mouse. And when drawing straight to paper I am using a pencil. So how different is it really between a pencil, a paint brush, scissors or even a mouse?!? I think that all of these mediums are simply an extension of our own thoughts. And not one of these mediums makes what we create any less artistic. Whether I draw directly to paper or to computer screen the outcome is the same for me - total satisfaction.

Lady Oceania 3

Lady Oceania 2