Just a Lil Sketch

Sketch by Melissa Gaggiano.

Rest, Rethink, Reboot

    New Years Eve - a time to rest, rethink and reboot.
    Here is something special from Zooey Deschanel and Joseph Gordon-Levitt to get you into the new year. These two have such lovely singing voices.

Peacock

Illustration by Melissa Gaggiano.

    I love peacocks. They are heavenly creatures to look at. Sometimes I think that I would love to keep a peacock as a pet. But then again, I have heard they are a noisy bunch.

Apple Green Fashion Ideas

Fashion sketches by Melissa Gaggiano.

    I am loving the colour concept of apple green and reds. Lace and satin green. White belt with red apple ornamentation and a beaded apple red coin purse.

Yummy Food

Illustration by Melissa Gaggiano.

    There are so many delicious recipes in the world and I haven't even tried them all. Though I can say I've had a sample appreciation for food that comes from different parts of the world. Although, not exclusively this, the above are some of my current favourite servings.

What are your favourite meal plans?

Good Mail

Illustration by Melissa Gaggiano.

All a Bubble Bobble

Photography by Melissa Gaggiano.

Type-Write-Sale

Sticker illustration by Melissa Gaggiano: Available at Red Bubble.

    I had a pleasant surprise this evening. I discovered that my Typewriter illustration has been sold as a sticker at Red Bubble.
    I love this lil' illustration. I drew this when I got caught up in a newly found fascination for vintage typewriters. This illustration is also available on shirts.

Shirt illustration by Melissa Gaggiano: Available at Red Bubble.

Click here to visit my Red Bubble shop.

Through the Looking Glass

    Blurry much? Yes. This self portrait used was done through a mirror [obviously]. I did take a sharper photo, with no shake. But I prefer this one because you see more of the face. Besides I like the soft focus created from the shake.

Lantern

Photography by Melissa Gaggiano.

Chic Rock

Photography by Melissa Gaggiano.

Pinteresting

    I thought I'd share some more pieces of lovely that I found on Pinterest recently.

Source: theglitterguide.tumblr.com via Melissa on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via Melissa on Pinterest

Source: facebook.com via Melissa on Pinterest

Source: paperandcloth.net via Melissa on Pinterest

Jem-spiration

    After all these years Jem still has 'it'. In the mid 80s little boys played with GI Joe and Transformers. Little girls played with My Little Pony , Barbie and the slightly less known, yet so much more incredible - Jem [& the Holograms].
    It was a great deal to me when I received a Jem doll for Christmas. I was nine years of age. I loved that doll. So much so that I never actually parted with her or even the bits and pieces that came with her, including the merchandise poster.
    I used peruse the poster fantasising about all the Jem accessories I might collect for my doll. I also imagined wearing Jem's clothes when I grew up. Jem's clothes were incredibly stella and if I am to be honest, I still dream of wearing these clothes.

Share This With Your Daughters

Source: strollingintherain.tumblr.com via Melissa on Pinterest

C'est Chic

    I was a child of the 80s but I was also exposed to the sounds of the 70s, including disco.  Perhaps I am showing my years, but I do find it hard to get into today's music, unless it happens to be the more indie musicians.
    Anyway, this song, "At Last I Am Free", by Chic has such a profound effect on me. When I was nineteen I actually broke down and cried at the dinner table when I heard this song playing in the background.
    I hope you enjoy this song as much as I do...

It's Not the End

    I just came across this commercial, which I believe Mario Testino directed [correct me if I am wrong] and it stars Emma Watson. I love this. A beautiful French tale. Find out for yourself...

End of the Week Grats

    It may not be the end of the world, but it is certainly the end of the week. Some people are so excited by this end of the world 2012 business, I can't help wonder if it's just an excuse to party. You know, to have a party that ends all parties. Whatever that means.
    No parties here but I do have a reason to be excited and it has nothing to do with a Mayan practical joke. Today I received an awaited book in the post. It is Carla Coulson's Italian Joy, which I had recently won in a competition. Tonight, when dinner is eaten, the rugrats are asleep and it is all quiet in the house I am going to sit down and have a nice little read of Italian Joy and my latest issue of V Magazine.
    V is a larger format than your standard fashion magazines, which I love, because it allows the viewer to see greater detail in the photographs. Just how a portfolio should be seen, I think.

Carla, thank you so much for your book. Merci!



Carla Coulson: Italian Joy

My Creative Space

    This week I have had a couple of different craft projects on the go. I finished sewing some felty pizza slices. Began work on a new doll design. And have now begun knitting a basic sleep mask using a discontinued fuzzy fabric that is cool and light.

Quote of the day: "It's all happening." - Polexia Aphrodesia [Almost Famous]

 

Surprisingly, Brussel Sprouts

    I'm not a massive fan of brussel sprouts, but boy, this sure does look tasty... Brussel sprouts with pancetta and almonds.

Source: sweetpaul.typepad.com via Sweet Paul on Pinterest

Ladies Illustrate It

    Here is a lovely little video from Nivea. I love it becaue of the focus on a group of illustrators working together and separately on their art pieces. Who wouldn't want to work in an environment like this? I love all the different works that appear in this video, and of course, one of my favourite artists, Marguerite Sauvage, does appear in this.

Time Out

Not feeling well.

Lost in a swamp where head colds dwell.

An old magazine,

And the tissues are out.

Activity slows,

As she takes a break from her project 'sews'*.

 

 

* Though I did make a red and purple pom-pom today.

Keep On Dreaming

Source: m1lah.tumblr.com via Melissa on Pinterest

Source: weheartit.com via Melissa on Pinterest

Source: Uploaded by user via Melissa on Pinterest

Six Foot Seven Foot...

    Hands up if you loved the 80s film Beetlejuice. Yeah! Me too. Well, here's a little scene from the movie that'll put you in the party mood as you end the weekend.

Red & Purple Doll

    I have been at it again. Designing and sewing a brand new doll. I embroidered the eyes and eyebrows by hand. The next step is to stuff and sew the parts together. I am thinking of adding pom pom pony tails to the doll as well. Maybeeeeeeeee she could have a skirt as well.

 

Beci Orpin's Interior Range

Beci Orpin range with Urban Outfitters.

    Beci Orpin is a wonderful illustrator known here in Australia throughout art and craft circles [from reading Frankie magazine and following Jacky Winter]. And now a US retailer, Urban Outfitters, has collaborated with her to create some wonderful interior decorating packages.
    I had a look at Beci's range and I am smitten. It's like bringing a bit of childhood into an adult bedroom. Wonderful stuff!

Beci Orpin range with Urban Outfitters.

Be sure to check out the Beci Orpin range by following this link.

 

 



I Have a Pinterest

    I am usually one of the last to climb on board with anything. And when Pinterest came along I certainly took my sweet 'as time.
    But now I have been at it for several weeks and I am loving having these online inspiration boards at my disposal. It really helps me to see where my strongest interests lay.
    Tonight, I thought I'd share with you a few things on Pinterest that I think are 'shiny'.

Source: fashioncherry.co via Melissa on Pinterest

Source: minister-of-awesome.tumblr.com via Melissa on Pinterest

Source: flarefashion.tumblr.com via Melissa on Pinterest

Source: vintagestyleweddings.blogspot.co.uk via Melissa on Pinterest

Source: ffffound.com via Melissa on Pinterest

Source: honestlywtf.com via Melissa on Pinterest

Source: rocknrollbride.com via Melissa on Pinterest

Source: lushlee.com via Melissa on Pinterest

Source: lifeasanartistpreneur.com via Melissa on Pinterest

Source: fashion-ill.livejournal.com via Melissa on Pinterest

Source: risabg.com via Melissa on Pinterest

Source: afterellen.com via Melissa on Pinterest

Softies For Mirabel

    For six years running Pip [nearly typed Pop] Lincolne, over at Meet Me At Mikes, has coordinated a charity event titled Softies For Mirabel. This is the third time that I have donated a homemade doll, and I chose this sweet little thing that I finished on the weekend....

    I couldn't possibly explain Softies For Mirabel so eloquently, but Pip's poster says it all quite nicely. Have a read of it to find out what Softies For Mirabel is all about.

Check This Out

Consider your mind blown...
Is it crochet?
Is it a doll house?
No! It's a crochet doll house.

Source: craftkat.blogspot.com.au via Melissa on Pinterest

Source: craftkat.blogspot.com.au via Melissa on Pinterest