Gwen Asked Me

Illustration by Melissa Gaggiano

    I had a drawing session with my eldest. She handed me a texta and invited me to draw her.

Night Light Photography



    Tonight I was putting out the rubbish and was frozen over. But when I saw how beautiful the sky was I couldn't resist coming back outside with my camera to snap a few happies of the moon and its surrounding cloudline. A magical experience to say the least. My only wish is that I had a more powerful lense.



Photography by Melissa Gaggiano

Photography by Melissa Gaggiano

Photography by Melissa Gaggiano

Photography by Melissa Gaggiano

My Inner Cowgirl Shines A Light

    This weekend I embraced my inner cowboy [or is it cowgirl?]. Ever since watching the Boon Docks music video several weeks ago I have been keen to wear cowboy boots. I was reminded of this desire a couple of days ago when watching a cowboy episode of Next Gen.
    As luck would have it on Sunday I found myself a pair of light brown, mid length cowboy boots at a River store. The shoes are so comfortable. And they came at the right price. And it would seem these were the only pair left. The boots must have been waiting for me.

Illustration by Melissa Gaggiano [self portrait]

Marc Martin's A Forest

    I have this book on my list of 'absolute must haves'. It is a watercolour illustrated book by Marc Martin titled A Forest. I first heard of this wonderful artist [and book] via Jacky Winter. A Forest is available through Penguin publishers. Yay for us!

Illustrated book by Marc Martin.

Illustrated book by Marc Martin.

Super Duper Inspirational

    I just discovered this Joss Stone music video - Super Duper Love. I think it is super duper and all candy loveliness. It is a song and video with a big, happy heart. From a creative perspective I am totally inspired by this.

Bette Davis Eyes

Illustration by Melissa Gaggiano

Iacta Alea Est Sweetie

    If you are anything like me you are a die in the cast Dr Who fan. And have no doubt enjoyed the rescusitated series of Dr Who in the previous few years.
    River Song is one of my most favourite companions for The Doctor. I mean if I were to express the awesomeness of this character we would be here all day.
    One or River's accessories which captured my attention in the very first episode that we ever see of her, was her TARDIS journal. It had an old, used, homemade aesthetic about it. I knew as soon as I saw that book I wanted it.
    As luck would have it BBC have provided a DIY tutorial so that you too can have your very own TARDIS journal. Just in case The Doctor himself comes crashing through your door tomorrow declaring that he needs your help to save the universe from total and near irrepairable destruction.

Simply follow this link for the TARDIS journal tute.

    P.S. I learnt that'iacta alea est' is Latin for 'die in the cast'.

Spectacular and Brief

    We have a gorgeous blossom tree at the front of the driveway. Of course, don't ask me what kind of blossom it is. I do not know. Though I am certain it is not a cherry blossom. Whatever it may be I love it anyway.
    I hope to one day have a yard full of blossom trees. They are so magical. In the mean time I must be satisfied with this one tree. It is such a shame that blossoms bloom for such a short part of the year. These trees are like comets - spectacular and brief.

Photography by Melissa Gaggiano

Photography by Melissa Gaggiano

Winter Bubble Wonderland

    There is something ever so magical about a bubble blowing session. It is fun for all, whether you are girl or boy, young or old.

Photography by Melissa Gaggiano

Photography by Melissa Gaggiano

Raison D'etre

    I have that Billy Joel song stuck in my head - For the Longest Time. All because I haven't written here in a very long time. Now I haven't been any more busy than usual. But I am having one of my eternal inner battles of 'how best to use my time'. You see, I have a lot of interests. I am interested in many aspects of life. I am always trying something new. Over the past several years I have tried violin, knitting, crochet, water colour painting, composing music, writing, drawing, cooking fatteh blahmeh, making and baking love heart badges, experimental photography, doll making, zine production. Just to name a few.
    I love trying new things, but even I have to admit I need to focus my attention on just one or two things. And that is where I struggle because if I make a decision I still find myself looking over my figurative shoulder and thinking 'Oh, but I might still want to do that other thing'. So that's where I am at - attempting to find order in the chaos of my creativity.
    On a far less whiney note, today I made a Snakes & Ladders board game for the family. It was so easy and all I needed was a bit of cardboard, pens, pencils, ruler and a couple of buttons.

    I've had such wonderful luck lately with the books I find in op-shops. In my latest collection a Marian Keyes, Candace Bushnell and Mao's Last Dancer. I have some good reading ahead of me.

    I picked up a Donna Hay and an issue of Elle and am loving the photography. Kristen Stewart's photoshoot was quite classy. And I found an apple pie recipe that I am quite keen to try. I like apples. I like pies. It's a match made in dessert heaven.



Well, that was certainly a mouthful. Toodles!

5 Lessons From Dr Seuss

How did people get through their day before Dr Seuss came along?

Wattle and Bee

    Recently the family had a picnic at a local park, when I took photos of an Australian wattle.
    I love how some Australian trees actually bloom in the middle of winter. On dreary days such as these we need a bit of colour in our natural landscape.

Photography by Melissa Gaggiano

Photography by Melissa Gaggiano

My cat is an exotic bird

Illustration by Melissa Gaggiano

Things to Drool Over

    Check out this 1927 purple Remington typewriter. Isn't it just so drool worthy? Couldn't you see yourself typing away at this and creating an epic masterpiece?

    And for those late night creative writing trips at the typewriter you would want a little romantic illumination from this art nouveau Tiffany Wisteria lamp.

Appreciating Bree Leman

Illustration by Bree Leman

    This week I discovered another artist who inspires me, and her name is Bree Leman. Bree is a fashion and glamour illustrator and let me just say her work is so smooth. Her line work is perfection.

Illustration by Bree Leman

Illustration by Bree Leman

    Following is a useful interview link in which Bree discusses her work and process:

http://vector.tutsplus.com/articles/interviews/interview-with-bree-leman/

Illustration by Bree Leman

Illustration by Bree Leman

Visit Bree Leman at

www.breeleman.com/

Appreciating Emma, Norman, Carla and the Universe

    I love this photoshoot in which Emma Watson modeled for Teen Vogue a while back. This photoshoot made such an impact on me. It brings to mind a kind of romantic country eccentricity. I would most definitely want to dress like this, especially if I was out in the country.
    The photographer in question is Norman Jean Roy. Quite by coincidence photographer Carla Coulson wrote about the work of Norman on her blog just the other day. When I decided to back track Emma's old photoshoot this morning I had no idea at the time that Norman had been the photographer. Is this the universe talking to me?

Photography by Norman Jean Roy

Photography by Norman Jean Roy

Photography by Norman Jean Roy

Photography by Norman Jean Roy

Izak Zenou

    Izak Zenou is on my list of favourite artists. Check out this short intro and you'll see why...

Illustration by Izak Zenou

Illustration by Izak Zenou

Illustration by Izak Zenou

Visit Izak's website at

www.izakzenou.com

Lighting It Up



Photography by Melissa Gaggiano

    I was given spending money for my birthday. I visited a Typo store and bought myself a couple of journals and these atmospheric fairy lights with miniature lanterns. I set up the lights on my bedside shelf. I love, love, love my new lights.



Photography by Melissa Gaggiano