Melissa Gaggiano – Artist~Designer~Writer: February 2016

Sunday, 28 February 2016

World's Greatest Shave

I am over the moon with the sponsorship that has gone towards my fundraising for the World's Greatest Shave. I've still got ways to go to reach my goal. Here's a little food for thought about this fundraiser:

Today, 34 Australians will be given the devastating news that they have blood cancer, and they’ll turn to the Leukaemia Foundation for help.

On Saturday 12th March I will be sacrificing my head hair and having it shaved off to raise money for the Leukaemia Foundation. Please sponsor me and help support families and continue the urgent search for cures.

Getting sponsored to shave your hair is an extraordinary way to help people with leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma, but I can't do it alone.

Help me make the most of my hairy sacrifice. Sponsor me at least $28 today which can provide a cancer information pack to help a family prepare for the challenges ahead.

http://my.leukaemiafoundation.org.au/melissagaggiano

On the day that I shave my head I will share a before and after photo so you can see the new me. I know I'm nervous. Are you nervous? I am.

Fab Finds 19

Today my Fab Finds theme shall be needle felting. This is something that I've heard about on the grape vine [aka world wide web], and I have seen many wonderful textile sculptures that have been produced as a result of needle felting.

I decided to share some four cute and easy to follow needle felting tutorials that I found on Youtube. These just may inspire you too. So, take a look at what I found for you…

1. Needle Felting Basics by Pufftique:

2. Needle Felted Mushroom by Sweetorials:

3. Needle Felted Rabbit also by Pufftique:

4. DIY Totoro Plushie by Bubzbeauty:

Tuesday, 23 February 2016

Pastries, Books & Things

Hot day today. Thirty Eight Degrees, CELSIUS! There is nothing that can make that right. But I had my own way of bearing it - eating yummy, unheated food and small bits of crafting.

There is a kids birthday party coming up. Unofficially it is a Star Wars theme. I had already decided on one of my doll designs as a present, but I have since been adding accessories. The other day I made a croissant and a bag. Today I made a miniature Star Wars book and a pink icing doughnut that the doll will just love. Yes, apparently the doll, Avril, is a Star Wars fan.

Saturday, 20 February 2016

Yummy Croissant

Three times the charm. I had been trying to make little feltie croissants. My first two attempts were alright but not exactly what I had in mind. Then a week passes and a brainwave hits. I knew what I needed to do to make it work. And so here it is, my first successful feltie croissant prototype. It was good enough to become an accessory for a kid's birthday present.

Friday, 19 February 2016

Pinspirations - Leukaemia Special

Time for my pinspiration line up - my picks from Pinterest. Since I will be shaving my head as part of the World's Greatest Shave, to help fundraise for the Leukaemia Foundation, I decided to go with a very specific pinspiration theme, as you'll see further below.

Me, with hair, at the moment.
Not for long though.

If you would like to take part in the fundraiser, you can sponsor me to completely lop off my hair. For more details please visit the following link.

http://my.leukaemiafoundation.org.au/melissagaggiano

{Pinterest link}

Thursday, 18 February 2016

World's Greatest Shave

The World's Greatest Shave is just around the corner and at the moment Australians are raising funds for the Leukaemia Foundation, a charity that funds research into blood cancer and supports people and families dealing with Leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma.

I decided to do what I can to raise awareness and some money for the Leukaemia Foundation - I am going to shave my head hair off! And you can help by being a sponsor. For all the details simply visit the below link -
http://my.leukaemiafoundation.org.au/melissagaggiano

Thursday, 11 February 2016

Carla's Comp

Bronte Pool Copyright Carla Coulson

Carla Coulson, is my most favourite photographer in the whole wide world. Really she is - she's professional, friendly and a huge inspiration. What a marvellous combination!

So anyway, right now Carla is hosting a competition, and by going into the draw you have a chance to win either one of two of her photo prints from the following series - "Water Jungle" and "La Vacanza Italiana". If you're a fan of Carla you won't want to miss this opportunity. To go into the draw for one of Carla's lovelies, follow her super simple steps…

Step 1:
Share this post or your favourite photo from the series on your Blog, Facebook, Instagram or Twitter with the hashtag #carlacoulsonprints or #waterjungle or #lavacanzaitaliana

Step 2:
Subscribe or be a subscriber to Carla's print shop carlacoulson.com/shop (don’t forget to verify your subscription when it arrives in your inbox)

Step 3:
Like Carla Loves Photography on Instagram or Facebook

Wednesday, 10 February 2016

Pinspirations

The time has come for my selection of favourite pins on Pinterest. There's all kinds of candy from Angelina Jolie, to rockabilly, creative photography, and even the edible kind.

My Work Is Done

May I present to you, one finished Link doll, and one very happy kid. The awesome thing about this doll is that it has an armature skeleton, which means bendy body parts.

Head over Heels

This morning I cut out pattern pieces, sewed, stuffed and attached the head onto the Link doll. You will notice my daughter's Link drawing. She's been drawing many Links lately.

Tuesday, 9 February 2016

Making the Link

Work continues on this little Legend of Zelda: Link doll. Yesterday I sculpted the limbs and boots. Today was all about making the pants and tunic.

The way I am sculpting this felt doll I am reminded of an animated film from my childhood - Gulliver's Travels. In the film these tiny people mend Gulliver's [The Giant] clothes and make him a new tunic by sewing the outfit onto his body. Of course, for these little people, levers, pulleys, bows and arrows were required to make this happen.

Monday, 8 February 2016

Little Link

My littlest has put in a request for a large fluffy sloth and a miniature Legend of Zelda: Link doll. I have chosen to take on the smaller of the two options. But make no mistake, when it comes to doll making, 'smaller' doesn't necessarily mean 'easier'.

I have begun the doll with armature and wrapping. So right now the doll looks like a headless Egyptian mummy. From little things...

On a Mission

Let this be your Monday empowerment song…

Friday, 5 February 2016

Keep on Dancing

Surely you have felt like dancing on your way to work. If only life was a dance movie.

I have a new piece of merchandise in my Red Bubble store. Dance is in my blood…

Thursday, 4 February 2016

New Venture

I am pleased to announce a new opportunity on my path has opened up. I have a stockist for a selection of my hand crafted dolls. You can scream with delight right along with me now.

The stockist sells beautiful,sweet hand crafted, locally designed wares. Plus it doubles as a coffee shop. Which makes complete sense since crafters tend to be caffeine fiends.

Here's everything else you need to know about the stockist:

16 Bays/ Sue B Design/ Cafe

Shop 7 16-18 Station Road

Cheltenham, Victoria, Australia

Shout out to Sue B for this amazing opportunity - Thank you!

Tuesday, 2 February 2016

Up in the Air

Before I clock off for the night [I am seriously tired], I just want to mention that I've got a new visual product in store, aptly named "Up in the Air". Check it out!

Also just want to say - Pat Benatar rocks! Today I bought her vinyl for "Love is a Battlefield". Love this song.

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