Tuxedo Mask, Mermaid + Other Cuties

This has been a week of announcements and other fun things.

Firstly, there is this finger puppet tutorial that I created for mypoppet.com.au. If you're a fan of Sailor Moon and making crafty things, then this project is for you.

My Poppet Project

In Handmade magazine, issue 37-3 you will find my Lambie doll design. Lambie is as soft as a pillow, if not, softer. You will want to make this fellow and tote him around for cuddles.

I was commissioned to make "Mirabella", a cloth mermaid doll. She was constructed using a variety of techniques:
- She is machine and hand stitched.
- Her facial and body details have been painted and drawn.
- Her hair is partially needle felted.
- Her body has internal armature.

In other things I have been constructing miniatures. Miniature food...

... and miniature sloths.

Feltie Foodie

© Melissa Gaggiano

I have been working on a small project the past two weeks. Want to know what it was? Using felt, thread and other random materials lying around the house I recreated some of the delicious food thingies that I'd been eating. Some of it healthy and some of it, pure and simple comfort food.

Can you tell just some of the things that have been on the menu?

- Carrots

- Bacon + egg, muffin

- Popcorn

- Apple

- Chicken drumstick

- Rice paper roll

© Melissa Gaggiano

Yummy Croissant

© Melissa Gaggiano

    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.

Making Sweet Little

© Melissa Gaggiano

    This week I have been busy making sweet little, little sweet things. Pineapple, watermelon, strawberry, and ice-cream down. Just need to do make a cheese burger, and attach pins to the back of these felt brooches. Wonder what else I'll be making...

Day 97

Melissa Gaggiano Photography

Day 78

Melissa Gaggiano

Milkboy Espresso & Kitchen - a refreshing European coffee shop has opened up in Cheltenham, Victoria. Check it out.

Finished, Yummy, Happy...

    Great news! I have so totally, utterly, completely finished my online photography course [via Photography Institute]. There was a time a couple of months back when I didn't think I'd make the deadline. But thinkin' that thought was just the rocket up the bum that I needed to complete the course.
    So here I am with a certificate on it's way, a world of inspiration in my pocket, a dreadful cough that won't go away and a bit of planning to do, for the next couple of months.
    Following are some of my recent foodie photo shoots. Hope it makes you hungry.

Photography by Melissa Gaggiano.

Photography by Melissa Gaggiano.

Photography by Melissa Gaggiano.

Photography by Melissa Gaggiano.

Photography by Melissa Gaggiano.

Photography by Melissa Gaggiano.

New Blog - Try This

    Guess what! I have a new blog. I am testing new waters and expanding my field of interest to food. Well, I always did enjoy food, but now I thought I'd share some of my own thoughts on the subject. Let's see how it goes, yeah.
    Oh, and it might help if I mention the address of my new blog [tee-hee]...

melissatrythis.blogspot.com.au/

Photography by Melissa Gaggiano.

Be Inspired

... to cook, take photos and eat.

WKA BOOK BTS from Katie Quinn Davies on Vimeo.

Coraline's Clothes

    I was tossing up whether to paint a top onto the Coraline doll or knit one. The knitting idea won out and I began planning and knitting the top.

 

    Oh yeah! And I just had to share a photo of this delicous dinner from last night. It was an Indian dish of butter chicken, with a side of rice, brocoli and cauliflower. We sat outside and ate dinner with a glass of Penfold's wine. I think having dinner outdoors is simply the best way to eat? Do you agree?

You'll Love This Snack

Photography by Melissa Gaggiano.

    I wanted to share this yummy snack that I made earlier this day. Oh my gosh! It was such a guilt free delight.

Here is what I used:

• 2 pieces of rice cake.
• 1/2 avocardo.
• 1/2 tomato.
• 1 [or 2] slices red onion.
• salt and pepper, for seasoning.

Photography by Melissa Gaggiano.

Photography by Melissa Gaggiano.

Tabouli and Falafel Forever

    These days I prefer the cold weather to the heat. On seriously hot days I fantasise about moving to a place like Canada.

    One good thing about the warm weather is that it has a calming affect on my appetite - meaning I am not as inclined to eat a lot of hot food.

    At the moment I am enjoying the flavours of tabouli and falafel patties. Oh my gosh! I could live on this food every day. I can hardly believe how something so tasty can be so incredibly healthy. Tabouli and falafel forever!

Photography by Melissa Gaggiano.

Photography by Melissa Gaggiano.

Photography by Melissa Gaggiano.

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?

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

Where I Am At

    I am having a quiet moment so thought I'd share where things are at. Things have been on the quiet side and yet I am just a little bit busy. Though it doesn't feel like it for some strange reason. Maybe it is because I am taking small bites here and there from my individual projects. So this is where it is at...

1. Reading Out of Africa, by Karen Blixen.
2. Listening to audio recording of Twilight on those late warm nights when I cannot sleep.
3. Discovered this wonderful website filled with creative kids activities - www.learning4kids.net.
4. Mixed rice and food dye as a sensory play item for my eldest. She loves it, and is playing with the rice as I type.
5. I am about to embark on a crochet project - making pizza slices.
6. Writing a story, just small bits at a time.
7. Drawing doll concepts.
8. Helping my eldest make paper badges.
9. Doing a photography course [but taking a few days break from the annoying gray card stuff].

Layout by Melissa Gaggiano.

Sensory play using rice and food dye. I cam across this at www.learning4kids.net.

Doll concept sketching by Melissa Gaggiano.

Sunday Treats

    Last week was something of a shocker. The Cold was doing its rounds again. I actually think getting sick three times in one winter was something of a record for me. But once the weekend came and halfway through Saturday things were starting to be on the up and up.
    Saturday I took my eldest and husband to a roller skating rink and had a fun afternoon of it.
    Then on Sunday the whole family was invited out to a BBQ lunch. My favourite piece was the basil pesto pasta - something I want to recreate further down the track. For dessert there was a death-by-toblerone cheesecake, topped with whipped cream. It was supremely delicious and would have satisfied even Marie Antoinette. Of course I couldn't get through it, partly because I was still digesting the steak and pasta. We didn't even get to try the custard tarts - that's just how full every one was.

Photography by Melissa Gaggiano

 

Photography by Melissa Gaggiano

Yummy Food

Just some of my fave, crave, raves…

Doodling Along

I have little to say, but that is because my brain is doing a whole lotta thinking.


Here are some of my journal doodlings…

And here is something I am going to further develop. Not sure what I'll ultimately do with it though…

Yummy Food

What are you reading?
Mansfield Park — Jane Austen


Who totally rocks?
Countess of Abbingdon (aka Lara Croft)


What do you wish to watch?
The House of Elliot (British TV series)

Not So Complicated Today

Usually my mind gets a bit lost and frantic between art/craft projects. And I started to feel that way this weekend. But today I am not going to stress about it — just try to enjoy the moment. Which then led me to start writing just a little bit.


We are about to enter February, and Melbourne is forecast for a 39° day. Ouch! Feel the burn. So indoors it is for today. And should I decide to do any washing it will at least dry outside in two seconds flat. The cat has the right idea…

I have a couple of things to look forward to. Over the weekend I ordered two fabulous craft books:

• Tasty Crochet — Rose Langlitz
• Yummi ‘Gurumi — Christian Hayden & Mariarosa Sala

I am hoping to crochet some food treats to go with my daughter's little tea set. It will make her tea parties extra special.

Speaking of crafting food. I was also thinking of making a felt sandwich, as per a tutorial that Myrtle & Eunice prepared a while ago.

Tuck Into That

I just finished preparing fried rice. Granted a certain ingredient was missing. But I essentially got it to smell and taste pretty close to the real thing.
Righto! I'm starving. Time to eat that fried rice, with a lovely side dish of spring rolls.