Felt Art + Marbling Design + Learning

Are your running out of craft ideas? Not to fret, as I've got you covered with another two projects. 

Kidspot: DIY Felt Art Set

Head over to Kidspot to get your hands on a Felt Art Template set I created. This set is the perfect starter kit for creating felt images. This activity is perfect for isolation, or travel (life after isolation).

My Poppet: DIY Marble Design Hat

In My Poppet land, I have shown how simple and easy it is to marble a three dimensional blank canvas. 

Here's a fun fact about the marbling ink (Bokuundo) used in this project. I bought the marbling ink from an art store fifteen years ago, and it's still good to use. 

WC Digital Portrait © Melissa Gaggiano

I have signed up for a swag of short art courses. I've completed a portraiture course that combines water colour with digital elements. The other courses I'm working through include BJD making, Art Toy Design, and Pop-up Book Making.

Birthday Commission

At last, I can come out with interesting news that I've been sitting on for months, like a good goose.

I received an illustration commission to  create a series of framed place setters for an elegant Fortieth Birthday dinner party.

Each illustration was an amusing representation of the hosts and guests. The images incorporated aspects of their careers, and/or personal interests.

I am told the guests were delighted with the illustrations, and wandered around the dinner table taking in the different framed illustrations. It certainly became a talking piece for them

Turtle + Other Good Stuff

© Melissa Gaggiano

In the week that has been I have finished making a sweet, fabric sculpted turtle. The turtle is 34cm tall and has a wire armature frame (being a poser is no longer a dirty word). The turtle is available for AUD $250.

 

© Melissa Gaggiano

I participated in a #drawinyourownstyle activity, playing along with Illustrator, Mel Stringer's Challenge. Aptly hashtagged as #melstringerdrawchallenge.  I had a lot of fun recreating Mel's illustration in my own way.

© Melissa Gaggiano

To recap the week just gone, I have entered my 2018 Sloth Project in Frankie Good Stuff Awards. Simply entering into these awards is a pat on my own back. It's a reward to myself and therefore worth mentioning, again. To find out more about the sloths, go here.

For those interested in making a smaller version of these sloths, there is a tutorial available on Etsy. To buy it simply go here.

Angel Baby

{My Poppet link}

"Who is the dream who starts me dreaming

Angel baby

Then keeps me worrying and schemeing

You, angel baby, you"

The year is drawing to a close at a pace that I can hardly believe. Time doesn't stand still, and neither do we. There is always something to work toward, and always a time to rest. The planet rests. Flowers rest. Animals rest. Humans are animals, and we too need our rest, as much as we need good work to thrive.

On that note I'd like to take you to My Poppet to access my latest DIY. It is an easy as paper angel project. This decorative piece makes a lovely time out project. So head on over to My Poppet, and get into it!

Whoosh + Rocket + My Poppet

{doll box}

“I love deadlines. I love the whooshing noise they make as they go by.” – Douglas Adams

This week has seen a massive surge of productivity. What a difference it makes when you put things to paper and set yourself actual deadlines.

Pocket Rocket Moment

I received an uplifting note, in regard to the doll box that I recently made. Little things like that become huge motivators for me.

My Poppet

I have illustrated a printable coloring advent calendar for My Poppet. Head on over to My Poppet to get your own calendar and find other wonderful inspirations in the lead up to the festive season.

{My Poppet}

Getting Started

© Melissa Gaggiano

The best way for me to get the work day started is to draw. It's also one of the nicest ways to end the day.

Fun Fashion Dailies #8-14

Recently, I began a new illustration project. One fashion drawing per day using the same illustrated body. I have now done this for a whole fortnight. 

© Melissa Gaggiano
Day 8

© Melissa Gaggiano
Day 9

© Melissa Gaggiano
Day 10

© Melissa Gaggiano
Day 11

© Melissa Gaggiano
Day 12

© Melissa Gaggiano
Day 13

© Melissa Gaggiano
Day 14

Merry Christmas

© Melissa Gaggiano

The Draft

© Melissa Gaggiano
On the Phone - Draft

Sometimes the draft looks just as interesting as the finished product.

A Week of Bees

© Melissa Gaggiano

The world speeds up, and I find myself slowing down. Or so it seems. When I check the date I am surprised to find that it is not May. I could have sworn it was, and yet here I am, the year almost complete. How quickly it goes, huh.

The past couple of weeks Spring has started to kick in. The bees are buzzing around, and for the first time I look at having a flowering garden as more than an aesthetic pleasure. When the heat of summer kicks in I'll put out little bowls of water so the bees have something to drink.

You can find my latest craft tutorial over at My Poppet. This one is a cute spin on the tooth fairy pouch.

my poppet.com.au

In October I debuted as a contributor for Handmade magazine. How cute is that Santa doll on the cover?

Handmade 36-6

In other neat stuff: I am devoted to to Joshua David McKenney's Pidgin dolls. On the Pidgin fan Facebook page, people were invited to suggest a Halloween costume illustration for Pidgin. Guess who had the winning suggestion... Yep! It was me! I suggested The Cowardly Lion from The Wizard of Oz.

@pidgindoll

Spring into these Digital Prints

© Melissa Gaggiano

For all you scrapbooking and paper craft champs out there: I've designed a couple of print sets for you. The great thing about this product is that it's a digital download. That means you can buy it now, print it now (no waiting for it to arrive in the mail).

And so you ask, where might I find these wonderful prints?

Look no further than my Etsy store.

Lovers

© Melissa Gaggiano

Wonderful news! A select few original water colour pieces are available in my Etsy store. There's a little something for everyone – mamas, caffeine addicts and the fashion forward. So head on over to my little shop and find something to love forever.

This Party Dress

© Melissa Gaggiano

Walking Alone

© Melissa Gaggiano

Sometimes when people disappear, there is this feeling that we are walking alone.

Vintage Paper Doll Bookmarks

{My Poppet}

Hey y'all! Are you looking for something else to make? Are your fingers itching' for some colouring in? Yes! Then head on over to My Poppet and get cracking with this retro cute bookmark tutorial from moi.

My Retro Heart

© Melissa Gaggiano

From the world, to my head and my heart. I put these things to paper, reflecting back to the world the beauty that I see.

Drawing from the Heart

© Keira Gaggiano

    I love the illustrations and little handmade books my kids gift to me. The worlds and characters drawn have so much personality and speak volumes of who they are and what they want to be.

    As a treat my eldest offers the below illustration as a printable colour-in picture. Thanks Gwen! You're awesome!

© Gwen Gaggiano

Ukulele Family

© Melissa Gaggiano

Never Lonely

© Melissa Gaggiano

    In everything they do these siblings are never alone and never lonely. Even going to the toilet turns into a social event.

Too Much Coffee?

© Melissa Gaggiano