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.

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.

Fathers Day Commission

The Banker
© Melissa Gaggiano 2017
Private commission – water colour

I was commissioned to create this water colour piece for Fathers Day. Naturally the unveiling took place yesterday.

This morning the client gave me a shout out from the other side of the street. With both thumbs up she declared the art piece "a big hit". A satisfied customer! What a fantastic way to start the week, hey.

This Party Dress

© Melissa Gaggiano

Umbrella Weather?

© Melissa Gaggiano

    What do you when you're in a rut? Switch to 'doing' something else. What do you when it rains? Whip out that umbrella and be like 'Singing in the Rain'. Now that's different.

Stay In Art Day

© Melissa Gaggiano

Those Eyes

    I have new art on the shelves in my Red Bubble store. This one will give you that feeling of being watched… by a mysterious woman. Check it out, yeah!

© Melissa Gaggiano
Buy "Those Eyes"

Pink Surf

© Melissa Gaggiano
Buy "Pink Surf"

    Talk about being on a roll. I have a new art piece for sale. Go on and check it out!

     It's quite unconscious, but I must really like pink, and I swear it has nothing to do with Barbie. 

Splatter that Shoe

Buy "Splatter that Shoe"

    Newsflash: I have new work for sale at my Red Bubble store. Yay for the shoe lovers! Check it out now!

Back to the Paint Brush

Melissa Gaggiano art

    I've kept myself busy with so many other craft projects the past month or so. But it is nice to pick up a paint brush and come back to this.

Got This Feeling?

Melissa Gaggiano illustration

A Flowery Project

    It has been quite a while since I've posted here. My mind is in transition phase and to be honest I am not sure where this particular blog fits, in the grand scheme. Hence the sporadic posting of late.
    In the mean time I wanted to share my latest creative output. I have been commissioned to make some handmade cards. Check out the work from that project.

Illustrations by Melissa Gaggiano.

Illustrations by Melissa Gaggiano.

Illustrations by Melissa Gaggiano.

Fly Away Pants

Illustration by Melissa Gaggiano.

Blue Heels

Water colour by Melissa Gaggiano.

Hello! Hello! Guess what?!? I have another piece of art available at my Red Bubble shop, over at -

www.redbubble.com/people/emjie/shop/recent

It would make the perfect item for all you fashionistas and lovers of blue shoes. It is available as a greeting card, postcard, prints and posters.

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.

Stir Fry Inspiration

    Last night I had a bit of spice and flavour in my meal. It was a satay stir-fry with a side of rice and snow peas. If you'd like to give it a try, I have included the recipes below.

Illustration by Melissa Gaggiano.

Stir Fried Snow Peas

Ingredients

•       250 g snow peas
•       1 tbs sesame seed oil
•       1 tbs finely chopped garlic
•        ¼ tsp salt

Steps

1. Heat oil in a preheated wok [or fry pan], on medium high.

2. Add garlic and stir fry until scented.

3. Throw in snow peas and salt. Stir-fry for no more than 2 minutes.

Chicken Satay Stir Fry

Ingredients

•       Peanut oil
•       4 chopped chillies
•       6 garlic cloves crushed
•       1-2 tbs dark roasted curry powder
•       Light and dark soy sauce
•       ½ lemon [grate the skin for zest and squeeze the juice]
•       2 chicken fillets diced
•       5 large tbs peanut butter
•       Optional: Add a garnish of chopped coriander and spring onions. Yum!

Steps

    1.    Heat oil in wok 3-5 minutes, on high.
    2.    Stir-fry chilli, garlic and onion. Do this until the onion is golden brown.
    3.    Stir in chicken until sealed.
    4.    Add big splashes of soy sauce.
    5.   Add peanut butter, lemon zest, lemon juice and curry powder. Stir everything together until it is a nice consistency.

Note: Serve with a side of your favourite rice. At the moment I am partial to basmati rice.

Friday Appreciation

    It's Friday! It's Friday! Happy dance for everyone!
    So what is today all about? Enjoying the warmer weather. Dreaming about pizza. Loving the awesome sunsets that come with the warmer weather. Eating lunch outdoors. Gardening. Letting the kids play in the garden. Going for walks.



Illustration by Melissa Gaggiano.

Photography by Melissa Gaggiano.



Heart Felt Words

Photography/Art by Melissa Gaggiano

Photography/Art by Melissa Gaggiano

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.

Summery Doodling

Illustration by Melissa Gaggiano