New Knit Project

Today I began a new project. I am going to knit a baby blanket. Can you believe it? I know I can't. I am really excited about doing this. It will go to someone who is soon to be born. So I really want this to go well. Wish me luck (the kind that is hole free, and with no missed stitches).

Yesterday I borrowed three books from the library —

• Crochet: An illustrated pocket guide to over 90 beautiful patterns
• French Girl knits by Kristeen Griffin-Grimes
• Learn to Knit by Penny Hill

I like checking out a variety of knit/crochet guides. As I continue to search for the perfect instruction guide. ‘Perfect’ meaning easy to follow for the amateur knitter such as myself. It amazes me just how many intricate techniques that have been created for knitting and crochet work. A person could spend their whole lives devoted to this art alone to fully master it.

Faith & Heart

Have you ever had one of those moments, where you wake up at three in the morning, and you doubt your creative work? Have you truly?

You find yourself wondering — Am I on the right path? Do people like what am I doing? Or are they simply being polite? Am I being the best I can be? Will it ever come to something? Will I ever stop having these yucky three in the morning cerebral wake up calls?

Considering my little rant up above, can you tell I am between art projects? Do you sense the creative paralysis? That nagging, negative inner voice has an over inflated ego and has been running around causing chaos in my head. Shame on it.

Come on inner voice, back into your dark little corner you go. And don't think of coming out until you have something constructive to say.

You can laugh, but I feel so much better now that I have just typed that.

So, leave a comment below: Tell me what you do to whip that negative inner voice when it comes calling.

Animation Friday - Just Me

Gif animator

This is my response to Animation Friday, a fun and quick lil activity, hosted by My Poppet. Kudos to Curly Pops for bringing this one to my attention.

Pop Up Dream

Here is another piece of Photoshop work I just completed. I was inspired by pop up story books and wanted to create something similar without going to the length of it being an actual pop up.

My Creative Space...

Yesterday I finished sewing two dresses for Gwen (as pictured below). I had intended to have three dresses ready, but the first (not pictured) was more or less a work in progress, and some pattern changes were necessary to achieve perfection.

These dresses will be good for Gwen when the weather warms up a bit. The fabric is light and airy. The prints are cute as.

Head on over to Kootoyoo to find out what other lovely things people are up to in their lil crafty corners.

Another Week Ends

This has been something of a Jane Austen week for me. The weather had me brooding a bit so I got out the telly mini series Pride & Prejudice. When I got through that in just under two days, I still hadn't had enough. So then I pulled out the Keira Knightley version and had that playing while I worked.

Then, as if the planets had aligned themselves… I took Gwen to the park this afternoon, and sure enough it started pelting down with rain. I scooted Gwen and myself into the nearest public building — the library. Wandering about I discovered a ‘classics’ display filled mostly with Jane Austen novels. That is when I found “The Oxford Illustrated Jane Austen: Minor Works”. If that isn't providence then I don't know what is. So I borrowed the book, and look forward to settling down to read it, while sipping a hot chocolate, and my feet toasting on a hot water bottle.

Have a great weekend, and enjoy this little tidbit from the Pride & Prejudice mini series…

As Political As I'll Get On This Blog

“we don't vote to keep the best party in - cos there's no such thing - but we vote to keep the worst party out.”

— Jacob Coote (Looking for Alibrandi)

Last Night

Yesterday it was a dreary day in Victoria. So many of us felt it seep into our bones.

Then something wonderful happened — a good omen. The sun was setting, I looked out the back door, and this is what I saw…

New Development

I have started doodling an idea for a new art project. I am going to create an illustration designed to look like an open pop up book.

I want it to look like a dream street that I might have fantasized about when I was a kid. A double storey heart house, cherry blossoms lining the street, horses wandering about, a winding footpath. At this point my main colour scheme will be pink, brown and white.

Doodling