Sunday, December 30, 2012

A Bush Christmas

This year we spent Christmas on my brother-in-law's property in Albany.  It's the first time we have broken with protocol and not had a sit down Christmas lunch indoors.

We started the day with breakfast by the beach at Frenchman's Bay, where we arrived so early we had the whole place to ourselves.


In the meantime our Christmas lunch was merrily turning on its spit back on the block.


The children dug holes, but buckets and spades were soon abandoned as the day quickly warmed up and the sea was a better option.


We then retreated to the shade of the verandah


where lunch was finished off with some amazing miniature Christmas puddings



Our jack russell was in lizard chasing heaven!



Monday, December 17, 2012

Unwrapped all wrapped up

The second Unwrapped market on Sunday 16th came and went in a bit of a blur, but I did remember to bring my camera  this time and managed to take a few quick shots of my stall before the crowds arrived.  I had lovely stallholders on either side of me and we had a really nice time together.

What I like most about Unwrapped and Made on the Left is the really collaborative approach - stallholders help each other out, share ideas and just have a good time.  A lot of the credit for this goes to the organisers. A special thanks goes to Ebony, the founder of Unwrapped, who will be handing over the reins in March 2013 after 7 years.  It's been a wonderful journey.

Here was my stall:




That's my last market for 2012.  Now I just have to tidy up my workspace....

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Post-Unwrapped

Sunday in the City was super hot and super busy,

I had a stall at Unwrapped, but was so busy in getting it organised that I forgot to bring my camera.

Luckily other people were not so forgetful and Little Miss Mon Bon took a great photo of my handmade beads which she posted on her blog.


I will be at Unwrapped again this Sunday so if you missed out last week, make sure to come along this Sunday.

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Unwrapped

3 more days until Unwrapped arrives in Forrest Place in the City.

Here's a glimpse of what I am bringing along:


hand coloured vintage bottle


vintage playing card in frame


cheerful Christmas tags


neon macrame plant holders


pleated paper decorations

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

All Wrapped Up

This year I am going with bright colours and polka dots for my Christmas wrapping - perhaps not a traditional Christmas look, but I love the riot of colour.





As well as colourful ribbon and tape I am using twisted paper string, and making customised tags by cutting stars out of the wrapping paper and sticking them on plain brown luggage tags.

Monday, November 26, 2012

Perth Arena

I drive past the Perth Arena on my way to work.

In the beginning I absolutely hated it - it looked like something from outer space had crash landed on the site.

As the weeks turned into months and I watched it take shape I began to warm towards it, but now that it is finished I have to admit that I really like it.



I think Perth needs this kind of creativity - even if only to polarise views and opinions.

Monday, November 19, 2012

Christmas Colour

Because I make things out of old books I always have bits of paper floating around on my desk. I am loath to part with things that could still be put to use and eventually I have come up with a way to use all the leftover bits of sheet music, atlas pages and other odd pieces of paper.

It involves quite a lot of folding and glueing, but the end result is a collection of cheerful pleated circles that can be hung up as decorations.



I will be bringing some along to my next market - Unwrapped in the City - on 9 December.

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Ready, Steady, Market

I have been racing to get all my things finished and ready for the Made on the Left market this Sunday.




It will also be Open House Perth this weekend so there will be lots going on in the City.

Monday, October 22, 2012

Contrasting Curves

Sorting through the photos from my recent trip to the Central Coast of New South Wales I liked the contrast between these two images.




Taken at the Quay West Magenta Shores Resort where I was staying.

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Out and About in Sydney

I spent a day just roaming the streets in Sydney, with no particular agenda other than to soak up the atmosphere, as the last time I was in Sydney was 15 years ago.


The Opera House


 Martin Place


An interesting bird cage installation in a city laneway


 Hyde Park


The Manly ferry

Monday, October 15, 2012

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Countdown

I'm off to Sydney in a a few hours time (not that I am watching the clock or anything!)


It's just a lightning trip but I am sure I will still manage to find the time to take some pictures.

Monday, October 8, 2012

Getting Ready for Summer Markets

I'm busy making some new things for my Christobel stall at the various Christmas markets which will be starting soon.

Here is a look at some summery necklaces I have been making:




Monday, October 1, 2012

The Gently Unfurling Sneak

The Gently Unfurling Sneak is the work of Melbourne artist Anika Cook, and, just like her label, her works are imaginative and quirky.

I have 2 of her canvases.



I especially like the fine detail of her prints.



Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Megan Park

I have just been introduced to the wonderful world of Megan Park, a Melbourne born designer who has a store in Armadale, Victoria.

My daughter gave me a Megan Park cushion for my birthday and it is now my absolute favourite (I have a lot of cushions).







The fabric is hand-dyed so each cushion is unique.

Monday, September 24, 2012

Nell's Cafe

Fenella Peacock, the amazing fashion designer and proprietor of Nell's Emporium, is also an incredibly talented cook.  You can sample her wares at the secret little garden cafe behind her shop on Glyde Street, Mosman Park.




It has a distinctly French feel, and on Saturday mornings Fenella makes crepes which are quite irresistible!

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Just a Reflection

Stuck in the traffic on my way to work this week I noticed the clouds reflected in the front of one of the new City skyscrapers.


I love random photo opportunities like this.

Monday, September 17, 2012

Industrial Lighting

Our daughter took us for Sunday brunch to a cafe so cool I couldn't even see the name of it anywhere.  I think we were in Richmond (or it could have been Hawthorn) - we were on our way back from a very successful trip to the Camberwell Markets.

Aside from the food, which was amazing, I really liked the lighting.




Their window display is an eye catching glass ball of succulents in a neon green macrame holder.