Verbs are doing words

Making - "Best Blueberry Muffins" and a little coffee. This really is the best blueberry muffin recipe ever, and I tell you, getting one of these straight out of the oven is bliss.

  Walking - Out on the beach. A bit chilly.

Playing - Through the viewfinder with an old kaleidoscope. Had to check the spelling on that one!

It feels like it's going to be a big weekend... the Brisstylers will be out in full force tonight for the Twilight market, (I'm recovering from a big old coff-coff-snot-snot, so I'll stay home this time, but I'll be there in spirit), work tomorrow (which doesn't really feel like work because I work with the best people ever!), and I'm running a little crafty workshop at the Woodford Gaia Gardens for the kids on Sunday.  

I am addicted...

I've mentioned this before.
My attraction to shopping trolleys. What is this all about? I'll do anything to avoid doing the grocery shopping, so why my fixation with abandoned carts?

My nearest and dearest are well aware of my long-term obsession, but it's something I don't really share around, because it can be a little hard to explain.

I love shopping trolleys. Abandoned shopping trolleys.

I will stop the car and pull over to take a photo if I see a broke-down trolley on the side of the road, and I'm used to the kids rolling their eyes while they stand around waiting for me to get the right angle.
I see them very often in my neighbourhood - the trolleys range freely, used as transportation and occasionally entertainment, sometimes many kilometres from their homes. I guess they appear as a symbol of consumerism, stripped of glamour, demoted to a pack-horse, shining so gaudily in alien environments.

Honest, do I need a reason? Look at them. Cast away, drowned, robbed of their coinboxes, draped in river-drifting weeds and bogged in mud... what's not to love?

Beanie FAIL and some un-natural cupcakes

Oh well, I guess I had to be wrong at some point.
The beanie ended up felting beautifully, but it's just too big and slightly fluted. I'm thinking it will make a fairly decent cloche-style hat for moi! Way to turn a FAIL into a WIN!
Photos to follow...

In other news, it's been birthday season, again. Vanilla cupcakes, a princess cake, a pavlova, all as requested by the children. There've been a few misty eyed moments and a battle for ownership of the remote control helicopter. Some of the best perks of being a parent are playing with the toys (it's called 'making sure it works'!) and watching all the latest Pixar movies without looking like a weirdo at the cinema.

Oh, and the love! 

Splendour in the grass

Image from Picture Library

So this is what I'm missing this weekend. My folks live a few clicks from 'Woodfordia' (I can't take that name seriously...) and I've considered dropping the kids off with Yumma and Yumpa so I can attempt to tunnel my way in.

COLDPLAY KANYE WEST JANE’S ADDICTION THE HIVES PULP THE LIVING END THE MARS VOLTA REGINA SPEKTOR BLISS N ESO PNAU MOGWAI DJ SHADOW GLASVEGAS THE GRATES DEVENDRA BANHARDT MODEST MOUSE THE MIDDLE EAST KAISER CHIEFS JAMES BLAKE KELE THE VINES ELBOW ESKIMO JOE NOAH AND THE WHALE CHILDREN COLLIDE THIEVERY CORPORATION CUT COPY ISOBEL CAMPBELL AND MARK LANEGAN BLUEJUICE THE KILLS BLACK JOE LEWIS & THE HONEYBEARS (featuring THE RELATIVES) ARCHITECTURE IN HELSINKI FOSTER THE PEOPLE THE PANICS FRIENDLY FIRES JEBEDIAH THE VACCINES GOMEZ BOY AND BEAR GOTYE DOES IT OFFEND YOU YEAH? CLOUD CONTROL MONA SPARKADIA WARPAINT MUSCLES (Live) FITZ AND THE TANTRUMS THE JEZEBELS DRAPHT BRITISH SEA POWER TIM & JEAN LEADER CHEETAH GROUPLOVE SEEKER LOVER KEEPER YELLE KIMBRA PHRASE OH MERCY DANANANANAYKROYD THE BLACK SEEDS MARQUES TOLIVER THE HOLIDAYS GHOUL LIAM FINN THE HERD YOUNG THE GIANT GUINEAFOWL HUNGRY KIDS OF HUNGARY JINJA SAFARI WILD BEASTS ILLY CUT OFF YOUR HANDS GARETH LIDDIARD ALPINE WORLD’S END PRESS MOSMAN ALDER LANIE LANE

I'll just have to console myself with a Splendour-inspired Genius mix at home, a warm shower and my own bed. Just as good, right? ... Hmmmmm.

Verbs are doing words

Making - a deep olive green merino and cashmere beanie for the husband. I know, it looks enormous, and it is! I'm going to felt it, as I have to keep reminding the mister when he puts it on his head with a doubtful look. Oh, ye of little faith!

Hearing - Plastic Bag by X-Ray Spex - I don't know much about this 70's punk band, but everytime this song plays at work, we all sing along. 'My mind is like a plastic bag...' Yeah, I can relate.

Reading - Quantum by Manjit Kumar (I've been at it for a while...) Any quantum physics fans out there?

Psst, technology, you're making me look bad

I'm still figuring out why I can't respond to comments!
I love it when you comment - please don't think me rude!
(Kirsty Pow, Shelley and Ms Suburbansider, I'm looking at you... <3)

I love you too, but I'm gonna mace you in the face

'Darjeeling brothers' by supMon

Life is not like the movies.
Generally, I would say this is for the best. Otherwise we'd be up to our necks in cliches, silly misunderstandings and sickly sweet happy endings.
Give me, instead, the bittersweet, melancholy, awkward and sometimes surreal films of Wes Anderson. 'The Darjeeling Limited' and 'The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou' have to be my favourites. So when I found Jordi from SupMon on Etsy, I just knew I had to share.
Are there any Wes Anderson fans out there?

This is my 100th post - fancy that! I'll put my mind to something special for 101...

Verbs are doing words

Making... a crochet rug made of circles

Hearing...Blood Pressures by The Kills

Reading... Cider House Rules by John Irving

Wild animals, Love and some science

We were visited by a pod of dolphins at the beach on Monday. There was not another soul around, and the dolphins came within 6 feet of the shoreline, right in front of us! For a moment we worried they were beaching themselves, but I guess they were just saying hi. I followed along the beach as they leapt and belly-flopped in the chilly water, and felt quite lucky for the rest of the day.
I saw the 'Love' graffiti later that day, written in a footpath in Red Hill, and had to get a quick snap.

The kids and I were reading about bioluminescence the other day, which is the natural occurence of visible light created in the cells of animals and plants. I knew deep-sea creatures and some fungus could do this cool trick, but I didn't imagine there were scientific forays into things like glowing trees to line highways! Or how about novelty pets that glow in the dark? Creepy! The concept that really got me was bio-identifiers for escaped convicts! Wow. How would Richard Kimble get away if he was lit up like a Christmas tree?

Picnic by the river

We mosied down to the river, not far from home, and took advantage of the happily (for us) under-used park. This park has no swings, just lots of trees for climbing, and calm river for gazing.
The home-made salami, tomato and cheese scrolls were gobbled up before I could even take a photo, which reminded me that sometimes it's nice to keep things basic. (Although I am inspired to put on a grand picnic now...)
Cam and I shared a beer and watched the kids run around like nuts, then he read Little Red Riding Hood to them while I watched the clouds sail overhead.
These truly are the days!
Are you enjoying the school holidays and making the most of this gorgeous winter weather?

Verabel + Fox and a cool A to Z

As with most things, I’m a little late jumping on the geometric design bandwagon. Apparently it’s big? Well, if there was such a thing as an actual geometric bandwagon, it would be fun, you could ride it, and it would be prettied up by Alyson Fox. How gorgeous is this colour study, called ‘Pattern 6’?

I first found Alyson’s work in the Etsy shop Verabel + Fox, where the colour studies and patterns can be seen as embellishment on vintage-style lockets. Alyson works with textile design too, as you can see in A Small Collection. Definitely worth a look!

It may be too late to enter the giveaway, but you can still read this cool A to Z from ReRead. The author is a fellow BrisStyler, but I do not know her name!



What a mother!

Kirsty and I, around 1980

My filthy little darlings

My mum, Susan, climbing in Nepal

It's that time of year... all the soft lens images of adoring, clean-faced children bringing Mum exactly what she wanted for Mother's Day...Hmmm.
I took my kids out for breakfast this morning, then to run a few errands. Mister Minit had my resoled shoes all ready, and chatted with a big smile on his face, and it was only when I felt something fall into my cleavage that I realised that somehow my pendant had been covered in mocha cheesecake and I was wearing it all down my front. Tres embarrassing.
As for my Mum, she has worn her share of cake, vegemite and texta. But she's a free spirit who wears it with a smile!
A real mum is crazy, imperfect and will totally wear those floral slippers/macaroni necklaces. A real mum thinks your artwork should hang in the Louvre. A real mum agrees you could win 'So You Think You Can Dance'. A real mum will eat those cupcakes, even if they are a little heavy on the salt.

All the awesome mothers out there, and mothers-to-be, keep it real!

Secret hideaways and a little bit of peace.

Treehouse in Kenya, Gypset Style

Dedon Nestrest hanging loungers

Sometimes, all I want is a quiet place to sit. Know what I mean?

When everything starts to feel a little hectic, I think it's important to acknowledge a basic need: peace.

I think peace is like chocolate. You only need a little bit, and it goes a long way. Just like a square of 85% cocoa Lindt! I love to nest in my bedroom, the calmest room of the house, with sunlight filtered through pale green curtains, a huge stack of mismatched cushions, a good book or fresh magazine and the latest crochet attempt. Add a little glass of red wine and it's heaven. But even if I don't have the time to luxuriate like Cleopatra, just five minutes in a quiet garden seems to help.

I think I'd be quite calm in a hanging lounger. What do you do when you need a little peace?

No rest for the wicked, artwork by Kirra Jamison and my interview debut!

Resting Place by Kirra Jamison

Ok, it's been a madhouse around here. Does anyone else feel like they need a holiday to recover from their holiday?
My first writing assignment (or Ass 1, as someone in the writer's group called it) received a credit, and lots of critical notes to work with. I discovered I do not handle criticism well. But, after an initial sookyface wah-wah, and a few phonecalls to my sister (who writes for a living!) I realise if I can get past my ego, it will help me be a better writer. That's why I'm doing it! Duh!

The artwork above is from Kirra Jamison, from the 'Spirit is a bone' collection. I'm drawn to her use of colour - controlled explosions with masterly rhythm to them, using pen, paint and vinyl. If you're in the Valley, you could even see some of Kirra's work in person at Jan Murphy Gallery.

Finally, to tootle my own horn, I have to mention the interview I did for Chrissy Foreman C. It was super-fun, yet just a touch confronting to write about myself that much, but I think for a first attempt it's not too shabby! It helped that Chrissy, as well as being an accomplished artist, is a generous supporter of other artists, always ready with an encouraging word. Basically, she's a doll. Thanks Chrissy!

Friday I'm in love - A shape, a clutch, a fox

Dodecahedrons from Spinthread

Super Stylin' clutch from Sybella Boutique

Tesla as a fox from Captain Cat

Favourites for the week, from the wonderful world of Etsy. I especially love the idea of Nikola Tesla, a great inventor of the 19th and 20th centuries, as a wily fox. I can't help but wonder where his excellent moustache is!

Have a lovely weekend, won't you? I'm working on a short story, some interview questions from the talented Chrissy Foreman C, and learning some new skills in my dear friends' cafe. Eek.

The time has come! The giveaway winner is...

From throwing poorly crafted paper planes with the names of the entrants from my verandah ...

...to letting physics decide the winner!

Congratulations Christine from Little Chrissy on winning the package of summertime booty!

Christine wrote in her entry: "Summer for me is picnics in the park, gin and tonics on the deck and dunks in the salty ocean. Do you hear that, rain?? We've had enough! Begone so that we may picnic and laze at the beach!"

Confession: I know I said the goal was 150 likers on Facebook, but I just couldn't wait any longer! I kept checking the number of likers and wondering why I wasn't drumming up a bit more interest, and generally feeling a bit 'wah, poor me', but then I realised I was undervaluing each person who had taken the time to visit my page, and missing the point of the exercise - to make new connections!

Every single person who comments or even clicks that 'like' button is showing me a bit of support, and each new 'friend' has the potential for genuine connection. Not just for jewellery, or giveaways, or hearting some new cute thing, but for honest sharing, education and growth as a human being. Just look at the support rallied for those hardest hit by the floods, or raising funds for the Red Cross in Japan following the earthquake and tsunami, all through social networking.

I'm all about people, not numbers, and I'm really very happy to be making all these wonderful new connections!

A lounge, a yurt, a studio

So, I'm at home today, playing nurse for my poor mister, who was hit by a car on Tuesday. He was just riding his bike home from work, and a silly car wasn't paying attention. He's a bit banged up, with a nasty gash on his face, but I can't stop myself from saying to him again and again "I'm so glad you're ok!", because I know it could've been SO much worse. You've got to count your luck, don't you?

These photos are from a slowly expanding collection of places to envy, to covet, to admire... how about the lounge with the vines on the wall and the gorgeous sunlight streaming in? The yurt from Goulburn Yurtworks is so rustic and classy, and the studio workspace is courtesy of Sweet William, the dreamy result of what two awesome sisters can do. You should definitely check out their Etsy store too, for prints of original artworks but Paula Mills.

Stay safe - you are very important!

A picture, a poem

Sylvia Plath: Treasure

by Bett Norris

 These are the imagined treasures of Sylvia Plath, tragic American poet and novelist, hand drawn by Bett Norris. If you aren't familiar with the work of Sylvia Plath, I would say read her, but I would add a caveat: her poetry can be dark, and 'The Bell Jar', Plath's most well-known novel, even more so. The author battled with depression throughout her life, and lost in the end, and this quiet authority of knowledge soaks through her writings.

This artwork is one of the reasons I love Etsy in particular (and the internet in general) so much. With a little searching, you can find the most wonderful things. You can find things that are so carefully thought of, so lovingly made, so bang on the money that it's as though they were made for you. 

This week I've jumped into my new studies with gusto. This is my opportunity to see if I really have an uncut gem of skill inside me, or just a big lump of rock. I'm keen, I tell ya!


Ooops! Silly me, forgot the title of this post! There is a picture, but no poem! The poem I wished to use is 'Ennui', a big old shoulder shrug of a poem. What do you think?

Friday I'm in love

Greenhouse At Night by Jeremy Miranda

I have to own this print. Amazing.

When I finally picked up the overdue library book that sat in accusatory silence on my bedside table, I was hooked from the first page. Not so surprising, since I've never read a Margaret Atwood novel that wasn't captivating, but the title 'The Year of the Flood' had seriously put me off. No points for guessing why...

If you aren't yet aquainted with the work of Margaret Atwood, get thee to the library. She spins an incredible story that pulls you in, straps you down and takes you for a ride. From 'The Handmaid's Tale', to 'Oryx and Crake', there is a world re-created, our world but warped and tweaked, where science, politics and the cruel beauty of humanity travel down the garden path and become dangerously lost. 

Sometimes I don't read for months at a time, apart from blogs and a few select magazines (Frankie, Peppermint and New Scientist), and if I'm not reading, then I'm not writing. I can't have one without the other, which is frustrating. I'll be focused on writing for the next few months while I study creative and professional writing through Griffith Uni.

Confession: I'm a touch nervous about study after so long, but really very excited to be doing rather than just saying.

Spaces

It comes as no surprise that the new 'mook' - magazine/book from the creators of Frankie mag is completely gorgeous. The large format Spaces is filled with the places 'where creative people live, work and play', and regular readers of Frankie might even recognise a few of the photos from previous issues. 

Spaces is hefty. It's a relaxed coffee table book. It invites you in and asks you to take your time. I love how it catches the feeling of each dwelling and workspace. (The Etsy lab? Seriously, I'd be their in-house baker and coffee/tea lady in a heartbeat.)

In a strange way, even though there are so many divine designer items and unique features that I'll never call my own, I'm comforted by the realness of most of the spaces: they aren't glossy and perfect, there's some really wacky shit that folks live with every day. Franklie, these people are my people.