:: Quotation

(via)

Learn to write about the ordinary. give homage to old coffee cups, sparrows, city buses, thin ham sandwiches. make a list of everything ordinary you can think of. keep adding to it. promise yourself, before you leave the earth, to mention everything on your list at least once in a poem, short story, newspaper article.

— from the book writing down the bones by natalie goldberg

Soft Maps

Loving these gorgeous Soft-Maps, quilts of cities and neighbourhoods made by Emily Fisher.
I wonder if I would have the patience, but I want one. (You can get a DIY kit here) Or a patchwork with my favourite neighbourhoods. Like a geography memory quilt.

Found via Emily's studio neighbour, the ever-lovely swissmiss.

Clementine

Clementine likes:
* sitting quietly in a sling to go to the shops
* hanging out while I work and talking to her reflection
* swimming in her tub
* standing in the bottom of the shower
* cherry tomatoes, grapes and blueberries
* catching moths around the lamp
* sticking her beak in corners and finding spiders
* watching movies and stealing crisps
* chasing cats
* gardening. the eating bugs part.
* running up the hallway
* nibbling toes
* following me everywhere

Clementine does not like:
* being left alone. ever.
* gun fights in movies
* the stairs
* not being allowed to sit on my throat whenever she likes
* being stepped on. funny that.

birthday duck

This is me. This is my duck. Her name is Clementine, and she is the Best. Present. Ever.*
It is my birthday today. Yes. Although I DO like to stretch my birthday into a full week. More cake that way.

Prepare yourself for repeated duck-related posts.

(* tied with my last duck.)

blog love- easy peasy organic

Delicious recipes? Bucketloads. Sustainability and thrifting, heaps and heaps. Lovely photos, ohmygoodness.

I really like this blog, it's one of those blogs which effortlessly mixes the personal life and thoughts of the genuine and lovely Amanda, with wonderful cooking resources (amazing recipes! how to make pickles! applesauce! with a very handy reference for tricky ingredients too!) and a good dash of thrifty sense and sustainable/eco ideas. She also writes elsewhere, like this post on how to shop for second hand clothes. And has an etsy store too.

Read it to be inspired and go buy a thrifted dress, make your own lipbalm, and cook a feast.


Thanks Amanda, you rock my blog world.
x

:: Quotation

via

You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes.
You can steer yourself in any direction you choose.
You're on your own. And you know what you know.
You are the guy who'll decide where to go.

Dr. Seuss

the joy of books

via swissmiss

my week in pictures

I tried to have a surprise party for my twin sister. For the third time.
It didn't work out. I'm a little traumatised, but you can read about it here.
Maybe I'll try again in a few years. When we're 50.



I quit my job. I know! I did. I am my own boss again,
and I bought this mug to celebrate. Me? Cheesy? Always.
(And working on a new project which is super-exciting!)



On my way to meet a friend I found this BYO fish and chip shop. Cute much?


I was dating someone, but not anymore. But we did go on nice walks
and I found this swell tile graffitti under a bridge. So all is not lost.


I moved my studio around. Again. Six supervised. When in doubt,
move furniture. Perhaps I ought to add that to my rules for living.

Then I rearranged bits of the house too. And hung some pictures.
I particularly like the dashing fellow with the soccer ball.


And planted some herbs by the back door for lots of cooking.

Hope you had a lovely week too!

x

etsy love- embroidered tattoos

I Love Mom handmade applique; Hand Embroidered Hoop Sailor Jerry Home Crap Home;
Hand Embroidered Sailor Jerry Mermaid; Felt Wallet with Machine Embroidered Tattoo;
Hand Embroidered Onesie; Personalised Catnip Heart;
Love Anchors Me Old School Embroidery; Tattoo Cat Girl Felt Brooch.

rules for living

If you think of something nice to do for another person, do it.

When you make a mistake, say sorry (even to yourself).

Try not to accumulate too many things.

Never eat anything bigger than your own head.

If in doubt, just be honest.

Remember that life is good.

hello

(miniature house necklace by KarolinefelixDream)

Hi. Welcome!

I've just moved blog-house. Before I was over at pepperstitches.blogspot.com. But I am more than the things I stitch, so I have moved on over to here, which is all about me. Things I stitch will still be over there, but more random bits and photos and musings and things I like will be here in this new home.

If you are an old follower, thanks for coming over! If you are a new reader, well thanks for visiting! I think I'll like it here.

my week in pictures

 

 

diving back in

'dive' illustration by aaple

I've been away a lot. The longest I've ever been away from my blog, ever. I had a bit of enough last year, you may have noticed. Work and mojo crises, holidays and visitors, and then my lovely computer, well if it had a belly it would have been belly-up. I have missed sharing my finds and thoughts and photos and little-rants-every-now-and-then. So without feeling guilty about being away, or over-thinking too much, or wondering "what-amI-going-to-write-about-and-will-it-be-witty-and-interesting-enough?" I am diving right back in (on my eensy laptop).

Hello.
It's nice to be back.
It's going to be a good year.

Do you like the new layout; is it a bit spiffy, or a little niffy?

christmas 2011

 

music monday

the mystery of the missing mojo

(via)

I’ve been going a teensy crazy. Sitting in my cute studio, holding my man dolls which I love, and drinking tea. I ought to be tickled pink, except I'm not, really. It’s the case of the missing mojo. Again. I know I’ve talked about my mojo a lot, I whinge about it every now and then, and you really are very nice people to listen patiently. Please humour me (or go do something else. That’s ok, I don’t mind a bit, honestly.)

It’s just that my creative mojo is a finicky creature, I need to treat it gently, nurture it, and oh definitely listen to it. Or it up and goes, and I am left spending my time staring out the window/playing cards/reading a book on the couch/whinging about things to you, dear reader. Or perhaps it’s still there. Hiding in a corner with a slight petulant scowl saying NO.. in a little voice. And stamping it’s little feet. my mojo refuses to cooperate, and it becomes a struggle.

I’ve tried everything. I’ve rearranged and labeled everything in a satisfying way. I’ve bought a new lamp. I’ve brought tea and chocolate reinforcements. I even bought a little oven timer in an effort to work solidly for a block of time. I’ve thought of a gazillion reasons to want to sew; but I.don’t.want.to. I make myself and force every.stitch. Which makes me feel rubbish. After all, I have my own studio, full of materials and a nice big table and light and time; how lucky am I?

Well it turns out my mojo doesn't like being told what to do. The thought of making another doll the same as the last ones just doesn't excite.it.one.little.bit. So it's gone on strike, and I went and got a job. However, the idea of drawing my mojo for this very post made me want to stride into the studio immediately. Excitement and new ideas, this is the foodstuff of the mojo. I want to make things I have never tried, have my own exhibition of soft sculptures with pointy detailed not-suitable-for-children bits, I want to make things until I am satisfied, not until they are good enough. I want to make things for the love of it, not the money.

SO I am working hard to finish off orders, and thinking hard and carefully about my next step, and how I will coax my mojo back.

Does this happen to you?

my week in pictures- visiting Mealie

 

 

* visiting friends in a country town with delicious food and great company!

* gorgeous art studio and inspiring art everywhere, Mealie you rock.

* miniature! animals! and that buddha knows how to PARTY

(via)

"The hardest thing to learn in life is which bridge to cross, and which to burn."

David Russell

etsy love- upside down

Somersault: large print 11x14"; Upside down boxer dog 8x10 black and white print;
Mustard Yellow Upside Down Pineapple Cake Pan; Upside Down Clock;
Loyalty and Blood upside down ship sweatshirt; Day Trippin Print;
Swinging Child Print; Upside Down Wall Art Quote.

plush you!

(all photos via Schmancy)

Plush You! is an annual exhibition of plush toys, curated by the ace Kristen Rask of Schmancy Toys in Seattle (You may also recognize the name from the book they brought out a few years back). I was super-excited to be part of this years show with my bearded men!

I've had a look on the interwebs (alas I did not fly to the US for the show. Woulda been nice.) at some of the artists, and good heavens. This gal is my fav, methinks. Although it's very very hard to choose. You can see a bit about it here on Unanimous Craft, or you can read my interview with Kirsten on the Schmancy blog over here along with a whole lotta interviews from plush artists and links to their work.

Yay!

around these parts

I framed my favourite Copenhagen souvenier, set up a drawing space (complete with cat belly), carved my first pumpkin and loved these flowers.

:: Quotation

via

" If you do not express your own original ideas, if you do not listen to your own being, you will have betrayed yourself.

Rollo May

in my work bag

(water bottle. keys. apple. caramels. box of sultanas. assorted bobby pins. camera. book. sunglasses. mobile phone. travel pass. pens. notebook journal. postcard. ipod. chewing gum. purse. lip balm. compact mirror.)

Did you know, I started a new job? I guess not. I have not told you before now. Well I did. This is what is in my work bag. It is a big bag.

It is nice to wear stockings again, and daydream on the bus, and golly, aren't Fridays a bit special when it means two whole days at home? It is nice to have office morning teas and use post-it notes. It is even nice to argue gently with the photocopier. It is nice to complete other people's to-do lists, and leave it behind at the office when I go home each day. It is nice to have a steady income and pay things on time. It is nice to not be turning something I love into a monetary exercise, wrenching my soul through my nose at the same time. It is nice to have a bit of a break, and think.

flea market finds

An unexpected garage sale in my neighbourhood, and I walk away with little wooden shelves, a vintage desktop fan and vintage tins (chocolate and sun goggles), old keys for my collection, australiana linen teatowels & a classic paperback.

Golly.
(which, by the way, is the new word. Fast overtaking 'lovely', 'swell' and even 'ace'. Gosh.)

(see more flea market finds over here.)

my sister