shimmer & glow

Candied Peel

2011-08-15T22:38:00.004+10:00

My candied peel adventure turned out to be quite successful. I was slightly skeptical, but the final product was a beautiful sweet I was proud to boast I had prepared! I'm thinking I need to make another batch before I'm out of oranges!

I never follow a recipe, I love making things up as I go along. For the candied peel I did a little reading of other recipes before I mingled several steps together for my own batch. Below are the basics.

I N G R E D I E N T S

10 citrus fruits (I used 7 lemons and 3 oranges.)

Sugar syrup (Equal parts water and caster sugar.)

Caster sugar

Water

M E T H O D

Thoroughly scrub fruits with a vegetable brush to clean. My orange tree was rather muddy, so this was rather hard work!

Use fruits for juice, cupcakes, a snack, anything! THEN: Carefully remove peel away from the white rind on citrus fruits. Remove as much rind as possible, as this effects the flavour of the candy. Trim your rind pieces into shapes you desire. (I'm thinking maybe next time I might use tiny little cutters to make shapes, stars maybe?)

In a medium saucepan, place the trimmed rind and cool water. Bring to boil, and leave to boil for at least half an hour. Drain rind, then complete the process again, starting with cool water. Rinse.

In the medium saucepan, add sufficient sugar syrup to cover the peel. Slowly bring to boil, then turn down slightly til your rind is sitting at just above a simmer. Keep a careful eye on your concoction, as it slowly reduces down and the sugar syrup thickens. Stir if needed. When the syrup is thick and the peel looks sufficiently candied (Peel will be transparent and jelly-looking), remove and strain.

Place caster sugar in a bowl. Individually sugar each piece of peel, and place on baked paper or paper towel. Place the peel somewhere safe to set overnight. Store in an airtight container.

distractions

2011-08-14T23:12:00.001+10:00

Oh Pinterest, how I love thee! I really could spend all my spare time looking at beautiful inspirations. Actually, I think I have been!

Oranges and lemons

2011-08-03T23:41:00.000+10:00

Winter is the season that provides our kitchen with a bunch of oranges, AND the biggest yield of the year from the lemon tree. (and year round lemons for cocktails, of course, such a thoughtful tree.) So we have an abundance of citrus, and I decided this was the perfect time to try out some new recipes. I've had success with lemon curd, so I've decided to try my hand at candied peel and lemon cordial. Do you have any citrus favourites you'd like to share?

Image Credits

2011-07-31T17:35:00.008+10:00

Want to source some beautiful free images? I found the ones I use here:
(Unless otherwise linked, or images I have created myself.)

The Graphics Fairy
Pugly Pixel
Fuzzimo
Just Something I Made

Ch-ch-ch changes!

2011-07-26T00:28:00.000+10:00

An all new Shimmer and Glow is in the works!

You might see some changes around here, there might be some construction debris flying, but not for long! Keep an eye on facebook for the new Shimmer and Glow reveal!

Another trip around the sun

2011-04-11T21:50:00.000+10:00

I've had a great week. I celebrated my birthday with loved ones- with laughter, love and much food! I'm feeling newly inspired, too. Here's to 28 being a creative age.

Coco & finds

2010-12-04T23:56:00.000+11:00

Coco decided to model with my latest thrift finds. Totalling a whole three dollars, (One was half off) I think I did well! Every spinster needs a pretty decanter, right?

.gif is not a dirty word

2010-11-21T15:49:00.000+11:00

For so long the internet has been all about the sparkly gif that celebrates St Patricks day, Christmas ('Ohh, look, there is SNOW falling over that clip art tree!') and other inane things such as the phrase "I love you gurrrrrl" with pink 'bling'. I'm not sure if you can tell where I'm headed, but I'm really not a fan.

I wont completely dismiss a good gif though. Actually, I'll go so far as to say I don't mind an ALRIGHT gif! I mean- a kitty playing with a feather? Show me more!

The other day I found If we don't, remember me. Absolutely worth a look. This is a place where the gif becomes art.

Note well how David Lynch filmography lends itself to a gif. Not surprising, really!

how to be alone

2010-11-20T00:37:00.003+11:00

this is for you...

(Seen somewhere on the interwebs, more than once. Worth sharing.)

a new house and a casserole

2010-11-11T23:23:00.001+11:00

I’ve loved the little treasures arriving in my mail box. I’ve not been doing as much traditional art lately, but I have been spending some of my time sending pretty letters. I received two delightful & strangely similar postcards a couple of weeks ago; right at the same time I discovered I’ll be moving into a new home! It really was serendipitous!

Casserole is definitely the food equivalent of my home to be. At the moment it is full of retro-y goodness! It even has its own wallpaper trompe l’oeil! Part of me wants this feature to stay, but I have a feeling it will get a big slathering of white paint and become a fresh and blank canvas.

So when 2 casserole cards arrived in my letterbox, it was a sign! I had to google the card with the recipe. Not knowing what Larvets were, I could only guess by the image on the front... W O R M S ...worm casserole! Camel assumes me they taste alright, but I’m not so sure!

Maybe I could source some witchetty grubs as a substitute? Looking forward to my new location & my new domestic goddess opportunities and my vegetable garden! (OOhh, maybe I can DIG for worms...)

I couldn't find any Larvets on the McPhee website, but you know what I did find? Some handy worm themed toothpicks, great for that after dinner Larvet-in-teeth-extraction. Head here. (There are some things on this site I'd love to give to friends for Christmas! Dang lack of international postage.

Thanks again, Camel!

journals and kitties and mail, oh my!

2010-10-13T20:25:00.000+11:00

The lovely Kate invited me to take part in the 1001 Journals project she organised a few months ago. I was super excited when it arrived the other day in the mail! Check out the stunning work of the person before me...

Isn’t it fabulous? I have put a few marks in the book myself...

But I’ll need to send it on soon, or I’ll use too many pages! I’m tempted to get involved in more 1001 Journals projects, or maybe even start my own!

Also on the mail front, I sent a little pack to Goodnight Little Spoon, and am excited to see that it arrived!

If you feel like sending a pretty letter, I recommend you send one to Bianca, address above!

And Hello, Kitty! Coco’s working the granny.

2010-10-11T21:06:00.002+11:00

Sometimes the best images can be found on the interweb.

'You shimmer, and you glow."

2010-09-30T22:32:00.000+10:00

Why Shimmer and Glow?

Well, The memory is rather vague, and rather fleeting, but the other day I recalled where ‘Shimmer and Glow’ originated. Would you like to take a journey with me in my sparkling time machine?

Let us trip back to the mid-to-late nineties. I’ve just discovered that all my friends are talking to each other online, and have snazzy Hotmail accounts. I’m a little behind the times. I’ve never been computer-minded, and our home computer was a virtual electronic typewriter (Actually, I had one of those). This hotmail business had me fascinated. Being a teenager, it goes without saying that if all my friends have something, I’m probably going to want it too. (Even though my teenaged inner zen monk would attempt to reassure you that I was in no way materialistic.)

...So I sit down at a PC in the school library one lunch time with my friends. A couple of us are eager to get up with this new fan-dangled technology. Everyone is coming up with awesome usernames. Well, at least, I thought they were. How could I possibly come up with something other than my name? Lets just refine the focus on our time machine; and the answer to my user name dilemma and my shimmering identity will all become clear!!

In our English class we’d been studying the movie “What’s Eating Gilbert Grape” as our ‘text to film’. My favourite name in the world at the time had to be Lasse Hallström. I’d decided Lasse must be one pretty cool guy. Or girl. I wasn’t sure. (Turns out Lasse is a man, Lars Sven, actually. Oh, how exotic his name was to me!)

Without offering you an entire synopsis of the film (Which features the handsome Johnny Depp and a young Leonardo DiCaprio) I’ll cut to the chase. (Partly because I cannot remember the plotline.) So, direct movie quote:

Momma: You're my knight in shimmering armor.

Did you know that?

Gilbert: I think you mean shining.

Momma: No shimmering. You shimmer, and you glow.

He shimmers? He glows? Well didn’t that line just melt my young romantic heart.

And so it was born. It wasn’t so much that I was taken by all that girly shimmering. It was the image that was conjured in my mind. the image stuck with me as my email handle, and through now to what it is today.

Thanks Momma. Thanks Gilbert. Thanks Mr Hallett, my year nine English teacher. (Also for those excellent grades. Jolly good job on that, sir.)

Image credit: Depp Impact

I'll post you my dreams

2010-09-19T14:01:00.002+10:00

Beautiful postcard packaging from Jen Collins

I’ve gone a little postcard dotty. A few weeks ago I decided to join the Postcrossing revolution. I’ve been watching bloggers (such as Goodnight Little Spoon) and friends have such an old-fashioned-fanciful time, that I decided I wanted to join the merriment. There is something almost magical about receiving in the mail items other than bills or online purchases. (Unfortunately currently reduced, due to art funded budgetary cutbacks.)

So I’ve been sleuthing out postcards. I’ve been planning on designing my own postcards since I started studying design, (so, an idea almost a decade in the making!) but, in the years following I’ve been caught up with so many other little projects, plans, and grandiose ideas. I’ve sleuthed out some classic Australiana numbers, the kind I don’t like myself, but I know others will! I’d like to make some of my own. Sans akubra hats, beer and stereotype.

Postcard purchased in Daylesford

To my current collection of postcards to send off, I’ve been remembering to be a tourist in my local areas and on my day trips, finding paper signposts to add to the map that is the journey of me. And, of course, I’ve been online. I’ve purchased some lovelies from Hello Jenuine and Inaluxe, (a couple of favourites of mine.)

Jen Collins (Hello Jenuine)

Slight problems arise when purchasing from favourite artists’ cards. Including, but not limited to: sticking to a budget, choosing which to keep for myself, and not worrying that I’ll wreck them with a spelling error or ink smudges!

Kristina Sostarko (Inaluxe)

Executive decision has been made, now, to gather the 2B’s and the bank pad, and get a-sketchin’. Make my own to add to my collection ready to post to every corner of the globe. In the mean time, I’ll relish my trips to the letterbox, anticipating in childlike fashion a postcard from a place I can only imagine, from a person who might well be just as lovely as you!

Join in the Postcrossing revolution: here

Inaluxe goes to Belarus: here

I heart collective nouns

2010-09-14T22:22:00.001+10:00

Collective nouns have always inspired me. As a small child I adored the concept of a 'pride' of lions. It is something that still delights my inner child!

So I thought I'd create a new treasury or two on Etsy to reflect my love!

DIY revolution

2010-08-21T22:49:00.000+10:00

Cute kits & dapper DIY...

Feel like being a little crafty but feeling a little uninspired?

Try one of these cute kits!

Green

2010-08-19T23:36:00.001+10:00

My subliminal message to the voting public in relation to the pending Australian election.
See my treasury here.

Not so subliminal: http://greens.org.au/

grrrawwwww!

2010-08-14T16:15:00.002+10:00

Today's treasury was originally inspired by my friend One Clockwork Rabbit's silver ammonite ring.

I got to thinking about dinosaurs and fossils and things, and compiled these yummy prehistory-delights.

Oh treasury, I love you

2010-08-13T18:33:00.001+10:00

A collection inspired by my current romantic notions.

Featuring my pal Georgia from The Narwhals Yawn and her Love is a Battlefield brooch.

And Melbourian Inaluxe's The Midnight Lovers.

Love, love, love!

treasury love

2010-08-13T13:57:00.001+10:00

I decided to create my first treasury last night on Etsy. I think I've found my new favourite web activity!

Sifting through pages of delightful Etsy goodness is always a great way to spend an evening!

I've got a million more ideas now for my 'curations', but for now, I hope you enjoy this one!

yes, I do love Able & Game

2010-06-22T16:51:00.000+10:00

So I'm the first to admit I love following fellow art & crafters on twitter. They can be so inspirational, hilarious, and downright awesome, especially when they offer free stuff!

Able and Game tweeted recently that they would be making a facebook page for one of their cute little guys, and I correctly picked the culprit: mixtape guy, Archie Cassette!

Already a big fan of Anna & Gareth's stuff, I recommend you become a big fan, too! They officially* produce the BEST father's day cards available, ever. I tell almost everyone how much I love Able and Game, but not my friends, I don't want them to be in on my secret, I want to be able to continue to give them the coolest cards out!

On an exciting note, can't wait to attempt to convince my boss to stock some Able & Game cards. Lets see how I go! Shall take my little pack to work and I'm sure she'll be smitten. Thanks, guys!

(*As decided by me, in 2008. I know these things.)

feeling inspired!

2010-06-15T16:22:00.001+10:00

I'm feeling so inspired to get creating after compiling my little package to send to Pip.

I've included in my pack an eyemask I have made- with its little crochet patch, some of my coffee blot cards, three business cards (I couldn't pick a photo, so decided all!) and a teeny piece of green aventurine.

I'm such a hippy.

The envelope I've inked with a sharpie, so I'm curious to see if it fades after a while in the window!

Now, what to get creating on? Inspiration abounds!

letter love

2010-06-12T18:28:00.000+10:00

Have a look at Lovely Pip's Blog. As usual, its adorable, inspirational, and all-round inviting!

She is hosting a genius Envelope Project.

I'm in, and you should be, too!

Might blog about what I'm sending in... I'll think about it!

up close and personal

2010-05-16T18:02:00.000+10:00

There are many things in the works lately, and I've not been here as much as I'd like.

Today, though, I decided that maybe you might like to see a side of me that not many people see...

So here I am, up close and personal!

Well, one of my eyes...

Watch this space (Ohhh, corny eye pun. Cornea... corny... oh, dear.) for more developments on the new and improved Shimmer & Glow.

Coming soon!

scarp books and things in the mail

2010-03-17T19:42:00.000+11:00

scarp /skɑrp/ –noun

1.a line of cliffs formed by the faulting or fracturing of the earth's crust; an escarpment.

2.Fortification. an escarp.

–verb (used with object)

3.to form or cut into a steep slope.

Origin:

1580–90; < It scarpa a slope. See escarp

In the mail:

My new free Moo business cards! Woot!

the Dusty Caravan

2010-03-01T18:21:00.001+11:00

Helping a friend clean up her things before the grad exhibition for fine arts students at RMIT, I had the pleasure of meeting Hollie Marie Kelley, who I thought was just that talented I nicked work she was throwing away. (I should post a picture, its so pretty!)

Upon stealing her 'rejects' I sheepishly told her that I’d have a look at her things on Etsy. Hollie was the first fellow Etsy seller I had met, and, needless to say, I thought her things were pretty darn good!

I haven’t yet purchased something from Hollie (I blame the artists budget) but I can hold firm to another promise- a bit of a blog shout out!

It looks like Hollie is going places in the art & craft world, and I wish her all the best!

Links to Hollie’s Dusty Caravan BLOG & ETSY

I can’t talk about RMIT graduates without blogging about my awesome buddy Beka, and the delightful George. So more to come!

neglected art

2010-02-19T13:53:00.000+11:00

February has been a month of many things. An anniversary of tragedy, a time to reflect, and on a less serious note, a time to fall in love… with my iPhone. Having discovered I hold the interweb in the palm of my hand, I’m absolutely delighted by the fact that I can do so many wonderful things while standing in queues, lying in bed, taking a break at work… the list in endless! Turning on the computer seems so passé, so …2009. Then I realized, while I have been able to email on the go, tweet, status update and flickr upload, I’ve been neglecting my journeying of visual delights, and, more importantly, rolling by the wayside my creative endeavors! So, in an attempt to foil the evil plans of my iPhone, I shall be back, online and on art, and not checking out the latest apps to download! (Though, feel free to recommend some...)

Last weekend was a crafty, ziney kind of day with my delightful friend Amelia. We entered the Degraves Street subway for a zine fair -Festival of the Photocopier- that was visually delightful, and potentially a drain on our purses! Above, photos of my haul.

Above: My app addiction: Matryoshka

(I've been theming my Dolls, above I've gone B&W- A poolga iPhone background, a photo of street art & a Kerry Smith image I had on my phone.)

Have even planned my next post, so I’ll be back soon, talking about Dusty Caravan!

whimsical interlude

2010-01-03T20:44:00.000+11:00

It's not often I return from the supermarket and think to myself "Well, now, that was poetry." Just moments ago- I did, and I did. What prompted this overtly enthusiastic delight in a trip to pick up icecream and ham? (Neither items for me, oddly enough.) It was not the joy of being of service to my icecream and ham desiring family. It was not the smooth ride of my beloved tired Toyota, It was the whole scene, it was perfectly written, it was my very own plastic bag in the wind.

let me set the stage by first discussing the soundtrack. Normally I have on something to promote car karaoke, something 80's, something I wouldn't listen to were there other occupants in the car. Tonight, however, I was listening to a modern classical (Oxymoron?) cd, which gave the journey very slight French undertones. (A very difficult job when situated in the western suburbs of Melbourne.) Add to this the soft focus created by tiredness, a kind of blur that melted into the music, that almost made me a little too relaxed. We've set the scene, except to say that in a Pleasantvillesque way, my car was surrounded by neighbourhood children. (Just call me Maria.)

So drive I do, for I'm off to the supermarket. The curvy roads approaching the main road may have added to the overall poetic fuzz, but I spot, much to the delight of the whole scene, a teenaged boy, wearing a green outfit of cape, tshirt, shorts and cap, galloping across the road in front of me. I giggle, he pauses, and does a spectacular superman salute, charming grin and all. Classical music plays on.

Venturing further toward the icecream and ham shop, I notice three young women, packing the back of a dishevel-filled car. In time with the music, one of the girls swoops up another unaware, and gracefully twirls and dips her, before smirking in a green superheroesque way. I giggle again at the cosmic choreography.

I really don't currently have a grasp on the English language enough for me to explain just how much of an arthouse movie scene this moment was. But when I approached home, supplies ready, I couldn't help but appreciate even more the waves and smiles, dancing and heroism from the neighbours. How surreal.

It's GIVEAWAY time!

2009-11-28T14:36:00.000+11:00

I’m feeling festive, so I’ve decided to give away a 2010 Coffee Blot Calendar and mini card pack! Woot!

Click on the SHOP button to the right, or visit my store: http://www.shimmerandglow.etsy.com/ for more information, or to purchase!

How to enter:

Leave a comment explaining what you would like to see illustrated on gift cards for 2010 and why (Themes, images, text, etc).

Blog about this giveaway! Remember to include the photo above and a link to the giveaway on your blog or site. Then comment here with a link back to your post!

Entries close on December 10th 2009 at 12:00pm AEDT

meet mister GOCCOMAN

2009-11-24T16:18:00.000+11:00

Under Construction...

2009-11-09T20:32:00.000+11:00

I am a fusspot. I can never find a layout I like when I set up my blog. I blame the fact that I studied graphic design- I want everything to look perfect, or I'll see something new and I want my to look JUST as pretty! So feel free to let me know what you think of this layout, and the layouts I have had in the past! I'll probably change it again next week, so feel free to let me know at any time what you think!

G O C C O

2009-11-09T16:44:00.001+11:00

I am a happy little pixie right now!

I just bought a gocco.

Yes, a GOCCO!

I'm so very excited! It is on its way, possibly flying over the crystal clear waters of Japan as I type! I'm tempted to buy more bulbs and screens straight away, but I should wait and meet my new toy first!

Dont know what a gocco is? Try here for more info!

IMAGE CREDITS

I've been away with the fairies!

2009-10-27T17:36:00.000+11:00

Greetings from relaxed, contented, sunny Melbourne! I've not posted for a while now, I'm feeling a little tardy! I've been busy-busy-busy, ever so busy, getting ORGANISED!

Yesterday I posted my first international order to SWITZERLAND, which has had me more than a little excited!

Today I've signed up to MADEIT.com.au, and I'm spreading my Shimmer & Glow love there, too!
So anyone from Australia, or looking to buy Australian, TA DA!

I promise I'll try and get back into blogging.

Till then,

May contentment and joy be abundant for you!

soon!

2009-09-22T15:08:00.000+10:00

I'm thinking about zines

2009-09-12T18:48:00.000+10:00

For the cutest 'how to' zine video ever click to see Sam Proof!

coffee bunnies

2009-09-11T19:59:00.003+10:00

2009-09-09T21:11:00.003+10:00

2009-09-09T14:52:00.000+10:00

thanks, Borders

2009-09-09T11:07:00.005+10:00

Technically, I rarely actually watch tv. Most of the time I am curled up in a snuggle ball on the couch, well equipped with a cup of tea or coffee (Depending on how close to sleep I am!) and with whatever art supplies I feel I wont spill on the couch. In these contented times I love exploring 'doodle' books and projects, like things by Keri Smith, or Scribble Sheets. I've found a cute new book, though, and it is, like those I mentioned, pretty delightful! The Art Doodle Book has little tidbits of artists work as a launch pad for your own doodling pleasure. Monday night doodles feature above.

But the extra special thing? The Art Doodle Book was a bargain $8.95*... I had no excuse BUT to purchase it. Finds like these make my week!

*I promise I wont get in the habit of doing faux spruiking for big corporate conglomerbomernations... I figure that I can't keep this bargain to myself, the world needs to know!

no words

2009-08-30T20:23:00.005+10:00

here

things are...

2009-08-16T18:46:00.003+10:00

I awoke this morning with my tummy telling me it could really go a bowl of Just Right. Feeling I should be kind to my taste buds, I headed off to the supermarket and purchased a box. This pre-fast breaking venture gave me time to contemplate... Humm, "Just right?"

I realised that I was having an almost zen moment. I thought to myself "It's how things a going- just right. I'm not saying life is without fault, or I'm on cloud nine..." but I realised for the first time in a long time that I had a sense of clarity and understanding that had previously been lacking.

So now I'm in the zone. I'm reorganising my freelance illustration work, I'm assertive, I'm 'just right'.

And how are you?

dear right hand

2009-07-23T10:14:00.006+10:00

...We have known each other for over 26 years now. I know I have made you work hard over the years; deadlines, cuts, glue, paint and ink. I've worked in ice cream shops as a teenager where I was dipping you in sinks of bleach. I know I've not been the kindest to you. I don't moisturise you very often, and you need a fresh manicure. You have dermatitis and what feels like a premature arthritic ache, (even if I do sound a little Hypochondriac Georgette from Amelie) but still, I make you work. I know you don't like the cold, and go puffy at the first signs of effort. I just wanted to say you are doing an awesome job. If this means you'll stop aching, our friendship shall remain intact our lifetime. No more old lady fingers, please?

I love you and your work and look forward to our continuing partnership.

Love,

Brain.

PS. Please pass this message on to wrist.

sunday excursion

2009-07-18T17:31:00.004+10:00

[Click here for linkage]

...bring on the inspiration!

...and feel better soon, Melly-girl!

Miss Nic

2009-07-16T13:52:00.003+10:00

I had fifteen minutes of drawing mojo

last night at my burlesque life drawing class.

This is the product of mojo time.

leaves and millenials

2009-07-13T22:27:00.009+10:00

I've started somewhat of an online debate with my friends in regard to where we stand in the generational pool. I've naively always thought of myself as a Gen Xer, growing up a Reality Bites loving, Cold War far-away-observing kid. Apparently, though, Baby Booming offspring that I am, I'm actually part of Generation Y.

I want to wail, I really do. "Why.....?"

I dont fit in sociologically. Surely. I don't 'do' Generation Y pop culture. ...Why?

So I 'updated my status' today on Gen Y compatible Facebook. To my friends, family and those I barely recall, I've bemoaned: Can we negotiate some kind of middle generation between X and Y? Can I be an 'X and a 1/2', or a '>Y'? Please? So far, seven hours later, we are on 41 responses. Clearly I'm not the only disillusioned Gen Yer. I am saddened that the generation in which I fall is best illustrated by a butt crack. Now, I realise, like everything else, that I'm not articulate when it comes to explaining quite what I mean. HOWEVER, I have found a solution, that should stop-gap for the mean time. It seems there is a 'Cold Y' generation, squished crudely in between X and Y- not unlike what I'd wished for, that seems to show a clear distinction in generational influence and attitude. That said, however, I come to a point now where I'm contemplating, how much of who I am is defined by the time in which I live? Can the Silent Generation look on to the Baby Boomers and wonder where they went wrong, so on, so forth, til we come through to today? There seems to be so much finger pointing, guilt placed on generations other than our own... heck, I don't show much pride for my own generation! Will this change when the whole of the generation has reached adulthood? I do hope so.

Do I do much else other than constantly ask questions?

I have a new self inking date stamp!

kitty love

2009-07-11T21:16:00.002+10:00

In her old age, Coco lets me get away with just about anything! Isn't she the cutest?

new addiction

2009-07-03T23:49:00.005+10:00

can't. stop.

See me on The Scribble Project!

[like this one much better than the first]

The Scribble Project

2009-07-03T16:30:00.003+10:00

My virgin scribble sheet

and the 5 minute bird to trial my new field kit.

name.game.shame

2009-07-02T23:10:00.004+10:00

Executive decision for 11:11pm, Thursday 2nd of July...

I'm going to involve myself in The Scribble Project.

Even if I send off my scribbles and hear nothing back, I love (with sickly little hearts on the tops of my 'i's) the concept- Check out their blog, you might too! I'll upload my scribbles when I email them off to The Project. (I like the use of capital letters there...)

suburban animals & ungraceful segues

2009-06-26T11:13:00.008+10:00

To commence, I'd just like to inform you that this post may not even have a semblance of clarity.

As I was watching Harpo bury his beloved bone in a pile of leaves, having a little chortle over his old-dog-logic, I started thinking back to yesterdays venture out into the rain as I did the quasi-Mum school run. I venture out to my wheels and see…
...Under my car sat a gasquillion birds. Little tiny things, they were, and possibly a few less that a gasquillion, maybe more like thirty. I’ve decided they were jacky winters, after a little googlemesearching. Robin-ish sparrow-ish kinds of birds. And THIS takes my mind on a further path of wonderment, away from cute little fluffies to…

The Jacky Winter Group, who represent Australian illustrators, possibly the greatest collective of talent I know exists. They represent artists such as the amazing Kat McLeod, Lilly Piri and James Gulliver Hancock. They also have The Hatch, young and emerging artists... humm... inspired much? Paints, paints, where are my paints? Pencils and pastels, oh my!

down the rabbit hole

2009-06-22T22:19:00.002+10:00

Highly recommended by the girl who served me at Video Ezy: What the bleep do we know

Now highly recommended by me. Watch it. Then watch it again. Then talk to someone who knows something about physics, and watch it again.

...And feel alive!

vintage me merchandise

2009-06-19T15:01:00.005+10:00

I wonder... is this the 'Corinne' discovery of the decade? Every little girl wants her very own doll. Is is more than a little strange that there was a doll, my namesake, designed in the sixties in Italy, to be just about as geeky as me? I'm more than a little baffled by that adorable likeness (Who knew I'd look so good in plastic?) and now I'm thinking it's time for me to troll the interweb for my very own... doll of me!

I was aware of a ghost town in the US, but to find a doll? Priceless...

My friend Amelia has a chocolate bar... maybe so do I! Let me see...

Paris est arrivé aujourd'hui dans ma boîte de lettre

2009-06-16T22:05:00.005+10:00

Paris arrived today! I've been excitedly checking the letterbox for news of Kylie for some time now. I miss my old friend so! And she has been gone forever... I'm oh-so jealous of her cultured travels, and cannot wait to be in her shoes sipping lattes and looking at "gorgeous French men on scooters with scarves". (Well maybe not her shoes, her feet are too big...)

I imagine myself when I get to Parisland chocolat chaud- I'll have the afore mentioned wooden field kit, and I can sit and paint like many an artist before me...

I love love love fortune cookies...

"You never lose by loving, you only lose by holding back"

[the feather was living in my scanner so I thought I'd make it work for its accommodation.]

"Paris arrived aujourd' today in my box of letter"

Translations courtesy of Babel Fish

inspiration. disordered.

2009-06-15T22:12:00.006+10:00

So many thoughts, so little time.

Annette Messager is one amazing artist. Up until 24 hours ago, I'm almost certain I'd not heard of her. Today, however, I am awarding her with a Corinspiration award for fueling my creative fire. Her early works are representative of explorations, on a path not unlike mine; the concept of finding art everywhere, of making every moment magic. I'll need to spend many more hours in the dusty recesses of the interweb before I make any final conclusions, but gee golly wiz, I'm impressed. [many millions of thanks to Beka for having a broader knowledge of the world of art than I!]

Yumminess in a box: My new FIELD KIT

[Mine is actually in a small plastic box, but in my minds eye it looks a little more like the picture above...]

I was at life drawing last week sitting next to a woman who had her field kit out. Her illustrations were just amazing. I've decided the answer can be found as to the 'hows' of this amazingness simply by purchasing and using little chunks of dry paint. Bring on the whimsy! [Promise to post said amazingness if it happens to be produced whilst using said paints...]

Drawings of life, etc.

[Nota Bene: The above indian ink delights are not mine. They are that of the late Mr Duncan Grant of the Bloomsbury Set. I'm destined to go into more detail about the Bloomsbury's, Inspiration in themselves.]

I happen to have some delightful friends, from whom inspiration is plentiful. Whether it be through conversations on art, or conversations regarding the real-life philosophical applications of advertising [You know who you are...], I've found much to delight in in the people I surround myself with. 'A', my mutual muse, is offering contemplation rich in the stuff of art, the thoughts, the beauty, the doubt. Now how to extract those ideas, how to put them into art words. Only time will tell.

The new man in my life.

He's built, he's flexible, he's a Stikfas Alpha Male.

And he's all mine.

Why yes, that isn't me.

Cookie Inspiration:

"Forget injuries. never forget kindness"

4 28 13 29 30 27

And hardly a carb in sight.

Fortune Cookies = Diet Food.

Today's Corinspirations

were proudly brought to you by the letter: Coffee.

Rubenesque

2009-06-11T17:27:00.004+10:00

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/ny/in-my-bedroom/in-my-bedroom-dan-monick-scott-nobles-siri-kaur-submit-your-own-069640

bo130

2009-05-19T15:05:00.001+10:00

Coincidence? I think not...

2009-04-16T15:52:00.007+10:00

I think I'll call this phenomenon Jesus Juxtaposition.*
Hopefully this mysterious anomaly has been sighted, photographed and documented by others.

Feel free to forward your images.

If we gather enough evidence we can query the Vatican on this paradox...

*This is a working title. I'm thinking that when pronounced 'Hey, Zeus!' it doesn't have the same ring to it... I'll stick with the alliteration for now...

Inspired

2009-04-16T15:08:00.008+10:00

Dismally distracted by life, I have been less than productive on my journey back to art. Miss Meels- my old housemate and curator in the making-is among a select few who are eager to see me produce a piece or two. As a nudge under the ribs, (But mostly out of curiosity and wonder) we drove to St Kilda to see the studio of Miranda Skoczek. Immediately I was struck by Miranda’s larger-than-life, approachable character. Bespectacled with regulation ‘Artists Glasses’, Miranda was extremely open and willing to discuss her work, all things eclectic; culture and the arts.
In preparation for an exhibition, Rhythm and Emotion, Miranda looked surprisingly paint free. (If she has a super apron with an invisible shield I need to know when to get myself one!) Over the course of the visit to Miranda’s studio, I grew more and more inspired. As Miranda discussed the pieces she was preparing for the show, I admit I was a little in awe.

Inspired

Thank you Miranda & Meels!

Oh, and Miranda has a doily thing too, was quite impressed to see...

Taxidermy as Art...?

2009-04-09T20:30:00.008+10:00

AS FAR as art goes, I'm the kind of gal that normally keeps well within the boundaries. I don't work with bodily fluids or refuse - I keep within the socially excepted 'norm'. However, when invited along to a taxidermy class with a fabulous fine arts friend, I discovered the result of the class, my little mouse, was far more taboo than I'd first thought. But was that taboo seeded by those around me, or was it something I was harbouring myself?

When first discussing the class, I had my own Scrubs moment. The whole little talking mouse aside, my imagination floating away with me. Sadly my PoMo assessment of taxidermy fell directly to a television series. Given slightly more thought, my mind read something along the lines of 'taxidermy = museum. Museum = science-slash-art.' So far so clear? A little more adventuring and I'm thinking 'Antiquated/Gothic (era)/Edgar Allan Poe.' These curiosities have always fascinated me.

During the class I discover I'm one of the only people partaking who is not a vegetarian. There are discussions as to the implications of these Veges taking part, and I wonder at this. What makes this little segue-from-normality OK for me? I'm one of those non-Veg who has an occasional burst of guilt at her meat-eating ways. I love little lambies, remember fondly times spent with my grandfather and his lambs (grown for their wool), yet cannot associate the cute little fluffy things and my roast meat.

However, This guilt I was feeling as I continued with the dissection and stuffing was coupled with an utter fascination at what I was seeing, the new understanding I was reaching, an awe of life. I thanked my little mouse for sharing himself with me, for teaching me. I'm left to wonder now, though, at all of my artistic endeavours. What are the wider social, environmental and moral implications for what I am doing?

I'm lost until I can figure out...

2009-04-07T15:18:00.001+10:00

... why I cannot upload images.

Dear Mr and Mrs Blogspot,

I need to upload images!
Please help!

Kind Regards,

Corinne.

(I'd upload an image of my signature to sign off, only I cant...)

2009-04-01T16:01:00.002+11:00

my hair is being held up perfectly by a blue pencil.
The universe is in alignment.

fine art manifesto

2009-04-01T15:10:00.002+11:00

I need to figure out what it is I am trying to get out.
I need to know the sum of my parts.
I need to know what I'm all about and what I love so I can create to my little hearts content.

I'm trying to find a life drawing class.

Incubator Inspiration

2009-03-17T16:27:00.004+11:00

Adventure in the pouring rain to the Melbourne Stitches and Craft Show with awesome B and her fine arts friend G. The anticipation for said adventure had been building for many days. We ladies like our craft, and we are not afraid to say it! [Craft is such a dirty word.]

So I have to make several rounds of the 'Incubator' section of the show- where local craft royalty have come to plant seeds of inspiration whilst offering copious amounts of fabric and felted wares- I fell in love all over again with creativity.

Among the talent: Ink & Spindle, Two Cheese Please, Dear Fii, Mixtape Zine, Ric Rac (including awesome selvage sewing masterpieces), Audrey and Maude and Vince Design and Letterpress.

Above (in my less than delightful photograph) you'll see some Ink and Spindle fabric, and my very own Felt Donut pin cushion, made as part of a 'Craft Lab' with Holly from Two Cheese Please. I would love to have asked her a million questions about her creative path, but would never have been able to hear her over the rain!

So I walked away contented- I'd had the most awesome crepe for lunch, my curls had been drenched into a semblance of normality, and I was loaded up with new bits of fabric and ideas flowing...

"You have no power over me!"

2009-03-05T18:42:00.000+11:00

When in doubt, Art.

2009-03-03T19:00:00.005+11:00

three minute sketchbook love.

I've been focusing on my art of late, as it is something I feel I have a handle on.

Art and I- meant to be together.

Wondering if I know of anyone willing to be a life model?

Contemplating going back to Fine Arts at uni... Then dip ed...

Had such a huge day. A memorial service for three people can never truly be everything you hope would honor those departed.
Am a little overwhelmed by the human condition, in that... while there is kindness everywhere, some people manage to bring inappropriate vibes/attitudes/connections. Value my loved ones, those dear to me more than ever. But realise that blood is not thicker than water.

Crochet Number 2- A slight improvement on Number one.

2009-02-28T18:43:00.000+11:00

Doppelgänger

2009-02-24T17:32:00.006+11:00

I’d love to be able to tell you how it all happened in some well structured prose, but today I’m far from a wordsmith, so let’s just put it all out there. I stole a dog. Yes, stole it. Is there any way to explain or justify the fact that I really, sincerely, thought it was Harpo? I’m not far from home, headed there with M. She sees the ball of fluff, too. She can verify how happy said fluff-ball seemed to be when he saw me, how he came when I called him, how contented he was when he got in the car. How was I to know I had the wrong dog? Driving along I kept looking at the mutt- Yep, he was a Maltese Terrier, Yep, has just been trimmed, yes, has a ludicrous look on his face. Of course it’s him!
How was I to know that that look was simply a reflection of the one that was about to hit my own face? I was a little bashful arriving home; I’ll admit I was proud of myself for finding our daft doggy taking himself a-walking.

G: That’s not our dog, I just walked past our dog...
T: that thing looks nothing like our dog! (and later comment; “even Ray Charles could see that hippo was not our dog")

At this stage I’m filled with opposing thoughts, coming out as confusion and laughter. I put Harpo down, he walks himself to the back door, goes outside... To find Harpo. The laughter soon has me unable to stand, so I’ve got Harpo and his stunt double walking around me gleefully, they’ve both got that “I’ve hit the jackpot” look on their faces, as though there was great mates back in Malta.
Returning the dog was a little anticlimactic, despite the fact that it was to cause more giggles. I’m still laughing now. How can I not recognize my Harpy?

comfort

2009-02-16T21:47:00.003+11:00

...the whole nation has been through loss and pain due to the fires in Victoria (not to mention the droughts and flooding rains). I personally have been pained by the loss of two beautiful brothers and my step Mum to the horrible events of this week past. Obviously my mind has been racing, and my thoughts are so many and varied, but now I'm going to reflect on one of the things I did to journey through the week. Not the watching of many-a-documentary at 2, 3 & 4am (Thank you: The REAL da Vinci Code, Microcosmos, Paperclips, 7 Marvels of the Industrial World, et al), rather the creation of one made-with-love doily. To those of you who think crochet is for the bebluerinsed of the world, I say 'Pah!' Granted, my little lacework looks a bit shabby, however considering the fact that this is my first attempt at graduating from Granny Squares, and my inability to concentrate on the pattern due to said thoughts, I'm pleased with what I have achieved.

So while I compile in my head all those things I would like to say in celebration of my three lost love ones, I can take comfort in the pattern on my next project- a better looking doily.

I'm so very grateful for the love and support of my family and friends.

I love you very much!

Remember to take the time out of your day to say those three little words.

One shop, many classics

2009-02-06T19:41:00.006+11:00

Hot Poppy

2009-02-05T18:11:00.005+11:00

I’m currently on hold... Knowing it’s bound to be a while, I decided to use my time wisely. So here I am. So much to talk about, such little time! Let me hark back to a delightful day, not so long ago...
Firstly, I want to vocalise my love of Hot Poppy (Errol Street, North Melbourne) publicly. Let it be known, Hot Poppy I love you so! After having lived and frequently Latte’d in pretentious Toorak, dining in North Melbourne is a breath of fresh air. You’ve got your eclectic artistic types, (Those who couldn’t find a place in Fitzroy or St Kilda, I assume) soccer mums and be-suited middle aged men incapable of parallel parking, all reasonably well united in the one location. You’ve also got access to the best, most splendid, spectacular, divine pancakes I’ve ever tasted. (I’d love to boast the world, but I am yet to complete my Parma’n’Pancake world tour.)
So (this is where the ‘secondly’ bit comes in...) out of the blue comes an offer from my delightful friend, Hot Poppy in exchange for driving her to her car, abandoned the night before after one too many. Had I have not been distracted by my watering mouth, I would have told said friend that such an exchange was unnecessary. Of course I would drive my friend almost anywhere she wanted, and with no cost! Some people make your day better just by being around, surely that would be ‘payment’ enough?
Needless to say I accepted, but insist I had every intention of paying! Truly I did...
So what made this event so boast-worthy? Other than the menu? It was the fact that it was so normal. The time spent with car-less friend equated to the prefect day out. We had the perfect ratio happening of sun to breeze, nostalgia to dreaming, laughter to sadness. It was quintessential friendship, topped with excellent food, a bit of a wander, and an eventual trip to Borders. (aka commercialised mecca) So with synthesized hold music being forced into my consciousness, I’m distracted by one of those times in life where the ‘everyday’ is a joy.

pre-coffee thought

2009-01-07T08:26:00.001+11:00

New (Australian) money smells like crayons.

chain store coffee

2009-01-06T08:18:00.002+11:00

...comes complete with my own personal sparrow. He's really rather cute and I'm thinking maybe I can introduce him to my Mum's love birds and see if I can make some freaky hybrids.

It is way too early in the morning to say anything intelligent, and I still have one major dud-eye, Cat hair in my eye last night caused a minor crisis, but was solved with wonderful drops and tablets. Medicine is great. The drive to buy it was tricky, with one eye half effective!

I miss my internet access and hope soon to get more of a fix than $2 for 20 minutes with my morning coffee!

(When in Rome, Meels...)

$184

2008-12-18T19:09:00.009+11:00

...a little music to my sweet ears. An ode to tomorrows day of pay,(also known as the reason I'm going to work) I'd like to call... How I'll spend you. Prose in progress. It all starts with too much at threadless. I'm thinking of following it with some jewellery from a crafty Etsyer. I really should buy a new handbag... and I need a laptop... which would take all my money earned through nothingness.. and a hair cut and colour. Oh my!

Question of the day: What do men REALLY mean when they say... well... anything?

The gospel according to Bowie

2008-12-16T18:58:00.007+11:00

Exactly where does the definition of 'vandal' fall in regard to 'street art'? Gracelessly put down your brushes and cans, oh humble and struggling artists, for your expression and temporary communication is no longer valid. Perspex comes to those who manage to sell their works to the rich, to whom 'art' is naming ones child with multiple consonants added to any 'unique' phonetic sounds at any one time. Banksy, rich man-of-the-paint in question, is un-doubtably a key figure in our post post post modernerness society.

However.

It comes with the territory.

It is a statement.

the 'vandalism' is art, breaking unspoken rules.

So... we should all feel slightly more liberated than we did now than when the perspex went up. I hope nothing is touched and the streetscape is left to evolve.

The gospel according to David Bowie:

Ch-ch-ch-ch-Changes

(Turn and face the strain)

Ch-ch-Changes

Don't want to be a richer man

Ch-ch-ch-ch-Changes

(Turn and face the strain)

Ch-ch-Changes

Just gonna have to be a different man

Time may change me

But I can't trace time

It worked for David Robert Jones.

Little Miracles

2008-11-24T15:37:00.003+11:00

Post-post modern feminist gazes and patriarchal discourse have managed to cement one fine looking grade after all.

Amelia- More musings when I have finished the final essays and converted my overall mark to a Pass!

Oh, and I see you an Italian vista and raise you a ghost town... http://www.ghosttowns.com/states/ut/corinne.html

just be...

2008-11-11T18:20:00.003+11:00

Sometimes it takes an age to realise the things we need to change. Sometimes these same things slap us in the face and we realise how our ways wronged* us- But other times we carry on, carry on.

We so easily
break
our own hearts
well before we
open
them to others

But every now and then we release control, and just be.

Tomorrow I hope to just be as much as I am in this moment.

*although... It is all so right- More on that another wistful day...

Oui. Non.

2008-11-10T21:26:00.001+11:00

OK, say it in French.

It will sound so much prettier, and I'll have no idea.

Choice

2008-11-08T22:18:00.005+11:00

Choice, in a non-kiwi-speak way, is utterly open to interpretation.

Is choice a sign of freedom?

Is every choice you make ultimately the right choice?

Is it choice blindness? ("... a phenomenon in which subjects fail to detect conspicuous mismatches between their intended (and expected) choice and the actual outcome.")

I want to? I choose to? I have to?

www.toothpastefordinner.com

a log for laughs

2008-11-05T21:58:00.001+11:00

Indeed it shall be.
Musings and confusings.