in black

A black calico version of pattern b from Sewing Talk by Michiko Kayaki. This time I left the bottom edge of the top loose rather than using elastic. I think it might be good in warm weather that way. I've been meaning to make this for weeks. The third pic is a gorgeous little wooden hand painted brooch I bought at a junk stall in the Dandedong Ranges about a year ago. I like it against the rich blackness of the calico. Warning for those sewing with black calico for the first time: pre-wash with salt and vinegar before sewing because you might find, like I did, that a fair bit of colour will run out the first time you wash otherwise. Eventually it will stop and all will be good. Promise.

shots of blue

Sharyn Cairns creates the most beautiful photography, many shots infused with gorgeous hues of blue. The pics above are mine where I've tried to apply a similar idea. They're not a scratch on Sharyn's photography but were fun to play with. The Design Files has a story on Sharyn and some of her work, including some of her exquisite photograhy from Inside Out. Take a look if you're in need of a shot of inspiration.

small wonders

This beautiful piece of design in Madrid is called Unlimited Space: the Ceramic House and is the work of architect Héctor Ruiz-Velázquez. What I love about it is how space is used in such a wise way. There is clever layering of rooms minimising the need to have a large footprint. This is a topic I feel very strongly about as our cities continue to sprawl and suck up the natural environment on their peripheries. I am passionate supporter of designing and building smaller and smarter.

More pics here at the ever inspiring Daily Icon.

movement

This morning's sunrise through the bare branches of our neighbour's crazy old wisteria vine.Bright sunny yellow wattle flower. I just love this time of year. The early signs of spring are popping up everywhere. I saw a magnolia tree beginning to flower in my street a couple of days ago. Who doesn't love a magnolia in flower? So sculptural to look at.
Even the camelias (not my favourite plant) are looking good.

in blue

It never ceases to amaze me what a beautiful piece of software Photoshop is. I don't even know a fraction of what it can really do for me but the fact that I can take some rough hand drawn patterns like these dashes of mine and then make a variety of repeats in different colourways like this just fills me with joy. Is that nerdy or what?

There is a birthday in our house today. If I'm organised enough there will be a Jamie chocolate tart for dessert tonight. Got to get my skates on!

dash

Swirls of dashes in repeat on paper. I'm testing the repeat before I commit it to fabric.

This recent cold weather has found me cooking and eating apple, rhubarb and pear pudding with fresh cream. I'm not sure there is anything better on a cold night. Except perhaps the pea and ham soup that was eaten before it.

And speaking of foodie things I recently had the joy of eating the best eggs benedict ever at the newly opened Aquarium Cafe, 382 High St, Northcote.

Have you seen 'I am Love' (lo sono l'amore) yet? If not, do! You won't be disappointed. It's epic, it's gorgeous, it's Italian and it has Tilda. What more can you want in a film?

light

Happy winter solstice to everyone in the southern hemisphere (and happy summer solstice to those in the north)!!! From tomorrow we will begin to have longer days with more daylight. Although I love winter I don't mind having a bit more light once we pass the solstice.

Here are some more pics of our new wild fennel art piece from Spacecraft. They also have a blog now.