Crayon Chick

Making pictures

2012-02-06T15:26:00.007+11:00

Lock up your magazines, I've got scissors and I'm not afraid to use them!

I've been in a very happy place making pictures. What is not to love about this activity, I get to compose beautiful new pictures from beautiful papers and pages. I focus on colour, on texture, on lines and shapes. I get to fiddle around adjusting this, tweaking that, swapping this picture for that and then back again. I get to use scissors and a glue stick - which in itself is happiness right there! I love the 'old school' scissors and glue sticks for some good old fashioned collage work.

And the results are pretty mosaics that are all my favourites and will be hard to part with. I've used original images, no reproductions, and each one is an original artwork, a one-of-a-kind. Yes, very hard to part with.

But then I look in my studio workroom and see the 2 towering piles of hoarded magazines, papers, clippings and books, and the boxes of general paper-based ephemera and I know there's a new favourite lurking in there somewhere just waiting for the scissors and glue stick to come out again.

The Date .... the end!

2012-01-31T14:16:00.005+11:00

And that was my summer project. No excuse not to get my tax done now. Or any of the other jobs 'left to do over the summer break' which I've totally ignored.

Some of the numbers were pretty easy to see, and I think some of my favourites were the ones that found me. Cleaning out a cupboard, sitting down to sew, taking a lunch break (in fact, quite a few 'appeared' at lunchtime), looking for something unrelated to the project, and of course my walks in the neighbourhood. I'm the type that goes for a walk with my head swivelled to either the left or right to see what's happening in gardens.

Apparently I can get a poster made through Printstagram with my Instagram photos. The only problem is I need 50 images. So the big question to keep me company this afternoon is whether to stop this project today - it is The Date, after all - or keep going to 50.

I might just have to put the kettle on to think about that one.

The Date ... updated, and refreshed

2012-01-23T15:20:00.007+11:00

Oh look, here's another week. Is it just me or is this month just flying by? Looking back at the week and I feels like it was much longer than a mere 7 days, some of these pictures were taken inside because it was too dull and dreary to go outside, and others were hot enough for a decent case of heat stroke. Soothed very quickly by something cold and refreshing.

With condensation dripping down the sides of the icy glass.

Hope you're enjoying your January days!

The Date ... and some Sunday sewing

2012-01-15T15:25:00.006+11:00

So here's the challenge, somewhere between waking up and eating breakfast I wonder where the day's date for my summer project will pop up. I look at the stuff in front of me, I think about what I've seen on my walk, and sometimes I settle into an activity and there it is right in front of me.

Like today. After a dreary week of almost winter weather I thought by whipping up a new summer frock I'd somehow channel the return of summer. Ta day, it's a sunny day, a mild 21 degrees with blue blue skies. I'd like to think my voodoo sewing charmed the sun back somehow! At the very least I saw The Date just sitting there, on my tape measure, proudly presenting the date to me.

I like little things like that! Noticing. It's not a bad thing to (ahem) notice!

Can you see my Tivoli radio all lit up in the background? I love listening to test cricket on the ABC, the perfect sewing companion!

PS I finished the dress and I'm wearing it as I type. We're about to go to the movies and my whipped up summer frock is on it's first outing!

The Date .... up to date!

2012-01-10T16:21:00.004+11:00

I tell you what - a summer project is fun! This morning I went for my early walk and where I would normally have my ear plugs in and listening to some boppy tunes to keep the pace up, instead I kept the music off. It was just the sounds of my footsteps on the path and it was wonderful. Even the back-to-work traffic was quiet, hardly a car on the road. And every house I walked by was sleepy quiet. It's bliss. I love this time of the year when everyone has left town - where have they all gone? - and the mornings are so wonderful peaceful.

Except for my steps. Turns out without music playing my sneakers aren't that .... well, sneaky!

In a weird way this peace is inspiring.

What's been inspiring you this summer?

The Date .... and Book Club

2012-01-05T14:55:00.007+11:00

I've got a few rules about my summer project, the numbers are revealed to me in spooky ways through the day. And by spooky I mean I employ all manner of 'artistic licence' to make connections! Such as FINALLY finding time to sit back and indulge in some new novel reading and getting up to chapter 4 before stopping to make a cup of tea. Chapter 4 .... on the 4th! Ta-dah, project material!

Today I'm doubling up - I've got the 4th and the 5th to share.

And what a fabulous novel it is. A new Christmas book. Santa did well. Jo, you'll love this as the perfect beach book!

You know I'm mad for Man Men. You may not have known how mad I was for Paper Giants, a wonderful drama on the ABC this year about the birth of Cleo magazine, Ita Buttrose, Kerry Packer and all the music and fashion of the early 70's.

The dust cover of my new wonderful novel - Freudian Slip by Marion Von Adlerstein - says "Man Men ... Paper Giants ... The Freudian Slip. Looking back has never been so entertaining. A deliciously witty novel about three very different women, all trying to make their own way in a man's world."

Clever Santa didn't miss a beat, this had my name all over it and that's before I gush over the sheer perfection of the font and frock on the cover!

I loved Cleo. There's a fabulous blog post about Paper Giants and Cleo at Absolute Beginners

Those frocks! Mad Men gals from Couture Allure

And in a massive effort not to read anything online as I browse for pictures (spoilers, sweetie!) I did notice season 5 is due to air in the States in March. Spooky coincidence - I learn about season 5 ... on the 5th!

You knew he'd turn up!

The Date .... and Paddle Pops

2012-01-03T15:07:00.007+11:00

The third!

As my man pops down to the shop for a Paddle Pop - and there's my childhood summers right there on a stick! - I'm wondering if it's cooler inside the house or out.

Today I've picked up new glasses from the optometrist. I'm a little self-conscious, I'm not a natural glasses wearer, or hat wearer come to think of it. I'm under instruction to wear them often to get used to them so I guess I'll be over that little foible before long.

Today I chatted with my local nursery blokes about tomato russet mites. Seems I have them. Bugger.

This morning I noticed the return of the rumbling traffic droning away in the background with the end of the public holidays. I can't get over how beautifully quiet it is early in the morning on public holidays.

Paddle Pop Chair by Porch

Paddlepop stick art! By Nathalie Chikhi on pikaland

More paddle pop stick art by Nathalie Chikhi

The Date cont. - 2nd

2012-01-02T13:16:00.007+11:00

I'm fully committed to my summer project - otherwise how else would you describe a nut wandering around the neighbourhood hunting images led by her iPhone camera like it's some divining stick when it's nearly 40 degrees!

40 degrees. Yep, it's hot. Hello Summer, you've been holding out on us.

What I'm enjoying about this project is that it's (quite literally) marking the days. I still can't believe how last week just seemed to evaporate without me even noticing the days pass. I'm not going to lose time like that again in a hurry. And I'm going to use this exercise not only to make pictures - one of my all time favourite past-times - but to be aware and witness each day.

Today is the 2nd.

Today is my sister's birthday - happy birthday you gorgeous girl!!!

Today I'm listening to my new Florence + The Machine album (disc - for you new modern young things).

I've just had a coffee and muffin at a cafe for elevenses.

I resumed my crochet schedule at the crack of dawn this morning to beat the heat. It's just too horrible working with yarn when it's hot. You could say I'm a 'fair weather hooker' !!!

I'm currently debating whether or not to leave that last truly awful pun in here or not. Figured you're all on holidays anyway and only one or two of you will notice!

Today is only Monday and the beginning of a week full of potential.

Have I inspired you to witness your days? I hope so.

Enjoy!

Summer Project - The Date

2012-01-01T18:38:00.005+11:00

Play time! I love a summer project and this year's came to me as I kept noticing random numbers that had some sort of coincidence attached to them. Such as finding an old photo on 29 December that was taken on 29 December 7 years ago - spooky!

And this project combines my love of noticing the small things and my obsession with Instagram. I present The Date. A collection of numbers found in my surroundings that represent the date. High brow stuff, eh! Post-modernism, anyone?

Meet the first of January.

I've been waiting for so long for play time.

Not only play time but time to get stuff done that dropped off the priority list as the end of year got a bit out of control. Now's my chance to catch up with things like clean the studio, chuck out stuff, do my tax, sort through photos, clean out cupboards, figure out what that box of papers are under the bed, invent a way to hang my necklaces inside the wardrobe door - you know, all the important stuff.

And what have I done so far - hardly any of it! I've been in a weird Dr Who time-free zone this week where I've barely been aware what day it is. I've travelled interstate for Christmas and back again, I've sat around, I've painted my nails and I've done nothing else. Where did the week go? I haven't cooked, I haven't sorted, I haven't read a single magazine yet, let alone any of my new novels. All the plans I had for my week off are left unchecked. Oh, I did get my eyes tested - hoorah! I've only been meaning to do that since I got my first reminder notice in March 2011.

If anyone knows where 2011 went please give me a call!

Kids With Crayons Class of '11

2011-12-31T19:25:00.006+11:00

So many gorgeous smiley faces kept me company this year! What a marvellous year I've had working with your masterpieces. It was such a big year and looking back through my album (of some very dodgy photos - I was too busy to style!) I just had to share some of my favourite pieces with you. I can't wait to see what's coming up in 2012. Lots more smiley faces, I hope!

Thanks for you support this year, and for sharing your family with me. I reach my 7th year with Kids With Crayons in January - 7 years!! - and I'm thrilled to be still working with your kid's artworks.

I look forward to seeing you again soon.

Michelle x

Deadlines ... and chocolate

2011-12-09T09:20:00.007+11:00

Still reeling from my enormous workload this season. I'm so very tired I'm afraid if I dropped my focus for just a second I may not be able to pick it up again. It's kind of fun feeling part chick and part fembot!

Apparently Christmas is getting closer - sadly I can't see the forest for the trees at the moment so the sudden appearance of Ollie the Nordic Christmas Pixy into my world came as a lovely surprise. We went to the Scandinavian Christmas Fair last weekend and came away with a stash of Scandinavian chocolates, as you do. I love discovering local food (by food I mean chocolate, of course!) when we travel and our haul felt like we'd been on a little holiday. Quite opposite to today's horrid hot blustery day it was cool enough to wear scarves and boots which made it all feel quite surreal - winter clothes, christmas folly, foreign chocolate. No wonder I'm reeling.

And that's where I meet Olafur, or Ollie to his friends. He's propped up on my side table as a reminder to keep focussed because the biggest deadline of them all is right around the corner - Christmas!

And he's a bit cute. And doesn't mind if we eat all the chocolate.

Footnote to a big week

2011-11-27T09:14:00.008+11:00

I have just finished the biggest order I've had with Kids With Crayons in my almost 7 years of working with your beautiful kids drawings. I spent a whole week prepping 167 drawings and another week to put together 2,302 gorgeous keyrings and necklaces, gift tags and cards, for one order.

I have a beautiful bench in my front entrance which has become a handy spot for parking completed work ready for pick up or dashes to the PO. I call it the departure lounge. It's always a lovely feeling to see the departure lounge full of work completed. I haven't seen it this full from just one order before. A very pleasing sight!

This self employed crafting palaver isn't the cruisey piece of cake people think it is! Every day was 18 hours of constant work, getting only 3.5 hours sleep. It was very physical, my arms ached, my fingers are swollen and my back is grumpy. But it was also mentally tough just trying to stick with it when all I wanted to do was go to bed or sit on the couch. I'm spent! I'm drained! I'm depleted! But I feel fabulous for these reasons ....

First, I love my work. I simply love it, I love those drawings and what I can do with them. And I hope the joy I get from putting them together comes through to my customers.

Next, I wasn't alone. Not only did I have the most precious friend help for a few days - the most precious ones are the ones who turn up first thing in the morning with their lunch box and a happy attitude to just sit and cut ribbon for 6 hours chatting to help me stay awake and motivated - I also had my man take a day off his work to do the running around on what ended up being one of the hottest days of the season so far.

I also had a number of lovely girls who would very happily have taken on tasks if I'd asked. I didn't, but knowing I could certainly helped. People truly do care and are so generous it fills my heart.

And my mum! My lovely mum who would've jumped on the first train to Melbourne if I asked. I love you Mum!

I guess the most important thing I got out of a week like this is the realisation that I can do it. I put my mind to it and I did it. I am stronger than I realise. And I'm pretty proud of that.

And coffee. Lots of coffee!

Which is how I'm going to get through the next few weeks. No sooner do I finish that order than the next one is lined up and ready to go.

At this time of the year there's no resting on laurels. There's always January to take it easy!

Another obsession sneaking up on me when I should be working

2011-11-10T09:08:00.007+11:00

Mmmm, chickpea salad in a jar! You know I'm making this. After Magnolia Square, of course! I found this at The Kitchen.

And here's another little obsession that has snuck up on me ... food. To be more specific, foodies and their food ways. I love food and hate when an opportunity to eat a good meal is wasted by something ordinary or, worse, horrid. But I'm not a foodie. I experiment at home but the minute I need to prepare anything as simple as a tossed salad for company I freak out a bit.

I think it started when I was so excited about our new herb and vege garden and the thrill it is to go out with a pair of scissors to harvest something for lunch. I make a point of using food from the garden every day. And this led to a new visual project I've been playing with in the background, and that's taking photos of my food. Which is, by the way, a fabulous way to literally watch what you eat without counting calories!

And then I realised the Photos You've Liked section in Instagram is mostly beautiful photos of peoples lunches. That's a bit weird.

But it wasn't until this morning's crazy Google bookmarking session that I realised I may have stumbled on another obsession. Food.

So here's a quick 'paste and run' of the food inspirations that got me thinking. And it's only quick because I'm on a tight schedule this morning and blogging wasn't on the list - oops! Tomorrow is the first day of the wonderful Magnolia Square and I have a squillion things to do to be ready.

See you there, and bon appetite!

A de-constructed cupcake in a jar - brilliant! Thanks to Kimberly's comment below I can now credit this amazing bit of wonderful to My Cakies blog

Herb garden revelling in the morning sun!

My favourite breakfast - avocado and feta on toast - mmmmmmm - anything requiring a squirt of lime juice is fine with me anytime of the day.

Sneaky obsessions catching me off guard

2011-11-07T15:04:00.005+11:00

I didn't see this latest obsession sneak up. The best ones always arrive by stealth! It wasn't until I got another library notice saying my reservation was ready for pick up that I'd realised my latest biography crush is on Joanna Lumley. Who knew! That's 2 Joanna biographies in a row, back to back, and I still want more.

The mad thing is I've got a pile of novels by my bed which include other biographies such as Coco Chanel, Dame Judi Dench and Princess Masako the Crown Princess of Japan. I haven't consciously gathered these girls together, they just found their own way onto my reading pile.

Of course there's no time for reading between now and Christmas. Especially this week with Magnolia Square opening at St Kilda on Friday - hoorah! And today is such a gorgeous sunny spring day. It's always a shame the good weather starts just as my busy time ramps up and all I want to do is potter in the garden. The sun on the jasmine is utterly hypnotising.

Well that's that for today, as much as there isn't any time for coffee breaks there's no way I could go without!

Until next break time!

Less of this ....

More of this ..... making making making

See you here!

Orla Kiely in The Crayon Chick Shop - too much excitement!

2011-11-03T13:04:00.008+11:00

I'm so excited to announce the opening of The Crayon Chick Shop and especially excited to announce I'm stocking a limited range of Orla Kiely stationery and mugs to celebrate!

This iconic UK designer's distinctive designs are one of my all time favourites - do you remember my recent post here? Well now I can enjoy a cup of tea in my new Orla Kiely mug while reading my Orla Kiely 'Pattern' book! Happiness!

Do keep an eye out on the shop, I've got heaps to add still. Hope you enjoy the browse!

Bowerbird Bazaar

2011-10-26T10:43:00.005+11:00

Every now and then an event pops up on my calendar that gets me very excited, such as the Bowerbird Bazaar in Adelaide. It's on this weekend and what's not to love about it!

Firstly, obviously, the stallholders! I can't wait to see what's new with some favourites such as The Wolf and I, Klie, Sisken, Mytle & Moss and so many more, as well as people I'm dying to meet face to face after following them on Instagram and Twitter. I think that's what I love about getting out and about, being able to put faces to names of people I'm already a fan of.

Next, I'm totally in love with the venue. It's all old and rusty and worn and fabulous and authentic! The Queens Theatre, built in the 1840s, it's the oldest purpose built theatre on mainland Australia. We're talking national heritage. All that aged-ness, love love love.

Then. Most importantly. Food. Adelaide, you must have the very best food ever. If you've been following my stories for a while now you will already know how much I love a road trip, particularly a long road trip which involves a number of stops in country towns to hunt down the local bakery and treat myself to a local vanilla slice. Sadly I'm flying once again and miss out on the road trip and vanilla slices, which is a good thing in this instance as I'll have more room for the glorious food available at the venue. My mouth is watering as I type this imagining my first Portuguese Tart. And the asian fabulousness in Gouger St. Mmmmmm.

Right, no more dreaming there's work to be done! Lots of it!

See you there.

Too tired to go to bed

2011-10-23T00:52:00.003+11:00

1. Dining Room, 2. old books, 3. Vintage glass bottles, 4. vintage filing cabinet, 5. RED SHOE diary * melt, 6. Frida and Her Friends (interior), 7. My Little Spot, 8. Retro / Vintage / Interior Design, 9. 136*366 red shoes, 10. Marietta by Crown Wallpaper

What does a girl do when she's too tired to go to bed, she has a lovely wander through the eye candy that is Pinterest, Instagram and Flickr, of course!

It just takes one image to catch my imagination, in this case it was the gorgeous vintage green fan, to spark a spontaneous burst of mosaic-ing. At midnight. As you do.

Making pictures is my favourite thing in the whole world to do so if you want to know what keeps me inspired then this is it. And it's been ages since I made a mosaic in Flickr. I forgot how much I love it. I carefully curate a collection of images that catch my eye and match my theme. Eee, don't get me started, I could wax lyrical all night and I'll never get to bed.

Nighty night!

Ways to cope with looming deadlines

2011-10-16T15:29:00.007+11:00

This is it. These are the crazy mad busy days preparing for the fabulous time of year known as Pre-Christmas Madness.

I've got the most beautiful Kids With Crayons orders coming in and they are so joyful, I'm very lucky to work with these masterpieces.

So many lovely stockists have placed orders for Crayon Chick goodies - yay! I'll just add those to the To Do List.

And scarily, I have only 1 weekend free of markets/events between now and Christmas. Gasp! There will be no resting on any laurels around here.

It kicks off with another road trip in 2 weeks time. Although I confess to cheating, I won't actually be driving this time. Sadly I don't have the luxury of any spare time to wind down the windows and cruise along the highway for a 9 hour drive to Adelaide for Bowerbird Bazaar. I'll be joining the jet-set (and feeling a little Mad Men inspired!) by flying into Adelaide.

It's challenging staying on top of everything. It seems the longer I linger on one task the greater the noise in my head about getting onto the other things that need to be done. I've created a strategy based that seems to work for me when I have looming deadlines and it's based on speed dating.

Don't laugh, it works for me! I allow a limited time on each task. Enough time to get a headstart, but not long enough to feel the anxiety build about all the other things to be done. By the end of the day I feel a little in control across the board. All my juggling balls are nicely balanced.

Another strategy is to create a To Do list which breaks down tasks. So instead of just saying "finish fundraiser" I will break that down to achievable bite size pieces, such as "prep artwork for fundraiser". This way I actually enjoy the feeling of ticking off To Do tasks.

And there's nothing more motivating than ticking of To Do tasks!

I found this image online a while ago and can't remember where so I'm afraid I can't credit it back. If you've seen it around please leave a comment because I want to do the right thing!

And you just knew the minute I mentioned Mad Men there would be a gratuitous photo of Don Draper! This one is from the fabulously named blog called The Art of Manliness. Inspiration comes in many different ways!

Spring happenings

2011-10-11T11:42:00.004+11:00

I'm a bit of a gardener. I love deadheading and pruning, hunting for bugs and weeding - I love it all. I love wandering around gardens, and my favourite part of my morning walk is to watch what's happening in the neighbourhood gardens.

And I especially love grabbing a pair of scissors at lunchtime to harvest some fresh ingredients for my salads. The lovely weather last weekend was the perfect opportunity to get on top of the garden after it's winter slumber. We finally placed the ancient and massively heavy concrete laundry tub from nanna's backyard onto our deck and planted out some fresh seedlings ready for summer lunches.

I'd like to think I've recreated a lovely Tuscan al fresco space. We know I'm dreaming! But it still makes me happy to imagine!

Cutie Pie

2011-09-29T11:17:00.008+10:00

She's just a little bit cute, don't you think!

I've been working with some super cute drawings for Kids With Crayons lately.

It's never a hard day in the office when there's work like this to be done.

step 1 :: grab that rapidly fading favourite drawing

step 2 :: sprinkle it with some Kids With Crayons fairy dust

step 3 :: huzzah! Enjoy your lovely cuties

Things organised neatly

2011-09-26T17:43:00.010+10:00

50's grocery blocks, submitted by Suzanna Scott of Sushipot (and here's a weird Six Degrees of Separation thing - Sushipot is one of my favourite Instagram follows, spooky huh!)

Are you a neat freak? Are you organised and ordered? Or do you just love things laid out on display, curated, sorted and labelled. I do. So it's no surprise a friend sent me a link to this fabulous site brilliantly called "Things Organised Neatly". Honest. Isn't it brilliant! Has there ever been a better title?!

It's a site where ordinary (and clearly neat) people upload their own photos of ... well ... things organised neatly!

Brilliant. And it's exactly what I needed, another online site to bookmark to idle away more many hours looking at delicious visual inspirations!

How's that eraser, it's just like the one's we had a school! This was submitted by reminiscent

Sadly this I can't see who submitted this picture to credit back, it's called "Rocks on the island of Arran, Scotland" and was submitted on 31 August.

Hey Mum, who does this remind you of? This is how I remember a great part of my childhood - lining my Barbie's up. This fabulous image submitted by Aaron Ruell

Mini Designer Chairs

2011-09-19T21:53:00.007+10:00

A long time ago my man and I discovered SFMOA - the San Fransisco Museum of Modern Art. It was so long ago it was pre digital camera days. Which has got me thinking, I really should scan all my lovely printed photos one of these days. Must add that to my long term To Do List. I could just drag out some boxes now, just to find the San Fransisco holiday snaps. Wouldn't hurt to look. It's been so long. What am I saying?!! Focus, Chick, focus!

Now, where was I .... oh yes! SFMOMA! One of my favourite places to see when visiting iconic art galleries is the bookshop. Our very own NGV in Melbourne would be one of my all time favourite places to shop. It was in the SFMOMA bookshop I discovered for the first time a beautiful miniature version of the iconic Eames Lounge. A miniature! How fabulous, it harps back to my Barbie love and anything Barbie-sized, mid-century design and Mad Men. And I just love Mad Men.

And this morning as I was casually catching up on Facebook over my Weet Bix there they were - mini designer chairs at Foundabout! Happiness.

It's a lovely way to start the week.

Mini chair images all from Foundabout

One of my favourite Mad Men cast photos, I just love the colours in this - that olive, sea green and teal *sigh* - and it has Don Draper sitting in what looks like Aluminium Chair by Charles and Ray Eames, 1958. Image from Daily Mail Online

Mini Aluminium Chair, sans M. Draper, from Foundabout

Don Draper's office. Image from Mid Century Modernist

I heart blogs

2011-09-08T14:39:00.008+10:00

Hearts by Crayon Chick on Instagram

I've just had a lovely wander around blog-land during my lunch break and I feel so inspired and refreshed and eager to make my mark!

And not only do I get all that from my favourite blogs I follow and subscribe to, but there are also some wonderfully clever and generous bloggers out there.

For starters, how about my total excitement about lovely Lark's special offer at the moment. Are you ready for this, a chance to win $1000 worth of Lark goodies! Hoorah! Entry is by subscribing to the beautiful newsletter which I think is a win in itself because it's always so sweet.

Where would I start?

What wouldn't I get?!

I'd probably start with this fabulous book ..... available at Lark, of course!

Then I found this, check out Nic from Yardage Design. A chance to win not 1 but 3 copies of Mollie Makes magazine and a limited edition tea towel (and you know how mad I am for tea towels). Yay!

And what about the beautiful story unfolding at Foxs Lane. It wasn't a giveaway as such, just a wonderful opportunity for one of the most inspiring bloggers I've come across to thank her lovely readers. Travelling around Australia with her family and an oldie-but-a-goodie caravan named Frankie Blue, Kate's blog tells of a wonderful adventure which makes me homesick for all the adventures I had as a child. A lot of my time as a child was spent camping and under canvas and caravan bunks. And she even has time to make things along the way, including this beautiful cushion cover that was made as a thank you.

Image from Foxs Lane blog.

Mad about the posters

2011-09-06T11:58:00.005+10:00

I'm still mad for Mad Men. And it's way more than the actual show, it's the styling I'm mad about. So I'm not surprised how much I love the style of these fabulous posters.

They're from Swiss Legacy and I found out about them on Twitter. Marvellous Twitter! You find so much fabulousness on Twitter.

The weather has turned all cold and wintry again after an early spring start and I just happen to a billion things to crochet for my lovely stockists. Sounds like the perfect afternoon to play some Mad Men DVDs. Now that's not a bad day in the office!

Gratuitous Don Draper shot.

Pinterest Inspiration

2011-09-02T12:31:00.006+10:00

Rag Rug Tutorial by Sugar Bee Crafts

I've just spent the morning making a great mess of my fabric stash simply because I have more stash than shelf space. And I just know there is probably a good shelf and half of fabric I will never never use. From time to time I have a bit of a jettison and my local op shop benefits and I think I'm due another cull.

And then I found this!

Ah Pinterest, for someone as easily tempted to distraction as I am you are a wonder! How's this for a fabulous idea. I'm all about experimenting and trying the unexpected and this tutorial from Sugar Bee Crafts hits the spot for crafty inspiration. Thanks, Pinterest.

I hope your weekend is inspiring and spring-like.

PS Happy Father's Day, Dad!

Sunny Sundays

2011-08-28T20:18:00.009+10:00

What a day! What a glorious sunny Sunday and I managed to fill it with a little bit of this, and a little bit of that.

After an early morning walk in the park and some pottering around in the garden I had my favourite cup of tea of the week, the one I have while I check the papers for the solution to last week's crossword. Clue: 10 across - dreamy inertia. Languor! What a fabulous word, don't you just love it! Sounds like a perfect Sunday kind of word to me.

I finally managed to find the time to pour over my new book. What is not to love about a designer influenced by vintage, pattern, mid-century and Scandinavian design! Orla Kiely "Pattern" is my new favourite source for inspiration. I've especially loved reading how she started and what inspires her.

"There are probably as many ways of starting up a business as there are types of businesses. but it is fair to say that all of them require hard work, a steep learning curve and an element of luck" - Orla Kiely

I especially loved the story about her working on a big artwork (pre-digital days), taking nights and weekends and squeezing it around a day job, only to lose the artwork on the subway. It reminds me of the day I was dashing in peak hour on over-crowded trams to make it to my art classes after work only to be shoved off the tram with my folio spilling onto the road.

After all this inspiration it wasn't too hard to settle into a bit of work this afternoon. Ridiculously I scheduled some work to do today and there was no getting out of it, I really needed to get on top of things. But after reading this book it was ok. And I was working with my own colour and designs so I sort of felt a little like I had my very own mentor in my new book keeping me on track!

I hope you managed to enjoy a sunny Sunday.

Ball Necklace by Crayon Chick

Etsy love ... camera strap

2011-08-24T15:04:00.008+10:00

Is there a more perfect strap for my camera anywhere? I think not - lovely Etsy has tempted me yet again with more fabulousness. This wonderful item is from Porteen Gear. And I want everything, but am happy to settle for the strap. For now!

The very first thing I did when I got my too-fabulous-for-words DSLR, who answers to Norma, was take off the horrid bulky strap with the branding plastered all over it. I've been searching for a suitable alternative ever since.

Another tricky item was finding a camera bag that wasn't nylon and didn't feature velcro and look like it was found in an outdoor camping shop.

I did find a leather moulded case which is just shy of being fabulous simply because it's modern black with red stitching and I would have given anything for it to be old-school leather.

Meanwhile I'll just adore this vintage camera and case from my camera collection for all it's battered and worn loveliness.

To Do Lists

2011-08-11T09:57:00.010+10:00

Fabulous wall decals from Art Stick Online

I run at least 3 To Do Lists at any given moment. There's the obvious squeaky-wheel-gets-the-attention list that MUST be done NOW, then there's the stuff I should be doing now, there's another list for what I'd like to be doing now, then there's another list for the Big Picture long term stuff.

If I don't have a list on the go I would find it very hard to get out of bed in the morning, and not because of lack of ideas, creativity or imagination but because my indecision about what to start on would render me buried in the doona in denial. I've come to the conclusion I'm a task oriented kinda gal. And any who knows me would say I work best under pressure. I'd give anything not to be that person, alas, I am. I get a lot done with a deadline looming and I'm a chronic procrastinator inbetween deadlines.

Fortunately, I have a massive deadline at the moment. This time next week I'll be loading the car for Magnolia Square. It's back again in a new venue at Ivanhoe and I'm very excited. It means a twice-a-day revision of at least 2 To Do Lists!

I'm mad for my iPhone app to do list - it's called Minimalist To Do List, it's free and it's working a treat for me at the moment. It's just nice to get a lot of that clutter and noise out of my head and onto my desk. What's working for you?

Gasp! Gorgeous! Found image at Storage and Glee blog

Wall planner fabulous-ness by Martha Stewart

This is so me ... cross referencing multiple To Do Lists! An Etsy find from Droplet

An oversize planner is exactly what I need, no hiding away from that one! A bit of Etsy love by Simple Shapes

Now that's one long term To Do List! Street art from KRonikle

Magnolia Square :: this time it's all about colour, that's got my name all over it!

See you there.

By the sea

2011-08-09T18:51:00.009+10:00

I've got a new Crayon Chick goodie, baby blankets. It started as a present for a friend and took on a life of it's own with lovely orders coming in already. And with a couple of weeks of winter still to endure I couldn't be happier with a job that keeps me on a couch snuggled into a pile of scrummily coloured yarns, with time to let my mind wander.

These lovely blues and sea greens have had me thinking of those stormy days at the beach, too rough to swim, perfect for exploring rock pools, beach-combing and eating fish and chips.

Don't you just love the way colour is so strongly linked to memories and feelings.

Etsy love ... theme du jour!

2011-08-01T18:06:00.004+10:00

How fabulous is this beautiful art print. I stumbled on it in Etsy and it's by Ein Bier Bitte.

I think we are a match made in heaven!

And just while I'm in a crochet state of mind, check out these pieces, beyond crochet and into the world of art! I found these breathtakingly beautiful pieces at iiiinspired and they are by jungjung. She dyes her own DMC yarn and uses a 0.4mm hook. That's teeny tiny. And you should see her gorgeous pieces combining timber and crochet. Be still my heart!

A legion of garlands

2011-07-29T01:05:00.006+10:00

Has it seemed a bit quiet around here lately? Yep. You could say I've been under 'couch-arrest' meeting a deadline. I've spent the week buried up to pussy's bow in brightly coloured crochet medallions! I love it and it hardly seems like work but the minute something has a deadline attached anything can become a looming task that just has to be done above anything else. So it's been me, the couch, trashy daytime TV and endless cups of tea in my quest to keep the hook moving.

Hope your week has been just as productive.

Happy Birthday My Little Blog!

2011-07-17T17:39:00.002+10:00

A lovely picture from Simple Blueprint, found on Pinterest.

Well this snuck up on me ... I just realised today is my blog's 2nd birthday! Hoorah!

And it seems totally appropriate my latest crush, Pinterest, was able to find just the right image to celebrate this milestone. Love you Pinterest!

I simply love documenting my inspirations, crushes, adventures and creations. And I just love that you're interested and I can share these little tidbits with you. I am inspired by something every day. Not usually The Great inspirations, just the tiny everyday ones, the ones that always feed our creativity without you even realising it.

So happy birthday my little blog, you're the best visual diary a girl could ask for!

Saturday

2011-07-16T15:28:00.009+10:00

On my desk this very minute - mmm, smell that! Heaven!

There was a burst of sun this morning, on a lovely Saturday with no plan. Well, sort of no plan, there is proper work to be done this afternoon on the computer and that's why I'm sitting here now. Also the sun has gone behind the clouds and quite frankly the garden has gotten the better of me.

I pottered in the garden. My poor sad neglected garden. It's all bare and brown and stick-like. Did I leave the carpet of autumn leaves for too long? I really have no idea what I should be doing. Should I feed anything? Should I water? Can I plant? Please let me plant something! At least I got to weed. And a bit of dead-heading. And the daphne! My daphne smells too divine to leave out there.

So I've made a cuppa and am about to do some work (if working with Kids With Crayons drawings can ever be called work) and my heavenly scented daphne will keep me company.

How's your weekend panning out?

The culprit of my current garden woe, the leaf carpet was magnificent at the time now it's nothing but a sad old brown and bare skeleton of a garden.

All is forgiven, lovely autumn, when you put on such a show. Autumn glory all gloriously captured by Crayon Chick on Instagram.

It's a tough job but somebody's got to do it! Gorgeous necklace by Kids With Crayons.

Bonjour!

2011-07-14T13:12:00.005+10:00

Any francophile worth her weight in cheese and eclairs would know today is Bastille Day!

The very first time I visited Paris was on a Bastille Day (many years ago, we won't count them!) and I couldn't have imagined a more appropriate way to be introduced to this fabulous country than in the middle of a celebration.

My heart always wanders to France when given half the chance and in the meantime I might just pop on my Funny Face dvd for my afternoon's crochet session.

Thinking of France, watching Audrey Hepburn, crocheting .... c'est la vie!

Bonjour Paris song on the top of the Eiffel Tower from Funny Face, image from the gorgeously titled Stirred Straight Up blog.

One of my favourite scenes, the balloon scene in front of the Arc de Triomphe, found at Como ser Peter Bogdanovich blog (which looks marvellous, if only I could read it!)

This grey day needs brightening

2011-07-12T14:05:00.005+10:00

Why do I love this? First of all it's a photo from Paris, it's street art with a story, and it's yellow. Win! It's a lovely print I found on Etsy by Little Brown Pen.

Having recently become somewhat enamoured with Pinterest it's become clear I'm developing quite the eye for yellow. Is it the winter? I'm not sure, it's certainly been creeping into my world for about a year now. I can't wear it for nuts, but a little embellishing can go a long way to lift spirits.

I've also noticed the images I'm drawn to today are very 'street' oriented. I'm possibly feeling more house-bound that I thought! Ah winter, you're a special kind of the year.

isa_per loveliness on Flickr

A beautiful shot on Flickr by jason.soza

Gorgeous Flickr shot by Ted Forbes

Another Flickr find called "a yellow vespa on a very grey day" by DorteF.

Pinterest should come with a warning!

2011-07-08T18:20:00.010+10:00

This beautiful image from Flickr was one of the first ones I pinned to my pinboard, and is it any wonder, it's marvellous! And the best thing about Pinterest is that it always links back to the original source so you know exactly where to go to find the original.

Seriously. Pure addiction for those of us visually stimulated. Are you the sort to hoard magazines? Do you pore over magazines, soaking up every photo and page, barely noticing the words? Do you rummage through the piles at the newsagent to find the ones that haven't been thumbed through yet? Do you keep the 'good ones' stacked like a precious china plate collection? Have you ever kept scrapbooks, visual diaries and mood boards from all those luscious gorgeous images torn (lovingly) from magazines? C'mon, 'fess up, I know it's not just me!

If this sounds like you, then have I got a beauty of an idea for you this weekend.

You'll find heaps of gorgeous crafty sorts there, there's a lovely post over at Lark recently that had me ooh-ing and aah-ing. I love seeing how different people's pinboards start to take on the style of their pinners. Like owning a pet, after a while the people and the pets start to look the same. Stick with me, I'm only new to Pinterest and clearly a little over the top with enthusiasm at the moment!

That's all I've got to say about that. It's truly magical. It's wonderful.

It's highly addictive!

Scrapbooks from Flickriver

Sometimes I think mood boards are too good to throw away. I found this one online and features one of my current colour obsessions: mustard and gold and yellow

Tour de ... blogs, garlands and bikes!

2011-07-07T22:28:00.017+10:00

Hoorah! It's Tour de France season which means lots of late nights and lots of crochet opportunities as I sit up to watch the racing and dream of being in France for the Tour one day.

I've also had a wonderful time catching up on some essential-for-the-creative-spirit blog wandering. You guys are the best! And I've happily stumbled upon some Crayon Chick goodies that have made their way into your homes. I love seeing them in their new environments and it motivates me to make more.

If you've got a minute you should check out The Design Files blog with Lisa Tilse from Red Thread. They're both gorgeous blogs and Lisa has a Crayon Chick circle garland in her room!

Gorgeous Nic from Yardage Girl has decorated her spanish creative space with some Yardage Girl bunting and Crayon Chick circle garlands - as you do when you're in Spain!

Be still my beating heart, Gallery Montmartre is simply the best place to go for fabulous vintage posters, how gorgeous is Favor Girl!

The south of France is my favourite part, je t'aime Provence!

Another wonderful Gallery Montmartre poster.

Vintage cycling poster from All Posters

Sunny days at Finders Keepers

2011-07-05T12:28:00.003+10:00

That's a real poinsettia 'borrowed' from the Old Museum garden; some Crayon Chick goodies; my view from behind my stall; The Old Museum

Now that's how to put on a fabulous weekend! A little bit of sunshine, a little bit of good food and music, a fabulous team of organisers, great companions and some wonderful visitors all made my trip to Brisbane for Finders Keepers a real treasure.

It was hard to go past the balmy winter days and sunshine as highlights, but it's always the most wonderful thing to meet and chat with people who really love what we do. That's pure motivation like nothing else. Thank you to everyone who chatted, admired, shopped, fetched coffees and lunches, and generally added to the bonhomie that was another fabulous event by Finders Keepers.

See you next time, Brisbane!

Suitcases of stuff

2011-06-30T15:02:00.003+10:00

Chain of hearts by Crayon Chick. Wouldn't it be a shame if I accidentally forgot to take them off my kitchen cupboards and they didn't get packed. Oops!

Twenty four hours. That's it until I land in Brisbane for this weekend's Finders Keepers. I'm very excited, I've worked myself into a making frenzy, burning the midnight oil and flapping. A lot. I'm taking 2 suitcases this time and had it in my head the 2nd suitcase means I can take so much more. How wrong could I be! I've got a few new goodies that may not make The Suitcase Cut.

I just love this market. This will be my first time travelling to Brisbane as Crayon Chick and I know Finders Keepers has a strong history in Brisbane.

If you are in the area I couldn't recommend a visit enough. It's at The Old Museum in Herston, all day Saturday and Sunday. One of the reasons these markets are so special is because it's a the whole package, food and live music, and us! Win!

Don't get your hopes up, this cushion that may not fit in the suitcase. So much for that great idea!

Lovely holders ready to be packed. Oh yeah, and labelled, better add that to my Last Minute To Do List.

See you there!

I heart Melbourne

2011-06-27T14:47:00.005+10:00

Waiting for the No 5 tram on St Kilda Rd in front of the Art Centre spire, an iconic Melbourne experience. Captured with my iphone and another opportunity to play with wonderful Instagram.

I love it when a friend from out of town comes to visit and I get to see Melbourne from a visitor's eyes instead of the dreary eyes of a commuter dragging herself to work or running errands like an errand running machine.

It was a fabulous chance to revisit one of my favourite places, the Arts Centre where the NGV is. And they currently have a fabulous blockbuster exhibition at the moment called Vienna: Art & Design.

We spent more than 3 hours there. Exploring the building, enjoying the exhibition and browsing through the best gift shop. I have a new favourite artist to obsess over, Egon Schiele, and I'm always happy to add to my own artbook library.

It was a wintry wait at the tram stop in from of the Arts Centre for a St Kilda tram, which is a bit of a Melbourne cultural experience in itself, and home for one of those perfect Saturday nights with friends, wine and good food.

Hope your weekend was special, and with lovely sunny Mondays like today I hope your week is off to a good start.

Glorious stained glass ceiling in the Great Hall, NGV

More artbooks for my bookshelf. Inspired by the wonderful Vienna exhibition at the NGV I now have Klimt and Schiele to paw over.

Sunflower by Egon Scheile, this was one of my favourite paintings at the exhibition

The amazing Gustav Klimt, image from NGV

A winter palette

2011-06-22T10:57:00.002+10:00

I found these beautiful images on Flickr and they sum up my winter palette to perfection.

1. In My Place - Now finished, 2. Untitled, 3. Molten scarlet, orange and red tweed twist and turn - This Mortal Coil Brooch, 4. PatchworkParis | bleu blanc rouge, 5. Pincushion with Estonian traditional pattern, 6. S5000776

I've just popped a load of washing on. I just know how excited you are about that, but it got me thinking about how the seasons play a huge part in our colour choices. I've got a big day of Making Things ahead of me today and laying out my colour combos is the first step. It's always based on my mood, and that's influenced by so many things - the usual inspirations. Lately it's the weather.

That load of washing was a bit tricky separating whites from colours because my entire wardrobe of late can be summed up in all those muted colours inbetween. Lots of greys, beige, every shade of off-white, charcoal, sand, and dusty everything (dusty pink, dusty gold, dusty blue ...). Maybe it's a Melbourne thing, which is pretty good at turning grey for winter where the ground is grey, the sky is grey, the bits in between are all shades of grey and where everyone wears black. Or maybe it's because I grew up in the country along a river where the fog would settle in April and not rise again until October. Either way I love it. Perfect for a bright red scarf, and I love those, too.

I'm working on an order for garlands in a natural palette and I've chosen off white, grey, latte, mustard, dusty pink and beige, and guess where this inspiration is from - my washing basket, it seems!

Etsy Love .... assemblage

2011-06-17T17:04:00.005+10:00

Isn't this a gorgeous piece by Captain Cat on Etsy. I just love found pieces reclaimed and assembled as a piece of art.

One of my favourite artists is Rosalie Gascoigne. Inspiring on so many levels.

Firstly, her first solo exhibition was at age 57. Yep. Fifty seven. There is NO excuse to think you've ever left anything too late to try.

Next, her work. Oh how much I love her work. Her beautiful assemblages and transformations of found materials, her response to the sunbleached, windswept, weathered and barren Monaro plains outside Canberra. I lived in Canberra for quite a few years and am very familiar with those plains. Lovely rusted farm machinery, battered signs and packing crates, beautifully greyed and aged fence posts and corrugated iron - lots of massing materials and repetition. She says "I like things crammed up thick, like a pomegrante's seeds" (from exhibition book 'Rosalie Gascoigne' by Kelly Gellatly for NGV, 2008)

Rosalie Gascoigne
Top of the Morning, 1994
formboard, masonite, retro-reflective roadsign on craftboard
4 panels: 53 x 130cm (overall size)

Image from Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery

Rosalie Gascoigne

Southerly Buster, 1995

retro-reflective roadsign on craftboard

117 × 115cm

Image from Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery

Rosalie Gascoigne

Untitled (two linoleum tesserae), 1994-95

linoleum on plywood

2 panels: 23 x 16.5 x 1.5 cm, overall dimensions 23 x 35 x 1.5 cm

Image from Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery

Wishing you a snuggly weekend

2011-06-10T18:52:00.003+10:00

It's a long weekend - hoorah! - and the official start to the snow season. Melbourne's weather looks to stay a steady 15C with a chance of rain. The perfect weather to snuggle up and bury yourself in some snuggly crafts.

Stay safe if you're travelling, stay snuggled if you're outside and enjoy a little break.

Finders Keepers - Featured Designer

2011-06-07T18:29:00.004+10:00

We *heart* Finders Keepers!

I've had the most wonderful response from my stalls at Finders Keepers and today I'm the Featured Designer on their fabulous blog. I love a chat, just as much as I love a cuppa - how did those gorgeous girls know!

I hope you enjoy a lovely visit to their website and the next Finders Keepers is just around the corner.

It doesn't get any better than popping up to sunny Brisbane in the middle of a grey and bleak Melbourne winter, and that's just what Crayon Chick will be doing on 2 and 3 July. Sunning it up in sunny Brisbane at a wonderful Finders Keepers.

Pop the details in your calendars and I'll see you there - can't wait!

Hello winter

2011-06-05T14:51:00.005+10:00

Winter at Chez Crayon via Intagram

Winter. What a fabulous time to batten down the hatches and hibernate under a snuggly pile of crafting. If only I could stop playing with my new iPhone. What a marvellous gadget. For starters there's my wonderful Instagram, it just makes me want to make pictures everyday.

Then I discover (this morning, goodbye all the plans I had for Sunday) a fabulous app to check my Google Reader - Mobile RSS. I can now so easily and wonderfully keep an eye on my most favourite blogs at any time (hello Reader as I stir my latest batch of lemon curd on the stovetop). And just on that note, you bloggers are just fabulous!

And if that isn't enough I've bravely stepped into the world of Pinterest. I have no idea what I'm doing. As I put this post together I see 2 people are following my pinboards - how did they know I was there? Where is my pinboard? What do I do with it? When I figure these out I just know this will become a new and fabulous obsession with me.

(Note: I found my profile and see I'm already following people I have no idea how it happened - some magic networking feature that finds people I might know already ... everything is feeding everything else, there's no skulking in the back door and quietly checking out a new thing with these networks then!)

Now if only I could understand how to put a link on a Facebook update and my blog using iPhone. Any guidance would be greatly appreciated. I will be a fully evolved walking and talking new-generation networker then!

For now I'm still on L-plates. Coyly asking a neighbouring stall holder yesterday how to switch the phone off. Phew, my next yoga class will be a lot less angst-ridden as I don't have to worry about my phone ringing or beeping halfway through downward facing dog. Sort of defeats the point of yoga having a worry in the back of your mind like that!

Footnote:

Pinterest has done my head in and it's only been an hour! It's too much too soon for this poor old chick. So I'm taking my good old fashioned visual diary with me to the couch for some crochet. I may not be as modern as I thought!

A cuppa always helps

2011-05-31T15:47:00.005+10:00

I love a tea towel. I have an inexplicable need to buy lovely tea towels.

My friend gave me this tea towel for my birthday last year from a design studio in New Zealand featuring a cartoon character called Cecily. Cecily and I seem to be cut from the same cloth (pun intended!) and I'm very flattered my friend knows me this well.

Despite being dictated to by a very long and thorough To Do List I still find I'm unable to make a decision and get on with things today. And it's definitely time for another cup of tea.

I see Cecily agrees with me.

Domestic Bliss

2011-05-29T17:38:00.003+10:00

It's cold, it's grey and for reasons I can't explain I found myself cleaning out my pantry over the weekend. Procrastinating? Nesting? Who knows, but it was totally stripped, cleaned, old jars cleaned and repurposed, manky tupperware sterilised to an inch if it's life in the dishwasher, mysterious half consumed packets chucked.

And in the process I found myself dragging out the bread maker to see if it still works. It's enormous and takes up so much space in the cupboard, if it didn't perform it's days were numbered. So I made a loaf of bread, as you do. I had been uber-domestic the previous day making lemon curd so it was the best timing. We have so many lemons from our neighbours and friends .... sadly not from our own poor struggling sad old tree. What a dud!

The result? The bread maker lives another day! I suspect it knew there was a performance review going on and showed off like an old pro by making a loaf so enormous it nearly burst open the door before it was done.

Oven fresh bread with lots of butter and dollops of fresh lemon curd and I'm the happiest girl in the world.

Finders Keepers Gift Guide to Winter Woolies

2011-05-25T15:23:00.008+10:00

I'm beside myself to see the lovely Sarah from Finders Keepers has included some Crayon Chick garlands in her Favourite Winter Woolies List!

Don't worry if you missed out at Finders Keepers because I have these available on my Etsy shop. Easy! And if I spent more time on uploading product and less time oohing and aahing at the lovely things that other people make then my coloured Wool Garlands would also be available online! They are sold at markets (my next Melbourne market will be at Sisters Market on 4 June) and at some stockists. But if you can't wait that long for me to get my act together you can always send me an email asking for one!

Easy!

Challenge du jour

2011-05-19T09:12:00.005+10:00

Only 1 day left to get my goodies together before heading to fabulous Sydney for Finders Keepers.

The big challenge of the day is fitting all my stock into one suitcase. I'm not by nature a minimalist kind of girl and have the biggest Girl Guide 'Be Prepared' Syndrome where everything bar the kitchen sink is dragged around 'just in case'. I've been madly crocheting, including these candle light holders, and had a moment of panic last night wondering how they are going to travel and stay in one piece. Uh oh.

They may or may not be available with the glass insert! Fingers crossed ....

The week that will be

2011-05-15T22:38:00.005+10:00

String Me Along Heart, by Crayon Chick

I got a new phone and it took exactly 5 seconds for me to discover Instagram and create an account (crayonchick, of course!). Fearless, I was. Indiscriminately hitting buttons left right and centre to see how it works. My apologies to any friend on Facebook and Twitter who wondered what was going on with multiple postings of the same image! If you have an iPhone it's a free App and you can follow your favourites. It's a world of inspiration.

The week ahead:

will have limited play time on Instagram, sadly
will have at least one To Do list a day, revised hourly
will have at least one conniption as I figure out how to pack an entire stall of stock and stall set up in one suitcase within airline weight restrictions
will more than likely lead to callouses, swollen knuckles, blisters, stiff neck and tight hamstrings as a result of some pretty heavy duty crocheting sessions, better bring out the glucosamine and fish oil supplements
will bring me up to date on some favourite shows recorded but not yet watched as I crochet
will take me to fabulous Sydney for Finders Keepers
will have many many many cups of tea

Iced Vovo's for afternoon tea

2011-05-09T16:34:00.006+10:00

1. Day 113-365 "Vintage Handkerchiefs", 2. Lola's Room, Etsy, 3. the princess and the pea vintage hankie style, 4. Grandma's Hankies, 5. Mushroom Whimsy, Etsy, 6. Unknown, it's an image I've had in my visual file for years and can't remember where I found it.

When was the last time you bought a hankie? I don't think I ever have, I think a handful of aunties and my mum were responsible for my ancient collection of hankies until this week when I bought a brand new hankie just for me! No more balls of new and used tissues all through my handbag and left in pockets to lint up my wash.

And as I put this together I'm enjoying my afternoon cup of tea with an iced vovo and it just seems so perfectly right! I hope your afternoon feels so perfectly right, too.

My new hankie!

I highly recommend an iced vovo for afternoon tea!

Etsy Love .... keeping calm and carrying on

2011-05-05T22:42:00.004+10:00

A lovely Etsy find by Magalerie

Keep Calm And Carry On. It's up there with Make Do And Mend. As British as a Royal Wedding!

It's the theme of the week. Following the arrival of my gorgeous new coffee mug from a very precious friend, I stumbled upon this beautiful image on the Etsy front page treasury and it's a mantra I've been repeating again and again just to keep my head above water.

With Mother's Day just around the corner I can see the light at the end of the tunnel as I deliver more and more lovely orders. Not that this has been a bad week at all, my workroom is like a confetti explosion and it's so inspiring in all it's colourfulness and efficiencies! It's just that it's so much to produce in such a short amount of time! But as they say, there's only one way to eat an elephant and that's one mouthful at a time.

Got to love a deadline!

On the desk

2011-05-03T22:41:00.005+10:00

Poor old Chez Crayon, Kids With Crayons has taken over completely with colourful papers, serious tools and gorgeous goodies for Mother's Day orders. Sadly it means each night just gets later and later (4am, anyone?) to the point where this Crayon Chick was calling it a night (or a dawn?) as Crayon Dude was getting up to catch an early morning flight. Madness!

My diary is permanently open on the yearly planner (it's all Big Picture around here) and I'm craving the time where I can just be 'in the moment' without thinking 5 steps ahead.

So my creative inspiration has been fed this week by the tools at hand and the stuff on my desk. Which includes a brand new red Keep Calm And Carry On mug sent by the best friend a girl could have (it arrived just at the right time, I was having a little Crayon melt down at the time!), and a fabulous retro spiral bound notebook I've had in my paper stash for years. Did you know I was a stenographer? And there it is, I've just carbon dated myself! Does it even exist any more? Either way I thank my early secretarial days for my obsession with list making and not being able to answer a phone without a pen in my hand for quick note taking!

Introducing Pitman 2000!

Ding Dong The Bells Are Gonna Ring!

2011-04-26T11:54:00.007+10:00

New badges by Crayon Chick

Ok, I'm putting it out there, I'm MAD for a royal wedding. I've gone so far as to stay up to 2am to watch the wedding of Edward and Sophie - I mean who would do that??? I did. So imagine the delicate state of my nerves as I wait for Friday's big event.

I'll be in the middle of Magnolia Square which is nice because it turns out there will be one or two girls in the same boat as me - you know who you are! And it will be so nice to get all giggly and girly with other fans of an HRH shindig.

And in honour of the occasion I've put together some limited edition fun to add to my goodies. Come along to Magnolia Square this Thursday, Friday and Saturday for a royal wave or two!

Graffiti art in London by street artist Rich Simmons, found in The Age a few weeks ago.

A gorgeous heavenly snuggly pile of regal plushness found at Living Glam

Boots by Alexander McQueen found at More Intelligent Life

Fabulous bit of photography by Harold David found at Daily Imprint

The gorgeous girls from Leoni and Vonk have another label which I adore - have you checked out Reg Loves This, it's wonderful!

Got a minute?

2011-04-25T00:41:00.003+10:00

1. vintage slava alarm clock, made in ussr, 2. vintage alarm clock / thermometer, 3. Vintage Caslon Clock, 4. 1960s panda animated clock, 5. vintage 50s atomic clock, 6. copal-clock, 7. Vintage Westclox Travel Alarm Clock, 8. vintage Mauthe alarm clock

I haven't! I thought if I gathered a few favourite Flickr images of clocks I might somehow develop some Dr Who power over time and slow it down a tad.

With every minute of this week scheduled to within a whisker of a kitten I'm hoping this little creative break at 1am will charge me up for at least another hour for a final effort before calling this day quits.

And I can't believe I didn't prepare for the number of public holidays this week, I desperately need more supplies and have to wait until Wednesday for the shops to open. I really need that power of time now. Anyone? Doctor?

Recharged

2011-04-21T10:29:00.004+10:00

In a place far away from anyone and anywhere, I drifted off for a moment.

Haruki Murakami

I'm back, I'm recharged and rested, my pencils are all sharpened and tools all neatly lined up ready for action. And just in the nick of time because there's a mighty lot of action happening around here. You could say I've hit the deck running and any memories of lingering on the beach with a book are deeply buried. Oh, but what a book to linger with, turns out Haruki Murakami is a bit of a Japanese literary legend and I just couldn't put Norwegian Wood down. Set in hip, free-loving, boozing and 60's pop Tokyo it had my name all over it. Fabulous!

Now it's back to work.

I have the most divine drawings for Mothers Day fundraisers filling the workroom, they are so gorgeous I may have pulled my 'Dawwww' muscle!

And in between all that oohing and aahing I'm preparing for this weekend's Easter roadtrip to Daylesford for the Daylesford Makers Market. I love this market, I love the little town, I love the road trip, I love the people.

Recharging and prepping

2011-04-03T19:07:00.004+10:00

I love this picture found on Flickr

This little chick is going underground for a week or two, recharging her batteries, sharpening her crayons and preparing for some fabulous Kids With Crayons fundraisers that have already arrived and look TOO GORGEOUS FOR WORDS!

The lead up to Mothers Day is a wonderful time of the year for me as it's one of the most popular times in the school year to do a fundraiser. And I'm always very excited to get calls after Mothers Day with lots of stories about how special the present is.

Thanks to all the clever girls who have called and organised their fundraisers this year, I'm going away now to start my preps to have them all done in time.

Colour Combo du Jour: citrine and teal

2011-03-31T21:42:00.007+11:00

1. Sherwin William Home Decorator 1959, 2. Pantone Mugs, 3. topaz, 4. 1956 basement fun, 5. Sherwin William Home Decorator 1959, 6. Fashion 1968 Page, 7. La valise, 8. Untitled

It's another big weekend ahead with 2 markets on my radar. And after such a fabulous response to my work at Finders Keepers it's back to square one making more things ... which means putting together more fabulous colour combos which I love because it's like painting, but with fabric and wool! I'm planning a big day with the hook tomorrow and I've got my palette of yarn all lined up and ready to go.

This week I'm really influenced by the mid-century modern combo of citrine and teal. And that's just a good excuse really to throw in the colour 'chartreuse' - simply because it's one of my all time favourite colours, and such a good word! Chartreuse! Isn't it fabulous!

Isn't it a bit Don Draper!

This is not another gratuitous picture, I'm just keeping with my colour combo du jour, honest, and it just so happens to be Don Draper (image from Unlikely Words).

And while we're on favourites ... I have a favourite word to type - weird, I know. But I truly love to type November. November. It just rolls off the keyboard like gently lapping waves on a big gorgeous lake. Yes, that's probably sharing a bit too much with you, isn't it. You see, I'm a touch typist and it really is a lovely word to type quickly!

So this Saturday is the first Sisters Market for the year - hurrah! And Sunday sees me on another road trip, this time to Ballarat for The Design Exchange. And you know how much I love a road trip .... nearly as much as I love a touch of chartreuse and typing November!

Change of plan

2011-03-28T15:29:00.005+11:00

Even the cat knows life is nicer on the other side of the blind on a sunny afternoon in late summer

My plan for the afternoon went like this:

clean up the workroom from its post-market fallout (it's a crafting ground zero in there)
sew in the workroom

My revised plan for this afternoon, as of 10 minutes ago:

crochet happy little hearts on the front porch catching the glorious late summer afternoon sun

Reasons for deviation:

workroom faces south, it's cold, dark, has no view, and not even the cat wants to hang out with me in there
I have an order for lovely little hearts that must be filled and sent by tomorrow
I spent 2 very fun days at the Docklands with Finders Keepers without even a view of the outside
workroom is just too messy for words and I can maintain denial for a little longer if I'm not actually in the room

Reasons this will work:

I really need to make these hearts (see previous point)
lovely crochet is simply the best craft to have because you can take it anywhere with you, even onto the sunny front porch

I'm swapping this dark cold and messy workspace with no views .....

..... for this bright sunny and totally happy workspace with plenty of views!

Finder Keepers this weekend

2011-03-25T19:08:00.004+11:00

Crochet Ball Necklaces, by Crayon Chick. Image from Real Living.

One more sleep! I've spent all afternoon setting up in the shed and you should see the space - it's huge and jam packed with the most amazing things. I can't wait to see it all ... oops, but I'll be at the Crayon Chick stall! Anyone interested in a little shop girl gig this weekend??

The Finders Keepers has the best map available to download here. I gave it a test run this afternoon and it works a treat!

Colour Combo du Jour: red and aqua

2011-03-23T10:21:00.003+11:00

1. Aqua + red, 2. vase from the seventies, 3. vintage childs tin typewriter, 4. Aqua, 5. aqua and red crop 4, 6. "I Love Lucy" HBM, 7. RED SHOE diary * melt, 8. aqua+red

I'm in a great creating frenzy preparing for this weekend's Finders Keepers and my workroom is an explosion of colour! To be honest, it's not just contained in the workroom, the couch has disappeared under a pile of wool and the dining table is taken over by a riot of colour as well. And then there's the kitchen, not to mention the trail of threads leading from my workroom and walked into every corner of the house. I've been putting colour combinations together and can't seem to move past red and aqua at the moment. I love it. I also love an excuse to linger in Flickr. So inspiring!

The Chick's new market

2011-03-17T15:32:00.005+11:00

I've been dying to go to Geelong for Piccadilly Market for ages now but was already pre-booked whenever they were on. Not this time! This time I'll be there in all my Crayon Chick-ness and definitely looking forward to a new road trip. I wonder how many bakeries with vanilla slices I'll find along the way? None I assume. Good thing I'm lured to the event by the promise of paella! I can't wait - the Spanish Gourmet Caterers will be there to feed me. Oh alright, and a few others as well.

Piccadilly Market

Sunday 20 March

Deakin Waterfront Campus

10am to 4pm

Free parking and entry

And lots of paella!

Can you smell that? I can!

Lovely paella image found at Spatula, Spoon and Saturday

Ole!

Lucy's Self Portrait

2011-03-16T14:37:00.002+11:00

Some artworks are just so hard to part with sometimes! This is Lucy's self portrait and she absolutely must go in the post today. Sadly. She's brightening up my workspace and making me smile everytime I sit down to work. I know Lucy will just love it so I will carefully pack her and send her on way this afternoon. Promise.

Thanks to Lucy's mum for sharing this bit of sweetness with me. I love my job!

Feeling Figgy

2011-03-14T19:57:00.005+11:00

Flickr, you figgy friend! This picture is by suttonhoo.

Figs.

There's not much more I could add to that to improve, really! I love figs and we have a new neighbour who knocked on my door this afternoon with an offering of figs from her fig-burdened fig tree in the backyard. They don't eat figs! Hoorah! I do!

So I'm in a figgy mood tonight and am about to do something figgy.

This happens every fig season, and a quick browse to a post from last season is worth revisiting, I feel. Please excuse me if you weren't that excited the first time you read this, but in approximately 8 minutes this will be what I'll be doing in my kitchen this evening.

Hope you are enjoying your favourite fruit of the season.

peel and slice figs and try not to eat all of them at once

place in a pan with a knob or two of butter and brown sugar

slowly bubble away to a thick dark glossy sweet syrupy figgy bit of deliciousness

blind bake a sheet of puff pastry cut into 4 squares

pile the figgy syrupy mixture onto the golden puffed pastry squares

add a very generous, it has to be generous, blob of cream

recognise this is too irresistible to save for later and inhale the lot immediately

lick all plates, pans and dishes

mmmmm

A figgy Flickr find from Jim O'Connell

A magazine, or two, and a cup of tea.

2011-03-11T00:47:00.008+11:00

You know, it's all about the people you meet and I have to say the gorgeous Prue from Gigi and Lulu has had me blushing and saying Aw Shucks this afternoon after a lovely reference on her blog to some fabulous work she did for me recently putting together my first ever Crayon Chick postcard. Gigi and Lulu is a petite marketing studio for petite business with big ideas and big dreams - a match made in Chez Crayon heaven if you ask me!

And I have to say I'm pretty chuffed with Crayon Chick popping up in a few magazines lately. I had a nice sit down with a cup of tea to catch up the other day. Is there any nicer way to flick through some gorgeous magazines than with a cup of tea? I think not! Well, maybe with a piece of fruit cake.

Garland strung across the top and down the front of the fabulous fabric tent in House and Garden.

Ah, Autumn, my favourite season so it's even more special to have a Crayon Chick garland on an Autumn page in Shop 4 Kids.

Book Club - The Murrumbidgee Kid

2011-03-08T15:39:00.005+11:00

Queen of Pearls, 1928

Of course I grabbed this book the minute I saw it at an airport bookshop somewhere in Asia. It called to me like a siren. I am a Murrumbidgee kid myself, and this book starts in rural NSW and moves to shady depression era Sydney in the 1930s and gives a fabulous insight to the life and times of early Australian theatre, vaudeville, film and radio. I was absorbed not only because it was an enchanting story (Belle is just marvellous) but because I want to discover when I get stuck into my beloved popular culture.

I felt a little link with this story not only because it starts on the banks of the Murrumbidgee, but because my own family history did a little roving during the Depression. And I even have a little link to those early theatrical times with my own great grandmother, a roller skater no less, who performed on stage.

I love this picture my mum has of her. It's August 1928 and she's wearing one of her skating costumes and has just won the silver cup for Best Fancy Dressed Lady at the the Narandera Skating Carnival as Queen of Pearls.

Isn't it divine!

The Murrumbidgee Kid was written by Peter Yeldham and is a Penguin publication.

Shop Girl

2011-03-04T20:06:00.004+11:00

Meet Solange, my french Shop Girl! She's doing a fabulous job at the market this week and hopefully having a quiet night tonight so she's on top of her game for the next 2 days at Magnolia Square. Which is probably more than I can say for myself as I'm about to start a major crochet session on the couch to keep up with demand!

If you're in the St Kilda area this weekend pop in and say hi.

PS the world's best raspberry and white chocolate muffins are there, too!

Circle Necklace by Crayon Chick

Magnolia Square at St Kilda

2011-03-03T00:31:00.004+11:00

Hoorah! Another event at the fabulous St Kilda Town Hall. It's such an eccentric old hall and the girls at Magnolia Square sure know how to dress the old hall up. Despite still reeling after last weekend's amazing event in Sydney I'm all ready to start again tomorrow. Well sort of, I have the home team advantage where I can still put things together after the curtain rises. Energy levels pending, of course!

String me along, Etsy style!

2011-02-28T18:37:00.005+11:00

Hurrah! This little chick has finally got her act together and listed her string garlands on Etsy - I know, I know - about time!

I adore them and have been so happy with the response I get at events such as Magnolia Square this weekend in fabulous Sydney I couldn't wait for the plane to land so I could get on with listing them.

So there they are, finally online so you can buy your own without getting out of your pyjamas!

Colour Combo du Jour: Teal and Chartreuse

2011-02-22T12:16:00.008+11:00

Be still my beating heart - what a fabulous image by Osborne and Little found at Daily Imprint. It features a long time favourite (chartreuse) with a recent obsessive favourite (teal). Where does inspiration come from? Why colour, of course!

A beautiful teal and chartreuse stack by Cloth.

Gorgeous Flickr photo by smellenellen

Another gorgeous Flickr image by Idaohio

Jobs to make you smile

2011-02-18T20:53:00.004+11:00

Stingrays, Thai brides, duck egg blues, sunny gardens, mums with mad hair .... I've had good reason to enjoy my work this week!

Photography - the early days

2011-02-15T10:51:00.006+11:00

Crochet Bowl by Crayon Chick

Do you remember polaroids? Were you ever lucky enough to have one when you were a kid? I wasn't. The girl down the street had one. And an Uncle had one. They were the most magical camera ever. Instant! In a flash! I'm loving the special filters and apps for photos available now for daggy nostaligia girls like Crayon Chick.

I do remember my first camera, it had the most fabulous Flash Cube and it was so groovy! I bet Keith Partridge had one.

You just have to check out this YouTube clip - an ad from the 60s for Flash Cube. It's wonderful!

This is it - the Flash Cube - you could take 4 flash shots in a row without having to change bulb - how progressive! Image sourced from here.

Lots of love ... Crayon Chick

2011-02-14T16:09:00.004+11:00

Crochet Heart Brooches by Crayon Chick

Crayon Chick at Magnolia Square

2011-02-11T00:03:00.004+11:00

How gorgeous is this postcard for Magnolia Square! Thread and paper - two of my very favourite things. I am inspired beyond words. Which is a pity because this is not the time for inspiration to hit, this is time for action! Time for productivity! I need to fill those market tubs! In exactly 2 weeks I'll be in Sydney for the launch of a new Magnolia Square at Paddington Town Hall and I can't wait!

A new venue and a new label. Yes that's right, I'll be there as Crayon Chick! You will still be able to find out all about Kids With Crayons. Nothing will be different, just the banner above my head. You can still bring along a favourite drawing and I'll be more than happy to chat with you about having it transformed into something special to keep.

Now it's after midnight and the big question is ... do I get some beauty sleep and be rested for a big day tomorrow, or do I keep plodding on for another hour or two???

Take a note

2011-02-08T18:55:00.003+11:00

Pencil Pot by Crayon Chick

OK, I'm in the crazy countdown to launch into a new year of market madness! I'm back to running my life via Lists. And I've got notebooks and pencils planted all over the house in case I have a thought I need to jot down. I'm one of those girls who keeps a notebook and pencil by the bed. I hate going to bed and remembering something I need to do in the morning and not being able to fall asleep in case I forget it. Looking back at my list it's unbelievable how banal they can be:

1. wash clothes

2. unpack dishwasher

3. water pot plants

Sometimes it's the little things that can unravel a girl!

Duck Egg Blue

2011-02-04T14:55:00.011+11:00

I covet this beautiful Panetone coffee mug from Greenhouse On Line

It's really horrible and muggy and nasty and I just wish I could stand in the shower all afternoon. Clearly that's not going to happen, but the next best thing is to start working on an order featuring Duck Egg Blue!

What a totally cool and calm and clean colour. I've just had some new drawings dropped off for Kids With Crayons which will hang in a loungeroom with Duck Egg Blue walls. And I'm so excited to create some artwork to coordinate in such a lovely room. Imagine sitting in that room now, with a cool drink - you know the type, a high ball of some description with beads of condensation rolling off.

Eggs! Photo from Flickr by Horses and Tigers

And this is just clean and fresh and lovely, also from Flickr (I'm having fun this afternoon) by MistyBliss

I'm such a cardy girl, isn't this one sweet. Flickr (again) by Laura Ward

Wow. This is a beautiful image, found on lovely Flickr of course, and it's by A Tree Called Life

Oh, how did you know this Cuban Highball is exactly what I'd like right now?

A French Affair

2011-02-02T11:52:00.009+11:00

Poster for Mon Oncle, by Jacques Tati found at IMDb

I Twitter. Yes I do and it's fabulous for keeping up to date and to feel part of a community, especially when you work from home on your own. I always say it's like the small talk in an office, usually around the coffee maker. Usually nothing important, but it keeps you connected, it builds friendships, and there's always someone nearby to help if you call out. Often it's my source for breaking news, even before the radio or tv updates. And of course the snippets of gossip to entertain, and even inspire. And motivate. Nothing gets me moving on a task quicker than hearing someone tweet about a success or a problem solved.

And it can bring some really happy thoughts into your day. Like this morning I was reminded of my love of Jacques Tati by the gorgeous team at Galerie Montmartre (loved the tweets, Michelle Belle!)

Mon Oncle is one of my favourites, and so is Monsieur Hulot's Holiday (1953), then there's Playtime (1967) .. oh I love them all .. and you can just imagine the architecture and the fashions, the fabulous era of technology meeting the modernists meeting the space age (you just know I'm about to burst into a Mad Men moment, but I won't, this time!)

I love his stripy socks! Gorgeous poster found here.

Jour de Fete poster found here.

Etsy love ... collage

2011-01-28T18:56:00.007+11:00

You know I love a bit of collage. This lovely card by petekdesign was spotted on the Etsy home page treasury and I just love it.

It's inspired me to do a bit of collage myself over the weekend. I just love putting my collage magnet sets together, I imagine little stories unfolding and get quite excited when a set comes together. Magic!

No turning back

2011-01-28T00:56:00.007+11:00

The year is full steam ahead already, all cylinders fired, cooking with gas, no turning back, one way only, off and racing ... well you get the picture! I'm plotting and planning and scheming the year away and it's still only January - just.

So if I could just keep this momentum up for another 11 months then I'll be a happy little chick.

Meanwhile I'm still having fun playing with photos. I took a photo of this gorgeous kitchen in all it's retro green-ness at the Daylesford Makers Market and how could I resist not playing with some fabulous mid-century effects, the first one is a polaroid look, the next one is a David Hockney photomontage look. I especially love the David Hockney styling. Not strictly mid-century, but there's a fabulous retro, jet-setting, 50s postcard-ish-ness to his work, such as "A Bigger Splash" which looks like the Palm Springs home Don Draper visited in Season 2 Mad Men.

A Bigger Splash, David Hockney, 1967

As luck would have it, this is the perfect spot for another gratuitous Don Draper shot, or two (even more from the shoot here). Sigh. Now that's a mid-century effect I'm happy to have around for another 11 months!

Friday stitched up

2011-01-21T20:05:00.005+11:00

And so concludes a good week at Chez Crayon.

Happy weekend!

Ever get the feeling you're being watched?

2011-01-20T11:44:00.004+11:00

I do. Often. My Constant Companion missed me while I was away and has been keeping a little furry eye on me ever since my return.

I was, believe it or not, sitting under a tree in the park crocheting and had this feeling I was being watched. I was. This gorgeous mamma kangaroo found me fascinating and was doing a bit of skulking around to get a closer look. Her little bubba Joey was too but each time I picked up my camera he dived back into the cosiness of pouch heaven, head first.

I could seriously watch these guys all day.

Caravans and Polaroids

2011-01-18T22:05:00.003+11:00

My Escape To The Country last week included some time spent in a caravan in the middle of the bush and it brought back so many memories of my childhood summertime. A caravan park utopia! So it was with great delight that tonight I discovered how much fun you can have playing around with photos on Picnik, I just love the nostalgic feeling of these 'retro-ed' polaroids.

And you know I love a bit of faded glamour.

One Day Project: Tree Spotting

2011-01-09T17:30:00.006+11:00

In the spirit of my One Day Project - and I'm ignoring the fact this has taken me a couple of days - I've taken Norma, my treasured grown-up camera, on some photo walks and bike rides around the neighbourhood in the pursuit of the discarded Christmas Tree fading in the summer sun on the nature strip.

The idea for this little project started a few years ago when I first started to notice these retired Christmas Trees thrown aside like yesterdays news, and I totally loved seeing their faded glamour, like vintage vaudeville stars.

No Second Act for these girls!

The Tree Spotting Mobile

I honestly seem to spend more time with my eyes at my feet rather than the path ahead on my walks, it's no wonder so many little things catch my eye, like this magpie feather which I surprisingly didn't bring home to add to my collection of Bits Picked Up On My Walk.

Trees clearly exempt!

Out and about

2011-01-09T00:13:00.005+11:00

I do love a day trip. I also love Melbourne's beloved Mirka Mora and what a great opportunity to combine the two in a visit to Heide Museum of Modern Art where there is an exhibition of her work. The grounds are fabulous and includes 3 galleries, and I was very excited to also find on show works by another favourite artist, Joy Hester. And that's serendipity right there!

And in the Department of Every Cloud Has a Silver Lining ... not only is my workroom totally overhauled of unnecessary stuff after a torturous week or more of a 'tidy up', but my desperate need for order has been indulged with a trip to flat-pack heaven. That's right, we braved IKEA, during summer holidays, with half of Melbourne filing in and out the doors the escalator had even stopped working.

We even had a trip to the new DAISO - it's like a japanese $2 shop and you want to talk about dinky containers to store bits and bobs then this is the place for you. And even a whole heap of neat stuff to put in your new dinky containers. I might even have a solution for my sticks which are still sitting around.

Everything is in it's spot and I'm in a sorting bliss - even the birds were neatly lined up. Happy days.

Treasury - Kids With Crayons, 2010

2011-01-06T23:53:00.004+11:00

1. Frame, 2. Keyring, 3. Frame, 4. Pendant, 5. Keyring, 6. Frame, 7. Gift Tag, 8. Frame, 9. Pendant, 10. Keyring,11. Frame, 12. Keyring, 13. Frame, 14. Keyring, 15. Frame, 16. Pendant, 17. Magnet, 18.Frame, 19. Pendant, 20. Frame, 21. Pendant, 22. Frame, 23. Keyring, 24. Pendant, 25. Buttons, 26. Keyring, 27. Frame, 28. Keyring, 29.Pendant, 30. Magnet, 31. Keyring, 32. Frame, 33. Magnet, 34. Keyring, 35. Cards, 36. Frame

Too cute, and too much fun!

I've been looking back on 2010, as you do, and couldn't resist putting this little sampling together. It's no wonder my workroom was left in such a state of anarchy when it was pens down for Christmas, it's taken me the better part of my break just to sort through everything.

We (madly) decided to do some furniture rearranging, which led to cupboard sorting and a jettison of stashed flotsam that seem to breed like rabbits. My (almost) sorted and ordered studio is (almost) ready for 2011. Almost.

Just a few odds and ends to deal with with, like a bunch of sticks and twigs that have accumulated on the mantle ... I really should stop picking up every stick that catches my eye on my walks.

Colour Love

2010-12-30T12:07:00.007+11:00

Colour chart from Farrow and Ball

Need some inspiration to do something a little more productive than sit on a verandah with a cup of tea and a piece of mum's christmas cake for elevenses while admiring the view of the garden and enjoying the absence of traffic, noise and deadline panic? Look no further, if you love colour and would just die for this colour chart, then this site will have you bounding into a colour-based project quicker than it'll take the kettle to boil for another cuppa!

I've just discovered Farrow and Ball. And I'm already dreaming up excuses to visit paint shops just for a colour fix.

It's also the push I need to finish the mess created when we thought moving the furniture in my workroom was a good idea. You know when you over-work the colours on your palette they go all grey and murky - that's my workroom right now, overworked and a complete disaster. Must fix that. Must write a plan to fix it. Must put the kettle on for a cuppa to enjoy while making that plan!

Summer movies

2010-12-28T18:35:00.008+11:00

Heavenly Depp photo found at CBC News

One word: Johnny Depp.

Is it just me or does he look a little like Bernard Fanning in this shot? I had that thought a few times as I watched the movie. It's just the hair, isn't it?

It's summer holidays, it's time for one of my favourite summer holiday activities and that's going to the movies and when it's Johnny Depp it's a no-brainer which movie to see first!

Image from The Tourist Movie Trailor

The Johnny Depp look-a-like Bernard Fanning with the gorgeous Clare Bowditch (her music is a favourite summer soundtrack at Chez Crayon), image found at news.com.au

Ho Ho Ho

2010-12-24T20:22:00.003+11:00

This is it! This is the night! I've spent the day cleaning, cleaning and cleaning. There's not one cobweb to be found at Chez Crayon, every surface is glistening, and the whole place is glowing. Not another morsel can fit into the fridge and don't even get me started on the pantry! I guess this means one thing: a houseful of family to celebrate Christmas!

I hope your Christmas is happy and full of fun and laughter.

I hope you've enjoyed my creativity, it's been such a delight to share my blogging as another creative outlet and I'm just enjoying myself so much. I've got lots of plans for Crayon Chick and Kids With Crayons next year so thank you so much for your support in 2010 and I look forward to sharing more with you in 2011.

Golden Days at the Chick's House

2010-12-22T13:44:00.003+11:00

1. Christmas Chick, 2. The Chick's Crochet, 3. Keyring by Kids With Crayons, 4. The Chick's Fabric Stash, 5.Pussycat Chicks, 6. Wind-up Chick

So the sun finally came out and put a gorgeous golden glow on everything. I started singing Felis Navidad in the shower and have been in the best mood ever since! I've got one more day before summer playtime starts but I couldn't help myself with a bit of Flickr fun to celebrate this gorgeous sunny day - and it's the Solstice, too - how appropriate!

I hope there's some golden sunny days where you are.

It's getting closer!

2010-12-20T23:06:00.002+11:00

Only 5 more sleeps! And I sincerely hope my Santa and his trusty side-kick Rudolph are half as cute as these guys. Check out Santa's beard!!! And Rudolph's nose!!!

Last market for 2010

2010-12-17T09:57:00.003+11:00

This is it, the last day of 2010 spent madly getting everything together for a market. The last day of 2010 spent lugging my market tubs and boxes and tables out to the car and marvelling at the TARDIS-type way my car can be loaded up. The last day of 2010 spent wondering how I'm going to make enough stuff in a fishes-and-loaves way to fill the tubs to load into the car to lug to a market!

For tomorrow is it, my final market for 2010, and it's at the fabulous Brunswick Town Hall for the Sisters Market. So many of my favourite market peeps will be there and I've got some presents I still need to buy (aargh!) so thank heavens for the market!

Sisters Market

Saturday, 18 Dec

10am - 4pm

Brunswick Town Hall

Loving ... filters!

2010-12-15T19:28:00.006+11:00

Some Crayon Chick goodies ordered online given the Lomo treatment on Picnik. I thought these 2 pieces together made a fabulous present. Top photo has been filtered to an inch of it's life, the bottom pic is Norma's version.

I've become very aware of some gorgeous photo effects using filters. The lovely Anne of LUcE had a gorgeous photo on her blog which I instantly fell in love with, not only because her clothes are beautiful, but also because I just loved the aged vintage look of the photo. Hipstamatic! A fabulous app for iPhones! I can tell you it will be the first app if and when I ever get an iPhone.

Meanwhile, I'm looking forward to summer and playing with our Lomo camera. For now I'll keep having fun with the Lomo filter on Picnik. Too much fun!

Beautiful garments from LUcE given the hipstamatic treatment!

Rosy

2010-12-14T13:27:00.004+11:00

It's all rosy at Chez Crayon. Not that I've got time to stop to smell them, but rosy all the same! Having said that, these blooms are so heavenly scented they are filling my workroom with the best perfume.

The energy at this time of the year is so motivating, isn't it? I think there's a collective urgency to Get Things Done Before Christmas which is just contagious. I was enjoying a gorgeous (sunny) catch up with my favourite Little Bird and we were marvelling at how we all seem to have a great need to get everything done before Christmas, whether it could wait until January or not.

And I think being in the southern hemisphere and coming out of our winter slumbers into the sunshine helps drive that urgency. I wonder if I would feel the same if I was entering winter and starting to cocoon and hibernate instead?

Southern sun or northern firesides, where ever you are I hope it's a good energy that moves you along!

An octopus' garden

2010-12-13T18:20:00.005+11:00

There have been so many gorgeous parcels departing Chez Crayon this week. And I just know the kids who draw their masterpieces are going to love the presents as much as the people I've made them for. So that's a double win right there! This little picture made me laugh the other day, do you think Patrick wants to be a marine biologist when he grows up? The next Jacques Cousteau? Cute!

Paper Love

2010-12-09T15:31:00.004+11:00

Little bits of paper sweetness have been popping onto my radar lately, and some I just can't ignore, like these amazing cards. I can't begin to tell you how much I want one of these! This fabulous bit of card love was found at Postcarden.

Then there's this little gorgeous fellow at Upon a Fold, isn't he cute! And this site has some fabulous stuff (I especially love the pop up ferris wheel card ... sigh). You know what I'd truly go mad for? A pop up carousel. Wouldn't that be fabulous!

Lisa has put the most gorgeous tutorial for making these amazing paper wreaths on her Red Thread blog. Have you seen these papers before? They are easy as pie to find in Chinatown, I've got a few sheets, not enough to make this wreath though, sadly, but then I don't have enough time at the moment to play either, so I guess that's one way of removing temptation/procrastination from my reach!

Finally, because I've been enjoying the warble of some local magpies most mornings, how is this amazing sculpture - a paper sculpture found at Scissors + Paper Rock! Amazing. My dearest friend, Sue, feeds her local magpies, and each season the adults bring their fledglings to her balcony to introduce them to her. Isn't that a magic relationship. Just magic.

Now, back to work!

Stuck on you

2010-12-07T18:37:00.002+11:00

No sooner is my market schedule under control than my orders are demanding my every attention! I have my lists written, my planner organised, and all my paperwork is lined up like little soldiers ready to jump to attention.

I'm a very organised type. I like neatly lined up piles and I have a place for everything. It's no surprise I love stationery so imagine my delight when I found these gorgeous sticky notes from Poppies For Grace at Magnolia Square on the weekend. Gorgeous and practical!

The only problem is that I should have bought 2 boxes!

Crayon Chick

Making pictures

The Date .... the end!

The Date ... updated, and refreshed

The Date ... and some Sunday sewing

The Date .... up to date!

The Date .... and Book Club

The Date .... and Paddle Pops

The Date cont. - 2nd

Summer Project - The Date

Kids With Crayons Class of '11

Deadlines ... and chocolate

Footnote to a big week

Another obsession sneaking up on me when I should be working

Sneaky obsessions catching me off guard

Orla Kiely in The Crayon Chick Shop - too much excitement!

Bowerbird Bazaar

Too tired to go to bed

Ways to cope with looming deadlines

Spring happenings

Cutie Pie

Things organised neatly

Mini Designer Chairs

I *heart* blogs

Mad about the posters

Pinterest Inspiration

Sunny Sundays

Etsy love ... camera strap

To Do Lists

By the sea

Etsy love ... theme du jour!

A legion of garlands

Happy Birthday My Little Blog!

Saturday

Bonjour!

This grey day needs brightening

Pinterest should come with a warning!

Tour de ... blogs, garlands and bikes!

Sunny days at Finders Keepers

Suitcases of stuff

I *heart* Melbourne

A winter palette

Etsy Love .... assemblage

Wishing you a snuggly weekend

Finders Keepers - Featured Designer

Hello winter

A cuppa always helps

Domestic Bliss

Finders Keepers Gift Guide to Winter Woolies

Challenge du jour

The week that will be

Iced Vovo's for afternoon tea

Etsy Love .... keeping calm and carrying on

On the desk

Ding Dong The Bells Are Gonna Ring!

Got a minute?

Recharged

Recharging and prepping

Colour Combo du Jour: citrine and teal

Change of plan

Finder Keepers this weekend

Colour Combo du Jour: red and aqua

The Chick's new market

Lucy's Self Portrait

Feeling Figgy

A magazine, or two, and a cup of tea.

Book Club - The Murrumbidgee Kid

Shop Girl

Magnolia Square at St Kilda

String me along, Etsy style!

Colour Combo du Jour: Teal and Chartreuse

Jobs to make you smile

Photography - the early days

Lots of love ... Crayon Chick

Crayon Chick at Magnolia Square

Take a note

Duck Egg Blue

A French Affair

Etsy love ... collage

No turning back

I heart blogs

I heart Melbourne