Radical - a new range of gift cards (and there's a new milk bar print)

New things in the shop this week - gift cards that are full of colour and pattern. The RADICAL set features five cards, which you can buy individually or as a pack. They’re printed in Australia, on 100% recycled card stock, and come with a kraft envelope. Send one to a mate to let them know you miss them (thanks COVID) and you’ll brighten their day!

And there’s a brand new milk bar art print. This one’s in West Footscray and is still around, selling mixed lollies (and phone cards). My favourite thing about this illustration? All the bricks and tiles. Totally worth the RSI :)

More Colouring In Fun

I’m so humbled to be one of 16 illustrators contributing to Edition 1 of Happy Colouring, a free downloadable colouring book from local not-for-profit LiftMeUp. The work is all SO GREAT (other illustrators include Brook Gossen, Melanie Johnsson and Sebastian Curi) and I cannot wait to get colouring. And let’s face it, who doesn’t need a bit of a distraction and some chill-out time in the midst of a global pandemic?! And don’t forget to share your creations @liftmeup.aus on Instagram

LiftMeUp is a Melbourne-based charitable organisation that provides free support group sessions and social events to connect people experiencing loneliness, social isolation, depression and other mental health issues. They rely 100% on donations, so see the website if you want to learn more or support the important work they do.

Quilts & fabric

This is what I’ve been up to lately. Thanks COVID. My style of quilting and patchworking is simple - work with what you’ve got and Tetris it all together. Start out on a big table or clear the floor and put all the pieces together in a pleasing way. Mix them around until all the patterns and shapes and colours just work. Then work in rows, stitching together. Simple! I’ve long thought about creating a quilt pattern, but how do you plan for order when you start with chaos? :)

Anyway, I’ve listed a bunch of quilts in the Spin Spin Etsy shop, and if you’d like to make one yourself keep an eye out for mega fabric packs, coming soon. And take care out there.

September

Not only is it September, but it's nearly the end of September. How did this happen? The Royal Melbourne Show is on, another radiothon is over for my favourite station RRR and it's definitely spring in still-cold Melbourne.

Here are some snaps of the things I've been working on lately - lots of ceramics, lots of watercolour patterns and lots of fabric (that I don't have proper photos of yet), soon to be added to the shop and/or for sale at some upcoming events. 

Lots of new ceramic spoons including the above.

The first and only mug I've ever made. 

Lots of hand painted porcelain studs now available in my shop.

I'm obsessed with pattern making in watercolour. This is my latest.

I did an ink audit this week and sorted them by colour group. Pinks and reds win.

This cake is THE best banana cake ever. Thanks, Hello Lunch Lady.

On a different not, today I listened to this podcast from The Jealous Curator while working (found via Tess at Creative Minds Publishing & CWC) and recommend it to any creatives who love hearing artists talking about their work and their thoughts. Sandra Eterovic is so generous with her thoughts and her ideas, what a gem.

And finally, there's a post about me at the Maribyrnong Makers Market blog.