mr fox

Did you guess correctly? Yep. It's The Making of Fantastic Mr. Fox. If you read the interview I did a few weeks ago on the Craft Victoria blog you may have guessed. I just can not get enough of the pages in this book. Literally. I want more pages. To see more behind the scenes. The ability to reach in and pick up the little characters and check them out from all angles. Maybe I'm a little obsessed. Yet I have not read this book from front to back, I'm still getting past the pictures. There is so much detail in here, I want to devour it all. I especially love seeing the original pen drawings by Wes Anderson which look rather quick as if merely capturing an idea and then being able to see where that idea ended up. I love the pictures of Roald Dahl's garden and home and seeing how they inspired Wes Anderson's adaptation of his book. The Making of Fantastic Mr. Fox is a wonderful look at the creative process behind the movie and for me, the film and the book are both filled with magical moments. 

printed pages

Gifted books from Christmas and my birthday (way back in January). I still have some reading to do but one I have managed to completely read so far is Indie Craft. You can see more of its pages over here. I thought this book showcased a well curated mix of craft artist from all over the world who use varying mediums. I will know doubt flip its pages again. Tomorrow I am going to show you pages from another favourite in this pile. Can you guess which one?

about face

I finally did it! Last weekend I set up a Handmade Romance Facebook Fan Page. Check it out and say hello, 'Like' and 'Share' to be in the know on the latest Handmade Romance happenings.

shed 4

Yes. Docklands does get it's name from its location by the docks of Melbourne.

Herbert and Friends had the cutest handmade 'we accept' sign in the whole shed.

Not only was Shed 4 full of independent crafty stalls there was also giant Rubik's Cubes, hanging paper triangles and the Taco Truck to be spotted.

 

After hours of walking around and buying a couple of presents it was time to head home, sweet home.

finders keepers

image from here

If you are in Melbourne this weekend and looking for something to do, head down to the Finders Keepers market —entry is free.

This massive indie design and art market is jam packed with over 150 makers, a bar, food, live music and art exhibitions. Open both Saturday and Sunday from 10am - 5pm and spanning 2,000 square meters in Shed 4 at Docklands this is one market not to be missed. But remember no ATMs on site so if you are looking to pick up some treats, stock up your money bags first!

egon

I purchased this gorgeous box of chocolates decorated with Egon Schiele's painting, The Artists Wife last November on our honeymoon in Vienna. Egon was mentored by Gustav Klimt in the early 1900's and we were lucky enough to get to see work from both of these artists including Klimt's, The Kiss at Belvedere Palace. I was quite taken with Egon's portraits and there as something in the eyes of his work which reminded me a little of Australian artist, William Dobell, especially this piece.

blokes and boys

Above are some recently new Bearded Blokes and Bow Tie Boys listed in my Etsy store. I am also busy working on a couple of commission items. I always feel a bit more pressure or a bit more anxious about the outcome when creating for someone's specific request. I think it could be the fear of disappointment and not meeting their expectation. How about you? Do you find it easier or harder to create for someone else's idea? Have you ever had to deal with a disjointed customer?

candy bandit

top and middle image from here and here

The above are some of my favourite crafty creations from fellow Melbourne gal Gemma Pobjoy's label Candy Bandit. Gemma knows how to turn felt into all sorts of adorable accessories from necklaces and wrist cuffs to an array of fun brooches. Her Candy Bandit creations include a colourful mix of folk faces, animals, fairytale and otherwise plus so much more!

hanging on

Beautiful handmade, ceramic marionette's available from Talma Vardi's Etsy store, AnnaLela.

Time has escaped me this week and I feel like I am just hanging on to my responsibilities. Our daylight hours are shortening and the cooler weather seems to be settling in. My energy and emotions have been low. It's hard to watch the news without feeling a sense of helplessness and sadness. I hope to make the most of this weekend and feel a greater sense of hope and resolve when the new week begins.

Have a safe and sunny weekend x

best discovery ever

from here

Just found this clip. It's too good not to share.

Apart from the discovery of pipes decorated into Muppets by Jim Henson some 18 years prior, this clip also has hair on faces and heads not to be missed! Long live the 1980! Oh and the suits. This clip is all-round good stuff.

so little time

Last weekend when I called past the Craft Hatch market to see lovely Jess, I couldn't resist a pair of these cute, tea cup earrings from So Little Time. They also had the sweetest mobile on display depicting The Cat and the Fiddle nursery rhyme. You can take a peek at it over on the So Little Time Co. blog.  

If you want more, back in February Clog posted a great interview on those behind this lovely Melbourne label.

mike perry

One of my favourite makers, Mike Perry is donating 100% of the money raised in his online store to Japan.

This is just one of the creative place you can donate money to Japan.

A couple more links;

Going Home to Roost

Artists Help Japan

Handmade for Japan

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I'm feeling grateful for so many things right now. My thoughts and best wishes go out to everyone affected by the world's current natural disasters.

x

bears for jess

Snapped while we were in Prague checking out their mega-huge castle which also happens to house the world's second largest toy museum. Unfortunately we didn't get to go inside the museum but I spotted these two well loved characters in one of their display windows and immediately thought of this lovely bear lovin' lady.

It just so happens that Jess, from Teddy Bear's Wednesday is going to be at the State Library of Victoria today as part of the Craft Hatch market. I recommend checking it out if you are in this part of the woods, you are bound for a big surprise! (*Boom!* *Tish!* Poor form, I know! I couldn't resist.) Craft Victoria always put together a quality line up of crafters. And speaking of quality line-ups, check out Jess's market ready crew!

image from here

grandparents

 

I can't get enough of these.  

Miju Lee's, Grandparents found via Duduá Duduá.

And to my nana who had a nasty fall two weeks ago and underwent surgery this week, I wish you a pain-free and speedy recovery. I know she won't be reading this but I'm just putting the love out there.

x

diy

 images from here

A tutorial on how to make this cute little bowl can be found over on Sodapop Design. A German blog. Can't read German? Never fear, Google Translator does a pretty nice job - here's a link to the English translation.

Do you have any blogs you regularly check out but need to run through a translator?

Some of my favs at the moment are;

Dudua Dudua

Lisen Adbage