Cat Paws

Cat paws are the most expressive things. I love it when they touch things inquisitively.

Crafting

Featured seller on Etsy KateTowers and her website

It's been awhile so I'll try and catch up. On Sunday, I was really lazy, chilling out and watching movies most of the day, but I finished my little drawstring bag and I'm really happy with it! It's currently holding all the reels of thread and needles for my craft time. Last night I decided to play with different coloured felt and create a lot of little sakura shaped flowers. Very pretty. Just playing with craft now, my animation course has started up and so I need to let my etsy project go a little. What I've decided is to just keep making stuff (as I will still have time to) and sell when things start to pile up.



There are some really amazing work on mentor and it's really inspiring watching them. One of the girls I was classmates with last term has done a really awesome skating piece while I was on leave. So fluid, so precisely weighted and timed, amazing. I will be doing those assignments this term and just watching that piece has swayed me to pick a theme just like that. So so tempted. I do have an idea involving a frizbee being stuck in a tree, as silly as that sounds it's a pretty good one so I might stick to that. My idea would be easy to just map out in the beginning and thus removing the need to decide what to do next (which I found, takes up a hell of a lot of time) so that's another plus to the idea. But I sooo want to do another dancy, graceful, ballet piece. *sigh* what to do, what to do...

Photos!

I have finally sorted out my photos... here they are...

Some origami paper boxes made out of magazines and ready for serving little snacks or catching some little crafty offcuts. I'm really happy with the colours.


Thursday night project, I found a leaf and loved its wobbly outline so I decided to transfer the shape onto a piece of felt and create an applique for a little drawstring bag made out of a sleeve of a shirt. Still in progress... (probably finish it after this)


Sakura (cherry blossom) flowers are one of my three favourite flowers, the other two being lilys and frangipanis. Here they are as hairpin, inspired by Lupin's tutorial on hairpins.


Autumn leaves hairpins, I've been wearing them all week and it adds a nice dash of colour to my otherwise dark and boring hair haha. I am looking forward to making some more and sharing it with the world.


Little yellow leaf

Etsy Finds

Needle Felted Doll

Surfing the etsy while waiting for renders today. This is so cool! The details in the hair and shawl is so amazing, so delicate. I first saw the acorns this person made and clicked on the link (cos I love acorns), and found this. Love it! If I had a lovely home to decorate I would love to get this, but as I am a digital nomad, I probably shouldn't (for fear of ruining it whenever I move).

I have been reading blogs lately, firstly Lupin and then from her blog to Lovely Design. Sharilyn makes some beautiful products and I love reading about her days, but mostly I love her photography. How do people get so good at taking photos? I do wish I could be like them one day. The lighting and softening effect of the whole photo is just relaxing to look at, so much more than a happy snap and more like a treasured possession.



One more from Fairyfolk, it's just too cute not to mention Needle Felted Pumpkin Mouse

pictures

I have pictures! quite a few actually, though truth be told most of them are blurry. I had a few nights of really good creative fun and I've kept my camera close by to capture some of it. I will load them up this weekend as it's inappropriate to load them at work (though I am playing the waiting game today, so many brainless things to do, but must be done which is fine by me).

For the last few weeks I've been trying to decide on what I am actually doing. My purpose for starting this project is to find a crafting hobby that can fund itself, something I can do after work to unwind. It's really hard to decide whether I should just let loose and create whatever I want and then sell it all packaged up nicely, OR, focus on my original idea. Both are really tempting to do. I havent actually done anything related to the second option so perhaps I should try it out this weekend.

Cool Find of the Day

Cool story of the Day. James May and his lego house!

I love watching James May shows, always interesting. This is another one of his interesting projects he did for his series about toys.

Good news! I've finally submitted my first sequence for the director's review. It took me so long to get the style, hopefully I've touched on it. Style is always a hard thing to get use to.

And! I will try and post photos of my crafty work tonight, haha I'm so not use to taking photos yet. I need to start taking photos of everything, maybe if I attach the camera to myself it will start happening. I made more leaves last night and I'm modelling the sakura flowers today. My sewing is improving and I can sort of see a style developing hehe.

My acorns arrived yesterday :) love them, though there are some fluffy white things on them and I'm not sure if it's felt or something living. Will give them a good clean before I start enjoying them :)

Crafting

small cottage vase

This is cute, spotted it whilst browsing etsy hehe.

Over the weekend I made some real good progress with my etsy hobby craft product. I made some hairpins with felted flowers and leaves attached. I'm really happy with them and am modeling them right now (road testing them to see how they hold up with normal wear and tear) :) I'll take some photos tonight and post them up.

btw, the bay went that really beautiful shade of white/blue again today and I had my camera with me! It was kinda difficult to take photos while riding in the car but anyway, I'll post that up later...

here it is!

Working, working, working...

This is inspiring :)

I've had a tough week at work so I'm looking forward to a weekend of crafting and recharging (so I'll be all refreshed for another hard week haha). Will post some photos if anything cool comes out of it :) Ta ta!

On a mission!

Ok, today I have a TON of work to do at work (haha) and so I have decided from after this post I wont let anything get in the way of finishing it. Not only will this help me stay on track for the deadline, but I will also be able to leave at a decent time tonight. I am hoping to start doing my little hairclips with my new felt squares. All a test atm and if it's good it will become something. I'm super excited about starting it and so I better get to work!

Oh dear... my sister is talking to me. Damn, I gotta be strong and focus haha. Wish me luck!

(a few minutes later)

I need to make a quick note here! A tutorial was passed around work and I need to save it somewhere for future reference

Animating a Facial Take by Victor Navone

it's work related hehehe

(a few hours later)

I'm sad... I dont think I'll be able to leave as early as I had planned :( I HAVE to finish my shots today or I wont finish on time. I'm really happy with the shots I've done today though, probably the best I've ever done.

Hopefully I'll be able to squeeze in something crafty before the end of the day.

Late night already

It's week 3 into my new job and I'm already doing a late night... *sigh* oh well, I did join the company at the end of a episode so my deadline arrived extra early. Still... Hopefully I'll be able to leave by 10 at the latest. I cant seem to do anymore.

On the other hand (blogging whilst I wait for my scene to save, and it's taking it's time), I got a parcel today, inside was my order from Lupin! I got my beautiful sakura felt headband and I'm super happy about it. It's so neat and colourful and happy! I love it :D I didnt realise it was this small, but then again I am glad it's this size otherwise it would look really odd in my hair. When I was trying it on I had it around my neck and it actually looks really good there, as a choker. I might post her a photo of it when I do my feedback. The felt and embroidery threads also came in the same package. Looking forward to starting some projects (a new secret project, hint? for the hair).

Yesterday I had some crafty fun, I practiced some more embroidery and I'm getting better. I even tried doing a dancer and I think it looks like a person (albeit a wonky one). Have tons more thread to try now. I think that sheet will end up covered in embroidery, hopefully I'll be able to make something out of it. Next time though, I think I will actually draw my dancer from reference, the one I practiced on came out of my head and is really bad haha. I wont post photos until I get good at it.

I think I might try doing some photography practice when I go on drives with Matt. I'm curious about what can be done by playing with focus and lens. Another thing to add to my list of 'things I want to try', that list is getting long...

"It's working!"
"I know it's working, RUN!"

Hehe, I LOVE that movie, well the trilogy. Can you guess it? Lord of the Rings of course. I was watching Fellowship of the Ring last night as I made more snackboxes and the conversations between Merry and Pippin made me chuckle, so cute. That bit of dialogue was near the end when they created a diversion to allow Frodo to escape. A cute bit of innocence in a moment of peril.

Another movie I watched last night was Mona Lisa Smiles. I happened upon it when I was channel surfing for something to watch and I'm glad I found it. A movie about feminism during the 50s, about traditions and explores why people cling on to ideals because they were expected to. The four girls and the teacher (played by Julia Roberts) really played their parts well and I thought the script was well written too. Much better than Twilight which I was sooo disappointed about, though I dont even know why I'm comparing them except that I feel much better after watching a movie with good acting and properly written script (and no sparkly vampires. I seriously didn't think they meant it literally. Perhaps I was imagining something like sunlight on a car or water, but certainly not sparkly, with tacky sound effects). haha anyway...

Today I caught up with a friend and enjoyed a nice brunch in the city. After some window shopping (which is kinda like a crafty inspiration process) we came home and now I feel like a bit of crafting. I think my embroidery work should be done during the day when the light is good, so I might have another night of origami boxes and movies. The project is looking ok actually, after making quite a few I can see the potential in having this item around the house. I'm actually using it in my kitchen so I know they're useful. I just hope others agree and it sells. Might make a batch of big ones today. So, see you later! :D



Another little quote from Two Towers:
"It's talking Merry, the tree is talking"
"Tree? I am no tree. I am an Ent"
"Tree Herder, shepherd of the forest"
"Don't talk to it Merry, don't encourage it!"

Inspiration: Laputa Castle in the Sky

The reason why the horizon shines so
Is because hiding somewhere beyond it is you
The reason why all those many lights seem so nostalgic
Is because within one amongst them is you

Come on! Let's set off, with a slice of bread
A knife and a lamp all stuffed into a bag
The burning emotions father left to me
The sharp gaze mother gave to me
The earth revolves, hiding you
Shining eyes, glimmering lights
The earth revolves, carrying you
Carrying the both of us, who will one day surely meet

The burning emotions father left to me
The sharp gaze mother gave to me
The earth revolves, hiding you
Shining eyes, glimmering lights
The earth revolves, carrying you
Carrying the both of us, who will one day surely meet

http://yoimachigusa.net/animelyrics/ghibli/laputa.html


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Studio Ghibli, which produced many of my all time favourite animated movies like My Neighbour Totoro, Princess Mononoke and Spirited Away, also produced this beautiful, heartfelt masterpiece about a girl with a mysterious stone which points to the fabled location of Laputa: castle in the sky. The lyrics above is the english translation to the end title song and listening to it today reminded me of the story I watched a long time ago.

Trailer for the movie

KIMI WO NOSETE (Carrying You)

The reason why the horizon shines so
Is because hiding somewhere beyond it is you
The reason why all those many lights seem so nostalgic
Is because within one amongst them is you

Come on! Let's set off, with a slice of bread
A knife and a lamp all stuffed into a bag
The burning emotions father left to me
The sharp gaze mother gave to me
The earth revolves, hiding you
Shining eyes, glimmering lights
The earth revolves, carrying you
Carrying the both of us, who will one day surely meet

The burning emotions father left to me
The sharp gaze mother gave to me
The earth revolves, hiding you
Shining eyes, glimmering lights
The earth revolves, carrying you
Carrying the both of us, who will one day surely meet

http://yoimachigusa.net/animelyrics/ghibli/laputa.html

Goals

Inspired from blog reading. A good idea, for my current dilemma of not finding enough time to do my crafting projects, is to count crafting as one of the 'must dos' of a day. With work and a ton of ideas to get to, I feel like I can never get to my goal. And I'm never satisfied with what I do make. So every day I will do something, like folding a little box which takes only a minute or two. Perhaps this will help me get this project moving. Last night I discovered my first product for my test shop: little snackboxes. Sounds so boring? well once I've made a few to stock my shop with I hope to find out if it is or not.

I've discovered that just using random recycled magazine pages really doesnt make the product look good at all, rather unremarkable and not worth buying, I wouldnt. So I'll have to find some way to make it themed and inspire people to use it for certain events. I have thought of using new paper as well (in fact I have thought of a really good idea, which I would be quite keen on using myself when it's made) but I'll have to source it from somewhere first and so that will happen when I get to it.

Goal? Before mentor starts up in 3 weeks, I will have my first item listed on etsy :)

Inspiration: Think of Me

One of my favourite soundtracks: Phantom of the Opera

Think of me, think of me fondly,
when we've said goodbye.
Remember me once in a while -
please promise me you'll try.
When you find that, once again, you long
to take your heart back and be free -
if you ever find a moment,
spare a thought for me

We never said our love was evergreen,
or as unchanging as the sea -
but if you can still remember
stop and think of me . . .

Think of all the things
we've shared and seen -
don't think about the things
which might have been . . .

Think of me, think of me waking,
silent and resigned.
Imagine me, trying too hard
to put you from my mind.
Recall those days
look back on all those times,
think of the things we'll never do -
there will never be a day,
when I won't think of you . . .

Cool Find of the Day

Timeless Paper

Freeze Whole Strawberries Without Sugar

The best suited strawberries to be frozen are berries that are dark red, firm and fully ripe.

Remove stem and caps. Sort, wash and drain the fruit carefully. Do not soak in water, or the strawberry will lose flavor and nutrients. Do not add sugar.

Freeze strawberries individually in a single layer on cookie sheets. After completely frozen (about 24h) place into freezer containers or flexible freezer bags.

http://www.strawberry-recipes.com/freeze_strawberries.html
----------------

I love strawberries, they are my most favourite type of fruit and I could eat a punnet at a time. The smell, the taste, the colour always makes me excited and happy :) Over the weekend I came across a sale of strawberries, $7 for a whole tray of fresh Queensland strawberries. I was so excited, but I had to buy a few thing and I couldn't carry it with me at the time, so I decided to come back after I've done my task. When I did, I was devastated to find that ALL of them were gone! GONE! I found myself sulking at home afterwards. I told myself that it was ok, what would I do with 9 punnets of strawberries anyway? I couldnt really eat them all before they went off. I could give them away, but then who? Besides I wanted them for myself to enjoy for a long time. Could I freeze them? I looked it up today and it appears I can. Freeze them to make into smoothies and icecream (Nigella's recipe) and top lots of yummy things. So, next time, I will buy it right away. No more waiting! Or at least buy one and tell them to keep it behind the counter for me. Never again will I miss out on these beauties! HA!

Beautiful Bay

Today the sky was dull, the sun was hidden and it felt like a dreary Monday morning. I went through the motion of getting ready for work thinking that the day was just like any other cloudy day. As we drove to work nothing had changed, but as we passed the Bay a brilliant white caught my eye. I looked and saw the most beautiful scene. The bay was shimmering in white, reflecting the clouds above. There was a tinge of clear baby blue water underneath and the whole landscape (or rather bay) was softened in a layer of fine mist. The foreground, the beach in sharp contrast, framed the mystical water and then hinting a outline of the city in the background. Gorgeous.

Why do I not have a photo? I so wish I had thought to bring my camera with me. I'm still kicking myself. Words simply cannot describe how beautiful the scene was.

Mushrooms!

This is very nice! Delicate. A picture I saw on an Etsy Storque article.

btw, last night I made a bagful of origami corners out of post-its while watching Black Hawk Down. I remember back when I was studying I'd have a few of them marking pages that were important for future reference. When I first made them I thought they were quite clever as they didnt stick out of the page and crumple messily like torn out bits of paper would look like. I made these just for something to do and this weekend I am hoping to use up some of the magazine pages I've collected for this too. So much to do, so many things to try :D

I actually have another project idea that was sparked from a tutorial I saw on Lupin's page. Maybe when the felt I've ordered arrives I'll give it a go.

Let it begin...

Seeing as my ultimate product is gonna take a lot of time and practice to perfect to selling standards, I have decided to make a move and start creating little things to sell in the meantime. I want to know how the whole selling thing works as well as trying out tons of little projects I've been dreaming up.

Gosh I hope I can fit everything in to a 24 hour day! haha

This is why I'm never bored...

Cool Find of the Day

I saw Joannarutter in the featured seller section of Etsy and her creations are beautiful :D I love the simplicity of her designs, the way she's photographed them. I'm dying to get this necklace and ring. One day...

Cool tute

Whoo! found a cool tutorial for making a lunch bag. Perhaps I could make something out of all my practice embroidery fabrics :D

Lunch Bag

Actually I feel like doing some embroidery soon... yay :D more flowers I think.

No internet

Well I'm here in Melbourne! Started work and settled in to our new place :) The only thing we're missing is internet at home and it's driving Matt crazy haha. Poor Matt.

I gave myself permission on Monday to buy some things I've been lusting after on Etsy. So I got the sakura felt headband and the cute little felted acorns with green ribbons :D yay! Kinda tempted to get some clothes too, but I might wait till my first pay check before I do that. Should be coming soon.

As for etsy, I tried my hands at embroidery last weekend and embroidered some basic flowers onto maroon sheets that I decided weren't suitable for my bedroom colour scheme anymore. They looked pretty and I was tempted to cut them out and make bags out of them right away. Well, maybe they weren't actually good, there were a few mistakes, but I was excited to have finally done some embroidery. Besides, pink and yellow lines on a dark maroon background works, and I am happy to have discovered that.

Animation mentor will be starting up soon and so I'll have to organise my time properly so I can fit everything that I enjoy in. So perhaps I'll spend my working week doing work and animation mentor, and then have the weekends to do crafting, hanging out with Matt and cooking. I hope it turns out that way. Still a few weeks to go before that happens so I'll enjoy what time I have left now.