Just a Bit Further Before Home

I've had a great day today! This morning I went to St Kilda to visit some friends at their market stall at the St. Kilda market. We had barbecued bubble and squeak sandwiches on their little homemade BBQ and then the wind blew next doors stall over the wall. Very exciting stuff.

Then I caught the tram up to Flinder's street and talked the whole way with a lovely Polish girl who had just arrived in Melbourne as a tourist. It's nice to talk to strangers sometimes!

One of my new brooches, look I've learnt how to do featherstitch! (on his tail and wing)

In Federation Square I went to the Melbourne Makers Etsy meet up and met so many interesting people who all had their lovely things with them. I think my favourite was a crocheted cushion of a pair of boobs. Brilliant!! I'll let you know if they are on etsy any time soon. I definitely want one.

I then had to go and pick up my bike from Brunswick street, as I cycled down the gentle hill to home I decided it was much too nice an evening to go straight home so I cycled a bit along the Yarra, past the children's farm and the convent. As I was cycling I saw a flock of black cockatoos circling. They landed next to two baths acting as watering troughs, and all drank their fill. I fumbled in my bag for a piece of paper and found the little booklet moonmum had given me at the meet up and quickly sketched the squawking cockies in it!

Black cockie in a tree after his thirst was quenched

Boxes for the Birds

OH! I've just bought the most delicious new felt in gorgeous colours! Soft greens, rose pinks, a lovely light turquoise, wait till you see my new colour combinations, I'm so excited about them all!
I'm also excited by my new boxes in which to display the birds, I'm playing around with ideas at the moment, but I'm loving making these little birdies and I think I might really concentrate on them. I'm thinking also of starting a special blog just for them, I'll keep you updated as to what happens.


I'm sorry I've been so tardy at my blog lately, new things have been happening including I've been on the look out for a studio, AND now, I've found one! Hooray! No more trying to work in my living room on the floor, creating havoc and making Jeremy's home life a misery of mess! I'll be moving in over the next few weeks, I can't wait.

Lost, Found and Returned

I have a little story for you.


I used to make these heart brooches, (I'm contemplating making them again as they sold quite well, but were a pain to cut out) Anyway, I sold them at markets and in various shops.
Last Saturday my friend Andrea came to Rose Street Artists' Market, as she is going to look after my stall and sell some of her work while I am away for three weeks at the end of September, start of October. She had the above brooch with her and said, "this is one of yours, isn't it?" I said 'Yes!" She told me that her friend had found it on the street in Windsor, Melbourne and thought it was something Andrea would like so gave it to her. Andrea recognised it and returned the poor lost little thing to me! Maybe the person who bought it and lost it in Windsor will read this and I can then return it to them to complete the story! Anybody been strolling in Windsor lately?

The Spotted Dove

I've been enjoying pigeons lately, drawings of them, prints of them and pigeons in real life. I have a book that shows a couple of paintings of chinese pigeons, apparently the artist made five volumes of paintings of just domestic pigeons! I'd love to get my hands on it. Here are a few examples.

I think it is funny how pigeons get such bad press, 'flying vermin,' 'rats with wings,' yet the symbol for peace and for love is a dove. But, a dove is a pigeon, just a bit prettier, they are all from the same family. Oh well!

Anyway, I decided to make a gocco print of one of my favourite little birds here in Australia. The Spotted Dove. They are quite common but always hide in laneways acting shifty, as soon as you come across them they flurry off as if they have been caught having a secret meeting. Either that or they are just shy.

This one's for you bro!

Who Will my 100th Sale?

Quick everyone, I have 99 sales, who will be my 100th sale on etsy and get a free felt bird brooch?!!

Felt Birds on Etsy and Great Sushi

I thought I'd give my felt bird brooches a go on etsy. I was holding back until now because I needed them for market, but I've been so busy making them that I've got a few to spare for my etsy shop.
Also I'm trying to get to my 100 sales goal, when I reach it Jeremy is going to take me out for dinner. Hooray! I've decided I want to go to Wabi Sabi, a great little Japanese restaurant on Smith Street. I go there for sushi takeaway every time I'm at the Print Workshop. They seriously do the BEST sushi in the city, so good infact that I can no longer eat sushi anywhere else. So I'm going to give a free gift to the buyer of sale no. 100 in the form of one of these little felt bird brooches to say thankyou for helping me get to my favourite restaurant!