How to be an explorer of the world

I came across this book when I was looking for a secret Santa gift for my friend Emma.  She is soon to start a design course in Melbourne and I thought it would open the mind and get her exploring.

How to be an explorer of the world by Keri Smith



It's packed full of fun things to do and will appeal to any age.  Theres lots of things like I can do with Rosie (she's not even two) to make and play.

I like the the 'found paper' page.  It tells you to collect paper you find and then arrange it together. Singly they aren't that interesting but together they look good and what child doesn't like paper!

Found paper

I like the whole book but heres some of the pages...

World of colour, collect colour paint sample card you like and write what the colours remind you of

Miniature Ecosystem - collecting water from three different places in one jar
placing in a sunny window and watch / document the results

Grocery shopping - making list or collecting items that maybe are the same shape, colour, things you've never eaten before, all the types of cheeses etc.  It would be a fun one to keep the kids occupied whilst doing the grocery shopping.  It could be a competition for them.

Library exploration - picking an item and then going to the library so research  all about it, it maybe to collect pictures, make notes, sketch.  See what you can collect and present it as an installation.

It's full of thinking and observing projects that everyone can enjoy.  Check out Keri's website for this and her other very cool books.  I got mine from kinokuniya book store in Sydney city priced $19.95. www.kerismith.com
Thanks to Keri for letting me tell you about her book.

Enjoy

Jennie

Tree Child

If you are a grown up and love the Tree of Life store then you must visit their new Tree Child.  It's opened in Westfield Bondi Junction, in Sydneys Eastern Suburbs. Check out some of the beautiful things.

The beautiful shop front

Go in and colour a picture for their 'Touch of Love' project sponsoring children in India.

 http://www.treeoflife.com.au/Global-Love/a-touch-of-love

I'm sure you'll see more stores in the future.

http://www.treeoflife.com.au/

enjoy, Jennie

Bindi-eye bop

Margaret brings her grandson to my playgroup and is a talented singer and songwriter.  She's just self published a children's book filled with sixteen fun songs.  It also comes with a CD and is beautifully illustrated by her friend and artist Janet Selby.

Example page - Easter Bilby song

From jumping on trampolines, dodging bindi-eyes, caring from the environment and saving water.  It features echidnas, bilbies, dinosaurs, blowflies and cockatoos.

It's $25 including postage within Australia.  Check out http://www.margaretbradford.com/ or call Margaret on 0403 936 785 or Janet on 0421 369 707 to order your copy.

Enjoy, Jennie

Caravan play house



Rosie's caravan

This is something I've been wanting to make Rosie for a long time. Now that Mysan or Mysie as Rosie calls her is here to help it was made in a couple of days.

We had a table already so took the measurements and cut the pieces with an extra 2cm for the seams and hem. The front side was cut as a full piece plus an extra section for the door.

I drew out the caravan shape with a fabric marker and then mysie did the wibbly wobbly stitching that I wanted.  Pick a dark thread so it shows up well from a distance.

Windows were marked out, cut to allow a seam. The door was sewn on and then a section in the main piece cut away and hemmed so that she can get in and out.

The blind at the door window and a ceramic button heart above the door

Just a few birdies

Ribbon flowers

Curtains were crocheted doilies and gathered fabric.  Flowers were ribbon and embroidery wool thread.  Birdies were fabric scraps and embroidery. I added a lot of little things that were given to me by friends, such as, butterflies and hearts. I've still to add on crocheted flowers.  You could go on forever.  We even added a number plate, old vintage UK reg...ROS 13G, for Rosie G.

She loves it, as you can see,  Hope you all do too.

Jennie

I've lost a month

Hi everyone and happy new year.

Apologies for not blogging recently. We've been moving house and have family visiting. It seems we have lost a whole month somewhere!

I've lots to talk about and will be doing a few posts in the next week.  I'll be back to the painting next week too so should have some new items on Etsy in the coming month.  I'm doing an example of a personalised nursery painting as well.

Top tip for moving with an 18 month old.....get a good friend to look after them for the day. Our friend Caroline has a dog dog called Corky and Rosie didn't ask about us all day.

I'll blog again very soon

Jennie

Etsy Shop Launch

At last, I've set up mt Etsy shop and added some prints.

Check out my Etsy shop below the 'About me' bit on my blog or click on this link...
http://www.etsy.com/shop/hiccupart?ref=ss_profile

I hope you like them.

Jennie 



Mixed Media Weekend

My early Christmas present was a mixed media weekend organised through Sutherland Shire Art Society.  http://shireart.com/

It's with Catherine Harry who is a contemporary mixed media artist. Check out her website..

http://catherineharry.com.au/index.html

It was fascinating and although I've worked with acrylics and mixed media before it was a while back. Freeing up from my normal fine pen work was an out of the comfort zone experience but I loved it.

We all started by preparing a canvas with moulding paste and leaving that to dry for the second day.  Then we worked through a landscape with constant demo's of next steps from Cathy.

I would encourage anyone to try something new and experiment.  You just never know what you will create....and you have heaps of fun too. A good lesson I learnt from the weekend was to get some mounts and hold it around you painting, it looks different again.  I actually like part of each painting so if you're not entirely happy then block off parts and you may find a masterpiece within.  I may cut the interesting sections out and frame just that bit.

I won't ramble on anymore, I'll just show you some stages of my paintings. Visuals are much more interesting.

Cathy demonstrating

The group

My finished landscape

A favourite section

Another interesting section

Cathy demonstrating

Another stage of demonstrating

The first layers of my cherry blossom inspired art

My inspiration and drawings

My finished piece

A section that I like

Another section of interest

You could even scan or photograph sections, print them on textured paper and use them as a background for other paintings.

Jennie