Exhibition

Reverse Garbage is preparing for the first exhibition of the year.

Welcome to Trash Amour:

That says it all I guess, for the loved up month of February expect lots of red and pink and hearts and from me.... lots of glitter! Join us all from 6pm with drinks, local live music and lots of laughs and smiles. Plus all the work is available for purchase on the night and through to the 29th February.

I am well underway with getting things ready and I have already dropped in a few small pre-exhibition wonders. Reverse Garbage is open 9-5 Monday-Friday and you can find them in their new location at 20 Burke street, Woolloongabba, Brisbane.

See you there!

Glastonbury Creek

So, as you may (or may not) know, I spent the last five days out at Glastonbury creek at an un-manned, un-powered campsite; just my mother, the dog and I with the power of the sun and a half empty gas bottle.

I seem to have lost the ability to relax, so this trip was all about the both of us bonding (as I have been out of home for a few years now) and remembering how to relax.

What did I get up to?

I read a book - Abarat by Clive Barker. He is a phenomenal author, by far my favourite (thus far); I have to say that Weaveworld is my all time favourite book. But Abarat may have crept up closely behind. I recommend his books to anyone who likes twisted, uncensored, gorey fantasy that still maintains a feel that you could be living each page. Not only that but throughout the books you feel as though the story could end there but it never does, it goes on and just gets better and better.

My mother is a fantastic artist (though she will never admit it), so of course we sat and did some painting, we chose water-colours as it's something I have never been all that good at and I really enjoy challenging myself by sitting next to her and trying to produce something to her standard. This was easily the closest I have ever been :) I am very happy with how they came out:

Now that I am feeling a bit more confident about using the medium I now have to work on shadows and perspective, something that I used to be really good at, but that's what happens if you hide the water-colours for years and years.

Something else I haven't done in years is sketch. I sat down on a rock in the river and did this:

For some reason the scanner did not pick up all of the detail, but it still came out ok.

Finally, after being given a set of Prima Colour Sketching pencils I was determined to start something in my sketchbook, I have a fish that I have owned for about three years so I thought I'd draw him as he's quite interesting to look at:

I used a selection of 2H pencil, black Biro, water-colours and the coloured pencils on acid-free sketching paper. It is officially the first finished picture in my new journal. I am still thankful to Jane Davenport for her inspiration on journaling!

I'm not a big fan of my actual "art" as such, but I have finally gotten over the fear of imperfection, so I am happy just drawing/painting until I come up with something good. Plus it's fun to get off of the sowing machine for a bit!

I have lots of catching up to do, so off to work I go :)

Quilting and Craft Fair

Today Jo and I went to the quilting and craft fair. It was amazing; there was so much to see and learn and as always it is good to see where my pieces sit compared to those of people who are well established.

I took home a couple of little hand-made embellishments, in Paisley Pattern of course, and a few mirror decorations with which I plan to add to my a gypsy skirt next year. I have a never ending list of all the things that I want to make or learn to make and at the moment it is split into this year and next year:

This year is all about the Festive stock and building up the website, as you may see, it is being updated and edited most days. Please get your Christmas orders in before the 1st November for free Australian postage.

Next year, or over Christmas I am going to take some time out to make some nice things for myself as I have about 10 things that I want to make... Some new Pixie outfits as you can never have too many, some better wings, a gypsy skirt, finish my quilt, finish my alterations, a new bag and back pack and along with that I would like to learn how to crochet, knit and make candles. Not much then.

Today at the fair I was astounded to see how much waste there was and how little people seemed to even register this. Imagine that every one of the dye-cut card embellishments was on an A4 sheet, some were self adhesive too, and they all come in a plastic sleeve. From each of these packs you can make one to five cards. On top of that you have to buy the cards in a plastic slip and the envelopes in a plastic slip too, plus they were all promoting using foam sticky blocks to attach it all, also made out of and wrapped in... plastic. It seems that the craft industry itself is all about consumption these days, and there was not one recycled thing at the entire show.

So as a reminder, Pixie In The Park is all about taking this waste and 'rubbish' and transforming it into art, accessories and fashion for you and doing it in a safe and sustainable way. If you feel I am doing anything that does not stand by my morals then please let me know, as I am aware that I do not know everything and I also miss things every now and then.

Sorry for another picture-less blog, but I am still yet to find my card reader and camera charger.