Handmade In Melbourne

I am very fortunate to have been included in the soon to be released 2009 edition of Handmade In Melbourne. I completely forgot about it until I was visiting Lino Forest and noticed a post by Liz. It's nice to know I'll be in completely AWESOME company and I can't wait to find out who else got a guernsey. I noticed that the talented Emma Greenwood over at Aprons & Hammers (Emerge Wares) is featured in the book, go check out her blog for some seriously amazing custom foot ware (making shoes? how tricky would that be?! Clever, clever, clever) From what I can tell the book looks top notch and no doubt it will be choc-a-bloc full of talented Melbourne peeps. I'll be off to the official launch next Wednesday, I've got a few days to get my head around how to get there with one car and juggle the kids at the same time while Karl is at work. It will be more than likely that Mr Karl (being the good dad that he is) will take the girls for a little stroll around the city while I mingle with some of Melbourne's coolest artists, crafters and designers. What a treat!

You can buy a copy here for $29.95 AU and I know Readings stocks it as well...

Oh and if you check out the Handmade in Melbourne site you'll get a glimpse of one of my birdies slap bang in the middle here.

The Badge Says It All!

Yummy cupcakes made by my neighbor Susie (SO delicious!)

Pretty orchid from Mum

New York in a Bag by Muji

The last few days we've had birthdays and celebrations galore! It began on Sunday with my mother in laws birthday (mystery age), on Monday it was my neighbor Susie's birthday and Ada's 7 month milestone and my 37th yesterday (gasp!) My two sisters Sally, Emma and Mum visited yesterday for morning tea. Mum made her delicious triple-story passion fruit sponge cake with plenty of fresh cream to keep us all happy. I was overwhelmed with so many sweet treats, pressies and txt messages and a surprise call from my brother Peter who's in NY for business. Before he left I put in an order for Moma's New York in a Bag by Muji only $15 US (bargain!!!) and as luck shall have it he's staying round the corner from MoMA. I'll definitely be keeping this precious cityscape away from the little girls. This mini-memento treasure will be kept above arms length with a strict "look with your eyes only" policy (such a mum/teacher thing to say!) I can already hear the moans from Wilhelmina...

Thanks for all the birthday wishes gang!

Whirlwind Weekend

Woody from RRR radio, Karl, Marty & Duro
Images courtesy of Denise Nestor

Last week, including the weekend just gone was so jam packed and choc-o-bloc full that it has taken us quite a few days to unwind and enjoy a sense of calm again, I've been whining all week not knowing if I'm Arthur or Martha! Well, we had the big Kingsway book launch at ACMI and Karl had a couple of radio interviews jammed in between and two book signings in one day, literally back to back. It was kinda the final wrap up on Tuesday with the final book signing at Readings, Carlton. Lucky for me our lovely neighbor Susie helped me organise the little gals, rug them up and we drove off into peak hour traffic from one side of the city to the other to catch a glimpse of the boys in action being interviewed live within the Readings bookshop. It was a great turnout with family, friends and the general public who came to listen to the boys reminisce about the old school days. It was the first time in about forever that we all went out for a bite to eat after as one big family posse. Yes, that was us at the rowdy table, kids squealing with delight and adults besotted by the wee folk and all of us on a mighty big high after such a success with the book and all!

Getting back to last Saturday I've added a link to lifelounge with some pics of the ACMI book launch, everyone behaving very dignified I must say. As Karl and I were leaving the book launch after party we strolled down Little Burke Street which happens to be Melbourne's Chinatown. We spied a circular table right at the front of a particulalry kitsch chinese restaurant with a group of Elvis's dining with their Priscilla babes. It was a classic sight and they very enthusiastically allowed me to take some happy snaps (thanks guys!). Only hours before, on my way into the city, just after I had frantically fed baby Ada, prepared Wilhelmina for bed and got dolled up, I drove like a maniac into Federation Square trying desperately to make it in time for the speeches with Elvis blasting on the CD player to fire me up (yes we're big fans). So it was quite fitting to see The King, actually Kings eating out in full 70's one piece suits, thank you very much! For the record, I bloody missed the speeches but at least I had 'that's all right'

pumping in my head...

KINGS WAY @ ACMI

Kingsway window display at Coventry Bookstore, South Melbourne
Karl, Duro & Marty hamming it up at good ol' Richmond Station

For those of you who aren't aware, my hubby Karl is a co-author of Kings Way, the most awesome graffiti bible ever published; totally dedicated to the Melbourne scene from 83-93'. All this year Karl, Marty and Duro have been slaving away trying to finish off the book on top of many other commitments. Karl and I had our second baby 6 months ago so there's certainly been plenty of things happening and I haven't even mentioned he works full time or the fact that he gives me a hand with the admin side of stuff with my freelance illo work... Yes, he's a mighty good man and I'm SO proud of him! Anyhoo get ya booty down to ACMI tomorrow evening if you're in Melbourne for the official launch of Kingsway or meet the boys next Tuesday at Readings, Carlton for possibly their last book signing (you'll need to register through readings)

The very lovely, creative and clever Lucy Feagins over at my favorite haunt The Design Files graciously put up a mini interview with Karl today, go check it out. If you've never heard of The Design Files and like to know what's happening around Melbourne then visit Lucy's site for all your art & design updates. She's one of those amazing types who keeps her fingers on the pulse, she regularly interviews incredible peeps and interesting designers, she also works in the Melbourne film industry as a props buyer and sets dresser, what a job, what a busy lady! I don't get much time to even read the newspaper nowadays but each day I 'indulge' myself by visiting The D Files, love it!!!

My Little Mice

Wilhelmina 2 Years 9 Months, Ada 6 Months

It's bitterly cold here in Melbourne and we're receiving loads of rain which is a good thing considering it is mid winter and we deperately need the downpour. The chilly weather also prompted me to dust off some old winter beanies belonging to Wilhelmina and Ada, both girls look like a comedy duo and behave like it too! We bought the beanies a couple of years ago from a lovely little stall at the South Melbourne Market (our fav place!) The lady who knits them is a bit of a gem, she sells them for $20, they are all wool and she still stocks them. I'm telling you, if I had a penny for the amount of times people in the street who have stopped to comment on them... Anyway, if you are in Melbourne go check out her stall, lots of other cute hats to tempt you, you'll find her almost centrally located within the Market, near the internal lift.

Bit of trivia for you, Karl's dad used to be a South Melbourne Counsellor for about 27 years, he was an honourable and kind gentleman and much adored by the locals. If you look closely he is mentioned on one of the exterior Market plaques, in fact he chose the style of brick that was used to build the Market many, many moons ago. He also has a little playground in honor of him 'Ludwig Stamer Reserve' in South melbourne. Dearest Ludi passed away in 2003, very sad and he is much missed... He would have adored his little granddaughters, mousey hats and all.

Evian Roller Babies

This clip is VERY cute, entertaining and definitely worth

watching plus it uses one of my all time favorite songs,

Rappers Delight by the Sugarhill Gang.

I know I'm name dropping but it's created by Karl's bosses son,

Michael Gracey.

He is one clever creative dude, check out his profile and other projects.

Awesome Aussie talent!

Iggy & Lou Lou

I should have posted this earlier but it has been a busy week...

My dear friend Irene Grishin-Selzer, the mastermind behind Melbourne's cult label Iggy & Lou Lou is presenting a yummy new collection of her fine wares at the fabulous Alice Euphemia (sorry to all her interstate and O.S fans) Opening night was last night (apologies again for posting so late) but the show runs until Sunday 26 July so there is plenty of time to jump in your car or take the plane to Melbourne CBD and go on a lovely shopping spree (what a dreamy idea)

I was lucky to share a studio with adorable Irene when I was doing my Masters. We both took to each other like ducks to water! Not only that but our male counterparts hit it off also. Both boys love Elvis and old mini's (classic little car), I think Mr P owns about 10 and my Mr K had to sell his a few years ago but we're destined to own another. We used the cars for our wedding convoy back in 2003, I'll have to scan some pics and post later. Pretty funny! Here's to you Irenie and your beautiful ceramic jewels, you are a clever gal indeed!

Pretty Parcels

off to queensland

off to the U.K

Wilhelmina's 'thank you' cards

The girls and I have been very creative the last few days. I've been busy packaging prints off to exotic locations while Wilhelmina gets crafty making some thank you cards (with some collaboration from Mum) I love blinging up envelopes but the entire packaging process can take up to 40 minutes! I'm not talking about the decorative bit, its preparing the envelope, then sandwiching it between heavy duty cardboard, binding it with tape, wrapping it in brown paper, binding it with tape again, addressing it, filling out registered post forms... Anyway, two down one more to go!

By the way, don't give your toddler stickers and leave them with defenceless babies whilst attending to something else for a few minutes... I came back into the room with Ada covered in re-usable labels! Poor little girl just sat there happily sucking her fingers and licking the label that partially covered her mouth. Funny at the time...

KINGS WAY IS HERE

L-R Marty, Duro, Karl

July has arrived which means Kings Way has finally made its way to all good book stores.

The boys have been eagerly anticipating this day for many, many months. The book can now be bought straight off the shelf at the following stockists:

MELBOURNE:

Metropolis

Readings

Coventry Books

The Sun Bookshop

Reader's Feast

NATIONAL:

Dymocks

Angus & Robertson

Collins

Newslink

Uni Bookshops

Gallery Bookshops

INDEPENDANTS:

Rocking Horse Records (Bris)

Tahnished Productions (Adelaide)

Writers Block (Melb)

Final Outline (Melb)

This Is It (Melb)

Giant Productions (Melb)

Clinic161 (Adelaide)

Wax Museum Records (Melb)

Obese Records (Melb)

The Butcher Shop (Perth)

Outre Gallery (Melb)

Villain Store (Melb)

You Name It (Melb)

Northside Records (Melb)

By the way you can still buy a few copies of the limited edition version exclusively from the Kings Way site but apparently there aren't too many left, once they're gone they'll be gone forever! Luckily we bought up a few for ourselves. If you are in Melbourne this weekend the boys are doing a book signing at the iconic Metropolis book shop in Curtain House, CBD area. Come on down and meet the boys and have a chat about their old school shenanigans. Details on the Metropolis site, look under the NEWS section.