the red thread: January 2010

Good Things

31 January 2010

Hello Lovelies! I've missed being here and I've missed you.

Two good things...
At last my back is on the mend after 3 weeks of doing nothing. I'm still not 100%, but getting there. Yay! Thanks so much for your well wishes. Things are really piling up here... my 'to do' list (for both work and home) is out of control and I have a mountain of emails to answer. But I have managed to read a few good books and to actually do nothing for large chunks of time, which I never do. I re-watched Mad Men series one and two in a marathon 2 day viewing (I have series 3 on pre-order and can't wait to get it), and I've done a bit of embroidery. Stuart has been fantastic looking after me, Roxy and the house. He even cleaned the oven the other day. A proper clean. Without so much as a hint from me. So despite the pain I've been in, there have been some positives too.

And I just had to show you my first international magazine clipping. Lovely Coretty from one of my gorgeous stockists, PSikhouvanjou (PS I love you) in The Netherlands sent me this image of a little feature on my Sweetie Petites in Dutch magazine flow... weeeee!!

flow looks like a beautiful magazine - you can flick through a few pages online here. I'd love to get a copy of it.

I hope to be back on deck really soon. I'm still struggling to sit for any period of time, so I'll see how I go. I hope you're having a lovely weekend.

x
Lisa

Did someone say 'balance'?

13 January 2010

Roxy was sitting with me while I was packing orders at 5.30am
one morning back in November when I was working like a crazy woman...
she looked at me and said "Mum, you're more important than this".
Wow, wise words coming from a 5 year old!!

Remember at the beginning of the new year I was talking about finding balance in my life? Well, the new year seemed to continue on from the previous one at the same cracking pace and I was wondering how I would go about finding that elusive work/life balance... but here we are less than 2 weeks in and I've had a big wake up call. Over the weekend I hurt my back and since then I haven't been able to sit at my computer for more than a few minutes at a time. So I haven't been able to do any work or blogging for the past 4 days.

OK, OK universe, I get it now!

I'll be back when I can. How are you going with your new year plans?
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at a Pinch

08 January 2010

Oh how I lurve the soft layering and shape of this light.

The Anders light by Pinch Design was inspired by haute couture fashion and traditional millinery and features layers of sculptural fabric. Too divine.

I went in search of this light after reading an article about Russell Pinch in the current issue of Inside Out... and I found even more beautifully designed items to covet.

All images: Pinch Design

The sofas look like they have exactly the right balance of support and squishy comfort. I've hated our sofas pretty much since the day they were delivered and I'd desperately love to replace them. As we don't have the budget to buy anything as desirable as these, my plan is to sell ours on ebay and try to find a couple of mis-matched ones (on ebay, at a thrift store or at auction) that we could possibly have recovered. That way we could have one soft loungey sofa and one that's more firm and upright - which is Stuart's preference. I love the idea of having 2 sofas in completely different styles and patterns, united by a colour palette. I'm so over our matchy-matchy 3, 2 and 1 seaters.

If you come across any photos of the sort of thing I'm describing shoot me a link - I'm going to start an inspiration file. But shhhh... not a word to Stu yet, he doesn't know what I'm plotting!

Have a wonderful weekend my friends, see you next week.

x
Lisa
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Portrait

06 January 2010

I finished a commissioned portrait this week - such a cute little girl!

Edit:Thanks for your emails and comments. If you're interested you can read about my process creating portraits in a previous post here. And there's more info on my website. I have enough commissions to keep me going for a while, so I won't be able to take on any more for some time. If you're interested and have read all the info on the website, please email me and I can put you on my mailing list / waiting list. : )

From Wardrobe to Walls

Straight from her punk roots in the seventies comes Vivienne Westwood's wallpaper collection for Cole & Sons.

Unfortunately wallpaper is not as easy to change as your outfit when you get past your misspent youth! While I can't see myself using the punk-influenced tartan, I do love the Union Jack.

The range also includes some more subdued and easy to live with beauties like the cut out lace (gorgeous!) and floral designs. Like the punk motifs, these also hark back to past collections in Ms Westwood's fashion career which spans over three decades.

Images: Cole & Sons

Bouquets to Eat Alive

I love it when an artist or designer makes me look at something everyday in a new way. I'd never thought of making a bouquet solely from vegetables, which is what Janena Loeve did in her series Bouquets to Eat Alive for Dutch Design week in 2009. Don't the colours and shapes make stunning arrangements, and each creation comes with a recipe which uses the vegetables in the bouquet. Genius!

I think it would make a really lovely gift - something inexpensive and personal that you could create yourself. Imagine the fun you could have finding recipes and making beautiful recipe cards to accompany your vegetable bouquet.

They tick all the boxes for lovely, unique, handmade gifts on a budget. Healthy and delicious too! How would you feel about receiving a vegetable bouquet? I think I'd be tickled... but I'm not sure how my mother in law would react if I gave her one.

Found via, and all images from, Deezeen.

Listen Up

04 January 2010

Image Source: brum d on Flickr
I actually had a yellow bangle radio the same as the hot pink one. So cool.

I feel lucky to have some very talented, creative and inspiring friends, and I'm excited to tell you that one of them has a new series airing this week on ABC Radio.

My friend Shauna who is a journalist, writer and media trainer, has created a show called "Who On Earth Are You", in which she chats with high profile people, asking questions you haven't heard them answer before. Today's subject was Julie Bishop the Deputy Leader of the Federal Oppostion. It was wonderful to hear Julie Bishop having a relaxed chat on light hearted topics like her favourite Australian song (Never Tear Us Apart by INXS) and meal (risotto), to more serious things like her admiration and support of Aung San Suu Kyi. It showed Julie Bishop in a whole new light and I almost felt like I was eavesdropping on two friends.

I'm so proud of Shauna - I think her concept worked really well and I was thoroughly entertained. Great job Shaun!

The first in the initial series of 4 interviews aired this morning on 744 ABC Melbourne and the series continues tomorrow at 9am. If you're in Melbourne you can tune in to 744, and if not listen online here. Tomorrow's subject is Peter Garrett (rock star turned politician) - definitely worth a listen I'd say!

Edit 7 January: Due to the popularity of the series, the ABC has made the interviews available for download here. Yay!
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Monday BlogDay: Kris's Color Stripes

One of my favourite reads, which I've blogged about before, is Stephanie Levy's Artists Who Blog. It was there that I found today's featured blog: Kris's Color Stripes.

Kristina's fascination with colour stems from her background in fashion - in particular cutting stripes from fabric samples and playing with colour combinations. Her blog is inspiration overload with Kris's own gorgeous photography, colour palettes, illustrations and creations, as well as vintage and other finds. The colour palettes are so delicious aren't they. I've only shown the colour stripes Kris has taken from her own photos, but she also creates palettes from vintage illustrations, nature, fabrics, and more... wonderful inspiration for any decorating or creative project. And beautiful eye candy at any time.

Kristina also creates intricately detailed mushroom scultures, lovely illustrations, paper cuts, and so much more. Is there no end to her creativity! How amazing is this textile notebook?

Kris's 2010 illustrated calendar is available here on Etsy, and the mushrooms from her shop.

I intend to go back and drink in every one of Kris's posts later today when I can relax with a cup of green tea by my side - I can't wait. I'm so happy I came across Kris's Color Stripes, I hope you love it as much as I do.
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a new year

02 January 2010

Here we are in 2010, and my wish is simple: for health and happiness.

I have lots of plans, goals and dreams for the year ahead, but more than anything this year I need to focus on my own health and wellbeing. Over recent years it's been so easy for me to lose myself in all the things that I am to other people - both personally and professionally - and it's time for me to reclaim something for myself. For women, and particularly for mothers, I'm sure that's a common theme.

I'm not talking dramatic life changing resolutions that began when I woke up yesterday, but rather more sustainable lifestyle changes that will lead me down the path to my destination.

If I had to give that destination a name it would be 'balance'.

My life feels out of whack and my health is suffering. If I'm really going to put myself out there... and I'm hesitating... my weight has become a major issue and it's something that I absolutely need to address as it impacts all areas of my life. Again, this is about balance not cabbage soup diets (not that I'm ever that extreme!).

How about you? Can you relate to any of that? What are your plans for this year? Do you make resolutions, or like me are you taking stock and planing new paths rather than instant dramatic changes?

Whatever you wish for, I hope twenty ten is all that and more.

xx
Lisa