not in a coma, just very busy

Gasp, gasp, gurgle... Swimming in seas of eraser shavings over here, as I work on the last few pages of my big project...

I have a few more days to get it all finished, otherwise I miss the boat. So, please excuse me, as I reposition my snorkel and goggles and dive back in. SPLOSH!

hidden room

Check your cupboards people. There could be a whole magical playroom hidden inside one of them. That, or a new sewing room, art studio or a whole land where it's Winter all year round, and you're greeted by a fellow with hooves named Mr Tumnus.

(P.S. My new habit, I have no idea where or why it started, is to exclaim "Mr Yumnus" when I eat something tasty.)

my creative space, in progress

My last entry to My Creative Space was soooo long ago, I always seem to be too disorganised/busy to pull it off.
But this week I'm all about being organised; organised and the Queen of time management. Why? Because I'm undertaking a giant project... the project is not so giant, it IS large though, the giant part comes in when you factor in how little time I have to do it in. So I'm having to be the embodiment or organisation.

I'm not going to give away too much now as I don't like to count chickens before they hatch. But when they do I will tell you all about it.

In the meantime, here's a sneak peek at page one and page two (hint hint) of the "project". I won't be painting them, they will be left black and white. The colouring part will be someone else's job (hint hint).

Lots of detail = eye strain. But I'm really happy with how it's coming along so far. Now if I can keep up this numbingly cracking pace for the next 2 weeks, I may just make the deadline. Gulp!

feathers or fabric

Have you seen these lovely fabric birds by Abigail Brown? The first time I glanced at them I thought they were paintings, but on closer inspection I see they are intricately created with fabric and stitches. So so beautiful.

I'd like to have a go at painting their portraits one day... with thick paint and a pallet knife.

extras

If you were to ask, I'd tell you that one of my greatest fears is being on TV in the background of one of those tabloid news stories. You know the ones where all you see is a slow-motion close-up of a cellulitey bum walking away. Or worse, a zoomed in slow-mo shot of someone eating a hamburger, beetroot and sauce oozing out the side.

So I broke into a little sweat when a friend left a message on our answering machine the other night saying he'd seen me on TV. It was a news program, and I was in the background, but thankfully not doing anything embarrassing.

The story was about the success of Frankie Magazine, and they took lots of footage of the Finders Keepers Market. And because our stall was fortunately situated next to the Frankie stall, we made it in, as extras. (Me, Penny, Emma, Catherine and others).

So my 3 seconds of fame was proudly riding on the coat-tails of Frankie Mag. And what a fine coat it is.

You can watch it here for the next few days on the 7:30 Report, from Tuesday 8th June (fast forward to just before the 25th minute).

the 5 year old giveaway winner

Wow, that giveaway was SOOOO nice for me (watch me lay back and bask in all those nice comments). New blog friends, ones who've been there from the very beginning, and ones who I've met along the way. And so reassuring to hear what you all value and recall the most. I've forgotten most of them, so it was very cool to be reminded.

- I loved Laura & Cindy's comments about the sad times being as important as the happy ones.
- I loved that you liked watching my mural come to life. I might try that again one day :). And your excitement about the annual giveaway draw machine.
- I loved that the wedding meant so much to so many of you, and that you celebrate along with me when something outstanding happens, like getting engaged, or clinching the deal at the Art Gallery. That means alot to me.
- I loved that some of you had an out of the ordinary stand out post.
- I love that you remember little things, like the name of our cat!

Really your comments were all so surprising to me. So amazing!


This process also gave me a chance to reflect. In these five years I have had you by my side as life evolved. I started my blog when I had a stressful full time job, and wasn't too happy with life. My blog has been a safe place for me. I started illustrating and crafting, quit my day job with no alternate plans and became and artist. We adopted a cat (fur-baby). We moved from the city to the country. We got engaged, got married, and bought a house. So, yeah, in retrospect it's been eventful. But it isn't until you take these moments that you realise that there have been accomplishments.


And my favourite post? I think it was always this one: With Added Plumpness


So, enough reflection, the winner, for the pure fact of recalling a very old post and event I had completely forgotten about, is Victoria!

And because it was such a close race, for her choice (Aqua Hug), the runner up, is Cindy!


Thank-you so much to everyone. You are the bestest. I will be smothered in warm-fuzz for weeks from this one. :)

(Victoria and Cindy, send me your postal addresses (flossyp AT gmail.com), and I shall pop a surprise in the post for you!

girly graff

I mentioned last week how I got to do my first bit o' graffiti, as a backing for my works in a new show. Well the show opened on Friday night, and I had a great time meeting people and the other artists.

So here's my "piece", as pink and girly as it is ;)





I pulled elements out of my paintings, and super-sized them.



Each of the artists in the show were encouraged to do their own wall enhancements...



Hopefully I'll get another chance to do it again one day, and hopefully I'll get a bit better at it each time.


(P.S. Don't forget my Birthday Giveaway)

fits of passion

As we settle into our new house, and discover lots of broken things, we've also found lots of very nice surprises. A paw-paw tree. A small mango tree. A baby lemon tree (which will hopefully fruit one day). And a yellow passionfruit vine absolutely dripping with fruit!

Yesterday I made passionfruit muffins, with our own passionfruit! Hehehe, I can't believe this is who I am now. I mean, who knew food could come from a garden and not just out of a can or box?

Anyway, you'll be happy to hear the muffins were spllllllendid!

I can't wait for the day the vine flowers. But in the meantime I intend to explore lots of passionfruit foodtypes. Anyone got any good recipes?

high five

Happy Birthday to Me-blog.
Happy Birthday to Me-blog.
Happy Birthday dear Me-blooooooog.
Happy Birthday to Me-blog.

Can you believe I actually remembered my bloggy birthday this year? Unbelievable I tell you. Lucky, because it's a special one too. 5! FIVE!

Five years I've been doing this. Good God.

Anyway, I thought I should celebrate with a giveaway or something. (Sorry for the ambiguity. Although I did remember my bloggy birthday, that only happened about an hour ago, so I don't have anything specifically organised.)

So, leave a comment on this blog telling me about your favourite post from this blog (5 years worth to select from). And this time next week I shall select a winner, and send you 5 goodies (actual items to be announced... or left as a surprise... I'll decide later).

*Giveaway entries have now closed.

grafftastic

I've spoken of my secret desire to be a graffiti artist before, but as I've also mentioned, I'm too much of a goody-two-shoes to actually do it.

Well here I sit, typing away, with beautifully paint spattered finger-tips, happy as a clam. For today I did my very first "piece". Word-up YO! (cough cough, heee).

It's okay, no need to dash outside to check your fences. It's all above board. You see I've been invited to take part in a group show at a great gallery, which is predominantly graffiti based. Street art and those styles that are akin to it. So, I got to paint the afore-mentioned "piece" YO, as a backing scene on the wall to hang my works on-top of.

Okay, so I was slow, and I needed ALOT of help, and there's flowers and pink in it... but it's a start homies. It's a start.

The show opens on Friday at Open Studio.

I'll go and take some pics later in the week to give you a looksee.

Peace Out Braa.