DIY Macramé Kit by TMOD

Tags

Arts, Australia, Calvin Trillin, Crafts, Crochet, DIY, Do it yourself, Macramé, Shopping

TMOD DIY (completed) Macrame Kit in mint
(Image from TMOD)

Anybody caught selling macrame in public should be dyed a natural colour and hung out to dry.(Calvin Trillin)

Is there a verb for macramé?

My Mum macramé-d when it was last fashionable. About a million years ago. I remember her macramé onion bag. Truly. A macramé bag just for onions. If my memory serves, she was quite good at it, too.

Fast forward about a million years (or at least thirty) and Georgie Swift and Milenka Osen are the creative minds behind funky Aussie label TMOD. They’ve designed this nifty DIY macramé kit. I’m seriously considering trying it out. Only you know how I went with learning to crochet…

TMOD DIY Macrame Kit in natural
(Image from TMOD)

The girls assure me this DIY kit will make me feel proud of my craftsmanship. I would believe them, except that my crochet teacher said she could teach anyone how to crochet. I was very definitely the exception to THAT rule.

The kit apparently comes with simple easy to follow instructions to make it, then hang it in my home, and fill the glass jar with a plant, flowers, make a terrarium or even house a gold-fish?!

It includes 10 metres of rope, 4 wood beads, a glass jar, 1 ring (to hang it from), and weaving instructions…

TMOD DIY (completed) Macrame in mint and natural
(Image from TMOD)

The kit sells for AU$39.95 from the TMOD online store. There are also a variety of international stockists listed here.

What do you think? Should I risk it?

 

Page Thirty Three Emergency Candle – Every Home Should Have One!

Tags

Arts, Australia, Candle, Design, Eleanor Roosevelt, Essential oil, Gifts, Page Thirty Three, Practical Gifts, Shopping, Sydney

Page Thirty Three Emergency Candle
(Image from Page Thirty Three)

It is better to light a candle than curse the darkness. (Eleanor Roosevelt)

It’s hard to believe that almost a year has passed since I first discovered the clever design duo that is Page Thirty Three. It’s true. Time does fly. And, Page Thirty Three continues to marry great design with a hefty dose of pragmatism.

They also still, “draw reference and inspiration from trees, flowers, weeds, art, history, design, and the street. They love simple rituals, comfortable spaces, and natural themes. With a clear focus on Australian design & Australian manufacture, many of Page Thirty Three’s objects are hand crafted at their Sydney studio using renewable materials, ecologically friendly packaging, and a positive frame of mind.” 

So, not much has changed by way of their design ethos, but their range has expanded. Gotta’ say, my personal favourite (after the seriously beautiful essential oil burner which I still covet) is the Emergency Candle.

The Emergency Candle is made from 100% Organic Beeswax and sealed inside an airtight and waterproof tin can. In case of emergency, lift ring, pull lid, strike match & light. Safety matches enclosed.

Groovy, don’t you think? ! reckon’ every home needs one (especially mine!)

Page Thirty Three Emergency Candle
(Images from Page Thirty Three)

If you would like to get your hands on an Emergency Candle from Page Thirty Three, you can check out their Australia and New Zealand stockists here, or Page Thirty Three can send you one direct from their online store for AU$34.95 + $10 shipping (in Australia).

 

Vivid Sydney 2013 – Lights. Camera. Action!

Tags

Art, Art Installation, Arts, Australia, Circular Quay, Colour, Festival, Light Show, Sydney, Sydney Harbour, Sydney Opera House, Travel, Vivid Sydney

Vivid Sydney 2013
Sydney Harbour Bridge
(Image by TSL)

If you’re a long-time TSL reader, you may remember my post on the Vivid Sydney 2012 light show. Honestly, I find it hard to believe it has been a year – almost to the day – since LM and I last attended the light spectacular that is Vivid Sydney. Well, it has been a whole year – and on Saturday night we joined the thousands and thousands of fellow Sydney-siders (young and old, big and small, bipedal and the doggie kind – they were all out in force) to check out this year’s lighting installations. I gotta’ tell you, we were not disappointed. Sydney’s annual Vivid Festival is a w e s o m e…

We splashed out and kicked off our evening with a pre-walk meal at the ever consistent ‘Guillaume at Bennelong’.

Vivid Sydney 2013
Sydney Opera House Light Installation from Inside ‘Guillaume at Bennelong’ Restaurant
(Images by TSL)

My best secret tip to avoiding the crowds for Vivid is to head up to the Cahill Walkway that runs next to the Cahill Expressway and then winds down through the rocks.

Vivid Sydney 2013
The Custom House from the Cahill Expressway
(Image by TSL)

Vivid Sydney 2013
Circular Quay from the Cahill Expressway
(Image by TSL)

Vivid Sydney 2013
Museum of Contemporary Art from the Cahill Expressway
(Image by TSL)

There were lots of surprising wee pockets to hunt down…

Vivid Sydney 2013
‘Praxis Makes Perfect’ Installation at Walsh Bay
An amazing animation series against a building wall
(Images by TSL)

Vivid Sydney 2013
‘Moths to a Flame’ Installation at Walsh Bay
(Image by TSL)

Vivid Sydney 2013
‘Sky Grass’ Installation at Circular Quay
(Images by TSL)

Lunar Park was all lit up…

Vivid Sydney 2013
Novotel at Walsh Bay
(Image by TSL)

Of course, The Sydney Opera House took centre stage…

Vivid Sydney
Sydney Opera House Lights Up
(Images by TSL)

But, the Custom House was pretty incredible, too.

Vivid Sydney 2013
The Custom House Lights Up…
(Images by TSL)

Vivid Sydney’s light installations kick off every night at 6pm until 10 June 2013. Seriously worth a look-see!

I Love Sydney – Sydney Dance Company

Tags

Arts, Ballet, Dance, Kylie Minogue, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Modern dance, Performing Arts, Rafael Bonachela, Rambert Dance Company, Sarah Blasko, Sydney, Sydney Dance Company

Sydney Dance Company
De Novo – a mixed bill of premiere works
(Image from Sydney Dance Company)

Now there is in a way a renaissance of modern dance – suddenly, it is more respected and discovered. (Mikhail Baryshnikov)

I was not one of those girls who dreamt of becoming a ballet dancer. Pink was never my colour (and still isn’t). ‘Elegant’ and ‘graceful’ are not words that would ever be used to describe the way I move. In fact, I have been told I have a ‘purposeful stride’. I’m not even sure that’s a compliment.

Despite all that, I adore going to see the Sydney Dance Company when they perform.

Rafael Bonachela
Artistic Director for the Sydney Dance Company
(Image from Sydney Dance Company)

We are so very lucky to have the incredibly charismatic and talented Rafael Bonachela as the Artistic Director for the SDC.

Rafael was born in Barcelona where he began his early dance training before moving to London, and in 1992 joined the legendary Rambert Dance Company. 

His internationally recognised talent has seen him work not only with contemporary dance at the highest level but also with artists from popular culture, such as Kylie Minogue and Tina Turner.

Rafael was named one of the Sydney Magazine’s Top 100 Most Influential People in 2012 for his efforts to popularise dance since taking on the job of Artistic Director with Sydney Dance Company.

From March 1, De Novo premiers at the Sydney Dance Company. It is a programme of three works. If the last four performances choreographed by Rafael are anything to go by, this will be well worth experiencing. Rafael has a way of introducing mixed media into his pieces that surprise you; coupled with a highly collaborative style – the first work in De Novo, titled ‘Emergence’, is an alliance between Rafael, singer-songwriter Sarah Blasko and composer Nick Wales.

I, for one, can’t wait to experience De Novo…

If you live in Sydney, and haven’t yet been to a Sydney Dance Company performance – please do so. It will blow you away. De Novo is on at Sydney Theatre from 1 – 23 March and tickets are still available.

Kerry Larkin of Comma Workshop Has Style…

Tags

Arts, Arts and Crafts, Bedding, Comma, Comma Workshop, Fiber art, Gifts, Homewares, Kerry Larkin, Matthew McConaughey, Poet, Poetry, Quilt, Quilting, Sewing, Shopping, Text, Typography, Writing

‘A Perfect Moon’ Quilt by Comma Workshop
The first quilt in the Comma Workshop new series features original writings by Kerry Larkin. The entire collection launches in Fall 2012.
(Image © Comma Workshop)

Two years ago, Kerry Larkin founded Comma Workshop in Colorado and began producing quilts that are sewn together with language. “The signature thing is that it’s my handwriting, and so no two letters are going to look alike,” she said.

Comma Workshop is dedicated to bringing a fresh perspective to the time-honored traditions of quilting and storytelling. Crafting original poems and stories about life and adventure, Kelly and her artisans thoughtfully sew these stories into every quilt.

Their goal is to create timeless, sophisticated quilts, with a hint of playfulness that are functional heirlooms for your home.

Each quilt has an original story or poem quilted directly into it, in both white thread and a contrasting color thread.  In this way, the 800+ words are a functional part of the quilt holding three layers of fabric together.  They machine quilt – by hand – so the ‘comma cursive’ is original and free-handed, making no two quilts exactly alike.

I think they are enchanting…

‘Joy’ Quilt by Comma Workshop
‘Joy’ is Kerry’s favorite quilt in the Limited Edition Collection and currently on her own bed! The phrase “and be not afraid to dance like the white-skirted girl with the suntanned face, for joy is surely the greater of our gifts.” is quilted in Verdana font across the front.
(Image © Comma Workshop)

Life is a series of commas, not periods.* (Matthew McConaughey)

*That’s a full stop to those of us who reside outside North America!

‘Still’ Quilt by Comma Workshop
“Rust Becomes Earth Becomes Me” written specifically for this collection by award-winning creative writer Jody Jenkins. It is quilted in its entirety in ash colored thread in the background of the quilt. “Still” is quilted in Times New Roman font at the lower right hand corner of this quilt.
(Image © Comma Workshop)

‘Nestled Newness’ Quilt by Comma Workshop
Snuggle your wee one in sweet words! Writings of seasons changing and new love create the background of this series of quilts.
“Hibernation wakes orange lights and sweet love… like spring wrapped in newness…” The Nestled Newness baby quilt uses a combination of the signature Comma handwriting and the Times New Roman typeface.
(Image © Comma Workshop)

‘Sweet Love’ Quilt by Comma Workshop
More writings of seasons changing and new love.
“a sweet love and quiet calm.” “Hibernation wakes orange lights and sweet love… like spring wrapped in newness…”
(Image © Comma Workshop)

Even though it’s too late to order in time for Christmas, if you’d like to see more of the Comma Workshop Quilts, there are more quilt designs to see here.

 

Sharp Suits – a Creative Catharsis

Tags

advertising, advertising copy, Arts, Exhibition, Humour, Illustration, Ireland, Poster, Temple Street Children, Temple Street Children's University Hospital

Ireland’s creative community got together to release a lot of pent up anger and sadness through the medium of the A3 poster, all in aid of Temple Street Children’s Hospital.

Ad creatives, designers, animators, directors, illustrators and more took time out to dress up their favourite worst feedback from clients, transforming quotes that would normally give you a twitch, into a diverse collection of kinda cool posters.

They are worth checking out…

(All images © Sharp Suits)

The exhibition ran from the 2nd – 7th November. I believe prints are still available for a very limited time only. Send your order along with a postal address to verysharpsuits@gmail.com.

I Want to be Like Rachel Castle When I Grow Up…

Tags

Art, Arts, Australia, Castle, Colour, Design, Inspiration, Interior design, Lisa Gorman, Rachel CAstle, Sydney, third drawer down, wall art

Modern Art Tea Towel by Craig Damrauer
(Image from Third Drawer Down)

Craig Damrauer’s tea towel for Third Drawer Down is kind of how I feel about the super talented Rachel Castle – only, you have to substitute his words ‘modern art’ for the name ‘Rachel Castle’, and I couldn’t really do what she does (except in my imagination).

Rachel Castle is one of those amazingly clever and creative design-y types who makes it all look so easy. I’m sure it wasn’t always so, but I just love her sense of fun combined with her joy of colour. I also loves that she works with her Mum.

‘I Come From A Land Down Under’ by Rachel Castle
Felt and sparkly cotton on vintage linen
(Image from Castle and Things)

Castle was founded in 2008 by Rachel Castle with a small range of bed linen made for friends and family. Considerable interest ensured it quickly became a commercial venture. The brand represents a love of beautiful, often handcrafted or handprinted, pieces for the home.

Rachel Castle has spent the past 20 years working in the homewear industry both in Australia and abroad. Prior to Castle, Rachel was joint founder of London-based branding and design agency, The Nest, and before that, worked for The Conran Shop in the UK. She regularly styles and writes for Australian lifestyle magazines, and currently lives in Sydney.

All handmade artworks are sewn by Rachel Castle and her very patient and loving mother, Jillian Patching. I love them.

‘Put the Love in The Coconut’ by Rachel Castle
Felt on vintage linen
(Image from Castle and Things)

‘Stripey Heart’ by Rachel Castle
Felt on vintage linen
(Image from Castle and Things)

‘Going to the Opera’ by Rachel Castle
Acrylic on 500gsm pure European linen
(Image from Castle and Things)

If you’d like to learn more about Rachel Castle’s work – like her collaboration with equally talented Aussie it-girl, Lisa Gorman – check out her website here.

Penguin Threads – Clever Design

Tags

Arts, Book design, Books, Classics, Cover art, Covers, Embroidery, Jillian Tamaki, Literature, Paul Buckley, Penguin Threads, Rachell Sumpter

Penguin Threads Secret Garden Book Jacket Designed by Jillian Tamaki

Penguin Threads Secret Garden Book Front Designed by Jillian Tamaki
(Images from here)

Commissioned by award-winning Penguin Art Director Paul Buckley, the Penguin Threads series debuted with cover art by the supremely talented Jillian Tamaki. I was blown away by her exquisitely embroidered classics book-covers and particularly love her Secret Garden cover.

Penguin Threads Black Beauty Book Jacket Designed by Jillian Tamaki

Penguin Threads Emma Book Jacket Designed by Jillian Tamaki
(Images from here)

The series now continues with cover art by Rachell Sumpter – beautiful gift-worthy classics. The covers are sketched out in a traditional illustrative manner and then hand-stitched using a needle and thread. The final covers are sculpt embossed for a tactile, textured and beautiful book design. See what you think…

Penguin Threads The Wind in The Willows Book Jacket Designed by Rachell Sumpter

Penguin Threads The Wind in The Willows Book Cover Designed by Rachell Sumpter

Penguin Threads The Wizard of Oz Book Jacket Designed by Rachell Sumpter

Penguin Threads The Wizard of Oz Book Cover Designed by Rachell Sumpter

Penguin Threads Little Women Book Jacket Designed by Rachell Sumpter

Penguin Threads Little Women Book Cover Designed by Rachell Sumpter
(Images from here)

If you’d like to learn more about the Penguin Threads or the Penguin Classics range, you can check out the website here.

Dual-Purpose Wrap Magazine – What a Fab’ Idea …

Tags

Arts, Chris Harrison, Designers, Gift, Gift wrapping, giftwrap, London, London Design Festival, Magazine Subscription, Magazines, Paper, Paper Design, Polly Glass, Shopping, Stationery, Surface Design

Wrap Magazine – Issue 5
(Image from thewrapper.com)

My September edition of Elle Decoration arrived while I was in NZ – Oh happy day! (For those of you in the UK who have had their copies for a g e s , remember this is the antipodes!)

Anyhoo, I was flicking through it this morning and I came across the very cool looking Wrap – a magazine that apparently celebrates the very best in illustration, design and creative culture from around the globe, AND each issue comes with five double-sided pull-out sheets of unique wrapping paper. Is that not a great concept? A magazine about surface design WITH usable surface design included.

Launched during London Design Festival 2010, co-founders Chris Harrison and Polly Glass want to help promote exciting up-and-coming illustrators and designers. The latest edition on ‘Human Endeavours’ is aimed at highlighting some of the fantastic physical and creative things that people get up to, from endeavouring to open a new design shop to setting out to reach the South Pole.

I think it looks wonderful…

Sample of Wrap Magazine – Issue 5
(Image from thewrapper.com)

Sample of Wrap Magazine – Issue 5
(Image from thewrapper.com)

Sample of Wrap Magazine – Issue 5
(Image from thewrapper.com)

I’m sure it’ll come as no surprise to you that I signed right up. If you’d like to have a wee gander at what Wrap has to offer by way of magazine or wrapping paper, head here. Polly and Chris have a great web-site and I just may have to spend some time on their blog…

A Wee Shout Out to Spike Milligan, a Man with a Sense of the Ridiculous…

Tags

Arts, Books, Childrens Book, Goon Show, Humour, Memories, Ophelia, Photograph, Poetry, Quote, Shakespeare, Shopping, Spike Milligan

I thought I’d begin by reading a poem by Shakespeare, but then I thought, why should I? He never reads any of mine. (Spike Milligan)

(Image sourced here)

A Silly Poem – by Spike Milligan

Said Hamlet to Ophelia,
I’ll draw a sketch of thee,
What kind of pencil shall I use?
2B or not 2B? 

One of the best books given to me as a child was ‘Unspun Socks From A Chicken’s Laundry’ by Spike Milligan. I still have it. It remains a firm favourite and always makes me smile. If you get the chance, pick up a copy. You won’t regret it. Promise.

(Back from sunny Queensland tomorrow when TSL shall resume normal broadcasting!)