The Great Sydney AIP Picnic!

Tags

AIP, Autoimmune Protocol, community, Diet, food, Health, Lifestyle, Sydney

The Three Amigos
Rory from The Paleo PI
Jo (me!) from This Sydney Life
Kirstie from The Nutritionista
(Image by TSL)

What do you get when you mix ten followers of the Autoimmune Protocol with five kids and three puppies in the Sydney Botanical Gardens on a Sunday afternoon in March? – The inaugural Sydney ‘AIP Supper Club’ Picnic!

After the success of our first ever Australian AIP Supper Club shindig last November; Rory (from The Paleo PI), Kirstie (from The Nutritionista) and I thought it would be a great idea to extend our group to fellow AIPers in the general Sydney vicinity.

We had no idea what to expect, but we put the call out over social media to join the three of us for our first extended AIP Picnic (and crossed our fingers that it wouldn’t rain)…

The invitation…

What can I tell you?

We had a blast!

Such a great time! I’m not sure about you, but I reckon’ its a pretty big call to turn up for a picnic with a bunch of people you’ve never met, and may have only ‘seen’ on the internet.

So – to those of you who took the plunge and came along to the picnic, we say…

Thank you!

It was so wonderful to meet fellow AIP peeps and swap war stories with others who get it, over food you know you can actually eat without the worry of experiencing a flare.

Picnicking AIP Style…
(Image by TSL)

Everybody brought a plate. And, we dined very well!

Kirstie’s AIP Celebration Chicken Salad rocked! Rory’s always popular Bacon Wrapped Dates made the trip up from Canberra with him. We had a lovely selection of meat balls, sweet potato and spinach patties and fruit.

Super special mention and a HUGE shout out must go to the lovely Alaena from Grazed and Enthused.  We had two recipes from Alaena’s fabulous blog featured at our picnic – Avocado Carob Fudge and Cranberry Relish Meatballs. Did you realise you’re so famous in Sydney, Alaena?

Wanna see what I took along…?

Cranberry Relish Meatballs
Recipe from Grazed and Enthused
Recommended by TSL!
(Image by LM for TSL)

AIP Gingerbread People
Recipe by Tyler over at Primitive Homemaker
Also recommended by TSL
(Image by LM for TSL)

Anybody can sympathize with the sufferings of a friend, but it requires a very fine nature to sympathise with a friend’s success. (Oscar Wilde)

It was heart warming to hear of the successes people are experiencing through implementing healthy and positive changes to their diets and lifestyles. And, for me, it reinforced that the choices I am making are definitely the right ones for my health.

Some of the Sydney AIP Picnic Gang
(Image by TSL)

We’ll be holding another picnic and will keep you posted. Do feel free to leave a message if you’d like to be included in the next invitation mail out.

We’d love to see you there!

 

NOT the Australian Garden Show Sydney…

Tags

Australian Garden Show Sydney, Centennial Park, community, Garden, Gardening, Indira Naidoo, nature

Australian Garden Show Sydney Cover Image
(Image from here)

A good friend won two tickets to the Australian Garden Show Sydney. Small problem. She lives in Auckland. So, she sent me the tickets. Lovely girl…

I was all set to visit the show yesterday. And, to tell you all about how fabulous it is. And, how you should go down to Centennial Park this weekend and check it out. I was planning on having lots of pics to whet your appetite. I imagined having a good old chin wag with the seemingly wonderful Indira Naidoo, she of the Edible Balcony fame. And,  perhaps checking out some workshops in between ogling all the pretty flowers. LM and I even talked about how we would be like spring chickens in amongst all the ‘more mature‘ visitors we imagined such a show would attract.

So. Yesterday Bella, LM and I tootled off to Centennial Park for the show. We got as far as the gate, only to be told, “No dogs allowed”.

NO DOGS ALLOWED
(Image by TSL)

So, I’m sorry but there will be no post about the Australian Garden Show Sydney. Not happy, Jan!

NB – for the uninitiated, Bella is a poodle and doesn’t even believe she is a dog!

The Carmichael Collective’s Creativity Crusade…

Tags

Advert, Art, Branding, bug memorial, Carmichael Collective, Carmichael Lynch, Colour, community, creativity, culture, Minneapolis, Photograph, Piñata Anatomy, Psychology, Urban Plant Tag, Whimsy

Urban Plant Tag: Stop Sign by the Carmichael Collective
(Image © Carmichael Lynch 2012)

Something colorfully quirky for your weekend… I love coming across clever creative gems like the Carmichael Collective. I like a little alliteration, also…! There’s not so much information on their website, but I can tell you the collective is “an ongoing project from Carmichael Lynch, a creative company based in Minneapolis, MN. Everything you see on the site is just creativity for creativity’s sake. If you like it, share it.” I like it, so I am!

And if you want to see more, they ask you to follow them. “Or, don’t. It’s totally 
up to you. After all, art is in the eye of the beholder.” Creative pragmatists! Who would’ve thunk it?

So let me share a few of their creative bits ‘n’ bobs…

There’s more in the brilliant Urban Plant Tag series:

Urban Plant Tag: Street Lamp by the Carmichael Collective
(Image © Carmichael Lynch 2012)

Urban Plant Tag: No Parking Sign by the Carmichael Collective
(Image © Carmichael Lynch 2012)

Urban Plant Tag: Bench by the Carmichael Collective
(Image © Carmichael Lynch 2012)

The clever people at the Carmichael Collective are also the ones responsible for the wonderful Piñata Anatomy that has been popping up all over the inter-web lately:

Piñata Anatomy by the Carmichael Collective
(Image © Carmichael Lynch 2012)

And, then there’s the slightly eccentric and enchanting Bug Memorials:

A Fly Remembered 2012 – 2012 by the Carmichael Collective
(Image © Carmichael Lynch 2012)

A Moth Remembered 2012 – 2012 by the Carmichael Collective
(Image © Carmichael Lynch 2012)

A Wasp Remembered 2012 – 2012 by the Carmichael Collective
(Image © Carmichael Lynch 2012)

When you check out the Carmichael Lynch purpose (or mission statement, for you HR types!), they say, “Our enemy is complacency, mediocrity, the conventional. We rally against the ordinary and hold sacred the power of the new: to transform, to instigate, to delight, to create devotion.” I may have become a disciple…

If you’d like to learn more about the Carmichael Collective or if you’d like to join their movement, head over to their site here. I’m sure there’ll be some more kooky creative work coming soon…

Anna Garforth’s ‘Guerilla Gardener’ Graffiti Grows On You…

Tags

Anna Garforth, Art, Banksy, community, culture, Design, E M Crane, Exit Through The Gift Shop, Graffiti, Green Graffiti, Guerilla Gardening, London, Moss, Social Commentary, Street art, Typography

‘Park’ by Banksy (Los Angeles)
(Image from here)

A wall is a very big weapon. It’s one of the nastiest things you can hit someone with.(Banksy)

The word ‘graffiti’ stems from the Italian word graffiato, meaning scratched. It can range from simple written words to elaborate wall paintings and it has existed since ancient times. It often has a reputation for being part of a sub-culture that rebels against authority, and certainly, artists like Banksy have used it as a tool to spread their point of view in a clever and satirical manner*.

While I am certainly a fan of Banksy’s work, I’m loving this new trend of ‘green graffiti’ installations. It ticks all the boxes for me – quirky, clever, the tiniest bit subversive AND it’s environmentally friendly.

Anna Garforth is one artist who is worth a squizz when it comes to the growing art (ha!) of green graffiti. An artist who works with a diverse range of mediums, I reckon’ her wonderful moss typography pieces are just sublime.

Her ‘Grow’ moss typography adorns the wall of a secret spot she found in London behind locked gates in a disused plot awaiting the arrival of new flats… 

‘Grow’ – Green Graffiti by Anna Garforth
(Image © Anna Garforth)

‘Grow’ (Close Up) – Green Graffiti by Anna Garforth
(Image © Anna Garforth)

‘Spore Borne’ was Garforth’s first experiment in moss writing. She is quoting from a poem written by Elenor Stevens…

‘Spore Borne’ – Green Graffiti by Anna Garforth
(Image © Anna Garforth)

‘Spore Borne’ (Close Up) – Green Graffiti by Anna Garforth
(Image © Anna Garforth)

Although I suspect there is slightly more to Anna Garforth’s gorgeous installations, if you are just the slightest bit tempted to try your hand at green graffiti, wikihow has a great wee tutorial on just how to do it!

You can learn more about the very talented Anna Garforth’s typographical work here. 

I shall leave you today with some good, old-fashioned bathroom wall graffiti…

I was here but now I’m gone
I left my name to carry on
Those who liked me
Liked me well
Those who didn’t can go to hell
(E.M. Crane)

* If you haven’t seen Banksy’s ‘Exit Through The Gift Shop‘, it’s an absolute winner. Seriously clever.

Learning to Crochet; a lesson in perseverance

Tags

Art, Arts, Aurélie Mathigot, Calico & Ivy, Colour, community, craft, Crochet, Crochet Class, Crystal Gregory, Design, Emily Barletta, Fiber art, Knitting and Crochet, Margaret Oomen, Nathan Vincent, Olek, Purl Bee, Sophie Digard, Surface Design, Sydney

Crochet has morphed from homespun to hot. (Janet Bennett Kell)

Regular TSL readers will know that I am attempting to learn the craft of crochet. I’m adding it to my growing list of ‘haberdashery classes‘. Last Wednesday, I had my first crochet class. Apparently, anyone can learn to crochet. This is according to my lovely crochet teacher, Jane. I think I may be the exception. I’m not kidding. There are four of us in the class. For the purposes of this post, let’s call my fellow students Lucy, Hermione and Elle*.

Lucy, I already know. She and I went to surface design school together, She is an amazingly talented seamstress, who also knits. I can’t knit. I can’t be taught to knit. This is a fact. I have accepted this failure in myself. Everyone says crochet is easier. I think they are lying. Anyway, back to Lucy… Of course, given her previously listed talents, you know I’m going to tell you that she is a natural. Her crochet sample looked perfect. It was flat and symmetrical. Her tension was consistent.

Then, there is Hermione. Hermione seems just lovely. It may be a front, though – Hermione has ‘taught herself to crochet from You Tube‘. Seriously. I think she’s our girly-swat. There’s one in every class. In addition, she has almost completed the blanket from the Purl Bee that was one of my inspirations for learning to crochet and attending a beginners crochet class. This just blows my mind. Here it is:

The ‘one of my reasons for learning to crochet‘ Granny Stripe Blanket from Purl Bee
(Image sourced from Purl Bee)

I kid you not – Hermione has almost completed this gorgeous blanket.

And, then there’s Elle. Elle, who is a hoot, has decided she has reached an age where she should take up some form of craft. I hope I’m not giving any of her secrets away when I say she bought back her two recent knitted contributions to the school fair. It does mean that she can knit, which is a lot more than I can do. But, Elle gives me some hope…

I know you think I am exaggerating about my incompetence. That’s because you’re all so lovely and generous. I’m not exaggerating. Here is the evidence:

The TSL Crochet Sample
It is supposed to be a neat rectangle. Jane thinks it looks like a fish.
(Image by TSL)

Just in case you’re wondering, class ran for 4 hours. This tiny wee sample is the sum total of my efforts. 

The greater the obstacle, the more glory in overcoming it (Molière)

I have determined, thanks to my mate Molière, that I am not (yet) going to let the craft of crochet beat me. I will persevere. I am so in awe of many of the incredible fibre artists out there.  Here are just a few examples of why I will continue to try and learn the, possibly futile, art of crochet:

Little Urchin Covered Sea Stones by Margaret Oomen
(Image sourced from Purl Bee)

I am so enamoured of these beautiful sea stones. I’d like to make a bowl-full.

Crochet Piano by Olek
(Image © Olek)

The amazing Olek and her incredible crochet installations are inspiring.

Foundation 1 by Crystal Gregory
(Image © Crystal Gregory)

I love how Crystal Gregory’s crochet art explores ideas of pattern and gender within domestic spaces.

Radical Linen by Aurélie Mathigot
(Image sourced from Feel the Yarn)

I would like a few pieces of Aurélie Mathigot’s imaginary forest from her Radical Linen installation.

Male Symbol by Nathan Vincent
(Image © Nathan Vincent)

I would love a piece of Nathan Vincent’s work for my wall.

Flesh Spot by Emily Barletta
(Image © Emily Barletta)

I have already blogged about the very talented Emily Barletta here.

Alpaca Brooch by Sophie Digard
(Image sourced from Art at Heart)

And, the delicate works of Sophie Digard here.

If you live in Sydney and you would like to learn how to crochet, Calico & Ivy run classes for the absolute beginner.

I’ll keep you posted!

*Names have been changed to protect the innocent

‘Street Seats’ by Bade Stageberg Cox Rock!

Tags

Architects, Armory Show, Bade Stageberg Cox, Colour, community, culture, Design, Furniture Design, Interior design, New York, Taxi Cab Yellow

Street Seats in DUMBO
(Image sourced from Bade Stageberg Cox)

How cool is this? ‘Street Seats’ is a furniture project developed by Bade Stageberg Cox for the Pier 94 Coffee Bar at The Armory Show, a leading contemporary and modern art fair in New York which takes place every March on Piers 92 & 94 in central Manhattan.

The 50 chairs, all found abandoned on the streets of New York, were repaired and given a new lease on life with a coat of taxi cab yellow paint. Like the city’s residents, the chairs are an eclectic mix. They migrated throughout the fair during its five-day run. The bottom of each chair is stamped and documented with the date and location it was recovered.

I just love both the idea AND the bright sunshine colour they chose:

#34 The Ice Chair
Found 17 February 2012 at Paul’s Pond, Upstate New York (SOLD)
(Image sourced from Bade Stageberg Cox)

Sadly, the Ice Chair has already sold. I can see this one on a porch looking out onto the street somewhere in Upstate New York…

#8 The River Chair
Found 3 February 2012, East River near Adams and John Street, DUMBO
(Image sourced from Bade Stageberg Cox)

#17 The Walnut Chair
Found 14 February 2012, Columbia Heights and Pineapple Street, Brooklyn Heights
(Image sourced from Bade Stageberg Cox)

I can imagine the Walnut Chair with a fab’ cushion in some crazy print…

#1 The Jimi Chair
Found 15 December 2011, Front Street, DUMBO
(Image sourced from Bade Stageberg Cox)

Unless already sold, all chairs are available for purchase. There are lots more to see on the Bade Stageberg Cox website here. If you are interested in purchasing, contact Bade Stageberg Cox at streetseats@bscarchitecture.com.

Which one would you choose?

Love Lace – Make Lace Not War

Tags

Arts, Australia, community, Crafts, creativity, culture, Design, Exhibition, Fibre Art, Lace, lace exhibition, Powerhouse Museum, style, Surface Design, Sydney, Textile, Travel, Visual Art

'Shadows of Memory' by Michele Eastwood
Materials: Textiles. Close weave calico laser cut into silhouettes, which are backed onto a dissolvable fabric and the fine threads are couched, holding the figures in space.

I know, I know – yesterday I talked about the ArtExpress exhibition at the Art Gallery of New South Wales.  Today I’m bringing you news of another exhibition, this time at the Powerhouse Museum.  What can I tell you? – I’m mining a theme. I’ve also had visitors from New Zealand staying.  You may get more of the same tomorrow!

The Love Lace exhibition is an impressive show of 130 Lace Works by 134 artists from 20 different countries. Each artist displays their passion for lace in this beautiful (if a little dark) exhibition of winning entries and finalists in the Powerhouse Museum International Lace Award.

To be honest, I had read about the Love Lace exhibition and, despite a keen interest in surface design and fibre art, wasn’t that motivated to go and see it. Well, I was pleased to be proved wrong. It is well worth a visit. The works are amazing, and my wee nephew even got to make slime from scratch as part of the school holiday programme. 

I am loving this renaissance of traditional arts and crafts with a modern interpretation.

'Nanduti Lace' by Griselda Gonzales
Materials: Linen needlework lace

'White Guilt' by Ashley Shepherd
Materials: Cotton, machine embroidered onto water-soluble fabric and burnt with incense sticks

'Collar of Petrified Lace' by Wendy Ramshaw
Materials: cut stainless steel, powder coated

Front: 'Intersect' by Tania Spencer
Materials: Knitted galvanised wire using s spinning ginny, fencing tools, pliers and bolt cutters. The wire is hand bent around the jig and then woven together.
Back: 'Lace Fence' by Joep Verhoeven
Materials: Bobbin lace technique using galvanised steel wire, fabricated in Bangalore, India

The Love Lace exhibition runs at the Powerhouse Museum in Sydney until April 2013.

If you don’t live in Sydney, you can check out the Love Lace exhibition online at the Powerhouse Museum Website (here). Alternatively, another great reason for you to come and visit!

Sydney-siders, get thee to ArtExpress 2012…

Tags

Art, Art exhibition, Art Gallery of New South Wales, ArtExpress, Australia, community, creativity, culture, Galleries, Higher School Certificate, Illustration, Sydney, Travel, Visual Art

Part of 'Flourish' by Hanna Clements of Sydney Girls High School
Expressive form: Sculpture

If you live in Sydney and have yet to see the ArtExpress 2012 exhibition at the Art Gallery of New South Wales, you have just one week before it’s too late. It is well worth a special trip to the Art Gallery just to see this wonderful exhibition. Trust me on this.

ArtExpress is the annual exhibition of outstanding student artworks developed for the art making component of the Higher School Certificate examination in Visual Arts for 2011. So, for the uninitiated – the artists who make up this exhibition are school students of around 17 years of age, give or take a year.

Every year I am blown away by the artistic talent we have bubbling away within our secondary schools. Have a taster…

'A Collection of Post Cards from Wits End' by Lisa Koesterke of Mullumbimby High School
Expressive form: Collection of works

'A Collection of Post Cards from Wits End' (Detail) by Lisa Koesterke

'Healthy Living' by Anna Zhong of James Ruse Agricultural High School
Expressive form: Painting

'Stigmata' by Georgia McGlennon of Ascham School
Expressive form: Photomedia

'...a thousand words' by Christopher Fiorini of St Patrick's College, Strathfield
Expressive form: Photomedia

ArtExpress is a free exhibition and will be on show at the Art Gallery of New South Wales until Sunday, 22 April 2012.

(All images sourced from here)