Crochet Owl

One of the many things I have been meaning to post about but haven't had a chance lately.  My sister Emma has started doing crochet and i know this technique has a name but i can't remember it!  I love this owl it's gorgeous and wanted to share it with everyone - she is so clever we are complete opposites artistically - she can follow patterns and learn things like this so easily i would never be able to have the patience to figure it out!

Inspiration - Anna Wili Highfield

Wow - all i can say is wow (made from PAPER!) Anna Wili Highfield found via Creature Comforts

Audrey's 1st Birthday Invitation

I made this little bird to go with our bride and groom for the wedding cake but it has ended up doubling as the bird in Audrey's birthday invitation's. Made the cake from fimo, with dolls house furniture and Cristina Rae paper as the wallpaper behind.

BOOM!!

My work space has exploded - look what happens when I try to clean. I think there is method to my messy madness that I shouldn't mess with. Things have gotten crazy busy around here - have returned to work 2 days a week so have even less time then before! Meanwhile we run out of Internet downloads while i am at home all week so no blog reading and inspiration all week - I was a little scared to open up google reader - was worse then i thought 1000+ blog posts to read - i think I need to cut back on the following here. Oh and I think my wisdom teeth have arrived - i am so scared to go to the dentist but this ache in my jaw is going to get the better of me soon.

I found this fox I had drawn and photocopied onto acetate for a project at RMIT that was going to go on a silk screen but never did. I decided to use it to decorate the house. The photo's are Polaroids from out trip overseas last year. I wanted to submit the photo to this great new flickr group Craft Fox started by Liz of Lino Forest but I don't think it is crafty enough. But you should check it out - some great foxy works there.

Here is a sneak preview of my latest work - a little tangerine something coming your way.

7 Inch Record Wedding Invitation

Finally after much anticipation and waiting for invitations to be delievered I can now share with you the finished product of our wedding invitations! Inspired by our love of music, we decided it would be cool to attempt to make a 7 inch album cover into a wedding invitation - little did we know how big the production would end up being but we had so much fun doing it. I initally made the birds for the top of the wedding cake, the bride was made of scraps from my wedding dress and some sample beaded fabric we didn't end up using. The groom was made from an old dress of mine. The wallpaper and floor were papers designed by Cristina Rae who has some beautiful work and an amazing shop in Collingwood. We decided to personalise the invitations by selecting out a variety of 7 inch records from our local record shop 8 Mile High in Thornbury and tried to send something that they might like to listen to.

Above is the back of the album cover showing the details of the wedding -we tried to make it look like the back of a record (Katherine if you are reading this - you can probably tell that I am using your invitation - but keeping it safe till you return xx). Below is an image showing the insert we produced for further information for guests.

This image below is where my inital inspiration came from for the album cover. I just loved this when I found it via the Style Me Pretty blog. It was taken by The Nichols a husband and wife wedding photography team that photographed the most beautiful photo's of the most beautiful wedding here.

(image source)

This is a shot of the album covers in production - I think I now have RSI!

Shot of the birds in their set (notice audrey in the frame behind them!)

Soon I will upload some more images to my folio here of more detailed images of the birds. I am also looking to use the set and birds to produce a wedding congratulations card for sale but will keep you posted about that.

What have you been making?

Playing along with Meet Me at Mikes - What have you been making? Have been ploughing away at trying to make the bride and groom toppers for our wedding cake and it is doing my freaken head in. I can't seem to get the veil working right - she looks more like a nun bride at the moment.

Also trying to make a cat for the softie for Mirabel Charity for Meet Me at Mikes. It's better then the first attempt but still has a ways to go - it's my interpretation of a cat! Was initially trying to do green cat eyes but opted for the much more super friendly brown eyes.

What have you been making?

Cake Toppers

A little update on the Groom I am making for the top of our wedding cake for next year, also a sneak peak at the bride and some of the fabrics I want to use. I have temporarily used Pollo's eyes till I make some better ones for the groom as the last pair were way too big. If all else fails with these birds I found a pair of cute robots I could use!

Groom to be

Below is a sketch of the groom I am making for the top of our wedding cake with some eyes that I made. I think they might be a little bit big but will keep going and then see at the end. Then below that is the start of the actual work. I think it is coming along nicely! I am planning to use the bride and groom that I make in a photo shoot for the front of the invitations so stay tuned for that also! It's nice to finally have some warm weather in Melbourne - bring on summer (just not 46 degree's like last year).

She had legs that just wouldn't quit

I contemplated for a moment giving bonnie long legs but have since changed my mind. It is taking me a while to finish her as its hard to find any spare time at the moment.

On another note and the reason for this post is I want to giveaway - thats right GIVEAWAY this Canon printer cartridges and postcard set. I bought it to use the postcards but alas i think they only work with the canon printer as they did not work with my HP printer. It's been hanging around my house for ages and I just want to move it to somewhere where it will be used. The details are: Canon KP-361Px 3 (none opened), Post Card Size 100 x 148mm, 108 sheets (minus 2). You can have it for free I would only ask if you would pay for the postage and that's it!

On a cool art note - my mum forwarded me this email with artwork made from tyres - how cool is this! Unfortunately I don't have the source to quote it only an email forward so if anyone knows please let me know so I can credit them.

PÖLLÖ Online

The stop motion animation I did with my partner Andrew is finally online. It has taken a while to get to get online but you can finally watch the animation by going to our blog The Creative Haven and clicking on the T.V icon on the righthand side of the screen or click here.

This animation was aimed at young children and experimenting with using textiles as an animation medium. We would love everyone's feedback so please do leave a comment or send us an e-mail!

Hope you enjoy
xx

Melissa Sweet

I found these awesome bird counting cards for Audrey's nursery from Brunswick Bound on Sydney Road. They are by a designer called Melissa Sweet by a company eeboo , the images don't really do them justice but you get the idea.

I just have to say that this blog is not about bird art! although it is seeming that way lately - I will have to find some other inspiration to post up to prove i'm right!

These Shoes are Made for Skwaking

I was out and about today on Chapel Street and eneded up in the Chapel Street Bazaar and found all these barbies shoes that I can use for my birds. I am trying to decide whether Bonnie Bluebird should have the blue shoes that are in the middle or paint one of the other sets another blue colour?

Decisions, decisions.......what to wear, what to wear!

Magical Pony Farm Purchase!

I'm so excited cause I finally decided to buy a work by Magical Pony Farm and it arrived in the mail today! It's a beautiful embroidery of a Finch in a vintage frame which has been painted. I love it - i just need to find somewhere to put it now!

Haven't had much of a chance to make much at the moment with baby duties and wedding planning but stay tuned to The Creative Haven as we will be launching our puzzle line and the animation by the end of August!