Softies for Mirabel - my contribution

I first read about this worthy cause here.    So I began drawing and sewing and playing with different fabrics to create these 2 little cuties.  Ready to bring some smiles this Christmas.   Off they went to Melbourne today. Its their first plane ride. They are excited and promised to call me as soon as they arrive....I miss them already.

Sabine....ready to make the trip down to Fitzroy

Jordi - The Mexican Luchador...escorting Sabine

Ready for Melbourne weather - plenty of stylish layers....

Jordi's cape will keep him warm.

scarf detail....

Luchador cape and mask detail

Highlights from Art Sydney 2010

 
This was the first year we attended Art Sydney.  Martino had to work there for a little while so it was a great opportunity to check it out.  We attended opening night on Thursday, which apart from the air conditioning failing, was a great night.  The event normally attracts over 15,000 visitors every year all looking to find and buy art.  For an emerging or established artist, this is a fantastic opportunity to allow your art to reach the masses over a 4 day event.  The number of stands was very overwhelming for a first time visitor.  So I decided to just go off on my own, no map or guide, and stop at the art that I found appealing. This worked out to be the best way for me, as it is how I met these three lovely ladies.  An artist, a sculptor and a gallery owner.  All of them very talented and inspiring.

To start off my crafty claudes interview series I present to you the artworks of Narissa Butler:

Narissa is an Australian artist who has been painting girls as her subjects for 8 years.  Inspired by a photograph of her mother as a child, her paintings feature these girls as innocent, wide eyed, sometimes awkward creatures.   Each painting expressing feelings of nostalgia and longing. The colours include beautifully muted tones as well as much black detail.  I was drawn to many of her paintings by the detailed nature of them.  Details such as peacock feathers, butterfly wings and garden settings.

"Plume"  by Narissa Butler

Narissa is based in Melbourne where her work has been exhibited in many galleries, group and solo shows as well as in magazines.

Lovely Narissa encouraging Martino to just give it all a go!

"Swoon" - detailed butterfly beauty.....

 

It was wonderful to meet Narissa and chat to her about what inspired her creations and what challenges she faced as an artist.   A very generous and talented lady. 

You can visit Narissa's website here

For commissions or inquiries you can contact Narissa here

Softies for Mirabel - 4th annual Handmade Toys drive

From one of the awesome blogs I follow - Meet Me At Mikes. A call out has been placed to all crafters out in the community to support The Mirabel Foundation.

The Mirabel Foundation is a very special organization that helps children who have been left abandoned (or sadly, orphaned) due to drug addiction of their parent(s). They provide support to the children and also to their carers who are often the grandparents or the extended family.  You can read more about them here.

The idea is that you create a doll, toy, softies, plushie - anything that a child aged from 0-17 years would like to play with and call their own.  Once made, you send your creations to Meet Me At Mikes and they will kindly organize delivery to the kids!!  I love participating in things like this.  Its where I get to craft away and know that no matter what I create, it will be appreciated by a little person.  That is pretty cool don't you think?

Here are some creations from the past 3 years:

Photos courtesy of the Meet Me At Mikes Flickr group - see link below.

 
You can check out more pics of them here

If you are lucky enough to live in Melbourne (or visiting ) all the creations will be on display in the window of Meet Me At Mikes from 1 to 7 December for all to admire before they are sent to the foundation.

Here is a pic of a past year window display

So am very excited to start planning my softie creations. This calls for a fabric sourcing expedition - all for a fantastic cause!

Melbourne magic in a weekend......

Have lots going on at the moment including:

- Pakistan Fundraiser Stage 2 - The banana bread bake day at L's.
- Sewing little felt birdies
- Finishing off felt dolls

- Spring cleaning our little apartment (a very    s    l   o   w    and not very exciting process)


In the meantime, here is some of what our eyes saw during an awesome weekend in Melbourne a few weeks back - filled with great friends, good food and creative goodness.....

Dear Melbourne.....

oh how i love you.   you are cool without being pretentious.  you are familiar like a comfy pair of jeans.  you make everyone feel welcome and those of us who live north of the border - like we should be living there.  you are underground, funky, moody and alive.   coffee, bikes, beers, veg bars, gorilla crafts. 
Needing to get our fix so we will be seeing you soon
xox

claudes and martino