Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Painting in front of the fire

A lovely way to spend the day now that the colder temperatures have well and truly arrived. (And the perfect opportunity to catch up on some bad day-time TV!)


Thursday, May 24, 2012

Painting Hakea


This design was a little tricky due to the blossom spikes being lighter in colour than their globe shaped base. I think I will tackle it again next year using masking fluid to create the blossoms more effectively. Hakea Laurina is such an interesting plant it deserves another try!

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Old wares, good finds

I love to explore country Old Wares and Op shops every now and then, and one of my favourites is in the little town of Elmore, located between Bendigo and Echuca in northern Victoria, and not far from home. Sunday's stash included a few embroidered table linens, an embroidery pattern book from the 1930's and a beautiful (and very textile-y) Mason's Sampler pattern cake plate. 



50's tablecloths hanging in the old butcher shop.

Monday, May 21, 2012

Friday, May 18, 2012

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Blue & White, Old & New


The classic combination of blue on white has remained enduringly popular in the design of porcelain ever since the first Chinese vessels decorated with Cobalt blue were imported into Europe in the 16th century by Portuguese traders.
This strikingly modern dinnerware collection named Fable was designed in collaboration with London based German designer Karolin Schnoor and the master artisans at Royal Doulton.






The entire Fable collection can be viewed on the Royal Doulton website.

Another blue and white porcelain collection which recently caught my eye was first designed in the 1950's but has recently been reissued by the Swedish ceramics company Rorstrand.


Mon Amie was created by on a rainy midsummer's eve by Swedish textile and ceramic designer Marianne Westman in 1952, and has since become one of Rorstrand's best selling designs.
Marianne joined Rorstrand in 1950 immediately after graduating from the University of Arts, Crafts & Design in Stockholm, and she collaborated closely with the company for more than twenty years.





You can view more of Marianne Westman's wonderful mid century ceramic and textile designs at the Hus and Hem website. 

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Thursday, May 10, 2012

Curiouser and curiouser


These rather mysterious and whimsical ceramics from Anthropologie are adapted from the paintings of the talented New Orleans artist Rebecca Rebouche. I wonder if these would survive the long journey to Australia intact?



 The medallion shaped dinnerware collection is named Curious Deciduous, and I would love to see a few plates displayed on my kitchen wall.



To view more of Rebecca Rebouche's beautiful artwork you can visit:
Rebecca's Blog

Monday, May 7, 2012

Monday mono-print


The mono-print technique can be such an unpredictable medium but it always brings a smile to my face.

Friday, May 4, 2012

Deep in the forest


A textile design featuring my favourite motif. I'm pretty sure my tree drawings haven't changed all that much since early primary school!

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Potted Vintage


My Nana was very keen on the humble geranium so I have inherited quite a few plants in a variety of colours. This photo-shoot from the UK magazine Country Homes & Interiors shows just how lovely the geranium can be when potted up into vintage containers. 






Visit the House to Home website here.