Fantastic Plastic

How cool is this - Im featured in the Canberra Times Times2 lift out from Monday.

Click on the image below to read the article.

How to make wallets from recycled plastic bags

I also promised that I would share with you the pattern for how to make your own wallet from recycled plastic bags.... so here it is. The pattern is from the Why dont you [re]design Christmas publication. Click on the image below for a larger version which can be printed.

Let me know if you would prefer a pdf version and I can email it to you.

Here are some examples of what they look like in colour......

Happy creating x

Winners of Handmade Living & [re]design books announced

Handmade Living is an Australian publication put together by Tania McCartney and the lovely ladies at Shop Handmade in Canberra. It contains lots of lovely handmade ideas by Australian creators.

Featured in this book is my lampshade made from knitted recycled plastic bags.

To win a copy of Handmade Living, readers were asked to become a follower of my blog. Followers names were written on pieces of paper and randomly drawn from a hat.

And the winner of Handmade Living is.......... Kylie!

Why dont you [re]design Christmas is a British publication put together by [re]design, an organisation that promotes designers who create objects from found or recycled materials.

A collection of twenty designs, I am very lucky to have two of my works feature in this publication. The lampshade made from recycled plastic bags was featured, along with a wallet also knitted from plastic bags.

To win a copy of Why dont you [re]design Christmas readers were asked to subscribe to my newsletter. Again, names were written on paper and randomly drawn from a hat.

And the winner of Why dont you [re]design Christmas is Bronwynne!

Congratulations to the two lucky winners who have been randomly selected to win a copy of two publications my work has been featured in this year. I will post the books to you on Monday so that you will receive them just before Christmas.

Pomegranates..... and Christmas hampers

Pomegranates often feature as part of my display at the markets. One of my first screen printed designs was of a Persimmon Tree and my sister, who helped me with my first handmade market, couldn't find any persimmons at that time of year and so displayed some pomegranates instead. Since then the pomegranates have become a regular fixture on my stall.

It is really interesting to see how people respond to them. When they are displayed out of their usual context - people often think they are ceramic - and cant resist but pick them up and admire the shape, colour and weight of them.

I also hear about peoples stories associated with pomegranates - the juice is very popular in Turkey and you often find stalls at the side of the road selling freshly squeezed juice. Ahh, another reason why I want to go back and explore more of that marvellous country :) The fruit has also been around for a VERY long time and can be dated back to 3000 BC!

(Above Image courtesy of Canberra Handmade Markets)

Whilst purchasing some the other day, I was told by the green grocer, in his broken english, that they are very good for you... and this lead me to look into the marvels of this delightful fruit.

Pomegranates are:

• High in anti-oxidents (even more than green tea!) which helps fight certain forms of cancer such as breast and skin
• They can prevent hardening of the arteries therefore reducing the chances of heart attack and stokes
• It is good for thinning the blood; raising good cholesterol and lowering bad cholesterol

So they are beautiful to look at AND good for you too......

I have been eating the fresh fruit squeezed over a bowl of bircher muesli for breakfast. The muesli is very easy to make, you just need to be little bit organised to make it the night before. Click here for the recipe.

Im thinking this year Im going to give Christmas hampers full of delightful, natural goodies (such as pomegranates) and other beautiful handmade things.

High Tea, Handmade Living Book Launch & Give Away at Daltons

As part of the Handmade Living events, the fabulous Handmade team orchestrated the book launch this morning at Daltons Book Store in Civic, Canberra.

A selection of the contributors to the book (including moi) displayed their creations alongside a very delicious spread of cupcakes and nibbles - you can see Mikaela, who makes beautiful accessories using Japanese origami papers in the background.

The other clever people also in the book at the launch were:

Posy Patchwork - who makes wonderful things from fabric. I just love her doorstops.

Poppy Bean and Bloss - also makes wonderful things from fabrics, including journal covers

Tiny Concept - delightful wares, including the Parisian Pillow (pg 43 of the book which I just adore). A big congratulations to her, as one of her handmade dolls features in a film!

Polbymade - makes lovely japanese inspired garments using exquisite fabrics from Japan.

Highland Habitat - Naomi makes gorgeous lotions and potions from natural ingredients.

Real Chai - kept us hydrated with delicious chai made from real ingredients

I ran a giveaway for the above cups, hand baked ginger snaps and Kate Ward Design 'Ooh La La' tea towel (valued at over $50)...... the winner of the prize was Debbie Campbell.

Congratulations Debbie!

And a big thank you to the Handmade team for such a lovely way to start a Sunday morning. It was a fabulous opportunity to meet other creatives x

My first news letter

I have finally found the time to put together a news letter to share with you my comings and goings, latest designs and inspiration. Click here to go directly to the newsletter ......

If you are interested in receiving these updates, all you need to do is click on the subscribe tab at the top of this page and enter your details. If you do so before 17 December 2010, you will also go into the draw to win a copy of the fabulous book 'Why dont you [re]design Christmas' which contains 20 designs and the instructions on how to make them..... it features two of my designs too!

Into the night at the Gorman House Markets

You are invited to Gorman House Markets’ Christmas event,

“Into the Night”

Saturday 11^th December 2010

10am – 9pm.

It’s Christmas time and we are celebrating,

On 11^th December, Gorman House Markets are trading Late!

You will find all the treasures you seek,

To delight your loved ones for Christmas this year.

Come for the amazing shopping and gourmet food.

Enjoy the musical talents of local bands.

Our “Kid’s Land” will be in full swing with activities galore.

There will be a visit from Santa at 2pm.

As dusk falls, be delighted;

Majestic fairy lit hawthorn trees will light the night sky.

Bring your family. Meet up with friends,

Celebrate Christmas time in the city, at Gorman House.

Hoping you can join me. I will be selling my limited edition Christmas tea towels, dual jewels and other delightful bits n pieces ........

And the winner is.........

With eyes firmly shut

my fingers pick by random from the basket of folded up comments

....and the winner of my tea towel give away is

Drum roll please.........

Robin

Congratulations! And thank you everyone for your lovely comments x