Here Are A Few of My Favourite Things...

I was lying next to the pool today thinking about how grateful I am for a sunshiney day. With blue sky, warm air, juicy green grass and the latest issue of Peppermint magazine – what more could a girl want? It's days like this that remind me to be grateful for what I have and to enjoy the moment as it comes.

Eco Dyeing with Natural Plant Fibres

I have been dying to try eco dyeing with plant fibres for ages now – ever since I got my hands on a gorgeous book by India Flint called Eco Colour: Botanical Dyes for Beautiful Textiles. Thank you to my beautiful friend Annika from Glochidion for lending me the book.

An Old Friend is Back in Town

Believe it or not, it has been 20 years since the first Asia Pacific Triennial (APT) of Contemporary Art began, back in 1993. Every time the APT comes along I think, gosh, has it been three years already? Where did the time go? It feels somewhat like an old friend who has just returned from overseas.

An Exhibition of Steampunk Art & Culture

Step right up ladies and gentlemen, to the greatest show on earth! The Antipodean Steampunk Show has come to Brisbane! For the very first time in Australia's history, cast your eyes upon the scientific splendour that is steampunk.

Sustainable Fashion Is Now In Fashion

When you think of fashion you immediately think of glamour, beautiful faces and a runway show. Well Undress Brisbane was all that and more but with a very big difference.

A Night of Fashion, Fun & Fabulous Creativity by Young & Emerging Artists

Imagine a room filled to the brim with quirky individuals just oozing creativity and flair – visual art, groovy live music, gorgeous clothes, accessories, dance and film - and you have a taste of what RAW is all about.

Sew Maybe it's Time to Learn a New Skill...

I never showed any interest in sewing when I was growing up (much to the dismay of my mother who sewed many of our clothes and quilts when we were little). All that may be about to change as I have just recently inherited a Janome sewing machine from a family friend.

Puppet Making for the Ipswich Festival Parade

Ever wanted to see a real dragon? I know I have. Unfortunately I've never had the privilege to make their acquaintance, but I did have the opportunity to make a giant dragon puppet this year, which is really the next best thing. 2012 is also the Chinese Year of the Dragon, so I thought it would be fitting to write this post.

Under the Sea at the 2012 Eumundi Body Art Carnival

Entering a wearable art competition has long been on my bucket list of things to do and last weekend I was finally able to strike that one off the list.

A few years ago I heard about the Eumundi Body Art Carnival on the Sunshine Coast and always wanted to go there, but it never seemed to be the right time. This year when it finally came around, I decided nothing was going to stop me from going, AND entering the wearable art competition!

Adventures in the Land of Light - Discovery of a Vintage Lamp Shop

Well I was planning on writing about something else but this discovery just HAD to be told!

I have found a heaven for op shoppers, a haven for lovers of vintage, the mecca of all mother loads... In a lamp shop. Yes a lamp shop. But not just ANY lamp shop. A magical Aladdin's cave full of wonder...

Shift The Way You Think & Open Up A Whole New World Of Possibilities

This post has been on my mind for a few months now, so I thought it was high time I put pen to paper (well in this case fingertip to keyboard), and went ahead with it. For those that don't know, last year in December I was lucky enough to begin employment with Reverse Garbage in Woolloongabba. I have been a long time customer at RG, so it is a real privilege for me to be able to work there. It's already been three months and I wanted to write a little about my experiences so far.

DIY: How to Make a Cat Scratching Post

We recently adopted a little white cat that landed on our doorstep a few days before Australia Day. I don't know where she came from but she was hiding under the shoe rack outside when we found her. Initially she was so scared she spent most of the time hiding under the TV table.

Now that it's been a few weeks she's got her confidence back and is pouncing all over the house, tearing at anything that moves and it won't be long before her claws reap havoc on the sofa.

Maya after we fattened her up and she had a bath

Magic Land Spreads Some Sparkle

The other weekend I had the opportunity to pop into the Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA) at South Bank. As part of their fifth birthday celebrations, GOMA has commissioned a whimsical children's installation by Perth-based artists Pip & Pop. Imagine fields of sugar flowers, candy canes, magic mushrooms and rainbows – just the kind of place where Rainbow Brite would take up residence, along with Santa's elves and the odd unicorn or two.

A visit to the Artisan exhibition 'Green Nation' sowed the seed for this creative expression...

I came back from the exhibition opening of Green Nation at Artisan in Fortitude Vally with a strong desire to write about what I had seen. The concept of bringing nature into the gallery space (and by extension into the home), is one that really appeals to the tree hugger in me. Although I don't think that you have to be a tree hugger to like this idea. In fact, I think it is something that we urban dwellers can all find a use for. 

Discovering places you didn't know you didn't know were there....

Although many people feel that Brisbane doesn't have as much to offer from an artistic or cultural perspective as Melbourne or Sydney, there really is quite a lot to see and do if you know where to look.