sweet william

Sweet William's article in Paperrunway magazine

2012-01-30T12:43:00.006+11:00

I am very excited to see the next issue of paperrunway. Even more so because I have an article in the magazine! They approached me a while ago to write about my paper collection and the paper packs we sell on etsty. I was a bit daunted by the idea of writing an article for print but found because it is a topic which I am passionate about, the words came together quite easily. The magazine is beautiful and put together by a lovely team of women. You can see the issue here and follow what they are getting up to here. Here are a few highlights.

Birthdays, sun shine and puppies!

2012-01-26T07:55:00.004+11:00

Our little puglier - Bella!
Hand made cards from my girls
Enjoying my delicious cake!
Gifts - vintage glass bottles
More hand made cards
More gifts - vintage tea cups
Flowers from family abroad and more lovely cards

I celebrated my (39th) birthday on the 24th of Jan. I must say I felt very blessed. The sun was shining, I received plenty of lovely messages and warm wishes from friends and family, beautiful hand made cards, flowers, gifts (vintage finds and art materials, the way to my heart!). I enjoyed a delicious home made chocolate cake and we ended the day with a meal out at our local Thai restaurant. Bliss. The next day bought even more excitement when we picked up our new little puppy - Bella. She is a puglier (cross between a Pug and Cavalier Spaniel) and we are all besotted.

Insta love

2012-01-21T14:53:00.004+11:00

My girls at the Melbourne Botanical gardens
A recent Orla Kiely duvet cover purchase.
Friday night dinner on our deck
A lovely Skulk of Foxes brooch I bought for a Christmas gift for a girlfriend
My mirror collection on my mantlepiece
A beautiful charity shop find
Love this bit of yarn bombing (and the bike) as seen in Carlton, Melbourne
My girls at the beach and the view from our deck (below)

I am a little bit obsessed with instagram. It is such a fun and easy way of sharing photo's with everyone. Here is a little photo stream of some of recent shots from around my home and things we have been up to during the summer holidays. (if you would like to follow me on instagram, my user name is paulamills). Hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend.

Happy New Year!

2012-01-10T11:38:00.005+11:00

I am back from a wonderful camping trip along the Gippsland coast. As a family we love to get away from it all - no mobile reception, no hot water and no shops. Plenty of swimming in the sea, shell collecting, reading in the hammock, boggle playing and marshmallow toasting! Bliss. It is so good to have a break from the norm, I now feel rejuvenated and ready for 2012. Our etsy shop is open again and ready for a new year. We have had some lovely comments from people who received Sweet William prints for Christmas - a nice start to 2012. Here are a few shots from our camping trip. Paula x

Merry Christmas 2011!

2011-12-18T10:41:00.005+11:00

Dear lovely blog readers. Shelley and I have had a wonderful year with Sweet William - we have been flattered by some great features, our online sales and markets have been amazing and we have thoroughly enjoyed all the positive support. Sweet William started as a small creative outlet for the two of us and we are proud of how it has grown into a something that enables us to keep being creative and passionate about what we do. We are taking a break from now until the 10th of January. ( I am going camping with my family and Shelley is finishing off her house!) We wish everyone a blessed and creative Christmas and all the very best for 2012. Here are some shots of my lounge room in all it's pink and silver hand made Christmas glory! Paula x

Last Christmas Market for Sweet William in Melbourne

2011-12-14T17:37:00.003+11:00

I will be in Brunswick Town Hall at the Sister's Market this Friday evening and Saturday. Here are a few Christmas pieces that will be at the Sweet William stall. After a pretty busy season I must say we are looking forward to a well deserved break - Sweet William's on line shops will be closing on Sunday the 18th until the New Year. Hope everyone is enjoying getting into the festive season.

in loving memory

2011-12-11T21:50:00.003+11:00

This post is in loving memory of our mother - Beryl, also known as Bertie Green Beans, who has given us memories full of love and laughter.

Late night Christmas shopping at Scarlet Jones

2011-12-08T11:47:00.005+11:00

Can you spot the Sweet William 'touch the sky' card?

One of my most favoured shops in Melbourne is Scarlet Jones on Auburn Road. I love how everything is thrown together so easily and makes such beautiful imagery, which has recently been posted on the Scarlet Jones facebook page. The good news is that they are open tonight until 9pm and are offering a 10% discount on most items! Yay. The other good news is that they stock Sweet William LaLaLand cards! I hope all your Christmas shopping is going smoothly.

'tis the season

2011-12-05T23:00:00.005+11:00

Gosh it has been pretty busy here at Sweet William! Now I find myself a few weeks away from Christmas, the kids are desperate to put the tree up and I am in need of some festive inspiration. Here are a few images that have caught my eye and will help me get our home and hearts ready for this special holiday time. I am loving all the candy stripes and pretty colours around at the moment - happy times! All links to these images can be found in my pinterest board here.

at the markets

2011-12-02T05:47:00.001+11:00

Memi Designs at Magnolia Square

Sweet William stall set up and Lynne from Scarlet Jones below

Just a quick post of Sweet William and some other retailers at Magnolia Square in Malvern Town Hall. Above are: beautiful products by Memi designs, Lynne in her lovely Scarlet Jones stall and Sweet William. It has been a wonderful event so far - we are there until 4pm on Saturday. I have had such lovely and supportive comments from people, repeat buyers and customers coming especially to look for my new work. One lady stopped to tell me how beautiful her feather print, bought at a previous market, looks in a silver frame. It has all been very encouraging.

Sweet William at Magnolia Square Malvern

2011-11-30T20:00:00.001+11:00

Sweet William is very excited about being part of the next Magnolia Square event. If you are around, pop in and say hello, I do love to have a chat and it is always so nice to meet lovely blog readers.

pop in and say hello

2011-11-26T10:02:00.001+11:00

Sweet William will be at Fed Square on Sunday

New Work for Mark It this weekend!

2011-11-24T16:45:00.001+11:00

This illustration is entitled Flower Circles

This one is entitled Grateful

This new print is entitled Flower Ring

I feel like I keep typing the same thing - it is a busy time of the year! I put all the orders, postal deadlines, washing, tidying, bills and e-mails aside for a while so that I could concentrate on finishing some new work. These prints will be for sale for the first time at Mark It at Federation Square on Sunday. I find it quite challenging as our little company grows, to prioritise creative work. There are so many other things demanding my attention and I have to be pretty disciplined about making the time to simply draw or paint or doodle for a little bit...and then it is back to the more mundane stuff. These three new illustrations are inspired by my continued love affair with flowers, pattern and colour. They are available in our etsy stall if you are unable to come along to the markIt on Sunday which is sure to be fantastic - a really well curated design market.

Sweet William art work featured in Decor8 and Home Beautiful Magazine!

2011-11-20T20:42:00.001+11:00

Our Free Love print in Home Beautiful above and my lounge room with prints featured in Decor8 below

Ooh a very exciting weekend here at Sweet William! Holly over a decor8 did a lovely post all about my new work, Geometric Love, which I blogged about here. Holly captured my feelings exactly. It is always a bit of a risk to put something up that you know may not have as much commercial appeal but is so necessary to be true to yourself. Thanks Holly. I then spotted our 'Love is Free' print in the December issue Home Beautiful magazine. It is really very exciting and flattering to receive recognition. I am beaming from ear to ear. We now have to get to the online orders that have come flooding in!

Crazy busy times!

2011-11-17T12:15:00.001+11:00

Messy but pretty piles of stuff all around me that need doing

My vintage paper stash - ready for making into paper packs

My kids art work for exhibition at school

My messy studio

Orders waiting to go out in the post

Well it has been a little while since my last post - it is just crazy, busy around here! This time of the year is madness! I can't complain, it is all good - lots of orders coming in online, wholesale orders, magazine features, lovely markets... and then there is the family and house stuff which has to carry on - the kids seem to have a lot going on at school, my baby is preparing for prep next year (sob), I managed to break our washing machine (you don't want to know) and we are looking forward to a weekend of camping at the beach with friends (which takes a little bit of organising). I find I am surrounded by piles of things that need doing - prints need packaging, bags need packing, washing needs washing, children need feeding - gosh, as my Grandmother says; 'a woman's work is never done' Anyway some of the piles looked quite pretty so I thought I would share them with you! It is a beautiful sunny day in Melbourne today - I hope you are having a good one. P xxx

Stall Set up for Magnolia Square

2011-11-10T17:29:00.000+11:00

One of my favourite things to do (besides illustrating) with Sweet William is the stall set up for markets. I have lots of fun imagining I had my own little shop, down an alley way somewhere - an old victorian building with worn wooden floorboards, high ceilings and large curved front windows, sigh. Back to reality, I have a pretty tight space to fit all the Sweet William products into and some times I look at it and wonder if all the mad pattern and colour is a little overwhelming?? But then again it is the way I do things - I simply cannot simplify....Magnolia Square is running for 2 and half days at the St. Kilda Town Hall, kicking off on Friday evening at 5pm.

New Work - Christmas Cheer

2011-11-08T14:40:00.001+11:00

Angel Card

Birdy Card

Folksy Christmas Tree Card

Gift tags

Set of twelve gift tags

Gosh well it is that time of the year already! One of the nicest things to do (if you time it properly and don't leave it to a mad panic rush the day before) is wrap gifts for your friends and family. I have had some fun creating these new cards and tags for Christmas which are available in our etsy shop. There is a stripy angel, a little blue bird, a folky Christmas tree and a whole set of whimsical gift tags. These new products will also be available to buy from me at the Magnolia Square Christmas Show, in St Kilda Town Hall from November11 to 13. Magnolia Square is always really worth the visit and again if you are the organised type you could do all your gift buying in one day!

New work - geometric love!

2011-11-03T15:06:00.003+11:00

Three new prints in frames in my lounge room.

I am quite excited (and a little nervous) about this new work as it is quite different to other Sweet William prints. These are archival quality prints of paintings I have done on old vintage paper of various geometric studies. I have been working on this body of work for a while now and at last got it all together just in time to be selling these fresh prints for the first time at the MAD Pop Up Market this weekend! I love pattern and geometric shapes - I love how they can be structured and organic and fluid all at the same time. These prints are also available in our etsy shop.

Sweet William featured in Tiny and Little magazine

2011-11-02T15:49:00.006+11:00

We are flattered to have an interview in the very cute online magazine called Tiny and Little.

'tiny & little is a bi-monthly online publication based in Melbourne, Australia, aimed at parents-to-be and families with young children.'

Take a look here - it is full of lovely party ideas and kiddies fashion, here are some shots from the magazine as well as the Sweet William interview. P xx

inspirational artists

2011-10-31T10:21:00.007+11:00

Street art in Hosier Lane, Melbourne
Beautiful work by Marise Maas above and below

Amazing mural by Lucas Grogan in Hosier Lane
Hosier Lane artwork above and below

My friend Alison (on the left) and myself in front of Movida Mural
New Sweet William display boards

Next market for Sweet William below - MAD.

The other day I met my friend in the city and we went to see the wonderful work of Marise Mass at Flinders Lane Gallery. I was very inspired by the bold, simple, colourful pieces depicting everyday things. On the way to the gallery we walked passed Hosier Lane and had a look at the work by the amazing street artist Lucas Grogan who was commissioned to do this beautiful piece by Movida. This too was hugely inspiring as well as all the other street art in the lane. Wow so many hugely creative talented people out there! Back in my studio I had to get things together for all the upcoming markets Sweet William will be doing leading up to Christmas. I had fun with some chalk board pens and hot pink fluro card! The next market for Sweet William is the Melbourne Art and Design Fair (MAD) Pop Up Market on Sat, the 5th of Nov at 118 High St Prahran. Should be good!

Markets this weekend

2011-10-28T15:05:00.002+11:00

Shelley will be taking Sweet William to Craft2.0 in Wellington City on Saturday. I will be participating in Boutique Market in Malvern Town Hall on Sunday from 9 -1pm, 4 hours only! Here are some products that have caught my eye from the other retailers that will be there on Sunday. 1) Sweet William (of course!) 2) Empress Orchid Jewellery 3 and 7) Earthtribe 4) make me iconic 5) Sweet Papillon 6) elly oak. Have a lovely weekend everyone!

our little tea cup tag on the lovely decor8 blog

2011-10-27T09:21:00.002+11:00

These lovely images were on the guest blog Decor8 post by Leslie from Colour Me Pretty. How nice to see our little Sweet William tea cup tag being used all the way over on the other side of the world for a pretty mood board! (we only sell the tags at markets but often you may find one with our postal orders) I also love these simple ideas for packaging and styling by Leslie - some nice ideas for Christmas, gosh can't believe it is coming up for that time of the year already!

New work -2012 calendars and A3 posters!

2011-10-24T10:14:00.005+11:00

We have been busy little bees at Sweet William. We are gearing up for a whole lot of very exciting markets and stocking our etsy stall for the Christmas Season (only 2 months away!) We have added some pretty and practical 2012 Calendars - the whole year on one A4 page makes it easy to pin to a board or clip to a clip board around your home study or in any room. Choose from two different designs. We are also super duper excited to list 4 x A3 posters! We often get asked if we can produce bigger images and at last we have been able to do it. The posters are printed locally on recycled matt paper, using vegetable based inks and we are sooo pleased with them. They also fit perfectly into the Ikea Ribba 40x50 frame. On top of all that I have been woking on some new illustrations which I will post soon. All of these new Sweet William goodies will be for sale from us at the following Markets this weekend: Melbourne - Boutique Market Sun. 30th Oct.9am-1pm Malvern Town Hall. New Zealand - Wellington Craft2.0 Sat. Oct.29 10am - 4pm, undercover in the Atrium Chaffers Dock Building. Pop in and say hello if you can. Happy Monday to you all!

And the winner is...

2011-10-21T13:09:00.003+11:00

Kristin's favourites - High Sea and light as a feather

Comment no. 19 - Kristin! Kristin's favourite prints are High Seas and Light as a feather. Well done love! Your prints will be in the post to you soon. Thanks again for all your support and to all who entered the give away, it was lovely to read all your favourite choices. Shelley and Paula xx

Sweet William Print Giveaway! Yipeee yay yay!

2011-10-19T09:51:00.006+11:00

We have been meaning to do this for quite sometime now...to celebrate our 1000's sale on etsy we are offering a give away to all our lovely supporters! Be in the running for winning 2 of your favourite prints by simply leaving a comment letting us know which are your favourites. You can view all the prints over at our etsy shop here. We will draw the winner on Friday the 21st October. Thanks for all the support and good luck! Lots of love Shelley and Paula xxxx

lovely weekend at the beach

2011-10-16T19:25:00.005+11:00

Me walking on the beach - nothing quite like it!
The beach just before a storm makes for some lovely colours
My girls enjoying the water
A beautiful Spring evening
So many pretty colours at the beach

We managed to get away for the weekend, down to the coast for some lovely, quality family time. I love walking on the beach, something about it restores my soul, probably because I grew up along the coast in Cape Town. On a shallower note - I am also in love with the iphone app. instagram - all these images were taken on my phone with instagram and I am very excited to see you can follow anyone who takes your fancy or who you may know on instagram. I have seen some beautiful images! My user name is: paulamills. Happy snapping everyone!

loving old wood and oil painintings

2011-10-13T13:33:00.005+11:00

Emily Chalmer's book - Modern Vintage Style

beautiful products from swarmhome.com
October issue of Elle Decoration UK
my latest purchase - beautiful bentwood chairs from ebay
flea market find - old wooden drawers
little chest of drawers from flea market - before above and after below

I am am in love with beautiful old wood at the moment and have had some lucky finds at the markets. This little chest of drawers was in a pretty sorry state but all it needed was a good scrub and a bit of a rub with some wood wax (although I ran out of that so I used vaseline!) anyway I think it came up very nicely and now sits on top of my computer desk, full of my stationary. I also picked up these three little wooden drawers with lovely old mettle knobs, these will come in handy for my market table for holding cards etc. Best find of all were these beautiful bentwood chairs - picked up a set of 4 on ebay for a bargain! I love they way the old wood looks next to a vintage painting - I have been drooling over images of old wood and paintings in Emily Chalmers latest book - Modern Vintage Style as well as in the UK Elle Decoration which led me to swarmhome.com, a very clever company using old vintage oil paintings to recover furniture and make new products such as bags - how beautiful!

some inspirational books

2011-10-10T12:38:00.006+11:00

Water colour work by Heather Smith Jones

Shots of Heather's beautiful Studio from her website

My new book on Matisse

I have bought a few books online recently to add to my inspiration/reference library. One is about Matisse - I never tire of looking at his work and could pour over his collection for hours.

The other book is called Water Paper Paint by the artist Heather Smith Jones. It is full of lovely images of her work and some very inspiring 'do it your self projects'. I had a look at her lovely online shop (where you can take a peek at her amazing studio!) and beautiful blog too. Time to get my water colour paints out again.

Feature in Paper Runway online magazine

2011-10-06T08:38:00.005+11:00

I am flattered to have been featured in the lovely online magazine Paper Runway - this is the second issue published online and is all about entertainment. You can read the whole interview and rest of the lovely mag for free here. Paper Runway is also a quarterly printed magazine that offers a mix of paper goodness, plenty of eye candy and inspiration. You can buy a copy of the printed magazines here and follow them on Facebook here. Such a lovely concept and it is wonderful to be part of a inspiring independant publication.

My brilliant weekend with my sister

2011-10-04T07:52:00.005+11:00

My find of the day from the trash and treasure market- Gill Sans in Ultra Bold
Hand made toys by Shelley and my kids

fantastic finds at trash and treasure market
Industria on Gertrude Street
Found this lovely old sign at the trash and treasure market
Amazing trash and treasure market
Sweet William at Sisters Market in Bruinswick
Shelley and I at De Clieu in Gertrude Street

My sister Shelley left early this morning (sigh). We had a wonderful time, it was her birthday and we managed to fit loads in over a few short days. Here is what we got up to: We cried with laughter when we had to flop around the shops in temporary paper thongs after the birthday treat pedicure (due to leaving open toed shoes at home!); we had a lovely birthday lunch at De Clieu on Gertrude Street - followed by a spot of shopping and a look around Industria; we did the Sisters Market together in Bruinswick, which was great; we got up at the crack of dawn and found some brilliant bargains at Wantirna Trash and Treasure Market (find of the day: old printers lead type in Gill Sans Ultra Bold - wow!); we had a lovely leisurely afternoon at Heide Museum of Modern Art; we made hand made toys with the kids; we walked along the river; we went to cinema; drank tea, ate lovely food; we chatted and cried some more with laughter! We had a brilliant time. There is nothing quite like a sister. P xxxxx

new work -hand drawn type 5x7 prints

2011-09-24T11:59:00.006+10:00

I do love creating hand drawn type and I have had these little illustrations on the go for a while now. I have been pretty busy lately but at last found the time to finish them off and post them onto our etsy shop. We will be selling these new 5x7 prints for the first time at the Sisters Market next Saturday in Brunswick, Melbourne. If you are around and not watching the footy final, do pop in and say hello. Hope everyone is having a lovely weekend, P x

mad paper love!

2011-09-19T12:33:00.007+10:00

piles of paper that we collect
paper packs available to buy in our etsy shop
my collection of old stamps and labels

lovely old childrens scrap book

vintage labels

This old book is full of the lovely old rubbings

Our love for vintage paper runs long and deep, Shelley and I are endlessly rummaging through second hand book shops, markets, thrift shops, charity shops, garage sales - in search for beautiful old paper treasures. Here are some shots of a few of my recent finds - scrap books full of old rubbings and old lick and stick stickers and some lovely vintage labels. While I do use some vintage paper in my artwork and collages, the paper collecting is getting a little out of hand but there is no way we are giving up the search for more paper goodness - the solution: we transform our finds into these exciting packages - filled to the brim with paper goodness, and sell them in our etsy shop and markets. The next market I am doing in Melbourne is the Sisters Market, on the 1st of October at Brunswick Town Hall and the most exciting part is that Shelley will be with me - YAY! Sisters doing the Sisters market together!

Flea market finds and collections

2011-09-14T11:06:00.000+10:00

My vintage glass jar collection above and below

A lovely cup to add to my Royalty collection

New finds - porcelaine dolls head and more vintage wooden rulers

As mentioned in my previous post, I went off to Camberwell market on the weekend, which was completely rained out but I did mange to pick up one or two lovely pieces to add to my flea market find collections. I am loving old glass bottles at the moment and vintage rulers. I also picked up the porcelain dolls head - which I love for it's cute creepiness! Plus the Queeny cup, which looks great in my bathroom. I go through phases of collecting things - there is some thing strangely satisfying about putting groups of similar objects together...does any one else like to collect? What do you collect? I suppose it was a good thing Camberwell market was rained out as I may have come home with a lot more!

I need some Spring!

2011-09-12T11:14:00.000+10:00

My daughter Liberty with tiny blossom

daffs at local farmers market

Me buying plants for our garden and home

At home with lovely proteas - amongst t.v remote and barbie dolls!

Forgive me for posting about the weather but we have had some very cold and wet days here in Melbourne and I am longing for a season change! I was disappointed yesterday when I headed out to Camberwell Market, got rained on only to find half of the stall holders managed to brave the wet weather (I still found a few lovely pieces, which I blog about on another day!). In the need of some Spring cheer, I found these lovely shots that my husband took 2 weeks ago, of our trip to the local farmers market and some flower decorating at home. Here is hoping Spring is just around the corner!

inspirational images from pinterest

2011-09-05T15:03:00.005+10:00

All the links to these beautiful images can be found here - my inspirational board on pinterest. Wow-wee!

Happy Spring Day!

2011-09-01T10:24:00.004+10:00

'She loves Spring' art print available in our etsy shop
Some flowers at home - a lovely gift for me
Blossoms in our neighborhood
A pretty art print purchased from Cori Dantini on etsy
A pretty card from vince
pretty spring birdy images in my studio
One of my favorite quotes by Emma Goldman

Spring in my garden above and in my studio below

On this side of the world the first of September means Spring! Yippeeee! I love Spring, the flowers and the birds are out in full force today - I wonder if they know? Here are a few very pretty Spring images that I coudln't help snapping on my phone with instagram. Happy Spring Day to everyone in the Southern Hemisphere! P xxx

beautiful Earthtribe products

2011-08-29T14:23:00.010+10:00

Earthtribe Woodblocks on my mantlepiece
My lovely recycled tin lantern and paisley scarf
Manita's beautiful product shots above and below
Earthtribe Lacquered toys
Rosie's bed
Detail of quilt on Rosie's bed

Detail of Lia's quilt above and Lia's bed below

My very clever friend Manita, imports beautiful handcrafted, fair trade products from India. Manita frequently travels back to her homeland and spends time working with craftspeople, carefully selecting products for her Earthtribe range. I have a thing for Indian paisley patterns and have many beautiful Earthtribe goodies around my home; scarves, bedspreads for my girls, woodblocks and a very special recycled tin latern. You can have a look at at Manita's products on the Erthtribe website and follow what Manita is up to on facebook. Lovely lovely! Hope everyone is having a wonderful Monday. P x

inspiration - geometric pattern love

2011-08-25T09:22:00.007+10:00

All links to images above can be found at my pinterest inspiration board
The print above is by me and available in our etsy shop

All links to images can be found at my pinterest inspiration board

Here are some images that are inspiring me at the moment. I do love a bit of geometric pattern, there is some thing very comforting about these patterns to me, I am not sure what it is - I love to look to at them and I like to draw them and paint them, I like that they are abstract but still have so much form...hmm I feel my paints calling me again but first I need to clean my house...sigh. All links to these images can be found on my pinterest inspiration board. Have a lovely day everyone!

Lovely market day!

2011-08-20T21:49:00.004+10:00

I had a fantastic day today at Magnolia Square. It was a beautiful spring day in Melbourne, the sun was out and everyone came down to Ivanhoe for a spot of shopping. It was lovely to meet a few blog followers and peeps who have bought our prints on line. I do enjoy the interaction of markets and meeting all sorts of people. We are on again tomorrow in Ivanhoe, pop in and say hello if you are in the area. Here are some shots of my stall set up and the 'celebration of colour' installations at the event.

new work - wild flowers in blue washes

2011-08-17T21:30:00.003+10:00

At last a chance to get some new work together. I had a lot of fun with a bunch of wild flowers, bought at a farmers market, my water colors, ink and brushes. Some of the flower studies are of proteas, which are amongst my favorite flowers. They remind me of my sunny homeland, South Africa, where they grow wild all over the place. They seem to grow very well here in Australia too, I will be sure to plant some protea bushes in our wild bushy garden. These prints are available in our etsy shop and for the very first time at Magnolia Square on the weekend.

busy getting ready for Magnolia Square

2011-08-16T13:41:00.005+10:00

Miniture Camille in her matchbox home being lovingly handmade
New ink drawings I am working on
My messy studio

Well my studio is a big mess again! No surprises there - I think it stayed tidy for about half a day. I am in the throws of gearing up for a lovely pop up shopping experience known as Magnolia Sqaure - here in Melbourne. This will be the first time in the Ivanhoe Town Hall, as always I am sure it will be brilliant. Here are some images of the mess in my studio, some new work and our lovely little miniature Camille in her match box home being lovingly hand made. I need to get my skates on as I have soo much to do before 10am on Saturday when doors open - yikes!

inspiration - Naomi Ito

2011-08-11T14:25:00.004+10:00

I am busting to do some new water color work or any new work really, alas and alack I have had sick kids, work deadlines, admin and all sorts of other things demanding my attention...hmmm I could do with a few hours of peace and quite in my studio with nothing else but paints and brushes to keep me company. In the meantime I will satisfy my craving by pouring over these hugely inspiring images by Japanese water color artist Naomi Ito. Wow.

my new house tour on houzz.com!

2011-08-10T11:59:00.002+10:00

Houzz Tour: An Australian Cottage with a Vintage Twist

Houzz- Kitchen Remodel, Bathroom Remodel and More»

Browse Bedroom Products on Houzz- For Example:

Bed Pillows · Bedskirts · Duvet Covers · Quilts · Shams · Bedroom Benches · Dressers Chests And Bedroom Armoires · Nightstands And Bedside Tables ·

A few of my favorite things

2011-08-09T14:25:00.005+10:00

Willow pattern
vintage tin (my 5 yr daughter decided to write her name on it in permanent pen!)
Latest charity shop find
willow pattern print for sale in our etsy shop
Latest charity shop finds!

This morning I popped into my local charity shop (so exciting when you are new to an area!) and picked up this beautiful willow pattern platter, a gorgeous tin tea pot and a lovely piece of ikat fabric. I was thrilled! I got home and put them down on my kitchen bench, next to a beautiful bunch of proteas, (the national South African flower) bought from a farmer's market on the weekend - and I thought hey, these are a few of my favorite things! Proteas, tea pots, charity shops and the blue and white willow pattern. I have an illustration of some of my willow pattern tea cups in our etsy shop. I think I should do an illustration of proteas. Lovely. P x

new house update - studio sorted out

2011-08-08T07:55:00.005+10:00

Some shots of how things are going in my new home - I am having fun with it all and have at last managed to sort out my studio...a bit, not to organized otherwise I would never find anything!

new illustration work

2011-08-04T12:22:00.005+10:00

Wedding invite commission piece above and editorial work

I have been fairly busy with my illustration work, from commissions to editorial pieces. Here are two that I can share with you. Wedding invites are fun to do especially when the job goes as smoothly as this one did! All the best to the lovely Mike and Kate! I am hoping to do some new work for Sweet William very soon, especially as I am gearing up for the next Magnolia Square which is going to be in a new venue in Ivanhoe on the 20th and 21st of August. Yipeee!

Sweet William featured in Vecu magazine

2011-08-02T14:58:00.004+10:00

I am very excited about the uprise of independent magazines and Shelley and are honored to have Sweet William featured in Vecu, a magazine which focuses on independent artists. Here are the Sweet William spreads and a few others that caught my eye. All very pretty in deed!

Sunny Winter Days

2011-07-29T11:36:00.006+10:00

We have been having the most glorious, sunny, winter days here in Melbourne and I must say I am thoroughly enjoying my new surrounds. It is wonderful being able to walk the girls to school, we spot things on our way such as heart shapes and pretty colours, the girls bring them home and turn them into the prettiest little collections. I decided not renew my gym contract and have being exercising out side instead - so much better! Here are a few sunny shots from around the house and the girl's lovely little collections. Happy Friday to you all! P xx

Vienna Art and Design exhibition at the NGV

2011-07-27T14:57:00.005+10:00

Egon Schiele self portrait with hands on chest 1910
Gustav KLIMT Italian garden landscape 1913
Gustave klimt drawing three stages of woman

Gustav Klimt - Emilie Flöge 1902
Koloman MOSER Self-portrait c.1916–17
Gustav KLIMT Johanna Staude 1917–18

I went to see the amazing Vienna exhibition at the NGV in Melbourne the other day. It covered the art and design work of Klimt, Schiele, Hoffmann and Loos. It was hugely inspiring and well worth the visit. I particularly enjoyed the work of Egon Schiele and just love the way he painted hands - one of my drawing weaknesses and it has inspired me to do some studies of hands - practice, practice, practice!

New house update - picture wall completed

2011-07-26T13:11:00.005+10:00

The next part of the house that is being sorted out is the living area. There is a lot going on in this space, we have the pink dinning table, my computer and some storage cupboards which is all open plan onto the lounge and kitchen. Non the less we still felt excited about putting together a group of pictures and images, that we have collected over the years, up on the main facing wall - may as well add to the busyness! I am quite pleased with the result so far...it may change.....we shall see.

miso, ghostpatrol, breakfast and tokyo

2011-07-23T17:18:00.007+10:00

The work of the hugely talented duo miso and ghostpatrol

Two images above artwork by miso and two below by gostpatrol

Lia (age 9) sticking one of ghostpatrols stickers in the streets
Ghostpatrol sticker
Fantastic chai latte at Almentari in Fitzroy
Rice crackers in the cutest wrappers from Tokyo!
My lovely gift from Japan above and origami for the girls below

Oh what a funny morning we had! I took the girls for breakfast at Alimentari in Fiztroy and spotted Miso and Ghostpatrol (amazing talented street artists) at the table next door. We are huge fans of their work, the girls and I wanted to say hello but felt a bit shy...so we scribbled them a note on a napkin. They were very gracious and in return gave us a pile of stickers! We then headed out and added to the wonderful street art scene in Melbourne with Ghostpatrol stickers. Woohoo such fun! My husband then returned from a business trip to Tokyo (lucky bunny) armed with cute Japanese gifts including my lovely cotton pajamas and slippers from MUJI, crackers and origami packs for the girls hence the pretty random shots of street art and cute things from Tokyo! Happy weekend to you all! P xx

hello memo and clever siblings

2011-07-20T17:06:00.006+10:00

My lovely Hello Memo package received in the post today
Packaged pigs - do you get any cuter than this?
Lovely poster about tea and coffee in Hello Memo's shop

Quirky images from Hello Memo's flickr stream
My brother's cafe menu featuring one of my illo's!

My lovely sister sent me a little package in the post from hellomemo. Love the quirkiness of her designs and am inspired by all the hand drawn type. You can have a look at Hellomemo's shop here, blog here and flicker stream here. Thanks Shell's. Then talking about siblings and Shells, my clever clogs brother and his lovely Irish wife sent me their new look menu from their Irish beach cafe in Strand Hill called Shells. It all looks great and they put one of my illo's at the back of the menu! So nice to get things from family in the post : )

things around the house

2011-07-19T13:39:00.011+10:00

Charity shop found frames with some of my art prints in them
Display on old filling cabinet in our lounge
Inspirational spread in August issue of Vogue Living Australia
Vintage blackboard in my kitchen
My little Liberty in front of the gas heater
My kitchen shelf above and my kids art work display wall below

The lens on our Canon EOS is damaged and so I have had camera withdrawal but I am so glad to find that the iphone is just as good. I love how quick and easy it is to capture shots when I see them. Here are a few snaps taken from around my home this morning, which I then put through instagram - a wonderful iphone app. I am still slowly finding the right places to put my many things in our new little house, I collect old metal frames and am always on the look out for them at charity shops; bought the Australian Vogue Living and was inspired by this spread; Liberty is relaxing infront of the gas heater to keep warm; we had plenty of fun choosing pictures from the kid's many beautiful artworks and putting them up on the wall that leads down to their bedroom. Isn't it amazing that all this technology can be carried around in ones pocket?! (oh dear I sound like such a gen. x er...)

Mini Camille on Imaginative Bloom

2011-07-16T21:10:00.003+10:00

Oooh so lovely to see our little mini Camille featured on Imaginative Bloom - a wonderful place to find all sorts of creative, hand made inspiration - thanks Irene!

Slowly settling in

2011-07-13T23:23:00.002+10:00

I am so enjoying settling into our new home one room at a time. Today I sorted out our bedroom a little bit more. It feels so good to be able to bang nails in where ever I like after renting for so long. What our little cottage lacks in size it makes up for in character and it has been fun finding the right space for our things in this new home. We are surrounded by trees and as it is the middle of winter here the shots are a little gloomy but also rather cosy. My very clever husband has been doing all the lighting in our new place - including these lovely twine hanging side lamps. I do feel a little more settled now that I have sorted out my dressing table : )

Sweet William products in a shop near you!

2011-07-12T19:29:00.005+10:00

I am so pleased to find that the lovely LaLaLand are distributing our Sweet William products all over Australia! I get very excited when I walk into a book shop or gift shop and spot Sweet William's wrapping paper, cards and Vintage Alphabet poster - I do a little squeal and then have the need to tell someone, usually the person behind the till...oh what a thrill! I have also noticed that Lark, Readings and Scarlet Jones have a few of our products - such great shops, so excited!

Sweet William products and shopping at the market

2011-07-11T10:14:00.008+10:00

My art prints up on the display wall
Lia bought this cute hand made bunny from Quirkie Su
I bought a lovely neck warmer from Frankie & Ray

My little market helper Lia

Sweet William coloring in books
paper doll packs and miniature Camille in her matchbox house below.
I hadn't done a market for a while, so it was quite nice to get all the Sweet William bits and pieces out of boxes and onto a table again at the Boutique Market in Hawthorn yesterday. My eldest daughter, Lia came along to help me, we had lots of fun and I and a little bit of shopping too.

Sweet William at Boutiquemarket in Hawthorn this Sunday

2011-07-08T17:28:00.002+10:00

What Lies Beneath

2011-07-04T16:28:00.006+10:00

On Friday evening I went to the opening of “What
Lies Beneath” – an exhibit by the artist Gabby O’ Connor - and it took my
breath away! I cannot do it justice here as I had to use my cell phone in poor light – but it was the most stunning paper iceberg – constructed from 3 000 sheets of tissue paper, 28 000
staples and took 3 months to construct. As I entered the space, the light flooded through from the top and made me feel as if I was underwater - magical! x Shelley

back in blog land and in our new home

2011-07-04T14:15:00.008+10:00

My new kitchen bench overlooking living room
My red velvet couch on newly white washed floor boards and my girls on their new swing below

Our front door BEFORE....and AFTER...

Hard to photograph lovely welcome decal by shana murray on my front door

lots of potted succulents

Phew! That was quite a week I had, moving is never easy. My girls finished off the term at their old schools and are looking forward to a whole new adventure next term. We are slowly settling into our little cottage in the woods and I have started taking a few 'after' shots to go with the 'before' ones I tok a while ago. For some reason red seems to be the dominant highlight colour - didn't plan it that way, it just happened. Here we have the before and after shots of our front door - which I gave a fresh lick of bright red paint, my girls enjoying the garden on their new swing and a shot of some more red in the house. I still have piles of pictures to go up and boxes all over but it is taking shape and we are loving it! It is nice to be back on line after being in a telecommunications, reconnection nightmare! P xx

a little breather

2011-06-21T15:02:00.006+10:00

moving chaos
fresh magazines
the amazing work of Heather Betts
Street art in Melbourne

My lovely friend Alison sugested I put down the packing tape, step away from the brown boxes and join her for a quick coffee and a trip to the city to see a wonderful exhibition. I am so glad I did - it was great to get out of the house and away from the chaos of moving. Heather Bett's exhibition was hugely inspiring and gave the urge to get my paints out - which will have to wait until I have unpacked them in my new studio. We also popped over to Mag Nation where I picked up a fresh pile of magazines, I spotted some great wall art and breathed in the pulse of the city one more time before heading out to the more tranquil surrounds of the bush. A refreshing break but now I have to get back to those boxes...sigh. P x

home featured in Herald Sun Home magazine

2011-06-19T22:11:00.003+10:00

I was rather flattered to have my rental home featured in the Herald Sun Home magazine - even if the shoot was done over 8 months ago! The interview was very nicely written and the photographs looked great, it is funny that it came out a week before we move out of this house! We have beavering away at our new place and I hope to put up some before and after shots soon. Very excited about it all. I may be a little scarce this week as I still have piles of piles to sort out before the actual move on Friday. Yikes! P x

inspiration - Lucy May Schofield

2011-06-17T22:34:00.002+10:00

These wonderful images belong to a very talented lady - a writer and artist (I am always amazed by people who have both these gifts) Lucy May Schofield. Lucy makes books to house her stories, you can view more of her inspiring work at her lovely website, flickr stream, blog and shop. Happy weekend to you all! Paula x

yee haw!

2011-06-16T21:25:00.003+10:00

I do love a bit of beautiful type setting and these hand printed prints from yeehaw on etsy are just too good - I may need to get some for my new home (you never know the 'carve that possum' may keep our nosy possum out!)

Finders Keepers feature of my creative space

2011-06-14T10:23:00.009+10:00

It was thrilling to stumble upon the interview and images of my studio on the Finders Keepers blog today. The photographs were taken by the lovely Mishy Lane. It is interesting to see what catches someone else's attention in my organized chaos. I love the shots Mishy took of my pin boards - there is one with an old polaroid of me as a little girl holding my big fat Persian cat- Sweet William, our namesake and another faded photograph of Shelley (my sister) and I on the beach when we are little with a South African stamp pinned onto it. The black ink drawings on brown paper are ongoing projects from art class and there are little messy piles of our paper doll Camille all over the place. They are little details but they very much make up what my studio is all about. You can read the full interview here if you like. Have a nice day everyone. P x

the messy reality

2011-06-10T10:26:00.008+10:00

A picture of my girl's room today
Lovely Mollie Makes magazine
the spread of my girl's room in Mollie Makes magazine
more lovelyness in Mollie Makes
More real mess in my house - hee hee!

Work in progress in my studio

Hello lovely blog readers.Yesterday I received my copy of Molly Makes magazine in the post (it takes a while for things to get to Australia) and I was very pleased with the feature of my home in such a lovely magazine, I even shed a tear (not sure why - hormones?) and was flattered to be amongst the pages of wonderfully creative woman such as Tif Fussel aka Dottie Angel and the like. But then reality set in, my rented home, which looked so calm and tidy in the magazine, is a complete shambles, with piles of 'to be sorted before we move' all over the place and endless clutter and mess. When I went to check on my freshly painted white floorboards in the new place (which were supposed to be drying for 24 hrs) I was horrified to find a possum had come down the chimney over night and left black foot prints and poppy all over - lovely! I laughed at my self later as I thought the best way to deal with all this chaos was to go back to my studio and start on a new ink drawing...hmmm. I am all for inspiration and probably spend most of time on this blog sharing aspirational imagery but today I have taken photographs of my kids room, as it really looks and my desk top in my studio, just to keep it real! Happy Friday to you all, now I need to get back to soritng out those piles or maybe I will do just a little bit bit more on my ink drawing...only a little, promise : )

pinterest board

2011-06-07T13:56:00.004+10:00

I have been seeing lots of lovely inspiration for my new home on my web travels and have been saving the images in my 'for the home' board in pinterest, all links to the above images can be found here. It is freezing and raining in Melbourne today, I have a cold which I can't shift and which is not helping my long list of things to do....sometimes you just have to give into these things.

Art Class work

2011-06-06T13:44:00.003+10:00

Once a week I go to an art class in the city at the VCA, where I am doing a drawing course. Drawing is my passion and I feel like I never have enough time to put everything aside and concentrate on my craft, thankfully doing this course has helped me do just that - a few hours of nothing else but the materials in front of me, time to be creative, no interruptions and plenty of inspiration. It will be challenging once we move for me to keep attending the class but I am determined. Here are some ink studies of mine of 'the city' done in my last class. Art class, in the middle of a busy week, is my oasis.

challenges of moving

2011-06-03T14:57:00.005+10:00

Collections of mine that have survived the house move culling: pretty tins and things;
my silver trophies and vases;
lots of wooden crates;
and tea cups I just can't part with!
The start of our renovation.

Hi All. I have had an exciting and busy week. We started work on the mini renovation of the house we have bought in Warrandyte. It has all gone well so far but there is still a way to go. I have had to start the tedious task of chucking and woking out what exactly what we can take with us into this new space - it is smaller than the rented houses we have been in and so I have to be pretty ruthless! I have friends happy to take bits and pieces that I just can't fit in, otherwise a large pile is going to my local charity shop (where quite a lot of it came from in the first place!) But I find it hard to part with my junk - here are a few shots of things that I am keeping - too pretty to part with. Happy Friday to you all. Paula xx

Another Etsy Treasury

2011-06-01T22:39:00.002+10:00

I had such fun creating one earlier today (see below) thought I would do another one - with a bit of a fable theme, links to etsy shops can be found here. P x

Etsy treasurey - mono tones

2011-06-01T14:41:00.004+10:00

I do like creating treasurys on Etsy (a way of show casing etsy shops you like in one screen) but they take a little time to do. Here is one I created earlier today, incorporating vintage imagery in mono tones, all links to the shops can be found here, where you can leave a comment about what you think of my treasury and I think the popular ones make it to etsy front page...not sure...oh well quite good fun to do and always great to discover new shops on etsy.

Interior design eye candy

2011-05-30T21:14:00.005+10:00

So our mini renovation has began in our new place, I shall be sure to take before and after shots and post them when it is all done. I am scoring magazines, blogs, my old scrap books for old and new ideas for our new space, which is pretty rustic and surrounded by nature. All of these wonderful shots I found pouring over the style files at Red online. Enjoy!

lots of lovely cards promo

2011-05-27T10:47:00.005+10:00

We are doing a bit of a promotion on our cards in our Etsy shop. You can buy them separately (only $5 each) or in bundles of 3 and 6 and when you buy them in bundles you get some lovely discounts! We love cards - receiving and sending them. Nothing better than receiving a hand written card from a loved one. Cards are one of the few items that just can't really be replaced by a digital equivalent. Happy card giving and Friday to you all! Paula x

random shots

2011-05-24T15:14:00.005+10:00

'Sail the high seas' art print set up for sale in our etsy shop
Junk shop finds - glass bottles in a rusty crate
some of my work from art class
Ink studies for art class
Collage for art class
Bottles on my windowsill
A little sweet shop my kids made on the pink table - too cute not to share

While I am supposed to be de cluttering the house in preparation for our next move I find I am procrastinating and doing other things like de cluttering my photos folder...anyway I found these pretty random shots which I may or may not have shared on the blog before and felt like posting them....sigh, now that I have done that I will have to face the real jobs at hand.

My daughters 9th birthday party

2011-05-23T10:35:00.006+10:00

My daughter Lia, me and pavlova cake!
Rosie, Liberty (waitresses), Lia and her friend Celina
Dinner party invite Lia drew herself (I helped with the typesetting that all)
Table setting for 18 young girls
Table setting details
Party bags
Lia with her two younger sisters dressed as waitresses

We had such fun on the weekend preparing for and hosting my daughters 9th birthday party. Lia had a dinner party for 15 of her girlfriends! It was a whole family affair; Lia designed the invites, planned the menu and approved the setting; her two younger sisters were waitresses; my husband was the chef and I was the stylist. We had tea lights all over the place, made place settings and did our own party bags while my husband cooked up a storm in the kitchen. I took a few snaps of the lovely set up but unfortunately didn't take many of the party itself as I had my hands full with a bunch of girls (9yrs and under) dancing, laughing, eating, screaming, giggling and running through my house! Piles of fun was had by all!

Home feature in new UK mag - Mollie Makes

2011-05-19T11:24:00.004+10:00

I received a face book message from an old South African school friend, who now lives in the UK, (whom I haven't seen for about 15 years!) she picked up a new craft magazine and was most surprised to see a home feature of my home in Australia - it is a small world really! Mollie Makes looks lovely, I hope I can get a copy of it here in Melbourne!

beautiful random sayings

2011-05-18T10:33:00.007+10:00

Here are a few pretty sayings I have found on my internet travels. From the top: Share the love print from dazeychick on etsy; you are so loved print from Jessica Swift on etsy; Hello letterpress card from luludee on etsy; it's beautiful here wire sign from ikhaya; try again banner from secret holiday ; my doodle of the great love saying by mother theresa; best things in life chalk art work by Dana Tanamachi as seen on grain edit; if you do what you always did found on ffffound.

Okay but I had better give myself a pep talk - keep calm and carry on moving house!

feeling green

2011-05-16T16:13:00.005+10:00

My new project will now be our house move and with that comes a rather large, wild garden. We have always been urban dwellers and so gardening feels a little daunting. One of my first starting points is finding imagery that inspires to get the ideas flowing. Here are some images from my 'for the garden' pin board in pinterest. I would love to be able to grow a lovely big veggie patch, any tips are welcome!

coming up for air

2011-05-11T23:06:00.005+10:00

As posted previously, life is a bit full on at the moment but I had a moment to my self and looked at the work of an artist that I love and follow; Miso. I am kicking my self as Miso recently had her first solo exhibition in Melbourne and I couldn't make it (due to family commitments) but oh how I wish I had when I came across these images from the exhibition entitled ' Les Lumieres'. The most remarkable thing is that Miso is just 21 years old.

love it MAMMA

2011-05-11T10:03:00.004+10:00

I just love this tea towel from third draw down, I may need to get my hands on one and have it framed for my new house.

studio mess shot with instagram

2011-05-09T18:01:00.007+10:00

I have quite a lot going on at the moment. My poor husband is at home convalescing after jaw surgery and I have the blender out making endless pots of soup. Near the end of this week a production company have booked my home for a two day shoot, (need to seriously clean house and find somewhere to put convalescing husband) on the weekend I have a photographer coming to do a shoot of me in my creative space for a very exciting up coming project, it also happens to be my oldest daughter's 9th birthday and we are in the throws of organizing a dinner party for fifteen of her friends next weekend (when my husband can put his chef's hat back on) I end the week on Sunday at Mathilda's Market in Malvern town Hall. Amongst all of that I am busy organizing a renovation for our new home and getting on with all the admin that goes with a house move - including moving my kids into a new school....phew! I had to pour myself a gin and tonic this evening just to get through writing lists. These pictures are of the mess in my studio which I have to sort out before the week is up so that I am ready for the photographer - or I could be more real about it all and say this is how my creative space always looks! I am also in love with instagram, an amazing iphone app (convalescing husband has iphone) for making any photograph look brilliant! Even something as simple as the dappled light on the wall in my studio. Ok I better get back to the pea and ham soup on the stove!

inspiration in unexpected places

2011-05-08T09:12:00.005+10:00

I had hours of waiting in hospital the other day as my poor husband had jaw surgery (he is recovering well). I bought a pile of magazines to get through, as often the magazines in the waiting rooms can be outdated trashy mags. Amazingly I noticed an Australian Vogue Living (sept. 2010) poking out from amongst the well thumbed mags and found this wonderful article on John Derian, a New York based decoupage artist and furniture designer, with images from his New York apartment and country home. And so I did a sneaky and popped the hospital mag in my bag to take home and savor a bit more (sorry). Here are some pages I scanned in. I love the whole feel of his homes and the calming color palette. I also noticed on his website that he sells the 'in good health' card which I just purchased last week from Scarlet Jones - how funny! I am off to the hospital again today to visit my husband and I have a replacement magazine from home that I will leave in their waiting room : )

ups and downs of moving and Scarlet Jones on Sale!

2011-05-05T10:07:00.007+10:00

Lovely Scarlet Jones - on sale until Saturday
The curtains I bought on Sale
Detail of my new curtains at home
Medical card from Scarlet Jones
Soap wire dish also on sale from Scarlet Jones
Vintage deck chair from Camberwell market and scarf from Scarlet Jones Sale

I am in the middle of organizing another house move - always a bit daunting, even if you have moved as many times I have. There are many exhausting jobs but the up side to moving is having a chance to revamp and making the new space work. I have been trawling junk shops and markets with eager anticipation of what I may find for our new home and making promises to my husband that I will chuck out, de-clutter and cull as I go (very difficult for me). I was thrilled to discover that Scarlet Jones was on sale for a few days and even more thrilled when I saw the curtains I had my eye on were marked down to half price! So here are some shots of recent purchases - and I now I need to get away from this computer and sort out children's toys and cluttered cupboards!

New prints in our etsy shop

2011-05-04T09:40:00.003+10:00

I posted about some new work a little while ago. I have been having such fun working with ink and collage and I took these new prints to Magnolia Square Market last week where they were well received so at last I have had a chance to add them to our growing collection of prints in our etsy shop.

oh this is too funny!

2011-05-03T10:32:00.001+10:00

exciting features for Sweet William

2011-05-02T14:22:00.004+10:00

Sweet William gets a mention in the magazine

New amazing paper runway magazine
Stall set up at Magnolia Square

Liberty pointing out Sweet William Typo print on wall in featured nursery. (I know it is only tiny - but still!)

Hello! Well I had a bumpy start to Magnolia Square last week as I had to rush off to hospital with my little one and got home at 4 am (Liberty had croup) and so I had to postpone my 7am stall set up...anyway I got there eventually, apologies if any one did come along on Thursday morning hoping to find Sweet William. The life a working mum, even if you work mostly from home, is always such a juggle - Liberty is now a lot better thankfully.

While flicking through a new book I bought - Decorate by Holly Becker (of decr8blog fame) I gasped when I saw one of my prints up on a wall in a nursery that had been featured in the book! And the same thing happened when flicking through a brand new magazine called Paper runway, I was looking at it online and was just thinking how nice it was when I came across a feature on Magnolia Square and some lovely shots of our Sweet William stall set up! Wow wee! So there you go - even though all this juggling can be completely exhausting sometimes, it is nice to see our work being appreciated and vey exciting indeed!

Pia Jane in Melbourne at Magnolia Square

2011-04-26T11:29:00.002+10:00

I have long admired the work of stylist, photographer and author Pia Jane Bijerk, who divides her time between Sydney, Paris and a house boat in Amsterdam and so I am super excited to know that Pia will be at Magnolia Square on Saturday for a book signing of her new book called 'my heart wanders'. Sweet William will be at Magnolia Square from Thursday the 28 until Saturday the 30th at Malvern Town Hall in Melbourne. I better get on, after a lovely restful Easter break I now have piles of work to do!

New work - ink and collage studies

2011-04-15T08:18:00.004+10:00

I am pretty excited about this new work I have been working on. I have been doing collage at the VCA drawing course and we have also continued to work in ink. Here are some shots of my work bench and some bits of pieces I have been working on. I just need some more studio time to carry on with it all but it is school holidays, Easter etc. etc. and so once again I find a need to balance it all, sometimes I wish could loose myself for a few hours (or days!) just doing creative work...

Sweet William stall set up

2011-04-12T09:23:00.005+10:00

Me in Our Sweet William stall at Magnolia Square in Sydney earlier this year

I am gearing up for a whole string of markets again soon and I am rethinking the stall set up. I do love the way our stall looks at the moment but I feel like a change, I only ever let the stall look the same for a bout 3 markets and then it's time for change. These shots were taken by a lovely photographer, Katie Preece, in Sydney when I was up there a while ago. Hmmm what to do next...