My future Edward Hopper and René Magritte

After struggling with the idea of managing my twins boys with paint, I finally was able to get the boys painting! I may have cried a wee bit :)

My goodness. I was amazed. They LOVED IT! Really LOVED IT! Hendrik was so upset when the session was over. LOVE IT! Seriously, they took to it like a fish to water... 

We used a homemade milk-based paint that I found here.

Basically, it's sweetened condensed milk and food colouring. That's it, easy as. As the boys still put everything in their mouths, it was important to be an 'edible' recipe. Henk wasn't into it. Willem didn't mind the taste. But it was rather tasty ;) After using it though, I think I need to make a version that doesn't take 4 days to dry! And it's so sticky! But mission accomplished. The boys are painting. I'm a happy happy mum.

Happy Friday!

Enjoy the weekend! 

xoxo

Catching up on Meatless Mondays!

Sheesh! While we have been pretty good about our Meatless Mondays, I've had a hell of a time catching up on the recipes here. Let's just say, last night we had a lovely Veggie Curry with pumpkin, potatoes, zucchini, silverbeet, and red kidney beans. It was seriously easy! And so tasty... And because it all went so quickly, cooking and eating wise, I didn't even take photos. But you can easy imagine a Veggie Curry! See it in your mind..... Mmmmmm.

So anyway, here are a couple other ideas we've made over the past couple weeks!

Crustless Quiche!

Crustless Quiche

Whisk together:
4 eggs
1 cup milk (or cream)
1/2 cup self raising flour (or the equivalent of flour, salt and baking powder)
salt and pepper
1/2 cup grated cheese (I used a variety of cheeses, vintage cheddar, tasty, a little feta)
1 chopped red onion
Any veggies that you want, silverbeet, spinach, etc (make sure you blanch them first though.)

Coat your pie dish with a little oil and put into a hot oven until it begins to smoke a little, carefully take out of the over and pour egg mixture into the hot dish and bake at 180 deg for approx 45 mins or until golden on top and puffed up.

Pretty good!

Another recipe that was REALLY lovely, and again REALLY easy - was inspired by the progress in the front entry way...

The slow progression from green to white reminded me of a wedding cake! No, the recipe is not a wedding cake, but it is a yummy cheesy green and white pasta bake.

This is one of those dishes that is way to easy. We had silverbeet, zucchini, green beans, and basil (as always) in the fridge and in a the garden. And with an array of cheese - yummy as!

Pasta Bake

• 500g Pasta, cooked until al dente
• a few cloves of garlic
• 1 tbsp of oil
• a good mix of green veggies, quickly blanched to give them a head start in the cooking process, this was silverbeet, zucchini, green beans and a little basil
• enough milk and flour to make a nice white sauce (I always wing this, so I can't quite share the qty's. Sorry)
• salt and pepper
• 1 tsp of seeded mustard
• Lots of cheese! Try different kinds of cheese too! Blue cheese can be REALLY good with mushrooms and onions. Feta can be good with kalamatta olives and basil, you get the idea. 
• Breadcrumbs

So once the pasta is going, fry up the garlic in oil until slightly soft then add the flour. Take it off the heat and a add milk and stir until the flour is nicely blended, ie no lumpy bits. Put it back on the heat and let it thicken a bit. 

Meanwhile, blanch the veggies just a bit and throw them in with the cooked and drained pasta. 

Back to the sauce, once the sauce has thickened, add the mustard, salt and pepper, cheeses and what ever other spices you want to add. Stir and let the cheese melt slightly. 

Stir the cheesy mixture through the pasta and veggies and then put into a baking dish. Top with a little more cheese, parmesan is always nice, and sprinkle on some breadcrumbs.

Give it one more good salt and pepper and pop it into a preheated oven about 180C.

Bake for about 15 minutes, or until the top is nice and brown. 

Dig in! 

p.s. I'm sure I'm missing a few things in this, but hey, it's just the idea - work around what ever you have or don't have in the pantry. This is why I love making things like this, it's an extremely forgiving and comforting way of cooking. And carb-tastic!

I never said anything I make was healthy ;)

xx

And more painting...

We've been able to power through a couple rooms over the last week or so. Our bedroom, second bedroom (which we're going to be calling the library/music room), the third (really really small) bedroom aka the technology room aka the room with all the computers, the living room, dining room and finally started on the entry. What a mission!

Thanks for the help Hamish!!

More painting!

I should be posting more, but the exhaustion from so much painting has been kicking in. We have been working full speed to get the rooms painted that we need before the furniture arrives... which is finally today!! 

So before, our bedroom was a weird yellow colour with pretty depressing green trim. Every room in the house has windows similar to these too. The have been a chore and after I doing this set, Jacob was sweet enough to do the rest. I'm a bit of a perfectionist with these sorts of things. Even though the windows are 3 meters up, they had to be perfect... Yeah, this room took us a week. Once Jacob took over, we've been able to bust through the rest of the house. Thank you my darling hubby!

And After...

The light fitting was found in the window seat!

This is when we were still sleeping on the floor. 6 weeks of camping mattresses...

Week One in Wellington.

Back in New Zealand.

Early for the Rugby. South Africa vs. Wales RWC 2011.

Slightly cold and damp before the match.

Wellington from the dog park.

Lucy Dog.

Our soon to be 'hood.

Kia Ora. 

Soooooooon! Not that I am stalking our house or anything...

After the hail storm...

We've had a good first week here in Wellington. I've had some time to get myself a little more acquainted with a great city. So far - some place that I love ...

• Wellington City Library - This is an amazing library. Everyone, including the staff of the Citizen's Advice Bureau, is so helpful and nice. There is an immense amount of resources, books, periodicals, videos, and music. Of course having a view of the harbour while looking up some great craft books or some fiction is always inspiring. And access to the CBD's free wi-fi connections is always helpful for emailing your mother from far, far away whilst sipping your soy flat white... (Did you get the email Mom??)
• Minerva (Cuba Street) - THE Textile Bookshop that everyone should stop if they are in Wellington. They have the largest and best selection of craft, fabric, knitting, textile, fashion... the list goes on... that I have seen in this hemisphere! And of course, seeing the Meet Me at Mike's book there will make everyone's day back in Melbourne!
• Knit World (Cuba Street) - So many choices! So many colours! So many ideas! While they have a lot of imported wools, they have a lot of New Zealand made wools that may be pure merinos, or a mix - check out the merino-possum-silk blends! Fascinating! 
• SaveMart - As a seasoned thrifter, I cannot recommend this shop enough! We were able to hit up the Porirua store and I was quite impressed. Think Savers on Sydney Road, but about 50% larger and just as cheap! I was able to pick up a couple vintage dresses (from the costume section of all places) and a pair of jeans for about $35.00 NZ. Brilliant! I think I'll be making the drive out to Porirua on a regular basis!
• Vincent's Art Workshop - Now THIS is a great place! Vincent's is an open studio where you can use their space and have access to their art supplies during most business hours. Every Thursday is a Women's Only Day, this is when I was able to pop in to check it out. There is such a huge sense of community that is just astounding. They do have certain classes and workshops that you can attend for a small fee, and there is also at least two tutors on hand to help. I was very excited to see they have a woodworking shop, clay and pottery and their own kiln, mosaics, painting, drawing and a whole heap of other things to get your hands dirty. I'm going to try and attend a couple of their life drawing classes in the next couple weeks. 
• The French Art Shop - The best way to describe this art shop is stated on their website... "A cross between a chemist shop and a lollie shop for artists." How true is that statement? Oh so very! After just popping into Gordon Harris's up the road, I came across the French Art Shop and  found myself in love. 

And on a silly note - yesterday while on our way to an appointment, we saw the Springbok Prop, Tendai Mtawarira aka BEAST hanging out on the streets of Lampton Quay! Very cool to see some international Rugby players around town! Loving this city right now!

A gorgeous evening...

So many beautiful pieces. So many versions of the female spirit. So stunning!

If you have a chance to check it out and support, please do!

Sisters

For my Sister.
I love you.
xo

Because I am a Girl

Tonight is the Opening Night for the "Because I am a Girl" Fundraising Exhibition and I am really excited to see all the work and be apart of something very lovely...

‘Because I am a Girl’ is Plan’s global campaign designed to fight gender inequality, promote girls’ rights and lift millions of girls out of poverty. Across the globe, girls are at the bottom of the social ladder, deprived of the same opportunities as boys. For example,research has shown that girls are more likely to suffer from malnutrition; be forced into an early marriage; be subjected to violence or intimidation; be trafficked, sold or coerced into the sex trade; or become infected with HIV.

The campaign is based on a series of reports titled Because I am a Girl: The State Of The World’s Girls. To be published between2007–2015 from Plan International, these reports examine the rights and needs of girls throughout their childhood, adolescence and as young women – and how they are uniquely placed to break the cycles of intergenerational poverty gripping many people in developing countries.

Six of the eight Millennium Development Goals – the goals set by the world’s governments in 2000 to halve world poverty by 2015 – are unlikely to be achieved unless there is a greater international commitment to the fight against gender discrimination.Plan recognises that we have to address gender discrimination as a priority if we want to tackle the root causes of child poverty.Therefore we have made the commitment to ‘address gender inequality and the numerous ways in which the rights of girls and women are particularly denied and violated’ (Plan Program Framework, 2009–2013). This is the focus of the ‘Because I am a Girl’ campaign and will better enable Plan to achieve our overall mandate as a child-centred community development organisation, committed to child poverty eradication and all children accessing their rights. via becauseiamagirl.com.au

I'll be one of the 30 female artists involved and 50% of price of all artworks sold will be donated to the Plan's Because I am a Girl campaign. How exciting is that?!

Anywho, hope to see some of you tonight @ Smartartz Gallery over in South Melbourne!!

My new Art Crush...

Once a week or so, I browse the artists on Etsy and Red Bubble to see what's happening in the world. Sometimes I'm totally uninspired, sometimes I can't find anything that pulls at the heart strings. But some days, I gasp into my quilt, whip the laptop around to show Jacob and then try to contain my jealousy.

Coming across Julia Martins work, that was a day of complete inspiration. Since seeing her Etsy and website last week, I can't stop thinking about it. The colour and tones and especially the textures from the paint strokes make me feel like I have a long way to go and a lot to learn.

Check out the prints on Etsy or her actual site and blog.

xo

Sisters - Sneaky Peeky!

The painting is totally finished. Varnished. Scanned. And whatever else you can do when you finish a painting! I'm so happy. It's one of those paintings I thought I would never do. Until now, I've always sat outside myself when I draw and paint. But this has been a really hard process for me.

I'm just so happy it's finished. Yesterday, I thought of it being sold at the gallery (trying to send out those good vibes, you know how it is...) and started to cry.

It's like letting go of so many old feelings and being free.

It was rather odd.

Upcoming Exhibition - Girls and Sisters

I know, it's been a while since I've posted. Sorry! I still love you! Honestly!

Anywho, I've been working on a painting for an upcoming show over in South Melbourne at the Smartartz Gallery. The opening night is the 13th of April and runs until the 29th. Please go check it out, it's all for a good cause - check out the website for Because I am a Girl for more info on the campaign.

I'm really excited about the painting. It's been a long and slightly painful journey for it, but it's nearly finished.. I know - I'm cutting it fine... It's titled Sisters.

When I was going through ideas about what it means to be a girl, I kept coming back to the weird connection women have with other women. That strange thought processes and mental connection we have with other women that are close to us still astounds me.

The painting relates to the connection I have with my sister. We grew up together in a fairly small, secluded town called Sterling. There was never much to do there, since the population then was probably less than 3,000 people, so we would wander through the woods and rely on our imaginations to stop the boredom from driving us mad.

The painting I've been working on relates to the adventures and hardships that my sister and I went through together. I don't know how my life would have ended up if I didn't have my sister. Now that I live thousands of miles away, I feel in someway, we are still connected. As sisters, as friends, and as women.

I'm looking forward to seeing the rest of the show and see what 30 other women think about being a girl. Hope to see you at the Opening Night!

xoxo

Strange Creativeness.

Warning – bit of a ramble…

For the last week or so, I've had my head stuck between a canvas and my paints.

I've really found a new way of working that seems to suit me. It's hard to describe. It's hard to explain without sounding nuts. But I've been delving deeper and deeper into what I feel like is a past life. My childhood. My sisterhood. And my frankness about life in general. I will say, it’s therapeutic.

My sister and I have been through some odd things in our lives, as individuals and together as a couple of troublemakers. And lately, I have been missing her immensely. I love to think that maybe in our sisterly link – we still know what each other is feeling and thinking, but with more than 10,000 miles between us, you can never quite tell.

So, here is to getting lost in the woods, pet chickens, inflatable purple Easter Bunnies, matching dresses and burning houses. 

I love you Leigh! Hope you are well... 

xoxo

*everything you've ever wanted to know... day 17

Day 01 — Your favourite song
Day 02 — Your favourite movie
Day 03 — Your favourite television programme
Day 04 — Your favorite book (of all time)
Day 05 — Your favorite quote
Day 06 — Whatever tickles your fancy
Day 07 — A photo that makes you happy
Day 08 — A photo that makes you angry/sad
Day 09 — A photo you took
Day 10 — A photo of you taken over ten years ago
Day 11 — A photo of you taken recently
Day 12 — Whatever tickles your fancy
Day 13 — A fictional book
Day 14 — A non-fictional book
Day 15 — A fanfic
Day 16 — A song that makes you cry (or nearly)  


Day 17 — An art piece (painting, drawing, sculpture, etc.)

 i love edward hopper's work. always inspiring.

 
Day 18 — Whatever tickles your fancy
Day 19 — A talent of yours
Day 20 — A hobby of yours
Day 21 — A recipe
Day 22 — A website
Day 23 — A YouTube video
Day 24 — Whatever tickles your fancy
Day 25 — Your day, in great detail
Day 26 — Your week, in great detail
Day 27 — This month, in great detail
Day 28 — This year, in great detail
Day 29 — Hopes, dreams and plans for the next 365 days
Day 30 — Whatever tickles your fancy

*Rose Street Market - Part 1

I hope everyone had a lovely Valentine's Day!!! <3

Jacob got me some very cool Barrel of Monkey earrings and some nice handmade non-soap soap. I made some yummy prawn alfredo pasta for dinner... it was a good day. I took a couple photos and if I wasn't so forgetful, I'd have them up by now.

Anywho. The Market went well on Saturday! Even with the rain and chill in the air. Thank you Marky for the giant cafe umbrella, even with the leaks, we would have been much worse off without it!!

Thank you Thank you Thank you!!! 

 Woodrow, a friend of Aida's took a couple shots - he's much quicker than I with the uploading.. Thanks!!!!

 

Aida and I after the rain

 

Scary zombie mannequin. Creepy as!

 

Aida modeling one of my lovely neck warmers.

  

Cutest market visitor!!

  

Thanks Woodrow for the shots!!

Once I am back at my computer, I'll have more images of the stall and goods. Can't wait for the next installment of the Market this weekend!! Hope for no rain and sunny skies!

xo

*The Rose Street Artist Market

I will be at the Rose Street Artist Market with the lovely Aida Sabic on the 13th, 20th and 27th of February!!

I'm so excited to be there!! This will be a first for me.. But yeah, bring it :)

I'll have some funky little buttons, quite a bit of my photographic work, TTV and Holga prints, and I'm actually working on a few drawings and a couple small paintings as well. Crazy!!! Anyway, hoping it's not as hot as it's been this weekend! Fingers crossed!
xo

*what's hot & not

Aida reminded me today - one month until Christmas. Yikes!!! I supposed I should start thinking about gifts and what not.. I'm such a bad Aunt!

Hotties -

Starting a new painting on the weekend. My goal is to finish it by this weekend. I don't have much time during the week to do these types of things, but I love painting again....

The WIP.

Not the best shot of it, I took it with my iPhone this morning. The star/fireflies are actually pieces of paper from the hole puncher in my office. This is what happens when you wake up at 6am on a Saturday morning and listen to Andrew Bird while you paint :)

Tonight, a bunch of us are going to the RocKwiz Christmas Show!! More proof it's getting to the holiday season I guess. So excited though! I saw one Christmas show they did and Liam Finn played - woohooo!

It's Thanksgiving back in the States on Thursday!! I'm missing the family and the friends and the fact I will not be stuffing my face with turkey again this year, but I may make a pumkpin pie this week to celebrate! Yum!!!!!!!!!!

Also, this Friday -

I made her some buttons to sell of some pieces... :) Anywho. See you there!!


Notties -

This week or so we've had a homeless man staying on the bench across from work. My desk faces the window, which in turn faces said bench. He's harmless and seems nice enough, but it's a sad state when the police come and try to offer help and he doesn't say a word. They eventually fight him to the ground and pin him to the pavement with one knee on his chest, another on his throat.
It's hard to say whether or not I understand how this would feel, either as the man on the ground or as a police officer. It's just a horrible thing to see. But good news, he's back on his bench reading the same magazine he's been reading all week.

Yeah, back to Thanksgiving. REALLY missing the family. Love you all! Enjoy the festivities!!!! Happy Thanks!!! *and remember - Mom - Trip the Fan!!!*

xo

*shout out - aida sabic

Aida has a group show coming up...

At Freshly Baked Gallery.com

And of course, she has a solo show coming up in early September. I'll be photographing the opening night for her solo gig. I'm so excited!! I've had the great opportunity to see her work progress leaps and bounds in less than the year that I've known her. She has and will do some amazing things!!

Make sure to make time for these shows coming up!!!
xo