BumbleVee

Chainmaille Bracelet

2012-02-03T00:08:00.000+10:00

So I've acquired a new obsession. Can you guess what?? XD
...
...
...
Tonight's shenanigans:

16 gauge, 3.75mm and 6mm ID rings.
Excuse the swollen fingers; I spent the better part of the afternoon messing with this bracelet (and a few other random bits and experiments) and I am seriously not used to using 16G wire yet (my usual is 20G and up).
Ouch.

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Preparing Materials

2012-02-01T18:22:00.000+10:00

Just some photos of some material preparation.

First photo is of silver plated jump rings I'm preping for earring making purposes, been hand cut rings, some of them had a few bits of overhang that had to be flush-cut... painstaking stuff o_o
Second photo is of some freshly dyed linen thread - though I'm now doing a fair bit of chainmailling and jewellery making, I haven't forgotten about my bookbinding love. <3

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My New Lightbox!

2012-01-30T18:17:00.002+10:00

All finished and in use! :D

I do, however, have to invest in one more lamp; the one in the back is my bedside lamp and I needs it back :3
Heheh, now to photograph and edit the 100 odd pairs of earrings I've managed to make...

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Photographic Woes

2012-01-19T15:20:00.003+10:00

I've been making a lot of jewellery lately.
It started as simple earrings but now I'm experimenting with chainmaille and making my own chains and bracelets.
The reason for not having posted photos earlier is that photographing these small items is a pain and a half; my poor dinky camera is... well... too dinky to focus properly on smaller objects and lighting here is a tad crap.
Cases in point:

Background/focus fail

Focal Point Fail

Lighting Fail

Shadow Fail

Prop/Epic Fail

So, i'm in the process of building myself a cheapo photographic light box, heheh.
Progress!

Lightbox a-la-cheap!

Once done, I have many, MANY pieces to photograph...

And this isn't even half my earring stash...

This is what Happens

2012-01-17T16:17:00.000+10:00

When you use crappy quality materials to paint on. :/

A rather huge waste of time. :(
Unfortunately, not all art supplies work as advertised. I'm looking at you, Hunter Leisure/Studio. >:(

Lesson learned.

Girl with Berries v2 WIP

2011-12-29T08:00:00.000+10:00

A while back I painted this quick digital painting for my (now defunct) 365Days blog.
I came across the original file while cleaning out my harddrives and without thinking started working on it again.
Here's a peek at how it's going.

The original:

Ugh, look at that neck, actually... don't o_o

The work-in-progress edited version:

Obviously, a few changes here an there, (don't know what's happening to that branch yet) including the beginnings of a brand new hand... Godknows the poor girl needed one... -____-

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Happy Christmas 2011

2011-12-28T00:34:00.000+10:00

Happy (belated) Christmas everyone!

Hope you all had a wonderful time :D

xxoo

Back To Uni

2011-12-12T11:24:00.001+10:00

Not sure if I mentioned this in an earlier post (losing track of A LOT lately XD ) but I'll be going back to uni next year; Bachelor of Fine Arts at the QLD College of Arts.
It's funny that it's taken me practically my whole adult life to finally do the one degree I've always wanted to do, ever since I left high school. Heh.

Oh yes, and since this is an 'art blog', per se, here are the latest things I've been working on:

A few mixed media pieces that are no also up at my Etsy store for sale. :D

Still Chugging Away

2011-11-28T21:08:00.001+10:00

I've been doing a whole lot of bookbinding for sale lately, though I'm going to refrain from posting each and every one here!
I've also started writing shop specific posts on my Artfire blog, you can find more info here:
http://www.artfire.com/ext/shop/blog/BumbleVee
Don't worry, I'll still keep updating this blog too.

Drawing has been going fairly slowly, stress kind of kills the drawing creativity, but I have been working on a commission illustration (still at the sketch phase) as well as a content filled book commission which is still in the page design and layout phase.

I've also been trying new ideas for items to sell. Here's a peek at the latest thing I'm fiddling with.

These are going to be turned into stickers!
There's also a few smaller ones with ladybugs on them. I love making stamps! XD
Anyway, thanks for sticking with me in these trying times. :)

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Artfire Store

2011-11-19T11:23:00.001+10:00

I'm finally starting to get my act together with my Artfire store.

BumbleVee on Artfire

I've owned a store there for some time now but haven't had the guts to actually list anything! (had an Etsy store once, sold a few things then... it died o_o)
There's only a few items up at the moment but I'm slowly working on that but with money so tight right now, I figured it's time to get my butt into gear and try just about anything lol.

Wish me luck!

<3

Long Days

2011-11-12T14:00:00.007+10:00

Decided to extend my stay here at my parents house for the weekend, I've been feeling a little isolated lately, so I'm glad for the company and easy conversation.
I've been trying to get my butt out of the drawing rut it's been in, it's sort of happening, sort of not... It's odd because I've been on such an artistic high lately, I guess it was only a matter of time before the crash, lol.

Anyways, I pushed myself to get at least something creative done yesterday and this is what I came up with. It's something, right?

These are tile-able images I've created for Spoonflower (this link will take you to my Spoonflower store/gallery), I'm going to get them printed on fabric then use said fabric to cover some books (click on the "all" tab to see the rest of my fabric designs that aren't for sale yet).
The flower image is currently set to private so this is the only place to see it. :3

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Mamita's Birthday Present

2011-11-07T01:01:00.000+10:00

I think I'm pretty safe posting this now, it's too late at night (or early in the morning) for mother to read this now and I'll be heading down to my parents house first thing in the morning so should be giving her her present then. Yay!

I made her a little pocket sized book bound on tape with a mould-made polymer clay decoration.
The ribbon wraps right around to tie the book closed.

And with the extra time I had, I made her a pair of earrings in a similar colour scheme. :D

Happy Birthday, Mum! <3 <3 <3

Supanova 2011

2011-11-05T21:45:00.003+10:00

I have never seen so many cosplayers in one place in my entire life! My friend and I, who weren't in costume, actually felt like odd ones out! This will be rectified next year. :3

Supanova is an Australian pop culture event with everything from anime, comics, gaming, tv/entertainment guest stars, book authors etc etc all come under one roof, so to speak.

Supanova!!

By far, in my opinion, the very best aspect is the cosplayers; costume watching is an event in and of itself and the people are so friendly! Always happy to pose for you. :D

Lizzy & Kakashi
(Naruto)

Nurse (Silent Hill)

Shunku & Suigintou
(Rozen Maiden)

Dapper fellow in pink

Deadpool (Marvel Comics)

Lizzy & Choji (Naruto)

My friend and I managed to check out most of the things we wanted to see inluding a Q and A session with Harry Potter's Evanna Lynch (Luna Lovegood) and Georgina Leonidas (Katie Bell) and signing of autographs by Colin Morgan (Merlin from the recent TV series of the same name - and also the highlight of my day! what an awesome guy and super cute too with his scraggly facial hair and super-thick accent!), Julie Benz (from Dexter and a lot of other things) and Cliff Simon (Baal from SG1).

Georgina Leonidas (Katie Bell) and Evanna Lynch (Luna Lovegood)
from Harry Potter

Also caught glimpses of Christopher Lloyd, (Doc Brown from Back to the Future) and Renee O'Connor (Gabrielle from Xena).

I got to watch a session by some local comic book authors, a guitar hero playoff, a little droid unit pestering people and a guy in a lovely dress that actually fooled me (he looked that pretty!).

Droid unit

One of these ladies is not like the others

I also had the chance to wander around ogling all these amazing nerdy pretties from comic book and merchandising stores, fan artists, original artists, crafters, performers and some of the most amazing and intricate costumes I've ever seen.

From the top left to right:
Cyberman (Dr Who), Batman (DC), Ironman (Marvel)
Scythe-weilding Scarecrow, Red VS Blue (Rooster Teeth), Sniper in camo (Sniper)

From the top, then left to right:
Princess Zelda (Legend of Zelda)
Daft Punk and others, Spot the character!
Team Fortress (Valve), Captain America (Marvel)

All in all, it was a fantastic day, and I am definitely doing this again next year. :D

Mamita's Birthday

2011-11-04T21:54:00.001+10:00

It was my mother's birthday on the 2nd of November and I was unable to visit her that day :( however, she did have a lovely party at her work, courtesy of my father and their friends.
Even though I wasn't able to see her in person, we had a lovely chat over the phone and I will be seeing her on Monday to celebrate her birthday with our little family (just the three of us at the moment, younger sibling and other half, who live in South America, will be there with us in spirit <3 ).
In the meantime, I managed to add a second item to the birthday present I'd made for her, so now it's a set!
Unfortunately, she reads my blog, XD so all I can post right now is this:

Her present, all set and ready to be given!
Happy belated birthday, Mamita!! Love you!! xoxo

Finished Prints!

2011-10-28T13:04:00.001+10:00

These are the four finished prints I've been working on.
They're all about 10cm x 10cm in size and cut from soft-cut lino. Printed with Derivan Phthalo Blue block ink on hand marbled watercolour paper. :)
I like how they turned out!

Also, this is the coloured print that appeared in a photo from the previous post, as a dear friend asked me to post a better pic of it.
The print is from an unused lino cut that I had initially made for the above series but found it didnt' match and was a little too big.
Printed with Derivan Green Deep block ink on cream mixed media paper then coloured with watercolour pencils. <3

Lino Cutting My Way

2011-10-26T13:49:00.001+10:00

I've been working on some prints for a mini prints competition.
I don't really expect anything to come of it but I've used the competition excuse to boot myself into making a series of related lino prints.
Here's an example of how I've been working - mind you, this isn't strictly the 'right way' to do this, I'm self taught here so this is just my way of doing things.

There are two ways I usually start:
Create a drawing on paper or draw the image directly onto the lino.

If I've gone with the pen and ink drawing then I usually trace the image onto tracing paper and transfer it to the lino block.

I begin by cutting out all around the outside of the linework with a small v-gauge.

Then I cut around the inside of the linework and start cutting away the filled white within the linework using the small v and u shaped cutters.

I cut away the excess lino with a blade.

Then begin cutting away the area outside the image.

Once finished cutting I gather my materials and choose my papers - this also includes some cartridge paper for test prints.

Test my print while making small adjustments to the lino cut between prints until I'm happy with it.

Create my artist proofs before printing the final prints.

And that's it! :D

Class is in Session

2011-10-22T17:37:00.005+10:00

I've started teaching some basic bookbinding at Sarbe Invitations and Paper on the Gold Coast.
At the moment it's pamphlet stitch and a little ledger binding, focusing on the basics of binding, paper grain, materials and techniques as well as decorating and experimenting with design.

Some of the finished products:

I'm highly enjoying the classes, even though I still get seriously nervous before each session!
Later in the year I'll be teaching a slightly more advanced binding, on tapes, as some people have expressed a desire to create something as a gift or journal for the new year.

Heheh, never thought when I started teaching myself about 2 and a half years ago, that I'd eventually be teaching others. XD

Approved!

A Long September

2011-10-03T14:53:00.002+10:00

September hasn't been a very good month for me, it's thrown all sorts of nasties my way; family leaving, work problems, money problems, creativity problems.
Actually, this year has been more trouble than it's worth and though there have been some bright spots, they're very hard to focus on over the rest of the shit.
But September is finally over and one can only hope for the best from here.
I'll begin October with a few things I've been working on (or trying to!).

Arts.
I've actually got quite a few things to show since my last update, unfortunately, I'm currently at my parents house and the only images I have to show are some digital sketches and scans from the Art House Co-ops sketchbook project, which just happened to be the only things on my laptop XD

This is Zien. Heheh, haven't drawn one of my characters in a while...

Bookbinding.

These are the most recent bindings I've managed. It's been a little slower than i'd like but I like to hope I've improved, at least.

(sorry about the photos for these, they were taken with my phone camera at my parents house -__-)

Case Bindings:

Exposed Spine Binding:
Binding with exposed spine on kimono fabric tapes, waxed linen thread, Japanese papers and bead embellishment.
I rarely make exposed spine books any more, I find the construction, though pretty and flat-opening, a little less resilient, flimsier, if you will, than casebound. It's probably not as bad as I make it sound, but I like the sturdy feel and structure of a completely cased in book. Still, these kinds of bindings have their place, and though it takes me a lot longer to make than a casebound, it's still a satisfactory feeling when it's done and always a striking result.

The paper I used for the bookblock for this particular book is called Como; a gorgeous, creamy, heavyweight, wet-media paper. It takes watercolour washes, inks, markers and all sorts of dry media. It has a light grain and is thick enough that each signature is a single leaf. Love.

Ledger Binding:

I'm going to be teaching a bookbinding class tomorrow starting with simple pamphlet bindings and ledger bindings like the one below. Hopefully, if there's enough interest, the classes will grow and I'll start teaching a few of the more advanced bindings that I know.

I'm actually pretty nervous, I've never taught adult classes before and being a self taught binder, I just hope people don't blast me for my methods which may not all be 'official'! XD

I'll really try to keep this updated more often, I've been doing a fair bit of experimentation with natural media lately; printmaking in particular, which I'm eager to show.
Thanks for sticking with me!

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Danger Daze Drawings

2011-08-03T06:23:00.003+10:00

Just a small art update.

These are some drawings I made for a local zine published by an ex co-worker.

Pen and ink, digital and pencil, respectively.

Only two of these made it to printing though; the pencil drawing of the girl with the crown did not, I'm thinking it was perhaps because it was too cute for the "sci-fi, horror and bizarro" subject matter of the zine. XD

By the way, the Zine is pretty awesome, there is some amazing talent out there in Brisvegas!

Birthday, Box and Stationary

2011-07-04T15:22:00.006+10:00

I've been pretty sick lately, I've had a nasty flu that's put me out of action for over a week (suspected whooping cough for a while but not sure now, hope it's not!)

I've been unable to go to work, doctors orders, and am on strong antibiotics that leave me with a perpetual bitter taste in my mouth, ew.

It also happened to fall on my birthday, of course, but it's nothing new as I've always had crappy things (mainly illness or accidents; broken bones, hospital stays, asthma attacks, flu's, bugs and infections etc) happen around the time of my birthday.

The upside was that this year I spent it with my wonderful family, and even in my disgusting state at the time, we had a lovely birthday breakfast :)

<3They even bought me a kumquat plant! Yum!

To stave off the boredom while at home I've been making stuffs, mainly books and birthday presents.

This one is a stationary set, printed with my own hand made stamps with matching envelopes and sticker seals. I even made the a box for them this time! I'm quite pleased with how it turned out, even if it is a little rough around the edges.

I then wrapped it in some of my hand-dyed lokta paper i've been saving for special use :3

Mandatory doggy approval.

Chunky Book

2011-05-23T10:03:00.003+10:00

Finally finished a little chunky book that's been waiting to be finished for some time now.

Here is the pre-finished-chunky stage:

And the finished book! Yay!

Happy chunky book in my happy chunky hand! :D

Materials used:

110gsm cartridge paper book block

red waxed linen thread

gold paper end sheets

maroon silk paper spine

pearlescent paper with an asian inspired print

rice paste, bookbinding glue, cheese cloth, bond paper and pre-made end bands.

Dimensions (width x height x depth): 8.5cm x 11.4cm x 3.2cm

^_^

Woodless Watercolours

2011-05-18T06:26:00.006+10:00

Haven't had much of a chance to create anything finished, other than books. I'm all into the bookbinding at the moment :D

Had a little play with some Mont Marte Woodless Watercolour Pencils at work, they're very different from traditional watercolour pencils, they require less precise control thus I found it rather challenging! However, they have a lovely effect and some beautiful lush colours; fun for splashing about with messier, looser work.

This was done at work in the spare 10 minutes before I started, so yes, not that original. ^^

Lino Print Girl

2011-04-03T07:00:00.005+10:00

Quick post before work.

I've been messing around with lino printing lately, this is my second attempt. First on this particular type of lino.

And this is after printing and worked over with pantone tria markers and white paint.

Apart from gouging out my finger tip with one of the blades, I think it turned out ok for a first try at this style of work. ^^

Bunch o Books

2011-03-28T18:01:00.005+10:00

Just to show that I haven't been completely idle on the bookbinding side of things...

I've recently started a new job and its been a bit hectic on the adjustment side of things.

So far, I'm loving it, but I'm keeping my hopes on the down low until after my 3months probationary period... I hope they keep me! XD

I'll post some photos of my workplace later :3

Thanks for sticking around!

Snapshots of Current Works in Progress

2010-12-09T20:42:00.005+10:00

Here are a few updated 'snapshots' of what I'm currently working on. :)

Some of these you might have already seen early versions of, here or on my other (now defunct) blog.

All vectors, of course. I'm completely and utterly hooked.

Unexpected DD

2010-12-04T22:15:00.005+10:00

Now there's something I never expected to get! lol

This image got a Daily Deviation on DeviantArt. Came as a complete surprise as I certainly didn't see that particularly image as something deserving ^_^'

Freaked me out the first time I logged back into my DA account to find more than the handful of comments this time, I wasn't sure what was happening! lol (still kind of freaky watching the numbers change real time O_o)

Anyway, just thought I'd share since this made me ludicrously happy :3

It's funny, I was on my old DA account for over 8 years and never had a single DD, then 7 months into my new account with a completely different style and there you go. Not sure whether that annoys me or not yet lol.

Still, I'm grateful to the people that suggested and featured it for a DD, it brightened an otherwise pretty crappy Saturday.

Some Books In The Shop

2010-11-29T08:45:00.005+10:00

I recently put these little books up for purchase at the place I work on weekends.

It's a lovely little chocolate shop (Mayfield Chocolates, Tamborine) so they make nice gifts for the gifts display section and my boss is nice enough to let me put them there :D

Case bound book with purple washi spine and purple mulberry paper covers. The signatures are varying colours (greens and pinks and purples). My fav of the three. :3

Pamphlet bound book with hot pink and yellow paisley style covers. The paper is a gorgeous metallic, smooth stock. Unfortunately, the colour doesn't show up as nicely in the photos. Signatures are blank white.

This one sold recently :3

Soft cover blank book with cream indian handmade paper, screened in gold for the covers. Purple stitching and a little gold bead decoration. Pages are shades of yellow.

Grad Invitations

2010-11-26T15:16:00.008+10:00

These invitations were commissioned from a friend. I promised I'd post up a work in progress and here it is. :3

Epic workplace of epic mess. Epic.

Templates. The paper one died not long after the first 10 or so, so I moved onto a cardboard one.

After drawing in the tempate I added all the necessary measurement marks and scored the fold lines with a semi-dulled awl, then got to cutting the sleeves out.

Cutting. More cutting. o_O

One change of blade-tip later and all sleeves are done. :)

I have scraps coming out of my ears! Time to wash hands of green before starting on the next step. But first...

All set and ready to assemble. The text part of the invitations themselves were designed, printed, sealed, cut and assembled by me earlier.

Envelopes were designed, cut and scored out of lovely metallic, patterned paper which I turned the pattern to the inside. The corresponding designs go on the outside to match up with the invites.

Envelopes where then separated into their designs, then matched up with their invites all ready and folded up.

DONE! Added some matching sticker seals made with my trusty sticker maker and packed them up neatly ready to be mailed. :D

Some Cards Nov 2010

2010-11-18T08:28:00.005+10:00

A few things I worked on over the course of last week and have now been put up for sale at the local chocolate shop I work at on weekends :3

Pamphlet bound square card with satin ribbon embelishment. The panel is handstamped with chalk inks.

Pamphlet stitched Christmas card with stickers and gold paper. Part of a matching set with a pamphlet stitched booklet (below).

All made with DCWV cardstock and bit's of lovely papers from my scraps boxes. A few stickers, stamps and even a bit of book binding thrown in for good measure. :)

Whatchadoin? Vectors??

2010-11-05T19:12:00.006+10:00

I was about to say, "not much" but in reality, I've been doing a fair bit of art things lately.

Unfortunately, I don't have very much to show for it as most things end up scrappy and/or permanent works in progress.

However, I've been going back to quite a few of those older WIP's from my failed days of "365" and finishing some of them up.

I've also been very interested in participating in competitions and such, I'd love to maybe get some of my work published some day, especially now that i'm starting to feel a little more comfortable in my chosen style... whether I continue in this new style or not is to be seen, but for the time being, I'm just going to go with it.

Erm... tangent.

ANYways, I'm aiming to get some work published (already have been accepted for a book coming out in 2011 some time), unfortunately, the software I am using may or may not be commercially legit (I may or may not have only the student version from uni), and thus I am having a crisis of conscience right there; I want to participate in published and commercial work etc but I need legit software.

Illustrator, the one I'm playing with at the moment, is out of the question. $2000+ dollars for the standalone program or $3000+ for the package. Yeah. Let me just pull that amount out of my richly bejewelled @$$.

So, I've had to leave Illustrator aside for now

*sob* when it comes to commercial work, and I've started experimenting with freeware and more wallet friendly programs.

So far, I've only found one I've felt relatively comfortable with and that allows me to create in a similar way than in Illustrator: Xara.

I like it enough to take the time to learn it so here's hoping I'm not so pigheaded as to be unable to adapt.

This is what I've managed so far, it's taken me probably 3 times as long to get to this point in the drawing but it's a start. :3

Sorry, it's only a scrap and blogger compression is evil on vector images.

Sketch Dump - 25th Oct 2010

2010-10-25T01:33:00.001+10:00

A few sketches floating around my computer.

urgh, mouth caused me more trouble than it was worth :/

Yay! Quidel! Hasn't been drawn in a very long time :3

And a very hurting Moonstone :'(

Of the Amphibious Kind

2010-10-03T10:19:00.004+10:00

Not an art post but this little guy totally stole my heart!

Not sure how he got into the house but a monumental chase ensued to try to get him out.

He's actually a lot smaller than he seems, he was able to stand on the tip of my finger and wasn't really much larger than that.

What got me was the amazing colour; a gorgeous, intense green with a gradation to yellow on his little legs and belly, so beautiful!

A little bit of scale to show how tiny he was; those are my sister's hands in the upper right corner :3

We did try to take some other photos with a camera phone but unfortunately they were just way too overexposed to salvage :(

Moved... for now.

2010-09-07T15:26:00.005+10:00

Have successfully moved into a new place off Tamborine Mountain (thankGOD for that!). This is, however, only a temporary move as I shall be moving into the city in early January-ish with the fantabulous Dr Nayu. I'm highly looking forward to moving to the big smoke! :D

Here's an arts in the meantime. :3

Cyber Blue - Vectors.
Available as a print on RedBubble and DeviantArt.

Moving House + Arts

2010-08-10T18:28:00.005+10:00

We're moving in about 3 days time so things are hectic and crazy and nerve-wracking, especially since we only found out TODAY that our application was accepted.

This, of course, leaves me with little time to work on my art or bookbinding projects (as most of my binding supplies are packed away anyway) and I'm sleep deprived and low on art motivation.

However, I have been working on a new vector illustration lately which will probably be finished after the move.

Hoorey! no more crazy long drives up and down the mountain!! :D

Here's a peek at what I'm working on:

Some July Works-In-Progress

2010-07-22T23:43:00.009+10:00

We're currently in the middle of a major renovation of our current home while looking for a new place to live. My life is currently a mess of rather large proportions with packing, painting, house hunting and constant CONSTANT driving which is, frankly, driving me a little nuts!

I thought, with the untimely demise of my day job, I'd have more time to pursue my creative passions... this is infuriatingly not so :(

Ah well, I'm still managing to chip away at a few current art and binding projects, here's a peek.

Book binding:

Arts:

(vector work for now, as I only had photoshop open and it doesn't open painter files :/ )

Hand Stamped Gift

2010-07-08T13:16:00.004+10:00

Recently it was N's mother's birthday and, for the occasion, I made her a gift:

The paper is a lovely pearlescent cream colour. The images are hand stamped with chalk inks. All the elements were cut to size, folded and glued by hand.
My hand does not thank me for this lol.
I punched a few little blue stickers as envelope seals then added some pretty ribbon to finish it off. :)
The final size of the little note-papers is 12.3 x 10.5cm
The envelopes are 9 x 6cm
I've been on a crafting binge since my job finished last week. :)

Almost two months since my last post here... I am ashamed. :(

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Printable - Cardigan Dolly Stationary

2010-05-17T13:58:00.001+10:00

Printable JPG.
A cute little stationary sheet to jot down cute little notes. ^_^

Feel free to save to your computer or print for personal use. :)
p.s. If you'd like a higher resolution, lemme know here.

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Obi Book

2010-04-28T08:53:00.005+10:00

I made this for a friend's birthday recently.
The cover is a vintage silk obi, the signatures sewn into the fabric with waxed thread. Red silk ribbon around it and two types of paper for the signatures; a delicate, mottled parchment paper and a lovely smooth, cream, 160gsm, archival paper.
She loved it :)

I've got a few of these made in various sizes and fabrics and am still making more, the problem is, sewing the signatures into the silk is a time consuming process as I don't want to leave any marks on the silk (so no pen/pencil marks), just the pages and the thick, sturdy silk obi. I use a small template for each one, but it still becomes a somewhat trial and error to get the needle through in the right spot, sort of thing.
Maybe one day, i'll come up with an easier, faster way. ^_^
I'm planning on selling these on either Etsy or Artfire in the near future (or when I have more stock).

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Bob Girl.

2010-04-23T17:07:00.003+10:00

Another work-in-progress (to add to the hundred or so other works-in-progress I have sitting on my hard drives).
So far, I like her hair. :P

SCREENSHOT!!! XD
( coz it's quicker :3 )

The title has absolutely nothing to do with this pic.
Vector WIP.

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DA Addiction Fail

2010-04-08T12:11:00.003+10:00

I caved and rejoined Deviant Art.
Epic Fail.

Don't expect to see the link here though. :p

Not that it'll be that difficult to work out o_o

Green Dress and Pigtails - WIP

2010-04-01T22:38:00.004+10:00

Another work in progress. This time painted in Painter, just for a change. :p

I finally managed to buy myself a legit copy of Painter, albeit, it is Painter X (11 is out, if i'm not mistaken) but this version serves me just as well. Besides, too many fancy options tend to overwhelm me.
I haven't painted using a Wacom tablet for months (and that doesn't include digital sketching, which i have done XD) since I've been focusing on working on my vector skills of late, so I was feeling a little rusty, but at the same time, it was somehow exhilarating, been able to paint with brush strokes and blended colours again (my first love) rather than lines and joints and fills. Not that I have anything against vectors, in fact, I've grown to love working with them.
This painting was (is been) created on two different computers (one at work then at home) which ended up causing me all manner of problems as I'd forgotten to import my brushes and settings to the new home computer. Eh, been the lazyass that I am, instead of going back and importing them, I instead forced myself to find a work around.
Now i just have to make sure I stay interested otherwise this poor painting will go the way a lot of my work does when i don't finish it within 2 or 3 days: the 'unfinished' archives. :/

Also, apologies for the terrible resolution, I thought i'd installed photoshop on this computer but either i forgot or it vanished into digital nothingness O_o. Painter JPG conversions are always rather crap.

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Transparent-Horned Girl

2010-03-17T22:42:00.003+10:00

Today's daily is also up on my Red Bubble Gallery.

Note to those who may actually visit this blog (thank you!), I need a little help with something:

I recently got a new monitor and I'm having some troubles with calibrating the colours. Does this image look too blue or brown or cool to anyone? please let me know, it's a rather warm tonality to me but looks completely different on my laptop monitor O_o. Thanks guys. In fact, everything has a much yellower tone on this new monitor... :(

Feather Tattoo

2010-03-11T20:04:00.003+10:00

Another daily girl finished and finished!

Drawn and coloured with vectors.
I actually began with just a feather and it sort of went from there.
I was consciously trying to make her face more 'interesting' than conventionally beautiful, thus the odd, androgynous features. I rather like them. :p

This pic is also up on my Red Bubble Gallery for sale.

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Up To No Good

2010-03-10T23:55:00.002+10:00

A daily that turned into a finished image again, i never realised how easy it is to get carried away with vectors. :p
I initially wanted to do a portrait of some kind but when I got started it became more and more stylised, so I just pushed that further until you have this. :)

I recently purchased a fashion and costume book from the Kyoto Costume Institute and I've been ogling the gorgeous styles, craftsmanship, fabrics and the whole opulence of, in particular, 18th and 19th century fashion. As I moved through the fashionable ages, I noticed, however, a distinct lack in the 1920's section and a sad lacking of the lovely flapper style I admire, so I threw in some of that deco influence here as well, to make up for it in my mind. :p

Hmm. I can't decide whether I feel this one is right for Red Bubble gallery or not, any thoughts please?

Also cross posted to my Daily365 blog.

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Palest Doll WIP

2010-03-09T00:54:00.003+10:00

A work in progress again, once finished it's going up on my Red Bubble account. :)
Vector illustration of a doll since it's become my recurring theme these days ^^'
I'm having some issue with the background colours though, i'm just not sure it's working... any feedback would be greatly appreciated there.

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Robed Girl

2010-03-08T10:40:00.001+10:00

Day 48's Daily is, obviously, a little late. Our internet has been rather spotty lately (that is a roaring understatement) and chose last night to continuously drop out every time I tried to use it.

(oh look, it dropped out again while I was typing this... and again another 3 times while trying to upload my image - I give up)

Anyway, yesterdays daily is a base drawing for a larger image to come so anymore updates on it will be posted here.
Man, I haven't drawn in pencil for aaaaaages. :p
Also, apologies about the quality, it's a photograph.

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New Dolly WIP - Cardigan Girl

2010-03-07T00:13:00.003+10:00

A work in progress that began as a Daily on my Daily365 blog.
Drawn in Illustrator.
I've slapped down some colour for now but i don't know if i'll keep them as i'm planning to colour her in Painter rather than in vectors. However, with my current passion for vector I may end up colouring her there anyway lol. We'll see.

Now, her face.
I would have had this up sooner except I couldn't for the life of me get her face right, something about the angle and the style I was aiming for and it just didn't want to turn out.
I must have reworked and reworked and reworked that face way too many times and I'm still not sure I'm happy with it. Sigh.
I am, however, happy with her outfit, particularly her legs, which means it wasn't a total waste of time after all ^_^.

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Rapture in Red

2010-03-04T23:31:00.002+10:00

Another finished image yay!
More vector art. If it wasn't obvious by now, red is my favourite colour.
I'm rather fond of the strange, symbolic feel to this one. I was going for a classical look to her features, which was pretty much the only thing that remained from the initial design... the difference from what this could have been is actually quite laughable. If anybody asks, I'll post the initial vector sketches at my own humiliating expense :p
This image is also on it's way to becoming a print on Red Bubble.

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Red Bubble Away!

2010-03-04T13:32:00.004+10:00

Finally posted my first print on Red Bubble, I'm ridiculously excited lol.
Let's see how this venture fares. I'd better get moving on more stuff to upload. :3

This is the print, thought the one submitted for printing has had a few tiny adjustments and cleanups.

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Classical Dolly

2010-02-26T19:24:00.000+10:00

Another Dolly in vectors :p
This time a somewhat classical, coy girl, the details in the outfit might not be historically/realistically correct but I don't really care, she's a dolly, she doesn't have to be realistic :3 (another reason why I love making them).
She is also unfinished, I'm yet to add shading and such.

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Pink Loli Dolly

2010-02-25T17:41:00.002+10:00

Cross posted this one from my Daily365 blog as I'm quite pleased with it and am going to continue along this vein every now and then.

A vector dolly.
She's still a work in progress though. I'm really enjoying manipulating basic shapes in illustrator; every part of her was made by using circle and rounded corner square shapes that I manipulate.
Fun!

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Grungy Notepad Tutorial and Printout

2010-02-08T00:58:00.002+10:00

Day 21 of my 365 Design a Day, I created this little vectored printout project: To make your own grungy little notepad!

Get the download here: Notepad Pages PDF

The design was created in illustrator (so still vectors!) using a few grunge and dirt brushes and a texture background as well as various layer blending effects.

Free to download and print out for personal use only. :)

Mini Instructions:
1. Click on the link, download the PDF file to your computer, open it, print it out onto A4 or Letter size paper (may need a little resizing) of a decent weight/thickness and not too opaque; I used an 80GSM weight, smooth paper. Regular printer paper works fine.
2. Print out more than one page, say, between 10 and 20 (5 or 10 double pages), depending on the weight of the paper (lighter/thinner paper = more pages can be bound together, thicker/heavier paper = fewer can be bound together as it becomes much more difficult to either punch holes or staple).
2. Trim if you prefer not to have the white borders showing.
3. "Bind" the pages together at the top section using a hole punch and strong thread/ribbon or staples.
4. Cover the binding with sticker paper or fabric of choice.
5. Enjoy your new notepad! :D

Photo Tutorial:

Gather your materials, here I have my printouts (I printed 9 pages so that's 18 sheets in my notepad, for more printing info, check the mini instructions above), a piece of recycled cardboard for the backing, sticky backed patterned paper for the upper wrap and tools of choice.

Trim your printouts to your desired size, here I've cut all the white out but you can leave it in if you like a border around each sheet.
Cut your backing card to the same size as your printouts.
Cut your sticker paper or fabric etc to the same width as the printouts and between 8 and 10cm high. You can easily measure how much you want to use, however, by putting the paper against the top margin of the printouts and roughly measuring and marking how far down you'd like the paper to go. Just remember to leave enough to wrap over the block of printouts and down the the back a little.

Gather your printed sheets and backing card together and jog them a bit to get them as aligned as possible.
Staple about halfway down the top margin on the printouts - Make sure your stapler is strong enough to staple cleanly through all your papers and card.
Another method here is to punch two holes halfway down the top margin and tie a ribbon or heavy thread through the gathered sheets. The next step is optional if you chose the hole punching method as your ribbon may make too much bulk for the covering sticker paper/fabric.

Stapled block of sheets and card backing!
Covering sticker paper ready to be attached.

Remove the backing paper from the sticker paper and carefully align it with the sides of the bookblock (your block of printed sheets and card), a little over halfway down and covering the staples, just make sure you have enough of the sticker paper to wrap around the top and attach to the card at the back, as in the next photo.

Turn your block over and using a bone folder to help with the crease, pull the sticker paper over the top of the block and down to stick to the card backing.

Use a bonefolder or equivalent to apply pressure, carefully! or you might tear the paper where the staples are.
Smooth out creases and press the sticker paper firmly to the front and back of the block of sheets.

Enjoy your new notepad!
An easy little project under 30 minutes. :D

Cross posted to my 365 Days of Vee Blog also.

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Daily 365 - Mini Recap

2010-01-24T19:11:00.002+10:00

For those not following my other blog, it's guaranteed to be updated every day!

Day 1 - Valentines Printable
Day 2 - Bowl of Squid
Day 3 - The Purple Shoes
Day 4 - Repeating Vector Patterns
Day 5 - Melancholy Mermaid
Day 6 - Aged, Violet and Floral
Day 7 - Floral Portrait (my fave so far)

Check it out sometime, I tend to make a lot of things downloadable or printable on request.

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Doodle Swap 2010 - First swap of the year!

2010-01-22T11:06:00.004+10:00

Doodle Swap 2010 #4

"Water Lily"

"Little Branch"

"Leaf Blown"

"Karahana"

"Ivory Lotus"

"Gerberas"

"Brambles"

"Agapanthis"

These were posted out a couple of days ago (I was a little late in finishing them, the technique I used was a little time consuming) for the Doodle Swap Project.
This is the second time I've participated and it's always a nice little refreshing change of artistic pace. Figured it would be ok to post these as no one really knows which one they're going to get.

I went with a flora theme this time. Nothing is actually a real plant though lol, they're all out of my imagination.

I used ball point pen, which I generally shy away from, but this time is was rather enjoyable and has opened up a new technique for me that I'll probably be using more often in the future.

p.s. Sorry about the terrible scans, a lot of detail was lost. Had to use parental's dinky scanner as mine is in the process of dying. Guaranteed they are much nicer in real life, dear recipients. :)

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365 Days of Design

2010-01-19T00:14:00.003+10:00

I'm committing to Smashing Mag's "Design Something Every Day" Challenge.
I've been sorely slacking off on my design and illustration work lately, so any motivation, especially something as fun as this, is well received.
Most people started on the 1st of Jan, I, as usual, was late to the party and have only started today... or yesterday if my clock is correct (which it is, it's past midnight and why am I not in bed yet??).

I've dedicated a blog to this most auspicious event: 365 Days of Vee
:P

First post is up there already, a quick little vector intended as a Valentines card piece but which is now a printable for your personal use pleasure (just let me know if you'd like a higher res version).

And that, my dears, is the first blog post of 2010!! :D

Dearlawd, what am I getting myself in to! XD

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Free People 2009 Holiday Craft Swap

2009-12-26T09:29:00.007+10:00

I'm putting this up now as i'm pretty sure it's been long enough and my parcel has probably reached it's destination by now.
I sent this out on the 8th of December as I finished it pretty quick.
A little pamphlet book in pretty butterfly paper.
I had it all wrapped up and ready to go when I suddenly realised I hadn't taken any photos! XD
So this is what I managed to grab.
Hope my recipient liked it.

Blog Pimpin and OMG IT'S ALMOST CHRISTMAS AND I HAVE NOTHING READY YET

2009-12-21T19:33:00.002+10:00

Follow my blog with bloglovin
Testing out something new.

Also, now that I am on break from one of my jobs, I'm catching up on making some presents (yes I'm a little behind).

If I don't get a chance to say it later, have a safe, happy and fun Christmas with all the family shenanigans and present opening and trimmings that apply!
Much love. <3

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Crafting on the Job

2009-12-10T09:14:00.005+10:00

These days, I don't take my laptop to work with me very much anymore, not so much due to lack of time to use it, but more so because I've become a little obsessed with making cards and soft cover books. I rarely get much time after work to make any so in quiet times at work, I unpack the crafting goodies and set to work.

One thing working in this fashion has taught me is how to work faster; I get more binding and crafting and drawing done for the 8 hours I'm 'on the clock' than I do any other time of the day/week. :)
It's a good thing I'm part owner of the business I work at lol.

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Entries to ... something

2009-11-29T09:07:00.003+10:00

Sketch and preview of a pic I've been working on for a competition of sorts.
Also part of an in progress series of images.

The Great Origami Giveaway @ The Paper Place

2009-11-16T08:54:00.004+10:00

Like I wouldn't blog about this!
The Paper Place is having a brilliant give-away of a mountain of origami paper.

Clicking on the picture takes you to the competition post.

Anyone who knows me knows my passion for anything washi related at all, so of course I'm entering this one. XD
Head on over there to join in!

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Happy 60th Birthday, Mum!

2009-11-02T12:02:00.004+10:00

Today is my mother's 60th birthday, a milestone in my eyes. I certainly hope I'm as lively and youthful as she is now when I turn 60!
I bought her a lovely herbal foot spa with river stones (she'll be indulging in that tonight) and I also made her this book with materials I knew she'd love (turquoise silk for the spine, which I paper backed, and a lovely metallic patterned paper she went gaga over when I first bought it ^^).
The pages are a lovely, cream coloured cotton paper with a delicate texture, really nice to write/doodle in.
She was very very impressed with it, she initially thought I'd bought it somewhere! When I told her I'd made it she started tearing up, it was so sweet :) I'm just very happy she liked it.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MAMITA QUERIDA!!! I LOVE YOU!!

Gift wrapped with love and ready to go!

Navy and Pink

2009-10-31T22:16:00.005+10:00

Latest little book I worked on, just a prototype at the moment though, I accidently missed a signature for some reason lol, must have been too eager to finish! XD
This one was made with thick navy blue silk card, floral patterned pink card for the end papers and off-white parchment paper. The binding is in waxed cotton in a similar pink to the floral papers. Little pink crystal bead for decoration.
Yes. I like pink ^_^.

Oops, bad colour adjustments in this shot ^ ... Bad Vee, BAD!!

My favourite thing about this book is that the end papers sit just a little past the covers when the book is closed, it gives a peek of that lovely, contrasting pink and balances the pink bindings. :)
That's all for now.

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Hoarding - First it was silks, now it's paper

2009-10-21T12:05:00.006+10:00

I really can't help myself can I; if it's pretty and hoard-able and comes in various lovely patterns and colours, then likely I will hoard it. XD

Current obsession is paper.
I ran out of room in my little quarters so I'm having to make space by making my shelving go up.
It's working rather well ^_^ Need MOAR SPACE!!

New shelf number one: Expensive decorative papers, mountboard, vellums and relaxing bookblocks.

Shelf number two: Bulk lots of decorative papers, handmade papers, paper pads and bookbinding books. Also stamps, nik-naks and out of date calender fail.

Currently working on.

Doggy approves.

PE Fairytale Exchange

2009-10-18T02:59:00.005+10:00

PE (private exchange group) 'Fairytale Exchange'.
Painting of Ary Makabe for Xanedrian. ^^
Image is based on the Hans Christian Andersen fairytale, The Wild Swans (one of my favs).

Clicking on the image is a must for detail. :P

Painted over a pencil sketch in Painter.
References for the swans used (duh, I'm not that good).
Lots of rather time consuming rendering but fun and relaxing change of pace for me lately.
The story this is based on can be found here: http://www.andersen.sdu.dk/vaerk/hersholt/TheWildSwans_e.htm

I'll be adding more close up and detail shots later this week, but for now it's 3am and I have to work tomorrow (today... in a few hours... x_x). G'night!

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Pamphlet Book Swap - Photos

2009-10-16T17:07:00.006+10:00

My first book swap at the BookArts Forum was a hardcover pamphlet, which I'd never made before so it was both fun and a learning experience!
I love making these little things, it's so addictive.

Now that I've received confirmation that my swap partner received the book (and is happy with it, yay!), I can post a few of the photos I managed to take just before I sent it (I only remembered on the day I was sending it so didn't get a chance to look at the pictures till now, thus some are a little blurry, apologies ^^' ).

Materials used were:
Japanese silk paper in pale pink, reinforced, for the spine
Pink vellum with a cherry blossom design for inside papers
Dark grey metallic paper with white fans design for the covers
Cream metallic paper for the endpapers
130gsm, textured, cream coloured calligraphy paper for the book block
Vintage silk from a Japanese kimono in gunmetal grey for the slipcase.

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A Post About (almost) Nothing

2009-10-12T12:39:00.003+10:00

Oh wow it's been a while since I updated last :(
I'm still here, just working a lot, trying to earn the monies to spend some time in Darwin for Christmas this year! yays!

Hectic and overcrowded work schedule means not so much time for the crafty/arty stuffs, so all I can offer right now is a few snippets of works in progress, so I at least don't look like such a tool and post a blog about nothing lol.

Colour test for a character portrait

Initial sketch for an ACEO style artwork.

Hopefully, I'll remember to update this place more often, I actually do have a few other natural media works ready to scan, but scanner and I have a rather tumultuous relationship (ie. I hate scanning).

Take care.
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Finished Something!!

2009-09-13T17:25:00.004+10:00

Haven't completely finished a drawing/artwork in a while now, so it's a good feeling when it's finally done :)
Drawn on tan mountboard then inked in various colours with Sakura Micron pens. Coloured with coloured pencil. The full size image is actually a little smaller than the work itself which measures 9.7cm x 15cm.
Sorry about the watermarks, this one's going up for sale (without the watermarks of course).

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Updated Serpentine Girl Sketch

2009-09-04T17:37:00.005+10:00

Just an update on one of the sketches from my previous post.
I'd say this one's about ready to be inked now. :)

Click on the image for a close-up, there's a lot of detail in there.

Sketches and WIP's - September ALREADY?!

2009-09-03T13:00:00.000+10:00

High Tea at Tea and Niceties

2009-09-02T18:13:00.004+10:00

My first high tea!
Had a very nice time with a friend at Tea and Niceties, on Tamborine Mt, a short walk away from my house (we drove).
It was a very 'proper' experience and after we got over the uncertainty of exactly how we were supposed to behave in such a dainty place, we enjoyed lovely tea and edibles and conversation.
All those little sandwiches and cakes, though they may look small, are incredibly filling. Not to mention, delicious. :D

Also, I've never seen so much pink in one room before.

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Ink Works in Progress

2009-08-30T23:39:00.004+10:00

Better late then never ^^

I've been doing more bookbinding then drawing lately but here's a few works in progress I'm slowly chipping away at.
Mainly during work, of course.

Both are drawn with Sakura Micron pens. <3
Ink washes to come.

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Gold and Girl Book - a quick preview

2009-08-18T09:00:00.007+10:00

Latest book I've been working on.
This one took me a little longer due to the drawing I added to the cover.

Do take a look at the full size image (click on it) for better detail.

The book is soft card cover with a reinforcement of a secondary inside cover of gold paper, same paper used for the cover drawing. The pages are thick, off-white paper, bordering on cardstock; really nice to draw or write on.
The book will come in a silk case, once I get it done lol.

The drawing itself was done in sepia pen which I moved around with a detail brush and a little water, to get that watercolour effect. Highlights were added in opaque white pencil.

Unfortunately, pearly gold paper doesn't photograph very well. Click to enlarge for a better view.

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Elle Portrait Sketch

2009-08-06T15:58:00.004+10:00

Portrait of another character from Felicien's storyline, Elle.
She's a follower of the Gothic Lolita fashion. ;D

A few basic stats:
Name: Elle
Age: 18
Hair colour: naturally light brown, dyed black and white and pink
Eye colour: blue
Height: 5ft 9" (175cm give or take)

Soon to be painted as well ^^

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Fee Mini Portrait Repaint (Minor update: hair)

2009-08-06T15:23:00.002+10:00

!Compression! Kill it with fire!! (by clicking)

A little bit of Colour - Bookbinding

2009-08-05T16:10:00.006+10:00

Some old and new bookbinding samples.

Gloss Embossed
Soft cover book with embossed card cover.
The raised parts of the embossing are glossed (thus the name ^^).
Inside of the covers is neutral covered Lokta paper, good reinforcing too.
5 Signatures in white bond paper with yellow and orange pages randomly interspersed.
Binding thread is a cotton satin look gold thread in a long stitch with some crossing over of threads. :D
I'm still debating whether I should make this one saleable or not ^_^

Dark Gold
A soft cover book created for a friend.
Cover material is heavy, pearlescent, dark gold coloured card with textured lines.
Binding was done in bright blue cotton embroidery thread in a long stitch style.
5 signatures in alternating white bond paper and brown kraft paper.
Kraft paper is great to draw on :D
The spine is reinforced with another layer of the same cover card.
Little washi paper decoration on the cover to help with book orientation.

Rainbow in Pink
Soft cover crazy rainbow coloured longstitch book, for fun :D
Covers are bright pink with little raised leaf patterns.
25 signatures (2 sheets each) in rainbow colours, bound with waxed linen thread in white, nice and sturdy.
The cover is folded over twice for strength and I was able to make little pockets on the front and back covers for stashing away of mini documents or old crappy business cards XD lol.

Yay!

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Fee Mini Portrait Repaint (or, I have nothing better to do with my off time)

2009-07-30T15:33:00.005+10:00

Just a little post to say I'm not really dead yet!!
Working hard in 'the cafe that parentals built', which leaves me little time to do the arty/crafty things I'd like.

So here's a little sneek peek of my latest in progress.
Remember this illustration?: Fee Mini Portrait
Well, I've started repainting it to match the Akiko one a little more. So far so good. :)

(Definitely requires clicking, compression makes Vivi cry)

As usual, I've been working on these during quiet times at work.

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Akiko Portrait - finished!

2009-07-23T14:49:00.005+10:00

Finally finished her! :D
Akiko (from Felicien's storyline) portrait to match the Fee one, but I went a little overboard with the painting, so now i'm going to have to go back and make the Fee one match hers lol.

Painted in Painter then finished in Photoshop.

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ACEO craftiness

2009-07-22T20:20:00.005+10:00

Just a couple of little ACEO's I finished recently. ^_^
Text is crossposted from my Flickr.

TinyBook ACEO
A tiny (fits in the palm of my hand) coptic bound book with navy blue covers, pearlescent pages and gold and red plum blossom flowers on the cover (you can't really see it in the photo but the paper is high gloss and metallic). The book is bound with red cotton perle thread and the wrap around is hand-braided threads. The card stock is a lovely orange with navy flecks on one side and navy blue on the other; the same material used in the covers for the book.
The book is held in place my another piece of card that slots through the front of the atc to the back. Another card was added with heart shaped brads to cover the slotted card and neaten things up :) The little book is fully removable if desired. This photo shows the booklet free of the card.

Will be up in my Artfire store soon.

Gemstone in my Pocket ACEO
Tiny hand-sewn pouch with yellow thread and a tiny red bead hanging from a corner. The little pouch is made of magenta floral cotton and the same fabric was used as backing for the cutout of the flower on the card itself. The pouch holds a silver backed rhinestone. The base of the card is scrapbook paper in a light green.

Not sure what i'm going to do with this one yet, maybe swap, maybe sell, maybe raffle, we'll see. ;)

ACEO's are fun! XD

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Book Binding Shenanigans - Pic heavy post

2009-07-15T12:32:00.004+10:00

A few of my bookbinding shenanigans within the last couple of weeks. These are only three for now, there are more to come. :)

Silk Paper Longstitch
Long stitch practise. This was my first venture into this type of stitch, it's interesting ^_^
The book is made from silk card with violet silk flecks, very pretty.
Thread is gradating violet silk embroidery thread.
Book dimensions: 8.8cm x 9.1cm x 5.6cm wide.
Didn't take me that long to make as it was mainly a practise to see if I could get the stitching look nice and neat. Love how the chain stitch on the ends came out ^^.

Silver Stab-bound.
Little Japanese stab bound book.
The covers are heavy, grey, canvas textured card with washi paper trimming near the bindings. End papers are the same washi paper as the front trimmings.
Pages are pink, blue and green single sided scrapbooking paper. Bound with waxed linen thread.
Nice and compact - 7.7cm x 8cm x 1cm
I'm still having some issues with this type of binding, I'm finding it hard to get the tension right, it's either too tight and I can't open it, or it's too loose and it flops about. :/
Ah well, practise practise!!

My First Coptic Stitch
Though certainly not the first one I've posted online XD
This little book was my first attempt at coptic stitch ^_^ I just didn't have the guts to post it before lol
I love the exposed spine look, definitely will continue playing with this style.
Book is 8cm x 8cm x 2cm
Cover boards are covered in scrapbooking paper, pages are single sided scrapbooking paper, binding is with waxed silk embroidery thread.

More of my books can be found on my Flickr page: Here
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Sneek-Peek - The next mini portrait

2009-07-02T14:36:00.003+10:00

Akiko :3

^^

Fee Mini Portrait

2009-07-01T16:38:00.004+10:00

Fee!! XD (short for Felicien)

Digital painting.
Sorry about the watermarks, this one's getting limited print runs and sold. ^^
Also going to appear in our cafe! :D

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Not a Happy Little Book

2009-06-29T17:56:00.007+10:00

The little Maroon Book that didn't want to be.
Kept throwing me curve balls at every corner.

Washi paper end papers.

Lays open nice and flat ^^

My next venture into bookbinding.
Though I'm happy with the colours and fabric choice for the cover, i'm not happy with how the sewing turned out. I refered to some instructions from a book I own and, apart from making the process much more complicated than I'm used to doing, the stitches came out slightly looser and look rather strange to me... :/

So this one gets put onto the 'practise' shelf.

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Fee Wishes Me...

2009-06-27T20:30:00.003+10:00

XD

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Work is going... quietly.

2009-06-26T20:17:00.006+10:00

Work was unbelievably quiet today (read: painfully boring) so I got to do a bit of sketching in Painter; haven't used it in ages, it was nice to crack it out again, even with my old 4x6 graphire.

Basically just messing about with shading and pose. Yeah, sorry bout the scratchy lines mess XD

Actually, I managed to do two sketches today but one is getting coloured so i'll post it within the next few days, work permitting.

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Not Dead, just working

2009-06-21T16:32:00.006+10:00

My family and I have been working round the clock to get a new business venture under way; a cafe!
So really, I'm not actually dead (though after this weekend, I think I'm starting to feel it) just been run off my feet somewhat ^^

This is our cafe! It's called, "La Chilena Cafe", after our native country. We sell coffee, empanadas, chilenitos (otherwise known as alfajores in other south american countries, though the recipe we use is different and definitely Chilean lol), homemade cakes, biscuits and other noms as we think them up. Yay! :D

And this is my designated little area :D
I make a mean latte, if I do say so myself 0_~

I have become quite the coffee snob because of this too lol, and I've also become waaaaay too fond of coffee.

Those Doodle Swap Cards

2009-06-07T18:14:00.003+10:00

Yup, that's the lot of them ^^
Can't remember who got what though lol.

Folding Folios For Fun and Recreation. Sort of.

2009-06-05T10:02:00.008+10:00

Yesterday was probably one of the most emotionally draining, and some what shocking, days I've had in a long time. One I hope to forget asap.
Of course, on day's like that, managing to squeeze out something creative is like trying to make a pig fly so I opted for something mundane and cathartic but that still manages to fool me into thinking I've gotten something even vaguely 'creative' done.

I folded signatures.
Surprisingly good for keeping the mind off other not so nice issues.
Hopefully I'll be turning these into lovely little books sometime soon, I'm particularly looking forward to the big white signature there, that's getting leather bound if I have anything to do with it!
Well today I'm off to do some paper shopping, I have some wedding invitations to make. :)

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Doodle Swap #2 2009 - Quick Peek

2009-06-03T21:02:00.005+10:00

My doodles for Doodle Swap #2 - 2009 (and my first doodle swap) have been sent out today!
Here's a sneak peek:

And off they go!! :D

I only needed to make 6 this time around but I got carried away and ended up drawing 13, so I turned them into a series of ATC's. Number 13 is a little different, it's the big one at the top in the first photo, that one's a larger size and a little more finished.
If anyone is interested in a swap for some of the others, let me know. :)

I can't wait to start getting mine in the mail! Can't wait till my swapee's receive my doodles! XD

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Imperfection - Ink Drawing

2009-05-28T22:26:00.004+10:00

Inked with micron pens on cartridge paper, added a little pink pencil for colour and effect.
This one's going to my Artfire to be sold as an original, no prints on this one, thus, pardon the watermarks.

"My imperfections make me who I am."

Finished 'Mum Book

2009-05-23T22:50:00.008+10:00

As promised in the previous post, though a little later in the evening than anticipated.

Finishing up the binding and tying that badboy off!

Book photo!pr0n! XD

Little bit of scale, it's actually quite small and cute ^^

My only reall little issue with this book is that the bindings ended up slightly looser than I'd have liked, and the fact the covers are attached just by the tapes is a little disconcerting.
Still, I'm really happy with the colours and the visible threads look really pretty.
I've already started my next book project but since it's a little bit of a secret, I won't be able to show any progress photos until the very end.
Thanks for keeping up with my bookbinding shenanigans!

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Chrysanthemum Book Update

2009-05-22T15:27:00.006+10:00

It has a name!! XD

Last night I worked a little more on the cover boards and made the holes in the signatures. Tonight I hope to start threading the bindings.

Coverboards and end papers. This particular style of book doesn't join the signatures with the endpapers. The fabric is, of course, vintage silk.

Signatures folded into quartos, ready to be threaded.

This is the ribbon and pale yellow thread I'm going to use. Not sure how I'll get around the fraying ribbon ends problem yet.

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Japanese Stab Bound Mothers Day Gift

2009-05-21T11:45:00.008+10:00

A little late with the photos of this but I gave it to my mother right after I finished it, then realised I'd forgotten to take photo's of it. By the time I did remember, mum had already stashed it away where she hides all the random things I make her.

This past mother's day, I wanted to give mum something handmade. I decided on a Japanese stab bound book with vintage silk covers and silk thread for the binding. The signatures (the bundles of pages) consisted of off-white, acid free cartridge paper interspersed with earth toned sheets of handmade textured paper.
I wanted the whole thing to last a long time so I made sure everything I used was archival or acid free, including the paste.

The silk I used had a gorgeous embroidered chrysanthemum.

Mum, of course, loved it, even though it wasn't till after I gave it to her that, in my haste to get it done on time (it was still late by the way), I'd forgotten to add the endpapers... very much an F in book making there.
Still, she didn't want to give it back so I could add them, she said she loved the way it looked as it was, it gave it a more authentic 'handmade' feel.
Mothers. Gotta love them. XD

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Catching Up on Crafty Things

2009-05-21T11:22:00.006+10:00

Today looks like it has the past four days. Like this:

So my goals today (because weather doesn't really allow me to go anywhere other than my room which is the warmest place in the house right now) are to get a few more book making things done, since it's fast becoming one of my favourite crafts.

I'm trying my hand at stitching over tape bindings today, i've already had a go at basic codex and Japanese stab bound (more about that in the next post) with relatively decent results.
These are yesterday's efforts at getting the signatures ready and cutting out the cover boards, as well as choosing the materials for the cover and tape bindings.
Notice the candelabra? I prepared during another blackout (out of sheer boredom I might add), they're coming fast and frequent these days, one per day at least this week.

So getting more on this done is today's goal.
That and working on a pen drawing I was also daft enough to start by candlelight last night. Night photo fail there. Sorry. ^_^

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Macaron, Thy Name is Frustration. And Yum.

2009-05-19T22:49:00.010+10:00

I'm never one to shy away from trying out new recipes and cooking techniques even though I am by no means a culinary expert, far from it in fact.
However, I am not clueless to the difficulties of this particular little cookie recipe, I've known for some time now, through research and watching even some of my favourite online chefs having trouble with it, that it is a troublesome little biscuit.
In a way, I probably ended up hijacking myself in that I became absolutely paranoid about even trying to make French Macarons (not to be confused with Macaroons, coconutty chuncks of not-Macarons), to the point where I made any excuse under the sun to not make them, even going so far as calling them my 'Achilles heel' and 'arch nemesis of cookies', even though I'd never even attempted them. Sad? definitely.
Anyway, today I'd promised myself I'd do something creative, and what do I do when I tell myself I need to do something creative? I procrastinate, usually by cooking.
But this particularly cold, grey and rainy day I finally resolved to attempt the Chocolate Macaron.
Chocolate Macaron with chocolate cream filling to be exact.

I won't bore you with the written details except to explain that there were two attempts made; First one that was done with utmost care and a billion butterflies in my stomach that amounted to THE most epic cookie fail I have ever had the misfortune to lay (almost teary) eyes on.
And the second attempt, where upon I was so mad at myself for the first fail that I practically threw the mixture together, adjusting the original recipe to what I thought would work under my circumstances and, to my surprise and delight, the damned things worked. Irony can be sweet and rather tasty.

Anyways, on to the pictures!

The Ingredients list for the cookies:
Icing sugar, egg whites, cocoa, castor sugar, almond meal.

All set and ready to go, wide eyed and so very naive.

EPIC FAIL. My eyes, they bleed.

Batch No.2...

Yeilded much, much better results. (lookit that little 'foot'!! *geekout*)

Yay! Trayful of Macaron-y goodness!
Sure, they're not perfect, but I'm pretty damned happy with them.

Cookies paired up to be filled.

Chocolate Cream filling. Oh lawdy so goooood.

Ingredients: dark chocolate, heavy cream, glucose syrup, a tiny bit of butter.

Icing those babies.

Macarons!!

Oh yeah. :D And they taste even better.

My culinary life is now complete.
Almost.

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Laptop LIVES!!! & Pencil Goth-loli Madness

2009-05-16T23:15:00.005+10:00

W00t! The return of laptop was marked with a busy and awesome week long visit from Nayu-Roia and much family mayhem.

Lappy waited quietly for my return ^^
And, as promised a certain fussy med-student (you know I sez it coz i luvs you):

Akiko if she were to be dressed by Elle (who's a goth and would see goth-loli/kimono cutie potential in an unsuspecting Aki... this probably only makes sense to one other person XD). Drawn at work in trusty brown paper sketch book between running around and serving customers.

And I would say more except it's rather late and freezing cold and I have to work tomorrow, so off to beds for me. Night!

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Laptop Withdrawls

2009-04-26T22:25:00.002+10:00

Not having my own computer, in my own room, with my own programs, bites so badly.
It's been 2 and a half weeks since I sent my comp in for servicing and still not a peep, not a squeek not a clue.
No way to contact them in a manner that they'll reply to since it'd classify as a "request for estimated time of repair" which they have a policy of not responding to:

"We will not respond to requests for turnaround times, eta's or fault descriptions"

No email, no phone number either.

"We regret that we cannot provide estimated repair times."

I want my damned laptop back :(

I have a few new sketches to upload as well but i'm just lacking in any sort of motivation to post them right now.

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PE drawing and STILL NO LAPTOP

2009-04-20T17:36:00.006+10:00

Since having to go back to natural media lately i've been picking up things I haven't used in forever, thus the rustiness.
It's nice using inks again. :D

This was a picture done for a character exchange.
I had to draw their character, Nian, as merman/aquatic creature person, heheh much fun.

And a detail shot for those so inclined ^_^ :

Character is (C) it's respective owner
Images (C)2009 V.Silva/Veronica Silva/Albyon/whatever other name I decide to use :D

Some Sketches in Pencil or Lamenting the Loss of Lappy

2009-04-09T17:25:00.003+10:00

Yes, my laptop is still in Brisbane.
One week and a day after it conked out.
It is supposed to be in Victoria getting fixed by now, this makes me sad.

So I revert to doodling in ye olde sketchbooks.

With my obsession with all things Heian, it was only a matter of time before I created a character from that period.
Pardon the darkness of the image, it was sketched in my brown paper sketchbook and scanned in B/W.
Meet Akiko.

Also, this was doodled for a rather impatient friend who wants to see a particular character of mine drawn in a particular era/style. For now, this doodle will have to tide you over, N. ^_^

Man, blogger is been a real @$$ to work with today :/

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Laptop-less For A While

2009-04-07T20:55:00.006+10:00

My computer stopped working last Wednesday and i've been silently suffering without. I make no excuses about my addiction to the digital realm and without my programs, internets and music (which is ALL on my comp) I may as well be without a limb.
I am making do with spartan use of my mother's computer, though it is clunky, missing favoured and what i consider, necessary, software, it is still a little lifeline of escapism I need.
Today, I gave in to my digital sketching addiction by installing GIMP on this poor RAM deprived machine and gave it a good go.
Like a friend said, it's no Photoshop *sobs* but it will do for now, at least until I get Laptop back.
This is what I managed to doodle in GIMP.
It's a very close program to photoshop in regard to options and specs but there's just something missing about it, I can only say it's the fluidity of use, or something, and perhaps the sensetivity of the brushes themselves that feel different in a very noticeable way. Eh.
Blah, enough rambling. Get to the arts.

I agree, it's no Mona Lisa, but whatevs.
It was also meant to be Felicien when I started it but... no. Sigh.

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Photo Post - Butterflies and Nagajuban

2009-03-31T17:58:00.004+10:00

Photo post today. Some things that made me ooh and aah and squee with joy ^^

This guy was on one of the curtains on our porch. He was so still and so lovely, even though it was really windy at the time.

I was chatting to a lovely local Japanese lady about kimono and Japanese culture yesterday and I mentioned my love of Japanese design and particularly of Japanese fabrics, and she mentions she has an old Nagajuban (the garment worn under the kimono) 'just hanging in the back of her closet' and that seeing how much I love and appreciate all things kimono, she offered it to me!
'Excited' is an understatement, I would have jumped up and kissed her right there!

Today, when I got home from the shops, I found this gorgeous thing waiting in my mum's work room and I was positively gob-smacked at how wonderful and in how amazing condition it is.
Apparently it belonged to her mother before her, in her youth, then it was passed on to her. Now, I knew it was vintage but this garment is over 120 years old! (the lady herself is 65)

More gob-smacking occurred after that.

At first I was hesitant to take it, especially after she told me it was her mother's first but she insisted, saying she's too practical too keep such things and that she's happy to give it to someone who would appreciate it. She then suggested I pull it apart and make something from it but I reeeeeally don't see that happening, this is my first whole vintage nagajuban, it is my favourite colour, it is pure silk, hand made and it is hand dyed in both shibori and silk screening.
Nahuh.
THIS is going straight on my wall where I can oogle it forever and ever.

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