Happy New Year

Getting back into the swing of things after a wee break is always so hard! I spent a few days down in Tassie with Hollie and Mikey and Jess at the Falls Festival. It was actually my 10 year reunion with the Festival, having gone to the big Millennium Celebration back in 1999 with the Violent Femmes. My highlights were Emiliana Torrini and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs playing the countdown slot with my neck straining to see what Karen O, who travelled to the show on a lightning bolt, was wearing. Some of the other highlights were Liam Finn with Eliza Jane and Chairlift, shown above piffing an already smashed guitar into the air. I've put some more photos over on Flickr, although these two above are my favourites.

I hope everyone had a lovely festive season and I am looking forward to 2010!

A little redesign

I've done a bit of a redesign of the Anna Laura website. As you can probably tell I've scaled back to focus on our Able and Game cards, but I will still be doing the little lady badges. They are also featured in the current Frankie Mag which is pretty exciting (thanks Frankie!). They are also available on the lovely website Leeloo which is also the only place you can buy them.

Once Upon Artworks

The Tears

The Spin

The Queen

The First Born

I've finally found the time to put my four artworks from Once Upon up on the blog. My fairy tail was Rumpelstiltskin and I have to say I had a few dilemmas with the whole thing but ended up pushing through to create something I was happy with. This was a bit of a novelty, because all to often I just procrastinate then rush something and end up a bit disappointed in what I create.

The artworks are hand stitched collages created with thread and a variety of papers. I originally planned to not have too much on them, but when I started on the the last one I got a bit carried away with all the detail causing me to go and add more detail to all of them and miss the deadline for posting them off.

Gareth and I flew up for the exhibition opening and it was (embarrassingly) my first trip to Sydney, so things like double decker trains were a total novelty. We hung with Jess from Truth Be Told and met lots of lovely people and drunk the great wine supplied by Catalina Sounds.

If you're wanting to buy some of the artworks, just go to the Once Upon website and click the Art For Sale link at the top. And lastly, a big thanks to Renee and Angela for organising the whole shebang!

Once Upon

Angela from Leeloo and Renee from Art4Friends have organised an exhibition opening later this month called Once Upon. The theme is fairytails and I've been working on my artworks over the last few weeks. I had some real issues working out what I was going to do with both the style I wanted to work in and the media I wanted to use. After a rather tense day last week I'm feeling much better about the artworks and am currently in the production stage, as you can see from the mess on my desk in the image above.

I often have this love hate relationship with the work I do, and I know when I push through it I come up with something I am happy with but that uncertainly can really bring out some ugly thoughts. All part of the process I guess, but during these moments I get why artists are often drug and booze addled depressives who slice of their ears and drive too fast in the Hamptons.

Gareth and I will both be coming up to Sydney for the opening on the 19th of December at aMBUSH gallery in Waterloo. If you're in Sydney it would be great to see you at the opening, which I am looking forward to as it is a little mini break.

Yay/Nay

Wow, it was a whole month ago that I posted my last Yay/Nay. For some reason it felt like two weeks. In keeping with the Loobylu tradition of Hot/Not I have a few Yay/Nay for today.

YAY

The Once Upon exhibition next month. Gareth and I are both going up to Sydney for it so I am very excited. I was going to go up alone and had my flight booked but I figured where is the fun in that? So Gareth is coming along for the ride.

Falls Festival in Marion Bay. Hollie and I sit on a Saturday and talk about how much fun it is going be. I'm spending a week down in Tassie and I am looking forward to a whole 7 days away from a computer.

Roller Derby this Saturday in Rezza.

10km run. If you told me 2 years ago I would run for 10km I would have laughed at you. Jhoanna from One Red Robin also took part and it was nice to have someone to talk with about it. The race finished with a lap of the MCG which was pretty good. It was interesting to see what it looked like from the middle after going to quite a few footy matches this year. Plus the weather that Sunday morning was perfect.

NAY

800m. Turns out our 10km was a little shorter than it should have been.

Eggs + kids + muckup day. Keep your eggs in your pockets kids. Don't throw them at people and don't throw them on the trams.

Myspace. It is a wasteland.

Yay/Nay

After reading Loobylu's recent blog post I realised I am also a bit of a Hot/Not fan. I remember I had a Mode magazine from about 1992 that had a huge one in it, all full of things I did not understand, but I tried to pretend I did. I'm going to call my list Yay and Nay rather than Hot or Not, just because I'm using the word Yaysies so much I even have Gareth saying it.

YAY!

Finding my kitten necklace Hollie gave me from my birthday. It's from Corky St. Clair and I put it in a safe place, so safe I couldn't find it for 6 months. But it is back!

New brooches. The porcelain owl is from Dani M Designs and the resin horse is from Hokey. I also have a new Featherstitch Fantail brooches from Bridget, a custom design of a Magpie that I can wear to the football and look like a Collingwood supporter without having to deck myself out in black and white and gold.

The Black Apple's Brownie recipe. I made it the other night and it is one of the best recipes I've found. You don't need chocolate, just cocoa (chocolate isn't something that just sits around in the house is it?) and you can mix it all up in a saucepan. I'm pretty sure the recipe can be adapted as well, to make it vegan (use noegg and vegan spread instead of butter/eggs), glutan free or low fat (adding apple sauce instead of butter).

NAY

Friends leaving to go overseas, although it is more of a reason to get over to Europe next year and escape the winter here.

Finding someone to go to Animal Collective with in December at The Forum. I'm putting it out there, who wants to be my date?

Bride Wars. You know when you know a film is going to be bad, but you think it might turn full circle and still entertain you? This isn't one of those films, it is honestly the worst film I've seen. I don't understand who would enjoy it, it makes shallow romantic girl films seem deep and arty. If you were ever thinking of renting it I am here to save you 90 minutes of your life, plus the hours you will spend afterwards thinking of ways the money to make the film could be better spent.

Bridbird Sale

My friend Bridget from Bridbird is having a sale over in her Etsy shop, everything is only $10US to help reduce stock levels before she shifts over to Ireland next month. You can get some really lovely Gocco prints like the one above. They make great gifts, my Mum has a Magpie print and Gareth's Mum has one of the Melbourne Terrace prints. I am sure they will all be snapped up pretty quick, so I'm posting this to give you all a heads up!

Magic Gloves

These very sweet little gloves were a gift from Hollie, who made them up after I said the colour combo was one I would like. She gave them to Gareth a few Saturdays ago when he had been at Rose Street and I had been at DMT and they came all wrapped up like it was my birthday or something crazy like that. If you want a pair you can come along to Rose Street as Hollie is selling them at her stall in different colour combinations. According to Suzie, who has a black and white pair, they are magic. I think I can agree with that, anything that keeps my hands warm is magic. I'm off into the city, with the lovely gloveson, to get ready for First In Style with the Able and Game cards, in the mean time have a look at Hollie's newest blog, Lost Little Loves, so much pretty!

Oh and speaking of Rose Street, did you know they will be now open on Sunday as well as Saturday starting this Sunday? They will be running from 11am-5pm and are located on 60 Rose Street, Fitzroy, pretty much smack bang between Brunswick Street, Nicholson Street, Johnston Street and Alexandra Parade. So if you have not been before and one of the reasons was you had stuff on on Saturday, you can now have a lovely lazy Sunday in Fitzroy that includes Rose Street!

Second Studio Sale

The last month has gone by so quickly I didn't realise it had been over a month since I had updated this blog! I also didn't realise our Studio Sale was less than two weeks away. The first one, organised by Peta Pledger, was a real success with lots of people coming by. This one will be even better with more people having stalls. I will be selling Able and Game cards as well as reduced Anna Laura stock, plus some fabric and notions. If you're the type of person who gets organised with Christmas shopping early then this sale will be perfect as you will get some bargains that are handmade in Melbourne!

Details

What: Studio Sale with Samantha Sultana, Peta Pledger, Shara Lambeth, Sew Your Own, Anna Laura, Lil' Misfit, Justina Maria and Jacqueline Benedetti Jewellery.
When: Saturday 8th August from 10am-4pm
Where: Level 2, Nicholas Building, 37 Swanston Street Melbourne (Next to Buttonmania)

If you want to post the flyer on your blog to help promote the sale please feel free to use the one above.

Melbourne Cards

I've had this card idea in my head for quite a while now, the only thing putting me off was the trip I needed to take to Frankston to take the photo. I've got plans on doing an Able and Game Melbourne range, I just need to think of some ideas for more cards, I've got a few floating around, I just need to perfect them. This one is popular at Rose Street with one girl demanding her boyfriend buy it for her right that very second. If you want one for yourself you can purchase online via Etsy or you can come and visit us at Rose Street on Saturday (60 Rose Street in Fitzroy from 11am-5pm) and say hello and tell me your favourite zone two location.

A-Z

I was over at Veronica Darling's blog and saw she had an ABC of websites visited via the web browser and thought I would have a go. I've put up an old old photo from photobucket. Maybe from 2006 when Gareth was my model!

Here is what you do:

"So what you have to do is type each letter of the alphabet one by one into the URL line of your browser. This will bring up your most visited site of this letter, or the letter being used within the address. Use the first site that comes up, or the second if you have privacy/security issues. It's like a little outline of your favourite web sites!"

A. Able and Game. Taking up all my time at the moment.
B. Babelfish. For converting text into other languages.
C. Melbourne International Comedy Festival.
D. Dictionary.com for checking my words.
E. Etsy. I thought it would be that.
F. Flickr. Photos!
G. Go Fug Yourself. The late night I'm bored and need a quick fix read.
H. artsHub. A great resource.
I. I can has cheezburger. I'm not ashamed to say it is my favourite.
J. Jhoanna from One Red Robin on Twitter. We are run buddies!
K. Kitty's Kaboodle. I was reading about Kitty in Mix Tape Zine on the weekend actually.
L. LeeLoo. A great online shop for Australian made.
M. Metlink Melbourne. I love public transport.
N. Guy Bourdin at NGV. This is OLD, from when I did my DipEd in 2004!
O. Officeworks. Looking for opening hours I think.
P. Prince Ballroom. Went and saw TZU with Hollie and Mikey a few months back.
Q. Not Quite Nigella. Food blogs are good and this one is a great read.
R. Rose Street Artist Market. How I spend my Saturdays.
S. Survey Monkey. I made one up for the cards a while back.
T. The Age. I used to get it delivered, this saves on messy papers everywhere.
U. Urban Dictionary. Same as Veronica Darling!
V. Vegan and Vintage. Hollie!
W. Webflicks. We get our films in the mail. It makes me happy.
X. Xe. For money stuffs.
Y. Youtube. Lately it has been Nevermind the Buzzcocks. I love that show.
Z. Zip Code Search. Helps with getting packages to the US quicker.

Lions

Last year at Christmas time I was on the hunt for cute little presents to send over to Gareth's family. He has two nephews and a neice all under 5 so buying presents for them is actually loads of fun. I got a little softie like the one above from my friend Alice's stall at the Northcote Night Market and she said it was made by Myf, who I knew via email. The softies are made with recycled blankets and are so cute I almost didn't want to post it over to Scotland. You can get the one above and a few others from Myf's shop, Fontok and she also has a blog.

So you're having a baby?

I thought I would put up some of the Able and Game baby cards we have available. We have a few more in the works including the bun in the oven card, but with the bun out of the oven. I've been having a lot of fun drawing the cards, although sometimes it can be hard. Anyone who does any kind of illustration will know what I am talking about, it's a love hate relationship sometimes. Gareth and I are also super excited because we have booked into Design Made Trade in July. It will be open to the trade for the first two days, on Thursday 16th and Friday 17th of July, and then open to the public on Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th of July.

Run Melbourne - Makers Team

The Age is presenting a fun run event on June 28th called Run Melbourne. After hearing about Jhoanna from One Red Robin running in the Mother's Day Fun Run event I thought it might be nice to get a group art artists/crafters and makers together to do the run.

The event is held on Sunday 28th June at Fed Square in Melbourne and the event caters for different fitness levels starting from a 5km walk right up to a half marathon.

You can sign up on the website here, make sure you do so before June 12th to take advantage of the cheaper registration fee. Once you register you can set up your fundraising page, nominate a charity and start receiving donations. You can then email me your details and I will include them on this blog post and then all you need to do is start training!

Melbourne Makers - Run Melbourne

Jhohanna Monte Aranez from One Red Robin
Sponsor Page
Money going to: Mirabel Foundation
Website: One Red Robin
Twitter: One Red Robin

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Anna Blandford from Able and Game
Sponsor Page
Money going to: Breast Cancer Australia
Website: Able and Game
Twitter: Able and Game

This made my day today

One of my most favourite people in the world, Aisha, lives over in London. Living in London isn't something I've ever really had any desire to do, until she shifted there a few years ago. Lucky we can play google street view together and I can have a look around where she lives. Aisha and her busband Ben are both very talented, particularly with words, music and film and this clip above is for one of Ben's song called When I Fell Over In The City. If it sounds familiar, that is because we used it in our Able and Game Mother's Day film. They also star in the film, you need to wait till the end to see Aisha, but it is worth it, in a eek eek eek kind of way.

Roflcopter

I was reading an old copy of Frankie from July 2007 and it had a funny interview with Bob Evans. He said his ideal Saturday night is staying home with his wife, cooking dinner, drinking three bottles of plonk and getting "plastered" then watching her dance and maybe dancing if he was plonked enough. It made me laugh because it was probably my ideal Saturday night, particularly if the wife got up and danced to Beck.

Oh if you have ever hung out in the Etsy forums then you might get a laugh at this post by Jodie, which made me laugh just as much as this new card Gareth came up with.

And finally, the drawing above is available as a print from Able and Game and is listed as an A5 print in the Etsy shop. We also have some new listings if you're wanting multiple cards and want to save a few bucks.

Studio

I had to set up some studio shots today to use for an interview, some with me in them, but I had nobody to help me. Lucky my camera has that 10 second delay and I have a little tripod making the whole thing not too painful. Although with the blinds open people walking along the street could have seen me looking awkwardly at the camera trying to look natural. I sent some to Gareth as a proof and he said the smile looked a bit forced and suggested putting some 30 Rock on to help out.

Wildflowers

I've put some more items for sale over in my Etsy shop, and there is still free shipping for Australian shoppers, so if you're wanting a bit of a bargain then this is the place. The grey and red pouch has been screenprinted with a wildflower design and features boxed edges so it can stand upright. The yellow brooch is machine stitched and features vintage fabric and hand screenprinted fabrics. It is quite large, about 7cm/2.75" at its widest point.

Oh and I forgot to write about Able and Game's feature in The Age. I was up at 7am to run to the newsagents, onto to find they didn't open till 7.30am but were unpacking all the papers. I had my market float on me that I grabbed on my way out and gave him exact change so I could get a copy. He wasn't impressed but I wasn't waiting 30 minutes in the cold. I was looking through my flickr photos the other day and found my version of the card below.

Sale!

I'm putting some older stock in my Etsy shop at sale prices over the next few weeks. Today I put four small tote bags up, they all feature handcut screenprints and are big enough to fit all the essential items with a strap long enough to go over your arm and sit just underneath.

Gareth and I had a busy weekend with our Able and Game Mother's Day cards and I was lucky enough to have him helping me at Rose Street. Thanks to all the people to supported us by purchasing our cards online, at the market or via our stockists. The next big event is Father's Day next month for the US, Canada and UK on June 21st so I think tonight will be spent in front of the heater drawing.

An Able and Game Film - Mother's Day Cards

Gareth and I made a short film about the making of one of our Mother's Day cards for Able and Game. The process involved drawing a design in pen and ink and filming it, then it was sped up and a few fancy graphics added. The design was then scanned and made into an Able and Game card and is available for sale on Etsy.

Now I know what you're thinking, that music in this film is pretty cool, I want to know more, who made it and how can I get to one of his gigs? Well if you live in London then you're super lucky because you have a greater chance of seeing Mr. Benjamin Shaw than we do. Gareth and I have been lucky enough to see him a few times before in Melbourne and we both agree he is as talented as he is lovely. This little blurb from his myspace page made me laugh:

After a year in Melbourne, playing gaggles of shows and being involved in some frightfully hot bondings with the hip and dandies of Melbourne, Ben returned to Engerland with a wife and a woollen sock full of new songs and recordings.

Now living in the woods of North London, Ben has recently been seen playing all the main dives you've never heard of, and continues to be making mountains of his molehill recordings.