Information is Beautiful

I've been burning the midnight oil this week finishing marking, reports and tomorrow I have a conference presentation. Crazy huh?

The focus of the presentation is data visualisation. A love of mine and I feel privileged to be able to contribute to a book on a topic that I am interested in.

Information is beautiful

View more presentations from Margaret Lawson.

I was a contributing author on a chapter in this Year 11 book, due to be in schools next year and I contributed on two chapters in the Year 12 book.

Given that I won't be teaching next year, craft and books will be my only income.

Etsy Friday Finds

My current design obsession is with putting together a unique piece of decorative patchwork using traditional construction techniques, applique and bias to re-create something that might have been designed by Frank or Charles.

Dover frank Lloyd Wright book bymisuhleyneeuhs . Starting with some inspiration, Dover Publications are always a good stop for source books on a designer or topic.

Frank Lloyd Wright Decal Set by Hutch Me

These decals are just gorgeous, I can imagine them in my study, although I would need 4 ..

Frank Lloyd Wright inspired Embroidery by Clever Fingers. Something fiddly for the embroiderers. Not a bad idea to do a sample of what I am thinking about.

Frank Lloyd Wright inspired Welcome Sign by Kopper Kitty. I Love this welcome sign, but not too sure if it would match the front of my house. Theoretically it should given that my shack is bungalow inspired.

Frank Lloyd Wright inspired stained glass Window Panel by Stained Glass by Dianne. I figured that if they can do it in glass, I can do it in fabric.

What is inspirng you today?

Do you knit?

Knitting was one of those things that I just didn't get. I tried it, and then tried it again. But it just didn't seem to work with my brain. My Mum can knit, but alas I could not. But crochet is another story!

I can't remember when I started to crochet, but I do remember doing a table cloth in 1991/1992 when my beloved and I did a "round the world" relationship breaker/maker trip. Back in the good 'ol days when you could do craft on planes. I once loved doing fine work with crochet, but the appeal of knitting always escaped me ..

I have a friend who is a mad knitter (sorry Trudi ..) and she is on a mission to declutter and has given me a pile of books, magazines and knitting patterns to sell at the next Northside Makers Market on my stall. They are all "like new" and many still have price tags on them.

So please come down and take them off my hands ...

Borders therapy

The husband was given a Borders book voucher as a gift for being a guest speaker, so we headed to Borders in Carlton for a bit of retail therapy.

I bought Handmade in Melbourne and Jane Austen's Sewing Box.

It is freaky reading through Handmade in Melbourne and knowing that you have met a few of the artists highlighted. Looking at how crafty Melbourne people are is truely inspirational. I'd love to think that my work might be in this book someday, but sometimes I think that my stuff is a bit too practical and not enough "arty". I might have to start designing my own fabric methinks ...

Jane Austen's Sewing Box has lots of stories and incidental patterns and inspirations from the regency period and Jane Austen's books. I have already earmarked a few projects, just need to nut through how they might work with skull fabric ;-)

It was a hard decision to make, I had to choose two books, but next time, I hope to pick up Kelly Doust's "the crafty minx". Some great projects in there, I love the subtext - "creative recycling and handmade treasures".

Another book that I flipped through was the "Made in France: Linen and Thread" by Monique Lyonnet. A gorgeous book.

I love clicking through blogs and have a quite extensive blogroll, but I also love taking time out to read through a well compiled craft book with beautiful pictures and lucious text.

Borders have quite a good range or craft books, some along and check them out at the Borders Craft Fair on 7th December @ 7pm!