Russian Children's Book Illustration, I

Just the beginning: images above from Russian Children's Picture Books in the 1920s & 1930s, catalogue for a joint exhibition between Ashiya City Museum, Ashiyaga Museum of Art and The Tokyo Met, published by Tankosha in 2004. I love this book so much that I feel like scanning/sharing every page, and maybe I eventually will. Many of its images are incredibly simple, use a minimum number of colours cleverly and are almost contemporary in style. Luckily I did not go to any of the exhibitions, as I probably would have hyperventilated and tried to set up permanent camp in the middle of the museum. Instead I scored this souvenir at the lovely Ariel in Sydney a year later. Much of the text is in Japanese, although there are some essays in English at the back of the book too.

New mirrors in the shop

I have been painting some mirrors which are now in the shop. Unfortunately I still don't have the hang of photographing reflective objects, but I must say that I look quite authoritative with a moustache and my new male model looks stunning with those big red lips!

I love Justine Fahd's e-shop upon a fold: she has an eye for the most incredible and imaginative things made of paper. This diorama takes me back to grade 2, when our teacher Ms. Ward played The Beatles and I made an Octopus's Garden inside a shoe box.

What Bird is That? circa 1931

What Bird is That? is the classic Australian bird reference written and illustrated by Neville W. Cayley, first published by Angus and Robertson in 1931. These pictures are from the 1953 edition which I bought at a second hand shop in the beautiful town of Port Fairy last weekend.

By the way, my work is now officially odd! Yippee!!!

Some new greeting cards

Last week at Craft Hatch the greeting cards did very well, so I have decided to add some to the shop. Thank you to those who bought one or two, it's quite vindicating you know! :) I have been busily making, photographing and posting today. Above is a selection, there are some more here.

Everybody Knit

I am in between knitting projects, feeling bereft and living vicariously through old knitting patterns. The above are mine, probably bought somewhere in country Victoria. Maybe Beechworth. Perhaps they belonged to a relative of Ned Kelly? (Yes I do add these little snippets in an attempt to entertain my two overseas readers.) No dates on them but they look as though they are from the early 1950's. If anyone out there successfully knits the horse -- let me know. I haven't managed to do so.
The stylish skiier above is from knitsomuch on etsy and is available to buy as a pdf. (I purchased a copy and it's made from 10 ply which is slightly disappointing as I own mountains of 8 ply and no 10 ply whatsoever. Nice graphs though.)
The funny little 1930's Shirley Temple look-alike in her sweet and clever sampler sweater is also available as a pdf file from tinpotlil on etsy.

New items on etsy

Craft Hatch last Saturday was great fun. It was so lovely to meet such a great number of people (aged 8 to 80!), with highly varied interests and reasons for going to a craft fair. Thank you to all the people who came and said hi -- and of course to all of the incredibly lovely people who bought something! It means alot to me. I really hope that you enjoy your new things. My one regret is that I did not take the time to meet ALL of the other sellers properly (hi Konstant Kaos - you clearly did !) and not just the ones around me. There was alot of beautiful and inspiring stuff to see. Next time.
Today I have been adding a few new items to the etsy shop. (I forgot how long that takes -- ugh.) Above: Otto the Orangerie Man. Below: Man and Cow.

Above: Lady is the House. Below: Lady with village on her head.

Above: a print of the Apple Man has also been added, a detail of which is shown here. And below: a sticker set -- which was Deborah from Kickcan and Conkers' suggestion. (Thanks Deborah -- they were all snapped up rather early on Saturday too!)

Above: a sticker use suggestion from my alter ego, Signora Cassata. She lives in Bologna and enjoys a good ragu followed by a rather large gelato.

Soon I will be adding some new mirrors and greetings cards to the shop.

Before I go and waste yet another night of my life staring at Masterchef, I must say an enormous thank you to all of the friends and family who came and lent their support -- each in their own special way -- on Saturday. It means a huge amount to me. Grazie mille!

Craft Hatch market: work in progress

I'm getting some things ready for Craft Hatch this Saturday. Please excuse the quality of the photos: I took them at 6pm and already it was pitch black outside so the kitchen lights were on. It really feels like we are heading towards the shortest day of the year. And it's freezing outside!
From top to bottom: the first of the greetings cards, Make-Your-Own-Man sets in progress, various wooden people and stickers. There will be lots of little painted mirrors and knitted bags as well.

If you are in Melbourne this Saturday, it would be lovely to see you at Craft Hatch!

Words and pictures, retro HK style

I couldn't choose which pages to scan out of this book, so here is the whole thing. You could actually print it and make yourself a copy. Be sure to print it onto the flimsiest paper possible: it will be authentic and charming. I find it very interesting that the boy on the cover holds a picture of an orange for his girl, and that the girl holds for him an axe. Someone in Hong Kong had a sense of humour. You wouldn't get away with it these days, would you?
Words and Pictures Chinese-English 4 published by Kwong Kwok Publishers, H.K. No date is given, which is unfortunate.