Forgotten Faces

Its hard to believe that this time last year I had started my countdown to my trip to Laos, Cambodia and Thailand. What 3 magical countries they were, what an inspiration.
I'm still working on the scrap book of all the little bits and bobs I picked up whilst over there. Reciepts, Postcards, Pamphlets, Hotel Stationary, Ticket stubs. I am a collector of things, I'll have to take a photo of my wall to demonstrate.

Here is my first weeks Unconcious Mutterings:

1. Film ::
"Marie Antoinette"

2. Dragon ::
Darren's leg tattoo

3. Hunger ::
marbled cheesecake slice

4. Plucked ::
eyebrows

5. Dissolving ::
icebergs

6. Executive ::
suite

7. Ridiculous::
post office line

8. Mist ::
bathroom mirror

9. Minority ::
report

10. Map ::
graph

Knitting Update: 279 Squares!

Eight Miles High

The days are passing so quickly..
Saw Daddy before he took off to Borneo for work. I'm so jealous, or i was until he showed me the run downs of the labs he has to audit over there. He is going to be one busy man.

After my post on Friday i got to playing with the paper pulp.

Lux Valentine's Paper Pulp Recipe:

1. Day before get a bucket and shred as much newspaper as you think you'll need into it. The smaller the pieces the easy and finer the paper pulp will be. Fill bucket to just above the paper. I suggest using warm/hot water as it will speed up the process.

2. Next day get stuck into it and using your hands start to manipulate the lovely gunky paper porridge until it is clumpy and as fine as you would like it to be. If you require an even smoother pulp, use a hand beater to get it to the consistence you would like it.

3. Squeeze the excess water out of the paper you need and place in another container. I only get out as much as i need and leave some of the water in the paper so its easier to mix with...

4. Add white glue. I use children's craft glue, just as strong as normal glue but less harmful when you get it all over you (and easier to wash out of clothes... maybe you aren't like me but im one messy lass)



Mmmmm Paper Pulpy Goodness

So here are some photos of my Buddha face that turned out looking like a Greek death mask:


Started with just a square. This was (mostly) level


Once everything was built up and curved. Buddha Greek Death Mask-isque?


Can't really see the features in these photos.


The mouth was the harder part. I'm not happy with the way it turned out but hope once the whole thing is painted it isn't as noticeable that it looks like he is pouting.


It's now Monday and he is still drying, I don't want to paint him until he is completely dry. I need to find him/make him a frame as well.

Whilst waiting for both him and Thor's hammer to dry I've been knitting like a demon. I've done just over 150 squares now and have introduce the following colours:



x

The Bleeding Hearts Club

Easter Saturday was spent with family.
First train trip with my nephew Seth, All the family besides my father hoped on the train to Martin Place. From there we walked in the rain through the domain and met my Aunt Susan out the front of the NSW Art Gallery. My brothers went and saw the Tezuka: Art of Manga exhibition the rest of us had our yearly outing to the Archibald Prize.
This year, despite the portraits being well done, wasn't as stand out as the past couple of years. I have picked four of my favourites:


The Bleeding Hearts Club #1 (David Griggs)

Been a fan of David Griggs for some time and his entry this year was intimidating. Not eye level like the others it was hung above the entry into another room... Huge in size, it really did leave you in Awe.


Ben Guilty (Cherry Hood)

One of those portraits that have eyes you swear are staring into yours, The two reasons i loved this one so much was the minimalism yet detail of it, and also quite an interesting classical portrait compared to the portraits Ben Guilty himself has entered in past years.


Tim (Esther Erlich)

The portrait that best captured the subjects character in my opinion. Besides, I'm a sucker for red as red can be paint. This one was also one of Seth's favorites. He too has always loved red, when he was a few weeks old he was also hypnotised by my red hair.


Myself (Angus Nivison)

The one that appealed to me the most, Angus Nivison's work haunted my thoughts for the trip home. I put my vote in for this work for the peoples choice award.

I have always loved visiting art gallery's but to experience it with my 2 year old nephew in my arms and walking beside me, each painting took on a deeper meaning. Watching him search each canvas, pointing at colours and shapes that appealed to him... It tore at my heart. And many other patrons of the gallery to see the sweetest little blue eyed blond boy remind us all what art is... An overcrowding of the senses.

PS:
New colour for the Blankie:

won't you be the new one burn to shine

Giving my aching hands a rest from the squares of pain!
The mixed pink yarn i was knitting with had a run in with my kitty Harry, leaving me to untangle a whole lot of yarn whilst hiding from her and her new cricket toy (which she was determined i should meet it seems).

Have finished my 25 mixed pink squares - next colour:


One of the knitters at the Purl Bee has inspired me to make a blanket for my Mum after i have finished this ratty raggy retro one. They call it a Manos del Uruguay Blanket:


it looks like a lot of fun and will let me play around with some stitches that i am aching to learn such as the daisy stitch:


So many projects, so little time.

Everything was Beautiful and Nothing Hurt

I haven't posted since the first time as I have wanted to post photos along with my entries... Shame my camera has decided to go on holidays and not work. Makes me sad, I love my pink camera.

Been spending hours knitting little 15st x 25 rows squares using both a normal knit stitch and stocking stitch. As my first large scale knit project I am really excited to see my boxes of squares fill up. So far I have about 65 squares in:


I was originally just going to stitch these together in rows but have decided I will probably end up using a diagonally pattern instead.

Have been looking at a lot of Polymer Clay art, Must go to Lincraft this week and see how much it is there. I'd love to start making some beads.

Spent Friday night at a friends place sitting outside in the cold - now I have what I fear is the beginning of a cold! Such a shame my big wool blanket isn't all ready to curl up under and watch the extended version of Lord of The Rings.

xLuxValentine