Leave of Absence

Dear readers, I need to be requesting a period of leave in order to fully prepare for a very exciting project ... all shall be revealed in time, but until then, I need to focus on the preparation.

Stay tuned... Canberra's Got Style will be right back for the beginning of beautiful Spring!

Utopia: Emily Kame Kngwarreye

Just arrived from a successful showing in Japan, and opening this Friday (August 22nd) at the National Museum of Australia is Utopia: The Genius of Emily Kame Kngwarreye

"Her energetic paintings are a response to the land of her birth, Alhalkere, north of Alice Springs - the contours of the landscape, the cycles of seasons, the parched land, the flow of flooding waters and sweeping rains, the patterns of seeds and the shape of plants, and the spiritual forces which imbue the country."

Kngwarreye's vision of the land is unique; her paintings challenge the way we look at art by Aboriginal Australians. Emily Kame Kngwarreye: Alhalkere - Paintings from Utopia traces the brief but impressive career of an artist who started painting in the public arena when she was in her eighties.

Stunning, check it out at the National Museum of Australia $10 entry. On until October 12 2008.

Vintage style: My Sweet Muse

Yet another talented Canberran discovered on Etsy. This time it's all about My Sweet Muse, designed by busy mum of 3, these pieces are all unique and absolutely magical. I love, love, love...

"Pieces of mysweetmuse are created using authentic vintage elements which capture a story, a warmth and a soul."
mysweetmuse is a colourful and wearable jewellery collection by Canberra based designer and mummy, Eva Carter. Eva is formally trained in fashion and textile Design, accessories design and also jewellery design.

She has been collecting vintage clothing, fabric, shoes and accessories (much to her husbands disdain!) since she was 14, when her mother gave her her first allowance and told her "From now on, you will have to buy all your own clothes, young lady!" And off she ran, to the vintage stores, with a twinkle in her eye and a spring in her step.... Eva is also informally trained (baptism-by-fire style) in child rearing!

Currently Eva is on a "Mummy Break" from the Australian Fashion Industry, busy running, tumbling and dashing madly after 3 energetic little people aged 3 months - 3 years old! mysweetmuse is Eva's creative outlet and part of her "making BEAUTIFUL things" addiction, creations materialising late at night, in the quiet, when everyone is finally sleeping...... shhhhhhh.

How beautiful, a visit to Eva's Etsy shop is a must.

Well kept secret: Gift Pod

How have I not known about this lovely store in Ginninderra Village? Open for a year now, but just expanded to double it's size, right next door to the Style Emporium and Cherry Seed, Gift Pod is another well kept secret on the north side...

Giftpod stock some of my favourite brands: Built NY and French Bull

Right: Dick & Dora jewellery

In Sync Design jewellery

Blink zipper pouches; and a huge range of gorgeous gift boxes

Isoki - contemporary baby accessories

Right: Grannimals (my favourite knitted baby toy)

Metro home; Dick & Dora; Rhubarb tableware.

Loads more in store, check it out at Ginniderra Village, O'Hanlon Place Nicholls, check the website for opening hours/days.

An award winning post: Brilliante!

Oh shucks, I have just been awarded this little award, with thanks from Bernie at Burnt Offerings blog ...thank you Bernie. It's nice to be thought of, and I am so glad you appreciate Canberra's Got Style!

So, the rules for this award are:

The winner can put the logo on his/her blog. Link to the person you received your award from. Nominate at least 7 other blogs. Put links to those blogs on yours. Leave a message on the blogs of the people you have nominated.
And I now have the honor of sending the award on to seven other bloggers... here are my favourite blogs reads (which also reside in my side bar) who I think are also brilliant blogs and I'd like to let them know I appreciate what they do...

I hope you will love reading these ones as much as I do, and as long as we are sharing link love, I shall insert a little shameless self promotion...

I've been working on something new and exciting at Ninaribena Makes, so go have a look and tell me what you think!

Etsy Canberran: Buttontree Lane

Talented craftster and fellow local blogger Michelle Law spoke to Canberra's Got Style about her lovely work and her store on Etsy...

Michelle, how would you describe your personal style? Clothes-wise, if it's denim, wool, red, green, black or grey and includes a brooch, I'll wear it. I don't think I actually have a personal "style" as such. I've always said that I know what I like. Any style I may exhibit is influenced by what inspires me - fantasy woodland, Japanese zakka, minimalist design. I don't think I can fit any style into a box and say "this is me".

Buttontree Lane "Sunnyboy pouches"

Tell us about Buttontree Lane... where does the name come from, and what products will we be seeing more of? I have collected vintage buttons for years, and I wanted a name for my business that reflected that. Ironically, none of the items I've made for my shop have featured any buttons, but that may change soon.

I Love that you are using Aunty Cookie fabrics, are you passionate about Australian designers - or the hand made aspect? Oh definitely on both counts! I also use Hollabee, Lara Cameron and Pippiejoe fabrics - these Australian designers are all so clever, and so passionate about what they are creating from scratch, and that is inspiring in itself. When I decided to make my sunnyboy quilted pouches for the shop, I knew I needed a quirky, limited edition and beautiful fabric to compliment the design, and I think I've achieved that with these fabrics.

Buttontree Lane "Sunnyboy pouches" and "Project bags"

What influences and inspires your work? Wonderful fabrics, the online crafting community, the lovely girls at Canberra's Stitch 'n' Bitch (knit and crochet group). Anything Japanese whets my appetite, and it's so exciting seeing the wonderful crafts movement that been coming out of Japan the last few years.

Buttontree Lane crocheted flower brooches

Michelle also collects some fab vintage homewares

I have crafted for as long as I can remember, and I have been heavily influenced by my mother. She made all my clothes, knitted my jumpers, crocheted amazing table cloths and doilies, and decorated the home with cross stitch and tapestry and macrame. Despite my Mum trying to teach me to sew as a child, I always resisted until I was 21 and had inherited my Oma's sewing machine. Out of respect for Oma and Mum, I bought a pattern for some summer pyjamas, leaned on some crafty friends and taught myself to sew. I eventually progressed to making most of my work clothes, but now I tend to just sew quilts and little stuff.

A quilting star, Michelle crafted these Dresden wheels from the same fabric; Buttontree Lane "Project bag"

I know you quilt, crochet and sew... are there any other clever things you can do? I'm very much into Blythe doll collecting, and have been for the last four years. I have a second Etsy shop where I sell Blythe clothes. I have always wanted to learn beading, but I honestly don't think I have enough time to take up another hobby!

Michelle has an enviable collection of adorable Blythe dolls, she makes and sells some very cute clothing and accessories for them here.

What do you hope for the future of Buttontree Lane? I'm working on some more designs at the moment, and hopefully soon I'll be able to stock Buttontree Lane with different zippered pouches, crocheted neck and wrist warmers, and tote bags which will be perfect for knitters and crocheters.

Buttontree Lane tiny Needlebooks and "Sunnyboy Pouches"

Check out the Buttontree Lane Etsy shop here, and see what else Michelle is creating on her blog here... fabulous work Michelle, thankyou for showing us.