March Photo A Day

It's been fantastic learning about papercutting and practicing my own designs. But now it is March (already!) and that brings a new task for this Craftissier!

I have been getting involved in the March Photo A Day challenge instigated by fat mum slim. She has devised a list of words that can inspire us all to capture daily moments.

Day Two was fruit - the below is some seriously clever garnish artistry in a friend's cocktail at Cookie bar in Melbourne.

On the first day the challenge was to photograph 'Up'. I took a shot in the elevator which looked pretty interesting as an image with all the mirrors. I had forgotten my umbrella and had to go back 'up' to get it. I was worried someone else may get in the lift to find me behaving like some sort of crazy poser taking upside down photos of myself!

There is nothing particularly extraordinary about the context of these images and yet they are engaging. What makes me enthusiastic about this challenge is that the mundane, routine, and normal paces of the day become opportunities - each day there is such potential for a unique occurrence, something interesting, fun, different or beautiful. That potential is overlooked unless we maintain an awareness. We have to open our eyes and minds to the possibilities of the everyday.

Interpreting these words and documenting how these relate to me keeps me present in the present. I am guilty of being preoccupied with the future - thoughts on how to meet deadlines, get from a to b, plan meals and social activities clutters much of my mind. I know I am not the only one - look at the emergence of the 'slow movement'. Slow food, sustainable living practices, fashion, jobs; tree and sea changes - these are all a manifestation of the increasing need to return to basics, to what really matters, and a sustaining contentment that can only come from living simply. Through the acknowledgment of small daily miracles and gifts, we live more consciously, with love and gratitude.

I hope to become more aware of the small things and regain big picture focus on a daily basis. On a practical note, this challenge will provide an opportunity to learn how to use Al's digital SLR, beyond point and shoot, just in time for our African odyssey in April.

I invite you to join in the challenge too - find out about it here, and check out other people's interpretations of the daily word by following #marchphotoaday on twitter, and instagram. You can find me @upyouralley_kt on both.

I hope you enjoy the month to come, stay tuned for more paper posts - looks like I have found my greatest vice!

Bye for now xx

Paper Runways, new and old

I've just received my first copy of Paper Runway - extremely excited! Paper Runway is a magazine sent from the heavens for a person like me, who is fascinated with paper, and all the different ways this material can be manipulated into all kinds of inspiring things. I just cant wait to sink my teeth in! "Runway" is a very apt name for a showcase of all the best the illustrators, paper sculptors and creators, and snazzy products!

That got me thinking about a different kind of runway - the fashion kind. Is it possible my two loves have combined on the catwalk? It is!

We have seen his romantic paper cuts before, but be ready to be swept off your feet by this number - Rob Ryan's paper cut gown.

Robert Ryan dress found via Outsapop

And this collaboration with Paul Smith for the cutest runners ever!

Image courtesy of Robert Ryan at rob-ryan.blogspot.com

Ronaldo Fraga's Spring Summer 2010 collection was seemingly inspired by Papel Picado - the art of Mexican paper cutting.

Images found via Outsapop

I have a soft spot for lace like structures. Here are some images of work by a lesser-known designer... can you guess who it may be?

That's right - me.

These images are of my graduate collection as a Bachelor of Arts Fashion and Textile Design student back in 2007. Perhaps with  Loreal Melbourne Fashion Festival only days away, I am becoming nostalgic.

I used a combination of techniques to create cloth that appeared to have disintegrated to varying degrees in each outfit.  Sometimes a structure or skeleton within the fabric was created and then the cloth was caused to decay in an ethereal, delicate pattern using printing and burn out techniques. In other garments, such as the last one, I combined printing with mark making, and used a soldering iron to determine the areas of negative space  on the cloth to create an intricately decrepit surface design, which also affected the structure of the fabric, and the way it fell on the body. It looks like I have always been fascinated with delicate structures, drape and tension - and now that fascination is simply expanding to other materials that can display those properties.

One day I will dig out some close ups of the cloth I have made for your viewing pleasure.

What inspires you?

Bye for now xo

P.S. I would love to pay credit where it is due for the images of my work, I believe Moira Douropolous of Curtin University documented this parade. If you would like to reuse the images in this post, please contact me beforehand.

Thank you :-) 

Paper Pleasures!

How cute is this paper wreath arrangement by Brittany Watson Jepsen of The House That Lars Built??

Photo by Hilda Grahnat

And best of all, you can find a tutorial on how to make it on the blog at Etsy!

Another swoonful thing I came across on the Etsy blog I had to share with you is this amazing stop motion video to accompany Josh Ritter's sweet song called "Love is making its way back home". It was made by the team at Prominent Figures with over 12,000 pieces of construction paper shown as shot, without added special effects! You can click on the links to see the other great things these artists have done.

Love is making its way back home - musician Josh Ritter

Paper cut stop motion animation legends - Prominent Figures

Things like this just make me feel all inspired and filled with wonder. Hopefully they make you feel that way too.

Happy Wednesday Paper Lovers, and Lovers alike!

Bye for now xox

P.S. All nuggets of inspiration above including images found via Etsy

Paper Temptations

Window shopping is one of my favourite things to do. Do you like window shopping? The trouble is that sometimes I just can't help but dive into my the 'Mary Poppins' depths of my bag in search of my wallet. Its especially easy to do this when one is online!

I have been a very good girl though, and instead of buying some lovely paper cuts from talented people, I have resigned to make some of the ideas frolicking through my mind before the month is over. But  that doesn't mean I can't peruse the interwebs for inspiration! Would you like to see what I have found?

These lovely coasters are courtesy of my friends at Upon A Fold. If ever I need a dreamy pick me up, this is where I go. So many delightfully gorgeous and wonderfully clever things to see.  Good things come in miniature, don't you think? 

I especially like the Safari Coasters. Hopefully I get to see some of these animals in the flesh when Lovely Boyfriend and I travel to Zimbabwe and South Africa in the next few months. But for now they can be seen wandering the table wilderness.

I have managed to stay away from the checkout but - did you know it is Upon A Fold's second birthday? And they are giving out the presents! But you better be quick! It ends tonight before midnight, AEST. Find out more here.

Do you know a sweet spot of papery goodness? I'd love to know what you picked as your favourite Upon A Fold product.

Bye then xox

For All The Lovers

What better way to celebrate St Valentine's day than by being serenaded by two of the smoothest voices I know?

I hope you enjoy being swept off your feet by some of my personal favourites.

Funny Valentine performed by Frank Sinatra; and below, 'Under My Skin'.

And one for the ladies, the inimitable Etta James, who sadly passed earlier this year. 

Don't forget to spoil that special someone in your life with kind words and gestures all year round, and especially today. If you are still stuck on a last minute gift for your beloved, why not choose one that goes beyond brightening their day? Oxfam have some great ideas for socially conscious giving today.

Happy Valentine's Day! xox

Be Mine...

Its day 6 of my paper cutting challenge - time to share with you what the scalpel and I have been up to.


I have drawn inspiration for my preliminary attempts at paper cutting from the day of Love. According to Wikipedia...
"Paper Valentines became so popular in England in the early 19th century that they were assembled in factories. Fancy Valentines were made with real lace and ribbons, with paper lace introduced in the mid-19th century". 

...as seen at Ms Judith

With that in mind, I decided to design a contemporary personalised Valentine for my dear friend who resides in the UK. Llama is her pet name, hence the portrait. After all, Valentines were not always mass produced you know. Once upon a time every verse of love was handwritten, and cards were made by hand. As the number  of factory-made Valentines increased, the cheekier the messages became - machine made Valentines granted anonymity to the prudish Victorians formerly caught out by their handwriting.

Llama will have no doubt as to who her secret admirer is I am sure!

Now I have the Valentine bug, and have been coming up with all kinds of ideas for cute, quirky and down right inappropriate Valentine Cards. These can be framed too!

I am making as many as I can in the next week so that all you star crossed lovers can get your mits on some at Betty's Place. But don't forget you can always leave me a comment or send me a message through my facebook page if you would like a custom made Valentine, or any of these designs.

Only a few days to go! You better hop to!

Bye then xo

Silhouette Style

So far in my paper cutting quest I have been creating silhouette style paper cuts. These two dimensional works are focal upon the outline of the subject or form and traditionally were made of black card cut away to reveal the side profile of a person, and then mounted on a pale or white background. Alternatively a white piece of card can be cut so as to great a silhouette using negative space, or the cut away area. This is then mounted on top of a darker background paper.

The result is something a little this, as seen on the Golden Fingers.

These contemporary silhouettes have been crafted by the talented Joe Bagley.

You can find examples of his highly intricate work here as well.

Silhouettes have found use not just as an alternative to photography, but for animation... 

...and shadow puppetry, such as this from Isabella's Art...

... and these lovely sea creature treasures from Owly Shadow Puppets!

I know, I know. You're dying to see what I have been making aren't you? Well, patience friends (exactly what one requires when hand cutting a work of art). I promise to share some Craftisserie papery goodness with you very soon!

Bye for now xo