:: Meet Me At Mikes : Good Stuff For Nice People: May 2009

5.31.2009

Sketchy Sounds....

5.30.2009

What All The Cool Cats Are Reading....

Aww Toby...!

xx Pip

Some Grannys In June Because May Was Too Soon!

Grannys I've Made This Week, originally uploaded by meetmeatmikes.

Actually... I've made a LOT of granny squares. I haven't even counted them, because I don't really CARE how many. I just like making them! I've been joining some together too.. but I'll wait until I am a bit further down the road with that before I show you. I made up a bit of a fancy Pip way to do it... which I'm very proud of! I can't believe that May is nearly over! I will be grannying along in June too.

xx Pip

* title refers to 'A Granny A Day Until The End Of May' promise!

In Case You Missed It...

Bec Winnel Article - The Age, originally uploaded by meetmeatmikes.

Here's the piece I had published in 'The Age' yesterday!
Click to enlarge and big thanks to Lisse aka Daydream Lily for the stolen scan of this!

xx Pip

Saturday So-Far...

What have you been up to today, I wonder? A ce moment, Ari is at a Birthday Party and I'm catching up on some work stuff. Max is upstairs watching 'Return of the Chef' (again) on the couch. Cam is in the shop, after just lunching on some beans and chorizo left over from the other night. He's got a cup of chai with him, because it's so very bleeding cold in Melbourne today!

I'm sipping English Breakfast tea in front of the heater. I have The Age open at a page that says 'Winter. Eat, Drink, Cook...' and I'm taking that as my instructions for the day. I did eat (some hommus and avocado and tomato on Schwobs white bread). I did drink (the aforementioned tea). And I did cook (lamb and potato curry that's been in the crock-pot since about 9.30am).

I did some other stuff too. I got up at six and went to the market. It's dark when we get there and we have our special shopping list and a cookbook for inspiration. We made the list while we sat outside, rugged up and drinking coffee and eating boreks. And then we shopped. We are usually done by 7.45 or 8 at the latest. Then we got some pain au chocolat for le kids and headed home.

Then it goes like this.... unpack, clean up and get ready to face the day. Well, actually, to be truthful, Cam unpacked. I hammered the snaps onto 20 cute Marcel Marlier storybook wallets so they could go into the shop today. At 8.30am. Sorry to our lovely neighbour for the early morning banging! I listened to the radio a bit later on. 774 had a segment about craft featuring a couple of lovely crafty ladies, so I drank some more coffee while I listened to that. It was really interesting and right up my alley (and maybe yours too?!)

Then I whisked Ari off to his party and made a quick stop at the Salvos. The lady behind the counter wore a mask and I figured that telling her about the Swine-Songs meme going down on Twitter was a bad idea. So I just paid for my things and left, trying to be serious and respectful of her mask. What things? Four beautiful crocheted cushion covers and a cookbook called 'The Royal Flying Doctor Women's Auxiliary Historical Cookbook'. Also 22 assorted forks and spoons, because unlike other homes who have that sock stealing gnome, we have a fork and spoon stealing gnome. Go figure. I also got a lovely Willow tin with a mushroom motif on it. My camera is out of batteries, so I can't really show you... but I will leave you with a recipe from the cookbook instead. And it sounds really good and Nanna-rific to me, this recipe...

(What are YOU doing on Saturday, I wonder? Do tell - I have tried to install a fancy new commenting system, so we'll see if it works... I won't know unless you comment, though! So test drive it for me and see what you think. The last one I tried stopped people from commenting, so let's see how this one goes! Let me know if it causes you any issues.)

xx Pip

.......................................................................................................................

Nanna-rific Raspberry Jelly Cake
from 1977 Royal Flying Doctor Women's Auxiliary Historical Cookbook

two and a half cups self raising flour
one tablespoon custard powder
four dessertspoons of raspberry jell crystals
three tablespoons of boiling water
four ounces of butter
six ounces of sugar
three eggs
two tablespoons of milk

Sift the flour and the custard powder. Dissolve the jelly in boiling water. Cream the butter and sugar until pale, add the eggs and beat well. Add the milk to the jelly (it will curdle). Mix in the dry ingredients alternately with the jelly/milk. Place into a greased 7" cake tin. Bake in a moderate oven for 50 minutes. Ice with soft icing and sprinkle with jelly crystals.

5.28.2009

My Creative Space....

I've moved the computer upstairs - so I can concentrate on sewing and making things downstairs. Upstairs is for the writing parts of my work. It's much better to be removed from the world when you are trying to write stuff, I think. It's really quite lovely up here - look at the lovely view I have over the park. Yesterday I saw the cutest little boy toddling about over there with his mama. And there are lots of pigeons and seagulls and other folk toddling for other reasons too.

I get to see the trams rattling and banging by. And people waiting in the phone boxes for other people to bring them things that they shouldn't. And there are trees and grass and things to look at. It's a nice place to work. It gives me a bit of space to actually think, instead of just doing.

I have the heater on, and the telly is on too. I like to watch Ellen and cooking shows while I do my work. Tough life, huh? I guess that's one of the perks of working from home - but don't forget that it's balanced out by the working every day thing - don't be too hard on me!

The light is very nice up here too - it's dark and artificial lighting downstairs, despite it's cheery yellow hue. I've only just realised that the lack of light is really bugging me down there. So I'm totally au natural up here, and it's suiting me just fine.

At the moment I'm working on ::

Upstairs - some writing projects, my new book, crochet study, some photos
Downstairs - packing orders, making wallets, Brown Owls packs, paper packs

My Creative Space is hosted by Kirsty

Every Second Counts...

One Christmas, I gave Cam a really swank watch with this quote engraved on the back. Actually it wasn't the WHOLE quote... it said 'Every Second Counts' - so more the abridged version. Or the condensed version, like with the Reader's Digest.

Anyway, it's so nice to see this quote floating around the internet. It's really very true. Every second does count.... but sometimes it's okay to goof off too, ya know. So don't be too freakily motivated on my (and New Order's) account, will you? But pretty focused is pretty good, I think.

Incidentally, he was pretty chuffed with his gift, and sometimes I steal the watch back from him and wear it myself.

xx Pip

via

5.27.2009

Victor Dubrovsky....

Victor Dubrovsky

Amazing Needle Felted
Animals...!

anke weckmann

Crown of Commendation, originally uploaded by YCN at Flickr.

More at www.linotte.net

Anke's Blog
Anke's Flickr
We like Anke lots.

xx

Kings of Convenience...

Knit Some Lovely Pencils...

Perhaps you need a wee break from all the crochet that's going on around here? How about these knitted pencils?! I really like them, perhaps you do to? They look quite easy to make too. You can find these and SO MANY OTHER great things over at Flutterby Patch.

It's knitter's heaven over there. There are patterns for owl knits and octopus knits and heaps more good stuff. I think you should click over and see for yourself.

5.26.2009

Words and Pictures - tucked Up In Bed

image via Tumblr - no image credit offered - i know i used this before but i love it!

Words and Pictures :: this week's theme ::Tucked Up In Bed

Would you like to join in?

Things you need to know ::
You don't have to write beautifully or perfectly.
You don't have to write a lot.
Also, you don't need to be an amazing photographer.
You can post a drawing or artwork if you like.
Just post something about the theme. Words or pictures. Or both. Just have a go. Simple. Interpret in your own unique way!
Perhaps you might post some distant memories, or a story you made up, or an old photo, a poem, maybe tell us something you once read about the theme, write in rhyme, detail a snatch of overheard conversation, you might recount an anecdote... it could be anything really.
Just some words. Or some pictures. Or both.
Like I said, nothing fancy.
Just do it your way.
Just for fun.

Sign up here (or click around and read what others wrote!) ::

Words and Pictures - Careful

Image Source :: here

Be careful ::

To not mix your colours with your whites.
To not put your shoes on the table.
To test the bathwater with your elbow.
To turn the pot a couple of times before you pour your tea.
To turn the hot tap off before the cold.
To smell the milk before you pour it.
To open your umbrella outside.
To avoid dandelions.

Tea Fortunes....

today's message., originally uploaded by type.wright.

Time To Budge? ...

Embroidered budgies on etsy! Find this little fellow here. And even more here. Jantze's lovely blog is here. I really like the amount of time and effort that has gone into these. And I love the sketchy embroidery style. You are good Jantze.

xx Pip

Letterpress Is Best

Carolyn from Idlewide Press sent me a link to this video. It's really great to watch if you are at all interested in printing, typography, design or hanging out with your friends making stuff.

You can learn letterpress printing over the coming months at Idlewide Press. More details here. Go do a workshop. It will change your life to learn something new, and you'll meet some nice new people too.

xx Pip

Some letterpress links for you to browse...

5.25.2009

Pretty Stuff...

1

2

3

4

1. Eliza Frye
2. Deadline Gemini
3. Jeanne Bendick
4. Ilonka Karasz

Le Weekend...

Here's what I've been up to ::

Going to the market and finding lovely vintage linen and these Cathrineholm enamelware pots.
Listening to Emily Haines.
Watching this with my very nice children who love cooking shows.
Tweeting.
Marvelling at the very lovely rusty bike Cam brought home for me.
Crocheting my little heart out.
Making a cake for Brown Owls.
Hope your weekend was great too!
Yes I do! Doo do doooo!

xx Pip

5.23.2009

ari thinks this

hey mum I saw the sex sex in bed thing fascinating and stupid

EDIT - Ari refers to this

In A Bed....

I took this photo after Ari's basketball practice last week. We walked up the laneway near school to the car, the chilly Autumn almost-evening was nipping at our fingers and noses and ears. We were quiet and shivery. And then we saw this. And then we were giggling and HAD to take a photo. I am thinking maybe a grown up person didn't do this. It reminded me of this ace blog.

xx Pip

Renovations....

We've done a bit of a fixer up and a filler up in the Mike's online store!
So you can go peek at that if you like...!
Or you can have a big sip of coffee and hang about here. Totally up to you!

xx Pip

5.22.2009

There's One In All Of Us...

Yippee!
via Fanny...

This Weekend I'm Hoping...

Granny Couch!, originally uploaded by meetmeatmikes.

To be spending a bit of time here....
Grannying along. And still loving it. Actually I'm loving it more each day. I'm totally a nanna-holic. I can't get enough of the trebling and the lovely colours and the hooking and the snipping.
What will you be doing this weekend, nice peeps?

xx Pip

About Ari's Drawing

Ari's Drawing, originally uploaded by meetmeatmikes.

How amazing is this drawing Ari did a couple of weeks ago? It's smack bang in pride of place on our big, blue wall upstairs. I can't even imagine how he came up with this... It's really very detailed and imaginative. He likes to draw on BIG paper, he says... and obviously it's totally working out for him.

Ari is very influenced by a lot of the illustrators that come through the shop (and sometimes snack in our dining room too!) We spend lots of time looking at street art and galleries and drawing. We make things at our house every day. It's a nice way to grow up, I think.

I also think it's really great that boys like Ari and Max can grow up knowing that the creative path is a really good one to follow (perhaps not LUCRATIVE.... but that's another story).

Ari's written a zine too - I just have to copy it and you'll be able to contribute to his piggy bank (join the club!). I'll keep you posted on it's release date!

Great drawing, Ari-boy.

xx Pip/Mum

Crafty Scribbling....

This and other equally adorable pens are available at Scribbles etsy store!
Really great, huh? Beaded pens. Whodathunkit?

x

Charley Harper....

Giant Golden Book of Biology - Illustrations by Charles Harper, originally uploaded by Grain Edit.com.

Winners are Totally Grinners...

375 comments PLUS Random.Org = Commenter Number 112

Margaret at Splendid Little Stars - You are the winner! Hurrah!

If you missed out, then pop over here for another chance!

xx Pip

5.21.2009

Cardboard Cities

dear deer, originally uploaded by cardboardcities.

Find them here.
So really very lovely.
Click the image to see more on Flickr too.

xx Pip

Raquel Aparicio

The hill, originally uploaded by nieu.

Beautiful illustration
& more if you click the image too!

xx

Penelope Dullaghan!

click to see more!

Oh she is great!

1. Borshoff for IPL, Community Ads Series,
2. Shambala Publications, Cover

Penelope Dullaghan & Penelope on flickr!

Lovely Room....

new room, originally uploaded by hello bum.

5.20.2009

Making Stuff...

I've been busy this morning making these nice storybook wallets.
You can buy them in store or online here.
If you want to!

xx Pip

Holy Macaroni!

Via

Great Eight!

image via Vintage Goodness

Faves in my reader today::

Fave No 1
Erinzam is one of my favourite blogs. Lovely Erin teaches us all about making books and other cute things - lovely images and packed full of inspiration. Today's post is all about how to make a Button and String closure - like on those cool office envelopes that are now so hard to find.

Fave No 2
Smitten Kitchen and her very gorgeous Raspberry Buttermilk Cake - I am thinking this could be a goody for Brown Owls next week! Smitten Kitchen is one of my fave foodie reads - always chock to the brim with great recipes and beautiful photos. Yay!

Fave No 3
via Dudecraft - our most favourite boy blogger - comes these lovely ladies who have knitted their village - to scale and featuring sixty plus buildings, smoking teenagers and a cricket pitch too.

Fave No 4
Heather Ross's cute smocked sundress was featured on Martha Stewart yesterday - I'm guessing this might be the ep we see today in Australia?

Fave No 5
Lexi's evocative and lovely Happy Birthday to her wee little boy.

Fave No 6
Pretty interiors in Yellow and White via the very excellent Design is Mine

Fave No 7
Papier Mache's post about JuJu books!

Fave No 8
The very naughty and hilariously dark My First Dictionary

5.19.2009