Ride a bike!

 My beautiful Indie300 which cost $25 from our local swap markets.

 Riding around Vietnam checking out the local sites.

Critical Mass Perth, when we took over the streets! so much fun, despite being abused by some angry drivers.

Making Art

This is my first tutorial, and i'm doing it in reverse because I made these collages a few weeks ago and didnt take photos of the steps.

Find...
A base for your collage (canvas, old cardboard poster, old pictures in frames)
A range of images you like from magazines, old books, encyclopedias, photos, fabric...
PVA glue or Mod Pogdge
Scissors
Paint
Glitter
Some inspiration and imagination!

 

 1) After gathering materials, look through magazines for inspiration, images and pictures which you like.
It is a good idea to find a couple of large pictures to focus on, such as a person or animal.

Then cut out realated smaller images to complement and ad detail to the picture.
Keep an eye out for interesting colours, textures, and patterns.

I always choose an animal as my main focus, and use flowers, scenery and bright colours to make it interesting.

Below are some things I take insipration from.

  

 2) Once you have an idea in mind and have found some great pictures, cut them out neatly and play around with them on the canvas until you are happy with the design.


3) Carefully remove the pictures.
Now is the time to create a background (in some cases this wont be necessary).
To create a background, you can paint it, glue down fabric or paper, or come up with other interesting ideas...
With my Bambi collage below, I used watered down acrilic paint to give a washed out night sky colour. Then I splattered darker paint on and lifted up the canvas so it would run.

4) Once the paint/background has dried,  the  pictures can be glued on. Work carefully from the bottom layer to the top, and play around with the way it looks. Once the glue is on it stays there!
(I still have problems with the magazine images wrinkling from the glue, but once it is dry it seems to lessen, so dont worry too much while its still wet)

5) I seal the work with a final coat of modpodge.

6) GLITTER!! this part isnt essential but I love adding gold glitter, use as much or as little as you want. Use a paint brush to put glue where you want glitter. Sprinkle the glitter over the glue and then shake it off (I do this outside)

7) Let it all dry, hang on wall and marvel at your creation. 

Evening,

Today I spent most of the morning altering an op-shop dress and turning another one in to a skirt. After that I decided today was the day to create my blog. It has taken me a good few hours to figure out exactly what im doing and despite a few failed attempts, here I am writing my first post.
I love looking for second hand clothes at markets, op-shops, garage sales and in my friends wardrobes. Along with clothing, im also always on the look out for vintage tins with cats and flowers on them, colorful old table cloths and and shiny trinkets.
Ultimatley I want to own only second hand, hand made or ethical clothing. I feel like this blog could help me to keep on track and also inspire others.We need  to take more interest in where our clothes come from, and start to understand the true environmental, social and economical costs they bring with them...
For now though, I think ill just upload some pictures of my tin collection so you can have a look, enjoy.
x