erin carver

beautiful words, a reminder of love

2012-01-09T21:55:00.005+13:00

I received an email last week from a lovely customer who had purchased a set of mini-prints from me a while back, as a gift for her dear friend. She wanted to let me know what she'd made with them after some time spent deciding how she'd present them (there are lots of things you can do with them!). Her friend collects decorative coasters, so using some tiles and felt she had made a set of special coasters for her with the prints! (See the photo above that she sent me of a few of them)... What a gorgeous idea!

It was so wonderful to hear and see this... and best of all the sweet words she wrote - that her friend 'can know how loved she is every time she sees the beautiful words.'

It's absolute magic for me to think that my work might remind someone of how loved they are!

(mini print sets are available here on Felt and here on Etsy)

Happy new year xx

2012-01-01T17:24:00.002+13:00

Hello 2012!

We are so excited about all that you have in store for us...

New years day, 2012

Happy new year everyone!

Wishing you all much love and goodness for the year ahead xxx

Thank you 2011

2011-12-31T17:40:00.010+13:00

Dear 2011,

In so many ways you have been our best year ever and I will always remember you with much love, happiness and gratitude.

Thank you for everything.

xxx

Dear Maia (your first roadie)...

2011-12-30T21:39:00.013+13:00

6 days old, with your dad

Soon after you were born, your dad had to go back to Rotorua for the final 2 weeks of his recruit training, so for a little while it was just you and me together, getting to know each other. Your dad and I talked every night and I would tell him all about you...

8 days old, you and me

It was the hardest thing for all of us having him away, but we had so much amazing support from our family and friends. Look at all the love we were sent for you...

I soaked up the celebration and newness of you for as long as I could (it's not that long ago that I finally took the cards down)!

When you were just 2 weeks old, we headed away on your first ever roadie to see your dad graduate! It was a serious adventure for your new mama with you being so little!

2 weeks old, road trip to Rotorua for dad's graduation

I was so grateful for so many things... grateful that you arrived a week early which meant when the time came we felt ready enough to make the trip... grateful for your wonderful grandparents and uncle who helped us get there (we couldn't have done it without a support crew!)... grateful for the chance for us to be together on such a special day for your dad...

Grateful for our parents (your wonderful grandies!) who are always there for us, providing the most incredible support and so much love... They all think you're just the bees knees little Maia...

Grateful for your dad... for having him in my life for as long as I have, for all of our experiences, and for growing up together... Your dad, who I could not have been more proud of after such an amazing journey and who I love so much more than I could ever really say.

And so very very grateful for you Maia, our beautiful baby girl... for love, for happiness, for family... and being together again.

Dear Maia (happy first Christmas)...

2011-12-25T22:23:00.008+13:00

Today has been beautiful...

(gorgeous Christmas buntings - a free printable download! from Team Kitten)

...filled with all the things that make a Christmas day perfect... family, laughter, great food, loads of blue sky and sunshine...

and blissful naps.

Happy first Christmas baby xxx

Dear Maia (you were born on a Monday)...

2011-12-19T16:04:00.016+13:00

You were born on a Monday.

In a world where Mondays are generally not a favourite day of the week for many, I have come to love them. Throughout our pregnancy Monday was my 'count' day, the day each week that we knew we were another week along and another week closer to you. So it seemed appropriate somehow that it was on a Monday that you arrived.

It was the middle of August when you decided you were ready, exactly a week early and right as we were having the coldest snap of the year. So cold that it actually SNOWED in Wellington for the first time in 30 years!

Snow falling on the green across the road from our house

(thanks Mum for this photo!)

It was quite the amazing adventure we had together that day (19 and a half hours!), one that your dad and I will never forget. We were seriously counting our blessings when he made it home from Rotorua in time to be with us for your birth. His flight was the last to land before they closed Wellington airport due to the snow! I've written out our birth story for you - because I needed to for myself, and also of course in case one day you'd like to know about your journey into the world. It's hard to describe the absolute raw emotion and joy of meeting you for the first time. It was such complete love, a love that I don't think we could have ever truly known until that moment...

15th August 2011, 7.31pm

7lb (3.2kg)

You're just one day old in these photos...

These are my most favourite ones of you with your daddy...

And I love this one of the 3 of us.

We were (and are) so blissed out in love.

(thanks Aunty Penny for this treasured photo!)

You're 18 weeks old today Maia (after my last post I decided I had to check what week it was!). Happy Monday baby girl. It will forever be a favourite day of the week for me.

xxx

Dear Maia...

2011-12-15T14:49:00.012+13:00

4 months

You're 4 months old today my sweet girl. I realised the other day that at some point recently, without really noticing, I had stopped counting the weeks. How totally strange this felt when it seemed we'd been aware of 'the weeks' for such a long time. The very early weeks of our pregnancy when we were completely in awe at the very thought of you. The milestone of reaching 12 weeks, and seeing you for the first time so tiny in my tummy. Seeing you as you were growing so beautifully, at 20 weeks and again at 36 weeks (when my blood pressure suddenly skyrocketed and we had to check you were ok). We counted down the 12 weeks that your dad was away on his training in Rotorua. We welcomed you at 39 weeks - a week early! And we were finally all home together as a family when you were just 3 weeks old. We marvelled at your precious newness and tried to soak up all the changes that happened so quickly through your early weeks. Then it was like we'd come full circle as we reached the milestone of 12 weeks again. You were 12 weeks old and I found myself emerging (finally!) out of the fog of new mamahood.

And now suddenly, I don't know what week it is. How did we get here so fast? Everyone says that you're only little for such a short time and I'm constantly amazed at how true that is. I'm the happiest I've ever been, but over the last few months I've also often been struck by a profound sense of sadness at the passing of time. Is it too much to ask for you to just stay my little baby forever please? Thankfully the sadness of each stage passing is balanced by the wonder, excitement and joy of the next beginning.

It's with all of this that I've realised I need to start writing. I don't want to forget or miss a thing. I've wondered how best I might be able to do this and feel like my blog could be the perfect place to start. I wish I could have begun sooner but it's only in the last little while that I've managed to reclaim my brain from the whirlwind of new parenthood! But I'm a firm believer that it's never too late to start anything and so my first few posts here to you will be retrospective, until we catch up to now... Perhaps this will be another way we can share our journey with our family and friends that love you so much. I certainly feel like this could be therapeutic for me, a creative outlet for your artist mama (especially in the face of no art work happening right now!). And if possible, I hope this might be a special way to capture some of our moments together.

These will be my letters to you Maia.

xxx

38 weeks

2011-08-10T17:09:00.005+12:00

'journey' - 6x6 inch, mixed media on canvas

Where to begin? I finished work on Friday. This is Tim's 9th week away (out of 12). And our baby is now due in just under 2 weeks. With so much time passed and me having been totally missing from this arty blog space, I thought I'd try and offer a wee snapshot of the last crazy little while to bring you up to date... I also thought I'd better post some more bump pics, before there is no longer a bump but a baby here!

bump at 27 weeks

Tim has been away from home since June, on his recruit Firefighter training in Rotorua. My gorgeous man getting this amazing job has been some of the best news ever and 2011 has turned into an even bigger year for us because of this! The timing of the training has been less than ideal (through the last 10 weeks of my pregnancy, and with graduation not until 2 weeks after I'm due!) but we've been doing our very best to focus on all the incredible positives and the bigger wonderful picture of what this means for us and our family.

celebrating with Tim - check out the cake my lovely mama and sister made - classic! I was 29 weeks here, a week before Tim left for Rotorua

But it hasn't been easy flying solo over the last few months. We talk every night and thankfully we've been able to see each other at least every other weekend. I'm so proud of him and excited for this journey he's on. But I also miss him like crazy and can't wait to have him home again with us.

'i heart home' - 4x4 inch, mixed media on canvas

32 weeks, Tim home for the weekend

bump at 32 weeks

Craft 2.0 in early July was fabulous - I loved getting out amongst all the art and craft goodness at the Dowse art gallery, in my hometown, surrounded by some really incredible makers and the amazing team who make this awesome market come to fruition several times a year. I can't wait to be involved again just as soon as I can (though I decided not to apply for October as I'm likely to still be finding my feet a wee bit then with our new little family!).

my stall at Craft 2.0, July 2011

magnets on display, Craft 2.0 July 2011

I'm a bit sad about the complete lull my artwork has found itself in this year. My focus has simply been completely elsewhere and while at times this has bothered me greatly - that I haven't been more motivated and made more time for myself to be able to 'do it all' (especially given the creative momentum I had going in 2010), I know that this lull is just another (giant!) ebb in the ebbs and flows of any art life. And this is ok. This is just how this year is meant to be for me. My art is not going anywhere. The ideas are still there. My canvases are packed away for now but are ready to be pulled out at any time. Opportunities have come and passed, but I trust they will be there again when the time is right to seek them out. And the flow and momentum will come again.

34 weeks, on a weekend visit to see Tim in Rotorua

Life has been busy for us... Growing this precious little one, getting things organised round home in anticipation of the arrival, finishing up at work and taking care of each other as best we can from a distance...

heading out for a precious date night, weekend together in Napier

(at 36 weeks)

belly at 36 weeks

37 weeks, starting to look heavy and hmmmm just a little tired!

this was my last week of work...

And now it's simply time to nest...

this was the lovely view I had as I sat out in the sunshine with a cup of tea earlier this week....

belly, 38 weeks

Bliss! xx

Craft 2.0!

2011-06-30T17:19:00.003+12:00

Super excited (and nervous!) to have my first stall at the fabulous Craft 2.0 market this Saturday at the Dowse Art Gallery in Lower Hutt! This will be the first time I've 'ventured out' with my art work all year and I'm starting to wonder if I'm a little insane to be doing so... I've been running around and busy getting organised, and the house is in its usual mad state of 'market prep chaos'... and all whilst flying solo with Tim away and me now being 32 weeks preggo!

I'm so glad for the opportunity to be part of Craft 2.0 for the first time though, I've loved the market for so long and can't wait to get amongst all the goodness on Saturday. I've been in such a lull with my artwork these last few months (hello July tomorrow!) and this has been weighing on me... so it feels really good to be undertaking one of the big goals I had on my list for this year. (Dare I say it, but in reality with all that's going on, it could well be the only one!)

More to come from me soon on all our recent happenings... the art lull, Tim being away (terrible timing for us but all for the most amazing reason), preggo progress and baby excitement (not to mention my slight anxiety at how fast the weeks seem to be flying by right now)!

hello (yes I'm still here)

2011-06-27T21:02:00.008+12:00

i heart mindfulness - 4 x 4 inch, mixed media on canvas

Dear sweet neglected blog,

Just popping in to let you know I'm still here. It's been so long since I've written and there seems so much to share that I'm in that space where it's just plain hard to start again. So...here I am, simply starting with a little hello. There's been lots of overwhelm in the last month and I'm doing my best to be mindful and nurturing. To know that it's ok to take my time. And trusting that the rest will follow more easily (and soon) after this first little hello.

Erin xx

gratitude

2011-05-20T20:40:00.010+12:00

i heart gratitude - 4 x 4 inch, mixed media on canvas

We have so much going on round here, life seems to have thrown us in the deep end all of a sudden and we're trying hard to keep our heads above water. But behind all the chaos, there is such overwhelming goodness that despite how tired I am, I feel nothing but gratitude for all that's happening for us. More to share on all this soon... I just wanted to pop in and say hello quickly - I realise I've completely fallen off the radar again since my last post here!

And to share some blue skies and smiles....Here are a few happy pics from the lovely weekends we had away over the Easter break and early in May.

beautiful Mahia beach - Easter 2011

us at the top of Mahia beach hill

me, at Mahia - 23 weeks preggo, Easter 2011

us, at a Tim's cousin's beautiful wedding in Christchurch

more soon lovely peeps! x

to do lists and daydreams

2011-04-16T10:51:00.004+12:00

i heart daydreams - 4 x 4 inch, mixed media on canvas (SOLD)

It's so grey here in Welly today and some seriously drizzly rain looks like it's settled in for the weekend. It's a perfect day to be pottering around indoors! Thank you all so much for your sweet and thoughtful comments after my last post...I truly feel so blessed and we are so excited about this next amazing adventure together!

I thought I'd share a few of the things on my to do list that I'm starting to tackle:

~ update my felt and etsy shops (list my cards for sale as well as my remaining little 'i heart...' series of small paintings)

~ create a 'portfolio' page here (I've had the link here on the blog noting this is 'under construction' for way too long now)

~ brainstorm ideas and sketches for new paintings

~ make some fridge magnets using wee prints of my 'beautiful words' paintings (I've ordered all of the materials I need already, yay! so should be able to start these soon)

~ work on a possible new product that I'm really excited about

~ start painting again!

I also have a few bigger things on a wish list at the moment, with a couple of goals that I'd dearly love to achieve this year:

~ submit 3 new paintings to the NZ Art Show that is on in July

~ apply to have a stall at the amazing Craft 2.0 (and be accepted!)

~ create a new series of paintings for 2 lovely galleries that are interested in showing my work

~ revisit my native birdie wall hangings that I made a few years ago, refine my design and develop these into something I'm making regularly

~ put together a proper portfolio of my work (a lovely hard copy portfolio, a catalogue of all my paintings in a beautiful folder)

I just realised I wrote the words 'goals' and 'wish list' in the same sentence, which doesn't seem very determined of me does it?! The deadlines for submissions to the NZ Art Show and the next Craft 2.0 market are coming up very quick though (in less than a month!), and our next 2 weeks are looking super busy (with work/life/play - not art!), especially with 2 holiday weekends coming up for us...

So I do wonder if I'm daydreaming a little... but it doesn't hurt to daydream does it? xx

the beautiful truth behind my distraction

2011-04-10T12:35:00.016+12:00

For months now I've been struggling to focus and get back into the swing of things with my artwork. I've been distracted and procrastinating, and my mind has been completely elsewhere. I'm not sure why it's taken me so long to share this here in this space...perhaps I've been waiting to find my focus again, make a little progress and get some creative momentum happening that seems to have been missing since late last year. I really feel like this is underway now... this week I've had a massive overhaul of the art corner, cleared out a load of clutter, organised, sorted and now actually have a space again that I feel like I could make some new work in. The cards arrived on Friday, they are gorgeous and I now have plenty of stock to get listed and I've also ordered some materials for an exciting new product that I'm looking forward to working on and (hopefully) will be able to introduce in the next wee while. I'm feeling content with this little bit of progress and like I'm ready to get started again. And so it's well time that I shared this most exciting news ever here with you...

a favourite pic of us (taken at a friends wedding last year)

The beautiful truth behind my distraction these last few months is that I'm pregnant! Tim and I are expecting our first baby in August this year (I'm 21 weeks!). It has been quite the amazing, mind blowing news to adjust to over the last while and truly I've been able to think about very little else. It's actually been really lovely to just take a break from my art for a while, focusing on work, taking things easy and getting through the first exciting milestones of this journey together. Apart from about 4 or 5 weeks early on of experiencing mad tiredness (like never before!), I've been really well throughout which I'm so grateful for. And I'm totally loving being preggo. There is constant overwhelm going on - but we're also more excited than ever about all that lies ahead for us this year.

Thankfully I at last feel energised and motivated to get back into creativity, and seriously keen to achieve a few goals in the next couple of months. Late last year I was dreaming up a huge goal list for 2011 - but it has been revised somewhat over the last little while! More on this soon... as I know sharing and declaring a few things here will hopefully help me to stay on track.

Here's a funny preggo pic for you - taken at 19 weeks (I've popped out a little more since then)! xx

Moments...

2011-04-02T10:59:00.010+13:00

My amazing friend sent me this gorgeous quoteable magnet last week as part of a very thoughtful gift... it was such a sweet surprise! I'm LOVING seeing these words on our fridge right now. Our family are getting together later today to celebrate my Granny and Granddad's 60th wedding anniversary - 60 years! Now that is a moment. To think of all the many breathtaking moments they've had throughout their years together is something truly special. And to know that as their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, that we are all some of the most important parts of those moments fills me with such love and joy. And great appreciation for these 2 very special people in my life.

Love you so much Pete and Val! xxx

Cards, connections and (a little) progress...

2011-03-31T15:42:00.010+13:00

i heart connection - 4x4 inch, mixed media on canvas (SOLD)

A couple of lovely things have happened in the last few weeks that have me slowly gaining some sort of momentum.

A beautiful friend called me all excited to say that she'd just been into a funky gift shop in Palmerston North and had seen my cards there - on display right on the counter at the front of the shop! Truly such a buzz to hear that!

I've also had a gorgeous gallery in Whanganui contact me to say they'd be interested in doing a wee show of my work (wow!) - they came across my art through the cards (!!) as they stock a range of NZ Art Cards! So excited... and I totally love knowing that the cards are starting to get out there, and thinking about the connections and possibilities that can come from them - from my art being out there, being seen.

This has had me thinking seriously that the universe is telling me it's time to stop putting off the clearing I need to create in my art corner, and to get back into things fully... I'm thinking about a new series of paintings, new products and a few exciting goals that I hope to achieve in the next few months. I finally have a to do list - and one that is not just in my head but actually written down! Considering my slow start to the year (helloooo April is here tomorrow, OMG!!), this is serious progress. And first on the list is all ticked off! I've just ordered a new stock of my cards (they should arrive next week) and I'm working on getting ready to update my shops very soon. Yay!

More soon ('stop neglecting blog' is high up on the list)....

I hope the sun is shining for you all - we've been having the most amazing week here in Wellington. Autumn is truly here and I've been loving these crispy cold mornings and gloriously sunny blue sky days. I've seriously been switching from my ugg boots in the morning back to jandals in the afternoon! xx

Sharing courage

2011-03-21T19:56:00.005+13:00

have courage - 10 x 10 inch, mixed media on canvas

(original available on felt and etsy)

Early last month I was contacted by a lovely law student from Washington DC who had seen my work on felt - she loved my words series and was interested in purchasing one of my images to use for a customised i-phone case... I was totally flattered that someone would want to carry around a piece of my artwork on their i-phone! It was a rather different request of course and one that needed a lot of consideration on my part regarding copyright terms... but after a lot of great communication between us and working it all out carefully we happily went ahead - and voila! Below is a photo she sent me of the fabulous result!

customised i-phone case featuring my painting 'have courage'

I love that she chose have courage - one of my favourites... she kindly let me know how happy she is with it, knowing she is the only person in the world with this unique i-phone case and how encouraging the words are for her in times of overwhelm. Bless! (I can't thank her enough for sharing these thoughts)! I just LOVE this....seeing how art can connect with people everywhere, and the thought that my art might be out there helping in its own little way... to share thoughts of positivity, possibility and courage.

the gift of giving

2011-03-07T16:46:00.002+13:00

anything is possible - 12 x 24 inch, mixed media on canvas

I finished this new painting last week and have donated it to a fundraiser for a local high school. Taita College is having a fundraising art auction at the Dowse Art Gallery in Lower Hutt tonight! The group of senior geography and history students, their teachers and parents are all coming together to help fundraise to send the group of students on an educational adventure to Vietnam. As soon as the lovely Jacqui from Oyster gallery let me know about it, I knew I wanted to do something for them, especially as Vietnam is so close to our hearts after all our time spent there. What a totally awesome opportunity for these students!

anything is possible - detail

Just imagine what it could open them up to...to have this experience would surely fire up their hopes and dreams for the future and all that's out there for them. The very thought of it all had me reflecting on all our travels and brought me to the words I used in this piece...

~ anything is possible (the world is waiting for you) ~

It also felt right to collage the background using pieces of old world maps that I had in my treasure stash. On the far left there's also a copy of a vintage 'chart of New Zealand' by James Cook (you can see it faintly in the first photo above - sorry the photo isn't the best! And the colours show more accurately in these 2 wee detail shots).

anything is possible - detail

It felt really great to be able to contribute in some small way to help these students reach their exciting goal. And wow, a painting of mine is going to be in an art auction tonight, (with some really amazing New Zealand artists)!! Ah! That's definitely a first!

* * * * * * *

I'm also so pleased to mention here that Felt Aid has been revived again to help our beautiful city of Christchurch recover from the recent tragic earthquake it experienced on February 22nd. Along with the rest of New Zealand, we've watched the full extent of the devastation and aftermath unfold on the news over the last few weeks and it really feels beyond words just how sad it all is. It's been incredible to see how people have come together to help Christchurch, both in New Zealand and from overseas and it's important to remind ourselves that any little thing we can do, it all helps!

There have been some amazing things happening throughout our creative community to help raise money for the cause (so awesome!). Felt Aid is one of them - it's set up and run by a group of creative volunteers and all donations of handmade goods are made by Felt sellers to the Felt Aid shop. All proceeds from sales will be donated to the Red Cross Christchurch Earthquake Appeal. Last year (after the first September earthquake) they raised more than $4000!! I'm sure they are hoping to do the same (and more!) now too.

I was so happy to be able to do something (however small it may be!) and over the weekend I donated some art prints and a set of mini prints - the mini prints have since sold (already!) and so I've donated another set to be listed too.

Please visit Felt Aid's blog and facebook to show support and find out how you can help or donate. You can visit the shop here to see what fabulous goodies are on offer (and know that any purchase you make is going to help Christchurch!)

You can also make donations directly to the Red Cross Earthquake Appeal here.

Sending much love out to everyone in Christchurch!

Kia kaha xx

practicing kindness

2011-02-03T15:23:00.005+13:00

i heart kindness - 4 x 4 inch, mixed media on canvas

I've been hiding over here - struggling to get back into the flow and the creative swing of things. I think I blinked and missed January! I have my to-do list a mile long with so much goodness on there that I thought I'd be ripping into it by now but I've been distracted, lacking energy and simply put - totally procrastinating. Rather than let it stress me, I've been trying to relax and let it all be as it should be, when it should be - doing my best to practice self-kindness. There is no rush. Take your time. It will all be ok.

So I have been taking my time. And this is my first gentle hello back in this space, popping my toes back in the water so to speak. It's lovely to find it feels so familiar and warm.

So while I have been doing really not very much at all, here are some of the few creative things that have been going on (in a very slow, take your time kind of way) -

I took the amazing Louise Gale's wonderful e-course Big Dreams Small Wonders through January - totally loved it and would highly recommend it! Check out Louise's latest lovely venture on her blog, creating a Small Wonders Community to celebrate what has gone on each month and to set intentions and focus for the month ahead. So cool!

I received my first commission from sales of my greeting cards! (And even more exciting... my dear friend Jules let me know she had seen some of my cards in a design store in Hamilton - yay!)

Some of my paintings are now on display in Lemonsqueeze Cafe on Jackson Street in Petone - 10 pieces including my 3 Buddha paintings which look lovely hanging next to each other. My sweetheart brother Duncs gets his daily cappuccino there and he helped arrange it all for me with the owner a few weeks ago. Bless! I'm so happy to have them hanging up somewhere that they might be enjoyed (rather than taking up space in my art corner - omg and it still needs such a clear out even with them gone!)

I have started practicing my ukulele again

I am working on a wee crafty project for a friend this week who is commissioning it as a gift for her friend

I signed up at the very last minute for an online painting class that started on Monday!! Get your paint on is being taught by incredible artists Mati McDonough and Lisa Congdon. The inspiration this first week has already been amazing and we have a painting assignment a week for the next 5 weeks... I'm really hoping it's going to get the juices flowing. First painting is due to be shared with the class this Sunday!

Well. That felt rather good. No more hiding please!

(but I might still take my time a little.)

New Year goodness...

2011-01-08T16:14:00.016+13:00

Happy New Year everyone! We're home again after an amazing and much needed road trip and holiday up north - it feels magic to be so well rested after a wonderful time filled with good friends, beach time, sunshine and swimming. We spent our last night just the 2 of us, free camping on Lake Taupo in the most gorgeous spot right on the lake. Bliss!

The beautiful outlook from our friend's house at Omori on Lake Taupo

Mount Maunganui beach, Tauranga

relaxed after an early evening swim

the gorgeous spot we chose to free camp at Mission Bay, Lake Taupo

sunset, Mission Bay (Lake Taupo)

beautiful Mt Ruapehu, on the desert road

Tim and our wee bomb on the desert road (Mt Ngauruhoe in the background)

It was lovely to get home again this week - especially to a very happy Marley who is smoochy as ever, and happy to have us back again. We are slowly getting back into the swing of reality...

In other new year goodness, my 2011 calendar was featured on the Felt blog this week! I was so excited to see it there - thanks Lucy!

And my Kelly Rae Roberts 2011 diary arrived in the mail today!! It is so gorgeous, I LOVE it and am truly excited to have it to inspire and help me plan for the year ahead...

I hope you all had a restful holiday with lots of joy and sunshine! xx

Happy holidays...

2010-12-24T18:35:00.004+13:00

our Pohutakawa ('New Zealand's Christmas tree') in full bloom

It's time for some much needed rest and relaxation! Merry Christmas everyone... happy holidays and see you all soon xx

Big Dreams, Small Wonders

2010-12-21T14:41:00.001+13:00

I'm so excited to have registered for this fabulous new class starting in January! Big dreams, small wonders is a 4 week e-course created by the lovely Louise Gale - to "give you the tools, techniques, inspiration and courage to ensure 2011 will be YOUR year!"

The name of the course captured my attention instantly (I love it!). I'm so all about dreaming big and this year especially I've been constantly amazed at all the 'little things' that have come my way, the small steps taken throughout this year that upon reflection really do seem like small wonders. Worth celebrating!

I always have goals but have never practiced any way of 'formalising' them and for a long time now I've been wanting to get back into journaling and finding ways to help bring all my ideas together into a bigger picture kind of a plan if you will. So you can imagine my delight at reading that Big dreams, small wonders will include goodness such as goal setting, creating vision boards and hand crafting a journal! And so much more.... you can find out all about it here (and there's still time to register if you want to join us!).

The cards...(finally - a celebratory post!)

2010-12-18T13:29:00.005+13:00

I'm a little late in sharing the story of this excitement here as this all came to fruition a while ago. But I realise the importance of not letting our milestones slip past unrecognised and sharing the story here is a way to acknowledge this for myself and to celebrate this news with you...

A few months ago I was contacted by NZ Niche Greetings (NZ Art Cards) – a New Zealand owned and operated print and wholesale distribution company who specialise in greeting cards for the retail gift market. Their image emphasis is exclusively on the work of New Zealand and Pacific Island artists, photographers and designers. They had seen my art on felt (yay! go my little felt shop!) and wondered if I would be interested in adding some of my work to their collection. Was I interested? oh my. YES! The timing was quite uncanny as I had just started working on designing my own cards to print myself and was looking into sourcing envelopes and packaging! I was especially excited when I looked at their website and discovered the incredible artists represented there... but I knew it was important not to rush and I took my time to make an informed decision. The first thing I did was revisit the chapter on licensing agreements from our flying lessons e-course (thank you Kelly Rae!! I have a feeling I will be thanking you again and again in years to come for the incredible resource you created for us). I then gathered as much information as I could, asked lots of questions, and got advice and opinions from my most trusted sources...

And then I said YES!

And just like that I had greeting cards with my artwork on them! We worked together to choose the images and then they set up my artist profile on their website and the image catalogue available for retailers to order from.

I placed my very own first order for myself... and they are just lovely!

Each image is printed on white, semi-gloss 300gsm card and comes with a matching envelope, individually packaged in self-sealing cellophane bags. They are blank inside, and there is a brief artist bio on the back. I can't believe I have barcodes!!

The cards are available in 2 sizes - greeting cards which are 140 x 140mm, and gift cards which are 90 x 90mm (these wee ones are oh so cute). I also have everything will be ok available as a DLE size card which I just love!!

The cards are so professional and look gorgeous packaged up in their cello bags! I'm so thrilled that they went well at the markets recently where I had them for sale for the first time.

And... (if you can believe there's more!)... they also offer a selection of these stunning art cards (small matted prints) that are ready for framing!

With a couple of seriously busy weeks now out the way I've been enjoying some time to catch up on things and am getting ready to update my shops soon. So watch this space... I'll have the cards listed and available soon!

A Christmas ornament swap

2010-12-15T14:00:00.006+13:00

New Zealand Handmade organised a Christmas ornament swap this year - we each had to make a handmade ornament and card to send to our swap buddies! Here's my wee star which I chose to send to my swap partner Maree. Maree let me know she's trying to decorate in a kiwi theme this year so I chose one of my favourite stars for her out of the collection I made this year - I love the colours on the paper of this one and the wee button has a gleem to it a bit like paua shell, so a little kiwi-esque!

And then I had heaps of fun creating a card... I loved rifling through my Christmas papers (I had loads of off cuts from making the stars - what a great way to recycle and use up scaps of pretty paper!) and other wee gems - I love the old button on it and also felt there was something rather lovely about using an old New Zealand Christmas themed stamp!

I decorated a wee envelope to go with it... you can't see the rhinestones very well in these photos but they are a sweet sparkly green... And here's the ensemble together just before I packaged it up to post to Maree.

And then today I received this beautiful parcel from Maree in return! So exciting! Look at this gorgeous bag she made to package them in...

And a sweet handmade card with matching fabric stitched onto it...

And these 2 gorgeous friends inside! How cute are they?? So very clever and in true keeping with Maree's kiwi/pacific theme for Christmas.

I love them - thank you so much Maree!

And thanks to Joy and New Zealand Handmade for organising the swap. Such fun! And the perfect way to feel full of Christmas spirit... not long now - but we have been very slow to get organised and still need to get our tree!! It never quite feels like Christmas until you have a tree and the house looking a little sparkly... I'm off to find one now!

Fruit Bowl Craft Jam!

2010-12-10T12:45:00.001+13:00

The Fruit Bowl Craft Jam last weekend in the sunny Hawke's Bay was just amazing...The venue at the Hawke's Bay Opera House Plaza was incredible with all its light and vibrant buzzing atmosphere. With more than 50 stalls of beautiful art, design and craft.... live music, entertainment, devine coffee, goodie bags, a craft table for the kids...the fabulous organisers Jo Pearson and Jess Barron had just thought of everything to ensure we all had a great time and that this first ever market event was a success!

the amazing Hawke's Bay Opera House, Hastings

Here are a few photos of my stall...

My table of art goodies

4x4" originals from my recent 'i heart...' series. the hearts are really heavily textured and I loved that this seemed to make people want to reach out and touch them.

my handmade Christmas stars (I so love the 'tree' I found to display them on)

the stars

Pop on over to the New Zealand Handmade blog to see some great photos of the weekend and some of the lovely peeps I was so happy to catch up with...Katherine of Sleep and her sisters, Mel of Wildflower Designs, Joy of Kazzalblue, Maree of Soft Earth Art and Kim from Sticky Tiki... And I think I was so lucky to have the loveliest 'stall neighbour' ever - the oh so sweet Ingrid of Silverworks!

Lucy from Felt also came up for the weekend (all the way from Christchurch!) to promote our favourite handmade marketplace, so it was wonderful to have the chance to meet her again too.

Thank you to everyone who stopped by my stall for a chat over the weekend and for all your support, lovely thoughts and encouragement about my work - I am truly blessed.

And thank you to Jo and Jess - you guys totally rock! When are we doing it again?! xx

Market fun

2010-11-27T11:11:00.009+13:00

We're home again after a fabulous week away in the Hawke's Bay and it's nice to be having some quiet time at home... I'm just sitting down with a nice cup of coffee to enjoy a bit of an online catch up! The Hawke's Bay Design Market last Sunday was lovely, held once again at the gorgeous Ormlie Lodge in Napier (catch a wee glimpse of the stunning building in the photo above).

We were slightly delayed in getting set up as just after we arrived the heavens decided to open up completely with a heavy downpour! Our stall was outside in the gardens and we decided (completely last minute!) that we really needed a gazebo with the weather not looking too promising as to if it would clear or not. Tim had just raced off to trusty old Mitre 10 to buy us one when a lovely couple offered us theirs as they were moving their stall indoors! Bless them!! I couldn't thank them enough. I was on the phone to Tim quick as a flash with the 'come back!' call and then they helped me get it set up over our table and I was finally able to start getting ready. I seriously had to practice my everything will be ok mantra through all this, somehow managed to stay calm and we were all set to go just as the day's first shoppers came wandering in. Phew. I was quite pleased with how our stall came together (above), and how it looked set up in the divine gardens!

I was so happy to have my cards (will post about these soon!) and it was fun to see that my wee handmade Christmas stars went well again too. The day was steady with peeps still venturing out despite the drizzly weather, though we definitely had a few quiet spells through the occasional downpours.

What I enjoyed best of all was chatting to the truly lovely people who came by and catching up with some of my wonderful arty Hawke's Bay friends who all had amazing stalls - it's always so fabulous to see each others work in person and up close! I bought myself a few wee treats too...will post pics soon as the goodies are worthy of being shared with you in their own post!

I have to give a big shout out to the sweet sweet Mel of Wildflower Designs who treated us with delicious cake (now this friends, is one seriously organised lady who amidst all her busy market preparations somehow manages to organise a cake to bring along!!) and also saved us with a clear plastic cover to throw over our table in the heaviest of downpours (yes, can you believe the gazebo wasn't entirely waterproof!?). Thank you so much Mel!

And now I'm looking forward to doing it all again next weekend, when we're back up to the Bay for the Fruit Bowl Craft Jam!!

Adventures...

2010-11-20T18:43:00.005+13:00

i heart adventures, 4x4 mixed media on canvas

We're up in the lovely sunny Hawke's Bay and it is HOT!! It must surely have reached 30 degrees today... summer has definitely arrived here! This is just a very quick post to say hello and that I'm all set (I hope!) for the Hawke's Bay Design Market tomorrow at Ormlie Lodge here in Napier. I have somehow managed to finish 15 new tiny wee paintings this week!! And now that everything is finally ready I'm starting to feel excited about tomorrow (only my second ever market stall!!) and all the adventure it will bring. Super thrilled to say that my first ever greeting cards will be making their debut performance (that's a long story I've been meaning to share for a while and will save for another post - it deserves its own celebratory wee post!) and I'm really happy to know that I'll get to see some lovely, incredibly talented arty/crafty Hawke's Bay friends who will also be at the market.... YAY!

We're up here for much of the week which is just lovely for a change of scenery and wonderful to be able to have some time to catch up with Tim's family, so looking forward to it!

Hope you're all having a fab weekend! xx

Playing For Change = Music for your soul

2010-11-11T16:32:00.002+13:00

If ever you're in need of music to inspire, this is it. Playing For Change is an incredible movement promoting peace and connection around the world through music. Since 2004 the creators of the project have traveled around the world, recording local musicians performing the same songs, interpreted in their own styles. And the music and film that has resulted is truly food for the soul. Having been big fans of keeping up with their music videos on you tube we finally ordered a copy of their CD and DVD of Songs Around the World... and it just arrived today!

Playing For Change: Peace Through Music is an exploration into the human spirit and the power of music to unite us as a human race. Through the process of making this film we traveled around the world and discovered that music opens doors to a place where we can celebrate our differences and still connect our hearts.
One Love.

- Mark Johnson, Director

The timing of its arrival today is perfect... I've been rather overwhelmed by the huge to-do list I have and often find when I have 'so much to do' that I come to a complete standstill, unable to make any progress at all! This has been the perfect distraction (hmmm too much of a distraction!!)... but there's also nothing like putting on some really loud inspiring music to help motivate!

Visit their website for the whole beautiful story and to purchase some of this soulful goodness (and support the movement!) for yourself.

Here is one of my favourites - it makes my heart well up every time...

Mini prints!

2010-11-10T20:14:00.014+13:00

I'm really excited to now be offering this set of mini-prints! 12 mini art works (images measure approx 4 x 4 inches) featuring my paintings from my first beautiful words series. The set comes packaged in a jewel CD display case which turns into its own display stand! I love the versatility of what you can do with the prints....

they look gorgeous displayed in the jewel cd case...

so cute on a wee mini easel...

perfect for those of us who love to peg up artwork on an inspiration wall...

or really sweet as a notecard for a friend...

I love that all 12 are included so that the whole collection can be enjoyed together and in so many ways. The sets are now listed in my felt and etsy shops - and I'm busy getting plenty ready for the upcoming markets! It's all go round here peeps... I hope you're all having a great week! xx

Heading into silly season

2010-11-06T09:10:00.008+13:00

The Hawke's Bay Design Market is coming up... 2 weeks tomorrow (aahhh)! I'm seriously hitting a long to-do list this weekend with preparations for it. Wellington weather has turned terrible overnight and it's rainy and grey out which suits me just fine - the perfect day for getting crafty indoors with lots of cups of tea! I have quite a lot going on that I hope to share soon...though there's also the distinct possibility there might be some blog neglect as I head into full on market prep mode! Hmmmm....I'll try to not fall too completely off the radar and hope to share more soon... I'm quite excited about heading into the silly season!

Happy weekend! xx

Here comes the sun...

2010-10-29T19:48:00.005+13:00

Here comes the sun, 18 x 24" mixed media on canvas
(personalised commission)

Little darling, it's been a long cold lonely winter... Little darling, it feels like years since it's been here.... Here comes the sun.... Here comes the sun..... and I say... It's alright.

I fell totally in love with the concept for this personalised commission piece I completed recently for a sweet old friend of mine, as a wedding gift for her very dear sister and brother in law. I so enjoyed working with her and her brothers to come up with ideas for a piece that would capture some of the beauty of the couple's story - their amazing relationship and incredible wedding day. My hope was for the painting to capture the feelings of Love (marriage and togetherness), Sentimentality (treasuring family and faith) and Spring (new life and beginnings). The 3 words chosen have a special significance (aren't they so beautiful?) and all the wee features in the piece hold some meaning for the couple... pieces of their gorgeous wedding invitations are collaged in, the guitar pics (so cool!), the monarch butterflies, the blue rosary beads, and the music... oh the music!! Here comes the sun was their wedding song and as soon as I knew this my heart did a little leap and I just knew this would be the title of the piece. I spent a lot of time working on the painting listening to the sweet sweet sound of George Harrison!

The power of a truly beautiful piece of music is so incredible... as I spent time pulling it all together while listening to George I truly felt that in some way I was getting to know this lovely couple who I'd never even met. What a wonderful honour it is to have been asked to create such a personal artwork. I am so blessed and feel very thankful for the opportunity. I hope the painting brings the gorgeous couple much joy and that their life together is always filled with hope, optimism, sincerity... and sunshine.

2011 Calendar... it's here!

2010-10-25T20:46:00.010+13:00

I'm so excited to have my calendars ready for 2011! Featuring 12 of my most recent beautiful words paintings, they're printed on 256 gsm white matte-silk cardstock and come packaged in this super cool jewel cd case, which is designed so that it folds back into its very own display stand. I love how stunning the cover page (above) looks in the case when it's all packaged up!

I also love seeing these positive words grouped together as a calendar collection... it's so wonderful to think they might bring a little brightness and joy to someone throughout the whole year - a whisper of reassurance when we're feeling fragile, a gentle push forward through the moments we doubt ourselves, sweet reminders that anything can happen when we embrace our possibility...

the world needs you to sing your song

yes you can

shine on

hold onto love

be kind to yourself

you really are enough

everything will be ok

you are an artist

have courage

you are blessed

what you're doing matters

carry hope close

Available now in both my etsy and felt shops! x

Inspiration...

2010-10-21T15:13:00.016+13:00

Exhibition 36 by Susan Tuttle

I've spent the last week or so devouring these 2 gorgeous mixed media books that I bought from Amazon... when they arrived I had to try desperately to control myself and wait a whole day for Tim to get home to share the fun of opening the parcel with me - He'd also ordered some gardening books and it felt a bit like Christmas opening them up together!

Collage Discovery Workshop by Claudine Hellmuth

Check out the links above to find out about the incredible artists/authors Claudine Hellmuth and Susan Tuttle - if you look for the book titles on Amazon you can "take a look inside" and have a sneak peak at the goodness on offer (love how Amazon lets you do this)... it is total mixed media dreaminess!!

Both offer amazing collections of artwork, inspiration for tapping into ones creative potential and a huge array of mixed media techniques. I've been soaking it all up...and I'm having serious cravings for antique shop visits, dreaming up all kinds of ideas for working with vintage New Zealand postcards (hence the need for a treasure hunt!) and really want to explore working with transfer techniques in my paintings. Not to mention how much I'd like to have a go at making some assemblage art!

So inspired... (and wishing there were more hours in the day)! x

lately I've been...

2010-10-18T20:18:00.005+13:00

...a little off the online radar (sorry dear blog and my lovely blog friends!) so I just wanted to pop in and say hello. Spring has just been up and down like crazy here - last night there was a hail storm at 2.00am and this morning we woke to the most gorgeous Sunny day ever! I love the extremes of the changing seasons. Our first daffodils and irises have come and gone already - it's the first year we've ever planted bulbs and I just love the brightness they brought to the backyard, full of promise that summer isn't far away.

A few fun updates to share with you that I'm more than a little excited about...

~ I finally finished the commission I was working on and hope to share some photos soon with you as it was such a gorgeous concept for some beautiful, beautiful people and I loved working on it

~ I've finished my 2011 calendar and it's currently at the printers! Can't wait to show you and to have it available in both my shops, oh so soon!

~ I'm also soon going to have a gorgeous wee set of 'mini prints' on offer that I'm really excited about... more details for you soon!

~ I have a DOT COM! I don't have an actual website (yet!) but my kind (and much more techy than me) brother helped me set up and direct the domain name to my blog so anytime someone visits www.erincarver.com (ah!!) they will find me here which is pretty cool for now. Yay!

~ I've given my blog a wee bit of love and finally worked out how to add some 'pages' - see the wee links at the top! I feel like it's looking a little more website-esque which I really love. What do you think?

~ I've been accepted into 2 craft markets - the Hawke's Bay Design Market (Nov 21st) and Fruit Bowl Craft Jam (Dec 4th and 5th)!! Both up in the beautiful sunny bay... so excited about both of them... and things are about to get very busy round here as I start to get ready for them!

~ and.... I think that's enough lovely goodness for now! Gosh, look what happens when you don't post for a while, seems I've been saving it up! Looking forward to being back in the blogging swing again, lots more to share soon... x

A quick hello (hello October already?!)

2010-10-01T16:30:00.003+13:00

Helloooo.... October, here so soon! This week has been a little mad and I feel like I've been flat out on every front except the art one! So I'm looking forward to lots of art time this weekend - I'm working on finishing an exciting commission piece as well as popping the finishing touches on my calendar design for 2011 and a few other exciting new bits and pieces that I hope to be able to share with you soon... watch this space!

Happy weekend lovelies xx

treasure...

2010-09-26T14:22:00.014+13:00

I can't tell why I love you, vintage postcard (1908)

A wee bit of treasure hunt goodness I just had to share! This gorgeous vintage postcard I found in a Thorndon antique shop yesterday... I was grabbed instantly by the old photo, the sweet wee love song and the name William signed at the bottom on the front.

And then I just couldn't believe my eyes when I turned it over to find this on the back...

to the best girl I ever will know my wife

I think my heart skipped a beat at seeing these beautiful words, the old handwriting on this lovely stained card with its 'one penny' stamp - post marked from Napier in 1908!

Who was William and his best girl? Did they have children? And how did his postcard find its way 102 years later to this Wellington antique shop? Holding it in my hands I'm filled with nostalgia, imagining all the 'story' it holds from long ago. I just love finding treasure like this. This one seems extra special and I already feel so inspired by it... it could well find its way into a painting sometime soon but for now I'm content to just ponder all its love and mystery! x

The Buddha series (recent work)

2010-09-23T18:26:00.007+12:00

understanding, 12 x 16" mixed media on canvas

These 3 buddha paintings are my favourite pieces from my recent new work. I just love them, and loved the process of painting them. Perhaps it's the serenity and peacefulness that's always found in the buddha's beautiful face that made working on these quite like a meditation. They took me a long time and I enjoyed keeping my collage work in the backgrounds and getting lost in painting their faces.

compassion, 12 x 16" mixed media on canvas

I wanted the faces to essentially be the 'same' but of course with each being hand drawn they all ended up a little different - and looking at them all together like this definitely highlights some of the interesting proportions I ended up creating! This grew on me though and I think it's interesting that they are each a little different and I'm rather fond of their sweet imperfections.

mindfulness, 12 x 16" mixed media on canvas

Perfectly imperfect?

Kapowai, Ruru and Tui (recent work)

2010-09-17T16:00:00.001+12:00

These 3 sweet friends were so much fun to do! The canvas panels were quite big and lovely to work on. I enjoyed the change of playing around with solid bold colours in the backgrounds and collaging their lovely wings in these divine patterned papers. And of course a few doilies and buttons all made it as features!

(Please forgive these not-so-great photos - the canvases were too big to get scanned so I had to do my best with my little point and shoot and have lost some of the edges in cropping them to tidy them up. Sadly they're the only record I have and they don't really do them justice!)

kapowai, 12 x 24" mixed media on canvas

(SOLD)

I love how the doilies were just perfect to create the eyes on ruru (morepork - our beautiful wee native owl), the white throat feathers on tui and the lovely detail in the wings of kapowai (dragonfly).

ruru, 12 x 24" mixed media on canvas
(SOLD)

I've had this idea in mind for a while, wanting to play with creating a series based on our native New Zealand animal friends, so it was lovely to experiment with these 3 for the exhibition.

tui, 12 x 24" mixed media on canvas
(currently available - feel free to contact me with any queries)

I really love how they turned out and I'm thinking about doing a larger series on the same theme but possibly on smaller canvas blocks.

Another busy week has raced on by! I can't believe Friday's here again already... I have a fun to-do list for the weekend... I'm looking forward to a wee shopping excursion for new canvas and materials and a great catch up with my best girls.

Happy weekend everyone! x

Song of home (recent work)

2010-09-16T16:02:00.010+12:00

song of home, 8 x 16" mixed media on canvas

(SOLD)

I've been meaning to do a few posts to share and record some more of my recent pieces that featured in the exhibition. This one's a little different... I called it song of home as it features a Tui - a gorgeous wee native NZ bird with distinctive white feathers at the throat and the most beautiful birdsong which we hear out in the backyard all the time. I'm not much of a realist painter so he is more my impression of a Tui rather than a life-like representation! He turned out ok and I'm rather fond of his small button eye and white feathers which came from a piece of white lace material.

Here's a detail of the leaf - Tim brought me home a bundle of these gorgeous dried leaves that he spotted along a mountain bike track on a ride one afternoon a while back. I'd love to experiment more with them, perhaps on different backgrounds to show the detail (nature's incredible beauty!) more clearly.

song of home, leaf detail

And this very top part of the canvas is my favourite piece of the whole painting! I'm not sure why... I think it's something about the way I managed to get the blue and green to sit together and how the corner of the envelope looks just like it belongs there.

song of home, detail

I wasn't sure how this one would go being a little different (notice no words!) and not part of a series but it's one of the pieces that sold which was a nice surprise. Lovely to think of it hanging somewhere in a new home!

New Zealand Handmade - Interview!

2010-09-09T15:29:00.006+12:00

A wee bit of excitement to share....Today I'm the featured artist interview over at New Zealand Handmade!

NZHM is a growing creative community that supports independent artists, designers and crafters producing New Zealand made, quality goods - with a goal to promote members and friends handcrafted work both within New Zealand and internationally. You can find out all about it on their website or facebook!

I'm totally thrilled to have been asked to interview and even more so just to be part of this growing supportive network of like-minded, creative souls here in NZ. You can pop on over for a read of my interview here - find out what's currently on my bedside table (!) and my very long wish list!

Thanks so much to the NZHM team for this opportunity and to Carol for your lovely, lovely words which have totally made my day!

Beautiful words (recent work)

2010-09-06T15:29:00.026+12:00

It's well about time I shared a few pics here of some of my recent work!

sing your song, 10 x 10" mixed media on canvas
(SOLD)

hold onto love, 10 x 10" mixed media on canvas

These new mixed media paintings all feature inspiring words of hope and affirmation... most of them brought about through a reflection on the ebb and flow of my own creative processes.

shine on, 10 x 10" mixed media on canvas

(currently available at Oyster Gallery)

I've started to make it a practice to write down any strong negative thoughts or doubts that rise (as they often do) and then re-write these statements for myself as positive affirmations.

yes you can, 10 x 10" mixed media on canvas

be kind to yourself, 10 x 10" mixed media on canvas

Writing them down seems to be a very useful way to acknowledge my own fear and inner critic (negativity and doubt) and then send it on it's way again -
"hello fear, thanks for stopping by... now off you go!"

everything will be ok, 10 x 10" mixed media on canvas

You will see some of this reflection in the beautiful words of these new works...

you really are enough, 10 x 10" mixed media on canvas

you are an artist, 10 x 10" mixed media on canvas
(currently available at Oyster Gallery)

have courage, 10 x 10" mixed media on canvas

I hope you like them and that they might bring some positivity and inspiration into your day!

you are blessed, 10 x 10" mixed media on canvas

what you're doing matters, 10 x 10" mixed media on canvas

(SOLD)

carry hope close, 10 x 10" mixed media on canvas

(currently available at Oyster Gallery)

I enjoyed listing some of these new original paintings in the weekend - giving both my etsy and felt shops a much needed update felt good!

Spring!

2010-09-01T15:56:00.010+12:00

Spring is officially here! August seemed to float on by in slow motion yet at the same time I'm surprised at how suddenly September has arrived. And on a glorious, crisp sunny day here in Wellington too - totally perfect.

We took the exhibition down yesterday. Tim and I had a quick celebratory coffee afterwards... 'You did it'! he said to me, as we reflected on it all and I was filled with a sense of wonder, realisation and achievement all over again. Yes, I did it! I'm pleased with how sales went and I've had some wonderful feedback... and even more exciting is that Oyster have asked to hold onto a few pieces, so I still have some of my work available in their beautiful gift shop!

My slow motion month has gifted me time to relax, reflect and regather a much needed sense of calm (thank you August). And now with all the sense of beginning that comes with the start of Spring, I feel ready to pick up the pace again. And excited about making a fresh to-do list!

me, myself and i

2010-08-22T15:11:00.016+12:00

Having to write my first ever artist bio for the exhibition had me facing one of life's biggest questions. Who am I? I found it really hard to write about myself. What am I all about? What can I write about my work? I think I found it exceptionally difficult because I'm still learning and experimenting so much with my artwork, still working out my style and still very much finding my own way.

I languished over certain words. Am I emerging? I decided that the very fact I was blessed with this opportunity to exhibit at Oyster warranted this choice of adjective! A brave decision coming from one who until recently (and sometimes still!) found it difficult to say i'm an artist when asked what she does.

Is it OK to say that I work from my home studio when technically this translates as a dedicated corner of our spare room which occasionally spills over onto our living room floor? I decided yes to this also. We have huge dreams of the amazing home that we'll build one day and the big, open, airy, white studio space I'll have with beautiful light coming in huge windows and skylights and doors which will open out onto it's very own deck where I'll sit with cups of tea in the sunshine... But for now my small dedicated space is still worthy of being called a studio and thinking of it as such also helps to grow that lovely dream.

I decided I needed to try and keep it short and simple, steer clear of trying to talk about style too much and focus mainly on what I could write about more easily - materials I love to use and my inspirations, with a little hope and a dream thrown in for good measure. It also helped to write about myself in the 3rd person - weird as that may be it helped to be able to remove myself a little from the process. And so after lots of questioning and some great help from my nearest and dearest, I managed to pull the following words together. I was pleased with how it turned out in the end... enough to sum up just where I'm at right now.

Artist Profile

Erin Carver is an emerging local artist whose growing portfolio of work includes original mixed media paintings, mosaics and collaged wall hangings. Largely self taught, her acrylic and oil paintings are rich in colour, pattern and texture. Erin creates depth and meaning in her pieces through her collage work – using patterned papers, text, pre-loved doilies, vintage stamps, and pieces of loved postcards, letters and ephemera from a collection of treasures long held in shoe boxes.

Erin’s work reflects the inspiration she finds in treasure hunts through op-shops, nostalgia for the past, words that inspire, her interest in spirituality, the power of positive thinking and believing in possibility. She hopes that her artwork might bring joy and inspiration to others and dreams of one day growing her creative business into her own gallery and studio space for art and creativity workshops.

Erin works part-time from her home studio in Lower Hutt where she creates commissioned pieces, sells her work online and blogs about her journey into the creative life.

love

2010-08-20T17:59:00.006+12:00

my gorgeous sister Jamie Lee and my nephew Cooper

(4 months old today!)

love = auntyhood

Loving this pic we snapped together this week!

Happy weekend xx

You are blessed

2010-08-13T15:26:00.005+12:00

you are blessed, 10x10" mixed media on canvas

(currently exhibiting at Oyster Gallery)

My lovely gran called me on Tuesday morning all excited to tell me there was a wee article on the Capital Day page of the Dominion Post about the exhibition at Oyster. The Dominion Post!! I was so excited to see it! Here it is, just a lovely little snippet at the bottom of the page -

The Dominion Post, Capital Day - 10 August 2010

Totally love that it is titled Mixed with feeling

The Dominion Post, Capital Day - 10 August 2010

I hope your week has been filled with blessings.

Happy Friday! x

Sunday goodness...

2010-08-08T15:10:00.007+12:00

Enjoying a wonderfully cruisy Sunday... a lazy sleep-in, a rockstar breakfast cooked for me, coffee and a wander through the city market with friends and the sun out in all its glory in Wellington this morning. Now I'm about to dive into my studio/office for a good spring clean! Just had to share this pic that a friend snapped for us today outside the gallery - how cool is it to see this?!

Kind over matter

2010-08-06T15:33:00.011+12:00

The lovely ladies Amanda and Jenn of kind over matter have featured me on their blog! They're offering an exciting giveaway of one of my 6x6" art prints as part of their Giveaway Thursday! Their gorgeous blog focuses strongly on the handmade community and is dedicated to kind acts, inspirational art and kind projects. And they love feel good nouns! I totally love their philosophy and have been a regular follower of their inspirational posts each week since I discovered them - so I'm absolutely delighted to have been asked to participate in one of their giveaways!

Pop on over to see them for all the details on how to enter and be in to win!

(Open until Wednesday Aug. 11 at 8pm EST).

Thank you Amanda and Jenn!

Recharging (a to-do list)

2010-08-05T13:55:00.017+12:00

be kind to yourself, 10x10" mixed media on canvas

(currently exhibiting at Oyster Gallery)

I'm so enjoying having some breathing room right now, allowing everything to sink in, soaking up and reflecting on all the goodness of the last week. Thank you so much for all your wonderful kind words of support and encouragement, I truly feel so blessed!

I already have a new to-do list (a long one!!) of all that I need to catch up on and crazily enough yesterday I actually had an 'I've got so much to do' moment! What's that all about?! I've had to remind myself that it's OK to take some time to catch my breath and relax. I'm looking forward to recharging! So that long to-do list has been put aside (just for now) and I've made another one full of all the things I've been missing...

~ lazy lunches on the front porch in the sun

~ more time with my beautiful nephew

~ catching up with friends and family

~ getting to the gym

(finally! new goal = 3 x per week)

~ walks on the beach

~ spring cleaning

(yes, it is so nearly Spring here people!)

~ coffee dates

~ watching movies

~ practising my ukulele

(I'm 2 weeks into an 8 week course which is proving to be such a laugh, I'm loving it!)

~ sleep-ins at the weekend

~ reading my oh so wonderful book that's been sitting there neglected, calling my name from my bedside table (The Time Travellers Wife - have you read it? I'm about half way through and wow it's amazing!)

A rather lovely list don't you think?

I hope you're all taking some time this week to be kind to yourselves too.

Exhibition!

2010-08-01T12:51:00.049+12:00

It's all up! My first ever exhibition... I still can't believe it! I have so much to say and at the same time feel totally lost for words to try and describe all that I feel. Amazed. Relieved. Overwhelmed. Exhilarated. Tired. Full of possibility.

So very thankful.

Until I find a few more words I thought I'd share some pictures of Friday's adventure getting all set up at the gallery. My photos aren't the best quality (help! I so need some photography lessons!) but I hope these help to take you along on this part of my journey with me...

The gorgeous Oyster Gallery at 252 Jackson Street, Petone. If you're local or passing through, be sure to pop in for a look-see! Oyster is run by 2 of the loveliest ladies ever - sisters Jacqui Walker and Pip Dean. You can read all about Pip and Jacqui's fab story and how Oyster came to be here. They have an awesome philosophy, promoting and supporting fair trade, being eco-friendly and supporting New Zealand made in a big way - and it's all reflected in the stunning range of gifts and art they have on offer. Their art gallery (up on the mezzanine floor) exhibits affordable art by a different NZ artist each month. And this month that's me! If you're unable to pop in then be sure to check out Oyster online at their website (where you can shop online!) or facebook page (become a fan!)

Up in the gallery getting everything hung. It took about 2 hours to get it all up and ready. I quickly got over my initial fright at the fact it was all actually happening and after some fantastic advice and support from Jacqui and Pip, it was SO MUCH FUN having a play and working out what to pop where.

It was also wonderful having Tim with me - to help, to support, to share in the moment (and to do the much needed coffee run!)

us having a giggle

the gorgeous chandelier in the stairwell

here are a few shots of the gallery, with me popping up price tags...

my work on the walls...

a final look over everything...

view of the gallery from behind the stairwell

view of the gallery from the top of the stairwell

and me... (next to my artist bio!) with an I can't believe it look on my face!

I am oh so grateful for this incredible opportunity.

(More thoughts soon on all this goodness) x

Coming up for air...

2010-07-22T20:08:00.013+12:00

you are an artist - 10 x 10" mixed media on canvas

In case anyone was worried that I'd dropped off the face of the earth I thought I'd better have a quick pop in to say helloooo. I've been well wrapped up in a bubble of preparation these last few weeks getting ready for my

first ever exhibition.

Outside of work/eat/sleep it's pretty much been all go on the painting front with canvas and materials having taken over the house. It's been hard letting so much fall by the wayside in the meantime (sorry poor neglected blog!) but a necessity all the same. No internet or arty blog browsing (I'm missing my regular visits!). No time on my etsy and felt shops. No television (which has actually been lovely). No cruisy weekends to just chill out. There have been moments of stress and meltdown in which I've had to be reminded that this is what I actually want to be doing! Some rather massive lessons have been learned the hard way in time management and planning for such crazy wonderful adventures.

And now there is one week to go... and with still having a fairly big to-do list for this one final week, it feels good to take a moment to come up for air.

This is really happening!

I am trusting that everything will fall into place just as it should.

And the winner is...

2010-07-05T15:38:00.006+12:00

Possibility - 6"x6" art print

...Michele Fauss who commented over on my facebook page! Thanks Michele, I'll get in touch so I can get the print out to you! Thanks so much everyone for all your lovely comments!

Celebrating the small things (a giveaway!)

2010-07-01T15:32:00.020+12:00

July! Woah. June seems to have gone by in a whirlwind.

I've been reminded today how important it is to celebrate the small things, the baby steps we take along the paths toward our dreams. Here are some of my recent ones -

In the whirlwind that was June 2010 I (bravely)...

~ created my 'artist' business page on facebook

(have to say that this was actually no small step at all but more like a huge bounding leap off the side of a mountain, as this is something I have strongly resisted for a long time - out of fear of really putting myself 'out there' for all the world to see. But there I am, out there. Hello facebook world!)

~ joined twitter!

(this is even more bizarre to me than the above! but why not jump on the twitter train and see where it takes me? check out the wee button on the side bar here to join me!)

~ completed a new commission

(2nd ever commission!)

~ applied for a local craft market

(I'm holding hope close that I will be accepted but am also prepared for rejection too - I'm simply happy that I've put it out there to the universe and will see what happens!)

~ and got back into the flow with my painting, with preparation for my exhibition well underway (can you hear my sigh of relief?)
(plenty of ebbs going on too but realising more and more that the ebb and flow simply can't be separated. We can't have one without the other and I'm learning how important it is to just 'keep showing up' even when we are totally not in the groove)

For so much of this I have Kelly Rae's e-course to thank for helping me to realise my commitment to growing my creative business. It has been such an inspiration!

And so to celebrate the small things (and the not so small things!) I'm having my first ever giveaway!! Because we are all so full of possibility (yes YOU!) I'm giving away one of my 6"x6" art prints - Possibility

For your chance to win simply leave a comment on this post or pop on over to my facebook page and leave a comment on the giveaway post there (would love you to say hello there and make the facebook world seem less scary!). Entries close end of the day on Sunday 4th July (NZ time) and a winner will be drawn at random and announced on Monday!

Happy July peeps! x

moments...

2010-06-29T17:35:00.009+12:00

4"x12" mixed media on canvas (personalised commission)

A quick hello! Sorry I've been somewhat off the radar for the last week... and thanks so much for all your lovely comments here, I so love hearing from you! I'm getting back on track this week and have a rapidly growing number of new works in progress in preparation for my August deadline (holy smokes, it's July this week!).

It's also the last week of Kelly Rae's fabulous e-course (can't believe it's coming to an end!) so I'm looking forward to soaking up all of its goodness as much as possible.

Just wanted to share this sweet commission (above) that I've just completed for a friend as an engagement gift for a very special couple in her life. It has been personalised to capture the special moments of the couple's story together (meeting, first dates, special memories, engagement!) - the words won't make much sense to anyone but them or those who know them well and I love that about it! Cool idea eh? I love the colours and am really rather pleased with how it turned out. I so hope they like it and that it makes them smile and laugh in celebration of their journey together so far and all the adventure that lies ahead for them. I love that it ends with 'i do!'

this is your life.

2010-06-21T20:36:00.010+12:00

I spent the weekend spread out over the lounge floor - covered in canvas and papers and paints and glue. There was some joy and progress. And there were the usual stumbling blocks and doubts. As I rummaged through boxes of old letters and envelopes and postcards looking for treasures I could use in some collage work, I came across this note from a very dear old friend. Written for me many moons ago (early 1999), on a rainy afternoon that we spent together in San Francisco. Just as I was having a good old 'what am I doing?!' moment - this decided to find its way into my hands. Like an answer to that very question. A sign. With all that's going on, I could not believe the perfect timing of finding such a beautiful message.

Such goodness... I had to share it with you!

Happy Monday lovelies xx

the 'book-bookshelf' project...

2010-06-17T18:06:00.021+12:00

Just wanted to share this little bit of fun we've had over the last week or so...

'book-bookshelf' project from World Sweet World issue #8 summer 09/10

isn't this GORGEOUS? it's a 'book-bookshelf' project that was featured as a 'how to' by Thomas Schickedanz in the summer 09/10 issue of World Sweet World - Tim and I both loved it immediately and have wanted to make one ever since.... and so finally the other week we bought some chain and nuts and bolts, and had a lovely old time exploring second hand book shops and opshops to try and find some great old books to use as the shelves.

World Sweet World Issue #8 Summer 09/10

And after much measuring and drilling, threading and balancing, and nutting and bolting (picture me standing balancing 4 heavy books and several metres of chain on my head while Tim is trying to attach it to the wall!), here is our own version, hung up in the hallway...!!

Isn't it hilarious?! It isn't quite as we envisaged! Nor does it look quite as sophisticated and cool as World Sweet World's! I think our chain might be slightly heavier and our 'book' shelves are all different...

the top shelf

the second shelf

...It's definitely a little odd looking but also seems to have it's own charm and character, which is growing on us by the day. And we love it simply because it's hand/homemade by us together! Thanks for the inspiration Thomas and the lovely World Sweet World team!

Craft 2.0 goodness

2010-06-13T18:33:00.026+12:00

I enjoyed a fantastic wander around Craft 2.0 at the New Dowse gallery on Saturday. I'm always so blown away by the amazing variety and incredible talent that this cool market showcases!

These are just a couple of wee treasures I picked up -

A lovely gift card that I couldn't resist by the wonderful sisters of Sweet William - featuring their beautiful Orchid Print. It's gone straight up on my inspiration wall!

This gorgeous Japanese Paper Badge by Emma of Freedom Creative. I've followed Emma's blog for a while now and it was so nice to finally be able to say hello and see her amazing work in person - it was lovely to meet you Emma!

And yay, the most recent (and sadly the final) issue of World Sweet World magazine. Full of crafty goodness and great projects, I'm so looking forward to sitting down to have a good read. Thanks so much Hannah and Thomas!

It was also fun to see one of my mixed media magnets in print, featured in the Felt ad on the inside front cover! My heart skipped a beat when I opened it up and saw it there!

I was lucky enough to catch up with some friends from the Hawke's Bay who came down especially for the day to check out the market as part of this wonderful gathering of creative community that is forming over in this lovely space. We were all very excited about the incredible vibe of the market... Craft 2.0 is definitely still on my (ever growing) 'goals' list for this year!

everything will be ok

2010-06-10T14:48:00.011+12:00

everything will be ok - 8" x 16" mixed media on canvas

I've found myself struggling this week - to find any sort of balance between work, artwork, trying to keep up with all the goodness going on over in flying lessons (so much goodness!) and well, just life in general (I even joined a gym this week!! Not yet sure how I'm going to find the time to go?!). One of my dearest friends called the other night and when she asked what was wrong I found myself saying 'everything'! She very gently suggested I go and make a cup of tea and write some things down to try and find a moment of calm and make sense of things. Bless her, that's just what I did and it led me to picking up an old canvas I had lying around - a long neglected half finished painting that just never quite went the way I wanted it to. And in an attempt to let go of everything, I let loose on it.

I started by writing everything is wrong in big black marker across it (that felt so good!), and then really quickly collaged like crazy over it, covering up that negativity in colour and pattern, pieces of an old postcard and these lovely reassuring words that I needed to hear. It was like breathing a massive sigh of relief as I did it all - like I had acknowledged the overwhelm and as I reworked the old canvas I was able to let go and feel calm. The painting itself is a little mad, a little busy and chaotic for it to be as visually pleasing as I would like it to be but that feels kind of relative to the process of how it came to be. And I like that about it. It's like a wee reminder that at the other end of chaos and overwhelm there is sunshine waiting to say hello, and that everything will be ok. xx

Lovely long weekend

2010-06-07T18:22:00.008+12:00

New Zealand, Woman fishing - 1935 NZ Tourism Poster

I stumbled across this super cool journal recently that's full of New Zealand tourism posters from the 1930's, 40's and 50's - I couldn't resist the gorgeous images and had to snap it up! I love the old vintage style and feeling of nostalgia they have. Especially love this one of our Welly...

Wellington - 1950's NZ Tourism Poster

We're just back from a lovely long weekend away up to the Hawke's Bay. It's been a great couple of days catching up with very dear family and friends and having some much needed down time together. Marley is one seriously smoochy cat, happy to have us home again now!

Lots to catch up on here on all fronts, including the last few days of goodness from the e-course... I'm about to pop the finishing touches on a painting (pics soon I promise) then delve into some serious reading time. Thanks so much wonderful peeps for the kind and supportive thoughts you left after my last post - wow, truly makes my heart feel oh so full reading through them! x

To whisper or shout from the rooftops?

2010-06-01T23:08:00.016+12:00

Ok so I'm a little bit freaked out that June is here already. I've been busy this week getting new paintings underway (at last) for a seriously exciting opportunity that has been offered to me. An opportunity which I've been meaning to write about for quite some time, but haven't... because it just happens to blow my mind a bit and I think I've been in complete denial that it's happening. Here it is:

In August I'll be having my first ever exhibition.

I have a very strange reluctance to shout this incredible piece of goodness from the rooftops because I'm really. truly. very. scared.

And that is really disappointing as I know in my heart that this goodness is so worthy of being shouted from the rooftops!! I'm so gobsmackingly grateful and amazed to have such an opportunity.

Late last year the lovely sisters Pip and Jacqui of Oyster Gallery in Petone offered to stock some of my 2010 desk calendars. Did I ever tell you how my mum popped her copy in to show them and introduce my work to them? Bless my lovely mum! I wonder if I would have ever been so brave or bold to do so myself. Pip and Jacqui sold the calendars I sent them and said they would love to have me exhibit there sometime... and when they let me know they had August available to me I jumped at the chance. That was way back at the beginning of the year (when I thought - August is ages away!) and I have since been developing my procrastination skills much more than my collection of new work. And now... June has arrived. And with it time to get real. And get cracking! I have a LOT to do and approximately 8.5 weeks left to make it happen.

I so feel like Kelly Rae's e-course could not have come at a better time, to help me plan for this (despite all the overwhelm going on). And so... in the spirit of slapping fear in the face, celebrating opportunity and committing myself to making this huge wonderful thing happen - here it is again, from the rooftops:

In August I'll be having my first ever exhibition!

x

Veggies, daydreams and overwhelm

2010-05-31T21:28:00.014+12:00

Check out our veggie patch! I just found this pic that Tim took a week or so ago of how well it's doing, we're so excited about our first box garden and the great compost we have brewing for it. The sun has not shone on it since then sadly, it has been freezing, grey and wet here in Welly for about 10 days straight! I think Winter has finally arrived. Brrrr... I'm loving the feeling of being all rugged up and cosy indoors though - love the change of seasons!

Today I had to take a wee trip to the post office to send off a couple of parcels... I was amazed to find I had a sale of some of my art prints - 2 days in a row!

It is still such a rush and a surprise receiving that email notification - I'm always stunned that someone actually likes my work enough to want to part with hard earned money for it! Perhaps that's not a very professional thing to admit? I know I should be more confident about my work and I'm learning to be... but just for now I'm still celebrating the feeling of WOW that happens each time that makes me want to do a little dance (which I actually do). As I walked to the post office with my parcels lovingly packaged to ship off, I daydreamed to myself about 'one day' having had my work and creative business grow so much that I'll be having to take daily such trips to the post office!

Totally embracing dreaming big peeps.

I'm in full on overwhelm right now - the e-course has got off to an amazing start and there is so much to take in! We are really looking deep at our fears, goals and commitments for our creative businesses and there is a lot to process. I hope that as I get my thoughts in order I get brave enough to share some of them here...

I also hope that by the end of this week I'll have some new paintings to share! It has been too long lovelies, too long. x

Connections...

2010-05-30T17:27:00.006+12:00

'Now join your hands and with

your hands your hearts' William Shakespeare

Flying Lessons begin today (yah!). I've been amazed at the extent to which this creative community of like minded souls has come together already before the course has even begun - it has been both overwhelming and inspiring to meet so many peeps who share the same fears, hopes and dreams for growing their creative businesses. It really does feel like we're all joining hands, about to take a leap into the adventure that Kelly Rae has in store for us.

I'm loving the connections... x

Flying Lessons...

2010-05-19T15:34:00.008+12:00

Flying Lessons - An e-course by Kelly Rae Roberts

So excited to share that I've signed up for Kelly Rae Robert's e-course Flying Lessons! 5 weeks of creative community and goodness starts May 30th. For more info check out the full low down on the course here and Kelly's FAQ's here.

I can't wait!

3 weeks today (the newest love in my life)

2010-05-11T20:51:00.007+12:00

My beautiful nephew Cooper is 3 weeks old today.

Dad took this photo on his phone the night we met him for the very first time, just 9 hours after my amazing sister brought him into the world. It still blows my mind that I'm an Aunty (I'm an Aunty!!) and that my baby sister is a Mum - I couldn't be more proud of her and her hubby and so thankful to them for bringing such joy into our lives. I love this photo - this first photo of my nephew and me, it totally sums up how I feel...

absolutely head over heals in love.

On my inspiration wall...

2010-05-04T16:35:00.022+12:00

Thought I'd share a few of the many treasures I'm enjoying on my inspiration wall at the moment...

...these stunning birthday cards

...this beautiful print by Katherine Quinn - isn't she just lovely? I love her wings!

Take time to catch your breath and choose your moment - Katherine Quinn

...this sweet sweet note card from Julie Webb

I heart Montreal - Julie Webb

...this daydreamy goodness from Susannah Tucker

Today would be a lovely day to be a butterfly - Susannah Tucker

...and the oh so wonderful definition of 'Om' (I love this!)

Enjoy! x

May...

2010-05-01T16:20:00.004+12:00

Already?! Oh my.

There's nothing quite like...

2010-04-24T12:28:00.020+12:00

...a trip to the local scrapbook shop for inspiration!

A bit of blog love

2010-04-13T15:44:00.007+12:00

The lovely Marie of Softearths World sent me this bit of blog love today (thanks so much Marie!). Those who are sent the award are asked to choose 15 bloggers to pass it onto and to share 7 things about themselves. How nice! I am off to share the cyber love and pass this on. Here are my 7 (random!) things:

I'm completely mad about our beautiful cat Marley (I think I was possibly a crazy cat lady in another life)
I will turn the ripe old age of 32 in just a few weeks
I L O V E cups of tea (and totally believe in the healing power of a good cuppa)
I go to an awesome yoga class every Tuesday night (my lovely mum is the teacher - cool eh?)
One day I'd like to travel the whole of New Zealand in a campavan
When I was little I wanted to be an artist when I grew up (true!)
I'm about to become an aunty (any day now!)

Super excited about number 7! In other wee bits of blog love - I've tried to give mine some TLC in the form of the new 'banner' you see above. In the hope of creating a much needed fresher look both in this space, and over at my etsy and felt shops, I've spent the last little while getting lost exploring fonts (total geek I know but gee I love fonts!) and cutting/pasting/cropping to pop it together. Would love to know what you think?

Well hello there April (it's nice to see you)

2010-03-31T20:50:00.007+13:00

I can't believe it, it seems just yesterday we were seeing in the new year... and now April is here already! Lots has been going on over in this corner but I'll be back in this space more regularly from next week - there have been ideas a-plenty brewing away and this month is going to be all about creating good routines and positive energy to nuture them out and onto canvas. I can't wait! We have a lovely long weekend coming up and I'm so looking forward to a magic time spent with some truly dear friends. More soon! x

Tuesday Treasures

2010-03-16T15:26:00.015+13:00

These are some of the gorgeous treasures I'm loving on Felt at the moment - I have an ever expanding wish-list! I was lucky enough to meet some of these lovely and oh so talented peeps at Craft 2.0 the other week - it was brilliant to see their beautiful work in person having admired it all online for so long. The market was amazing and I can't wait for the next one in June (I think I'm going to have to get really brave and apply)!

Lilu No. 1 - 2 Birds...

minu

$20.00

Orchid Print

sweetwilliam

$17.00

Sock Monkey - Olivie...

missmillie

$62.00

"raquel" Ceramic Tile

littleladies

$39.00

Robyn Robin Pendant ...

supervery

$30.00

Woodland Folk Cushio...

bambam

$50.00

Electric Spring Card...

skipapple

$27.50

Hot Cherry Blooms Ja...

freedom

$10.00

Pink Cutie Necklace ...

blackswan

$35.00

Felt Bird Kit

rubyinthedust

$30.00

Lovebirds Vintage Ch...

mariansmale

$138.00

Floral Fancy Gift Ta...

songbird

$6.50

Craft 2.0

2010-03-05T19:12:00.005+13:00

I'm so looking forward to checking out this craft market tomorrow - the first Craft 2.0 for 2010 at the New Dowse art gallery in Lower Hutt. I've never been before and have heard such good things about it - Check out the Craft 2.0 blog here and this Felt blog post for a squizz at all the goodness to be found!

I'm off to enjoy a nice glass of red and whip up a chickpea curry for tea, yum! Happy Friday peeps! x

Home

2010-03-01T19:41:00.005+13:00

This was our Saturday afternoon - a favourite old spot where we used to spend weekends hanging out as teenagers in Summer. It was the most gorgeous day (Wellington has totally turned it on for us the last few weeks - what a welcome home!) We had an awesome swim (take your breath away cold!), and delish double scoop icecreams in the late afternoon sun. Bliss!

I've been totally off the radar on the art front since my last post, as we've been through the crazy old time of getting moved, unpacked and settled in down here. We almost have all the boxes out of sight! Just today I've finally had some time to organise my new wee art space and it feels good to see everything again after it's all been tucked away for a while. Feeling a bit out of sorts as it has seemed like ages since I've worked on anything and I always find it hard 'starting again' after such a time away from creating. The space is feeling good though and I can't wait to put together my new inspiration wall - I'm trusting as it all comes together I'll suddenly find myself wanting to jump right back in to things.

It feels good to be home!

Wellington bound!

2010-02-10T20:32:00.015+13:00

We're well into February already... I'm not quite sure how that's happened so fast! I guess it can be put down to the whirlwind of things going on over the last few weeks and the big change that's about to happen for us...

We're moving home to Wellington! THIS WEEKEND!

It has all come around so quickly... As I write this I'm sitting here surrounded by boxes and the general mayhem that comes with moving house...oh my I still have so much to do! As of today though the art corner is all packed up so I'm going to be out of action for the next week or so until things get a bit settled in our new nest. I'm so sad to be leaving the lovely Hawke's Bay and our very dear family and friends up here... but also ready and excited for the next adventure!

See you soon (next time I write will be from Welly!)

E x

Ps. Check out this lovely post on the Felt blog last week which featured one of my paintings - loved seeing it there amongst this gorgeous selection of goodies in the Felt Wedding Gift Guide!

Lovely features (and a nomination!)

2010-01-24T14:22:00.012+13:00

I've been totally blessed throughout January to have had my work featured on some very cool blogs - I practically fell off my seat in suprise and delight each time!

First there was this amazing treasury... and then this gorgeous calendar feature on the Felt blog.

My wee calendar was also included in this lovely post by Andrea of Crownology, her words were so sweet -

"A perfect reminder to stay positive all year long... Every time you change the calendar sit for a moment and contemplate where you are, where you are headed...and whether it is in tune with the life you want and need..."

My print Breathe was included in this post by Laurie of MadebySwirlygirl who chose the word breathe as her theme of the day. How lovely!!

And I've also received a nomination on Poppytalk (OMG!!) for their virtual awards event 'The Poppies', under the category Favourite Handmade Affordable Art Artist! You can see the poll (and vote!) here. There are loads of other awesome categories and fabulous artists/shops to check out - how cool to be a part of it!

It's an amazing feeling to see that my art is being seen... and shared in these amazing online creative communities. Much gratitude to all of you lovely peeps for your support! x

Where wishes grow...

2010-01-22T19:23:00.010+13:00

Where wishes grow - Photograph by the wonderful Susannah Tucker

I've been reflecting on all the wishes that grew last year... wishes that grew out of a small corner of our living room, out of a great amount of encouragement and support from some very dear peeps, out of becoming a little bit braver and believing in all the power of possibility.

Wishes that grew into opening my etsy and felt stores, my first sales, my first ever commission, creating my first calendar and having my first stall at a market. Small steps which have felt like amazing milestones. I've been taking stock of all of this lately, feeling much gratitude for 2009 and all its lovely firsts...

I decided to treat myself to one of my dear friend Susannah's beautiful photo blocks to celebrate the start of 2010 - and in my search through my many favourites I found this stunning treasure which just summed it all up for me. All this growth. Isn't it perfect? It has me dreaming big for the year ahead!

A treasured gift

2010-01-10T10:25:00.028+13:00

Beautiful and Creepy Trees Photo Pendant by Julie Webb

Just wanted to share this treasure of a pressie I've been enjoying so much. Tim caught me oohhhing and aahhhing over the beautiful artwork of a very dear friend - the lovely and talented Julie Webb. He helped me pick out one of her gorgeous photo pendants as my Christmas gift from him - it was very hard to choose as they're all so lovely! This is the wee beauty that won us over. Isn't it fab? It's a 1 x 1 inch photo, mounted into a silver plated pewter bezel on a lovely sterling silver chain with a silver toggle clasp. I LOVE it!

The photo is Julie's Beautiful and Creepy Trees taken of some big old elm trees on a winter's day in Central Park, New York. I love the title and the contrast of the branches against the grey sky.

It came packaged so beautifully in this black organza bag and with a note card featuring one of my favourite photos of Julie's - her fantastic Pink Door. It was truly such a treasure to open on Christmas morning!

You can see Julie's full range of groovy photo pendant jewellery along with her photos, photo blocks, notecards and calendars in her wonderful etsy shop.

Pink Door by Julie Webb

Thank you so much Jules - I love that I get to wear your art close to my heart!

* * * * * * * *

In other wee bits of goodness, my calendar was featured this week on Felt's blog! I was so excited to have been included amongst all these other treats for the new year - below is a wee snippet and you can check out the full post here.

Treasury!

2010-01-05T18:21:00.007+13:00

So excited to see this beautiful treasury on etsy - my 'trust' art print was included amongst all this pink deliciousness!! Isn't it all just gorgeous? Also thrilled to have discovered Jen from Simply Inviting Cards who put this wee beauty together - you can check out her lovely etsy shop here and her website here.

Thanks so much Jen!

Happiness is...

2010-01-04T12:51:00.026+13:00

Happiness, 6x6" mixed media on canvas (original sold)

Happiness is...

...the sale of a painting (above) to a lovely woman who chose it as a wedding gift for her friends (totally honoured by this, I so hope they like it!)

...a beautiful gallery in Petone stocking some of my calendars and the prospect of an exhibition with them later this year!! (Wow, yes really, I can't believe it either!! So much to say about this piece of goodness it will have to be shared in a separate post soon!)

...a wonderful Christmas break spent with all our loved ones

Marley in the herb garden

...a great wee getaway to Wellington and returning home again to a very smoochy Marley who missed us. This is a pic of him in one of his new favourite spots in the garden.

...lovely long sleep-ins in our new bed (hand crafted by Tim out of NZ recycled Rimu - it is truly amazing!)

...hot summer days in the bay

Organic herbal teas - very cool Christmas pressie

...pots of delicious organic tea (thanks mum!)

World Sweet World Summer 09 /10

...a good read of the summer issue of World Sweet World (a thoughtful gift from my beautiful friend Olivia - thanks O! It is full of great crafty articles and projects including the coolest bookshelf that I can't wait to make and an awesome guide to selling at craft fairs)

...feeling energised to start back at work (tomorrow!)

...reflecting on my first year of selling my art (more on this soon)

...the feeling of all the possibility that has arrived with 2010! x

Happy New Year!

2010-01-01T15:42:00.003+13:00

Happy New Year!

2010 is going to bring much goodness... x

10 more sleeps til Christmas!

2009-12-15T11:57:00.012+13:00

Christmas Star

The silly season is suddenly in full swing! I haven't had much time for any new work of late but have been busy with a few more calendar sales (had to order another print run, yay!) and a couple of post market orders including some more Tui wall hangings which I'm just popping the finishing touches on. Have had all sorts of thoughts and ideas running around my head since the buzz of the market a few weeks ago and I'm looking forward to having some time to pull them all together a bit more and start working on some new things.

We have the remaining few Christmas stars I made for the market on our tree and they look just gorgeous - I love them! And I love the thought of them bringing something a little different to the trees of all the lovely peeps who bought them.

Only 10 more sleeps til Christmas...!

Sun shines down on first market

2009-12-02T15:50:00.021+13:00

Hawke's Bay Today article - Tuesday 1 December

I saw this wee article in yesterday's local paper and couldn't stop smiling at the headline - as well as highlighting what a success the day was for the organisers (who did an amazing job!!) it totally sums up my whole experience of my own 'first market'. I had the most incredible day on Sunday!

Here's the photo from the paper - a great shot from above showing just how gorgeous the setting was!

Hawke's Bay Today photo of market

The day was gloriously sunny (the heat almost too much!) and people seemed to come out for an explore of this new market in the hundreds - we were all amazed at how busy it was! I received such lovely feedback on my work and got to meet some wonderful people. Tim was with me for much of the day helping out and I had lots of friends come along to say hi which was just magic.

Here are a few photos of my stall...

happy first time stall holder!

prints and magnets

calendars

Christmas stars (what was left toward the end of the day - they were popular!)

Tui wall hangings

(I had a wee green one also but he was sold before this photo was taken)

at the end of the day - ready for a cold beer!

More thoughts on all this soon... just wanted to share that I could not have enjoyed myself more! The sun truly shined on my first ever market - in every way possible. x

So much goodness...

2009-11-27T14:51:00.013+13:00

I am ready (finally!) for the market on Sunday, just popping finishing touches on a few things and starting to get very excited! Will be sure to take some pics for show and tell. There has been so much other goodness going on too...

I'm most excited about this recent purchase which I treated myself to - this very funky craft apron which I found on etsy - I fell in love with this gorgeous fabric instantly! Check out the lovely Michelle and her shop Yoopers - Michelle was amazing to work with and it arrived here from the States in less than a week! She has an amazing range of aprons (such a cool idea!) and they are beautifully made. I can't wait to wear it! It was also so neat to receive a parcel in the post, all wrapped up lovely - totally tops off the wonderful experience of buying handmade from online marketplaces like etsy and felt.

my lovely craft apron by yoopers

My copy of Extra Curricular also arrived this week (yay, more parcels in the post, love it!) - a very cool new crafty mag - 'for and about people getting creative with their spare time'.

Put together by Ellie Smith (check out her cool etsy shop!) in Auckland it features fabulous interviews with crafty people from all walks of life and some very cool giveaways... and loads of links to crafty blogs and online shops that I can't wait to have a good explore of! Get yourself a copy of it here on felt! I also managed to get a spot in the felt ad that's in the back cover - it features one of my mosaic heart magnets - so exciting to see it there included amongst all these treasures!

Felt has also just put out a very cool Christmas gift guide - there's loads of cool stuff to check out if you're keen to buy handmade this Christmas. Some of my prints have been included and my wee calendar has also been featured in their 100 gift ideas for postable pressies - how lovely!

my calendar photographed by Susannah Tucker

And lastly (and the most lovely of all this goodness) - my wonderful friend Susannah featured me on her blog this week in this lovely post. I don't know what to say! Except that I am so truly blessed! Check out Susannah's gorgeous shop on etsy - she has a buy one get one free sale on some of her amazing photography until Dec 1st!

Happy weekend x

Market week!

2009-11-23T13:42:00.010+13:00

Market week is here! I had a super busy weekend finishing off some new work and I'm now feeling a bit more under control and ready for the countdown to this weekend, and market day on Sunday. It sounds like it's going to be amazing, with 40 stalls of arts, crafts, clothing, jewellery, wood carvings, furniture, bags and loads of handmade christmas goodies - all set in the beautiful gardens of Ormlie Lodge! The local weekend paper had a great write up advertising it and these flyers have been posted up round town, getting the word out. Here's hoping for a beautiful sunshiny Hawke's Bay day on Sunday...

I've been finishing off some wee Christmas stars and some new wall hangings, getting my stock of prints and calendars all ready to go as well as working out how I'm going to display everything and what I need to take with me on the day....

all so much fun, despite the occasional moment of feeling slightly overwhelmed by everything!

And my business cards arrived last week which is most exciting!

Will have more to share before the weekend...

Happy Monday! x

2010 Calendar - just listed!

2009-11-14T12:58:00.013+13:00

So excited! My 2010 calendar is finished and I'm so pleased with how it's turned out. It's been printed on lovely white cardstock and I've packaged it in a clear jewel cd case designed so that the cover folds back into its own display stand.

Each page feels like a little work of art on its own and I think they'll make gorgeous wee gifts for Christmas!

I've just listed them today in my etsy (US$) and felt (NZ$) shops!

2010 Calendar - Beautiful Words

I've been super busy crafting over the last month as I've been getting organised for an upcoming art market - I've booked to have a stall at the Hawke's Bay Design Market at Ormlie Lodge on the 29th November. It will be my first ever market stall which I'm really excited about - though have to admit I'm also plenty scared at the thought of really putting my work 'out there' for the first time... in person... in public... with... people!! That might sound strange but there is a certain feeling of security that comes with having your work online where you are somewhat removed from really personal contact with customers.

Still I've been getting some lovely feedback lately (thanks so much for all your lovely comments!) and I've been busy on lots of new works which has me feeling totally in the flow of crafty goodness!

I've just finished a lovely batch of magnets which I'm calling the 'stamp collection' - as each one features an old stamp from Tim's childhood collection of treasures. I really enjoyed working with these gorgeous papers and buttons and love how they have a bit of a vintage feel about them.

Here are a couple of pics -

Stamp Collection #02, mixed media circle magnet

Stamp Collection #01, mixed media heart magnet

Stamp Collection #05 mixed media circle magnet

Stamp Collection #07, mixed media heart magnet

More from me soon... I'll keep you posted on preparation progress leading up to the market. My to-do list seems to be getting bigger by the day (shouldn't it be getting smaller??)!

Happy weekend x

Why not?

2009-11-10T17:05:00.038+13:00

A little while ago my wonderful friend Susannah asked me if I had thought about putting together my own calendar for 2010. My first reaction to this seemingly outrageous thought was to tell her that I was 'a long way off doing something like that!' She followed on by giving me all sorts of ideas and advice to totally inspire me - mostly by showing me that despite the loud voice of my inner critic (you can't do something like that!), she believed that I could do it and simply encouraged me to ask myself 'why not?'

And so... after considering these 2 magic words that we should ask ourselves more often (especially when that inner voice is saying 'you can't')... I have created my own wee desk calendar for 2010 with my beautiful words series of paintings.

I'm so excited about this and so very grateful to my lovely friend for giving me the push that I needed (thank you so much Susannah!). I'm just popping the finishing touches on it and will have it ready to list in both my Felt and Esty shops this week!

Here is a wee sneak peek for you...

Beautiful words

2009-10-31T11:53:00.019+13:00

Here's a peak at the rest of my Beautiful Words series - recently completed! Prints are now available in my shops (felt and etsy).

Would love to know what you think!

believe, 6x6" mixed media on canvas

joy, 6x6" mixed media on canvas

calm, 6x6" mixed media on canvas

trust, 6x6" mixed media on canvas

love, 6x6" mixed media on canvas

beauty, 6x6" mixed media on canvas

New prints - just listed!

2009-10-17T16:16:00.011+13:00

I've just listed my new prints in both my shops!
They can be viewed here on felt (NZ$) and here on etsy (US$)

More soon...! x

A favourite spot for quiet moments

2009-10-12T14:43:00.014+13:00

This is where I can be found lately in rare spare quiet moments - my favourite spot around the house now that Spring has finally decided to bring us some sunshine! Magic on our porch, under the wisteria with a nice cup of coffee and mum's driftwood windchimes whistling away above me in the breeze. Our beautiful quilted hammock was handmade by Vietnam Quilts a wonderful non profit community organisation in Vietnam. It's one of our most treasured possessions brought home with us from our time spent in Ho Chi Minh City. We lived there for nearly 3 years (English teachers in another life!) and I'm having a hard time believing it is coming up 3 years this Christmas that we will have been back in New Zealand.

I'm busy at the moment working on finishing some more 6x6" word paintings and also getting some new prints done (new and exciting for me, as I haven't ventured into doing prints of my originals before!) Here's a pic of some of them - I'll be listing them in my Felt and Etsy shops soon!

I heart family

2009-10-01T21:03:00.013+13:00

Off to Wellington for the weekend (again!) tomorrow for some precious time with my wonderful whanau. Taking this wee gem down with me for my lovely mum x

Enchanted Heart, heart mosaic magnet

Tuesday treasures

2009-09-15T15:04:00.008+12:00

Here are a couple of the gorgeous finds we discovered in Tim's childhood stamp collection - he has 4 albums and a box full of stamps from all over the world and some of them are absolute treasures! This one pictures some of the first European immigrants arriving on Petone beach in 1840. It's a centennial stamp - produced one hundred years after the signing of New Zealand's Treaty of Waitangi - making this little gem almost 70 years old! I love it!

And this precious envelope post marked from Lambton Quay (Wellington) in 1956. It is addressed to Tim's mum and I think it was popped into the collection for the 3 stamps it has - but isn't the envelope itself just gorgeous?!

I know I must sound like a total geek but it was love at first sight for these 2 wee beauties and me. It has made me realise how much I love finding old stuff like this - just thinking about the history and the stories behind them - who wrote them and sent them off to loved ones such a long time ago, and that they have been sitting in a box of treasures all this time just waiting to be discovered by another generation who can wonder about them - it sends me into a bit of an excited spin!

We have another trip down to Wellington planned for this weekend and I'm hoping to get mum and my sister along for a treasure hunt in Petone (Yes - the very same Petone featured in the above stamp - although the wee settlement by the beach is now a vibrant, funky, fab little place filled with cafes, galleries, gift shops and of course...op shops!) x

Journey

2009-09-12T12:14:00.010+12:00

Journey, 6x6" mixed media on canvas

Another wee 6x6 mixed media just finished... I'm loving doing these word paintings. The pieces of music sheet collaged into this one are from One Love.

We're both huge Bob Marley lovers, so much so that we even named our beloved fur baby after him. x

TGI Friday

2009-09-11T18:37:00.005+12:00

TGI Friday here again already!

Today I'm trusting that I'll have a super productive weekend full of arty goodness...

...I'm grateful that we decided to treat ourselves to a coffee date today (precious time out together + yummy flat whites = a blissful Friday afternoon)...

...And I'm inspired by some amazing vintage treasures found this week through the re-discovery of Tim's old stamp collection (will post some pics soon to share!)

Happy weekend xxx

Don't forget to breathe...

2009-09-07T19:43:00.008+12:00

breathe, 6x6" mixed media on canvas

This is another 6x6" word painting I finished recently. I'm rather fond of this wee one. It feels like a lovely reminder (especially in such busy times!) to take moments to breathe deeply and be kind to yourself. This week is shaping up to be another busy one and I'm going to do my best to keep this in mind...

Happiness

2009-09-04T21:05:00.004+12:00

Happiness, 6x6" mixed media on canvas

I'm enjoying some quiet time tonight, just me and our lovely Marley curled up beside me, a roaring fire, cups of tea, arty blog browsing and half an eye on Australian Idol on the telly! The last few weeks have been so busy at work and suprisingly having less spare time has actually made me more motivated to take any chance I can to get into my art corner. I've been working on some more word paintings, revisiting a buddha painting that has been sitting there half finished for many months, exploring the possibility of making some prints of my originals and coming up with ideas for some new magnets and wall hangings. It is truly the most I've done for months.

I work part-time, a luxury that we often can't afford but a blessing in that it allows me plenty of time for art. It seems however, that 'plenty of time' often leads me to procrastinaton and I find myself wondering where the days have gone, and why I don't have more to show for all my time. The time constraints of the last few weeks have seen me get into a flow with my art, reminding me of just how precious time is and I've been realising the possibilities of what could be achieved if I only put as much into plenty of time as I did into not much time at all! I guess I work much better under pressure and need to find ways of creating this for myself.

Anyway, I digress. All I really wanted to say is that I am loving the flow I'm in and I feel full of possibility. And happiness. Oh and it's TGI Friday! Today I'm trusting of, grateful for and inspired by all of this goodness.

Happy weekend xxx

Treasures...

2009-08-24T21:08:00.021+12:00

We had a nice getaway to Wellington over the weekend - it was all rather whirlwind but still just magic to see family and catch up with some of our nearest and dearest. We didn't arrive until late on Friday night and as we crawled into bed, tired after the drive I discovered these gorgeous wee treasures waiting for me, as if the faeries had left them there themselves...

How cute is this? I've always had a thing for all things 'faerie' and mum picked this up for me at one of her favourite op shop haunts. The faded pages have that lovely 'old book' smell mixed with lavender and it's all the more special with this wee note in the cover...

and these sweet poems throughout...

this one especially gorgeous as spring really is just round the corner...

And... a little bit of doily magic!

I can't see this little gem staying in one piece for long...

Bless my lovely mum! x

Beautiful words and a tidy art corner

2009-08-20T15:31:00.029+12:00

Dream, 6x6" mixed media on canvas

Create, 6x6" mixed media on canvas

Possibility, 6x6" mixed media on canvas

Finally completed these 3 wee 6x6" canvases which I enjoyed doing so much as I'm loving these positive, beautiful words at the moment. I quite like how they've turned out. There hasn't been much time in the art corner of late! It has had a lovely spring clean however and is ready and waiting for me to get back in there. Here's a wee peek:

The art corner. (Yes, believe it or not this is tidy - about as tidy as it gets given amount of stuff vs. amount of space!)

View out the art corner window. It's a little dark to be an ideal workspace but I'm grateful just to have a wee dedicated space and love that I get to look out at native Punga trees. Bliss!

Sunshine inspiration

2009-08-08T12:42:00.005+12:00

royal gem, heart mosaic magnet

Ok so I'm a little late for TGIF this week seeing it's Saturday now but wanted to throw my thoughts out there for the weekend anyway. It has been a much calmer week this week and I am certainly appreciating the simple things at the moment.

Today I am...

trusting that I will make time for myself in the next few days for some arty goodness.

grateful for my good health and that this trouble I've been having with my back is finally resolving.

inspired by the change in the weather this last week, today's glorious sunshine and the flowers starting to bloom in the garden - the blissful reminder that it's nearly spring.

Time for coffee in said glorious sunshine now before a much needed spring clean of the art corner (trusting also that clearing out clutter will inspire said arty goodness!). Happy weekend! x

Work in progress

2009-08-02T14:33:00.012+12:00

A wee glimpse at what I've been working on recently...

6 x 6" mixed media on canvas (in progress)

Not really too sure where these are headed just yet but I've been enjoying having a play around with collaging, painting and stamping the backgrounds. Loving the colours and this wee 6 x 6 size canvas is so fun to work with. I'm getting the feeling that I really want to add some words or text into them...