THE PERFECT BAG

Finished Product Nerves
Do you ever get scared when it comes time to hand over the finished goods. I do!

The MC decribes it as a MATCH DAY tummy. He is a cricketer (more about that at another time). Anyway, I start to get sweaty hands and  a strange feeling in my tummy. I think this comes from the time, effort and emotion that goes into creating every piece I make. It is hard not to become personally attached. I worry whether my client will love my product as much as I do.

Nothing to worry about.
There really is nothing to worry about when you do your work completly and with love, because it shows. It is the little things that make all the difference. The double stitching, the attention to detail. That is what is so great about handmade products. They aren't just churned out on some mass production line, they are crafted and handled gently. They are given time to develop and really are perfect.

The Perfect Bag

I have been working on the perfect bag for travelling. It has to be big enough to carry a purse, passport, a small camera, mobile phone and lip stick. And yet small enough not to make your shoulder ache or for other people (children, husbands etc.)  to be able to put anything else in it. Have you ever noticed that when you have a large bag you end up becoming the pack hourse? Story of my life. SOooooo.... You can't fit that water bottle in my bag, no way, carry it yourself! PERFECT!

These are a couple of little beauties I whipped up this week, and they fit just the right amount!

I am off to Italy and Spain in a couple of weeks with The MC (who is that man?). Kids are staying home (that is another story too, it's the first time I have left them in about 14 years). I'll let you know how the bag travels. But I know it's gonna be great.

Davia

Do we have a Government yet?

How is all that tooing and froing going?

Can we make up our minds?

Well we can't rush these things. It's very important, serious stuff you know.
So.... it's neck and neck and some seats are still too close to call. And this mornings news is that it is probably still another 2 weeks before we will know anything for sure.

PHOTO OF MY FIRST DAFFODIL BEGINGING TO FLOWER

BUT ALL GOOD THINGS TAKE TIME -  LIKE MY DAFFS THAT ARE BUDDING NOW THEY HAVE BEEN WAITING PATIENTLY FOR MONTHS UNDERGROUND.

"Well" I say, "Just take your time and let me know when you have sorted it all out, but please make it a something that will work!" Something that will provide my kids with a future and good education. Ha...ha.... Now I sound like my Russian Grandmother. All she ever said was "Make sure they (my kids) get a good education!!!"  But really, she had a point. She also frequently added "No more children darlink, education is very expensive."

However this delay is potentially a good thing, I think, because it hopefully will give the independents time to consider how they might actually SUPPORT a successful Govt. I guess the test is really WHAT SORT OF MEN ARE THEY?

Davia

THE VIEW

Recently I have been watching the landscape change. Everyday there is something new.
I just love observing the ways that people live and share their lives with others.
Ours is a quiet community and we really don't get in each others way. But there is something nice about being recognised and it is great to get a smile and a nod or a wave as you walk around the block.

This is a photo of what can be seen from my bedroom window.
Some really great trees that green up the landscape, but mostly views of other people backyards, sheds and garages. These are typical examples of some of the older parts of suburban Melbourne.

Hills Hoist
There's the old Hills Hoist (a dying creature and an icon of Australian Heritage) I can only see three in this picture but I know there is five. They become move obvious when they have clothes on them.

The Italian Veggie Patch
Amongst the concrete there is a lush garden that keeps one of the neighbouring families in fresh herbs and veggies all year round. And come tomato season, the fires will billow smoke as the sauce making begins again. Yum! Follow this LINK to Gardening Australia's web page on creating a great Veggie patch. Lots of interesting things to look at here.

Urban Growth
There are three houses currently being extended, and the closest one looks like it just might be massive. I don't know if it is because this is just what we humans do these days, make everything bigger and better or whether there is genuine need for this huge increase in size, for example more kids on the way or aging parents moving in. But this is also a sign of the times in Suburban Melbourne. I actually believe that this higher density living is necessary for the sustainability of our population and it's growth. I don't have much positive to say about the urban sprawl and often query the sense in creating outer fringe communities, that seem to spring up out of nowhere over night and have very little infrastructure. It also points to the unbelievable cost of housing in inner Melbourne and towards the fact that many people have little choice.

I would like to see pics of your local environment, community and backyards. If you are happy to share I am happy to post. I intend to make THE VIEW  a regular feature.Send your pics to Davia

Davia

Spring Forward into Action

Normally I am not one to comment on politics. But I just can't resist in this time when we are not sure of the outcome of our federal election.

At present it looks a lot like a hung Parliament, the question now is; Who can form Government?

But my question is; How are they going to form a govt that can really work?
Does the opposition really have to be in opposition to everything the Govt. puts forward?
Why is there an expectation to oppose?
Is there an opportunity present here for a Govt. that works with all sitting members to really determine the best outcomes for our country?

What would that take?

As our weather is Moving Forward into warmth and sunshine (a welcome change) and our minds and bodies get into Real Action (we could all do with a bit of that) is it too much to hope that our pollies are thinking the same way and considering ways in which they might work together?

Just a thought :)

Davia

Out and About

Do you ever feel totally overwhelmed? Sometimes by the things you say you are going to do? And sometimes by the things you know you really should do?

I do! But I have found a wonderful cure. It's called Out and About.

Last week when The MC and I were feeling really over whelmed by our waist lines and or lazy health probs, we went for a long walk. Yeah I know it seems like the simple answer to everything "exercise". But what if you hate exercise?

The beauty about being Out and About with a friend in particular, is that you really don't notice the fact you are doing any exercise at all. You are too busy talking to notice you are walking. The MC and I had the best conversation we'd had in ages and along the way we spotted lots of weird and wonderful sights.

We were offered a $60 meat tray for $15 (a bit suss), and we saw a man dressed as a boxer, in his silk shorts and the whole kit and kaboodle, gloves and all (it was about 12 degrees). He was walking down the middle of the road trying to pick a fight with the oncoming traffic. We saw a man whose toupee had been mangled in the washing machine and we saw some wonderful shop windows full of the last of the winter stock going cheap.

When we got home we reflected that we are not in bad shape after all. Our minds are actually quite clear and life is full of opportunities. Even the opportunity to exercise without pain. I Love my life! How about you?


Speaking of Out and About I am doing a GUEST POST on ART MIND check it out.

Friday Follower interview on Thea & Sami

Today I feature on Thea & Sami.

Each week Thea acknowledges one of her followers. I think this is a wonderful idea as we all get to meet new people. Thea is a very lovely woman based in Queensland, Australia, I had the pleasure of meeting her in person last week at LifeInStyle in Melbourne.

Thea screen prints beautiful prints on organic hemp. Just lovely!

You can see my interview with Thea here.

Golden Whistlers visit The Press Club

I wore my beautiful new Red Handbag with the Golden Whistlers to THE PRESS CLUB for my birthday dinner last night.

We had a very special and delicious feast. We totally over ate but I enjoyed every bite. We shared our meal with my dad and his wife, Allan and Alla Wolf-Tasker of Lakehouse, (of whom I am just a little bit proud). It always helps to dine with other prominent restaurant ers because they look after each other very well. We were totally indulged, which is how it should be on your birthday.

That healthy eating I was talking about in my last post will have to wait another day or two because Friday night is at Bamboo House with the rest of the family. Peking duck watch out here we come.

Davia

MASTER CHEF

Recent discussions about our health and fitness prompted my husband-The Master Chef (The MC) and I to get gardening again.

Last year inspired by the TV program Master Chef, The MC came up with many mouth watering dishes and gastronomic delights every weekend. First thing Saturday morning he would make the trip to the Queen Victoria Market to pick up the latest and freshest ingredients.

All Saturday afternoon the house would be filled with tantalising aromas and in the evening we would all feast until we were way past full. Washing it all down with a good drop or two.

It is wonderful to witness a man discovering his INNER CHEF. Not only did I not have to cook, (I do this every other day of the week) or do the shopping, (I am so over that), but I got waited on and felt like every weekend was a birthday. However all this food and gluttony has taken it's toll and has not done the best for either of our figures. Picture -Botticelli, you know what I mean?

This year we have taken a fresh approach we ripped out the old woody and terribly overgrown rose that took up half the back yard and planted our own vegie patch. With a few little flowering bushes around the outside it makes a great addition to the garden.

Each evening I pick fresh herbs and salad vegetables for our dinner and they taste wonderful, even the kids love them. So it won't be long until I am finding my inner skinny person again. I know she is in here somewhere.

Davia

Why didn't anybody tell me? Maybe they did....

How is it that you can just keep getting bigger and bigger and no-one says a thing?

Is it just that we have very polite friends?

OR

Is our Self delusion so strong we don't hear them (or our own bodies screaming) anyway?

How is it that we manage to delude ourselves that nothing has changed? And then one day the pants just don't do up or you realise that you are having trouble getting up off the couch, perhaps that you are out of breath after walking to the corner. When did this happen? How did I not see it? Did I see it and just refuse to acknowledge it? Hmmm.... I think the answer might be ...yes!?!

Is it like the build up of dust in your house, just a little each day and then WHAM, tumble weeds rolling down the hallway and dust bunnies in every corner? How did that get there? ie; Hey...Where did those love handles come from?

You have to have a sense of humor about stuff like this don't you?

It is birthday time of year again for me, so you won't be surprised that I am asking these questions. Every year when the big day comes around I take a look at all the things that I could, would, might and probably "should" be doing differently. Time to face facts, not getting any younger or thinner. Does this matter?

Not really, but the health part definitely does because I just realised "I love my life." It's a great life and worth preserving a while longer. So as another year ticks over, I am going to look at something beautiful and not focus, just for today on things wish I could change.

This is a picture of a little LOVERFLY that Poss and I made together one Tuesday afternoon in our kids art class. We had great fun and the kids came up with the most amazing array of mini beasts.
Davia

Graffiti I love

Yesterday we took a bit of time out to indulge. We had some lovely pasta and COFFEE in good old Brunswick Street Fitzroy. There is nothing like a warm Cafe' on a cold and wet winters day. The weather was gloomy and over cast with a slight and constant drizzle. Definate scarf and gloves weather.

Heading back to the car in a break in the rain I saw this:
I had never seen it before and it completely lit up my day. It is by Nate Gamble and the colours are so beautiful. Such a different piece of graffiti, so pretty.

Below is something a little more on the quirky side. This I also love! I believe it to be the work of many artists. That's what I love about Melbourne, there is something different around every corner. So many different opinions and messages to convey. I have been noticing artworks on walls everywhere lately. It's a bit like RED CAR SYNDROME. Once you notice one, they are everywhere, and in groups of three or more. Sometimes the kids and I play that game in the car where we try to spot the most red cars in a row. Or we look for specific words on shops or signs. Never a dull moment around here!


We also stopped by the Rose Street Market for a little squiz, lots of great little bargains there this weekend. Little poss picked up the cutest little badge for her jacket and wore it home with pride. I had my eye on some japanese kimono printing screens but no money in my pockets :( next time

Davia

Life in Style

Yesterday I visited the LifeInStyle trade show. I saw lots of beautiful products and got thoughly overwhelmed with choice. There were hundreds of stalls. I am hoping that by this time next year I will have a stall myself. Nothing like setting a target... right!?!

While I was there I caught up with Thea from Thea and Sami and got to see her lovely fabric in the flesh. Her designs are very elegant. It was also great to meet a fellow blogger and her husband, it is a shame that Melbourne turned on the worst of its weather for them. It was frezzing and wet yesterday.

I also managed to catch up with a woman that I greatly admire, Carla, from Emotional baggage. She has designs and produces wonderful handbags too. They are quite different from the designs I produce but they are however beautifully made, also here in Melbourne. Carla is an inspiration to a budding handbag designer like myself. So if you are looking for something a bit different to what I do, I can highly recommend her.

I also met fellow bag designer Simon King, also a lovely person, also based here in Melbourne. His designs work well for the man in you life too. Check out his stuff at All the kings men. Again his designs are very different to mine but also great. Sorry I can't seem to manage to make the link work but it is worth goggleing him if you are looking for a man bag.

I met several other designers while I was there and I will attempt to conect you to them in later blogs. Some very nice jewellry!

Davia

Red Handbag and more Birds

Today I am working on a couple of new designs. I have had many requests for Red Handbags. Here is a painting I am working on. No surprise it also depicts more birds. These little beauties are Mangrove Golden whistlers. Also known as Black-tailed whistlers. They are Australian birds that live in coastal areas. The are faily uncommon but very cute.

This is another bag for the lovers of all things red and black.

Bags will be ready for purchase shortly.

Davia

Paintings on Cards

Making photo's really stand out is difficult but not impossible.

I am working on making my photo's pop. This is not as easy as one might think. Lighting my handbags is a nightmare due to the wonderfully practical PVC cover that protects these very luminous and colourful painting reproductions. Light from windows and flashes seem to bounce right of it and deaden the colour of the print. I have taken more shots that reflect me on the surface of the bag, than I have great ones of the bags themselves. I am just not a great with a camera as I am with a brush. I must work out how to do these bags justice. More day light? One step at a time. Mmmm......

That said... here is a great shot of the latest edition to my ETSY shop. CARDS. Yeah!

Davia

Dreaming Artist - By Davia McMillan

Original painting- Set of 4 Cards

Available now, click here.

An Ginger Cats Life

Do you ever wish you were a cat?

I do, and if I was a cat I would want to belong to my mum. Her cats are spoilt rotten and very overfed. I just love a big fluffy cuddly cat.

This is a photo of Jack. He has found the warmest place in the house today, in my studio curled up next to my new scarf, it is cold here in Melbourne today.

He likes to keep me company, walk all over my computer. And he manages to cover everything with fur. He knows he is not allowed on the cutting table though, I don't want that hair anywhere near my sewing. So I have to growl occasionally, in the nicest possible way.

My youngest daughter, (Poss) calls him Jackie Boy and says things like "Oh... he's SOoooo cute!" But I think the poor old boy just likes to be left alone somewhere warm. Come to think of it, that would be really nice today, this big cat would really like that! Hope it is warm and sunny where you are.

Can you guess my star sign?

Davia

Russian Textiles

Old Fashion Roses Print

I have a soft spot for all things Russian. My taste was developed early in life by my Russian step-grandmother. She always had an eclectic mix of colours and patterns in her house. It could have been because it was the 70's. But she was a brave woman and as a young child I always put it down to her Russian-ness.

Last year I found an amazing book full of the most wonderfully colourful Russian textiles. The cloth that inspired the above painting was: roller printed cotton circa late 19th - early 20th century. The cloth design itself is said to have been influenced by French Home Furnishing Design.

This is a full view of the painting that appears on the flap of one of my favourite bag designs.

I did a couple of versions of this painting, so there is also one with just one rose. This appears on the little makeup/ glasses case I posted earlier.

I have taken many liberties in my interpretation of the design and the result is far more impressionist than a true representation of the original work.

I am still learning to drive this blog site and I meant to post this picture into my portfolio. Go figure??? I will get it right eventually. Now I will try for the portfolio with some other pictures. Check them out.

Davia

Welcome Coupe' Fashion

I would like to acknowledge the wonderful Fran at Coupe' Fashion, 627 Rathdown St Nth Carlton.

I recently met Fran and discovered her beautiful little shop in Nth Carlton. Fran has been in business a staggering 24yrs. She stocks lovely clothing and accessories and I couldn't help but buy myself a little scarf. (as pictured)

Fran was incredibly friendly and helpful and gave me plenty of tips for getting this show on the road to success. She also agreed to stock several of my handbags and cards, so if you are in the region, please drop in, say hello and have a look around.

Davia