Wolf and Willow - design, style, fashion, diy projects + daily inspiration

Creative Collective: Handmade Christmas Card Swap

Hi lovelies! Now, I know it's a little early to be talking about Christmas already, but I'm so excited about December's Creative Collective activity that I had to share it right away.It's a good ol' fashioned handmade Christmas Card swap - yay! The focus is on handmade, of course, so you can make them yourself (maybe with some pretty retro paper from Toffee?) or buy them from your favorite indie paper goods shop. Simply join the swap, get paired up and post your cards. Easy-peasy! More details after the jump...

Peachy Prints: Wolf and Willow Print Shop

So... many of you have been asking if my illustrations (spotted in my portfolio and field journal) are available as prints, and I've always hesitated... I guess because I'm a little shy about showing them, and never considered that anyone would ever love them like I do. Nevertheless, I have deferred to popular demand and opened up a little print shop where you can buy prints from my 'Dreaming' series. It comes at a really nice time, I suppose, because I'm working on a piece for 'Nursery Rhymes', a joint exhibition at the Urban Cow Gallery next year. The rhyme I have chosen to illustrate is 'Star Light, Star Bright', but more on that later. For now, I hope you'll enjoy my flower garden dreamers.

Field Journal: Bicycle Dreams

Yesterday afternoon, as the sun was setting on another busy day and I was feeling a little lost for inspiration, my friend Jess came to the rescue with this simple suggestion: "post about what you might do this Christmas". Why, of course! You see, I'm dreaming of finding a vintage bicycle under my tree. I've been pedalling around my neighbourhood quite a bit lately. Why, just today I delivered a parcel of second-hand clothes to Clothing for Correspondence for their fabulous work on Toffee. Anyway, my bike is falling apart and this Christmas, I'm hoping Santa will bring me one just like this! Isn't she a beauty?

Field Journal: A Note to my Heroes

I was digging through some old family albums on the weekend and I found these photos of my two biggest heroes, Mum and Dad, in the late 70s. My parents look so young; younger than me now. You can see those classic Australian icons in the summer haze of our backyard; the 'Hill's Hoist' clothesline, the Jacaranda tree and the Black-eyed Susans as orange as Fanta. Dad made that chair by hand (he's handy like that) and I'll bet you five bucks Mum made those clothes. They both stop by my blog from time to time, so here's a quick note for them...

Don't worry,  I'm coming to visit you soon. We'll chase Eden around the backyard, make broccoli parcels and tomato sandwiches for lunch, and play Patience on the porch, if you like. Missing you both like crazy. Love, Buncie Tree.

Field Journal: Meet Me at Mikes Book Club

I'm ever so excited about joining the Meet Me at Mikes book club. I just couldn't resist posting about how much I'm enjoying the first book, Anne of Green Gables. I can't believe I haven't read it until now - it's positively delightful! The wild imaginings and incessant chatter of Anne Shirley (sorry, Cordelia!) just makes me giggle. It reminds me of a certain someone and her school report cards, which so often read:

"Nancy Alice has a vivid imagination, is excellent at Art and English, but talks far too much for a little girl"

Creative Collective: Spring Craft Project

Hello lovelies! Today, I've chosen this beautiful photo by Jessica Torres to inspire you for this month's art / craft project, brought to you by Creative Collective - a group of creative bloggers (including yours truly!) whose aim is to bring fun, interactive projects to our readers. Periodically, we'll be posting the latest project and inviting you to take part. This month, the theme is Spring!  All you need to do is join our Flickr Group and/or Facebook Page, create something with a Spring theme and post a photo. It's that easy! We'll all post about our favourite projects at the end of the month. How exciting!

Field Journal: Home, Sweet Home

Hello lovelies! Well, I'm home again after a wonderful holiday in New Zealand and, as you may have noticed, Wolf and Willow has a fresh new look to welcome me home - yay! A big thank you to Yee Von Chan for her beautiful illustration work (you might remember her from this little post). I hope you've enjoyed all the fabulous guest posts over the past two weeks. I know I have! For the rest of this week and all of the next, I'll be featuring some of the many talented artists and designers that I discovered on my trip. So, stay tuned for "Kisses for Kiwis Week" here on Wolf and Willow - you're sure to be inspired and delighted by the creative style of The Land of the Long White Cloud!

Field Journal: I Miss You, Harvey!

Well, it's week two of my holiday and whilst I'm having an amazing time with the beautiful scenery in New Zealand, there's just one thing I really miss... cuddles from my dog, Harvey. Isn't he beautiful? I miss the way he throws his little paws around my neck, squeezes me tight and wiggles with delight each time I walk in the door. And, if I tap my finger on my cheek and say the word "kisses" he'll even give me a smooch! How lucky am I to have a best friend like him? That's him sitting on my Louis XIV butterfly armchair (a wedding gift from mum). He's really not supposed to be up there... but how could you say "no" to a face like that?

Field Journal: The Land of the Long White Cloud

Hello sweet peas! As some of you may have heard, today I'm flying off to the Land of the Long White Cloud... New Zealand, that is! Yes, in the middle of winter. Scary!
I have packed several outfits made entirely of wool, including dresses, socks, stockings, scarves, mittens and quite a few thermals, thank you very much! However, much to
Mr. Wolf's dismay, I refuse to wear ugly shoes that match the ground (i.e. hiking boots). So, unless I'm on my snowboard, I'll still be wearing heels or ballerina flats.
I sure hope it doesn't rain too much...

I'll be stopping by, whenever and wherever I can, and reporting back on all the wonderful Kiwi artists and designers I'm sure to find. In the meantime, I've asked some very talented bloggers to take care of you while I'm away, so you can expect the next two weeks on Wolf and Willow to be as magical and inspiring as ever. Bye, bye sweets!

Image via We Heart It

Field Journal: Rainy Day

It's the middle of winter here in Melbourne, so I thought I'd share with you a few of my favourite things to do on rainy days (we've had quite a few lately!) Sipping hot tea, making porridge, twirling my umbrella, finding rainbows, watching old movies and knitting. What do you love to do on rainy days?

Image via We Heart It

Beautiful Blogging: 10 Things About Me

Why, hello there lovelies! This morning, I received a very nice surprise from my friend Bonnie over at Going Home to Roost. She bestowed upon me a gleaming Beautiful Blogger Award. Isn't she sweet? So today I'm going to share 10 things about me, and pass the Beautiful Blogger Award on to five other bloggers to do the same! I choose...

1. Laura from Lolalina 2. Jutta from Kootut Murut 3. Allison from The Lark 4. Shannon from Happiness Is... 5. Esme from Esme and the Laneway. Now it's your turn, ladies!

Field Journal: Moving House

You may have noticed that Wolf and Willow is in the process of moving house - to a new web address that is! Yes, I'm packing my little suitcase full of prettiness and posts and, over the next few days, will be moving to my new url wolfandwillowblog.com - it's easier to remember, huh? You might notice a few little changes about the place as I clean out the cobwebs and iron out a few kinks. Don't worry, I'll still be here if you come looking, but please do update your bookmarks and links. That rhymes... cute!

Thank you to Cassia from Lola's Room for this gorgeous photo. Aren't the shoes just peachy? And to the fabulous Ez from Creature Comforts for giving me a little push!

Field Journal: An Australian Art Mystery Solved

Like a real-life Nancy Drew adventure, the mystery of Rupert Bunny's stolen painting, the Girl in the Sunlight, has finally been solved - right here in my hometown! Unsolved for over twenty years, the case was cracked just a few days ago, after a recent exhibition inspired a secret tip-off. Painted during the Belle Epoque, Girl in the Sunlight depicts a woman reading in a garden under a white parasol. The original owners are delighted to have found her again. Known for his beautiful impressionist scenes of ladies at leisure and nymphs at play in the Australian landscape, Bunny is one of my favourite Australian artists. Here are two of his best, A Summer Morning and Pastoral.

Field Journal: Checking the Post

Dearest friends of Wolf and Willow. For my latest Field Journal assignment, I'd like to ask you all a question or two... and to spoil you all for contributing, I will randomly pick a winner from the comments to receive a little gift. I'd like to know what are your favourite posts here at Wolf and Willow, and what would you like to see more of? Do you like reading about my Fashion Fancies or Vintage Icons? Or would you like more free patterns and inspiration boards? I'll be checking my post box just like Holly Hobbie here until the end of the fortnight. Can't wait to hear from you!

Field Journal: Lara's Student Profile

This week, my Field Journal assignment was to interview a customer or friend, asking what they love about my work. And it just so happens that my gorgeous teacher Lara Davies from Harvest Textiles posted a rather nice response to that very question on her blog this morning. How handy is that?

Lara teaches screen printing in a well-loved and paint-splattered textile studio (above) right here in artsy Melbourne. Of meeting me for the first time at her March workshop she kindly writes, "when Nancy bounded into the [studio] 
I had no idea about the amazing blog she keeps or her many other creative ventures! I have pretty limited time on the computer, with my 1 year old not being very sympathetic to my blogging". 

"So, it's the first morning of the workshop and as we are all introducing ourselves, Nancy says something along the lines of, "I work full time as a graphic designer for a boutique stationery and lifestyle brand. I also write a blog, design vintage patterns for children's clothes, and do freelance children's book reviews". The alarm bells started ringing that this was one incredibly busy lady and over the course of the weekend we were treated to the lovely buzz of energy, excitement and creativity that Nancy brews up while she is working." Aww, thanks Lara!

Field Journal: Bonnie's Girly Getaway

Hello darlings! Guess what? Gorgeous Bonnie of Going Home to Roost is away this week on a girly getaway, and she's invited a number of guest bloggers to post for her, including yours truly! In my guest post, I introduce Roost readers to some of my favourite crafty Australians and write about what makes them laugh. So, be sure to visit my post and leave a nice comment for me! And, inspired by the thought of painting my nails, drinking cocktails and lazing about on the beach with my best friends, I too am planning a vacation with the girls. Enjoy your holiday, Bonnie x

Field Journal: Wolf and Willow Studio Tour

For this week's Field Journal assignment, it's time to take a peek inside the Wolf and Willow workshop! Here are a few of my favourite things... my bookshelves filled with white wicker baskets of fabric scraps and ribbons, children's books and vintage sewing patterns; my dear Louis XIV reading chair embroidered with Shakespeare quotes, dragonflies and butterflies; my lucky teacup, magic sketchbook and painted porcelain unicorn; my cloth mannequin; my pretty pincushion (thanks Heather!) and, of course, my two lovely ladies, Daisy the pink sewing machine and Olive the slightly temperamental overlocker. I do hope you've enjoyed the tour, darlings!

Field Journal: Harvest Textiles Worskhop

Last weekend I had the absolute pleasure of learning to screenprint my own yardage with the lovely Lara of Harvest Textiles. After two days of drawing, cutting, squeegie-ing, spraying, mixing and, well, rather clumsy splattering... 
I was thrilled to finish up with several yards of my very own peony print fabric for myself and Daisy the pink sewing machine to play with.

Here's a little peek at my first ever attempt at screenprinting (excluding high school art class!) Is anyone surprised that, when faced with a few tubs of primary colours, I chose to mix up a delicious batch of watermelon and peach?

And this is what happens when you are too impatient, and go rushing ahead without waiting for your friend to hold the screen steady... ooops! See how my floating blossoms have smudged? There's a lesson in that, Nancy.

Field Journal: Falling in Love with Creating

To answer the question, how I fell in love with creating, I had to think back to how I fell in love with using my imagination... The earliest memory I have is of playing with my imaginary friends (a wolf, a tiger and a unicorn) in my parents' little rock garden at our home in Frenchs Forest when I was four. Inspired by an Irish folk song my father used to sing to me and the marvelous books my mother read to me each night (Rudyard Kipling's Mowgli and Peter S. Beagle's The Last Unicorn)) I fell hopelessly in love with creating things in my mind, long before I learnt to create them with my hands.

"A long time ago, when the Earth was green,
there were more kinds of animals than you've ever seen,
they'd run around free while the Earth was born,
and the loveliest of all was the unicorn..."
- Irish folk song

Field Journal: A Clue and a Question (and a Prize!)

Why hello there, readers. I'm ever so glad you stopped by, because today my Field Journal assignment is to pose a question to you! I'd like to know, who was your childhood hero and why? At the end of the week, I'll send a little prize to the reader whose answer takes my fancy. I shan't say who my own childhood hero is just yet, but I will leave you with this little clue: 

"I plan on solving this faster than I can get to the bottom of a cup of Darjeeling"

p.s competition is now closed, darlings! The winner is the lovely Jessica for her wonderful story on Grandma Rita. Congratulations Jessica!