Toasting to a Happy New Year !!

Can you believe it, another year gone!? Well it was 

a swell year for us at Craft Victoria as we hope it 

was for you, too. Let us hope that 2012 bring us the same goodness and spreads it to all of our friends 

in the process. 

Tonight is going to be a toasty New Years Eve in Melbourne (and tomorrow shall bring us an even toastier beginning for the year to come). We've spent our summer break brain-storming our idea of the perfect New Years Eve and we've decided it would sound something like this: nice wine, fresh fruit and cheese & biccies on a picnic rug on fresh green grass in a city garden with some cheery, bright and warm-loving friends. All pretty do-able, the only real question is, what wine to dine with...? 

When it comes to picking the perfect wine for the perfect occasion, for us, it's all about the prefect label. And have we found the perfect labels!? Cake Wines have a new sav blanc and cab merlot with psychedelic labels deigned by the wonderfully talented Beci Orpin and Kill Pixie. 

So, with a glass in our hand, we make a toast to you all: Thanking you all kindly for a year of inspiration and exploration, wishing you all a happy and creative year in 2012 and we cannot wait to continue working with you all to spread your artistic flair! Happy New Year!

Resolution #4: Hungry to get cooking...

Hungry Girls Cookbook Volume 3, Yogurt and White Chocolate Pannacotta

Who has spent this festive season eating? We have. We have been eating everything and anything, because that's what you do this time of year. When you go over to dear old Auntie Nance's and she bakes 5 different types of cakes, you must try at least one slice of each. After all, no one wants to offend this time of the year. So after tasting at least 50 new recipes in the last 10 days, we have decided that we are all inspired for some good old-fashioned cooking in 2012. We want to cook healthy, with ingredients that we buy fresh from the farmers markets during the week and dabble in some sweet treats on the week ends. This Yogurt and white chocolate pannacotta from The Hungry Girls Cookbook Volume 3 has caught our eye, so much so that this might go straight to the first week end of the New Year. Might have to get us some of those darling kitsch 50's plates too, to really seal the deal. 

Maybe a little on the fussy side? No need to fret... With 3 Volumes out now, The Hungry Girls have recipes catering to all palette types and occasions. Note to self - the first two volumes are especially handy to all those vegetarians. A copy can be yours for a mere $35 and can be purchased from numerous spots around Australia and even abroad. Craft Victoria has copies of Volume 1, 2 & 3 at 31 Flinders Lane.

Resolution #3: pick more fresh flowers

Grab your big hardy metal scissors, chuck on some gumboots and take a waltz in the garden. Find some flowers, cut them at their roots and carefully arrange them in your most treasured vase. Now, go about your business, run some errands, have a coffee or go for a bike ride. Then come back into your home, have one big whiff and tell us that there is a better feeling than walking into a room filled with fresh flowers!? Well let's be honest, there probably is, but no need to dampen the point we're trying to make,  fresh flowers still rank pretty highly.  So our New Year's Resolution #3 is to make sure there are more fresh flowers in beautiful vases around the place to offer a little freshness to the senses. Don't forget that even flowers have feelings and they deserve as good a home as any. Finding the perfect home for the perfect bunch isn't always easy, so we've done a little groundwork on your behalf. This one would work for the one who is till looking for that special somebody, this is perfect for the breed that has always yearned for green stems, here we've found a home for those in search of a delicate simplicity, oh and this one is a roses dream, with that rugged finish to cuddle those spikey thorns. And remember there is always plenty more to choose from down at 31 Flinders Lane - re-opening for the New Year on 16 January, 2012.

Resolution #2: Make washing the dishes fun!

Third Drawer Down, Katherine Brickman Winning Tea Towel

We’re pretty good, but like everyone, we could be better. The roster has been drawn up, with every person on a specific day, so we think that it is more of an issue of inspiration over organisation. After all, washing the dishes is a pretty hard chore to feel inspired about. So this coming year, New Year’s Resolution #2 is to make sure the dishes are not only done every day, but they are done with a feeling of creativity in a flamboyant manner. Sing a tune in the process, dance while you wash or imagine you’re bathing in a bubble bath as your smell the soap foam. Whichever way you please, try turning your chores into an art form in itself that floods with creative suds. Third Drawer Down have certainly managed to create a creativity/chore hybrid with their limited edition artist print tea towels. We think this Katherine Brickman Winning Tea Towel pegged above our sink might assist us with truly triumphing in the dishes department. With them all being limited edition and 100% linen, with screen prints of quirky artworks, we think that they may suit better to inspiring one to do the dishes, rather than actually assisting (well, that is our plan at least).

Resolution #1: More DIY Projects

Cut & Paste, Richard Brereton and Caroline Roberts
available at Craft Victoria

Christmas comes and goes like there’s no tomorrow, yet we all know that there always is, a tomorrow that is. So rather than dwelling on the fact that there are no more presents to come and our bellies are as full as balloons, we thought we would focus on looking forward. 2011 has been a swell year, but there are always some slight tweaks to be made when planning for the New Year. So between now and 01 January, we are going to put pencil to paper to create our resolutions for the year to come.

So coming in at number 1, is to not only think about, but actively partake in plentiful amounts of DIY projects. For some reason these crafty little hands on projects seem to fall under the same umbrella as cooking a nice meal after a hard days work. We know it can be a ball, we know that we feel amazing for it, yet for some peculiar reason we tell ourselves we deserve a break, when really this is the optimum break. Well not this year. This year we are treating ourselves kindly and committing to the indulgence of sitting back with paper, scissors and glue and going to town. We’re thinking that if Cut & Paste replaces the current coffee table book, we might not be able to hold back from DIY even if we try. With stories and inspirational works from more than 40 artists of the collage tribe, who wouldn’t want get cutting and pasting!?

Be yourself this Christmas

The best Christmas gift

Embrace your quirky and unique qualities today, rembering that those who love you shall love you for who you really are. Be yourself today and then continue to be so for everyday in 2012. We found this sweet stop motion, as a little token gift from us to you to say thank you for a wonderful year. From all of us at Craft Victoria, Merry Christmas as we wish you the lovliest of lovely days. xx

Hundreds and thousands Chrissy decorations

Christmas is sneaking up on us all with the smoothness and suaveness of an inspector gadget like character and to be frank, we’re not impressed. All those DIY Chrismas decoration projects are looking like they are going to have to be thrown out the window. So we thought, if we’re in this sticky situation, others quite possibly will be too. So onto that nifty little world wide web we hopped in the search for some quick and easy crafty decoration ideas to blow the fam and friends away and look what we have found... Christmas tree decorations filled with hundreds and thousands!! YUM with a capital Y, U and M! They are quick, easy and sure to brighten up everyone’s day whether their list to santa was fulfilled or not. Just make sure the kids don’t eat them (or the dog for that matter). Note to all: Matching nails aren't a necessity, but will definitely add to the overall effect significantly.

NOW HIRING: See yourself as Craft Vic's Curator!?

Craft Victoria, Bless, 2011

Today a dream Christmas present arrives for a particular somebody. As sad as we may be to say good-bye to the talented and charismatic Nella Themelios we are certainly excited to invite a new member into the Craft Victoria Team. If you can see yourself as Craft Victoria's Coordinating Curator then be sure to apply, afterall you have to be in it to win it. The position description can be found here and be sure to include a Cover Letter, CV and a response the Key Selection Criteria in your application. Applications must be sent to CEO and Artistic Director, Joe Pascoe by no later than 12pm Monday 16 January 2012.

A present for each and every type!

With today being our last day of trading and all before Christmas, we thought we should, well, flaunt it while we've got it, so to speak. After much sincere thought and time we proudly present to you 12 individually picked items that will cover all your Christmas shopping needs. With various prices, mediums and points of interest we offer to you a glimpse into the picturesque array of product we have available. With literally hundreds of suppliers,the process of narrowing the peek down to 12 was a hefty task indeed to place upon ourselves. All available at 31 Flinders Lane and don't forget... We're open until a glorious 6PM tonight.

From left to right, top to bottom...we have for you the perfect piece for:

1. The new edition to the family - Made By Mosey, Sky Blue Cloud Mobile, $65.00
2. The father who has taken up cooking upon retirement - Notts Timber, Wooden Spoon, $20.50
3. The terrible two-year-old who is in need of a role model - Handmade Romance, Bow Tie Boy, $85.00
4. The crafternoon lady - Art Viva, Knitting Needles, $20.00
5. The hostess with the mostess - Little Circus Design, Timber Bird Mobile $200.00

6. The girl who has everything - Dani M, Necklace, $150.00
7. The bearded boyfriend - Handmade Romance, Beaded Bloke Brooch, $37.00
8. The brains of the family - Kirsten Perry, Brain Necklace, $110.00
9. The colourfully fashionable bedtime reader - Sequins & Sequence, Kat Macleod, $20.00
10. The on-the-go caffeine queen - Craft Victoria, Coffee Cup, $30.00
11. The kitchen baker who's hungry for a new challenge - Hungry Girls, Cookbook, $35.00
12. The girl who wears either silver or gold (but you cannot remember) 

      - Milly Flemming - Double Soft Triangle Necklace $185.00

These are a few of our favourite things.

We’ve been busy little beavers here at Craft Victoria. So busy that before last night, we hadn’t even gotten around to sending our wish list off to the north pole. Let’s hope the express post envelope does it’s job. The ladies behind our counter have the best view around town. They get to see it as soon as it arrives, find the perfect spot in the shop for it and offer a helping hand and sometimes some advice too, to those trying on, considering or simply going about their shopping business. So if anyone has had their dream santa stocking fillers rubbed in their face, it’s these little ladies. We all love each and every piece, but we cannot refute it, certain pieces have definitely caught the eye. Pop down to Craft Victoria, 31 Flinders Lane today, where the ladies shall cater to all of your craft needs. With only today and tomorrow left for trading, you will find our door wide open until the unique 6PM.  

A telegram to all the Melbourne Makers:

James Greenfield, Bunting, 2005

Giving DIY the credit it deserves, whilst offering local makers the opportunity to flaunt their talents is the very special Melbourne Maker Faire. There will be workshops, presentations, exhibition stalls, installations and copiousness amounts more. So to all those Melbourne makers out there, we know of your meticulous handicraft skills, but why not spread the love a little further so that everybody who wants to know you, knows you. Apply now to get your foot, or maybe even your feet if you're lucky in the door that opens up a whole new world of prospects. And to all the lovers of craft, rather than makers, just because you cannot host a stall, does not mean there is no fun to be had. The Faire shall be taking place on Saturday 14 January from 10am – 4pm at The Atrium, Swinburne University of Technology, 467 Burwood Road, Hawthorn. So start wearing in that 2012 diary by pencilling in the details, so they cannot escape one's busy festive mind.

Call for entries: Gaps Amid Translation

Ash Keating, Label Land, 2009, Human Rights Arts and Film Festival

Whilst we're crossing cultures, languages or even mediums, nothing can ever translate wholly and fully. When we write words, they never sound the same as the time they are spoken. Visiting a country cannot possibly touch on being a perminent resident. And so the story of the gaps within intended translation form. Hans George Gadamer articulates, “The process of translating comprises in its essence the whole secret of human understanding of the world and of social communication.” This notion has shaped the essence for this year’s Human Rights Arts and Film Festival Art Exhibition, titled 'Gaps Amid Translation'. The call for entries is out and before we know it the call will be coming to an end. HRAFF warmly invites established artists to submit their work for the potential for involvement in the 2012 exhibition. An honour exists within this exalted opportunity to take part in a festival that promotes such social equality, knowledge and education within the arts and film worlds. Artists can apply until the Thursday 22 December. Not an artist? There are still plentiful ways to tip your toe in HRAFF experience. They’re always seeking dedicated and passionate volunteers to work with and there will be a bundle and a half of events, programs and other bits and bobs to see, do and engage with during the festival itself, 12 – 27 May 2012. A fortnight to highlight in next year's calendar we think.

25 films you must see before you die.

Jean-Pierre Jeunet, Amélie,  2001

Have we mentioned that we love a good list? Maybe it’s something about consolidating the endless options the world now provides or maybe it’s the concept of ticking things off that evokes that sense of achievement. Whatever it is, there’s no denying it, we enjoy a sharp, defined creative list to chew our teeth into like nothing else. Now Artshub have done all the dirty work for us, compiling this super spectacular list of 25 films you must see before you die. This is a considerably strong statement and knowing their credibility and the uncertainty of when that time may come, we advise you start watching. Making number one, is the magic of Jean-Pierre Jeunet’s Amélie. With a soundtrack that makes you melt accompaning Audrey Tautou as the lead in that saturated green cinematography that has been edited to make you feel like you're in some frenzied dream state.. How can one not fall in love!? Amélie calms our nerves as we learn that having a little weird in us, isn’t necessarily a bad thing.   Number 1 is now ticked off and we are off to a swell start – now it’s time to move down the list. Life Is Beautiful makes number two, sitting just in front of Cinema Paradiso.  Coming it at number four is the foreign masterpiece Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and just sliding in to the top five is City of God. We didn’t want to overwhelm so we've just listed five for now, but when you’re ready the full 25 can be found here.