Sunday 26 October 2014

The 100 days project is over. What next?

For 100 consecutive days, 1000's in New Zealand and elsewhere resolved to work on a creative activity each day as part of the 100 Days Project and record it online. Over the last few weekends exhibitions have been held of local contributors in Wellington, Melbourne, IJsselstein (Netherlands) and Auckland. 
Well over 100 contributors ranging in all ages, exhibited in Auckland over the weekend. Here are some of their works. 
 
Lee Taniwha - 'Before I kick the bucket' 100 things the artist would like to  do before popping off this mortal space.
 
 
 
 
Angelo Dema- 'A4' Imagine creating a 3d object out of a flat sheet of A4!
 
 
Asta Lott - '5000 poppies'. Asta crocheted 100, but is carrying on to contribute to the 5000 poppies project to commemorate 100 years of the Anzac Remembrance Day in 2015.      
 
For more on the 5000 poppies project visit:
 
Work | Shop -' 100 domed objects' - beautifully crafted 3D objects with exquisite detail. http://100daysproject.co.nz/project/2014/1061
 

Suzanne Denmead - 'Crafterzan' cleverly crocheted characters. http://100daysproject.co.nz/project/2014/841
 

It was a great activity to be involved with and hope to return next year.
My theme was printable sketches- simple line drawings to convert to images that are easily printable. I found that photographing the simple drawings took on a life of its own.
 
 

Saturday 18 October 2014

100days project - one thing. every day. x100

Have you ever given in to the urge to be creative and let it see where it leads you?

Well I have had this experience recently. I joined in the 100daysprojectNZ arranged by Emma Rogan and am pleased to find that surprisingly I have managed to complete the 100th day of the project.

We live such busy lives and before you know it you realise so much time has passed and you've let time to be creative slip away. Last year it suddenly hit me that I always had excuses for not doing creative projects. It was now or never. I decided to set up a stall selling crafts - things I had enjoyed making from recycled bits and experimental sewing projects. Hence the beginning of my blog because I was required to link to a website to display my products. I enjoyed my excursion into markets and met some fascinating people. However, I didn't particularly want to sell things, but make. The creative process fascinates me and I always delight in the unexpected - fortunately so, because often what I am trying to do doesn't always work {laughs!}.

Well I am never going to be a business women, too late for that now and so I decided to take a break from markets. It was around this time that I encountered Instagram. I took Stephanie Somebody's Instagram Debunked course through The School. Megan Morton, Sophie The and Stephanie brought their styling, photography road show to Auckland and lucky us! On my foray into IG, I came across some amazing bloggers, photographers, stylists and designers and others like me, in regular jobs, who needed creative outlets.

So I decided to post my images on IG. My aim was to make simple drawings which I could hopefully turn into some printable images- either by making stamps or stencils. Now that the drawings are finished, the printing phase begins...

I have had such warm responses and made some wonderful connections. These have really spurred me on and encouraged me to keep going (I have to admit that I enjoyed styling the photos as much as doing the drawings!).

So if you are hesitating about trying something new, all I can do is to say
there's no better time than now.

Claudia

PS The 100days project exhibits in Auckland the weekend of  25 October opening that evening at the Thievery Studios, Level 2, Lagonda Building, 203 K-Road, Auckland city centre.



 
 
 

IG photos printed by Origrami

Saturday 11 October 2014

Tasty blended eggplant dip


Eggplant and capsicum dip with a hint of smoked paprika

 
Easiest of recipes. The only thing is to watch closely while grilling the veges- don't set the kitchen on fire!

1 eggplant

1 yellow capsicum

1 TBS lemon juice

1 TBS tahini paste

1 clove of garlic

seasoning to taste (I use a Mediterranean style herb and spice mix)

50ml olive oil

Smoked paprika to garnish

 
Wash and dry the veges.

Remove the eggplant calyx and slice it lengthways into 1cm thick slices and season.

Remove the seeds and slice the capsicum into quarters.

With a basting brush, coat with olive oil.

Grill until the eggplant flesh is browned and  the capsicum soft and /or the large skin surfaces 'blister' (don't place it too close to the grill - be sensible about this and keep a close eye!)

Remove from grill and when cool, carefully remove the capsicum and eggplant skins.

Whizz up in a blender or food processor with the remaining ingredients, except for the paprika (left-over oil can be added too if mixture seems a bit dry)

Cool in fridge and serve in small dish with a sprinkling of smoked paprika on the surface and garnish with flat leaf parsley.

 
This is delicious as a starter on fresh ciabatta, with vege sticks or with an antipasto-style snack.