Review- Children’s Book Festival at the State Library of Victoria

I’m a bit slow off the mark posting this- but I thought it was worth sharing anyway. The weekend before last (Sunday 23rd March), the boys and I trekked into the city for a bit of book-mania. The Children’s Book Festival is run through the Wheeler Centre annually, and pretty much takes over the State Library for a day of adventuring through kid’s literature. It’s a free event- turn up and go for your life- the only exception being some of the seminars required bookings as they were so popular.

Royalty from the realm of children’s writing and illustrating were everywhere- John Marsden, Libby Gleeson, Jackie French, Andy Griffiths, Terry Denton, just to name a few.

Despite the weather (typical Melbourne grey- will I rain or won’t I?), the activities pressed on. We were entertained by a crazy bunch of performers on stage (I love to be a bug is still singing in my head), wound our way through the sticky maze, made a flying seagull with Marc Martin, build Lego sentences in the domed reading room, and watched books made before our very eyes in the publishing hall with Kid’s Own Publishing.

Being Melbourne, there were also coffee carts and pram parking- two essentials for modern parents on a mission.

All in all it was a great day out. My golden moment was taking my son into the Latrobe Reading Room (the large domed room of the State Library)- it’s one of my favourite places and I really wanted him to be impressed. We walked in and the look on his face was priceless- ‘Ohh Mum, look- they’ve got Lego!!’ Thank you, whoever it was whose genius came up with the Lego play in library, my son will remember the first time he went to the State Library for years to come!

Here’s some more photos from the day:

A horse is a horse, of course, of course- how to name your horse

Horses. From Mr Ed to My Little Pony, horses are ubiquitous in cultures all over the world. Why are we so bonded to this four-legged beast? Our destinies have been twinned for thousands of years, and it seems they have never lost their magical appeal, nor their symbolism of strength.

I am trying to work a horse character into a piece I am writing, but it seems that it the shadow of Black Beauty and Artax, I’m struggling to find a name. Here are some lists I have come across on my quest.

10 most popular horse names

According to Horsemart in the UK, this is their top 10 list:

• Rosie
• Jack
• Charlie
• Billy
• Ruby
• Bella
• Molly
• Poppy
• Harry
• Tilly

Some famous horses (and their owners)

This list mostly comes from Schott’s Original Miscellany (one of my all-time favourite books for random facts). Horses are listed first, owners second:

• Lamri- King Arthur
• Blackie- Chief Sitting Bull
• Magnolia- George Washington
• Strymon- Xerxes
• Black Bess- Highwayman Dick Turpin
• Rosinante- Don Quixote
• Arion- Hercules
• Marengo- Napolean
• Hippocampus- Neptune (the God of the Sea)
• Kantaka- Buddha
• Fubuki- Emperor Hirohito
• Silver- The Lone Ranger
• Haizum- Archangel Gabriel
• Copenhagen- Duke of Wellington
• Shadowfax- Gandalf
• Bucephalus- Alexander the Great

The four horsemen of the apocalypse

• White horse for War (or Conquest)
• Red horse for Slaughter
• Black horse for Famine
• Pale horse for Death

And finally- The patron saint of horses is Saint Eligius.

Looking for more names? There are some lists in our what’s in a name post, also look at our post on how to create a great name.

Images: Dufy, Toulouse-Lautrec, Dufy respectively. All taken from The Little Library of Art, Methuen, 1957.

 

Inspired by…Mexican beachside home & garden styling

I love looking at people’s homes and how they style them, both in ‘real life’ and in blogs and magazines. When you spend a bunch of time pouring over these sorts of images, though, you can find a little too much sameness. For a true bolt of inspiration, a truly creative home, you sometimes need travel farther afield.

I’m currently in Mexico for the second time, and I’m reminded of how truly colourful it is. In Mexico city and the surrounding hills it’s all about brightly painted concrete and tiling. This time I’m beach side, and whilst the colour is still there, it’s mixed more with nature. Think wood and lush plantings. And lots of ‘recycling’, proving you don’t need to always spend big for great impact.

 

 

     

   

Creativity tool profile – Mind mapping

Mind mapping is like an old friend to me – we might not see each other often, but when we do, I wonder why it was so long between catch ups!

I’ve found mind mapping an incredibly useful creativity tool when I need ideas quickly, or when I’m feeling a little scattered and need to try and ‘dump’ everything in my brain.

Invented by Tony Buzan, this creativity technique is often taught in ‘corporate creativity’ classes. Strangely, I’ve never come across it in any of the ‘creative’ classes I’ve taken, including writing classes. It’s a shame as it really is a useful tool.

All you really need is a blank sheet of paper and a few different colour pens! There is also mind mapping software, which I have also used, but I prefer the ‘old school’ variety of doing it by hand.

I’ve used mind mapping to generate ideas for everything from advertising ideas to business ideas to writing ideas to naming a business. You can also use it to take notes, create an outline or even help problem solve.

In case you’ve never mind mapped, I’ve included a brief ‘how to’ below. You’ll probably get a better idea, though, from the mind map images I’ve included.

I probably don’t use mind mapping to it’s full potential – it’s suggested that you use pictures in your mind maps but my drawing skills are abysmal. I still find it useful just sticking with words, thought, so I don’t feel I’m missing out on too much! (As a result of said poor drawing skills, though, the examples I’ve provided below are by people a bit more ‘visually gifted’ than me!)

(If you are looking for other creativity tools, check out our post on SCAMPER)

How to mind map

1. Start in the centre of the page with ONE central word/thought/idea. You can then spread out across with your other ideas.
2. Branch out from the central idea with a related idea.
3. Branch out from each of these branches with more branches. And so on. Why the branches? Your brain works best by association – it likes to link things together.
4. When your paper is filled, you’ll have a whole page of ideas!

A few tips on creating your own mind maps.

• Lines should be curved rather than straight.
• Try to stick to one keyword per line.
• Use pictures throughout if you can.

Sources: Tony Buzan

Image source: Paul Foreman

Image Source: Mind Mapping UK

Taking stock – Will you join me?

Taking a moment to reflect is a surprisingly difficult thing to do. Yet it can be hugely important – and a great measure of where you are at a time and place in your life.

Earlier this year on Meet Me At Mikes, Pip suggested ‘Taking Stock’.

I loved the sentiment, so have had this one of my list to do for ages. Perhaps you’d like to ‘take stock’ too? (Please do so in the comments if you feel so inclined.)

• Making : Bread. Too much American bread is full of sugar, so I’ve taken to making my own wholemeal/grain loaf. Got it down-pat now.
• Cooking : Pasta-bake with a lamb mince and lots of tomatoes and cinnamon. So hearty and good for several meals.
• Drinking : A Bellini with brunch. Lovely.
• Reading: A lot, as usual. Have one dystopian fiction, one supernatural fantasy on the go and one non-fiction on the go.
• Wanting: Warmth and sunshine. It’s been a loooong winter.
• Looking: Out my office window at the many ships, boats and tugs going past.
• Playing: A stream of Triple J House Party. Always great tracks.
• Deciding: On what to pack for Mexico (leaving tomorrow – excited!)
• Wishing: For more self-control.
• Enjoying: Having great friends in NYC on holiday. I’ll be sad when they’re gone.
• Waiting: For the temperature to creep up before heading out to the post office.
• Wondering: How I’m going to get through my long to-do list for the day.
• Loving: Humans of New York. I love the peeks into people’s lives and the wisdom of the average person.
• Pondering: Which creative conferences to attend this year.
• Considering: Whether to start a new business here.
• Watching: The Walking Dead. The Good Wife. Such great shows.
• Hoping: They find that missing plane with everyone safe. But knowing that’s not going to happen.
• Marvelling: At the fact there is something for everyone, at any time, in New York.
• Needing: To do some laundry. Why can it not just do itself?
• Smelling: Toast. Mmmm, perhaps my favorite smell.
• Wearing: Track pants. Not glam at all. But the benefit of working from home is that you can be very comfy at work!
• Noticing: That I miss all the children in my Australian life.
• Knowing: Relationships, and people, need to evolve to thrive.
• Thinking: That I’ve managed to acquire a yarn stash here in a surprisingly short time. Apparently I’m a hoarder on multiple continents.
• Admiring: The mission and commitment of profitable social enterprise Toms Shoes. I saw founder Blake speak at SXSW and launch Toms Coffee – and was newly inpired.
• Sorting: My pile of clothes that I might take to Mexico. I’m a terrible over-packer so it takes a few attempts to get the mix right!
• Buying: A totally awesome pair of cowboy boots. I’ve wanted them for so long and finally caved.
• Getting: Excited about diving in Mexico.
• Disliking: The poor retail service you get in much of New York.
• Giggling: Over Texts from Dog.
• Feeling: Grateful. Life is pretty fabulous.

Inspired by… Uncommon Objects. Vintage & antique styling guide.

When I was in Austin for SXSW I came across a store that would send vintage-lovers swooning: Uncommon Objects. It was actually quite hard to leave without buying many treasures – the styling was gorgeous, the collections of “uncommon objects” vast and there was something for every taste. If you’re ever in Austin, make sure you check it out.

Alas I only had my iphone to nab a few shots, but you will still get a feel for how well curated this retail space was. And in their styling, you may even get some tips for your own collection of goodies. (For previous mantle styling posts, try this or this).

Weekend creative project- DIY gemstone inspired mousepad with free template

I first saw this tutorial on Popsicles and Pinatas and I love that version too- this is my take on a DIY gemstone inspired mousepad.

What you will need:

• Craft foam
• Paint (I used acrylic)
• Scissors
• Masking or Washi tape
• Craft fixative/sealent

How to make it:

1. Cut out your foam according to your template (below the pictures is a template you can use).
2. Select your paint colours and work out what goes where. (My version is also on the template)
3. Tape up your first area and paint. Once it is dry, re-tape and paint again. Some colours might need two (or more) coats. Repeat until all areas are painted.
   *NOTE: I found that when removing the tape, depending on your paint/foam it may lift off some colour. I found the best way to deal with this was to touch it up at the end, once all the tape is removed.
4. Spray your mousepad with some craft fixative/sealent to protect it from wear.

And here’s your template:

Want some more crafting? Here’s some Emily Green inspired coasters.