getting to know.... Alina from Hanaletters

Greetings all! Well, as promised (although a little later than promised) I have a shiny new little blog segment, which I plan to do weekly. And here we are at the firstest, shiniest, brand-newest post - yay! My hope is that this 'Getting to Know...' segment will give you a little, tiny glimpse into the worlds of some very talented artists and crafters from across the globe, as they answer a few 'mini interview' questions.
To kick things off, I'd like to introduce Alina, the talent behind Etsy shop Hanaletters. I hope this tempts you to visit Alina's Etsy shop or blog, so you can better appreciate her remarkable talent!
Thank you Alina for sharing a little piece of your beautiful world with us!
Oh and make sure you scroll to the end to see more of Alina's beautiful felt jewellery :)

image and design copyright Hanaletters 2010

* When did you first start making your felt jewellery, and what inspired you to start?
It was about a year ago when felt and I shook hands for the first time, we met accidentally but after a few cuts and stitches we instantly became good friends. Felt speaks in rainbows and I heart rainy days so you cannot imagine how many secrets we share together, felt and I.

* Where do you get your inspiration from?
My inspiration comes from the things that make me happy. I'm addicted to Japanese and Korean cuteness, I've been watching anime and reading manga for over 5 years now, plus I love children illustrations and poetry, small animals, toys (especially cute dolls), fairytales and all the little things that can be hidden in your pocket, hihi.

* What do you like to do for fun or relaxation?
I sew for fun, I always smile while sewing, I read books, play ping pong, watch Korean dramas and eat strawberry ice cream with my boyfriend. I'm having so much fun while spending my time like this!

* Tell us something about where you live...
I live in Oz together with my felt girls and animals, we play in the sand, drink orange juice and listen to loud music, haha. When the girls go shopping they never forget to bring back an extra bottle of milk for me so I always like to sew new clothes for them.
Nonsense you say? Well yes, but isn't this exactly what we are all wishing for? I surely do.
You want to visit? OK, then I'll reveal my secret, I live in a fish. I mean Pinocchio and I, we both share a room. No seriously check out a map and see for yourself that my country looks like a fish, is called Romania and swims somewhere in Europe. I spent my life in a small city called Arad. Here life is quiet and people are kind but the river that lives alongside with us gets moody from time to time. We have too many cars and too many stray cats for such a small place but I love my hometown.

* What is your favourite food?
Chocolate, chocolate, yum-yum. Does it count? No? I thought so. Actually my favourite food is rice. I can eat rice with pretty much anything. I'm sort of obsessed with Basmati rice, haha.

images and designs copyright Hanaletters 2010

I'm so lucky :)

I'm so lucky to have such wonderful neighbours! Kate from Princess Pie just happens to be my next door neighbour... the best next door neighbour anyone could wish for! Kate is a super talented cook, especially when it comes to baking sweet treats (check out her blog and you'll know what I mean) and she loves baking. As a result, I often get little treats passed over the back fence - lucky for me, Kate loves to share hehe!
This morning Kate and her two wonderful kids met me up by the back fence, and they had a fabulous birthday surprise for me... This BEAUTIFUL head scarf that Kate made herself (yes she is also a talented sewer). Just look at that gorgeous fabric! And this super yummy chocolate orange cake. Oh I just had a piece and I'll be having seconds shortly :) Thanks so much Kate, Brad, Bastian and Annais - you rock!!

we need names please!

Hello! We need your help to find us some cute names!

Here we are with Sam (blue), Pip (pink), Lucy (orange) and Charlie (green)

Hello everyone! How you doing? Today I'd like to ask for your help, if you could spare a few minutes :) I've finally finished the last two little friends who will come hang out on the wall at an upcoming art exhibition.... but I'm really stuck for names! I've already introduced you to Lucy, Charlie, Sam and Pip, who are all having some fun out on a field trip together. I would be ever so grateful if any of you lovely peeps would like to share any ideas for names for these two new friends :) I hope you are all having a fab week so far! Cheers! xxoo

a bit of friday night fun

Ello again! Just a real quick one to share something that might bring a bit of fun to your Friday. My favourite Cilla Black song... yes, I admit it, I'm a Cilla fan! Just you try not to get a bit of a bop happening whilst you listen to this.. I dare you! Happy, happy weekend to you all.

happiness is a warm slice

Hi all! How has your week been? I've had a busy one, but I always try to make time to do some baking. I find cooking or gardening are great ways to have a little time-out from illustrating work whilst still being productive! This week I baked this yummy Cinnamon Date Slice mmm! It's really easy, and as far as cakes go, its not too super naughty either. The recipe is from the Country Women's Association recipe book, which has so many awesome recipes contributed by women in country towns across Australia who have been creating and collecting recipes for decades. I've written the recipe below - I highly recommend you give it a try. Have awesome weekends, wherever you are :)

Oh and stay tuned, next week I'm starting a new little segment - hopefully regular - where I do a mini-interview with an artist or crafter who's work I really love... You'll LOVE the super talented lass I have lined-up for next week... can't wait to share with you all! xoxo

Cinnamon Date Slice

125g butter
3/4 cup sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup SR flour
1 cup chopped dates
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
pinch salt

Using electric mixer, cream butter and sugar. Add egg and vanilla and mix well.
Slowly mix in all other ingredients.
Pour mixture into a greased and lined slice tin and bake in a moderate oven 15 to 20 minutes or until golden brown on top.

friends for lucy

 Lucy and Charlie

Sam and Pip

Happy weekend everyone! Today I thought I'd share with you a little preview of some works in progress. Remember Lucy? I created her for our monthly illustration challenge over at We Love To Illustrate. Well, I thought Lucy might like to be a part of an upcoming exhibition I'll be participating in very soon. So I created some wee friends for her so she isn't lonely up there on the wall all by herself! Meet Lucy, Charlie, Sam and Pip. They're having fun on a field trip together. They will hopefully be joined by one more friend... if I get enough time to create another one before the exhibition! Still some details to add and tweaking to do, but these little guys are almost finished. I'll post exhibition details soon. Hope you all have lovely weekends! xo

all you need is love, it's true

A beautiful thing happened today... I was walking in the city and it had begun to rain. As I approached the train station I noticed a homeless man, sitting against a wall, trying to keep dry. Up ahead of me a small group of schoolkids - maybe 14 or 15 years old - were approaching the man. I thought they were about to give him a hard time when one of the boys reached into his schoolbag, took out his umbrella and offered it to the homeless man. It nearly brought a tear to my eye! What a simple, beautiful act of kindness. Imagine what a wonderful world we could create if EVERYONE took a second to make a random act of kindness each and every day :)

hello naomi

Image copyright Hello Naomi 2010

I was thrilled recently when the lovely Naomi of Hello Naomi got in touch with me asking to use my Magic Bunny party invitations for a photo shoot for SHOP Girl magazine. Naomi is a super-talented baker, cake decorator and party stylist...check out her AMAZING cupcake designs here, I guarantee you will be 'oooh-ing' and 'aaahh-ing' over them all! Naomi also has a beautiful blog and has shared a very sneaky preview of a few photos from the shoot. Can't wait to see them all!

some sunshine

Happy, happy Friday everyone! How has your week been? Are you ready for a nice relaxing weekend? Or will you have a busy one? I'm in for a busy one, but I have some really fun illustration projects on the go so I'm looking forward to sinking my teeth into them! Here is an illo I did for this month's challenge over at our group blog - We Love To Illustrate. This month's theme is 'Dog Days'. The challenge is open to EVERYONE, and we'd love for you to join in. So head on over here and post a link to your own illustration or crafty thing with a Dog Days theme :)

winter in my garden

Hello all! Just a quick stop to bring you a few snapshots I took in my garden today. It's been drizzling and misty here all day (as per usual at this time of year up in the hills!) but the drizzle stopped for a bit this afternoon and the water droplets on the flowers looked stunning. So here are a few different Camellias (we are lucky enough to have some very beautiful old Camellia trees in our garden) and some winter vegies - Broccoli Raab (a relative of Broccoli) and Broad Beans. Hope you are having a top week :) xo