knitting as an artform?

With the economic climate and a need to turn inward a surgance in the crafts has emerged in the past 12 months. Although ahead of its time, a bar in Smith Street, Melbourne held knitting nights that was definatly welcome to anyone from 18 upwards and brought the cool back into knitting. Knitting isnt new, although the origins and beginnings are sketchy and it has the stamp of being a hobby, but there are some amazing pieces of art from the medium of knitting. I love the fact you can use something as simple as a pieceof wool and a couple of sticks and produce something amazing. What does this have to do with interiors? Thinking outside the square. Look at the sculpture that can be made from something that is traditionally for fashion and think of basic things on hand that you can turn into a masterpiece.

Behind the scenes

This week I was putting together a makeover video for my website http://www.shaynnablaze.com/ and Vanessa from Wildberry just couldnt help but capture my concentration! I don't know about you but I always wonder about what goes on behind the scenes in the big movies. Knowing the amount of detail and organising that goes on for my little videos, the mind boggles what happens for a feature length movie. After finally watching "Australia" by Baz Lurhmann (which I loved!) I found this behind the scenes video. http://westernaustralia.tv/video/190

LA GERMANIA COOKER WINNER ANNOUNCED

Well, it was an extremely excited and overwhelmed Drew of Perth, Western Australia when he was phoned by Shaynna and given the fantastic news that he had won the La Germania Cooker!

This was Drew's reaction.

What makes this entry a great winner, is that Drew and his wife spent many weekends actually sewing the giant frog's legs, so their dedication and creativity has really paid off !

Congratulations Drew from all the team at shaynnablaze.com, and also a very special thankyou to our generous sponsor SAMPFORD IXL who donated this wonderful prize.

Keep checking back to shaynnablaze.com for more sensational opportunities to win some amazing prizes.

Influences from your magazines

Inside/Out Magazine and wallpaper breaking all the rules

House and Garden bold moves

I attended a fantastic seminar on Friday May 1st at Designex called Vision & Influence and the speakers talked about what their influences were and questioned on how the media influences the content of each edition of their magazine. Attending was Karen McCartney from Inside/Out magazine, Lisa Green from Aust House and Garden, Sandy de Beyer from Burke's Backyard, Imogen Naylor from Belle and MC was John Eussen. Each magazine has a completely different demographic and output, but the common thread was listening to the feedback of their readers. Each magazine is driven themselves by what they want to see and their 'gut' instinct, what is available from manufacturers to produce this and definitely the economic situation. Not that they are predicting doom and gloom, but are instead going back to basics and looking at ways of not being the disposable society we have become. And that can only be a good thing!

WINNING THE ASTRA AWARD

Winning something this big has taken a bit of time to come down from. Having the most Popular show on Foxtel beating the highly commercial Project Runway and Australia's next Top Model is something to be proud of. So forgive me if my posts have been few and far between. With a show, company or event there are so many people that put a huge amount of effort in to getting someting like this up and running so I want to thank everyone behind the scenes at The Lifestyle Channel, Beyond Productions and my amazing team at Blankcanvas Interiors. We are deliriously exhausted. (In a good way)

DOUBLE ASTRA AWARDS FOR "SELLING HOUSES AUSTRALIA"

BREAKING NEWS - SELLING HOUSES AUSTRALIA

Selling Houses Australia took out 2 awards at the ASTRA AWARDS in Sydney last night.... Favourite Program and Most Outstanding Lifestyle Program!

Thank you so much to everyone who voted for us, and congratulations to the entire Team involved with Selling Houses Australia!

TIP OF THE DAY

Art is expression.
Art is beauty.
Art is in the eye of the beholder.
Art is controversial.
Art is personal.
Art is to be judged.
Art is loved by many.
Art is hated by many.
Art is.....

BRIGHTEN ANY DAY

Sewing can be a joy or a drudgery but with these creative air brushed pieces who knows what inspiration will be produced!

EXTREME BODY ART

WARNING - some of these links hold extreme pictures so only click at your own risk (and stomach).

Our body for centuries have been used as a forum for expression for religious and cultural rituals and beliefs. Large neck rings, tattoos and tribal piercing to name a few. As the fast and overpopulated world leaves us with less opportunities of being heard and being lost among the crowd, expression as a fashion and art statement is being hailed within certain groups and circles. But is it a pure fad that will later leave the wearer scarred with regret?

extreme tattoos

extreme corset piercing