We didn't have much luck in our first visit to Centennial Park in Sydney a few months back. But last week we went back and the weather was perfect - so we went again this weekend!

Well the tap in the bathroom has finally had it and we need to move the bathroom renovation forward. Here are a few ideas Ive been collecting for a while.

This weekend we did our annual trip to the Archibald exhibition at the Art Gallery of NSW. I actually always think the best part is the Wynne prize, and two of my favourites from last where finalists again. Joshua Yeldham and Neil Frazer. Plus I really liked the photo realistic painting of a graffiti covered back street by Luke Barker. Which reminds me I still have some Melbourne graffiti photos to share from our trip in January - more of that later.

The winner of this years Archibald Prize, Margaret Olley by Ben Quilty, was far better in real life, photos don't quite do it justice. I also really like the technique of Craig Ruddy's Cathy Freeman portrait. Splashes of acrylic paint across the back of toughened glass and ink on the front, over the top of plaster on canvas.

The Archibald and Wynne Prizes are at the Art Gallery of NSW until 26th June.

Finally a holiday! The easter and anzac break is here and Im getting stuck into some artwork - plus finishing off all those little DIY jobs around the house. Here is the latests print added to our etsy shop. I did this as a gift card a couple of years ago, don't know why it didn't occur to me to turn it into a pretty print sooner. The creative monsoon website is also down for a revamp but check out our new online gallery. A bit of fun, I'll be changing the exhibitions on there every few months so be sure to keep checking back.

Raining all weekend perfect for a little DIY. The bedroom is all painted, one more coat on some woodwork needed then some new carpet. Scampie of course was a huge help. He is now covered in paint.

I love this quote from Audrey Hepburn, I've been meaning to do a little design with it for ages.

"I believe in pink. I believe that laughing is the best calorie burner. I believe in kissing, kissing a lot. I believe in being strong when everything seems to be going wrong. I believe that happy girls are the prettiest girls. I believe that tomorrow is another day and I believe in miracles."
— Audrey Hepburn

Available in our etsy and redbubble shops

This week I was feeling a little inspired by the work of Frida Kahlo. Ive been looking at a lots of Mexican wedding ideas for the 'i do' it yourself site, and she just kept popping up! So I put together a little homage to Frida, a digital mixed media collage using one of her quotes "Feet, why do I need them if I have wings to fly?" Available as a print from our redbubble and etsy shops.

Every morning at around 4am Im woken up by the same thing, a big fat lump of a french bulldog plonking himself on my legs. Which would be bad enough, but then he proceeds to lick and chew his paws. Apparently this is a frenchie habit, looks like it is :)

Some cute new works added to our etsy shop this week, miniature toy town effects of Venice. There are SO many more photos to go through so Im sure there will be more to come.

Yup at it again, another shop and another blog :)
My DIY wedding blog and printable stationery shop 'i do' it yourself have been such hits that I've now launched iDIY junior, offering DIY printable files for baby showers, christenings and kids parties and a fun blog to boot. Above is our first design, a super cute ice block or popsicle party invitation.

Visit the iDIY junior blog or head over to the party shop.

Ever since we got our new floor boards put in I've been looking for a good way to keep them clean, and the other day we discovered a great method just by chance. So I thought I would share my floor cleaning tip on the blog.

You will need:
Water
Dishwashing liquid
A mop
A bubble gun

Yup, fill the bubble gun with the right mix of water and dishwashing liquid and fire it all over the room! The bubbles that settle are the perfect amount of water and dishwashing liquid to mop up leaving clean shiny floors without any excess and they dry in moments! Plus its way more fun that normal mopping. Scampi shares his tips on bubble gun floor cleaning:

Monitor your bubbles closely

Don't be afraid to let the bubbles know whos boss

They may retaliate

But hold your ground and they will fall into line

Make sure all your bubbles fall to the ground

And watch out for sneaky stray ones that land on your ears!

Ahh the Sydney Opera House, those beautiful tiled sails, nothing can beat it for architectural beauty right? Well, this isn't the Opera House...

pic by abrinsky

…when I first saw this picture I thought someone had been having fun in photoshop, but this is actually the Lotus of Bahapur in India. A house of worship designed by Fariborz Sahba. Of course the Opera House is still first for originality, the Lotus wasn't built until 1986, but Im surprised such a beautiful building is not more well know.

Pic by b a l w a n t

Pic by Richard Lamprecht

So I cant really say new work for this, its something I did many years ago and just found on an old backup this weekend. But its still really lovely :) 'Buddha and lotus' available in my etsy and redbubble shops.

I stumbled on the cutest blog today about a girl and her french bulldog, The Duncan and Macbeth. I love her comment "I would have never thought that something that snores like a 70 yr. old man and farts like a frat boy would steal my heart." Can't agree more :)

Bad, bad me Im so far behind with all my blog posts!
Last year we finally made it to Sculpture by the Sea, two years right by Bondi and we'd never been before!  My favourite sculptures were the steel camel complete with its own sewing machine by Suzie Bleach & Andy Townsend, and a beautiful wave made from eucalyptus sticks by Peter Collins. But of course I have to love the steel French Bulldog sculptures by Geoff Harvey standing on sentry duty along the coastal path.

Sticking with my new years resolution to do one artwork a week (well at least work on one, make a start each week) here is 'tree cathedral'. The creative monsoon etsy shop is back up and running too.

By Kingbob86 from flickr

Today we headed down south to check out Sharky's, a proper dog friendly beach in Coledale just over an hour out of Sydney. I read there was a lot of contention around making this a off leash beach but when we arrived I was a little surprised to see Sharky's has two other lovely beaches either side for our human friends. We drove all the way from Sydney as I'm sure others do, and we'll certainly be going back. I really hope Sharky's stays as it is. If you have a dog this place is a must, not only is it a lovely beach in it's own right but there are plenty of puppies running around just having a good time.

Can you believe I have lived in Sydney for probably 3-4 years all up and never been to the Pyrmont fish markets until this weekend! Just a quick look to check the place out and take a few snaps, but we'll be back, definitely for lunch!