Christmas Tip #1: Gothic Calligraphy

Image by Juan Manuel

Despite my terrible handwriting, I take the time to write (at least the names of) Christmas cards in Gothic calligraphy. Here are 5 reasons why you should do the same:

1. Writing in Gothic script preserves history.

Writings in blackletter have been done since the 12th Century AD. 


2. You don't necessarily need to have a calligraphy pen to write in the script.

Though a calligraphy or a fountain pen would be ideal, you still have a similar effect with a fine-liner. 

3. German-speaking areas used blackletter the longest.

Though, it did not originate in Germany, the Gothic script was used for the German language until the 20th Century, this is where the association of the Gothic script with Germany came from. Things associated with German culture (or come from Germany) often relate to the Christmas theme, for example: pfefferkuchen, Christmas carols (many are German in origin), Christmas trees and stollen.

Kooalala clothing

Happy New Year everyone! (Even though it's the end of January.) 

Lately, I've been on Kickstarter reading about new projects people have been trying to 'kick-start'. I came across a couple of them that I want to support, but I decided to share one that I think I shouldn't just keep to myself. 

It's Kooalala (pronounced koo-ah-lah-lah) clothing, a fashion line inspired by endangered animals on the IUCN red list of threatened species. The company is named after the koala which was 'near threatened' but became 'least concern' in 2008, which means there is hope for threatened species. 

Check out their clothing on Kickstarter. 

Here's some of the animals they were inspired by are:

The wood turtle
Image by Jerry Oldenettel

Tigers
Image by @Doug88888

Arabian Oryx
Image by Danny McL

There are rewards for those who support them on kickstarter, for example if you donate:

(For shipping outside the U.S., they request that you'll pay an additional $10) :(

- $20 or more, they'll send you a plain Kooalala t-shirt with the colour of your choose. 

- $30 or more, they'll send you a Wild Tiger T-Shirt (Men's).

- $40 or more, they'll send you a Blessed Poison Frog shirt (Women's) or a Cloud Copper Butterfly shirt (Women's).

And if you donate $1000 you will receive 5 Kooalala duo packages and a Kooalala medal of honour which allows you to pick the next animal for their collection from the IUCN red list of threatened species.

Also, the fashion line gives some of its proceed to nature preservation and the endangered animals. 

Links: 
Kooalala Kickstarter (images of their products + a video). 
Kooalala Website
Like them on FaceBook Kooalala FaceBook
Follow them on Twitter Kooalala Twitter
IUCN red list of threatened species

Also remember to like my FaceBook page and I'll keep you updated with what I'm doing. :)

How to make custom home-made T-shirts for Christmas

This year I wanted to give my friends Christmas gifts that fitted under three requirements:

- Homemade
- Personal 
- Useful

Custom T-shirts fit under all three requirements (kind of: the t-shirts are bought). 

This is how to make one: 

You will need - 
 - a T-Shirt

Gem Stone glue

- A pencil

- Paper

Dye + ingredients needed on the packet (normally salt is also also needed)

- A Bin Lid

- Most importantly, creativity

Instructions:

Step 1 - Design
It is ideal that you draw in pencil what you are going to draw in glue

Step 2 - Soak T-Shirt in water
Squeeze out any excess water in T-Shirt

Step 3 - Put wet T-Shirt on a flat bin lid

Step 4 - Drawing
Draw / Write design using a washable glue before T-shirt dries completely.

Step 5 - Drying
Dry T-Shirts in the Sun until the glue is clear or more than 80% is clear.

Step 6 - Dying
Dye T-Shirt according to the instructions on the packet.
You may also want to tie-dye the back of the T-Shirt.

When T-Shirt is desired colour, wash in soapy water until no excess dye comes out.

Step 7 - Dry (again)
Dry T-Shirt after washing.
The T-Shirt above is for one of my friends who loves Japanese culture.

The tie-dye looks great on the back of the T-shirt

Quotes or verses from the Bible look good on T-Shirts.

Step 8 - Wrapping
Give present to your friend or family member and see the smile on their face. :)

Wishing you a Merry Christmas, I hope you like the T-Shirts I designed.
Write your thoughts in the comment section.

Mali in the City Auction - Photo Blog

En français      En Español

Two months ago, the Melbourne Zoo placed elephants that resemble Mali, their new baby elephant around Melbourne City. You can read about it here. 

After a couple months of street exhibitions, the Zoo Committee auctioned 50 elephants to Mali supporters, interested parties affiliated with the Zoo. This was a great night and here is my experience of it:

Mali's Self-Portrait

Gabriel

Eltham Copper Butterfly Story

Elephantasy

Bromley Two

Mali paintings

Paintings of the Mali elephants

I met Pippa Makgill, the artist who painted
the Spooky Possum Mali 

Spooky Possum Mali

The cutest picture of a koala I've seen

Pippa's Spooky Possum Mali will be on display at Luna Park, Melbourne along with Kevin Presley Mali. 
If you want to see more of Pippa's art, go to these links below:

Spooky Possum Mali
Pippa Makgill's website
Pippa Makgill's blog