Fashion: Punk to Pakistan

Photo Credit: Sally Edwards,
Boys and Girls are Choice

Exams are over, pencils tidied and library books returned, which means it's time for QUT's fashion graduates to don their best frocks and tails and walk their collections down the runway! This year's show entitled, Six, sees each designer debut a collection of six pieces, with inspiration for the designs internationally eclectic. Designer Sally Edwards says her androgynous collection, Boys and Girls are Choice, is aimed at "new punk" mixing tartan with the "sartorial elegance of a well-made suit". "Referencing suits and styles throughout history, I want to use these guidelines of menswear to create a collection that can be word by either men or women," she says. Opening night was last night and closing night has already sold out! But luckily, the creative folk behind the parade planned ahead for your silly season, book-in-advance forgetfulness and there's still a whole chunk of tickets left for your spontaneous attendance tonight and tomorrow. You can even bring a friend for free! Bargain!

Taste Bud Tuesday: Green Tea Cookies

Photo Credit: Chocolate and Zucchini

We stumbled across this delicious recipe on French food blog, Chocolate and Zucchini. Packed full of anti-oxidents they must be good for you right?...and did we mention they're green, how fun!

Ingredients
100 grams (7 tablespoons) butter
50 grams caster sugar
1 egg yolk
90 grams flour
40 grams (6 tablespoons) finely ground almonds
2 tablespoons Matcha* (green tea powder)
2 tablespoons cane sugar

Method
In a medium mixing bowl, cream together the butter and caster sugar with a spatula. Add the egg yolk and mix it in thoroughly.

In another bowl, combine the flour, ground almonds, and matcha, and stir with a whisk to remove any lumps. Add this to the first bowl and stir until the mixture comes together to form a ball, don't overwork the dough. Roll it into a log, wrap it in cling film and place in the freezer to firm up for 40 minutes (or in the fridge for 2 hours).

Preheat the oven to 180°C and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Sprinkle the sugar on a plate and roll the log in it to coat on all sides, pressing it down a bit if necessary. Using a sharp knife, cut the log into 1cm slices and arrange on the prepared baking sheet. Remember the cookies will spread a little so be strategic when placing them.

Slip into the oven and bake for 12 minutes, or until the cookies just begin to turn golden at the edges. Let them rest for 5 minutes on the baking sheet before transferring to a rack to cool completely.

Make a cup of a tea (preferably iced in this sweltering weather), grab a cookie and enjoy.

*Matcha powder can be found at asian grocers or at your local tea shop.

Bon Appétit!

Sad indie mag news...

Photo Credit: Colophon

Just when we release our little magazine and are hoping to make it onto the "world's largest database of independent publications", the indie mag-crazed lads over at Colophon decide to stop organising their independent magazine exhibition and book series. So sad! We used their two past exhibition books 'We Make Magazines' and 'We Love Magazines' while researching for Seam. But Jeremy Leslie from Colophon posted on his blog that they'd continue under the magCulture name. Unfortunately their travelling exhibition scheduled for 2012 - The Rise of Print - is no longer happening. The independent magazine exhibition trend started in 2000 and has continued to this year with an exhibition in Singapore. Maybe we'll have to pick up where the Colophon chaps left off... It's about time Australia curated one!

Arty, Crafty, Artifice

Photo Credit: Artifice

There's a crafty little event happening on the north island of New Zealand from tomorrow, just in time for some christmas shopping! Artifice is a celebration of Hamilton fashion and craft culture running from Saturday evening at 6pm until December 3rd. It's one of those wonderful combo events, mixing part exhibition with part market. Instead of merely displaying art for local indie folk to buy, the artworks have functions of the cute, creative variety, perfect for gifts or a keepsake of your own.

Similarly in Sydney is the On The Wall exhibition, curated by the lovely ladies over at Leeloo. The artists have just been announced, and the exhibition will feature opposite the Leeloo stall at next weekend's Finders Keepers Markets at Carriageworks - so if you see something you like you can scoot across the masses of people and to pick up a print. Easy peasy take-home packs of art and craft, how swish!

Crafty Collage Zine

Photo Credit: Kelly Zarb.

Take a look at this brand spanking new Crafty Collage Zine by Kelly Zarb!

Kelly is a Melbourne based artist and crafting connoisseur who loves integrating the new and old to create the colourful and creative. Her cute and quirky paper goods are often made from recycled materials and are all incredibly hand-made!

Crafty Collage Zine is 16 pages of DIY delight, filled with a bunch of great little craft ideas to keep you busy through the christmas season. The zine also features Kelly's illustrative instructions to make each item along with helpful hints about finding beautiful yet cost effective supplies for all your crafting needs.

For more of Kelly's creations visit her blog here or check out the store on Etsy.