'maze & vale'

I am so attracted to artists with a strong and recognisable aesthetic, where you really feel the work they are producing is so honest to their creative self. Which is why I am so attracted to the work of Leslie Keating of 'maze & vale'. Leslie is a multidisciplinary artist in which each aspect of her work is informed by the rest. From surface design to screen printing, softie making to quilting, to works on paper with pen and water colour, Leslie's use of muted hues, subtle variation, organic and geometric shapes, and natural materials is reflected in each piece she turns her hand to. I find those tones, moods and patterns so very appealing and have watched with fascination as Leslie's work and business has grown with such fluid grace. 

Leslie's latest achievement is a collection of 100 original works on paper exploring the medium of water colour. These abstract and expressive works are so tantalising, I could not resist adding one to the picture rail above my bed. Thankfully Leslie has enjoyed the challenge of producing a work each day that she has continued with the practice for the next little while at least, so if, like me, you are a fan of her work, go and follow her on Instagram and snap up a painting as soon as she lists it, as they don't last long! If you do miss out, the rumor is she will be producing prints of some of these pieces soon. Fingers crossed!!

You can find Leslie's blog here, to see more of her talent at work.

Or stalk her style on Pinterest.

My Creative Space

An oobee from Maze & Vale scraps, and the diy oobee

I really couldn't resist. I'd had in mind to wait until Emerson's first birthday in February to make up the diy oobee kit I brought. Her first handmade softie for her first birthday. But I couldn't wait. Her first handmade softie for her first Christmas? Absolutely! 

So last night my sewing machine sat on the dining table and while Cohen played Lego and Emerson crawled around the legs of the chairs, squirreling away scraps of fabric, I cut and stitched these dear little oobees. Leslie had been so kind as to include some large scraps of hand printed fabric. I stitched them together to make one piece of fabric and it was the perfect size to make another oobee. I finished him off with a mustard coloured felt face (but forgot to remove the pencil marks on his face before taking these photos!) This sweet scrappy oobee will being going to live with a little boy who has just turned one.

I love how they have turned out. I don't think they could be any cuter. And I love having another handmade gift to wrap and place under the tree.

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Joining in with my creative space.

Crafty Mail

Beautiful birthday tern wool from Quince & Co

Also for my birthday, Knit Picks interchangeable cable needle set

DIY oobee kit from Maze & Vale

I realised something as I looked at these photos. Were it not for blogging none of the above would have arrived in my letter box. There would be no wool for knitting, no new cable needles and no softie kit. Without the friendship and inspiration found through blogging, I may never have taught myself to knit more than a garter stitch scarf, I would have no need of beautiful cable needles, and I wouldn't have been introduced to the wonderful work of Leslie from Maze & Vale. Life would be all the poorer without it.

And I do so love crafty mail.

12 Days of Christmas - Day seven

"A graphic designer with an intense love of fabric, a crafter with a
huge fascination with printing... it was only logical that someday I
would start designing and hand printing my own textiles. Muted tones,
dramatic shades and natural fibers; improvisational and beautifully
organic quilting; toys that are as cuddly as they are unique - that is
what Maze & Vale is all about. Designs are originally created as
sketches or carved block prints and become screen prints that I pull
by hand in my one room studio. My obsession with colour is fulfilled
by custom mixing shades with my own hands using environmentally
friendly, water based textile inks and printing them on natural fibers
of cotton and linen."

A festive set of five hand printed fabric panels (each measuring roughly 34cm x 42cm) in soft and lovely 100% cotton, valued at $40.
















I love the tones and shapes in Leslie's work. Each piece fits beautifully in to the whole picture of her work, her style shining through. I am also rather in love with her oobees too and have brought a kit, in order to make one for Emerson.















For the opportunity to win the beautiful fabric panels pictured above please leave a comment on this post. The giveaway is open internationally and will be drawn tomorrow morning.
















You can find out more about Leslie and Maze & Vale, or buy your own hand printed goodies, by clicking over to her shop, blog and facebook pages.














Let's support our local talented crafters this Christmas!



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And the winner of day seven, care of Random.org, is comment 15!





Jacinta - She has some amazing designs!