Christina recently did a post about riding bikes in Paris, where helmets aren't typically worn, then returning to San Fran and not really feeling so keen about wearing a helmet. I am a bit in two minds about helmets - it is illegal not to wear one when cycling in Australia, so there is no choice - but a part of me thinks that the choice should be left up to the rider. It has become something that is very automatic for me, so I don't have to even think about it, I just put it on - although it would be nice to be able to wear different hair styles. Being safe is obviously a bigger priority (though I've never fallen off my bike before).

Having to wear a helmet - and helmets generally being ugly and totally unstylish seems to be a significant factor in people not riding bikes these days. I have a pretty cute rounded mauve helmet, which doesn't cramp my style too much, but this decoupaged helmet DIY by Modcloth is an awesome way to revamp a sad, boring helmet - I might try it with another helmet.



Modcloth have been doing some other sweet cycling style posts lately including cute helmets, pedal savvy fashion, the Modcloth bike ride guide, write a bike and the "We Can't Stop Talking About... Bikes!" post.

Planet Green also has a guide to Pimping Your Bike Helmet.

PS. I'd die for an Audrey Kawasaki bike helmet!

+ The textiles studio at my university is a lovely colourful place. I have two of my subjects in this room and it has good vibes.



+ I can't remember if this chandelier was made by Mae or Abigail (forgive me!), isn't it lovely?

Lately I've been doodling a lot (especially when I should be watching lectures). Though I didn't know that's what they were called when I started drawing them (until C told me) - I really like mandalas at the moment. I draw them free-hand with no planning or sketching, so they're quite therapeutic on one hand, and slightly anxious on the other. One tiny mistake and it ruins the symmetry. They might take anywhere from ten minutes to two hours to draw depending on the detail. I have a really nice black fine-tipped Sharpie that I've been using, but I'm a big fan of these pens for drawing too. In my textiles class we've been playing with screen printing and riso prints and I thought I'd share some of my experiments.








+ I took one of my smaller, less detailed drawings, made a carbon photocopy of it, put it through the riso machine and made a screen, which paint could then be screened over and only the mandala would come through onto the fabric.

















+ a messy mandala drawn on the train.





+ stitched.





I really want to make more risos now and print them on everything!

+ I collaged/decoupaged this old telephone with pop-art images when I was in grade 8 in high school for a project. I always wish I could get it working, but I don't mind it just being ornamental.