Bird friendly garden design

While living in Canberra I used to get such pleasure from watching the antics of birds in my garden. Not only were they a source of creative inspiration but, because I often worked from home, often they were my only company during the day : )

That is why I 'm pleased that the people at Birds in Backyards have created a photo gallery of bird attracting gardens (examples below) and useful DIY videos. Click here to see more.















Photographed by B.Digby





















Photograph: J Gotley















Already have a bird friendly garden? Shoot some pics to hello@formosadesign.com.au, I'd love to see it.

Farewell Canberra

My fiancee Luke has been offered a great job based in Bangkok and I've decided to move Formosa and myself with him. It'll be a great opportunity to evolve Formosa from handmade by (exhausted) lil' ol me to fairtrade & handmade, hopefully by a co-op of women. There is much to learn about South East Asian textile traditions too, so I'm very excited ... watch this space!

A big ups must go to Megalo, Mt Majura, our Currawong sock tree, the Portrait Gallery, the birds in my backyard, Tilleys, Black Mountain, O'Connor Ridge, and the National Art Gallery each of which have been wonderful sources of inspiration and support to me these past 2.5 years. I will miss you all.

'Superb Wren in Winter' Tea Towels

Now available in the Formosa shop for only Au$25. I have hand screen-printed the design onto 100% Linen. Frame them, hang them up with clips, stretch one around a canvas or use to dry the dishes!

70 x 50cm (27.5 x 19.5in)

Visitors to my Garden ... well my powerlines mostly.

Some weeks ago Luke and I moved into a house a few blocks from Canberra's Mt Majura reserve. I still cannot get over the number and variety of feathered visitors we receive on a daily basis. I keep my camera ready in the kitchen, here are a few of my shots ...

Sulphur Crested Cuckatoo




















Currawong




















Silvereye




















Crested Pigeon




















Crimson Rosella

New Print! Superb Wren in Winter.

After many requests for a blue wren I have developed a design for the Superb Fairy-wren. This little fella is found in every Australian state except for the NT. They love dense protective cover and low shrubs, and like most tiny birds you'll hear them before you see them. Here I've illustrated them hopping around in some sticky bare branches. So far I've printed it on calico only but it will be available on some lovely 100% organic cotton/hemp soon.

I love getting mail

Today my long awaited fabric labels arrived in the post from Hong Kong. One of the joys of buying online are the little packages that arrive in the mail. How cute are the bird stamps?