The Last Gold

It's snowing on the mountains outside my window, making for a pretty white-capped view. We only had about two weeks of Autumn and KABOOM Winter arrived. The last of the golden leaves are falling, the supermarket is choc-full of Christmas deccos, and the signs are going up for toboggan and ice-skate rental. Monsieur B's brother has been working nights busily installing the town Christmas lights. Has anyone started organising Christmas presents yet?

Super Soup

Lately it's not just about the falling Autumn leaves, but also about pots of steaming soup. Super. Return of an old favorite that had slipped my mind, Tom Kah soup. Nice and spicy, warms the throat and the soul. Must stock up on the essentials for making more when the urge arrives. Like now!

Hello November

I see multitudes of lovely Autumn leaf photos on my daily blog reads at the moment, inspiring me to grab my camera and capture the prettiness that is happening around me in Geneva. But I only seem to have my camera handy on the grey days! Autumn arrived very suddenly, and generally passes with light speed, and the sunny days are few and far between. I hope we get another bright day before the trees are bare.
I went out for hot chocolate with my French class, which was originally planned as a historical tour, but was cut short when our fingers and toes started to go numb with cold.

Australian Edge Interview

My interview with Australian Edge...

How long have you been working professionally?
I started my business in 2002, originally with clients needing graphics, illustration and web work. I was based in a fantastic renovated studio warehouse space above Chapel St Prahran with about 10 other independent creatives, ranging from graphic design, industrial design, interior design, photography, etc. It was an ideal environment for the beginnings of an independent career.

How long have you been living overseas?
I bought a ticket for France with the intention of traveling and studying French in mid 2007. At that point I didn't have a plan. By the end of 2007 I was officially a resident of of Switzerland.

The rest of the interview and images can be found here (click)

Busy busy Creative Space

Cassandra Allen has been busy busy. A bit overloaded with work, but continuing with side project(s) nonetheless. I feel guilty for letting so much time pass between posts on my bloggo. But here we go, back to it.
Finished my crotchet rug which I started mid May, and re-started several times over, lost interest for a while, then re-kindled the fire between us. It is rather heavy, but I like a bit of weight in my blankets. Overall, very content with the result. Lots of ideas ticking away for the next project. I've always wanted to make a sock monkey. Am keeping my eyes open for a special pair of socks to kick-start some monkey business. Stripes, of course! Hello Kirsty and the MCS-ers!

My Creative Space

Up up and away, things are moving with grande vitesse, light speed, got my runners on in order to to keep up! My Creative Space this week is in the same place as normal, my home studio, working on the illustrations for a book for young beans about imagination and dreams.

Etsy Shop

I've put five different giclee prints of my illustrations in my brand spanking new Etsy Shop. Jump over and have a look, if you like. Let me know what you think, I love getting feedback. Trying to keep prices reasonable and cover the costs. By golly gee, the Swiss Post Office charges exorbitant prices! I decided to absorb part of the postage cost in the profits. The prints are all limited editions, hand signed and numbered, aiming to keep things fresh and a bit special.
http://CassandraAllen.etsy.com

Etsy Creative Space, Here I Come

For a long time I have wanted to have an Etsy Shop. Requests come in frequently about "where can I buy your prints etc". So I have bitten the bullet and chosen an initial small run of five different illustrations.The proofs have been signed off and the high quality giclee prints are being inked up as your eyes read this blog. I will start with five, small format, limited edition prints on really delicious paper, but I have grand ideas for the future, of doing large prints, cards, and all sorts of fun stuff. Whooppeeee! I will be sure to let you all know when it's up and running. Hi to kirsty.

The Spanish Olive + Swiss Cheese

On this fine Autumnal morning in Geneva Switzerland, Monsieur B of Spanish origin, went into the old town centre all suited up. There, along with 150 others, he raised his hand, sang the national Swiss anthem and proceeded to add a nationality to his belt. Now we have 4 nationalities between us, not bad!

de Genève à Nyon

All that fresh air and boating across the lake makes for a very sleepy Monsieur B. We caught Le Savoie, a beautiful old steam boat from 1914, from Geneva and zig-zaged across the Lake Léman between various towns flanking the lake in Switzerland and France. (The lake is split down the middle with one side in France and the other side in Switzerland). We disembarked for a short stop in Nyon, where we wandered the streets eating ice-cream. A perfect lazy afternoon.