Tuesday, October 12, 2010

While you were away

So, while you were off reading Baxter, I was, for the most part on school holidays.
You know, those holidays where I was going to get heaps of 'stuff' done. I was going to revisit my fox, work on the circle quilt, write three squillion new patterns, save the world?
Well, I made a new bag (which I was supposed to do in August at Sewjourn.....)

and although it is a mighty fine bag , with delicious front panel made from a hand printed Green Olive designs tea-towel.... I'm not really sure where those two weeks went.
I did visit daylesford Makers Market and chance upon the delightful Beccasauraus, who presented me with a gift for wishing her a 'Happy Blogtoberfest'.
But mostly it was me and my team of staff working in the state of the art studio, revelling in all the mod-cons as we worked to create our little story .

(Technical specifications : Sauce jars for ballast)

Art is hard work, while Lou got horizontal to fully appreciate an installation at the gallery, Baxter apparently fainted and face-planted into a piece of modern art. The resulting nose-bleed added a new dimension to the piece. Note bench still attached to Baxter's bum.

Studio shot of all my willing helpers. Kitchen skewers one and two (look carefully under Lou's back) were indispensable additions to the holiday staff. Pantry wide open for ease of snacking and potatoes I'm guessing in a plastic bag on the end of the bench. Back wall held up by what appears to be a wine-box.

I'm just waiting for the magazines to contact me for a studio tour!!

62 comments:

  1. Oooh it's just like the 'behind the scenes' and 'directors cut' parts on a dvd. Fascinating!

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  2. By the way, I think you may need one of those bumper stickers on your car that says 'magic happens'.

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  3. You are just the BEST. Thanks for the director's commentary

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  4. Love the behind the scenes tour! Lou and Baxter look like they are drunk at the art gallery ha ha!

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  5. So will your pattern packs now double in size to incorporate the 'behind the scene extras and discussions with the artitsts'?



    And Locket? HA!

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  6. I just knew it was all 'high tec' behind the scenes. Where was your directors chair with your name on the back????

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  7. Love the studio-tour. Hi-tech and glam. Your minions must have been outside, getting the mag editors to form an orderly queue!! The day will come, you are too clever and funny for it not to.

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  8. What else can a girl do on a shoe string budget.

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  9. Jodie, we must have more behind the scenes footage in future. Love it.

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  10. Haha, so cool! I watched the behind the scenes on the Labyrinth dvd and it spoilt all the magic- your's just impresses the hell out of me! And no spoiling- you didn't show us how he held the Tupperware, fo example. Noice shot of my purse, too! Thanks!

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  11. PS Jim Henson's got NUTHIN' on you!

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  12. the great thing is, knowing your behind-the-scenes secrets just adds to my enjoyment of Baxter and Lou's story - thank you!

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  13. I loved the behind the scenes look. Such fun!

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  14. Loving the behind the scenes footage. Can't wait for the bloopers reel.

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  15. You always make me smile when I read your blog.

    Baxter and Lou are so cute!!

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  16. Ric-rac Confidential, just like Doctor Who where they show you how they work the Daleks. Awesome.

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  17. Love the behind the scenes look!

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  18. Fan-bloody-tastic; a behind the scenes glimpse of what goes on at the exclusive Ric Rac studios! Upside of willing helpers being skewers? You don't have to pay them & you're all set if you decide you're up for a bit of stove-top marshmallow roasting.

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  19. Oh, this is the director's commentary version of the story. I love it!

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  20. Curly Pops is obviously a clever girl and I obviously didn't read the comments before I said anything...

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  21. Love. It.

    Face plant in the modern art with a bench stuck to your bum - that could be me!

    And the gift.... I have that wee birdie fabric!! It's so soft I made a pillowcase out of it. For me - not givin it to some wean! (although yours do seem to be upside down? I bought my fabric here, is this what happens to stuff when it gets exported Down Under?)

    You need more holidays, you got looaadds done and all excellent!

    Cheers,
    AJ

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  22. Wonderful stuff. I agree that it only improves the story to see behind the scenes magic.

    Can't wait for the next holidays to see who else you introduce us to.

    Keep up the great work
    Rebecca

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  23. You know .. you always brighten my day!

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  24. so sool to see all the workings in Chez Ric Rac Art Studio, even with those hard to see staff you put in soooo much work and we really appreciate it coz your stories and softies are the best. ps the art gallery shot I laughed out loud that is very cute I hope Baxter's nose is OK xx

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  25. Thanks for the behind the scenes look at Baxter. I love it all!

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  26. Ah Jodie, this is the best part! If only there were sound cameras too, to record the funny jokes "Lou" and "Baxter" might have shared while the props people were changing sets!

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  27. I love 'behind-the-scenes' tours, and yours is the best ever!!
    Yvette

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  28. Thanks for the 'behind the scenes' tour! Very awesome! I often wondered what your 'tricks' were! Here's hoping the 'real job' doesn't stop you from more of your fun creative set designing!

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  29. Outtakes are the best part of the behind the scenes look! Glad your continuity team was on the ball making sure each frame appeared spot on in publication :)

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  30. I LOVE IT!!! I think I have to show the kids at work Baxter... they would so love it. Ever thought about trying to get hold of a childrens book company??

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  31. Love the behind the scenes shots!!!

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  32. Seriously, your whole Baxter/Lou set up was just amazing. So detailed. It's really neat to see some of the tricks you did to pull it off.

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  33. Oh, don't ruin the magic! I had amzing studio scenes in my mind!

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  34. All the best stuff happens in the kitchen!!

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  35. I love you and your beautiful imagination.

    X

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  36. Please don't go any more hi tech with your sets. Obviously the minimilist look (and the box of wine) plus your imagination are the secrets of your success. Love it. More behind the scenes shots please.

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  37. I love the little out-take where Baxter fell over - overwhelmed by the art on the wall I think :)

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  38. I'm loving the behind the scenes look too.
    And I would be a HAPPY and WILLING assistant if you were ever in need at Ric Rac studios.xo

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  39. Hey if it works then why not!

    Love that bag, very cool. :)

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  40. Turn the sauce jars around, and you may get $$$ for product placement! Backstage passes for everyone - Jodie, you are the best!

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  41. oh my!!!!! this is insanely cute and has my imagination going wild... will you make a full feature film? hehehe

    thea.
    xx

    (spoonfulzine.com)

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  42. OMG, I love the director's cut! BSP and I were chortling away (especially at the art gallery out take!)

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  43. So what did you use for the wood floor at the art gallery? And I really think that you should have more holiday's so we can have more lovely stories of cute furry things. And you know, so you can have more holiday's :o)

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  44. I love the around-the-scenes tour!!

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  45. I'd love a tour... especially of the wine box!! Unless you were snacking on the wine of course... or does that explain Baxter and Lou falling all over the place?!!

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  46. I'm glad I'm not the only one who uses random bits and bobs to help set up my photographs. I don't think I'd get by without my jam jars, blu-tack, forks and pins! :D

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  47. I've been thinking this for a while, probably lots of people have suggested it and I haven't trawled through comments enough. But... your stories with the animals you make would be splendid children's books. Or, ahem, adult books. I love them. I would buy them big time.

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  48. thanks so much for the studio tour. I'm loving Baxter and it was great to see how you put it all together

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  49. Service Unavailable Vexed Me! If this is a dupe -- delete it. You always crack me up! Thanks for the studio tour -- it's always wonderful to have a peek into your fabulous and twisted mind!

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  50. I'm in love with your work just like everyone else. I wish you were triplets!!! Michele

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  51. Aawww Jodie, you ruined the illusion. Here I was thinking they lived in a cute little black and white world!!
    Hugs ~ Kerryanne

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  52. LOL Jodie!! You crack me up - love the backstage pass! It all looks too familiar.

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  53. oh no no no. I did not see this. I want the romance to be the way it was and not how it was made. LOL
    Thank you for showing us anyway ;o)

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  54. Well you've already answered my question Jod...
    Fantastic!!!!!

    Now I'd love to see the angles of you taking these brilliant shots!!
    Did I say fantastic?
    Fantastic! :-)

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  55. Thanks for the studio tour! I was surprised by how small the animals/scenes are. Somehow they seem much bigger during the stories - I guess it's the big personalities!

    -Holly

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  56. Gotta luv a "behind the scenes"...

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  57. Oh man Jod - you are right up there with Peter Jackson's behind the scenes footage of Lord of the Rings.

    Oscar for Best Blog Set Designer would most definitely go to you!

    xxx

    p.s. I like the way you got your staff to carefully place those spuds just in shot.....really helps perpetuate the impression we have of you as not only a creative genius but a domestic goddess too ;o)

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  58. I love all the action in your scenes! They're delightful!

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  59. The little scenes and characters look so cute!

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Hellloooooo !!!!