get your skates on and

Happy Monday everyone x

first scarf finished ever

for my friend Zana. She loved it. Yay!

also on my desk

Or, 'Why I've been a slack blogger'


plans for melancholy monster for this exhibition


playing with new watercolours


almost-finished-scarf and bigger-than-I-meant shawl

a doll-in-the-making

On my desk at the moment, the beginnings of a little doll with a summer dress. She's destined for adventures, this girl, she's part of the Craft Hope Project#2.

Craft Hope is a lovely blog, 'spreading seeds of hope one stitch at a time'.

(image courtesy of Craft Hope blog)

Their current project is for the casa berne orphange; Craft Hope is working with Eren and the ORPHANetwork to provide handmade, soft-bodied dolls for the children. They're asking for participants to sew a simple doll, with dark skin and hair, to be collected and distributed and loved to bits!

(image courtesy of Craft Hope blog)

Dolls are already arriving, visit the Craft Hope blog for more info on the children, the project and how you can participate too! Go on!

e=mc2 yarn

How great is it? Free printable cards like this one, and heaps of free knitting patterns at lion brand yarn.

I have almost finished my scarf, first knitting project completed ever! Now I know how to knit, purl, increase, decrease AND cast on/off, the challenge of a pattern is tempting me. Baby booties perhaps. A beanie for a monster, a jumper even. How hard could it be? (famous last words if ever I've uttered them..)

I like knitting. It is (one of) my new things. I curl up on the couch, with a cup of tea, and a cat, and knit away and chat. And my housemates look at me and smile, and shake their head. I am in my mid-twenties. I love nanna-styles now, where can I go from here? Perhaps I will have a mid-life crises and take up skydiving and extreme adventures.. Perhaps I will keep on knitting.

inkin'

More embroidery patterns, my mixed tape. Also added the vw beetle to the side bar there; I've gotten to drawing now and can't.seem.to.stop.

I promise I'll blog soon, with words and everything.

Don't look at the 'n'. Please don't.

You DID didn't you!

uh huh

another embroidery pattern for yooouuuu.

Encouraged by recent feedback (thanks!) I've also just popped a list of the embroidery patterns i've done so far on the sidebar for easy access.

i just know

I was talking to my friend yesterday and said something like 'blah blah when I have kids', and she turned to me and said 'How do you know? How do you know you'll have kids?' Well I just stopped and furrowed my brow and, well, I don't know. I've just always assumed I will. I love kids. I want several. I have never considered not having children.

Today, being mothers day, has me thinking of these things.

I also know it's not as easy as you imagine. My good friend went through exhausting IVF treatments (she exclaimed- all those years of fastidious birth control for nothing!) but now has a beautiful boy, and is pregnant again. My big sister was told that she may never be able to have kids, and she is expecting her fourth. Yes, fourth. I know others through friends who have adopted, or fostered. And becoming a mum means so many things, it does my head in thinking about it.

So kudos to all the mums. Whether you planned it, got surprised, went though adoption, help raise children in your community, mortgaged your house to pay for fertility treatments, danced naked under the full moon in a rite, carried a baby for someone else, had twins, had triplets, were overjoyed or terrified, or both; kudos to you. I have heard it is exciting, painful, rewarding, amazing, boring, thrilling, expensive, tiring, inspiring and every emotion there is. I hope to join you one day.

If you could go back and whisper something in your ear before you embarked on the parenthood adventure, what would you say?

love it love it

Book Mobile from ShopHouse

Like the pages are dripping from the book, and the words escaping into the air to hover above your head.

hey!

just a quick post to say i have the best twin sister in the world! she is awesome!!

whooo whoooo

On Wednesday I went to my first Brown Owls meeting, and it was lovely!

First, pep talks from a work collegue (don't be nervous, you only meet them once and after that they won't be strangers anymore!) and my housemate (go! a bunch of people with similar interests, you'll have fun. Don't you turn around half way and come back!) and I was off on my bike with a paper bag of current craftiness to complete.

I wandered through the bookstore for half an hour, too shy to go upstairs (it's a very nice bookstore by the way!), but then I took a deep breath, trudged up the stair, took a seat and pulled out my knitting.

Me= 1 Shyness=0

I had a lovely time chatting and soaking in all the craftiness. It was just swell to sit amongst all that thread and fabric and stitchin' and knitting and discussion of various techniques and craft fails and craft successes. I also met some fine bloggers I have been following for a while, it's a strange feeling to meet someone and already know that they have a penchant for trolleys, or a collection of teacups.

(Note: Jess, the lovely lass with the penchant for tea cups and books is hosting a surprise giveaway to celebrate her 100th post! Head over to her sweet blog The Crafty Librarian to enter.)

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You can see more photos at the Brown Owls members blog. Can't wait for the next meeting!

three bears

Sewing madly before I left for Brisbane on Friday (the day of the deadline) I managed to finish the plushies for Mortal Plush. They asked for a title so I just called them the 'three bears'- suspicion, revenge and remorse. Their faces are hurried and not as big and clear as I would've liked, but I finished them at least.

I like they way they've turned out, 'cept for the rushed faces, but shucks. The one in the middle is my favourite. I have no idea what to do with them. I guess they will find a little spot around the house, like other creatures who get comfy on a ledge or shelf or corner, until maybe a visitor comes and says 'oooh' and takes them home.

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(edit) I just received an email from Mortal Plush and they've extended the deadline to June 19! Now I've time to make an emotional & tattooed Edwardo! Which emotion do you think would suit him best?

Do I Have To?

To Do List, originally uploaded by gamookie.

I haven't blogged for ages, I feel the last two weeks I've been stuck doing all those things you don't want to but know that they’re for your own good. How boring and grown up they are. Like flossing. Vacuuming. Running on mornings so cold you think your ears might drop off. Finishing a report before you leave the office. Booking travel/hotels. Homework. Practising musical instrument again and again. Eating your greens. Almost all appointments.
Some of these things can be enjoyable some of the time, but sometimes things that you usually enjoy fall into this category; like finishing a sewing project after you’ve lost heart, or finishing a book that you don’t really like but. have. to. otherwise. you’ll. never. know. how. it. ends. I realise my rant sounds a bit pitiful next to those brave lovely souls with offspring to add to the mix, and I look forward to ranting about that too, but sometimes it seems no matter how much you have to do, it’s too much.

does he look remorseful?

So I really ought to be in bed, but I couldn't resist showing you my first plushie for this exhibition. His emotion is 'remorse'. or 'regret'. I can't decide. (Ok I know they're basically the same thing, but which word is better? Or does he just look worried?)
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He's going to be a set of three I've decided, soon to be joined by 'suspicion' and 'revenge'.

Apologies for the photo, bad light and a little blurry; better photos to come once I get my official photographer on the case!

aah

Creating a plush for tryout for entry into this exhibition. I love the teeny eeny green scarf.


Wanderings, festival and music on a Saturday afternoon.

Beer on the steps. Aah.

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How was your weekend?

Absurdly creative and awesome stop motion

Go Pig, Go! found at Wagging Tales

when trapped under a building by an earthquake

Don't panic. You may be trapped in your bed under the ruins of your house, under piles of rubble, unsure of whether you will be rescued or die alone, but that's no reason not to crochet. Like a 98 yr old Italian Grandma did for 30 hours. When she was rescued what was the first thing she asked for before being taken to hospital? a comb.

Doing it with craft and style. I love it.
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Read the full article here

Thanks R, for sharing this story!

vroom vroom

I don't know about you, but I tend to ignore my body and assume that it will keep going, like a beat up car. Yes I know it's a cliche, but I guess the analogy works or it wouldn't be a cliche, would it? Most of the time I don't pay much attention to my body and generally just take the whole lot for granted.
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I made my own book with a blue Volkswagen stitched on the front. 'Cause if my body IS a car, I would like it to be a quirky, cute, independent, striking and comfortable love-bug. (but not inspired at request of a murderous dictator. not that part.)

and yes, that is a embroidery hoop crease you see, not ironed out. Damn impatience.

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I'll use this book for open letters to body parts ( for example my knees. under-appreciated.) a journal of what i actually eat (yes, other people's Easter eggs count) and how I move. The idea being that by paying attention I'll take better care of myself, eat better (harder to eat junk if I find myself apologising to myself continually), and be more aware of how I move; also to foster some love for those little heralded bits (knee example works here too); before the whole thing breaks down on me.

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It's very pretty, and much easier than I thought. The inside is lined with brown paper, and I just stitched around all the edges using my sewing machine (popped in a ribbon for a bookmark first), then stitched in some paper.

And just to show you the back. I really liked it, seemed a shame to cover it up.

And something else I stitched this weekend. Cheese, I know.

off into the world!

I dropped off my very first toy as part of the Toy Society. (Edit: Drop#203!)

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Basically you make a toy then release it into the wild! Each one has a tag on it explaining that it really is for you to take home, and invites finders to log their find on the toy society blog.

You can see the blog here, and photos of all 191 drops so far around the world!

I decided to let the little yellow monster free, and made up a tag and envelope from brown paper and pages from 'The Jungle Book'.

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At first I wanted to leave him in the playground in my favourite park, and I tried to get up early so I could leave him inconspicuously, but alas, there were people and prams and kidlets everywhere. Plan B was a little park near my house enclosed by tall hedges and a squeaky gate. It was deserted on a cloudy morning and success!

Here he is, waiting patiently on the swing to be found.

It felt a little strange leaving him there and walking away, guess you get a little attached to the things you make. I do hope he's OK (and it doesn't rain!)

cup 'o tea?

I sat down and made tea cup pin cushions, using this tutorial .

I bought a box of tea cups a few weeks ago from an op-shop (and carried them all the way home), planning to make candles out of them. But these are cute too (and quite fitting that as I'm surrounded by empty and half full cups of tea I'll be plucking pins from tea cups as well).

I like to 70's thing goin' on with the brown. They're not as dainty or elegant as the antique/pretty/rose covered cups, but they're sturdy and handy. I'm already storing little bits and pieces in the saucers as well, and I'm glad I made two.

matchbox belts and fishing lure accessories

Spent some time lazing around today looking at my old craft books, mostly picked up from op-shops for a few dollars, but full of techniques, old and new. I love these buckles, particulary the matchbox and portrait ones (enlarged below).

also a necklace made out of a fishing lure? of course!

well goodness me

Goodness me I am so excited this morning I don't quite know what to do with myself. Four days stretch before me in which to follow my whims and fancies. So much time, so many things I want to do.make.read.plant.sew.draw.
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I want to draw some more embroidery patterns
I would like to make a teacup pin cushion like this one
I would like to put on robots and make my house sparkly and fresh
I want to write some letters and maybe join up for a swap
I would like to plant some seedlings and look after my lemon tree
I would like to have a go and making my own notebook like this gorgeous one
I would like to read some of the stack of library books on my bed

And that's just today.
I've been up early (thank you, daylight savings), and have been wandering through lovely blogs, making pancakes and drinking tea. Now what shall I do first?

Happy Easter Everyone!

If you'd like to download a printable easter card from the lovely bunny picture above, I found it here.)

Martha Martha Martha!

Do I think it's cheesy? Yes. Do I want it anyway? Yes.

Cute things

Cute things from this shop.


Octopus sock print
Antique leaf hair clip
peas in a pod necklace
cats in boat print

(and yes, I should be working, but window shopping is so much more fun! shhh... I'll catch up later, I promise)

reclaim your brain pattern

A pattern I drew for stitching. Ironically I was watching TV at the time. Then I realised and switched on music instead.

I feel very vague today. Hmmmm. vague. See? Having trouble writing a sentence. Feel the need for chocolate and hugs. Maybe a hug MADE of chocolate. Mmm. Keep truckin' on. (Ooh that gives me an idea for another pattern...)

library bag

When I was searching through old photos for my 'the long drive' post (unsuccessfully), I came across these pics of a library bag I sewed for my neice. The little doll is all in matching fabrics (even her little undies; 'cause you can't go around wearing not-matching undies..) and fits in the little pocket at the front. It was fun to make, and I think it's cute as hell.

Now my sis has another one on the way, another gorgeous neice/nephew and I will get to make more cute stuff! Until I have my own. Then it will all be mine! Mwahahaha!

mix tape stitchin'

I stitched a mix tape. I like it.

First I drew it, then I taped it to the window to trace onto calicao. Then I watched back-to-back scrubs and stitched it.

Juniper helped. Bit tricky to stitch with a pair of green eyes watching every tremble of the thread.

I was thinking of adding some tape spooling from the bottom and into a love heart- too cheesy? Or just right?

Now thinking of all the things with lines, cords, ropes etc. to spool into words. More to come.

But what shall I do with this one now? Turn it into- a card? a just-for-show piece on the wall? a tiny eeny cushion? I'm open to a vote..

this is how I roll

I know I haven't posted anything crafty for ages and ages, but I have been doin' a few things quietly.

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Workin' on the scarf I started a while ago. 'Cept I misjudged the width, and it is now more akin to a small blanket. It shall be my airplane snuggle shawl scarf. Just gonna take longer, is all. This picture doesn't do the colour justice.

I was inspired to do some stitching after reading a post by my sister (hers was also the first blog I ever read, and it is beautiful.) I really like embroidering. Only done a few so far, and I tried out a few new stitches in this one.

again, this pic doesn't quite do it justice! Maybe I should turn them into polaroids...

craftastic

found this at craftastrophe, 'because handmade isn't always pretty'. Check it out, a funny blog about the funny/weird/just plain wrong bits from crafty blogs everywhere... 'cause we've all seen a craft and gone WTF?
it made me laugh, and cringe and puzzle and laugh again!

Embroidered deer

I am in complete awe. You might remember my first attempts at embroidery.

it was stitched by Merry Calliope, but I found it on Feeling Stitchy, one of my fav blogs.

art