heehehehehe

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I've always wanted..

a caravan.

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Plus you can see much more caravan lovliness in this flickr group.

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*sigh*

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Georgie Love’s Gorgeous Giveaway

I would like to say that I’m sharing this with you out of the kindness of my heart. Because I want you, too, to have a chance to win something beautiful from Velveteen Design. But this time, I just want another chance to win it for myself. Sorry.

(Do have a look though. Go here to see the loveliness, and here to enter. Don’t let me stop you)

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EDIT: Oh.My.Goodness! actually won! Woot! Now which one? *quizzical frown and grin* Thanks Georgie Love & Velveteen Designs! You rock!

hey look

there's my cushion in a treasury!

Thanks Ukelele!

AWOL

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I have been awol for a little while, sorry. My work cut my hours back unexpectedly, and I have been a bit of a stress pot, filling my head with numbers, budgets, alternative work options. After initial freakin’ out, slight bitterness and a lot of tea, I have decided that it is a good thing. I will get to work with kids again. I’ve missed them. I will have more time to sew, and focus on getting stock for my first markets, and filling the shop. People live off this kind of thing, right?

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Remember when I made more space for sewing, because I decided to take it a bit more seriously? Well I’ve taken that to a whole new level. I’ve dismantled my big bed and stored it in the shed, and bought a single loft bed on ebay. I sleep up high which is a bit like school camps combined with sharing bunk beds with my sister. And if Boy comes over, we’ll share the spare mattress on the floor. But oh the space! The space!

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I have a sewing table, an ironing table, a big table just.for.working.on. Lots of room for cutting out. Lots of room for matching fabrics. Big tubs with works-in-progress. Accessible bookshelf with source and craft books (and kids dvds. Of course.) With the possibility of TWO sewing days, it’s time to get serious, people. I do not want another full-time job. I want to do what I LIKE. So far that has meant..

Starting more cloud mobiles with raindrops, new teddy bears from oh-so-soft woolen blankets. Embroidered drawings on vintage fabric cushions. (In my shop now.) Also ideas for a new custom order for a baby boy, cutting out more cushion covers from sweaters and drawing for a Pepper Stitches range of cards. This is exciting indeed.

I can tighten my belt again (remember way back when?) and I still have work at work, just less. Which gives me more.

Friday Follower- Chicuff by Daneve

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I cannot quite believe I have over 100 followers. 111 to be exact. It's quite lovely to imagine so many peeps looking at my pictures and sipping tea (you DO all drink tea, don't you? I will imagine so.)

I want to know more about all of you, as well as share your delightfullness and craftiness with everyone as a way to show my appreciation and say thanks!

And so *drum roll* I introduce my Friday Follower! (I borrowed this awesome idea from Thea and Sami, a textile designer- do go say hi!) For my first follower, I've picked out Daneve- we've only just met, but I like her already.

Daneve has a lovely blog called Chicuff. Her design message is simple: 'Don't discard it...have fun & be CREATIVE!' Chicuff designs are unique, wearable art transformed from rescued and recycled Environmental "Green" bags. Each piece is individual with a unique past, present & future story of its own.'

(taken and amended from Chicuff by Daneve)

I especially love these door brooches, part of her 'knock knock' series.

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And these recyled envelopes from sheet music..

You can find these (and other lovely things) in the Chicuff etsy store and Chicuff Made it store .

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Daneve has also started a Op-Shop Challenge coinciding with the start of her other blog, Brissy Op Shops! If you live in Brisbane, I do recommend having a look. Actually even if you don't. Go have a look.

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Nice to meet you Daneve!

my creative space

Babushka doll rattles from lovely Japanense fabric. Waiting for their faces to be attached!

A baby blue bunny

And a prototype for a deer. A bit wonky, and a bit like a camel? Or is it just me? Maybe the antlers will help.

mmm... shopping online...

From a new-found online store, the lovely SuperBuzzy, a Japanese fabric & supplies store. Aren't they lovely *rubs hand together*. All on sale too! (and came with two Japanese sweets!)

Miniature cuties from tiny things are cute. Yes, yes they are.

Some other places to find sweet buys/ waste time/ spend money..

Texere Yarns (UK) yarns, crocheting, supplies, patterns

The Paper Place (USA) paper. loads and loads of paper.

I don't know many good online places, generally stumbling across them by accident. Do you know any good ones? Do share. I'd love to have a look.

it's true

pretty cups from papermash via Her Library Adventures

my week in pictures

amazing brekky with beautiful friend. Hotcakes AND bacon!


Went for a walk and found this random sign. I laughed.

Lawn bowls. White dress code. So.much.fun.

Holding a baby girl named Billy. 9 weeks old, held her for almost 2 hours. Bliss.

Watching James Bond movies with the Boy

Tea and Asterix & Obelix waiting to go out for Indian. It was delicious.

Graffitti on the way home.

Felt graffitti girl (detail from above)

And it's Sunday already. Sunday! And an abruptly short weekend after last weekend's 4 days of last week's 4 days of chillaxin'. Darn.

Happy week everyone x

my creative space

Some new cushion covers made from recycled sweaters.. mmm.. soft mountains...

flea market finds

Baseball playing squirrel salt & pepper shakers. Too cute.

yes, it's rather a good idea actually..

I just came across the robin hood tax, and put my name down. Have you? What a stupendously ace idea.




thanks Pottymouthmama

an etsy easter

Grass Easter Egg Holder
how does your garden grow
Little Bunny Recipe Box
Porcelain Egg, Soy Candles and Little Bunny
little jade babies...a handmade nest
Rabbits In A Hurry Print
Silver Rabbit Necklace
Arctic hare plushie

Oh My.

the book

Have you been to regretsy blog? Some are okay. Some are CRAZY. Why people? WHY??

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It's much like what not to crochet, but showing creations found on etsy. Painted pillowcase. Religious statues. Hand etched portrait, space time clock and necklaces. If a kid made it, I'd love. If I knew they were doing it tongue-in-cheek, I'd giggle. Sure to make you feel better about your latest crafty disaster, but guilty for scoffing at something that someone has obviously spent time and care creating. (This one I could actually get, it made me almost fall off my chair.)

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All in all if your cranky (like I have been today) it might cheer you up, but be warned, it's all a bit bitchy really. I'm indulging my inner-bitch. I don't do that often, I much more comfortable with being nice. But I AM cranky today. I might make cupcakes later and knit a beanie for a stray puppy to restore the equilibrium.

dog's breakfast bib

I made a bib yesterday, with sweet fabric I bought on the weekend (isn't it cute?) that I plastic coated. But the bias binding is all wrong. How do you make it go around curves without looking like a dog's breakfast? It was all wrinkled and dodgy-looking. And my snap closure kept un-closing in a very un-snappy way.

Hopefully I can salvage this one and re-bind it (just got myself a bias binding maker too. Awesome). Otherwise a certain sister may be getting a very defunct gift.

I looked at a few tutorials like this one from Crazy Mom Quilts (oh boy there are a LOT of bib tutorials out there), it advocates sewing it around the front then hand-stitching the back; is this the usual method or does anyone know a faster way?

mister furry hug bum monster?

These two little guys are about to head to my shop. But what on earth shall I call them??

labels uh-huh

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I have been scouting for some nice labels for my plushies and quilts, you know the ones, cute simple little ones sewn into the seam, that make your plush look awfully professional and your name memorable.

from this shop

These seem to be the go so far, but there are so many darn OPTIONS! satin, twill, cotton, printed, embroidered etc. Do you have any tips /advice /recommendations? Where do you get your labels from?