screw perfection

Today I did a market and like so many markets there are lots of people who said they would like to craft, sew or whatever but don't because they are scared that what they do will not turn out perfectly - to them and everyone with similar thoughts - I say screw perfection.

Crafting is not about perfection.  Imperfect action is better than perfect inaction.  Random and impefect can be cool and quirky.

This book has a lovely intro...

Stitched in Time by Alicia Paulson (from the introduction and I have paraphrsed a bit here, I hope you don't mind Alicia) " for me, sewing is about enjoying the process, not necessarily making a perfectly executed heirloom.  Perfection is relative. .... if you are new to sewing, don't get hung up on whether something is easy of difficult - I believe in "love at first sight" when it comes to projects.  Pick one that really speaks to you and just jump in.  Allow yourself the freedom to make mistakes - sometimes they can be the most endearing part of the any finished project, and may provide further evidence of your unique personality and skills.
Dreaming about a project and shopping for supplies is a major part of the expereince - sometimes it is even the best part (there I said it)."

Alicia I like your style.

This is a lovely book not just for the ideas and patterns, which are beautiful and accessible, but also for the sentiment.

Happy stitching ... Lyndy

tweet dreams

More picture spotting in the latest NZ House and Garden - the Bird Song cushion modelling in the style supplement. 

Also just to give you the heads up - next week will be the first birthday of Stitchbird Fabrics, the shop opened on 2 November last year.  It has been a crazy ride, with lots of twists and turns but through out it all I have felt very fortunate to be doing something I love and to be in contact with wonderful, creative people. This job (if you can call it that) feeds my soul.

And in a well honoured blogging tradition and in the spirit of giving back, I will be hosting a giveaway here next week - so stay tuned.  I am yet to dream up what it will be - but promise it will be good.  I am also open to requests...

Happy stitching

other people come back with a suntan....

.....but I came back from Sydney with a cold and more fabric.  (Because really a girl can never have too much fabric).  These are some of the new Saffron Craig fabrics and some of the oldies but goodies back again.

Also based on Jacqui's suggestion I checked out the Kinokuniya book shop in Sydney.  WOW WOW WOW shelves and shelves of girls' porn .... do you wanna see....

I need those hedgehogs!

The latest Cotton Time magazine full of Christmas ideas and a Girly Style Wardrobe book.

A few more photos...

Now all I need is some time for some sewing please.

sydney suggestions

What is a crafty girl to do in Sydney?  Has anyone got any suggestions?  I will have three handbrakes with me in the form of two teenagers and a husband but if I am very crafty I will be able to slip one or two places onto the itinerary. :0)

Special interests - vintage fabrics, fabric, buttons, cool handmade stuff, fabric, a market, fabric, books

P.S.  Also good food and coffee places and anything else that is on your must do list - Thanks

a christmas swap

Decorations for 2008 Swap

For the last two year's I have participated in the Kiwi Christmas Decoration swap organised by Louise over at Twenty Cent Mixture.  Louise is in her first year as a teacher and is too busy to manage the swap and so Dione at Sew Funky has kindly taken over the role as organiser extraordinnaire.

 Decoration for 2009 swap

It is lovely crafting for fellow crafters as you know they appreciate the effort that goes into the making.  Also it is fabulous getting exciting mail, mail that isn't bills or bank statements.

You don't have to be a blogger to join in the fun and if you have never been involved in a swap before this is a good one to start with.

 As the banner says Join Now.

finished

After almost a year I have finished the mini quilt advent calendar!  When I knew I wasn't going to complete it in time for last year - I went off it and put it away.  I am pleased I got it out again and finished it off. 

Now I want to start a Kiwi themed Christmas wreath that I have stuck in my head - if I start now I might have it finished for Christmas 2012.  Good things take time in this house.

save the date

The trend now is to send out little cards letting people know when you are intending to get married and asking them to save the date.  Well this is a bit different because it is a save the date for fabric lovers.

Not only do you get to see what has been lurking in other peoples fabric stash but you get to feel good about it as Fabric a Brac is a fundraiser for the Mary Potter Hospice.

So note it in your diaries now - 13 November, 9 am to 1 pm, St Anne's Hall, Newtown.

See you there!

essentials

This is one of life's essentials to me..... a visual diary.

So that wherever I am I can scribble a saying I like, doodle a picture or an idea that pops into my head.

Self Portrait?

My visual diary also takes on a communal life with various children (mine and others) and other adults adding their mythical beasties and doodlings. I like that.

PS  Blogger has started putting boxes around all my photos, which I don't like.  Does anyone know how to get rid of these?

Using up the Scraps

Recently I bought myself some lovely stamps and I have been playing with them on fabric.

And using up scraps of fabric...

I was inspired to take them outside for a photo after seeing Louise's lovely photo this week.  I think I have baker twine envy.

We also enjoyed some of these for our afternoon tea

My favouritist biscuits ever.  They are fiddley but so worth it.

Loving the weekend!

in the news and 100th post

Did you see the latest Homestyle magazine?  On the last page they have a couple of fabrics from Stitchbird Fabrics - yippee skippy.

If you have not had a look in this magazine before it is lovely and not just because it has my fabrics in it :).  It feels friendly, accessible and includes an eco section, much like the editor Lucinda (not so sure she has an eco section though).  The magazine also does a lot to feature New Zealand designers, so in this issue you will find lovely cups from Melissa at Tiny Happy and Jessica at Bam Bam Creative's Bunny clock.  You go girls!

Also I read today, as I started this post, that this is post number 100.  Where did that time go?

fabric love

This one is called Red Cookies.

I have drooled over these fabrics for a long time and am now happy to stock Shannon's limited edition hand printed fabrics.  These gorgous fabrics are printed on a beautiful linen/cotton mix.

and this one Letterhead....

I have also put some great totes into the store under the gift ideas.  There are two different designs to choose from.

 I hope the sun is shining wherever you are.