Case Makeover - and last few days for the giveaway

Before photos - found one tired school case at the op shop.

I loved the lettering - I think JNC went to Palmerston North High School.  The inside looking a bit tatty.

And after...

I used steam a seam fusible web to line the case with the Vintage Roses from Kokka.  If you have never used steam a seam before - there is a warning - it can be addictive.  It is a bit like when you first discover sellotape as a child! 

Also if you have not already entered the giveaway it is still on - you can check it out here.

E is for Elephant

In case you were wondering this blog is mainly about crafting, but you may have had your doubts lately.  That was because with all the end of year and pre-Christmas rush I just did not have the head space to be creative.  Migraines have been lurking - I think I was more stressed about my son's end of year NCEA exams than  he was.  Then Midget finished at the primary school she has attended for the last 8 years and that was all very emotional as it ends a 11 year assocaition with the school.

But getting back to craft - I love elephants, they seem such gentle giants and they keep reappearing in my craft.  Above is some doodling that I finished today.  The guy below was made a couple of years ago and he stands guard at our lounge door proetcting us from the Wellington winds that threaten to slam the door.  (Didn't realise how dusty he was getting until I took this photo). 

He is very proud of his tail...

These guys have been lurking in my fabric stash.... I must admit to finding it hard to cut them up.  I need the perfect project.

And these guys have been added to the shop recently, they are by Laura Wisbrun.

I can feel some more sewing coming on over these holidays!  Happy sewing everyone.

a new school bag

OK I know I don't go to school anymore, but the size of this bag is great for books and a folder as well as my lippy, cell phone and purse.  When Miss M saw it she was all excited thinking it was for her. Mmmmmm no, this is Mum's new school bag.

Today I have been cutting fabric and packing up ready for the market tomorrow.  I also bagged up some cards that I made ages ago (and had been intending to make for even longer).  Here are a few - I was very pleased at how they turned out.  The smurf one would be very appropraite for a certain person, who shall remain nameless, who often needs to wave their hand like that.

I also put together some more Itty Bitty Craft Boxes.

Now to decide on pricing.  I hate this part.

crafting day

Now this is what I need...

Stacey from Polka Dot Daze has organised a venue for crafters in the Auckland area to get together for a whole day of crafting on11 July.  Magic!  Now all I need is my magic carpet to fly me there...

Or alternatively we could arrange one here (Wellington), or wherever your here is.  I used to do this BC (before children) with a couple of friends, it was great.

Any one keen?

It could be like blind dating for crafters :)

Living in a Parallel Universe

Well I am back home after a very topsy turvy 9 days.  I am pleased to say my Dad is out of any immediate danger and is recovering. I came home briefly (1 night) to repack my bags and head off to Auckland  and the Crafternoon Tea market on Saturday which was great.  It was lovely to meet people who have stopped by on my blog and website and meet the real people behind some lovely blogs I read.

It felt weird being away from my "real life" for so long.  It certainly was not planned for and it felt like I was living in some parrallel universe, with my real life carrying on somewhere else.  It was also an emotional roller coaster, thank goodness Jane, one of my sisters was with me! 

Mr S was very pleased to see me home he had had enough of being taxi driver, chef, launderer, procurement specialist, cleaner...

At Crafternoon Tea on Saturday I was very fortunate to be next to the lovely Jennie of A Little Vintage.  Jennie makes the most incredible dolls...

This lovely lady was there on Saturday.  Jennie also custom makes dolls using your own child's special clothes and will make the dolls to resemble their new adoptive "parent".  She does beautiful work.

I am really looking forward to doing some crafting of my own this week.

Hope your week is going well and happy stitching.

make it work

I have been playing Tim to Miss M as she has been preparing her peg doll ready for the runway.

Small Acorns have a competition running for children to design and dress a peg doll.  The stakes are high with Trelise Cooper clothes offered as a prize.

Heidi has been glued into hew new outfit and sent to the L'Oreal make up and hair style room and is about to step out onto the runway...

This photo does not really do her justice - she is wearing an asymetrical skirt with ribbons and ric rac sewn on. 

I think the prize for Miss M was designing and making the peg dolls outfit, she has really enjoyed the whole process.  She even did style drawings...

Easter Weekend

No more embarrassing moments pulling a business card out of my handbag to find the edges bent or lipstick smeared on it.  A new business card purse is created. 

I have been meaning to do this for ages and the Easter break has allowed me the time (and head space) to do a few bits of sewing for myself.  I downsized the pattern from here , thanks to Every Spare Minute for blogging about this pattern.  The lining and zipper covers are in the little green spot and I love them.

The Frank Kitts Market on Easter Saturday was disappointing, very few people came through the market.  I had heard from others that it was slow, but thought it was worth a try.  The up side is I got to catch up with other crafty people who I have met at other markets.

Francois and his friends got a days outing at the market, but alas were not adopted.  I usually make my bears from woollen blankets that I dye and felt, but Francois is an upper class kind of bear - he is made from 100% upcycled cashmere wool and is very soft.

I am sad to see the Easter holiday come to an end.  It marks the real change of seasons for me.  The clocks have been put back, the leaves are falling and there is a chill in the evening air.

It's a little dark and some crafting

Oy - it's very dark in here!

I am getting ready for the Frank Kitts market this Saturday.  It is a first for me so it will be interesting to see how it goes.  Hopefully it won't be too dark; the market is in an underground carpark.

I have also been playing with some of the new fabric...

This bag uses Kokka Le Ballet Girls in natural, the base of the bag and the lining is made out of Red Spot Two Ways.  I have used the little spot in the lining and the big spot for the base.

I hate turning fabric when I am making handles, I usually end up getting very frustrated swearing.  So I use one these great devices...

A Tape Maker

If you don't already have one I would defintiely recommend purchasing one.  To make my handles, I make two lengths of tape and sew them together - easy peasy and no swearing involved.

Also off to the market this weekend is Bob

Bob is a bit of a "ladies' rabbit" (aren't they all) and likes to tango.  He doesn't like being upstaged by Easter Bunny. 

Thank you to everyone for the lovely comments on the giveaway - I am enjoying your fabric stories, it's not too late if you wish to join in.

Happy Easter

it's raining, it's pouring

Resuming transmission..... all fabric is cut and sent on its way, the Knack market on Saturday and the school fair on Sunday were both successes.  I am starting to regain some control in my life.  It was like riding a run away horse there for a bit.

Today it looks like our late summer may be coming to an end :(.  Today we have been blasted by wind and rain and I have had some time to sit and knit.  I am not the best or fastest knitter, more of a plodder really, but it is nice to have something that you can sit and do while watching a TV programme.

This is a sublime pattern but I have used Naturally Merino et Soie which is very reasonably priced and lovely to knit.  My hands sometimes get irritated and itchy when kniting with wool, but not with this.

We have just got the final total for the craft stall at the school fair, we made an amazing $4,400, just from the craft stall!  We were very fortunate in that we received some great designer fabrics as donations from a local design store and we had a pre-fair fabric sale, as well as making cushions and aprons from the beautiful fabrics we received (thank you Estilo Design).  Also because we had so many items for sale, we had pre fair sales just after school drop off and before school pick up in the week leading up to the fair.  Fortunately/unfortunaely this was right next door to the second hand clothing boutique and I managed to spend/score some great items of clothing at a very reasonable price.

making

Missy Moo helps alot with the  markets that I do and has a little side line business, which I call Baby Bird. She makes hair ties using buttons that she covers with different fabrics.  Stitchbird Fabrics gets a lot of samples and she uses these, plus off cuts from sewing (both hers and mine) to cover the buttons.  Up until now Missy M has been selling these at markets, but she now has some shops who are buying her hair ties.  A few hours of today have been sitting and covering buttons.  My role is strictly as a staff member (or should I say indentured slave, as this is a no pay gig for me).  But it is a lovely activity to do, we sing (badly and loudly) to CDs and chat.

This is from todays labours...

Also one of the perks of working on the school fair craft stall is you can buy before the day.  At this week's meeting I snaffled up this beautiful tea cosy.  Jo has made several of these and egg warmers.  They are fantastic.

Have a lovely weekend and happy making!

Cramming/Crafting for School

Thank you everyone for your kind words and thoughts about Harley, each day it gets a little easier,but he has left a big gap in our family.

Next month is the school fair and tonight we have a craft stall meeting, where we have to take along our crafted items and indicate how many we can make and what prices we would charge for our craft.  I have known for sometime that I needed to get on and do this - but do you think I felt inspired.  NO.

I have put it off and put it off.  I tried to craft over the weekend but I had a bad case of EITTS*, which if you read Jodie's blog you will know about.  I gave up and had a glass of wine instead.

Well today had to be the day and I have got a few things done in amongst my other work, so I won't look like a total time waster.

I have made a bunny (and cut out ten more).  There is an easter egg tucked inside.  I got this idea from someone's blog (sorry I can't remember who) but if I do I will let you know as I think there was a tutorial.

I also made some babies bibs using the pattern from Chickpea Sewing Studio.  These are quick and easy to make.

I will also make some girls reversible headbands and monster softies.

Now the big questions is how many of these can I make (given I am self-confessed procastinator) and how much can we sell them for? 

* EITTTS - everything I touch turns to sh**t

I love magazines

I have a bit of an addication, apart from caffeine and the occasional glass of wine.  I love crafting magazines.  Unfortunately I tend to like the more expensive, international magazines.  Here are some of my more recent indulgences

The Maire Claire Idees Christmas edition, Quilting Arts Stitch and Sew Hip a UK sewing magazine.  None of these magazines are particularly easy to come by, but once found they are a treasure to drool over as you sit down with a cup of tea and dream of a life where you can spend endless time creating.

Here are a few of the gorgeous photos from the Marie Claire Idees and Sew Hip.

I am getting ideas for this years Christmas Swap.

These guys are great.

And I love this.  Time to stop looking and get making.

New Fabrics and Quilt Top Finished

Yeah the Lizzy House Red Letter Day fabrics have finally arrived!  I am loving these - they are happy fabrics.  I wish I could have got more.  This is called Ugly Duckling but I think he/they are gorgeous.

In a record time (for me) I finished the Princess and the Pea quilt top.  The not overthinking things seems to have worked.  No procrastinating, no wondering about if, buts or maybes.

Do you want to see...

This photo is not the best, more ironing, better lighting and angle etc all would have helped but you get the picture!  Now I need to decide on backing fabric and binding etc.  Any suggestions?

Missy Moo very innocently asked who's it for?  I don't know I replied.  To which she said could she have it.  How many quilts does a 12 year old need?

It is nice to have something go well, because just recently I seem to have been plagued by computer problems which has a serious mood altering effects on me.  I have been ready to throw either myself or the computer out the window.  I have been grumpy.  Compterman (like Superman but more nerdy) came around today and he can make it all better again - Windows 7, more memory, more money.... sigh.

Also on a brighter note my sister and brother in law arrive in town today ready for the Martinborough Fair on Saturday.  I will be Market Assistant for Glitz Art Glass, my sister's art glass jewellery and Missy Moo is going to be the able Market Assistant to the Golden Bay Toy Boy aka my brother in law, who is a toy maker.  If you are in Martinborough come and say hello - we are in The Square.

Escaping and Looking for the Sun

Tomorrow we are heading off in search of some sun, sand and relaxation.  Wellington's weather has improved over the last couple of days, but prior to that it has been grey, wet and windy.  So off we go in search of sun.  It is also an opprtunity to meet up with a few retailers to hopefully sell some fabric wholesale.  Fingers crossed.

In a previous post I mentioned buying a needle felting book and because I can't take my sewing machine on holiday I packed a little bit of wool and a needle felting needle and spent a little bit of time playing.  It was great as I could sit in my sister's studio as she made her beads and I stabbed at wool.

Two wee guys emerged.  The penguin is a gift for a penguin lover.  The mouse has a slighlty gammy leg, but his friend the penguin doesn't mind.

A Tui in a Pohutukawa Tree

My inspiration for the Christmas swap this year came from my own back yard.  We have a line of pohutukawa trees (the New Zealand Christmas Tree) at the back of our garden and the tuis love it, they swoop from tree to tree with their loud squawks teasing our cats with "you can't get me".

So here is my version of the tuis in the pohutukawa tree...

Crafted from an old velvet ball gown, some shot silk I picked up at the op shop and some vintage lace from my stash.

Now you would think that may be flattered, but

NO - this was their message, left on a nice clean towel on my washing line.  I think they are laughing at my attempts to replicate something so beautiful.

Well this is what may happen if they don't watch themselves...

P.S. no tuis were harmed in the making of these Christmas decorations.

P.P.S.  If you would like to make your own birds I used the pattern at Spool Sewing as a base and made a few adjustments

Christmas Decorations Posted

Sorry Christmas decoration swappees I failed in meeting my deadline, but your little parcels are winging there way to you now (via fast post) and should be with you tomorrow.  I will post some pictures once they have been received.

Last year I did the Plum Pudding Fairy a close relation of the Sugar Plum Fairy.

Every one was slightly different because I have difficulty doing exactly the same thing.

 I also have not shown a finished photo of the Babushka doll decoration.  Here she is...

Happy stitching or happy thinking about stitching if you are like me and finding it hard to get time to create.

Phew! 2 Markets Down 1 to Go and Some Christmas Decorations

The weekend was a busy one with two markets.  The Christmas Knack was great, lots of lovely fellow stall holders and fair goers.  Thorndon was also good except for that cold Wellington wind, it just made the day a little bit harder.  Some poor people lost their gazebos and their stock blew from their stalls. 

This Saturday I will be at the Seatoun Christmas market at St Georges in Ferry Street.  This is my home suburb so I am looking forward to it as I imagine it will be very social.

Last year I took part in the Christmas decoration swap organised by  Louise at Twenty Cent Mixture and really enjoyed it.  Not a lot of my firends are into craft so it was great to make contact with people who are equally obsessed as me! I am taking part again this year.  My decorations are not quite finished (slight under statement) so I can't do the big reveal yet, but I thought I would share some posts from other bloggers who have some great Christmas decoration tutorials. 

Christmas Owls at Diversions
Bird in a Cage from Felt o Rama
Jingle Mouse at Pimp Stitch
Christmas Tree Softie at LucyKate Crafts

Happy stitching!

Mills and Boon?

One of my weaknesses is books, especially crafting books and vintage books.  One of my more recent  finds is a Mills and Boon book (but not of the romance variety) and it ticks both boxes, vintage and crafting.  It is called Toys for your Delight by Winsome Douglass and was published in 1957.  First of all I love the author's name, it's not often you meet a Winsome these days and the embroidered toys and illustrations in the book are truly beautiful.

I was also fortunate to find An Orange Robin Story Book at the op shop.  I love the illustrations in this book and can see them as an embroidery one day.... 

 I may of course need a million "one days" to do all the things I would like to do.

Happy stitching!

Where does the time go...

Well that was a quick two weeks.  Now I am left trying to remember what I have been doing.

We are getting ready for the school fair in March next year and the craft stall always has to start early because sourcing materials and making stuff always takes so much time.  The other night several of us went to Lyndal's to learn how to wet felt and dry felt.  I am not so keen on the wet felting but loved the needle felting.  I would rather stab myself in the hand occassionally with the needle felter than put my hand in boiling water.  There was a lot of stabbing of fingers rather than felt going on which may have had a bit to do with the wine consumed. 

It was great fun.  Here is my first attempt at needle felting....

I definitely want to try this again and have invested in a new book Needle Felted Figures, which is beautiful.

Over the last few weeks we have been treated to several sushi meals.  Jack has been perfecting the art of making sushi and we have been willing guinea pigs.  This is part of his food technology class at school.



I have also been toying with an idea in my head for some Christmas decorations using the large babushka fabric... this is what it looks like so far..

I will finish embellishing and then create a stuffie with a hanger to pop on the Christmas tree.

It is scary thinking about Christmas - so much to do - so little time!