Day 28 Blogtoberfest - To Market To Market

My next market is in 2 weeks, so Sunday was all about market prep. One of my best sellers at markets are my bibs in various Australiana fabrics (mostly vintage, but sometimes new). Here's a new one. The fabric looks linen like, but is cotton and features some well loved Melbourne icons.

Don't worry my Sydney sider friends. There's a fabric for you too:) I've even made enough to put a few of each in my shops (Etsy and Madeit), so look for listings later this week:) Cyndy Pin It

Day 16 Blogtoberfest - Blinky Bill Fabric

Blinky Bill has made his appearance on the blog before here and here, but this has to be my favourite. This is a 100% cotton fabric from the 1980's. I got it recently via Etsy. Ironically the seller lived nearby!

This weekend I cut into it. Yes, it was hard to do, but I can't wait to show you what I am making:) Cyndy

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Making Something New

This weekend I made something new, a potholder. Not an earth shattering craft project by any stretch of the imagination, but I had never made one before. I made them because someone asked me to. A friend who is traveling overseas this week called me Thursday and said "I need something for my Aunt, she has an organic bakery, can you make some pot holders from vintage tea towels with Australiana on them?"

I said "yes" and I did. Now, I don't know about you, but whenever I make something specific for someone I am always a tad nervous about whether they will like it. Fortunately, she did, even deciding to give one of them to her mother in law instead:)

It also got me thinking about how I come up with new ideas of things to make. Clearly being asked is one way. I am not sure I would have come up with pot holders on my own accord. Sometimes I am inspired by things that others have made (online, magazines, at markets), like a skirt. Other times I am inspired by necessity, like headbands and hair ties (for my girls). And still other times I am inspired by the raw materials themselves (fabric, children's books) and think what can I make that will best utilize or showcase the materials, like bunting or cushion covers.

 

Regardless of how I come up with new ideas, one thing is for sure, I have more ideas than I can implement. I don't know about you, but I keep a notebook, where I write down all my ideas, and as I implement them, I fill in the details, like measurements, materials/colours used, costs for me to make etc... Why all the details? That's in case I want to make something more than once. I'm a make by the seat of my pants kinda crafter, so its usually documenting after the fact rather than before:) But documenting none the less.

So, hope you like my newest idea. My friend thinks I should make more of them for markets. I'm not convinced yet, but glad I made them at least once. So what's your newest idea and how did you come up with it? Cyndy Pin It

Fabric Stash: Koala (Bear)

In the last two weeks I have been on a bit of a binge. No not food, fabric! I am always looking for Australian themed fabric to use in my projects (all part of my Australian obssession:). I don't often find such fabrics in shops, instead the internet is my friend and for some reason over the last week or so, I have come accross five different koala (bear) fabrics that I needed to have for my stash.

The first two seem to be cotton poly blends. Not my favourite fabric to work with (I don't really like the feel) but on the plus side they don't wrinkle much:) Plus how could I resist this little beach koala?

The other three are all cotton flannel. Love the feel of flannel, and the koalas on these three are so sweet:) I've been thinking about making some rattle balls (for babies) and think this flannel would be perfect mixed with other fabrics.

And these are just the five koala themed fabrics I found this week - can you imagine what else is in my stash after years of collecting? Cyndy Pin It

My Creative Space

A new school year is underway in our household. Middle and oldest started school mid last week, and littlest started kinder. I was thinking I would have more time for crafting, but I am still waiting for that to materialise. Littlest phases into her regular kinder schedule over the next couple of weeks, so still not much child free time. And I forgot with school also comes all the children's other activities (swimming, ballet, netball) plus all of my related volunteer work (toy library duty, school council, parent's association).

That's all to say I didn't get too creative this week. I made a wonky pencil case for middle (to her credit, she wanted to keep it even though I wanted to start again), sorted two containers of fabric, did some fabric cutting and started thinking through a new crafty project using a vintage tablecloth with Australian flora on it that has lots of stains (but it's still more of an idea than an actual project). I guess I need to be more patient with the transition to our new school year routine and lower my crafting expectations just a little:)

You can find lots more creative spaces over at Our Creative Spaces this week. Cyndy Pin It

Blinky Bill and Surprises

Earlier this week I got a little surprise. I received a package in the mail of something I had ordered in November, but it had been so long since I had ordered it that I had forgotten it was even coming! It was a package from Spoonflower, where you can design and print your own fabric. During their last free postage special I had decided to try out an idea for a fabric print.

I love Australian children's literature. One of my favourites is Blinky Bill (I found a first edition copy for $0.99 on Ebay, can you believe it! It's a little worse for the wear, but it's a first edition:). It's a curious little story, but it's the illustrations by Dorothy Wall that I love the most. When thinking about names for my shop I considered "the peppermint koala" because of the bit in the story where Blinky Bill gets into Miss Pimm's store and eats the peppermints:)

So back to the Spoonflower fabric. I had been thinking about creating some sort of Blinky Bill fabric using artwork from the original book. So when the postage special happened I decided to go for it and then apparently forgot! Imagine my surprise when my package showed up 2 months later with this little fabric swatch in it - I loved it!

It's only a fat quarter so I need to think carefully about how I will use it. And yes, I am now itching to use it:) Don't you love it when you forget and get a nice surprise? Cyndy Pin It

Good Things Come to Those Who Wait

One of middle's (age 7) favourite colour combos right now is black and white. So for Christmas I decided to make her a skirt using black and white fabric that I had in my stash. The problem was, I wasn't liking any of the combinations (I needed three different fabrics for this particular skirt). In the end I decided to use two black and white prints (both with some sort of circle pattern) and plain old white as the third, thinking I would come up with "something to do on the white fabric that would fit later.

Well, we finally came up with that "something": button embroidered flowers! It's simple and fits in with the circle theme. We are doing two on each of the white fabric panels. Only one more flower to go, then the hem and it will be all done!

Sometimes you just have to wait for the right idea to come along to finish something:) Cyndy Pin It

My Creative Space

 

Even though I should be focusing on a specific craft project (like Christmas presents) sometimes I get distracted by an idea that I decide I need to try. Recently, I embroidered words on some needlework. It looked awful, so I unpicked it.

I had done the words freehand. But after seeing my results, I thought there has to be a better way. Sure enough a better way occurred to me so I decided I needed to try it out - now. As it was an idea that I hadn't tested and I have other projects I should be working on (like Christmas presents) you would think I would try it with something simple. Not my style, because I decided to go all out and do an entire multi sentence quote complete with a picture (from Norman Lindsay's The Magic Pudding)!

You will be glad to know that my idea worked:) My words looked so much better. What did I do to embroider the words? I simply printed the words in a font that I liked on paper (make sure to print them in a colour other than the colour you plan to embroider them in) and affixed the paper to the fabric I was using. I then embroidered on the paper/fabric and pulled the paper off when I was finished.

So now that I know it works, its time to get back to the projects I really need to get done (Christmas presents:).

Hope you are not too distracted in your creative space this week. For more creative spaces you can visit here. Cyndy Pin It

My Creative Space - Bunting Swap

My bunting for the bunting swap hosted by Squiggly Rainbow is finally on its way here and overseas! With all my focus on market preparation I am sorry to say this project got away from me, but I managed to finally finish it earlier this week. So if you are still waiting to get one it could be from me - mea culpa:)

For some reason this project was way harder than it should have been. No, not sewing the bunting, but coming up with the actual bunting design. I knew I wanted to share a little Australiana, but what?

And then the wattle tree across the street inspired me. I have some lovely wattle cotton fabric that has just been waiting to be used. I initially toyed with the idea of embellishing each bunting with wattle embroidery, but it became clear that would require a little more time than I had at my disposal. Instead, I went with pairing the fabric with two of my all time favs gingham and ric rack.

So here they all are before I sent them out. Simple, but I like them. I even made one for myself, as I am planning to make a bunting from all the ones I get in the swap. Not very original I know, but fun to have all that handmade love from so many people in one place:)

Here's hoping you are not as far behind in your creative space as I am in mine! For more lovely spaces you can visit here. Cyndy Pin It

My Creative Space

Earlier this year I participated in the Hottie Challenge hosted by Cam at CurlyPops. The challenge was to make a hot water bottle cover to help raise funds for Margaret Pratt Foundation (Research for heart and Lung Transplants). I knew EXACTLY what I wanted to make for my cover - I could see it in my head. Unfortunately, at the time I couldn't find the material (kind and colour) that I could see in my head, so I had to come up with an alternative (don't worry I still love what I did, you can see it here:).

Fast forward to this past weekend. The children and I stopped at one of our regular op shops and guess what I found? The material (kind and colour) that I had seen in my head when I had envisioned my hot water bottle cover, so of course I bought it!

I think this grey colour is the perfect back drop for my wool embroidery. I love using wool embroidery to depict native flowers. I don't really need to make a hot water bottle cover, so I decided to make a pin cushion. I started with a flannel flower. I love how the flower turned out, not so happy about the placement on the material, which I unfortunately cut too small, so not much room for adjustment. I might have to come up with another use for this one (plus, think I need to take the words off, just did that to fill the space, but not happy with it).

I've started a second one, this time giving myself a little more wiggle room:) I am embroidering one of my all time favorites a red bottle brush. The tree by our fence is in full bloom right now and it's so vibrant. I also want to do one in hot pink. There is a hot pink bottle brush tree up the block in bloom that is gorgeous, I just need to get the right colour of wool.

So remember, good things come to those who wait:) Hope you are getting lots done in your creative space this week. To see more lovely creative spaces you can visit here. Cyndy Pin It

My Creative Space

This week we are on school holidays. In between keeping kids busy/entertained I have been working on stock for my first market which is now only a month away!

As I say those words out loud I feel the panic in the pit of my stomach. Have I bitten off more than I can chew? I also have a list of Christmas gifts and items that I need to make for family and friends! I just need to stay focused and disciplined, right? Right:)

As I am not a one-at-a-time-project kinda person, I have been working on a variety of projects, including bunting, felt food, Christmas decorations, fabric headbands and cards! One of the projects I have enjoyed the most though, is making bias tape.

The last time I made bias tape was about 25 years ago (for a Laura Ashley pattern dress I made for a family wedding - am I dating myself?:) I don't know why it's been so long, because it was really easy and very satisfying as a project. I used the needle in the ironing board method, which is a little bit fiddly, but it worked surprisingly well. The best thing about it was how the bias tape felt - so much better than the stuff you buy! I made it to use on some Christmas buntings I have been making for the market. Not sure I ever want to buy bias tape again:)

I hope you have been getting lots done in your space this week. For more lovely spaces make sure you visit here. Cyndy Pin It

My First Crafty Swap - My Sunshine in the Mail

It's a little bit late, but I am finally sharing what I received in my first crafty swap, the Snail Mail Swap organized by Sheree at Seaweed and Raine earlier this month (you can see some of what I sent to my swap partner here and here).

Per Sheree's hope, it really was a little bit of sunshine in the mail! I received my swap from Christie at Describe Happy. Christie lives in the US, so it was not just mail, but INTERNATIONAL mail - loved that!

The day the package arrived was a cloudy day and as soon as my children saw a package in the mailbox they tried to claim it as their own. As soon as I saw it I disabused them of this notion, and claimed it for my own. I did let them help me open it:)

Christie had done a little tease post, but I resisted the temptation of looking. I wanted it to truly be a surprise, and what a I lovely surprise it was! Christie had definitely been sussing me out. The package included all sorts of little goodies: fabric, origami paper, cheeky birdie labels, a beautiful jade bracelet and some origami corner book marks. The piece de resistance however, was this fab zipper pouch:

How cute is that?! And how perfect for me - wombats on one side and that gorgeous koala fabric on the other. There are several handy little compartments inside as well:)

I have already been enjoying some of my goodies, although I have had to fend off my oldest daughter (age 7) who really wants the jade bracelet and the origami paper:)

A BIG, BIG thank you to Sheree for organizing it all and to Christie for her package of goodies! It really was a little package of sunshine in the mail:) Cyndy

PS if you haven't done a crafty swap you should - I had so much fun giving and receiving:) Pin It

My Creative Space

It seems incongruous to me that spring is here and I am thinking about Christmas! Having grown up in the northern hemisphere, Christmas for me means cold and snowy (yes, it was a white Christmas where I grew up:). So while the combination of summer and Christmas feels a bit strange to me, and I have let go of a few things (sorry roast turkey) I have a found a way to mix some of my northern hemisphere traditions with traditions here.

One of the things I definitely haven't let go of is decorating our house. I love having a Christmas tree and decorations everywhere. And when I say everywhere, I really mean EVERYWHERE; you will find decorations in every room of our house:) I recently found some Christmas fabric at Spotlight that features cockatoos, kangaroos and koalas that I couldn't resist. This week I have been working on some Christmas buntings using the fabric. I think they are quite fun and help bring my two Christmas worlds together!

Are you already planning for Christmas? Whether you are or not, I hope you are getting lots done in your creative space this week. You can visit here to see more lovely spaces. Cyndy Pin It

Melbourne Craft and Quilt Fair Fun

Last weekend I went to the Craft and Quilt Fair in Melbourne. I wasn't looking for anything per se, but who could say no to all those fabrics, notions, craft supplies and inspiration all in one location? While I picked up some (OK, a lot of) fabric to add to my stash, my most exciting find was a doll pattern from AK Traditions which is based in Melbourne.

(handmade felt dolls and accessories image from AK Traditions)

A friend has their original doll, Dinara. My youngest (age 3) loves to play with her when she visits, so when I saw the pattern book for their new slightly smaller version above I knew I had found the perfect Christmas present for my little one. It also includes patterns for knitted and sewn clothing, all so cute. And, as if it was meant to be, I have the little Ikea doll bead stashed away for her as well, so it will be the perfect little package. I am looking forward to getting started on the doll this weekend! Cyndy Pin It

My Creative Space...

I have enjoyed visiting your creative spaces and now finally have a blog of my own, so thought I would play along:)

I have been trying to actualize my vision for a mermaid tail as requested by my youngest daughter (age 3) for her birthday. The first hurdle was color. Initially, she requested a pink tail. Hmm... Luckily, the fickleness of being a toddler prevailed and blue became the color of choice:)

So blue it was and in search of fabrics we went. I ended up choosing a couple of different colors of tulle, including one that had sparkles on it to use for the scales and some poly cotton and lining fabrics to use as the base in blues and greens.

I am pleased with the progress to date, but now I am on to the trickier part of how she will be able to wear the tail. I think I have an vision for it. I am keeping my fingers crossed, as the project needs to be completed ASAP. Wish me luck - I will post pictures when it's all finished:)

For more creative spaces you can visit here. Cyndy

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Easter Goodie Bags

I was feeling the need to make something for Easter and decided to make goodie bags for the kids and some of their friends. In my head I could see these cute bags with little bunnies on the front with flowered fabric. Here's what I ended up with:

So how did I do it? To create the bunnies I found a cute graphic over at the Graphics Fairy. While I thought about using the citra solv method to transfer the image, I decided I wanted something a little darker, so I turned the graphic into a freezer paper stencil. Note, when creating a stencil, especially a small one, it's often best to only utilise key elements of the original graphic. I was able to use the same stencil multiple times (wasn't sure if I could do that with a freezer paper stencil).

I then stencilled the basic bunny graphic onto pieces of scrap fabric using black fabric paint.

I then added detail (nose and whiskers) to the stencilled bunnies using embroidery thread (I did have to add some interfacing to stiffen up the fabric a little). I thought the embroidered elements added dimension and interest to the bunnies.

I then made a simple drawstring bag using white cotton fabric on the outside and the same fabric I stencilled each bunny on for the lining. Finally, I hand-sewed each stencilled bunny onto the white cotton fabric side of the drawstring bag that had the matching fabric lining. See here and here for some tutorials on how to make a drawstring bag if you don't know how to make one.

And viola, cute little bunny goodie bags! Cyndy

I am linking this up to:



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Sewing Basket

My middle child (age 7) loves to make. She's never been a dolly girl or barbie girl. When people ask me what they can get her, I invariably say "something crafty." Over the last year she has started to become interested in sewing. I thought about making her a sewing basket/kit at Christmas, but just couldn't get it together in time, so I decided I would make it for her birthday. I am pleased to say I have managed to actually do it and just in time- tomorrow's her birthday!

The theme I chose was mushrooms. I was thinking the red with white polka dot variety and found this really cute fabric. I added some cooridnating dot fabric. Then I remembered I had this riboon that I got from Ribbons Galore.

I found a wooden box at a local art store that seemed the right size. I put batting on the lid and covered the lid and the rest of the box with the fabrics. I lined the inside of the box with cooridinating felt. I used the ribbon on the lid and to embellish pockets I sewed into the inside of the lid.

In addition to the actual sewing basket, I made a mushroom pin cushion and needle case using some of the main fabrics, as well as some coordinating scraps and felt.

I found the pattern for the pin cushion here. (There are three different patterns, I made the small button cap with small stem).

There are other bits and bobs in the basket/kit: a seam ripper, scissors, thread, tape measure, etc... I hope she likes it - if not I will be happy to keep it for myself!

Cyndy Pin It