tsk tsk

linen::paper::thread

Right now I'm meant to be at Pilates. But I fell over the other day and hurt my back, so instead I'm here taking it easy. Last night I set myself up on the couch and finished this circular paper image that has been lying around the house for several weeks. It started on ply wood, but I didn't like the way it looked. Then a friend suggested sewing the circles onto linen. So I bought some wood, made the frame and stretched away. The process felt a little like embroidery. Now I have a 100 new ideas.

I still have the painting itch and make the most of any spare moment with paint brush in hand. Apparently Milena likes painting too! She likes to paint in her brand new, less then 24 hours old dressing gown!!

giveaway

Miss M decided to tell me at 4.30pm she wanted to be an angel for the school Christmas concert which I only found out both kids were apart of at 9.00am earlier that day. The concert started at 6.15pm. I had my sister here in the afternoon hanging out with us before leaving for Thailand tomorrow and then to Ecuador so time was its usual manic mess. But I often amaze myself how I can find the most basic of materials in the house and produce a costume within a flash. White card, two straws, and some cotton wool balls.

Is that something that mothers get given when they become mothers? The ability to whip up something in order for little faces to be happy? What have you made for your little one in under an hour before rushing out the door?

This week I am giving away some greeting cards and an original collage of Schmookins over at bloesem kids for their Win on Wednesday section.

Meet me at Mike's....the book.

Have been meaning to do this all week.

I am so happy to be apart of this very special book, with so many special Aussie crafting people, and really special projects.
Thanks Pip for making it into the most beautiful craft book I own, and for inviting me to participate.

You really need this book everyone. The styling and projects are fantastic and I really hope I can get to make some of them. My contribution is a very basic coaster set using applique/embroidery.
If you can't sew, this is your chance to start and learn.

standing in line at Spotlight

You can meet the most amazing people in queues. Today whilst standing in line at Spotlight, (I was #8, and they were serving #19), I struck up a conversation with a lovely lady who showed me all her bits and pieces.

 There was the bunny outfit for her granddaughter which she was lengthening, and the bunny hat she was going to wear at Easter. She told me all about her children, how her daughter had married an Italian/Australian boy who wore a kilt on his wedding day which was in an Anglican church with a Catholic priest. Her son in law's brothers' names were Rino (which just happens to me my brother in law's name) and Nino. But then her number was called. And I'll probably never see that lady again.

Isn't life funny the way strangers can talk intimately about common things for minutes of our lives and then whooosh....gone.

I only spent 20 minutes in line because numbers 22-29 had disappeared (probably given up in disgust) and #30 is the highest. Did I ever tell how much I hate that place? I only went to buy some poly stuffing and some plain chartreuse cotton. They were out of poly stuffing. So I bought a cushion insert instead.

I saw these from retro-mama the other day and decided that it was about time I got myself back into a little me time sewing. These hand sewn Easter eggs are so easy to make and look so good. Except mine aren't as neat. Anyhow she has a free tutorial if you want to try. I decided that Autumn eggs were needed. I've never understood why we follow suit to the northern hemisphere and make all our Easter projects in Spring colours, as sweet as they are.

Apart from indulging in a little sewing, we have been are usual busy selves.

Making gnocchi.

Dancing to Christmas music in March.

Planting some succulents.

And hanging out with the munchkins using up our craft supplies.

(for all those who aren't aware of Spotlight. It is a big, messy, overstocked shed, full of fabrics, notions, crafting supplies and junk. You are liable to injure yourself walking through the aisles and you need to take a packed lunch if you want fabric cut)

little monsters

On Saturdays my two little monsters will wake at their usual early sparrow time and watch cartoons on TV.

And they craft.

With the crafting comes mess. I always walk out to the living areas to see pens, paper, glue, scissors and sticky tape spread from one end to the other.

It delights and irritates me at the same time.
Why can't children just craft or draw in one specified zone?....like the craft table we bought you!!!!!!

This morning they were making monsters and trying to scare me with their crazy drawings. So I brought out two books neither of them have seen yet. You see I keep some children's books just for me. Mythological Monsters by Sara Fanelli, (which I think I bought before having children) is a visual delight. Aren't all her books? And the other  is  called Monstres Cheris by Ramona Badescu and Benjamin Chaud.
I bought this book in Belgium last year and it is about a monster family. It even has these lovely stickers inside that you can peel out to create your very own monsters.
Of course my kids wanted to use them....but I told them to make their own stickers and share each other's monster body parts to make some crazy creatures.

Now if I can only get my little monsters to help clean up the mess!

mike's the book!

This is something that has been hush hush for quite awhile. Pip from Meet me at Mike's asked a few crafty Australians  (including me) if they would like to contribute to a book about crafty projects. The book will be available in late March, but you can pre order one here if you like. I can't wait to see it. Pip has a list of the contributors on her blog. Congrats Pip on all the hard work, I know it will be fantastic.

mixed nuts

Earlier this year I made a mixed nut for the mixed nuts exhibition in Adelaide. Those who participated were given a plain shape which you can see here. Basically we were allowed to do what we wanted from the template. After much hair pulling I made this and she is now for sale. Her name is Blanche D'nut!  She is made from white cotton and I have appliqued some vintage handkerchiefs on her, hand drawn and embroidered around her body. The details are a little lost in the photos, white on white isn't the easiest thing to photograph.

treasures from Melbourne and beyond

I managed to visit Zigu Zagu whilst in Melbourne, and it is much better than when I was there 4 years ago.

A wonderful warehouse full of vintage Japanese kimonos and kimono fabrics for sale. I did a little spending,

I bought this to make a foot quilt for the bed downstairs.



And this maybe for some more matryoshka dolls.



This vintage children's kimono for $10. From the 1920s.



And this vintage children's quilted vest for $15. Both are slightly stained, but I'm pretty sure I'll get out the stains. I like that some child from Japan once wore them. Where are they now?



And arriving home to these in the mail was very welcomed.



Also, if you want to see a peak at my house, Irene from Bloesem asked me to participate in her Open House Tour. I feel very honoured. Thank you!

mild panic attacks

This business of having your kids at shcool AND kindy is amazingly good. I am getting soooo much done. Mind you, I have the odd panic attack every now and then feeling as though I have forgotten to get the kids. The house is so quiet for so long and I keep on feeling like I should be picking them up earlier than need be.

This feeling probably won't  last long.

I do enjoy going to get them. Seeing their faces and hearing their stories. Such  a buzz.

So, I'm illustrating and filling in orders this week. Hopefully I'll have plenty to show in a few more days. These cards are heading over to Threads and More.

With all the amazing links and suggestions people have been sending me, I have been sitting here at my computer clicking away. So many wonderful places I will try to get to. One particularly helpful blogger, gave me a link to Hand made Heaven. They are located in Amsterdam. It looks like such a lovely shop.

And check out their links section. I have started to (can't be here all day), and found Woon Karavaan.

OOOHH, I really need to sell some more cards and artwork I think.....

 

the next dimension

My poor eyes are bloodshot and I have more sties in them. (an ongoing scenario with me) So I pulled out some fabric and started sewing to give them a little break from the computer screen. A good night sleep would probably also help. Sticking to my matryoshka craze I thought I'd try my hand at creating them with fabric. But I just can't get the shapes right. These two girls were fun to make, but I think I need to spend more time on getting a smoother outer shape. I have a lead foot when it comes to sewing, so perhaps I need to slow down around those corners. The one on the left has an apron and the other has more freestyle sewing and felt punching. Maybe I need to try something in this theme in this style instead.