My Creative Space

My 'Village' applique bags have still been completely and utterly consuming me this week. These are just perfect for kiddiwinks library bags as I made them big enough for the lovely large picture books.

And yesturday I spent a couple of hours just cutting fabric as I was getting abit low on squares and triangles for quilts and  bunting. Not my favourite thing to be doing but it's so satisfying seeing them all cut and ready to go in my cupboard. It also makes it fun for people to choose their fabrics and have a play with designs when they want a bespoke quilt or bunting, with a matching toy. 

What have you been up to this week? I'd love to hear. And don't forget to pop over to Kirsty's blog Kootoyoo to see what others have been busy creating.

Monday Morning Book Club

It was my birthday on Saturday and I received several beautiful books including this one which I will share with you today. All you fans of upcycling, reforming and refashioning will love this book. The book is called Free-Style Handmade Bags and Skirts, but it's the 'free-style' bit that stands out when you look at this book. It's so much more 'urban street cool' than others I've seen which tend to go for either that 'home-spun' or 'pure organic cotton' look. This is different, it's more New York than New England, more hippy chic than shabby chic......are ya gettin me?

There are 50 projects for bags and skirts with easy to follow instructions. The first chapter - Sewing and Pattern Making Basics is particularly good in this book and helpful for anyone attempting their first project.

Monday Morning Book Club

In my pantry I have a big bag of cardboard boxes, bottle tops, toilet rolls, string, etc which I collect ready for the day when Maggie-May is old enough to start making things like cars, dolls houses and model villages....... I just can't wait! Already she has her own basket of beads, buttons, 'bubbles' (as she calls them), material & paper scraps, fabric flowers, trimmings and boxes which she happily plays with when imitating me sewing.

Art/craft is so important to children in excersing their creative brain.  It stimulates their imagination, is a great form of self expression, improves motor skills and encourages them to be independent in decision making, problem solving, experimentation and encourages perseverence, thus increasing their confidence and self esteem.

So start collecting bits and bobs now and order yourself a copy of this book from your local library or book shop and start creating with your childen. There are 35 step-by-step projects for you to choose from that use natural, recycled and found materials. The projects are mainly suited to older children (3+) but the 'pumpkin animals' and 'cardboard sandals' could be fun for you and your toddler. My favourites are the peg dolls, the pom-pom caterpillar and the dolls house.

Monday Morning Book Club

Better late than never hey! First on my list of things to do upon my return from a very wet weekend at Marrawah for my brilliant husbands surf comp is to do my Monday Morning Book Club blog - see I have my priorities very right indeed:)

I suppose this book should really have been No.1 on my 'must have' list of books for fellow crafters. This book sits besides my sewing machine and doesn't dare move. I refer to it as often as the pope refers to his bible. You know when you're working on a project and you just can't quite work out how to do this or should I do this before I do that, well this baby has all your answers. It's what Mrs Beeton is to coooking or a good housekeeping manuel is to the desprate housewife. It covers everything; equipment and supplies, how to get the best out of your sewing machine, explains all about different fabrics, methods and sewing techniques, using patterns, projects, decorative touches, mending, tailoring, home furnishings.....it's got the lot with step-by-step pictorial instructions. This one is circa 1972 but there are many out there in charity shops, all very similiar. So grab yourself a copy today from your local Vinnies for about $2.

Hmmm now to tackle the mountain of wet sandy washing and a very messy campervan.

Monday Morning Book Club

Books, books, books......I love them almost as much as I love fabric. When I first decided to take this sewing thing to another level and start Baby Boudoir I couldn't get enough of sewing books. I would walk into a bookshop or a library and pass many an hour sitting on the floor leafing through the pages of the craft /design and sewing books. I seem to be as happily consumed doing this as I am going to a Vinnies or a haberdashery shop. All of a sudden I wanted to learn correct techniques, take tips from the experts and be inspired by colours and designs. Whereas previously I had been happy to just make it up as I went along and muddle my way through my sewing projects.

So I've decided to start a Monday Morning Book Club where I'll share with you those books that I love and maybe you could share your favourites too.

There is no other place to start but the holy grail of quilt designs that is Material Obsession. Thank you so much Kathy Doughty and Sarah Fielke for your inspiration. These books are stuffed full of the most amazing quilts I have ever seen - and I've seen alot all over the world!! I aspire to one day produce a quilt like these. I love the way they magically combine colours, patterns and shapes and the appliques are like something out of a children's story book. Both books also contain fantastic tips and techniques for beginners, as well as detailed instructions which are easy and exciting to follow. And the photographs are just so 'now'. Buy these books if you are an enthusiastic but timid sewer, or a 'lifer' of sewing and I guaratee you will not be dissatisfied.

I would love to hear your comments to my book review or receive book reccomendations so please leave a comment..................and don't forget to sign-up to follow me over on the left of the page.  See you next week for Monday Morning Book Club.