Naughty Dolls

Ok so enough of the summer, camping, surfing and general dossing around in the sun, it's probably about time I slipped back into my sewing room hey? Not that I'm sad about that, i'm pretty excited actually. I have several new projects i'm keen to get going on. And it's not that I've been sat around doing bugger all, it's just that my sewing has mainly been for our dear little caravan or ourselves. Giving sewing for the market abit of a break has kinda been nice. But I have to say the old brain cells have been working overtime storing all those day dreamy ideas for future projects and these little dolls were first on the cutting table.

But oh dear, now I have a problem. I had a photocopy of the pattern from a fund raiser book. The pattern was attributed to Joanna Monte. That name sounded familiar and I always like to credit designers so I did a quick google search and I have now discovered that this is one of One Red Robin's patterns. No wonder I liked it so much, such a talented designer. So now I feel I can't sell these.

Hmmm what a shame. Maybe these will have to be one-offs, and I promise not to do it again! Naughty dolls.

Feeling the LOVE

What with all that's been going on in my imaginary gypsy life, is it any wonder that at the third 'MadewithLOVEBazaar' I ended up looking like this in just my normal clothes? The theme was "hippie love".

Inspiration is a wonderful thing. Soak it up and see how much fun you can have. I loved being a hippie gypsy. Recognise the dress, I posted about it before here.

These were taken when me, Michelle and Sarah were playing in my mums aka 'Dora the Explorer's' camper van. Don't you reckon that Michelle looks like Gypsy Rose - Fortune Teller?

Hehehehe. Mum bought the textiles in Rajasthan. She was there for six weeks in October/November. She painted a traditional Rajasthani design on the floor and everything else a beautiful warm aqua blue, tiled the top of the small cupboard and stuck little round mirror tiles everywhere. It looks absolutely brill.

The 'market girls' have been so busy making so many new things for the market after our sell-out success of the first two. We're also really looking forward to welcoming new stall holders to our next market on 12th February, just before Valentines. Dress-up theme is RED.

If you fancy being part of this cool, fun, funky market, please visit our Facebook page for contact details, we'd love to hear from you. I'll leave you with a quick peak at some of the goodies on offer at the MadewithLOVEBazaaar in Wynyard, Tasmania, Australia.



New Stockist - Crossed Spoons Cafe

Won't you just check out Violet, Florrie and the others in their new home; the Crossed Spoons Cafe, Boat Harbour, Tasmania. All poshed up and ready to go to a good new home. I'm so proud of them, but I must let them fly the nest. I hope people enjoy them as much as me.

So let me tell you about the Crossed Spoons Cafe. It's one of those comfy cafe's where you always feel welcome and relaxed. Vanessa explained "it was always our aim to offer good homecooked meals and give people the chance to purchase locally made wares". Supporting local artisans is something that is important to her as well as offering a wide range of Indian products.

The Crossed Spoons Cafe provides the perfect place to relax and enjoy a yummy meal, coffee or desert in easy chairs in front of a roaring fire whilst your child plays with the toys on the rug. Or if you want abit of peace and quiet you can sit in the other room and admire the fantastic views over the bass strait. Whether your lunch appointment is business or pleasure, Crossed Spoons Cafe will provide the perfect place to 'nosh up'. There's heaps of space so you will never be left out in the cold and is very conveniently located on the Bass Highway between Wynyard and Boat Harbour. Also known as Killynaught, they also have beautiful little cottages if you really can't bear to leave. Closed in winter on Tuesdays and Wednesdays but open all other days 11am - 5pm. A stay here would be a must if you're thinking of visiting the area.

My Creative Space

In my creative space this week I've made a start on those items that are at the bottom of my list. I had so much fun making things for Maggie's party, I now need to knuckle down and get on with making some crocosuarus's......and with only snippets of time here and there this week, it's difficult to get to the sewing bit before the disappearing ink vanishes on the outline.......gee whizzer I hate that, don't you!!

I'm thinking of doing my first ever farmers market in Burnie this Saturday (if I can get my lazy bones out of bed early enough) so I'd like to take along some crocosaurus's (another claireyloo special word - pronounced as you would think then add 'russes' on the end).

He looks rather camouflaged in amongst his mates doesn't he. Now go grab yourself a cup of tea and a biccy then come back and head over here to see all the amazing things that others are creating this week......have fun.

Crocosaurus and Labels

At last, I have made progress on several of my 'awaiting attention' projects. You remember how I was having problems and getting very frustrated and despondent about creating a new little character to add to the Baby Boudoir range......well here it is at last. It's just a sneek peek for now as I need to make just a few very minor adjustments but I'm so pleased I wanted to share him with you........... meet crocosaurus (half crocodile half dinosaur)!

Another reason I wanted to share this with you, apart from jumping with joy that it's almost done and I'm so pleased with my new funky little friend, is that I have also received the labels that I ordered and they are perfect, exactly what I hoped. It took an awful lot of research to find a company that could produce custom designed embroidered labels. You can find them here.

Chuffed to bits I am.

Cat Rabbit Workshop

On Tuesday I had a fun night at a workshop with Cat Rabbit, a Hobart based illustrator and toy maker. Cat creates such cool little soft characters and manages to achieve what I strive for......a unique style that really stands out from the crowd. Which I think is partly due to her choice of colours and materials and partly to her ability as an artist. Maybe that's what can be achieved when an illustrator sews, or did the sewer illustrate? Whatever came first, I think it's a recipe for success when it comes to crafting. This one's my favourite.

At the workshop there were about 20 ladies and gents sat around a large table laid with felt, pins, needles, scissors and thread and we each created a little character based on a template offered by Cat. It was really interesting how different they all were. I found myself really out of my comfort zone without 'my things' around me; my sewing machine, my vanishing ink pen, my embroidery needles, my 'box of tricks' and my music. But it was fun to create in company, sing to ourselves and each other and use a muffin as a pin cushion.

I was glad I got the opportunity to talk to Catherine about how she comes up with her characters and how she tranforms them into a three dimensional 'pattern'. This is something that I'm really struggling with at the moment. We also got talking about our mutual love of sewing/craft groups, craft blogs, and she gave me some really good tips. So thank you Catherine for a lovely evening and here are our creations. Can you guess which one is mine?

Stitch and Bitch Weekend March 2010

It's here, no more sleeps. In a couple of hours I'm off on the Stitch and Bitch weekend in Port Sorrell and my poor little car is stuffed full with all my bits and bobs. I'm gonna take several projects, mainly those that need finishing but also one special project - a skirt. Having never attempted dress-making before I thought I'd take the plunge and take advantage of the fact that they'll be so many lovely ladies with a multitude of talents who I'll be able to turn to for help when I get stuck. With a 'to-do wish list' as long as the great wall of china, it was so hard to decide what to do, but I've decided on these:

• A-line ankle length skirt - based on my longtime favourite skirt (which really needs to go for rags). It's gonna be tough as I will have to make the pattern and sew stretching fabric....yickes!!!!
• The final part on the baby quilt - hand sew the binding.
• Make some flower embellishments for applique on some new bags.
• Fix a seam on a favouite pair of shorts (my 5 min. saturday morning hangover task).
• I've also taken some knitting for night-time.

And this is my paking list which I managed to squeeze into my car:

1. Sewing machine.
2. Sewing baskets containing threads, needles, pins, pens, scissors, craft knives, rotary cutter, lippy, tape measures, colour chart etc etc
3. Cutting mat, meter rule, set square, compass.
4. Drawer of trimmings, embroidery threads, lace, buttons, beads, zips, bias binding etc etc
5. Ironing board and iron.
6. My big basket of fabric scraps.
7. Fabric for skirt and skirt I'm copying.
8. Gin, tonic, lemons, nibbles and a Victoria sponge I whipped up this morning.
9. Clothes, quilt, towel (mmm should I take my bikini, there's a pretty cool beach on the doorstep). I will, hang-on i'll just go and get it..........ok, got it:)
10. Outfit for tonight, we're going to see a Fleetwood Mac tribute band - can't wait for that :)
11. Camera.

Sorry there's no photos on this post, I've packed the damm camera right at the bottom!!!!! hehehehe But I will take heaps during the weekend, promise. In the meantime, thought this pic was pretty funny. Gotta go for hair appointment now. Bum gonna be late. Pop back Monday for the all goss :)

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.

My Makes

It seems that I may be a somewhat shy blogger!!!! Each time I attempt to write a post, words seem to fail me. For someone who is not usually short of a word or two this feels a little weirdorama. Maybe that's it, maybe I just have too much to say and don't know where to start. Nevermind, until I find the confidence and feel comfortable about revealing my thoughts, creations and aspirations to the world, pictures of 'my makes' that I have for sale will have to suffice.

The bag pictured above is one of the many different coloured bags I have for sale. Made from recycled wool, buttons, beads and beautifully handmade fabric/felt flower embellishments. Great for little girls to carry their own bib, wipes and spoon when meeting friends for lunch.
Below is Florrie-Blue and Violet from my softie range. Made from recycled stock. I use all the same fabrics for bunting, softies and quilts for a fully co-ordinated baby's boudoir. (See quilts and bunting on the right hand side of the page).
this is sunny...........
and this is Florrie and Maggie.

So there's a few of my little makes for you to ponder over. Baby Boudoir is a very new venture for me and I'm very excited about seeing how it develops. One thing I have discovered recently is how many very talented ladies there are busy in their homes creating wonderful handmade treasures. We need to get together, share ideas and inspiration. I would love to hear from you all, particularly if you are local to NW Tasmania and would be interested in selling your creations in "a winters eve artisans market" that I'm hoping to organise over the winter where people can come to sell, buy, chat, hang-out and have coffee and cake. Look forward to hearing from you.......and don't forget to follow me, sign up over there on the left.