Just look what the big girl made for her tiny cousin!
I can't believe how beautifully it's come up.
She was reluctant to try something new but once she started playing around with the fabric it came together very quickly.
All about the speed she certainly wasn't interested in the quilting so that was outsourced (to me).
She's enormously proud of it so I think the next one will be quilted entirely "in house".
I'm off! For a whole weekend by myself!
Not quite to Paris ... but almost.
I will be staying with a really truly Frenchie & a not Frenchie & a couple of gorgeous halfies too. Yup...I'm off to the house of Rummage.
I was given this spectacular map by my gorgeous mate.
She went to a lot of trouble for me too...even taught herself a bit of stem stitch to over stitch the streets. It's wonderful.
Isn't it excellent?
Of course all our bathrooms are unisex so this little cross stitched bit o signage is just perfect.
Tarn made it for me! It does actually hang in the doorway of the powder room...just as intended. I love it & am absolutely chuffed that she took the time to make something just for me.
I've been thinking a lot lately about relationships & marriage. The Date & I are fast approaching our 15th wedding anniversary. I'm just ever so grateful really ... for all the things he is & for all the things he isn't. I'm mighty glad to be sharing my bathroom with him. x
/craftroom with the big girl.
She's getting pretty good too.
These little easter egg hunt bags were made by her from entirely recycled materials. The fabric comes from a sample book & the jute was Op Shopped/thrifted a couple of years ago.
She's giving these to her brother & sister & her little cousins too. Sweet!
I love school holidays.
PS: The fancy new (but made of old bits o' technology by techie brother) media centre has caused us to exceed our download limit (which means it's faster to dial-up)!!! See you once we've sorted it out.
by my girl. This was her first attempt at stem stitch! I'm amazed at how beautiful her stitches are.
I came home from the run on Friday morning to find her at the sewing machine sewing up the little 9 patch she's made for her new cousin.
I'm just finishing up the co-ordinating music box & we'll be ready to gift.
She's so good...and I helped make her!
The day off school was spent stitching & watching "First Knight".
Absolutely the best day I've had in a very long time.
Bursting with pride!
The Big Girl made this all by herself on Saturday. It's just the best thing ever. That is all.
Yesterday the girls amused themselves happily making their Rummage Peggies. They had such a lovely time developing their characters & choosing outfits. They assure me that this leading man is in fact French Nobility.
Today they've patiently sat in the car for hours while we ferried the little guy to gym & then picked him up again for lunch.
The Smallest picked me flowers & The Big Girl paid me the very best compliment ever. "....you have a unique mind". I'm not entirely sure she meant it to be a compliment but I'm a glass half full kind of girl.
It's a good life!
Thank you all for your generous response to the "x marks the spot" bookmark. I'm working on the how to & should have it up in the next few days.
I asked The Date to help me out & test my instructions for the Multi Tasker. It's going to be included in issue 11 of Mixtapezine & I really wanted to make sure that there were no glitches.
Far out...he did it & he multi tasked too!
...watched the footy, drank beer (2), crafted(!) & swore a bit.
At the end of the whole exercise I asked him how he went & he said "I EXPLETIVE hated it". Ha...he's a good sort.
You can see more multi tasker action here & Lara's wonderful multi tasker post here.
I've had a few people express interest in another multi tasker workshop. At this stage it's looking like being mid October. Are you interested? If so please email me: kootoyooATgmailDOTcom with MULTI TASKER in the subject line.
I've been grannying like a demon ... just ask the kids.
This water colour pencil art from the big girl for mother's day.
Hope you've had a great day.
is crafting up a serious storm. The crochet success has obviously boosted her confidence.
She's off on camp for 10 days. The "things to bring" list included stamps, writing paper & pens & pencils.
Designed & sewn by the big girl. I love the handbag style & I couldn't be more proud not to have made something.
Just as an aside ... finding it refreshing not to be imposing the op shopping/reclaimed junk rule to her craft.
Grandma Lace
Grandma Pintuck
Grandma Button
Grandma Trim
Grandma Full
A few people wanted to see more of my Great Grandmother's under garment.
I can't actually do all the buttons up. I just button the top button under my bust. I does look cute over the bonds singlet & I kind of like the delicate lace with the modern day equivalent.
Post composed using Flogger.
I try really hard to be a thoughtful consumer.
I buy just about all my own clothes in Op Shops & I've been really good about not accumulating extra "stuff".
But every now & then, something comes along that a girl simply must have.
This little person was peering out at me from a glass cabinet last week. I confess, my heart skipped a beat when I saw her. She made me think of my Grandma. Then I imagined her maker & the careful selection of felt & stitching & it made my heart ache a little more.
Her price tag was face down.
I don't know about you but I always take this as a bad-antique-shop-sign. I did a couple of laps around the antique shop & kept coming back to her. I strained my neck & squinted my eyes to read her price tag.... I was sure that she was $95. Too much, but the ache in my heart made me ask to see her anyway.
Antique shop owners in nice suburbs obviously don't value craft too highly. $12 & she's mine.
with the big girl.
We've spent most of the day in the pool room together.
She drew up the design & then prepared her stamp & printed her t-shirt. She loves it!
We've pottered around cutting & gluing & scoring & sorting. It's been lovely.
but I like to mix things up & in my "mum uniform" I can't really pull off a brooch.
This gorgeous resin bird brooch is made by the clever boy half of this dynamic duo.
PS: It's really hard to take a pic of the back of your own head.
.
These girls have had a crack at my pillowcase projects:
Button Beauty made a blog roll
Shabby Chicken made a chickOroll
Curlypops made a shopping bag
Goat in a Coat made a blog roll
Bridget made a shopping bag
Tutorials & things to make from pillowcases can be found here in PDF form.
Comment here if you have a crack at a kootoyoo pillowcase project.
Yesterday I went to Mixtogether organised by the blogger formerly currently known as 62cherry & Nichola.
It was a lovely afternoon held at Amitie - Yikes that place is exquisite! If you're anywhere even remotely close to Amitie (or even 1/2 a days drive) get your butt over there - you won't regret it.
I was totally spoilt - I got the bag full of handmade loveliness made by the gorgeous KittyB. It was full to overflowing with beautiful, magnificently crafted goodness. My absolute favourite is the neck warmer - it's stunning Kitty I love it.
We worked on our signature blocks for the Mixtogether quilt & drank & ate. It was a gorgeous afternoon. Thanks girls.
Image source - used with permission.
affects me in a way I cannot describe.
Two years ago I was lucky enough to have my hands painted with Henna by Somali women. I found the experience quite emotional - yet another powerful experience of women & community. I've been reading up a bit on Henna lately & then I came across Esti's blog (via girl ferment).
The images from Esti's hand project took my breath away. You can read the story of Esti's cousin whose hands these are here.
The universe served up another breathtaking Henna inspired project here (via design for mankind).
for crafty pursuits lately. The image above is me faking it til I make it!
The lovely Ingrid has posted recently about being a craft fraud & I admit I feel the same way this week. I can't crochet or knit much either but it's just unfinished business I'm referring to.
I've been at work lots & being a mum lots & that hasn't left much spare time.
I've got a list a mile long of things I want to finish up:
my broomstick needle project.
my use what you have project.
something for this girl.
Plus a whole host of other stuff which is overdue.
I'm supposed to be cleaning the house tomorrow but I think I'll sack that plan & have a crack at finishing off a few projects that have been hanging around for far too long.
The date & I went to Maybe We Have Met Before at Kick on the weekend. Sean Morris's illustrations on wood were right up my alley. If you haven't been you should - it's good.
& yay hooray Brown Owls tonight. I've missed those crafty souls. See you tonight.
Image source - used with permission
I want this bracelet so much.
I found this today via Swiss Miss. I usually follow these links & end up at some huge International store & think....Nah!
BUT... Oye Modern is Australian & Craig Arnold is a very clever boy from Adelaide. I also noticed that Liana Kabel is one of Oye Modern's featured designers.
I've joined the contact list & I'll be saving my pocket money for that bracelet. Genius should be rewarded!