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If you're a die hard kootoyoo reader (thank you from the bottom of my teeny tiny heart) you might remember I went to a Kaotic Kraft Kuties day to make my own hand bound book. Then for Backtack 4 I embroidered a notebook cover & bound it myself using the same technique. I loved that book but it did make me a little sad to think that once all the pages were used then that was the end of it.
I know I've been guilty of buying lovely hand bound books and then not using them because I don't want to "spoil" them...such a waste. Maybe you have too?
Anyhoo, I've made a faux one as a gift for The Big Girl's drama teacher & I'm most chuffed with it. I followed my own notebook cover tutorial to make it up & I love that not only is it refillable time after time after time but it can be washed too.
PS: Most excited that Vic now has the granny square necklace for sale (& it's in Frankie this month too).
I’m sitting in the kitchen watching the minutes roll over on the digital oven clock. It’s only been three minutes since I last asked "Is it time yet?". I don’t want to bug Non but I’m just about bursting with anticipation.
I can’t sit still. The swivel chair I’m sitting on is moving constantly. Swivel left, swivel right, swivel left, swivel right. Non is busy preparing something at the kitchen bench and peers over her glasses at me. I know the constant motion is annoying her but I can’t help it.
I’m not sure how I successfully negotiated an afternoon alone at Non’s, but I’m feeling extremely pleased with myself. We can’t ever get the precious dolls out when the littler kids are around because of a recent breakage by Cal.
Finally, Non gives me a little nod. I’m up and out of my chair before she can change her mind.
I open the sliding door to the dining room. The air in the dining room is cold and moist and smells like a mixture of Mr Sheen and liqueur. I wrestle with the aluminium step ladder, being careful not to bump into the sideboard or the dining chairs.
I climb up the ladder and cup my hand under the olive green key tassel. I love the way it feels, heavy and soft at the same time. I turn the key in the lock of the glass doll cabinet.
The dolls have been collected from all around the world. They are just souvenir dolls but to me they are so precious. I’m sure it’s got something to do with the fact that they are stored up so high, under lock and key. Their glass and mahogany home is so decadent. Surely they must be worth an absolute fortune.
I carefully remove each one and lay them one at a time on the velvet runner on the sideboard. Once I’ve made my selection (always leaving the broken marketeer and his wagon behind), I lock the cabinet and carefully carry the little figures back to the kitchen.
The next hour is filled arranging and rearranging the dolls on the kitchen table and listening to the stories of where they were purchased. It’s clear from the way Non speaks that they really are valuable. They are memory anchors for her and memory makers for me. They well deserve to be treated with such care and respect.
Thinking lots about Christmas & giving & sharing & eating & drinking & making & appreciating...
I'm trying really hard to give handmade this year & I thought this might be a good way to spread a bit of Christmas Spirit around.
The Winner Takes it all!
Vintage Father Christmas pillowcase filled with great holiday gift ideas all handmade by me from mostly thrifted/recycled materials. I think that this would cross a LOT of people off your nice list this Holiday Season. You could win the lot! I'm happy to post anywhere! You can view this image with notes on Flickr.
I like to be organised...
Here's a list of places I've been & things I've seen to help me prepare for the upcoming holidays.
COPY FROM HERE:
Still feeling totally inspired by the handmade issue of mankind mag from my favourite design blog. Q What is the blog author's first name? ANSWER: use the first letter - LETTER:
We like to keep lunch casual, I've found some fabulous BBQ recipes for the big day. Q What type of meat is pictured on the rotisserie? ANSWER: use the first letter - LETTER:
Getting some great ideas for upcycling (my favourite craft) & enjoying the revamp over at this fabulous craft website. Q They list everyone's favourite Portland based author mama as one of their inspirational sites. Which Portland based author mama is she? ANSWER: use the second letter of her last name - LETTER:
Looking forward to being able to buy handmade at the shopping shindig with the craft book Queen. Q What type of car is pictured? ANSWER: use the first letter - LETTER:
All these letters unscramble to reveal: WHAT? is all you need.
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It's totally faker crochet! If you are a purist...power to you. Hook yourself some little caps for soap.
I confess I find the gifting of handmade items something of a challenge. It's one thing to give something you've painstakingly hooked, or stitched, or knitted, or sewn to someone else who makes things & appreciates them. It's quite another to gift the same items to folk who've no idea of the time involved. Faker or not - it's all the same to them. So...at this time of year when you're crafting to give I heartily recommend the faker route.
I got lucky at the oppy a couple of weeks ago & picked up a set of 6 crochet coasters which were a bit stained & yick. I slung them in the washing machine & stared at them for a while & wondered if a soap cosy might be just the ticket? Loofah & soap in one...yep! Time to have a crack folks.
Five minutes flat per soap...maybe less.
How to make faker crochet covered soap View more presentations from kootoyoo.
I don't remember my night time dreams often & I really wish I did.
So, I've done my best to recreate the dream during my waking hours & I thought I'd share.
Many of you know that I run (& run & run & run). I get up early & I don't miss a day.
I have my best ideas when I run & often if something has me stumped then the problem will be solved on the run too.
Serious athletes call it "The Zone". I don't care about peak performance or improving my time. I run to dream. What's more I don't think you need to run to dream awake.
Here are my tips:
-You need to make time.
-Get out in the fresh air.
-If you can run - do. If you're not a runner then walk.
-Unplug. People can't believe I don't listen to anything while I run but I reckon you need to let your mind go blank.
-Push it. I need to have gone about 5kms before the dream kicks in. For you it might be shorter (or longer).
-If your dream starts to turn into a nightmare...stop!
This is why I run. Not for glory, not for achieving personal bests, its for times like this when everything comes together creating a feeling like no other. I'm fully engaged, living in the moment, enjoying every moment. Knowing that this experience is repeatable is what keeps me going out for more. As I said at the start few sporting experiences can match running in The Zone. From here I believe that the Good Lord gave us a finite number of heartbeats and I'm damned if I'm going to use up mine running up and down a street. Neil ArmstrongSorry Neil - I intend to use up every last beat on the run.
Are you moving it like mike?
OR maybe running with and/or supporting Jhoanna and Anna - they are both raising funds for their charity of choice?
the loneliest number & the loneliest word. I wanted to say more a LOT!
Apparently it's been going around...I don't know where it originated but I got it from Pip, who got it from Sweet Jessie who heard from her best friend's sister's boyfriend's brother's girlfriend who heard from this guy who knows this kid who's going with a girl who saw Ferris pass out at 31 Flavors last night...you know how it goes.
1. Where is your cell phone? car 2. Your significant other? upstairs 3. Your hair? thick 4. Your daughter? two 5. Your son? one 6. Your favorite thing? family 7. Your dream last night? unknown 8. Your favorite drink? vodka 9. Your goal? balance 10. The room you’re in? office 11. Your church? outdoors 12. Your fear? thoughtlessness 13. Where do you want to be in 6 years? Lonsdale 14. Where were you last night? movies 15. What you’re not? idle 16. Muffins? nup 17. One of your wish list items? bangles 18. Where you grew up? Kew 19. The last thing you did? glue 20. What are you wearing? dress 21. Your TV? off 22. Your pets? OUTSIDE! 23. Your computer? old 24. Your life? full 25. Your mood? tired 26. Missing someone? Bindi 27. Your car? Kia 28. Something you’re not wearing? glasses 29. Favorite store? mikes 30. Your summer? lovely 31. Like(love) someone? LOTS 32. Your favorite color? brown 33. Last time you laughed? yesterday 34. Last time you cried? Unsure 35. Who will repost this? You?
I'm not usually one to follow instructions of any kind. But my recent instruction following crafting episodes have been very good to me. I'm finding that 9 times out of 10 someone else has done it smarter, faster, cooler & safer than I ever could.
Soon to be released: THE craft book crammed with projects (by some of my favourite crafty spirits) I know I'm going to want to have a go at. So I'm working on practicing my ability to carefully read instructions.
Yesterday the big girl announced that she needed a new pencil case. I had some Op Shopped denim which I embroidered the pencils onto (I've got a fair blister on my pointer finger from that exercise). It presented the perfect opportunity to follow a tutorial I've had on my "to do" for a very long time.
Excellent instructions:
For Free: how to make a lined zippered pouch super speedy & super easy.
how to bind a book via Gemma. Easy to follow diagrams & a great gift idea.
how to make fabric flowers links to her flickr & you tube tutorials from her sidebar.
how to make a pincushion really beautiful result in record time!
how to seam fabulous series, well researched & clearly presented.
For a small fee (but well worth the dosh)! how to make your own undies from a t-shirt such a fabulous pattern with clear, well written instructions for absolutely the best kind of craft.
how to make a puff purse - using a purse frame kit wonderful hand holding instructions accompany this fabulous & super cute pattern.
We have been so lucky on our little break this year! We haven't had one bad day & have just spent a glorious afternoon at the foot of the lighthouse in the rockpools. The small girl gave me a sand bath which was really quite enjoyable.
But...I MUST work at remaining on holiday until the break is actually finished! I've tried really hard this year not to think about the packing up & going home until it was time to go.
I failed! Today, I've made all sorts of plans & began packing, cleaning & tidying. Packing me is notoriously ugly. I don't think I was too bad today but the date still had a dig at me.
I wonder why I do it? It's the same during the week too. I go really hard to get to Wednesday in good shape & then the rest of the week just runs away from me.
I've had a great time but I'm really looking forward to being home & to getting around to say hello to some lovely folk who've been stopping in to have a virtual cocktail with me on holiday.
When we arrive in the delivery suite there’s a little crib set up with blue blankets. It confirms in my crazy labour mind what I already know in my heart to be true. This little bubba is going to be a boy.
After a fast and furious (but strangely enjoyable labour) he is here. Big blue eyes, long lashes and the most perfect Caesar haircut.
A mumma’s boy right from the start he makes the first few days pretty hard and I’m keen to get home. I loved the hospital stay the first time around and can’t understand why I’m feeling so trapped here now.
I’ve packed our bag and I’m just waiting for the squawk so I can feed him, change him and get him dressed to go home.
As I remove the little flannelette hospital gown I trace the outline of the love heart and the “C” on his chest. I tell myself firmly to throw it on the bathroom floor with the rest of the dirty laundry.
I can’t.
I’ve never stolen anything…ever and I’m feeling a bit sick. I try to justify to myself why it would be okay for me to take it home with me. I know it’s completely the wrong thing to do, but for the first time in my life I really don’t care.
I stuff the little gown into the side pocket of our overnight bag. I feel my heart begin to race. I can hear it thumping in my ears. The heat and redness in my cheeks has risen steadily from my toes. My breathing quickens and I stare anxiously at the telephone. I’m willing it to ring.
Finally, the phone does ring and I gather my baby, my bag and myself. I flick off the light and head for the elevator. I just want to get myself, my baby and my hospital gown as far away from the scene of the crime as I can.
With heart still pounding I walk briskly through the hospital foyer and out into the cold July night. I’m thankful for the darkness and the freshness in the air.
I've mentioned before how much I love school holidays. BUT we are super busy these holidays. There is way too much gym training & work & football & the like. The date's pretty annoyed about the amount of gym but that's another story.
You might remember last holidays I had Slide Night. Which I really enjoyed but there won't be time for that sort of hoo ha.
So these holidays I'm going to share the big girl's Polaroid Photo Diary from our family holiday in 2001.
The Barbie Polaroid Camera was a gift from her Grandpa & we loved making this diary together. The text dictated to me after each image was added to the page.
I'll post everyday but I won't really be around the blog so I'll catch you all at the end of the break.
If you've got kids enjoy the time at home & if you haven't ... enjoy the peace on the roads.
Another of my perfect bags made for a lovely mate.
I was determined to get the zip right this time. I went super slow, used HEAPS of pins & checked & double checked all the way along.
I'm really chuffed with the wonky outline stitchery. I think it gives the already special vintage fabric just a little lift.
Everything used in the construction of the bag was purchased from op shops/thrift stores along the way.
I promised myself that the next time I made this bag it would be for me. I'm determined but on delay. I have quite a few "must finishes" on the list before I'll get to it.
A couple of months ago I picked up an Avant card for Do it with Denim, a competition run in conjunction with Jeans for Genes & in support of Children's Medical Research Institute. The Institute is celebrating it's 50th birthday this year.
I got all inspired & made this to enter into the competition. It's what the broomstick needles were fashioned for & what this tease was all about.
My dear sweet friend modelled for me & I got all my stuff together ready for the entry...
Hausfrau I have taken my inspiration from housewives of the 1950s for this project.
This garment has been constructed entirely by hand using handcrafts employed by a 1950’s housewife. The garment itself is knitted from hand cut strips of denim jeans (6 pairs) & the gold detail is crochet.
Many supporters of charitable organisations have been & continue to be housewives. They give their time to assist with labour & fundraising. I am proud to represent this group.
"To be a housewife is a difficult, a wrenching, sometimes an ungrateful job if it is looked on only as a job. Regarded as a profession, it is the noblest as it is the most ancient of the catalogue. Let none persuade us differently or the world is lost indeed." Phyllis McGinley Denim jeans are such an everyday garment & I wanted my recreated jeans to also be an everyday & loved as much as the original garment.
Hausfrau is a vest that can be worn at least 4 different ways.
....Then I re read the terms & conditions.
"Kirsty needs to read the question carefully before beginning a task" (quote taken from EVERY school report I ever received).Yikes! The competition is really for budding designers...that's not me! I'm just a girl who likes to make stuff.
So, I haven't entered. BUT...Hausfrau will be worn to death by me & maybe Trace too. It wasn't a complete waste of time.
I've been up to my neck in it trying to get the old house ready for sale. It's been a massive job. It hasn't left much time (or inclination) for any making or even thinking about making.
All this means that I've been pretty bad at keeping up with things in this space. I'm looking forward to having more time to share with you here & see what you've all been up to as well.
As much as I love school holidays and having the kids around I'm looking forward to a bit of routine myself. I don't even know what day it is, but I do know that I'm looking forward to Thursday & getting back to My Creative Space.
Instead of cleaning, clearing, moving, skipping or even making today I'm having lunch with a few mates. It's going to be nice to take a break.
This is the fabric cover for the something I was creating from nothing the other day. Care to take a guess at what I'm making?
Nan didn't put the camera away & I didn't get it out.
Thursday: trip to Kyo/The Mill/How Bazaar was amazing & of course my regular Melbourne haunts seemed somewhat crap in the shadow of the Day 1 shop. I stitched & laughed 'til I cried.
Friday: Nan hatched an exciting quilted garment plan. There was much swearing & carry on about the quality (or lack thereof) of the Janome & many pro Pfaff arguments were put forward. I stitched & laughed 'til I cried.
Saturday: Shopping for craft supplies & a bit of parental running around for me & a lot of time with the Janome for Nan. I stitched & laughed 'til I cried.
Sunday: Camby Market & back home to the trusty Janome for Nan. I stitched & laughed 'til I cried.
I didn't feed her (like at all - - - I was too busy stitching & laughing 'til I cried), but I think there's plenty of nourishment in a Capiroska & I made her plenty of those.
I've been very lucky to meet & make some really truly ace real life mates because of this space. Let me tell you...Rummage is one of the best.
Big giant ups to The Date & to The Frenchie too for making it happen.
Today I ran in the rain, had a terrible coffee, sewed a bit, shopped with the kids, cooked a bit & generally took things pretty easy.
There have been a few questions about the placemat covers so I've put together a HAC "how to".
Gather your supplies... Fabric Fold Over Elastic Pins Sewing machine Circular placemat
If you're planning on doing any embroidery (either traditional or machine), or maybe some other decorative application like gocco or applique - do that before you cut your circles.
Cut two circles approximately 1.5 inches larger than your placemat.
Pin with wrong sides together.
Set your machine to zig zag & stitch the fold over elastic to the outside of the circle shape. You need to stretch the elastic fully. Go slow & remember to keep your needle in your work as you stretch. If you're stumped now's the time to visit Amy Karol's FOE tute...it's a ripper.
Once you're finished the cover should look something like this.
Slip the cover onto your circular placemat & enjoy. Look Liesl it's a shower cap!
Did you know that I'm part of the Down Under Doll Quilt Swap? It was organised an embarrassingly long time ago by the gorgeous Kate.
In true kootoyoo style I've left it & left it & left it some more. Don't get me wrong...there's been plenty of think time & in my head the finished quilt is really, really beautiful. In reality I have one (yep 1) block pieced and another cut out. Not a fabulous start eh?
No more new anythings until this piece is finished so I'm going to share my in progress shots. If you catch me wandering off course do you reckon you'd prompt me with a comment like "Hey Kirst, haven't seen much on the white quilt front...what's up with that?".
----- In other news... -----
I've been included in Kidspots Top 50 Bloggers which is hugely flattering. Considering this is a "just for fun" gig for me & there are heaps of professional writer types included I'm quite chuffed. Thanks a bunch Kidspot.
There's the opportunity there to win a holiday to Dunk Island which is pretty cool so maybe check out the list, see if you're favourites are there. If so - click to vote.
I've got to say that I think that the craft blog community is pretty under represented on the list. So many beautiful, thoughtful, productive, positive, creative women I love who haven't been represented.
A big hearty thanks to those of you who have voted for me & saved me from left-on-the-shelf embarrassment. Muchly appreciated. x
This is... hosted by Three Buttons. Theme from Hila.
For our 10th wedding anniversary the date & I went to Lord Howe Island. It is absolutely the most beautiful place in the world. We were sans kids for the first time in 9 years.
We stayed & ate at Capella Lodge - gorgeous.
Never ones to be idle we filled our three days with walking, cycling, snorkeling & we had a guide take us up Mt Gower. I wasn't as fit then as I am now & nearly killed myself trying to keep up with 2 super fit guys. I made it up & back in super quick time & in one piece. The experience makes me think of that piece of sage advice...
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