Sweet Fabric [Search results for beautiful] 

Fabric from one of my favourite vintage dresses

Every once in a while something of mine turns up somewhere super lovely.

Just for the record:

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Apartment Therapy
The Apartment Therapy Mission
Helping people make their homes more beautiful, organized and healthy by connecting them to a wealth of resources, ideas and community online.

What We Believe
A calm, healthy, beautiful home is a necessary foundation for happiness and success in the world.

Creating this home doesn’t require large amounts of money or space. It requires inspiration, connection to resources and motivation to do something about it.

The basic elements of good home design can be learned and achieved by all.

Simplicity and luxury are not mutually exclusive.

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Craftzine
Introducing CRAFT: The first project-based magazine dedicated to the renaissance that is occurring within the world of crafts. Celebrating the DIY spirit, CRAFT's goal is to unite, inspire, inform and entertain a growing community of highly imaginative and resourceful people who are transforming traditional art and crafts with unconventional, unexpected and even renegade techniques, materials and tools; people who undertake amazing crafting projects in their homes and communities.
Christmas Decorations, Corner Bookmark, Granny Square Necklace, Spool holder

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Craft Gossip
Confused about everything crafty out there? Not sure where to go and what to buy for your latest craft idea? Can't find that kitsch pattern that everyone else is talking about? Well worry no more! CraftGossip is all the latest news from real craft people telling you about the real stuff. We scour the net looking for the best craft ideas and projects and review them for you.
Corner Bookmark, Embroidery on Dark Fabric, Hand pieced Pincushion, Photo to embroidery pattern, Twisted Cord

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Mixtape Zine
Mix tape zine is a collision of craft, eco-cool and pop culture kitsch it features recipes, eco tips, crafty people profiles, ethical business practices etc - you can purchase back issues here or find out more here. Find Justine here and Nichola’s blog here.
my collection in issue 6

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Nuts about Needlepoint
An encyclopedia of needlepoint and thread information for all stitchers. Learn about Janet M. Perry's needlepoint projects, read book and product reviews, and find articles about techniques, threads, and more
Twisted Cord

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One Pretty Thing
One Pretty Thing is a daily website dedicated to bringing you inspiring projects for a more beautiful life.
Corner Bookmark, Drawstring Bag, Embroidered carry all, Embroidery on dark fabric, Fabric Notebook Cover, Photo to Embroidery Design, Quilt Quiver, Tealight Holder, Twisted Cord

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Quilting Board
The Quilter's message board.
Thank you Sondray for linking to my projects.

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Sew Mama Sew
You’ll find some handy sewing tips and inspiration. Whether you’re just learning to sew, or have been sewing forever.

The Sew,Mama,Sew! blog is pulled together each week by Kristin and Beth. Who both sew whenever they can and love fabric with a passion.

If you’re looking for fabulous fabric and patterns, please take a look at the Sew,Mama,Sew! store.

Drawstring Backpack, How to fold a fat quarter

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Tipnut
I think we all have them, those mile high piles of household tips and life hacks that we’ve collected over the years. They’re messy, disorganized and once they’ve been ‘filed’, those tips are nowhere to be found again.

TipNut.com isn’t anything fancy. It’s simply my way of putting together all the cool tricks I’ve accumulated over the years into a simple, searchable, online filing box–this website. Some of them I’ve tried, some of them I don’t know if I’ll ever try. But I do know they’ll be here if I need them–and I’m happy to freely share everything with you too!
Simple square pincushion

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Whip Up
Whip up: To prepare quickly. To excite. To create. To incite. To build. To invent. To conceive. To push. To upset. To manufacture. To provoke.

This website has been created in order to bring the best original and exciting crafts to the attention of many.
To create a community of artists, crafters and makers and share ideas in a central space.

Embroidered Carry All, Embroidery on Dark Fabric, Corner Bookmark, Handpieced Pincushion, Pillowcase Shoulder Bag, Sausage Dog CD cover, Simple Square Pincushion, Toadstool Pincushion

House stuff
Since I posted the plans things have gone a bit off the rails. I'm not getting ahead of myself. Just focusing on breathing in & out when there is mention of the house.

Small stuff
Fabwic stitching in progress.
A note which reads: Mum tell me where my camera is.

Beautiful stuff
My print from Geninne arrived yesterday from sunny Mexico - even the stamps are beautiful!
I'm nearly beside myself over Geninne's Bird. I love it so much.

A little ACEO I bought from here also arrived in the mail. It's gorgeous. I'm on the hunt for Brown ACEOs if anyone has any tips.

We've picked up some new players this week. Stop in & say Hi. You can find them on the player list here. That's also the place to post a comment if you'd like to join in. I'll be updating the list regularly.

On my desk... Wednesday has a Flickr too if you'd like to send pics this is the group.

Finally if you would like an On my desk... button for your blog this is the code:

<a href=" http://kootoyoo.blogspot.com/"><img src="//farm4.static.flickr.com/3141/2607211450_e50e1fc40b.jpg?v=0"/></a>

Just copy & paste the above code into your sidebar & if you don't want to...that's fine too.
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Click image to see more on Flickr.

If it weren't for the quilt project I may never have "met" & fallen in love with...

'lil sonny sky

& if you think her inspiration shot looks good. Wait until you see the finished piece.

Lisa has an etsy store too & sells beautiful, beautiful things.

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?".

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In other news...
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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

To enjoy Pip in the spotlight…

She’s so totally centre stage…brave & colourful with lots of thoughtful lines, not just in Home Beautiful but in life too.

I’m so grateful for all the creative jumpstarts Pip has given me over the last couple of years & it’s not just me you know. Pip generously promotes crafters & shares her virtual/audio/print space with others…I admire that.

It’s pretty unAustralian to celebrate the success of others. I wonder why that is? Our international mates seem pretty good at it…

Pip’s done a pretty good job of dragging a lot of crafty people out into the spotlight.

Encore Pip!

I did note a bit of backstage influence & a couple of well placed props in that Home Beautiful spread & for that Miss Pip – I thank you!

High 5 to Pip for this.

5 favourite thoughts, which turned into clicks, which turned into more thoughts from this week.

1. It's all about the pincushion & as a result I've found...
2. Namolio ... just beautiful, beautiful pieces.
3. Crochet doilies. I'm really quite obsessed - I think it was the refashion of the chair...
4. which leads me to wood & specifically the burning of wood.
5. I've been thinking about cushions for my couch too. Check out this lovely space.

look what arrived in the mail. It's my backtack gift...I'm hoping mine gets to Melissa safe & sound.

The package had been ravaged by the oh-so-careful folk at customs. Everything seems to be there though.

Aren't these decorations beautiful?

Also included were a gorgeous little fabric wallet for receipts & lists, some pushpins, beautiful notecards & some pretty smells...so spoilt. Thank you Melissa!

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.

illustration by Janet & Anne Grahame Johnstone from Dean's Gift Book of Fairy Tales

I'm engaging in a little experiment.

I've banged on about a thousand times before about rules & how they keep me focussed. So I've made a new rule. This month I'm tracking my blog clicketty trips.

We'll see where this takes us:

a beautiful mess
brown design inc
che & fidel
doobleh vay
elsa & hugo
hens teeth
here's looking at me kid
hurrah
kids & cocktails
label-free
little letters
make something
miss jane
moonshine & piffle
oonaballoona
pandora
pink penguin
q's daydream
resurrection fern
simple lovely
sugar city journal
the paper planes
the secret bee
tiny red
will bryant
wolfie & the sneak

isn't it just begging to be opened?

Of course, I'm way too chicken for that kind of thing. It was all I could do to summon the courage to take the pic.

Noticed elsewhere:
beautiful greeting cards

I know I already post daily so I guess it's not so much about the challenge but about a show of support for this beautiful blog which is packed full of loveliness.

I'm posting here in the hopes that some of my favourite locals might also get on board.

I love a bit of fresh content.

what reminds me of my mum.

She is our Faraway Tree. She grows in the far corner of our block & when the house is built this is the view I will wake up to every morning.

A bit about her:

She has deep roots in this little patch of dirt.
She is getting on a bit but ...
She is still as beautiful as ever.
She is supportive.
She can weather any storm.
She can bend in the wind & not snap.
She is forgiving.
Occasionally she drops her bundle.
She is fun.
Her limbs are a haven for children.
She is strong.
She happily reinvents herself.
She is a protector.
She relishes a challenge.
She encourages an adventurous spirit.
She is a survivor (& in fact a thriver).
Her canopy is far reaching.
She is shelter.
She is home.
She is much loved by me.

Happy Mother's Day.

I've followed with success!

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.

Don't give up
cos you have friends
Don't give up
You're not beaten yet
Don't give up
I know you can make it good
(I would have posted all the lyrics but frankly they're too much for me at the moment)

My girls are best friends with two of the most beautiful spirits (sisters) & we found out on Thursday that they'll be leaving our school at the end of the year. The image above is the smalls when they first became friends (2 years old).

The break's been good for me. I've been parenting, crafting, opping, filming & generally just slowing down a bit. I've only got a couple more things to take care of for people on The Nice List & then I'm done.

It's a big week though ... buckle up.

11 years ago I was holding this beautiful soul & I felt completely fulfilled.

I'm so so proud of the young lady this gorgeous girl is becoming. Thank you baby - you've blazed the trail. There's a bit of "off road" bumpiness at times, but it's always an adventure. Happy Happy Birthday.

I fashioned this laptop stand out of bits & pieces I had lying around at home. The only things I had to buy for this project were two small hinges.

It's craft born out of necessity.

When we moved I cut an old table in half lengthways to make a slimline desk. Unfortunately my laptop & keyboard didn't fit properly on the desk so I was typing & reading at a really awkward (& uncomfortable) angle.

My brother has one of those store bought laptop stands so I rang him to find out where to buy one & went to the shop. I was horrified that this little piece of plastic was going to set me back around $80! In addition the sales person was extremely unhelpful so I huffed out of the shop determined to make one for myself.

I think practical things might as well also be beautiful. I've done a bit of embroidery to pretty things up & because I was unsure if my HAC would stand up to holding the laptop I didn't want my efforts to be in vain...

it's also a cookbook stand. Featuring the fabulous Minus the Boombah cookbook as recommended by Aunty Cookie.

illustration by Janet & Anne Grahame Johnstone from Dean's Gift Book of Fairy Tales

The final list.

I slowed down a bit toward the end of the month. But I really quite enjoyed this & I love having a record.

a beautiful mess
brown design inc
che & fidel
doobleh vay
elsa & hugo
hens teeth
here's looking at me kid
hurrah
kids & cocktails
label-free
little letters
make something
miss jane
moonshine & piffle
oonaballoona
pandora
pink penguin
q's daydream
resurrection fern
simple lovely
sugar city journal
the paper planes
the secret bee
tiny red
will bryant
wolfie & the sneak

she is enthusiastic, engergetic, contagious, beautiful & just plain good. Best of all she is related to me! Yay!

Just back from Brown Owls - tonight was super good. So much good stitching & chatting & lounging & laughing & tea drinking & socialising & learning & sauso stitching & baby showering & FUN!

If you haven't been to a meeting you should come & see for yourself just how lovely it is. There is a night especially for Tweenies on Tuesday 18 March - so do yourself a favour & book.

Make sure you check our Flickr in the morning - the PIParazzi was in full click, snapping shots of unsuspecting crafters.

Yesterday was the hottest day on record in Melbourne.

The girls & I did go out a few times & when we did the smell was overpowering. The big girl looked at me with wide eyes & said "Mum, it smells like Bright" (2003 bushfires). It did.

While I was opening the blinds just enough to take trivial shots of my work in progress. My Suburban sky looked like this...

because much of Victoria was on fire. People have lost their homes, livestock & their lives.

Just as the cool change hit our place, a once beautiful town with a special place in my heart (& not too far from home) was completely engulfed.

Eeeek...I taught the big girl to granny square. She's really, really good. Her granny square is lovely & square & even.

Pt Lonsdale is home to a beautiful shop called Wildpurl so the lucky girl learned to crochet using Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino. This was absolutely the perfect yarn for a small person to learn with. It doesn't separate at all.

Our break was really lovely.

The pace at Lonsdale is super slow & the only planned activities for the day are the run, coffee & the dog beach.

I devoted my down time to crochet & was feeling quite pleased with my efforts until I laid these squares & the 21 I had at home out & realised that I'm probably only half way to my goal. I really think that I'm going to have to revise the original plan & just make it big enough to drape across the foot of the bed. That would be OK wouldn't it?