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.
There is something for everyone. I've been flicking & reading while I should be doing about 100 other things but I just can't stop.
It's got me wondering what this little baby might be worth. It was picked up at the Op Shop last year & I'd have to redecorate.....Hmmm.....I think I need to consult with Mr Carter.
I'm thrilled to be sharing Pip's lovely space with her over the next week.
I've put together some speedy quick projects to make using pillowcases.
Today's project is an eco-friendly shopping bag.
The best part about making this bag was watching Amy Karol's tutorial on bias tape. It is SENSATIONAL.
If you get bitten by the pillowcase bug too have a crack at some of these:
Apron
Dress
Skirt
Garment Bag
Skirts & Dresses
Laundry Bag
Fabric Scrap & Remnant Ideas – Yikes there are HEAPS here & it's a new to me site.
Handmade Parade hosted a Pillowcase challenge earlier in the year. Winner here and you can check out the other entries here.
The pillowcase I would have used if I had the guts to hack into it. This is one of my Tier 1 pillowcases. I've only got a few that have arrived wrapped in plastic. I love the pattern & would have loved a bag made out of it. But this baby is for looking only.
We are having a giveaway - the details are at Mikes & entries close at midnight tonight Melbourne time.
You've got to know when to hold them.... Know when to fold them... Know when to walk away... Know when to run...
OR just because you "can" doesn't mean you should!
I made this little guy for Craft Hope found via Loobylu.
The idea really touched me & I so wanted my doll to be utterly gorgeous & super squishy & cuddly. In an effort to make him "perfect" I decided to follow a pattern (this was mistake number 1). His arms & legs are way too long & his head is way too small & I had to stuff him too firmly so that his neck didn't flop. The only thing I like about this doll is his hair treatment which I made up!
My second mistake was using super soft expensive looking (but op shop purchased) stretch fabric which I then had to retrospectively interface! YIKES.
My obsessive, competitive nature won't allow me to be beaten (I prefer to think of it as "never say die").
I know I should run & leave this sort of thing to super clever people who actually have some talent (& for the time it's taken me I'd have been better purchasing from them & posting):
Jhoanna :: her shop Fiona :: her shop Victoria :: her shop Michelle :: her shop
I've already cut out & interfaced & started the embroidery for my "no pattern" doll. I really hope he works!
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.
12 days down 11 candy canes 10 rolls for pencils 9 bad jokes 8 plates for turkey 7 twinkling lights 6 stuffed mushies 5 glowing gifts 4 waiting sacks 3 chrissy trees 2 drinks with bubbles & a sp...i...i...i...i...ng santa
Is anyone else feeling like Christmas has really snuck up on them this year?
I am totally disorganised. Twelve days down & only twelve to go - yikes! I'd better get a wriggle on...
So...I was planning a move away from blogger but you know, I've worked pretty hard in this space for a while now & it seemed a bit like going back to square one. The main reason I was considering a shift was that was the flash commenty systems going on elsewhere.
I've been enjoying the friendly chat over on twitter & was hoping to get something like that going on.
I'm trialling JS-kit comments which seems to be pretty good.
However ... I did transfer my comments from blogger yesterday afternoon so anyone who left a comment last night or today - your comment had disappeared. They are still saved behind the scenes in blogger & if I dump JS they will magically reappear. I'm sorry girls.
Anyway, let's try it out for a few days & make a call after that.
Note: All those trial comments are live on this post. Feedback most welcome.
EDIT: Oh yikes...it seems as though all previous comments are not properly readable. Need tech support.
UPDATE: I think I'm going to keep on keeping on. I can always reload original template tomorrow morning.
some things old, some things new, no things borrowed & two things blue.
Just a jumble of junk really:
spare car key (dumb place to keep it!) receipt for groceries clover washable markers (x2) wallet, coffee money/metre change purse & you are beautiful purse (all opped) phone loose change fresh sheets note pad mints mentos wrapper shell from Pt Lonsdale owl key chain some sausage dogs a fabulous little babushka stamp from Angela valium for when the dog got clipped YIKES! cheapy lip gloss juicy tube lip gloss (I never wear either - why do I have it?) receipt from my favourite Op receipt from my favourite shop old shopping list camera card carrier
Just as you'd expect really - nothing very exciting or unusual - sorry.
Off to snoop the handbags of this girl & this girl.
