Taking a Break

Its not very often the small person and I hang out at home together for long periods, if we are on holidays it usually means we are camping away from home. Sure there are the weekends but its nothing like three weeks together 24\7. Now she is older I am really enjoying it. We have built her a brand new playground {lucky thing!!} and have been spending many - many hours there.

I have also been taking a break from blogland - not on purpose - but I have been avoiding anything that I have made into "work"...and sometimes blogging is like that. Heading towards the end of the year I also feel I have to wrap up my "Year of Dead Wood" post - there are some important evaluations to make - therefore lots of thinking time. Perhaps soon I will pluck up the courage to write it - but not yet, someone is calling to me from the playground.

Mxo

Four Leaf Dress

I really love this style, I personally have four of five dresses and tunic tops in this pattern. It has puffy sleeves, over sized pockets, a scoop neck line and a free flowing dress. The other advantage of this design is it can stretch out or shrink in just by the tie feature. It would fit a Size 12 - 16. It makes you feel all girly and stuff and great for when you eat too much at Christmas dinner.

I have had this fabric in my stash for quite a while. It was a full double quilt cover in pristine condition. I felt slightly bad about cutting it up. On the bright side I now have two of these dresses. I think everyone will love the fabric and floaty dress..hopefully... I have no idea what sells these days ha ha..oh well that's the joy of creating. Available in my Madeit shop or at the next market.

It's getting close to the big day!!! Merry Christmas Everyone.

Mxo

Graeme Pillows

 I just realised  I never shared with you my Graeme pillows.

Every pillow is completely original as i am not going to use a template. Every Graeme will have a personality of his own and no two will be alike.

They are backed with a grey military blanket.

Available in my made it shop or perhaps one might pop up in your Christmas stocking (look out family!!).
Now I'm off to sew, hooray for holidays!! My store is looking a bit empty after a few dress sales and I also sold all my Graeme dolls so better make some more of those too. I have a few more doll ideas to experiment with...woooo! I am a bit intrigued with all this doll making and can't wait to make some more lighting bolt dresses, should be some constructive holidays, fingers crossed.

Mxo

Last Love

My first ever Santa picture

On Saturday was our last Made with Love Market for the year, and after the initial joy at being finished everything for the year I am was slightly sad that it was over. We had a great day, great sales and a great crowd.

Everyone was in a happy mood - stall holders, the clients and "most" of the kids....not so much the kids visiting Santa (see the video ha ha). Santa was an amazingly generous and patient person and was so great with the kids. Thankyou Santa for looking after us so well.

I sold ALL my Graeme dolls so now I must make some more...I'm also running low on dresses after a few sales so I think I will be hitting the sewing machine hard over my holidays.

I am ever so grateful to everyone that has supported us over this year and to the girls who dig in and help out market after market. We are so proud to be bringing this kind of event to such a small community and that they embrace it so well.

Look towards next years plan I think I will be looking at some shops to stock in this year as well as the market and online... it would be nice to spread my stuff a bit wider.

Naomi Fenton yet again did some amazing shots for us and put together this little video for the kids having their pictures taken..its a wee bit funny so make sure you check it out.

Mxo

Ho Ho Ho from Naomi Fenton on Vimeo.

Hiker Graeme

make gif

Phew

He's finished.

Hiker Greame likes camping, chopping wood and the odd spot of fishing. He loves nothing more than to snuggle up in his swag, with the fire blazing, while watching the stars.

Now available in my madeit shop.

Miss G is getting one for Christmas...i hope she likes it.

iPhone Bling

Have you seen those kits where you can cross stitch your own iPhone case? Well you can buy them on line but being a tight arse thrifty I decided to make my own. A good bit of spray paint, cotton and needles will turn any holey old iPhone case into the cutest new accessory!! 

Steps are as follows:

1. Spray paint cover (wait to dry drumming fingers)
2. Find the centre and stitch your first mark
3. Build it, build it up with no direction and squint a lot in the fading light and because your glasses were left in the car.
4. Tie off ends (I wont show you the "back work" on it—it's disgraceful)
5. Attach to phone

TA—DA!!!

Mxo

Home Love

Sarges Opening

 

If you live local then you will know Sarge. He is  a visual artist that paints with his feet. Born with no arms it is fascinating to see how he can work and what he can achieve.

ArtsCape was packed to the brim for Sarges opening and is a true testament of the work Sarge has done over the year and the respect he has around town. He was muchly helped our by his carer Rebecca to get this work shown and to the standard of a well curated exhibition. Sarges painting are wonderful - his lino cuts amazing. 

The art centre will be open from 11 till 3.30 daily so make sure you pop into view this great exhibition. There is only one week left to view this work and finished on the 16th of December

Artscape is well and truly happy with the results of this exhibitions and we hope this sets the standard for future exhibitions coming in from the public {if you would like to have your own exhibition in our centre then contact me or jump over to our ArtsCape page for more info}.

Thankyou to Sarge and Rebecca for creating such a wonderful event. You indeed should be so proud of yourself.

 

PS You should really go and join our ArtsCape site and show your support for our local art centre...seriously..... :)

Gladdish About Surprises

What a funny thing all this technology is. I am a bit of a fan of Instagram {like everyone else with an iphone} and follow as many Tasmanians as I can...like on my blog also.

One lady I had been enjoying is Grace Gladdish. She has a beautiful feed of Tasmanian landscapes and is a visual artists to boot.

Last week she happened to pop over to my blog and see my score of Home Journals minus the patterns. Remarkably she had a stack of the a fore mentioned Journals WITH the patterns...a little bit of wee came out I was that excited.

Generously she offered to send me some patterns as she was not a sewer herself. Literary a day later I got some lovely mail with not only the BEAUTIFUL old patterns but a hand-painted card and a hand designed postcard from her very creative self.....I was blown away by the generosity.

It really is a funny technology advanced world we live in. Without it I would have no connection to the artists and crafters in Tasmania let alone the world. I am forever grateful to be living in our day and age and have an on-going affair with technology...sometimes we fight but mostly we love each other.

Thankyou Grace...thankyou universe..we are indeed very lucky to live in the country we do and this sort of unparalleled goodness in peoples heart give me hope that there is kindness still left in the world. Keep an eye on your letter box Grace I will be popping something in there soon.

Mxoxo

Going Bush

All we hear about is Christmas, Christmas, and Christmas.

...and here's some more for you. HA. This week I have had an idea brewing that just had to be created. These are little camping men coming together. I just love them. I am making three, one for Georgie for Christmas and two for the market or to go online. I am going to include a little sleeping bag and a fold out fire to complete the camping set. I was trying to wait to show you the whole package altogether but i couldn't...impulsive!!

We struggle to get boys stuff at our market (at any market lets be honest) so hopefully this can qualify as a "boy product"...regardless i know my little girl will love them.

Mxo

Threads of Feeling

If you are interested in textiles, history and art then you have to go and look at this amazing exhibition. I couldn't tear myself away from the images as they flicked by...in fact I wanted them to slow down.

This exhibition contains images of 18th Century textile tokens  left with abandoned babies at the London Foundling Hospital.

These tiny scraps of fabric have so many stories behind them. Even though these babies were abandoned by their family's they were left wrapped and dressed in the most beautiful and often hand created garments. You can see the love in the detail in the fabrics. The babies may have been abandoned but this doesn't mean they were not wanted or loved. What a heart wrenching decision to give your baby away.

You really should go and check the online exhibition out yourself...I suggest having a box of tissues close by, it really does touch your heart. So many stories to be discovered here...

Mxo

Ferment and Human Nutrition

Old Cover

Ferment and Human Nutrition — New cover

Work in progress

 The first book I have EVER worked on The Permaculture Book of Ferment and Human Nutrition is finally out and for sale to the public. This book has hit cult status because of its rarity and content, it was even fetching $500+ on Amazon. Well no longer will people have to pay that amount...its available for what I consider a great price of $59.95 on the Tagari Website.

We have overhauled the whole book and I am pleased to say we have bought it up to scratch and it looks very professional. Yay go us!! Pretty much the content of the book was handled by myself and another co-worker. We did not however create the front cover — therefore we cant take credit for that, but only that.

As much I have had a love-hate relationship with the process I think this book has some amazing content of storing, preserving and nutritionally enhancing your foods. All done the "old" ways, traditional recipes and good old basic knowledge passed down from generation to generation.

I now have my very own copy...already signed by Bill...lucky me!!

"The wait is over — The Permaculture Book of Ferment and Human Nutrition by Bill Mollison is now available for you to purchase!

This book has been out of stock for a few years and has become a much sort after publication. Ferment and Human Nutrition is back with a brand new look, updated content, photos, illustrations and interior. If you missed out on an older version of this remarkable book then this is your chance to own a copy.

Written by Bill Mollison, it explores the traditional ways of storing, preserving and increasing the nutritional value of foods. Ferment and Human Nutrition contains valuable information and has been collected by Bill on his travels and through vast researching of cultures. The book is compiled into 14 Chapters that covers subjects such as Meats, Dairy, Fermentation, Vegetables, Fish Products, Brewing, Fruits and many useful facts on preparing your life to be simple but effective.

This book will not only be a great addition to your kitchen but to your household. The information is priceless but yet comes from the most basic of beginnings — before refrigeration and often from the folklore of the traditional peoples of this world. It is a pleasure to read and will inspire you to return back to the uncomplicated routines of food preparation, storing and preserving."

You can view the book further on the Tagari Website

Thanks Bill and Lisa for letting me apart of this re-birth of an amazing book.

Mxo

Break on Through...

 

OOOOO I totally had one of those moments yesterday..those moments when all the sudden you just "get" stuff. I know its been a long time but my old-time readers may remember this quilt that I rescued and had been doing up. The first back of the quilt I attempted turned into its very own quilt and the hexagon one remained "backless". 

A while ago I had a real crack at putting one together and the STUFFED IT UP major. Ok I'll explain but this may get confusing...I borrowed some large letters from Claire that spelt the word love. I had all intentions of making alternating fabrics in a big square that spelt LOVE. Unfortunately after sewing the individual letters on their individual backings I realised I had laid it out in a line to alternate the fabric and when put back in its square shape the colours where on the same sides...FFS!!! I was wild with myself for being so stupid and completely chucked it, refusing to make two new letters to replace the bottom row of VE. Seriously that was a full day of sewing and a lot of wasted precious vintage fabric.

I couldn't believe after looking at it for so long that i didn't figure out the solution earlier...turn the two bottom letter upside down to mirror itself ...TA-DA!!! A solution was found and one i could totally be happy living with. I now have the back to my hexagon/love quilt.

The next moment of working it out in my head I must have room to think about the next quilt project..a proper one for Miss G. That day even without working on the hexagon/love quilt I rushed to the op shop and raided my stash to lay out some new fabrics for her. I really want to make a beautiful quilt that she can cherish for ever. I am thinking of making it inspired by a Dottie Angel look - whites, blue, lace and lots of hand stitched details.

It should be fair to say that we should never need another quilt in our house EVER again. Hee hee well I guess we will see...I never in a million years thought I would do one quilt or know the techniques behind quilting. I promise to show you the hexagon/love quilt when I am finished...us sewers have to show off these things you know.

Mxo

Ring-a-Ding

I found this cute little tute at  Upcycle Your Life on Aile 3 to make these giveaway rings. They are meant to be instead of business cards and also a little extra something for your clients. Being impulsive as I am they were made by that night. I did vary a little from her original suggestions of materials but I just coped with what I had around the house. It worked well enough, the main change was printing onto calico painting sheets then attaching it to the fabric via a double bond interfacing....and Ta-Da!!

I've often thought about those people that do one thing well over and over again..where as I do many things adverage, but I cant help it..there is so much to create...{sigh} to be one of those committed types.

I also got inspired by Our Creative Spaces this week and made some of these clay tree ornaments {I'm sorry i cant quite remember who to reference for this idea...but thankyou}.

They are now hanging on the tree.

Miss G had fun helping me...

While the clay was out i got some of my letter stamps and made some new swing tags for my dresses.

I had to find a temporary measure for re-branding them after the change over of names. I think they turned out a bit cute...and a great temporary solution.

I hope your weekend was just as constructive.

Mxo

Finders Keepers

 

When do you say that you have enough stuff?? How can you say no to such lovely stuff you happen across in an oppie... I guess the sensible person would say "just don't go" but i can't help it. I am very conscious of bringing bags of stuff in the house and never taking bags of stuff out of it.

Oh well what can one do but become "one of those hoarders" with nineteen cats.

Regardless I will share a some special things I got this week. 

Above is the most gorgeous wool hat and shoes, from two different oppies, but matched so nicely. I will have to wait till winter before i can wear the hat but i have already put the shoes to good use.

 I also picked up a small stack of Home Journals from the 40's and 50's. Its seems this magazine had patterns included...sad face..mine weren't..oh but to dream!! Pretty sure I may actually wet my pants if I had found the patterns with them.

 What I love most about old magazines are the ad's...intriguing...I don't think advertisers these days would agree to words such as "deforming fat" and suggest you tame your husbands alcohol problem by "secretly" giving him medicine.

I have plans for these images - I want to do some collages, some fabrics for spoonflower and I am thinking of packaging them up to give away on here as a digital file {photoshop stamps, thumb images, etc} so stay tuned if your keen for some free retro propaganda.

Today I'm going to link up with Flea Market Finds..its been awhile.

I might even do some oppie stalking over there and hopefully save myself some cash during the week...tis better to look than buy so they say {rubbish!!}.

Mxo