Pins

My pins needed a pincushion desperately. I had made a few cushions for friends, but this is the first for myself. I also love the one that Alison made (and told her so!).

Then I thought I'd have a go at making some pinheads out of fimo. Steve says they look like Leuning characters. Well, they were just the most simple shapes I could think of. And after that, the kids and I made some little orange mice, a carrot and a dinosaur.

What to do?

I don't usually buy fabric with no purpose (we have a small house with no storage, so one of Jack's cupboards is bulging with my craft), but this just had my name on it. It seems to me that most fabrics tell you what they want to be, but this one just isn't talking yet. I think some of the ribbon that Molly sent me will look perfect with it, but what will it be?

Market find

A few weeks ago, I bought this crafty necklace at Balmain markets. I had seen this type of thing before in the stores, but his one caught my eye with a fun use of colours.


It is one long tube of fabric with wooden beads inside and knots between each bead. Then some ribbon sewn at each end. I tried making one myself, but I didn't make the tube long enough so it's a bit short. If you are going to try this, use very soft, light cotton or silk. Anything thicker just doesn't work when you do the knots.

Pencil cases

I made a few of these as Easter presents for my niece and nephews. I was a bit nervous, wondering how they would cope with these and not lots of chocolate. My fears were put to rest when a few weeks later my eldest nephew asked me to make five more for his friends at school!

They are very easy to make, just two rectangles (one about 7cm shorter than the other) and a piece of elastic across the front to tuck the flap into.

Sneaky peek

Here's a little look at some beads I picked up at Etelage today. A small gift for a melbourne (ex-Sydney) girl with a creative soul that will be as old as me in a few days.

Bears

These guys were made on the weekend. Not a great pic as the light was fading. They will go off to the gallery in a few days.

Completed

Finished and given away to it's new owner.

The only problem I had with trying to finish it so quickly was the binding I used. I was to impatient and didn't want to go up to the shop and get some new binding, so I put on some narrow stuff I had at home. Skinny bind is a nightmare when it has to wrap around 3 layers. Always something new to learn!

Thanks for the comments about the fabric combo. I was shopping with a good friend and she kept pointing out soft baby colours and I kept say NO, NO, I want bright! So I'm glad it turned out OK.

A new day

My boys woke me before dawn today. That gave me some extra time in the day to get started on this...


A play mat for a friend's baby girl that is due next month. This pic is the unironed version with no backing yet. Hopefully I can find some backing fabric in my stash at home.

Looking up

I'm very humbled this week by the generosity and amazing talents of two friends. One in Sydney and one in the US. I love to give gifts, so it really brightened my day to receive these in the past week.
This was a belated birthday gift from a friend around the corner.

And this came from the other side of the world. Thanks Molly.

And Happy Birthday to Lu-Lu, I don't know if you read this blog... Another year I have remembered on the right day, am I forgiven for all the forgotten times?

Sale

Some amazing Mum's in Sydney have started up a new venture called salespot.com.au
They approached me to see if I wanted help selling any of my stock and I was very keen to get on board. So if you live in Australia this is a great site to get nice things cheap!

Sorry I don't have much craft to show and tell, have had a bad week and I'll leave it at that.

Cards and bears

Look... I have more postcards! This makes me very happy, yes it's the little things in life. I am just so amazed at the variety and thought that has gone into them. Thank you Nikki, Alison, Butterfly Rocket and Pyglet Whispers.

And this flat bear has come to life...

Leafy obsession

Here's yesterdays painting effort. Maybe I should try some flowers today.

Almost everyday in May

french toast girl started this idea:
"So here's my brand-new idea: I am committing myself to do a painting for every day in the month of May. They can be tiny. They can be crap. :) They can be about anything I want. "

My intentions were to join her until I forgot to paint yesterday! Well I did one today, so mine can be "almost everyday in May". Here is today's effort. I have one friend joining in on the fun and we hope to show each other our efforts every Friday when we see eachother at school.

It's hard to be creative when there are peanut butter sandwiches to be made, washing to hang and bottoms to wipe! So I have decided to do quick paintings. Just between 10 mins and 30 mins, if I can squeeze them into the day. I think it will free me up more as a designer and get my creativity going.

Peas anyone?

This post is for Lisa and Monique, my camping buddies that saw the amazing culinary skills of my husband. Most things come out of a can when it comes to his cooking. So this little gem that he picked up last time he went shopping came as no surprise. I know that L and M will just love the fact that these peas actually have added colour!

School is back. Yippe!!!! Can you tell that I'm a little excited. Now I can get back into the swing of work and more time for blogging. This was my 8am activity.

And finally, my ideas board had some offspring. Well, my lovely Dad made some more. One has winged it's way down to Victoria to the beautiful Lisa and another is in the Hazelhurst Art Gallery, Gymea, NSW. If you would like to order a similar one, just email me. They are approx 1.2m wide and 28cm high. The price is $250AUD (including postage in Australia only).