crafty part 2

Sometimes things don't go so easily. I have been working on the 'Ladybug' crafty panel since Thursday. I do a bit, print it out, scribble all over it and start again. Parts I'm happy with and they are looking fine, but this section has been reworked four or five times now.

I'm not usually one to make a fuss about New Years Eve (truth is I often fall asleep before midnight), but tonight we are going into the Royal Botanic Gardens. We have been invited to the Lord Mayor's NYE picnic and I'm just a little bit excited!

We were also invited to the Variety Club's Christmas Party at Darling Harbour this year but couldn't make it on the day. Jack had to have surgery and thoughts of everyting we had planned to do went straight from my head. I was so sad when we got home from the hospital a few days later and realised we'd missed it. It's probably the best kids party we have ever been to (we went a few years ago). Now that Jack has almost recovered from his little op (not his heart this time, thankfully), I'm thinking the party tonight will help us forget about what he's been through (and still to face). More about Jack here.

Happy New Year, and thanks for all the bloggy support of my designs this year.

Getting crafty

Looking around lately I've noticed a few ladybug objects around the place. It's seems that a new piece of fabric, similar to the 'little owls' concept, is emerging out of my brain. So in between trips to the local pool, basketball and playing with the kid's new toys (what have I done without a trampoline all these years??), I have been sneaking* moments on the computer to work it out. Almost done.
*sneaking: send kids out to trampoline, when all bounced out put on DVD and hope kids don't notice me working away. Once discovered, fend off requests to play games on the internet (lego.com is getting a workout) until I have finished.

Textile friend

I'm not sure if my pal is ready to be blogged about yet. Bad luck! Go take a look at these stunning prints all done by hand, flocked and displayed recently in Sydney. Flutterby and I work together sometimes (she's full-time and I freelance at the same company). With a little encouragement, I hope she shares more of her amazing work.

Old is new

I picked up a few strike-offs from the printer last week. A new design getting the approval for print.
And an old favourite (by a few months) in a new colour.

I went on a whirlwind tour of Surry Hills with Lara earlier in the week. Our very last stop was at Tessuti Fabrics. And I was happy to find my this linen trim. I had bought some last year from Patchwork on Central Park, but hadn't seen it in Sydney. Even better was catching up with an old pal from college, Colette, who owns the store and has started up a blog. So surprising when you find another Sydney-sider that gets the whole blog thing!

Old wares

Enjoying some old stuff (from France) I picked up in Stanwell Park a few weeks back.

Pencil box.

Thick pink thread.

More notepads

Picked up these last week. I'm liking them a lot and having fun designing for my new stationery obsession (will pop some in the shop tomorrow). Also there are a few Mollybird prints in the shop.

Rain

The rain came down, but it was fun at Balmain on the weekend. Here's my half of the table.

My computer is fixed, hooray. Now for all the catching up on emails...

Broken

My computer is cactus. Off at the computer shop. So if you have emailed me about fabrics, I'm not ignoring you. Hope to be back and emailing by Tuesday.

Balmain is going ahead! Wish us luck.

Balmain

Bettina and I have booked a stall at Balmain Markets this Saturday... if I doesn't rain. All week they have predicted rain, showers, thunderstorms, etc - the forecast changes daily. Yes, it is an outdoor market and we have until tomorrow to pull out. AHHHH.

So if you live in Sydney and the weather is good(ish), come and visit us!

There will be bags (Bettina's shown above), fabric packs and notepads.

Colours

I always keep coming back to red and chocolate. I like blues, pinks and greens - but it's pretty clear (predictable) what colours I like to use best. So there's nothing left to do but surrender to it.
Box by Alison.
If it's colour inspiration you need, this site is beautiful. And it's not just because we have the same first name.

Owly present

A friend of mine is expecting. It's still all hush-hush so now the few local friends that read this blog will start guessing. Only a few weeks till she spills the beans. Here's the gift I made for her.

Thoughts

Just tossing around some ideas tonight. Mollybirds as notepads.

A new notepad design printed on brown kraft paper.

Matching fabric design.

Mail goodies

A little surprise this week in the mail from Cocoon. I love the way she coordinates her colours and packaging.

A writing set by Poppies for Grace. Love the brown craft cardboard. I had already sourced some paper in the same colour before I received this, and hope to get some notepads done next week. Just need to figure out what pattern to put on it. Something with a ladybug I think.

We had to do some home cooking for Harry's school 'munchie day'. I don't generally get into the baking thing. So this was pretty good for me. But can you really class it as baking if it's a packet mix? And Harry tells me he doesn't really like chocolate (strange but true). We were having chocolate self saucing pudding tonight (thanks mum) and he says 'I don't like the taste of this, but I like eating it' followed by 'I like the taste of pasta and I like eating it'. Go figure.

Inspired

Many things worked together in the universe this week to inspire the creation of two kiddies dish towels.

1. Finally got my own copy of Lotta's 'simple sewing'
2. Harry actually dried the dishes with my Dad on Thursday night and commented that he had done it once before when he was five (he's seven now).
3. I visited 'le cerisier' in Stanwell Park yesterday and they had kid size linen dish towels.
4. My friend, Caro, has been excited all week as she is having her designs printed up on... you guessed it, dish towels.

And I thought the subliminal message might get through to the kids.

Lola et Moi

There's this perfect shop in Balmain I stumbled across a few weeks back called Lola et Moi. I'm sure it's been around for a bit and I'm the last in Sydney to find it, but I make up for that by being one of the first to see their new website. I know these screen grabs just don't do the site justice, but you get the idea.

Font

I love fonts. Must be a graphic designer quirk. So to get my fix today, I bought a bag of scrabble and boggle pieces at my local recycled toys store (I think little old lady behind the counter thought me a little strange when I asked if she had any, but came up with the goods!). Had a little play already before the kids get home and squirrel them away in their rooms!

Cocoon

A new shop in Launceston, Tasmania. The owner, Suzanne, sent these gorgeous pics a few weeks ago when she ordered some of my bags.

By the sea

Took the kids to see the annual 'Sculpture by the Sea' exhibition yesterday. Great as always. It's on for a few more weeks and if you live in Sydney and have the chance - GO.

I think this blue man would have appreciated some more privacy from the look on his face.

Levitation

Is it just me or does this bunny look like it has special powers? A new little guy made out of stone canvas (owl print), green wool flannel and grey felt - levitating over my kitchen chair.

Bear made from denim, cotton print fabric and felt scarf.

Gifts

A friend recently returned from 6 weeks holidays in the UK. And I scored these gifts (except the candle - she gave me that last year). There is also a Mackintosh tea towel, but it's a bit crinkly and hanging on my oven already.

The dress I made last week is from a pattern - Simplicity 4072. And I use the term 'whipped up' very loosely. Sorry to those that think I'm a sewing marvel, it took me 3 to 4 hours... confession over.

I must make mention that the cakes at Moniques birthday were by Joanne Gabbe and her busines is called Cakesand in Leichhardt (Sydney, Australia).

Lastly, there are a few more notepads for sale in my shop. Thanks to all who purchased from the last batch! I will also be picking up some smaller new designs (A6) on thursday from the printer.