Strawberry Sundress

Made using the Oliver + S Sundress pattern, mentioned in my last post, in Size 8. It has the cutest little pockets.

Took a little longer than expected due to my buttonhole sewing foot going awol, but I found it finally (yay!), so all is good again.

Thank you to everyone who commented on my last post. It's given me lots to think about.

Happy Monday!

Creative Space : This & That

Lots of things going on here at the moment, mainly sewing related, as I try and work on some new things to bring along to Huckleberry Market in just over a week.

I am in a bit of a quandary in regards of what to focus on, make more of, etc.

So, I'm going to go on a bit of a question overload now...feel free to skip over to the pics :-P or to answer any of them, if you feel inclined...

Do customers really want the clothing to go to older girls sizes (8, 10, 12)? And if yes, what type of items? The boho style top? or would they prefer it in a dress? Is there older boys items that people would like to see more of? Or come to think of it, little boy items too?

Urban hoodies - fabric preferences - jersey or cotton? There are obviously so many more choices with cotton, but jersey has that cosy & comfy factor.

This sundress - yes or no? and to what age? I've just made one for my 8 year old, which looks cute.

And then the pricing for things like the above? Any tips on figuring out prices? I never know what to charge.

Ok, rant over...brain cleared...now onto what's been happening!

Finished off another boho top in size 10, I'm just not sure if it needs something else. I was thinking of adding a pink or grey frill flower - what do you think?

This urban hoodie in size 5, just needs the buttons added and then it's all done.

Last night I cut out this sundress pattern (as linked above) in size 5. I think in this fabric it's going to look so cheerful and sweet.

And lastly, I've got these fabrics ready to be cut into - not sure into what yet, other than the retro pattern - that is going to make one funky pillowcase dress.

So lots to get stuck into. And while Levi is asleep, I really should get motivated and start making.

Playing along with these creative people.

xx

My Place And Yours : Pin Cushion

It's well used, a great size and so funky.
Bought from Eleesa at Dorothybills at Mulgrave Makers Market, last year sometime.

Playing along this week, with some lovelies over at Punky & Me.

xx

Creative Space : Flower Frill

I must admit, after having such a full-on couple of weeks of making, my motivation to be busy kind of got waylaid this week.

Other than playing catch up on washing, after a weekend away, and general housework, not a lot of creative fun or making has been happening here (but I did finish reading 'One Day' by David Nicholls - great book, by the way) and I have been missing it.

So this morning I made something.

A couple of weeks ago, I bought this Clover Flower Frill Template from The Haby Goddess, and I've been itching to try it out. 

 I also figured that this project would be a great way to get myself back into making mode.

And it's just too sweet...

Now I think I'd like to make one out of jersey fabric.

So it worked - my making mojo is back!

Lots of lovely makers, sharing their projects over here today.

xx

A Yummy Summer Spread

Lemon butter is a favourite around here.

Here is the recipe I followed, originally from here :

Ingredients
4 eggs
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup lemon juice
2 teaspoons finely grated lemon rind
125g chopped butter

Method 
* Place eggs and sugar into a heatproof bowl
* Place bowl over a pan of barely simmering water and whisk constantly until sugar has dissolved.
* Add lemon juice, lemon rind and butter.
* Whisk mixture for 20 minutes until smooth and the butter has melted and thickened enough to coat the spoon. Do not allow the mixture to boil as it will curdle.
* Pour warm mixture into sterilised jars and seal.

Makes approx 2 cups.

A Touch of Robot Goodness

It's nothing new, but we are a house that loves a robot, or two.

When I took the kids to our local 'paint your own ceramics' place during the school holidays, Jude couldn't go past this 'Transformer' like guy. And this poor little ceramic robot has had a little of a rough ride so far, after being decapitated mid-paint, and glued back together pre-kilning.

But he's come up all shiny and robot-y, and Jude is just so pleased with him.

So I think he deserves a special spot..

Up among my vintage bottles (all bottles that Rohan has found for me) and Kabwares spoons, one which, in particular, reminds me of my childhood, up high on top of our family expedit cubes in the living area, safe from little Levi hands :-P

In other news, Anglesea was fantastic fun. Nadya has posted all about it with photos and all. Me - well, I forgot my camera and was a bit slack with the phone camera too...oops! But even amidst the wild weather (and man, was it windy!) we had a lot of laughs and a good time.

And yesterday I managed to make up some scrumptious Lemon Butter - I'll share the recipe tomorrow but be warned : it is super yummy!

xx

Easily Distracted - One of those days

You know the days? The ones where you have a to-do list as long as your arm, yet you find yourself motivated to do something completely unrelated, fulfilling but not required.

Well, that's me, today..

Things I should be doing : folding washing (currently 4 clean loads waiting..I'll get there..promise :-P), hemming market skirts, printing on remaining t-shirts, ironing, heat setting, pricing, designing a 'care instructions' flyer, labelling, making a carry bag for my hanging rack, tidying the kitchen bench and other such daily household chores.

What I have done..

Yep, I made cupcakes. Yummy victorian sponge cupcakes with a peppermint buttercream icing and choc sprinkles...mmmm

The kids are going to love them!
xx

Looking Forward To..

girls weekend..this weekend - woo hoo!

Chirpy Lane will be marketing, along with the lovely Curiouser and of course, the quirky but cool Kooky Green Owl on Saturday, then relaxing on Sunday...

But for now, back to the making!

xx

Creative Space : Sew Busy

I know, I know..terrible play on words :-P

But I have been very busy on the sewing machine, and cutting table.

So there are 12 finished pillowcase dresses, 10 more at different stages, 16 market skirts cut out and ready to sew, a couple of pairs of boys shorts and another boho top.

And I'm sewing, sewing, sewing today while my older two are spending some quality time with their grandparents and Levi is playing around the house, or fingers crossed, having a fantastically long nap.

But here's a peek at a couple of things I have made...

 Size 2

 Size 3

Boho Top Girls Size 10

Creative posts abound over here each Thursday..

Thanks for popping by!

xx

Boys Tees

Just a quick share of my 3 boy tee screen printed designs. I'm thinking I may need to add another one - I've got a couple of ideas in my head, but would welcome any feedback too!

Ok, here they are :

Robot Buddies

  

Ahoy!

This design is inspired by my nephew Ash who draws amazing pirate ships.

Funky Tree

The placement of the designs really depends on whether the t-shirt has a pocket or not. I'm on the hunt for a bigger variety of colours too - boys are a bit trickier than girls!!

Happy Monday!

xx

Crafty Kid Fun - Paper Mosaic Art

School holidays means making sure I'm prepared for those inevitable 'I'm bored' comments that seem to come ever-so-quickly.

I love mosaics, and I thought the idea of a paper mosaic piece would be fun and look fantastic, and not to mention, would entertain them for quite some time!

You will need :
* various sheets of coloured paper
* a sheet of white card (for the base)
* paste
* scissors
* paint brush (for pasting)
* pencil

To get started, firstly cut up your coloured paper into squares.
I did this by cutting long strips, then trimming it off into squares.
Remember, they don't have to be perfect squares.
And this will take about 20 minutes to do, depending on how many colours you decide to use.

While you are cutting up the paper, have your child draw their design onto the white card, remembering to keep it relatively simple.

Once the picture is drawn and the paper is cut, brush a little paste onto the card, and show your creative little ones how it works, and then let them get into it...

Jude was distracted early in the process, by an invitation to play outside with our neighbour's son, but Lana stuck to it for most of the day, and finished with this beautiful piece of art....

And Jude did return and continue working on his later in the day, but it's not quite finished yet.

And Alannah loved doing it so much, she did another one (half this size) yesterday.

Woo hoo for crafty holiday fun!

xx