Practical and Pretty.
It combines my love for embroidery, fabric snippets, and my strong desire for better organisation!
Check her very artfully re-purposed items at her Etsy Shop too...
....like this Pretty Vintage Fabric Notebook
Monday
The 365 day Handcrafted & Thrifty Challenge
When I read this post last Saturday on Little Jenny Wren's blog, I just knew I wanted to do this. It all started with a girl called Tif, and her own personal challenge of 'surviving', not buying anything new for herself or her home for 365 days....Her delightful blog is called Dottie Angel, and you if will, pop over and see how many others have now taken up a 'Challenge of the Utmost Kind'.
On a personal level, I am so excited, invigorated, and enthused by this idea...I mean I think I really need it! It sounds easy really, because I love op-shopping, and I had a really 'good find' week last week....see photos on this post.
Seriously though, after 365 days, if and when some item of an electrical nature breaks down, or I just get swept away by the sheer joy of an item that is classified 'new' or 'mass-manufactured', what will I do? Will I last the distance?...only time will tell.
So to make this a realistic option, there are some wise exceptions I must apply; (it's ok, it's within the rules!)
This challenge is a personal one, so here are my listed exclusions:
Undies, socks, shoes - (I cannot, and have never been able to 'thrift' shoes for my size 9 cloppers!)
My children, and hubbie.
Gifts to me - I'm not going to offend anyone because they don't buy me a handcrafted or thrifted gift!
Gifts to others - mmm....I will sincerely try and endeavour to buy handmade gifts, but due to the nature of variety of gifts needing to be purchased over 365 days for a variety of people, I can't promise this one.
Business supplies..ie, fabric, thread, ink for computer, etc etc...
Scrapbooking supplies - I have a good supply, enough probably to last me 1 year, however I may need a tape runner refill now and then!
Magazine allowance - 1 per month, (pinched that one from Little Jenny Wren!) - don't think I could possibly survive the year..as for books, well I already subscribe 'heavily' to our brilliant library system in Tasmania.
Think about it, when we buy new clothes, there is always an ethical and eco dilemma. Did you know that clothing sales have increased by 60 per cent in the last 10 years? Cheap fashion means disposable fashion, and encourages more consumption. Not good for our planet, or our hip pocket.
Last year, I tried to buy our son a new doona, (he needed a bigger one!), upon discovering the built in obsolesence that manufacturers are now designing in doonas - (they can't be re-filled), I decided to resurrect an old one at a local business that rejuvinates old doonas. They topped it up with fresh down, cleaned the casing, and it came back like new!
On a personal level, I am so excited, invigorated, and enthused by this idea...I mean I think I really need it! It sounds easy really, because I love op-shopping, and I had a really 'good find' week last week....see photos on this post.
Seriously though, after 365 days, if and when some item of an electrical nature breaks down, or I just get swept away by the sheer joy of an item that is classified 'new' or 'mass-manufactured', what will I do? Will I last the distance?...only time will tell.
Vintage patterns
So to make this a realistic option, there are some wise exceptions I must apply; (it's ok, it's within the rules!)
This challenge is a personal one, so here are my listed exclusions:
Undies, socks, shoes - (I cannot, and have never been able to 'thrift' shoes for my size 9 cloppers!)
My children, and hubbie.
Gifts to me - I'm not going to offend anyone because they don't buy me a handcrafted or thrifted gift!
Gifts to others - mmm....I will sincerely try and endeavour to buy handmade gifts, but due to the nature of variety of gifts needing to be purchased over 365 days for a variety of people, I can't promise this one.
Business supplies..ie, fabric, thread, ink for computer, etc etc...
Scrapbooking supplies - I have a good supply, enough probably to last me 1 year, however I may need a tape runner refill now and then!
Magazine allowance - 1 per month, (pinched that one from Little Jenny Wren!) - don't think I could possibly survive the year..as for books, well I already subscribe 'heavily' to our brilliant library system in Tasmania.
An assortment of placemats
So today, Monday the 28th of September, 2009, I shall begin.
For a whole year.
Vintage embroidered linen
Last year, I tried to buy our son a new doona, (he needed a bigger one!), upon discovering the built in obsolesence that manufacturers are now designing in doonas - (they can't be re-filled), I decided to resurrect an old one at a local business that rejuvinates old doonas. They topped it up with fresh down, cleaned the casing, and it came back like new!
A 'bundle' of embroidery thread, including an old spool, found in a plastic bag.
Despite my op-shop hobby, and love for vintage, I will try to not buy for the sake of buying, and therefore feeding consumerism.
Each and every week I will post a photo of a personal handcrafted or thrifted find.
This is as much to keep me focused, and to provide inspiration.
(That means 52 handscrafted or thrifted photos in a year...is that too much for a blog?!!), and given that this challenge has only just begun, the next few months may be 'purchases' that I have already in my home.
Wish me luck!
Have a think about it, and I would love to hear from you if you have decided to take up the challenge!
And don't forget to tell Dottie Angel too!
Sunday
Featured Artist and Giveway - Berrylicious Buttons!
The lovely Susan from Berrylicious Buttons, has kindly offered some of her beautiful tags as a First Give-Away for my blog. Thank you Susan! You really need to visit her Etsy store to apprecicate the lovely and diverse range of sweetness that she has to offer, then you will see that her talents extend not only to the things she creates, but also to the quirky names she calls her items...especially like 'Lavender Hibiscusleaf Snuggleberry', and 'Clippee Do Da's'!
Now, settle back and read about Susan and her business, a woman of strength and courage, as you will discover:
Tell us a bit about yourself
'My name is Susan and I am a 38 years old mother of one. I simply love beautiful handmade things and was delighted when I discovered etsy! I spent a long time relishing in the delights of etsy as a buyer and admirer before opening my own Etsy shop called Berrylicious Buttons. (http://berryliciousbuttons.etsy.com/)
I have always been a crafter (of many types and forms) even in my childhood you could find me making bits and bobs with mums offcuts and button tin!
I was a full time graphic designer before being diagnosed with terminal cancer approx 2 years ago. I turned to craft for relaxation and to make beautiful things for my son to keep as life treasures after I am gone .. I love making other people happy and thought perhaps others may like some of my treasures as well and Berrylicious Buttons evolved completely by accident really! It has now become a very big part of my life and a full time business. Most of my days are either filled up with creating or designing new items, or coming up with new packaging ideas, sending orders, bookwork and all the other bits and bobs involved in running a small business...
I live on a gorgeous rural property just south of Hobart (Tasmania, Australia) where I also breed alpaca for their gorgeous fleeces'.
- Tell us about your business
'Berrylicious Buttons started by making beautiful things from vintage buttons. It has now transformed into a little shop that is chockers full of lots of little treasures. From gift tags to quilts, from hair accessories to magnets, and much more! I am now starting on a new range of softies called "Meet the Snuggleberries" which I absolutely adore making. They so fun to make and full of character! Each little Snuggleberry is different and take on their own unique characters (see my blog for further information on these: http://berryliciousbuttons.blogspot.com/). I now spend most of my time making my products or thinking about them! It is very addictive'!
- What’s your favourite thing about what you do?
'EVERYTHING! Its creative and fun, and ALWAYS changing! I love creating new things, and the best part is bringing a smile to my customers faces. How many people can actually say they LOVE their job and what they do? I am very thrilled and happy to say that I do'!
- What are your favourite colours/materials to work with?
'Clearly I love buttons! I particularly like vintage buttons. When I was young I loved playing with them like little treasures, and nothing much has changed there! I also love beautiful fabrics, and natural fibres. At the moment I am loving using the beautiful Japanese fabrics. My favourite materials and colours change almost daily! there are just so many beautiful supplies to use these days, and I am delighted to keep finding such wonderful things to create with'.
- What are you creations inspired by?
'Most of my inspiration comes from my surroundings. I am very fortunate to live in such a beautiful place. My studio looks out to natural bushland, which is so peaceful and inspiring! I also get alot of inspiration from the materials themselves. I can look at a piece of fabric, or a button or some pretty papers and know instantly what I would like to see them made up into. I create a lot of my items this way, and the ideas are always flowing! there is never a dull moment at Berrylicious Buttons! The reason I make lots of hair accessories is because I got totally obsessed with pretty hair things when I lost all my hair from cancer treatments. "Hair" became such a huge thing for me as loosing all my hair was like loosing my identity, and it affected my son worse'.
All you need to do to enter the give-away is
1. 'follow' this blog, (if you are already following you qualify)
2. 'follow' Berrylicious Buttons' blog or Facebook page (if you are already following either, you qualify)
3. Leave a comment on this post
Competition is open from Sunday 27th September, and closes Wednesday 7th October. One winner will be announced on this blog Friday the 9th October.
Now, settle back and read about Susan and her business, a woman of strength and courage, as you will discover:
Tell us a bit about yourself
'My name is Susan and I am a 38 years old mother of one. I simply love beautiful handmade things and was delighted when I discovered etsy! I spent a long time relishing in the delights of etsy as a buyer and admirer before opening my own Etsy shop called Berrylicious Buttons. (http://berryliciousbuttons.etsy.com/)
I have always been a crafter (of many types and forms) even in my childhood you could find me making bits and bobs with mums offcuts and button tin!
I was a full time graphic designer before being diagnosed with terminal cancer approx 2 years ago. I turned to craft for relaxation and to make beautiful things for my son to keep as life treasures after I am gone .. I love making other people happy and thought perhaps others may like some of my treasures as well and Berrylicious Buttons evolved completely by accident really! It has now become a very big part of my life and a full time business. Most of my days are either filled up with creating or designing new items, or coming up with new packaging ideas, sending orders, bookwork and all the other bits and bobs involved in running a small business...
I live on a gorgeous rural property just south of Hobart (Tasmania, Australia) where I also breed alpaca for their gorgeous fleeces'.
- Tell us about your business
'Berrylicious Buttons started by making beautiful things from vintage buttons. It has now transformed into a little shop that is chockers full of lots of little treasures. From gift tags to quilts, from hair accessories to magnets, and much more! I am now starting on a new range of softies called "Meet the Snuggleberries" which I absolutely adore making. They so fun to make and full of character! Each little Snuggleberry is different and take on their own unique characters (see my blog for further information on these: http://berryliciousbuttons.blogspot.com/). I now spend most of my time making my products or thinking about them! It is very addictive'!
- What’s your favourite thing about what you do?
'EVERYTHING! Its creative and fun, and ALWAYS changing! I love creating new things, and the best part is bringing a smile to my customers faces. How many people can actually say they LOVE their job and what they do? I am very thrilled and happy to say that I do'!
- What are your favourite colours/materials to work with?
'Clearly I love buttons! I particularly like vintage buttons. When I was young I loved playing with them like little treasures, and nothing much has changed there! I also love beautiful fabrics, and natural fibres. At the moment I am loving using the beautiful Japanese fabrics. My favourite materials and colours change almost daily! there are just so many beautiful supplies to use these days, and I am delighted to keep finding such wonderful things to create with'.
- What are you creations inspired by?
'Most of my inspiration comes from my surroundings. I am very fortunate to live in such a beautiful place. My studio looks out to natural bushland, which is so peaceful and inspiring! I also get alot of inspiration from the materials themselves. I can look at a piece of fabric, or a button or some pretty papers and know instantly what I would like to see them made up into. I create a lot of my items this way, and the ideas are always flowing! there is never a dull moment at Berrylicious Buttons! The reason I make lots of hair accessories is because I got totally obsessed with pretty hair things when I lost all my hair from cancer treatments. "Hair" became such a huge thing for me as loosing all my hair was like loosing my identity, and it affected my son worse'.
All you need to do to enter the give-away is
1. 'follow' this blog, (if you are already following you qualify)
2. 'follow' Berrylicious Buttons' blog or Facebook page (if you are already following either, you qualify)
3. Leave a comment on this post
Competition is open from Sunday 27th September, and closes Wednesday 7th October. One winner will be announced on this blog Friday the 9th October.
Winner will receive these 2 beautiful sets of tags made from quality designer cardstock!
Here are some more of my favourite lovlies from Susan's Etsy store......
Saturday
Thank you
There have been some lovely folk lately, who have made mention of me on their blogs.
So from my heart to yours, I thank you.
Friday
Circle
My carrot circle print on paper
Pear shape cushion with applique circles by Emi Shimosato on Etsy
Felt Circle Garland by Anna Maria Horner
Cellular proliferation necklace by 'Morphologica' on Etsy
Pocket baby's by 'german dolls' on Etsy
family circle...........craft circle.........
inner circle.......
crop circles.............golden circle.............city circle.................
circle of life............retro circle.......
circle hoop.....circle of friends....
Thursday
'Crafting creativity' - mini book review
Crafting Creativity - 52 brilliant ideas for awakening the artistic genius within, by Colin Salter
I picked up this book hesitantly from the library, not really sure what to expect, and even now I don’t think I would rush out to buy it, but it does make you think outside the square, without being too outlandish. It’s not so much a ‘show you how’ book, but it does provide inspiration for people who would consider themselves to be an artisan, or hobbyist, and everything in between. Contemplating how things can be done differently and seen through different artistic eyes, there are exercises at the end of each chapter if you want to explore further.
It’s very much a dip in and out of book, flipping through pages, taking ideas, and applying them to your own art form.
We all have those artist blocks, where it’s hard to keep going, and the chapter like ‘Same bird, Different feathers’, where it says, ’sometime’s everything’s in place, and you have chocolate biscuits too, but nothings happening. The inspiration has left you and settled into a thick sludge at the bottom of life’s coffee cup. You need shaking up!’.
It talks about the craft snobbery that exists within our mini handmade worlds, and encourages us to look at objects, in an impartial way, and work through the process in our minds as to how they are actually made, and acknowledge that even mass produced goods, can have design excellence, giving credence to designers like Alessi.
Many other ideas include;
Setting up ‘displays’ in your home for your own craft, or items from nature, and just absorbing what you see by osmosis.
How to be ready when an idea strikes, we can all relate to the ‘I had a brilliant idea, but I lost it’ scenario.
The rhythm of pattern.
Changing your thinking from ‘oh..I’m not a real craftsperson, it’s just a hobby,’ to ‘I can!’
‘Inspiration can come from anywhere. You can see it in the humble daisy and the finest stained glass window, in a magnificent piece of furniture and in a single stitch.’
I think there is something in this book for every craftsperson to benefit from.
Sunday
Weekend Food
This was a yummy pizza, made at home with a base from Breadd kitchen, and our favourite toppings....10 times tastier than pizza-shop bought, and a quarter of the price!
Saturday
Just shooting the breeze...
I know some of you have been wanting more coffee cosies...sorry about the delay folks, but it has been school holidays! Not much has been happening in the sewing department!...BUT I have managed to make another four of these cosies, and will load them on Etsy shortly...I 'plan' to list more this week...I like making them, because I get to use up some of my fabric stash, along with scrummy new ones, and I like choosing the different fabrics for each side (they are reversible!).
I don't know why I persist taking photos outside! It was definitely more than breezy when I took this photo...I couldn't resist though...the new growth on the apple tree made perfect hooks to hang them from! So here are four cosie friends just hanging out and 'shooting the breeze'!
I don't know why I persist taking photos outside! It was definitely more than breezy when I took this photo...I couldn't resist though...the new growth on the apple tree made perfect hooks to hang them from! So here are four cosie friends just hanging out and 'shooting the breeze'!
Coffee Cosie 'Flower'
If there is one here you see that you just have to have, let me know, I'll set up a custom listing for you, and it shall be yours!
Friday
Little Snoring Giveaway
The lovely Edwina from Little Snoring is having a necklace Give-Away on her blog...all you need to do is leave a comment after visiting her sweet store and tell her what your favourite item is...EASY! My favourite is the Blue Belle Bird...but I also really like her cute pandas..who doesn't?! You have until the 30th September, so get over there now and pick something out!
Sunday
My Father's Garden
A clear Spring day in my Father's garden. School holidays mean a visit to my mum, and my dad's garden. Although he's no longer physcially with us, I really love being able to enjoy the fruits and flowers of his labours over 10 years later....it always makes me smile.
Artichoke with Alstroemeria
Sweet Chestnut touches the sky
Blossom now, nectarine later!
Domestic Goodness
PARTIES, CAKES AND APRONS!!
Fluffy frosting in the making
We had Mr ‘D’s party yesterday, (now 7!), and were blessed with good weather, so thankfully the kids played outdoors. He prefers at home parties, with fun old-fashioned games. One of the activities the children did was decorate their own loot bag that I made from calico, with iron-on crayons. A space ‘shuttle’ cake was requested, and after I donned my ‘op shop’ apron, I nearly lost my cool making the fluffy frosting. In the past I have mostly made cakes with buttercream, however this was slightly challenging….Who ever knew that the amalgamation of egg whites, sugar and and water could turn into such a luscious, light, glossy, lickable concoction?! So, at the end of the day, 2 big sighs of relief….party boy happy, and frosting conquered!
Space Shuttle cake has 'landed'! Intact thankfully.
Then, bizarrely enough, I found a great site on aprons last evening, http://www.http//apronista.blogspot.com/There are links to an assortment of apron makers, and apron tutorials, for the aspiring domestic goddess and their wee domestic faeries!
There were squeals of apronista delight when I discovered a couple weeks ago, that I had won an apron, made by Little Eve, just by following a lovely lass's blog, http://www.littleeve-littleeve.blogspot.com/ run by Cathy who sells her wares through her Etsy store, and Made It. Me, who never wins anything…! It’s a cute little number called ‘cupcake’, and my little ‘B’ loves to dress up in it. So well made, tagged, and packaged beautifully it was, that I think this apron would make a gorgeous gift for a girl who likes to dabble in all things bakery and nice. Cathy also makes more domestic goodness in the form of lovely pouches, and cloth napkins.
And to top off another lovely co-incidence, it's Cathy's birthday today...just read this on your blog, Cathy!! Happy Birthday to you Cathy, hope you are having a terrific day!
Alas, I have to also confess, the book ‘A is for Apron’ sits on my bookshelf for inspiration only...but I will make myself a peg apron soon, really!
In the meantime I'll be happy to keep pondering about the previous owner of my apron. Who was she? What lovely things might she have cooked for her family, making memories whilst wearing it……?
Little Miss Cupcakes Apron by Little Eve
Tuesday
It's Tuesday and I Can't Wait.....
Patchwork Coffee Cosie in Moda Fabrics
To welcome the First day of SPRING!! Ok, so even though it feels like we are in the middle of winter (it's freezing here!), it's good to know we are now in the season of growth...and the promise of sunnier days to come.
I also can't wait to show you my new Coffee Cosies...or 'beverage blankets'...or 'drink doonas' !!! I was having a bit of fun making up some silly names, but I think I'll stick with a tried and true.
I am using a lovely soft aplaca wadding, with lots of earthy fabrics from my stash, and they are reversible so you get 2 cosies in 1! I'm going to be putting a few of these in my Etsy shop soon....no it's not a baby or child product!...These are for mum!! or dad. I think they would make a good gift. Let me know what you think?
If you would like to play 'It's Tuesday and I Can't Wait', pop over to Buttons by Lou Lou, and wish her a happy birthday for Thursday!
Some cosies in the making
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