sewing

June is going to be here very soon. It will try to creep up on me and catch me unaware. But, dear June, this year I'm a different person. I will be prepared. You won't catch me getting ready at the last minute.

So here I am preparing stitching patterns for the craft experience this year. I'm tempted to call it craft camp... but being at Peppers Springs Retreat & Spa, I think it's safe to say this will be nothing like camping. Are you coming?

the sewing challenge

I set myself a sewing challenge last week. It went like this. 
Go to the local craft store.
Choose a fabric only from the bargain basement patchwork fabrics (you know, the end of roll or just plain ugly stuff).
Make a dress.
So after roping in two sales assistants and two shoppers in the store to join my quest... I made this dress. And it's probably my favourite home made dress so far.
Now here's the disclaimer: I'm totally sucking in my stomach in these photos (can you see the concentration on my face in the first pic?). So if you meet me in person and are surprised at how much larger I am in real life... maybe keep that to yourself.

new projects

A new year and some new projects are emerging. Things that I have been procrastinating about for months are taking shape. That's just how I work. Think, think, think... then finally action. Here's the first sample of a brooch based on my 'Kokeshi' fabric design. I have a few other ideas and am excited about all the possibilities of laser cutting and also blown away with the fine detail it can achieve.

caravans

Some more of my designs for The Wall Sticker Company. This print will eventually become a fabric craft panel, but for now you can stick them on the walls. 

dreams

Dreams really do come true. Thanks to the lovely Rachel, you can now buy my fabrics in New York City. Typing this feels very surreal. Now I just need to save up the bucks to make the next delivery personally.

So drop in (if you can) and visit Rachel's store for lots of fabric and craft goodness.

teaching

A friend asked me to teach her how to crochet last night. So I passed on the knowledge that I had learnt earlier last year from a very patient teacher. And just in case my teaching didn't inspire my student... I sewed up a bag to keep her supplies in. Cuckoo clock on the front, Christmas tree on the back and a little piece of Winterwood felt stitched into the inside seam to keep a needle handy.
The good news is that my dear friend enjoyed learning so much she is teaching her two daughters tomorrow. Who would have thought? It took me 3 separate attempts over the years to finally get it. So this success has taken me by surprise!

colours of kokeshi