getting ready for the finders keepers

new 1" hand printed bias tape on wooden bobbins

a happy accident by my printer means a new kokeshi colourway

coin purses made from Gypsy Caravan print (on super soft hemp/organic cotton)
 ready to go to the finders keepers, Melbourne

crochet

my next laser cut and engraved brooch design
I love how intricate this piece is. My fantastic laser cutting guy was not so sure this was possible. Something about the laser cutting being so close and maybe the whole piece catching on fire... 

gypsy in print

film :: pantone swatches :: fabric

film :: fabric :: screens (under table)

close up

Printed. Finally. I expected to get this one done earlier, but for whatever reason I was a bit late in getting the fabrics to the printer. They have done a fantastic job of printing this design and I immediately put in an order for another print run in pink/orange/inky purple.

 I always push aside everything else and sew up a new fabric the moment it comes home. And I can see my Dad shaking his head and calling out across the internet land as he reads this 'have you done your tax yet?'. Sorry Dad. This had to be sewn... really.

stickers

There's a little game going on at our house. This bird gets moved numerous times during the week. The boys move it and it's my job to find it. One night there was a bird on the floorboards beside my bed (thanks to my seven year old).
I have a few single bird samples to giveaway with any purchases made in my fabric store this week. But if you want to get the full set, there's 2 weeks left to buy them from here.

mollybirds sticker set available from The Wall Sticker Company

edit: I have just received an email from The Wall Sticker Company asking if they could add my designs to their core range. Didn't take me long to say yes. So if you think you missed out... you haven't!

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.