capelet

I can't tell you how hard it is to take a decent photo using a mirror and not getting the camera in the picture. The kids weren't at home to do the job, so here's my poor attempt at capturing the gorgeous capelet that Lisa gave to me last week. That girl is a talent with the crochet hook!

green

Getting ready for The Finders Keepers market this month in Melbourne. There's a LOT of sewing going on here. Some new green and grey 'Fang Monsters' zip purses and pencil cases. Even some orange FLURO winter nest. Yes, that's right. Fluro. I was born in the '70s, enjoyed my teens in the '80s and that means I saw (and wore) the trend first hand... the first time around. I usually don't like a trend when it hits again. But the fluro trend in homewares seems to hit the spot. Not all gaudy like my 'choose life' crop top.

brooches

Last year I turned up to The Finders Keepers market in Melbourne very excited about my products and especially my new wooden laser cut brooch designs. That was until I looked around and... every second stall (and I'm exaggerating here for the sake of a good story) had... wooden laser cut brooches. And they were stunningly beautiful. I even bought one from another stallholder. Doh. My resolve, as much fun as they are to design, don't make any more.
A year has passed. My love for laser cut wood has not faded. I have designed new products (Stitch Panels) and with that new design came a little space at the bottom of my template that needed to be used up. Yep, brooch sized space. I recently bought some very cute little round silver tins, yep... brooch sized. So it seems the universe was saying something to me. You do the math.
I'll be bringing these to Finders Keepers next month and crossing my fingers that no one else has 'embroidered wooden laser cut brooches in little round silver tins'.

stitch panels

Why just stitch on fabrics, when you can use red panels? My new designs as art. Stitch in any colour and place around the house. I've also ordered these in wood veneer and should have them ready for The Finders Keepers market in Melbourne next month. Typing 'next month' made things seem so much closer. Arrrgh. Better get back to sewing.

teaching

photo by tindale images

photo by tindale images

On Wednesday I'll be hanging out and chatting with a small group of crafters at Free Range Living, Kurnell. The class will include an introductory talk about my business and the history of building a small at home textile business. I'll answer any questions I can about the screen printing process, sourcing fabrics and choosing colours. Also develop on how I find inspiration, draw designs and get them ready for print. And of course how to embroider back stitch and chain stitch AND generally have fun! 

If you want to join us call or email the store: info@freerangeliving.co or call 0404 933 089

present #2

Designed by Claire and part of the Meet Me at Mikes book I contributed to a while back... I made a little soft toy from the pattern for my God daughter. And of course, now that it's too late, I've noticed there are no eyebrows, eyelashes or a nose (not to mention the smile is way too big).

present

One panel of hand printed fabric.

Half an hour spare sewing time.

Four drinks coasters for a house-warming gift.