retreat update

Grant Studios

Inside Out magazine

make it cross stitch donated by Sew & Tell, Berry.

Embroidery samples for the Sew Craft Retreat.

Wow, I'm so overwhelmed by the generosity of people! Three amazing companies have come onboard and donated some gorgeous products for the retreat. This means that everyone attending the day will receive a bag of crafty treats on arrival. Thanks so much to Sew & Tell, Inside Out magazine and Grant Studios.
And thanks to so many lovely crafters (and some that are new to craft!) for booking in and supporting me running this event for the first time. I'm looking forward to sharing the day with everyone. There are a few spots available, so if you've been thinking about it now is the time to book in.

little owls revisited

Little owls is a design I created back in 2006. My second print design for sale under the label 'kristen doran design'. Not too long ago I decided to revamp it a little. Up the sizes and roughen the edges of my hand drawn lines.

3 ducks cushion

I've been preparing samples for the SEW craft retreat. This one I made from the '3 ducks' embroidery and some winter nest yardage.

presents

Presents for friends using my winter nest print. The cloud sewing pattern is from Fiona of Hop Skip Jump and the dinosaur is a pattern from Little Black Teapot (though I did modify this one).

at the fair

Arnold hanging about on my new rug.

Last week Mel and I went to the Quilt and Craft Fair at Darling Harbour. Above is the small stash of craft I brought home. Habu yarn to complete a scarf I started a year ago (shame), hooked yarn for a rug (now complete - see last pic) and Fiona's book. I have already made 'arnold' and am about to attempt the 'cloud pillow'.

dipping jars

Hi there! My name is Kimberley Reh and I am on work experience with Kristen this week.
We've been preparing for the craft retreat these past couple of days and today we decorated a whole heap of jars to decorate the tables.

This idea is all thanks to Chiara Alberetti Milott's 'Paint-dipped Baby Food Jars DIY' on the Oh Happy Day blog.

Here's how to DIY...

First, you'll need: clean jars, water-based paint, wax paper, shallow bowl, (I also found it useful to use a straw or stick to wipe excess paint)

Pour some paint into the bowl (have a look at the images to get an idea of how much paint you need). Spread out some wax paper, making sure that it doesn't get blown about by the wind!
Once you tip the bowl on an angle, dip the edge of the jar in the paint and slowly turn as the paint touches the jar.
There was a lot of excess paint dripping off the jars so we waved them around a bit until the dripping stopped (or alternatively scrape the drips off with a stick or straw).
Put them down right-side up on the wax paper, let them dry for an hour or two.
Once the sides are relatively dry and won't drip, turn the jars upside-down so that the bottom can dry.
WALAH!

modern

My modern take on an embroidered flower. This is so simple, but has taken me some time due to my indecision. Colours. I have sewn and unpicked this a few times until I was happy with the colour choice.
This is one of the 3 new designs available at the SEW craft retreat in August.