Can't talk.... writing.

I'm not ignoring you - although that's the way it might appear...

Big scary deadline looming.

No time for chat just now.

Apologies for brief or unanswered emails/comments, for the lack of comments on your blog and for the lack of thoughtful blog-posts of late.

Big fish a-frying here. Back soon.

Very soon.

Scary soon.

Flicker Favourites...on a Saturday

DSCF1038
Originally uploaded by Liam's Mummy

Carmel made the Teardrop Purse in my Advanced Frame Purse Class last year. She recently made a little Puff purse to go with it - and used some of the structural techniques she learned from the Poppet Purse Kit.

Who's a clever girl, then?
See more fabulous creations made using my patterns and supplies on the Flickr group HERE. Perhaps you'd like to add a few of your own...?

My Creative Space

Is turning Japanese...

Results will be posted in about a year's time.... (sorry).

More creative spaces here.... thanks Kirst.

Nina Wish Comes to Town!

Nina Wish Designs is coming down from the mountains with a collection of winter wares.

For ONE DAY ONLY they'll be installed at RUSSIAN HOUSE in Fitzroy, so you can see the latest range of clothing and snap up summer bargains at half their normal price.
Also on show will be a sneak preview of locally handcrafted resin jewellery.

When: Friday 28th May 2010

Where: Russian House
118 Greeves Street Fitzroy
(corner of Gore St)
Mel Ref: 2C C8

Time: 2pm until 8pm

Interfacing secrets revealed!

As anyone who uses lots of interfacings knows, the only way to fully understand interfacings is to try them out on different fabrics and for different purposes. Eventually, you'll start to understand what the likely outcome will be.

We have a few sample packs left over from the Stitches and Craft Show. Each pack contains a random assortment of interfacings and support materials - all labelled so that you know what they are. Most pieces are large enough to test on a bag base or small purse.

If you're feeling a bit lost when it comes to choosing the appropriate support for your bag and purse projects, this could be for you. For $7.50 you can take a great leap forward in your ability to make the right choice.

Packs are limited, and limited to one per customer, and they are available HERE!

The Weekend That Wasn't Long Enough

I'd like to live at Sewjourn. I certainly didn't feel ready to pack up and come home yesterday.

It was a relaxing weekend with a fantastic bunch of talented people... a very colour-conscious bunch they were, too....

Megan had jars of colour-sorted buttons.

Lara's wine was in a careful tonal arrangement with her threads.

Kathryn and Rachel created a very pretty white and pastel table setting that co-ordinated beautifully with sauv-blanc.

Jodie's multi-coloured thread stand matched her multiple crafting talents. I particularly liked how the reds in the stand matched the Coopers label.

And it was extraordinary how Catherine and I managed to co-ordinate glass-filling time.

Annie somehow evaded my camera, but was her usual multi-talented, colour-co-ordinated self.

Thanks girls, for a fantastic weekend of great fun, food and laughter, and the opportunity to be present amongst so much talent and damn fine company.

I'd also like to thank my camera battery charger for having a cord that (amazingly) fits a Bernina Aurora 440. Without it, I would have been doing a lot of hand sewing for the weekend.

A funny conversation this morning....

Man of the house: "So.... this evening....?"
Me: "I'm off to Sewjourn. I'll be back sometime Sunday afternoon".
Man of the House: "What...?" (Looks totally bewildered)

(...and he says he listens to me?)

So I'm off with my other true love for the weekend. Seeya Sunday.

My Creative Space

Is full of piles of stuff. I have them all over the place at the moment....


Things to take to Sewjourn on the weekend....


Things to make for the book (quite possibly at Sewjourn)...

And samples to return to GJ's display (taken for the Stitches and Craft Show display).

Never one for making lists (which horrifies some people!!), I tend to make little visual to-do lists for myself in the form of piles of stuff. When the mess is clear, I know that the to-do list has been ticked off.

(Yes... I know lists are smaller and tidier, but the pile system works for me and lists don't - probably because lists are so small and tidy that I lose them!).

...

Pop over to Kirst's for more creative spaces.

A little bit of cheer-me-up...

Sometimes I feel like a treat but can't justify spending loads of money. It's at such times that I do a search on "Sewing" in the Better World Books "Used" section. For about $20 I can look forward to a bundle of reference books to add to the library. They're often around $3-$4USD each.

With sewing books, the information is all useful despite the change in styling through the decades. I've used all three books since they arrived on Monday and I'm sure they'll be pulled out again and again.

I can also smile a warm and fuzzy sort of smile, knowing that I've made the world a better, more literate place with my purchase.

And then..... sometimes when I want a bit of cheer-me-up..... I spend loads of money on a book I've wanted for a REALLY long time.

I love this book. And now I can stroke it's silky-matt cover and drool all over the stunning photographs of divinely draped 1930's garments. Bias cuts and inset panels.... (and is it just me or does it look like that woman is using a mobile phone?)

But this is the best thing... the patterns that explain the HOW of the designs. I'm singing this song today...

The man of the house (a tad concerned about my retail therapy) asked me one day, "But... do THINGS really make you happy?"

...

...

Some days they certainly bring a little sunshine!

Several blog posts behind....

Everything is happening in May and I can hardly keep up with my intentions to blog about the goings-on here.

I promised Stitches and Craft loot a while back, so before it's last year's news, here it is....

A goodie bag from Notebook Magazine, which I must say I'm really impressed with (the magazine as well as the Baci chocolate.... how did they know it was my favourite?). I took the magazine to the hairdressers on Friday instead of reading the trashy gossip magazines they usually offer. Super good read.


New felt from Winterwood - a mix of wool and viscose. I'm dying to try this stuff out - it's lovely and thick.

I treated myself to a metre of stunning Ink&Spindle fabric to make a skirt and also found some remnant pieces of Dick & Jane fabric at Earthgirl Fabrics.

A Crochet necklace from Crayon Chick and a Sausage Dog Kit from Craft Schmaft.

Edwina Bolger was next door with these irresitable egg cosies - so beautifully presented in their little noodle boxes that I went home with two of them.

I have great plans for the new Pippiejoe fabrics.... you'll see more of these.

I couldn't resist a few more button badges from Red Parka Designs. The wee girl and I seem to buy them at any craft market Jen goes to.

The always-thoughtful Nikki (as opposed to this particular Nikki) helped me on my stand at the show, and she made this book to keep my writing-obsessed girl busy.

It really speaks the wee one's language. She's been telling us that she's a frog for over a year - and now she can WRITE it!!!

I may not ever catch up on all the blog posts I planned to write. Each week seems to present a new focus, and windows of blogging oportunity pass quickly. This week is all about work on the book and then a weekend in Sewjourn. I'll fill you in when I can!

The Great Sew It Together Weekend

The Sew It Together weekend was fantastic.

Friday night was champagne and laughter with old and new friends... bloggers from near and far putting names to faces and connecting like old friends.

(Although I think Cathy is trying to hypnotise Lara here.....)

Saturday was a hoot. I think I should have won the prize for the least crafting done (I did more on the 15 minute train trip to the city than I did for the rest of the day).

I did lots of chatting, making cups of tea (occasionally drinking them but mostly leaving them scattered about the room to go cold) and even squeezed in a trip to Tessuti.

There were fabulous giveaways from sponsors and there was endless warmth and sharing of ideas and experience amongst the fabulous bunch of women who attended.

You can see the linky list here and more photos here.

There were lots of photo opportunities...

...and opportunities to have one's photo taken (that's Lara and me below... thanks Andi!).

.... and don't you just love babies' velvety little ears and warm little baby heads...? Esther is lucky - she got to take this cutie home. (Well, she actually brought her there, too, so I suppose it's only fair).

Supersized THANK YOU to Sheridan for all her work that made the weekend a complete and resounding success. I'm sure we're all looking forward to meeting up again in Sydney next year!!!

My Creative Space

I was in the sewing cave for a while today, with my old-faithful machine. It felt like home to me. I wondered why I have never ever tired of sewing. I marvelled at trying to guess the (thousands of?) hours I've spent at this machine over the last decade and a half.

I also wondered what possessed me to make something in hot pink satin.

There was also much excitement over preparations for tomorrow night. A dishwasher full of champagne flutes and several boxes of bottles stuffed into fidges throughout the building, name-tags and guest lists...... one sleep to go.

...

...

Other creative spaces can be seen over at Kirsty's. Thanks Kirst - you're the mostest!

The virtual tour of the Stitches and Craft Show continues...

Don't you just love a bit of furniture revamping? REISSUED restyles furniture with fabulous fabrics. You can email them for more information about where to see and buy their work.

Little Eve's gifts for girls were candy sweet.

And Lisa's Sweetie range has exploded since I saw her in Sydney last year.

Kristen is always a joy to see... even if she doesn't bring her Ikea-whizz Dad to every show.

Kate and her adorable toys were there (I went home with the fish for the wee girl). She also had yarn that made me wish I could knit.

..as did Sue from Hawthorne Cottage. I have this thing about yarn lately.... might be the start of something...?

Today I took lots of photos of loot from the show... and left the camera at work. I'll follow up with that (and more links) soon.

...

...

Two sleeps until Sew It Together. I'm a bit excited. Check out today's post for all the details of what, where an how for the events of the weekend.