All manner of newness.

Things have been a little quiet here on the blog front, and it's not because things have been dull... There have been lots of photos taken and blog posts planned, just none written.Another trip to GJ's Discount Fabrics for yet another load of cheap knit fabric resulted in some gems from the $2 Fat Quarter table (can you spot the fabrics chosen by my wee girl and those chosen by me?) and a major haul of razzle-dazzle from the $2 per metre remnants.... (guess who chose that?)
There was a lovely bundle of skirt-length fabrics from Quilt Home...

and we had some new bits of shiny arrive.... 50mm D-rings, now in stock. We also have some new colours in the 48mm plastic grommets. This matt black....
And "copper" (for which we don't have an option on the colour-picker in the shop, so when you want to order theses, call them "antique brass").

NOTE: The silver grommets are temporarily out of stock, so if you order a Fan Bag, you can choose black or copper for your grommet colour. On the family front, we've had a bit of bullet-dodging going on lately. We're all appreciating the fragility of life a bit more and counting lucky stars. We're taking time to smell the roses ...and read under the shade of the lemon tree... ...sometimes with friends... ;)None of this has thus-far been blogged because I've been very busy with pre-school craft projects, the construction of razzle-dazzle dress-ups, hospital visits and a slight obsession with a little idea I've had....It's all happening.

And the Winner is....

... Catherine! Well done all, for your generous donations to flood relief.

Special mention goes to Tanya - who entered several times. I think she deserves a runners-up prize. I'll stick something in the post to you, Tan.

Strings to her bow or a rod for my back....?

The wee girl's ideas for creative pastimes are becoming more and more complicated. I've always tried to instill in her the belief that what can be imagined, can be made and now - while I'm back at work and she's yet to go to school - it's come back to bite (with big teeth).

I have to pare grand plans back to human-scale ("Where are we going to PUT that?"), and then again to "Mummy's actually at work and we really don't have the time or materials...." (cue "bad Mummy" guilt).


I was happy when she wanted to make a dress pattern yesterday - and rather impressed by the result.
We even sampled it up (red cotton-lycra jersey for the top and a stripey cotton jersey for the skirt) but forgot to photograph it before it was covered with last night's dinner.

This afternoon it was all about a calico doll.

Now, before anyone goes leaving comments about me being a good mother who encourages her child's creative side, just let it be known that I was so happy to be able to work on MY work (for a change), I left her to it and congratulated myself on coming up with an idea that would keep her out of my hair for more than three minutes. I relished in the quiet and didn't want it to end.

It did end. I was summoned to take up the baton. She had designed a doll and accessories, from basic bedding right down to jewellery, a mirror (complete with reflection), a lolly (candy) snake and a bookshelf. There was also a cd (in its case), pillows, toys and books and a "sleep sound" for dolly (ZZZZZZZ).

....and it was MY JOB to make them three-dimensional... in keeping with her (somewhat unrealistic) dolly-world vision. Cue "paring back grand plans" and clip on the Bernina Stitch Regulator....

That black circle there is a belly-button. Looking at that detail, I think I can safely assume that the girl has done a spot of navel-gazing.
Seeing what she's drawn and watching her dexterous little hands working melts my heart. As I tried to figure out how to make her dolly come to life, the Evil Mummy internal scream ("LET ME GET BACK TO MY WORK!!") gave way to fascination in her observations of small details (earrings on the ears, creases on the palms, detailed lips and nostrils and ... ahem... nipples) and the reflection of her unique world. I can't help but enjoy it. As daylight faded (and phone-calls were made to let the man of the house know that we were still alive), some designer bedding was made and a bargain struck about going home eventually....

We took the rest of the dolly kit home, and the Evil Mummy in me is hoping to sneak off to work tomorrow while the man of the house enjoys the Australia Day holiday.... ummmmm.... making a dolly-world with his daughter. (I'll enjoy seeing the results!!)

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Apparently, I'm making the clothes for Dolly.....

They came, they saw, they made a bag.

Yesterday's Bag in a Day class was lots of fun. We had people from near and far, and everyone loving bag-making. Brilliant. Bronwyn flew in from New Zealand just to sew on the fancy-schmantzy Bernina.*
*She mentioned something about a family and the tennis, but I'm sure they were incidental to the trip...;)
It was lovely to see Alex from Canberra again. She (accidentally) made a bag that matched her outfit for the trip home!

Jodie was over from Tassie. Helen, Anna and Kim are all local girls. All were grand company and made fabulous bags. I trust they all went home with a new metaphorical bag, too.... one full of new tricks!

Thanks girls. I thoroughly enjoyed the day.

Secret talent #32....

Jigsaws. I've always been really good at them. Got a puzzle with pieces that have to fit together? I'm your girl. And lately, I've been brushing up on those skills.... BIG TIME........ and wishing I had a wide-format printer (or that my favourite printers were a few suburbs closer).

I've been patternmaking and devising class notes for my Draped Top workshop in March.
Using the Japanese Drape Drape and Pattern Magic books as inspiration, I'm working on notes to show class participants how to adapt their own favourite t-shirt to add twists and drapes.

It's lots of fun, experimenting with different drape placements and styles -and with three or four overlocker (serger) seams, they're a piece of cake to whip up. Instant gratification galore! These are yesterday's photos. After a trip to GJ's bargain back-room today (to re-fuel with knit fabrics), I refined these styles and I think I have a few patterns I can grade to multi-size and make available to those of you who can't make it to class.

(Feedback required here..... Do I make cheap, simple patterns with basic instructions, or do I put in my usual umpty-five thousand hours into developing the pattern as a sewing class? Are we more interested in the pattern or the instructions here, folks...?)

Secret talent #33.... cracking the code on tricksy patternmaking techniques.

Secret talent #34.... posing like a git on the stairs.

Secret talent #35.... hairdressing (it's a bit like sculpture with scissors).

Yes, I cut away most of the 20-odd-years-of-colour and found out that I look remarkably like an elderly pixie.

Still not sure where this hair thing is going.... I'll wait and see.

Secret talent #36 - the ability to sustain a state of indecision indefinitely.

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Apparently, it's no secret that I'm quite a dab hand at bag-making. Did you know that I'm giving away one of my Laptop Bag samples? Yep.... head on over here to enter the giveaway (but go via here or here first!).

A Laptop Bag for a $5 donation to flood relief, anyone...?

I'm a bit short on time at the moment, so instead of making something specific for the Queensland Flood Appeal auctions, I've decided to add one of my original samples of the Laptop Bag to the prize pool.

It has a pleated gadget-pocket and a compartment pocket.... ..and another pocket on the front. It holds a 15" laptop computer (although I never quite got around to making a sleeve to match the bag) or it could be used as an everyday satchel to carry books and files to work or school. It could also be a nappy bag.
This bag is a smidge smaller than the size the final pattern makes, but it's possibly my favourite of all the samples that I've made. I love the fabric prints (an old range by Timeless Treasures, called Lindsey).

I'm blatantly stealing Jodie's idea of a raffle, because I think that most of us could afford to donate $5, and it makes it possible for more people to donate and take part. For every $5 donation you make to the appeal, you get a chance to be in the draw.

I feel that the postage cost to ship this baby overseas would be better spent on rebuilding flood-ravaged communities, but I'll pay postage within Australia (and you're welcome to pay the difference to your country if you're overseas and really want the bag....).

All you need to do is make a donation to the Premier's Flood Relief Appeal and leave a comment here with your receipt number . If you don't have a Blogger account or if you don't have your email address enabled on your Blogger profile, please leave it on your comment or email me directly on info@nicolemdesign.com.au. I can't contact you (should you win) otherwise.

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EDITED TO ADD: Slight change of rules.... I'm going to include donations to THE RED CROSS, who have started a fund to assist people affected by the Victorian floods. Leave your receipt number here if you've made a donation.....

If you want an entry for every $5 you've donated, I'm afraid you'll have to have a separate receipt number for every $5, otherwise you can enter once (one receipt number) for any donation over $5.

I'll do a random number draw next (changed to...) WEDNESDAY night. Please don't leave a comment unless it's with a receipt number, as that mucks up the whole random number thingamie.

There are a few other raffles (like this, this and this and this and this...) amongst the auctions, so even if you don't have a large amount to donate, you can make a contribution and still be in with a chance to win a giveaway! Watch Toni's blog for updates....

For those of you in North and Western Victoria... I have everything crossed for you that those floods are not endangering you, your family or your property. My heart goes out to those who haven't been so lucky.

Small things

It's been a weekend for enjoying the little things, like taking pleasure in the texture of knitted pure wool, the sense of achievement in finishing something, and the adorable cuteness of baby clothes.

After the initial panic (when baby-size slippers emerged from the washing machine) and the ensuing stretching-the-bejeezus-out-of-dense-felt, there's a huge sense of satisfaction hovering about our house over a certain felting project.... They fit!

Our recent weirdy tropical weather may not agree with delicate little flowers like me, but the garden is looking AMAZING! Lots of baby vegetables and luscious foliage.

Spanakopita, anyone....?

The figgy forest at the bottom of the garden is promising great things (if the bats and birds don't get the fruit first).

And there are lots of little moments to enjoy...
...like a happy, healthy child on a swing

...under a heavily-laden, super-shady apple tree

...in shortie-pajamas and shiny silver shoes

..at midday.

We have many reasons to be grateful. While I feel lucky to have the time to smile at the small, everyday things, my thoughts are with the people who have been affected by the floods in QLD and WA, and with those anticipating impending floods in our own state. I wish I could send at least a little bit of ordinary to them, and wish them lots of safe and dry.

'Er Indoors

I didn't get out much this last week. Not even virtually.

The week began with a HUUUUUUUUGE catch-up on internet orders, ordering stock and entertaining a not-quite-at-school kid. Then it was straight in to Beginner's Sewing Classes.


I really am loving my new teaching space (and in this "Melbourne goes tropical" week, have fallen in love with with the air-con all over again). The classes were fun and it was very rewarding to see people leave with a whole new set of skills and ideas. (I also discovered my new favourite dip and some yummy choc-chip cookies).

All the while, I've been enjoying my new coasters, made by Vireya. I love them. Really, really love them. There are 10 of them - enough for a full class and everyone in the office!


The news from Queensland shocked me into a stunned silence in blogland and social-media world. I didn't feel that I could say anything trite and everyday.... but felt powerless to do or say anything meaningful.

I signed up for an auction to raise funds for flood relief efforts in QLD. See Toni's blog for more details about this fund-raiser, and watch this space next week for an auction of one of my handmade bags. It's a little something that I can do. If you can too, why don't you? Or why don't you bid your donation on one of the many auctions happening next week?

The journey continues...

This time last year, I was facing the prospect of starting the new year with a mix of fear and resignation. I knew there would be good times, but was preparing for the challenges. And there were challenges. Oh boy, were there challenges. Like push-starting a Combi to the Gulf of Carpentaria and back, anything is possible with determination and teamwork - and I have good people around me.

We got through.... and there were indeed good times.

That's me up there (shading my eyes) in the rather fetching vinyl A-line pinny. It was brown with a big ring on its centre-front brass zip. I wore it from when it was a dress to when it no longer fit as a top and I loved it to bits.

The year 2010 didn't pass without some pain and difficulty. Some unforseens.... Some lessons learned.

Photo of me, aged 4, sporting my souvenir of the journey to the Gulf of Carpentaria.

This year, I'm hoping for some more time to relax. Perhaps we'll even have a family holiday....?

Photo of my Dad, grandfather and aunt.

I need to swim more this year.

Ah, the things we do for love.... My Mum HATED the water, and you can see it in her stance (that's her in front of the slide) as she helped her kids enjoy the water.

My family went through the emotional mill in 2010 and we still have a lot of grief ahead of us. Hopefully, this year there will be less drama and upheaval. Less wrenching and more acceptance.

For me, the last year has brought about a greater sense of my place in the world, the cycles of life... the grand scheme of things... what we leave behind and how we use the now....

Photo of my Grandmother. (...Can any family members help me out here? ...Is that Dad as a baby?)

Edited to add: Baby is not Dad, but his first cousin. My grandmother's first niece.

I'm embarking on the journey of 2011 with plans and hopes for what I'd like to achieve, the acceptance that there'll be good times and bad and the keen awareness that it's the incidental everyday things I say and do that really matter the most. Those are the things that will endure beyond my time on this earth. It's how I can make a difference.

Photo of Mum and Dad setting off on their honeymoon.

I'm beside-myself excited/nervous/hopeful/scared/hugely-relieved as I anticipate the May-June release of my book. It's been a long time coming, and to me, will always represent what can happen - against the odds - with a bit of self-belief and the support of good people (that's YOU, folks!).

It won't be without a few tears, that I send my one-and-only baby girl off to school this year, but I'm preparing to be amazed and inspired by her growing intellect, creativity and individuality as she embarks on her life without me as the centre of her universe.

I'm excited by the prospect of using my new teaching space, formulating new workshops and designing new patterns. I'm thrilled to again have the opportunity to pass on a bit of what I know and to watch it flower in those of you who use it to enhance your own creative journey. For me, that's what it's all about. That's the stuff that feeds my soul.

Bring it on.