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 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.

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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.

Stitches.. to begin at the beginning...

Set-up day. Saved by Bec and Ms CurlyPops' fabulous sister, who helped with the four-flights-of-stairs and three vehicles adventure to the venue. The Ikea shelf was deconstructed and reconstructed (so much for pre-construction.... it wouldn't fit in the van!). Ten hours (yes, I really did say ten hours) of setting up the stand....

I filled (with bags and hats) the most enormous hat-stand the world has seen.

The neighbours were lovely. Those fabulous Ink & Spindle gals and their gorgeous fabric were just across the aisle - great company and very swap-with-able. (I have some fab loot, which I'll reveal later).

Winterwood's felt is so lush I could eat it. Honestly folks - this pure wool stuff is the biz when it comes to felt. I'm a huge convert. And those dragons... eep! (Trying not to gush).

I really really love Julie's wonkies - wondering if I should add to the collection started in Sydney last year...?

These Funky Friends made me go a bit goofy and gushy, too...

It was great to catch up with Caitlin at Pippjoe (...and I have... ahem... more loot to show from this stall.... ). Liesl was also helping Caitlin out, so it was doubly nice to visit.

More home-grown textile printing from Nic at Yardage Design had me thinking about how spoiled we are here for original, talented independent textile designers.

And the inimitable Jodie.... what can I say? What would we do without her and her humour, talent and late-afternoon chocolate distribution?

Thanks to Lara, Nikki, Bree and Leonie for helping me on the stand. Thanks to Leah for soldiering on (with a cold) in the office, and to Super-Duper-Pops for getting me and half a ton of patterns organised for the show. Also thanks to the lovely Cathie for bringing her delicious cupcakes!

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More on the show later. I have more photos, more links and more loot to show, but not much brainspace to do it all right now. Talk soon....

Showtime!

Bags are packed and ready for the big up-and-down-four-flights-of-stairs car-loading adventure tomorrow. Bump-in day for the show. It's my least-favourite part (seconded by the up and down stairs bit after the show).

I think everyone needs to read what Jodie has to say about the Stitches and Craft Show. It's the post I've been trying to formulate in my poor little overworked brain these last few weeks and haven't been able to find the words. She says it all. Jodie also points over to Jennie, who has very nicely made a linky list of Incubator bloggy-types who you should really come and say hello to at the show.

And now I'd like to introduce The Straw That (Nearly) Broke the Camel's Little Overworked Brain..... known to those-in-the-know as the "Party Purse".

The Party Purse is a cute little wristlet with an optional draped detail (which can be on one side, both sides or not included at all). It has a zippered closure (a different method from the Coin and Make-Up purses) and darted shaping in the body of the purse. It's a quick-fix project for those afternoon "Yikes! I need a bag to match my outfit by this evening" moments.

It's $15 for the pattern and the product code is P1001.

If you're just beginning to branch out from beginner sewing projects, this is an excellent choice. It will teach you a few tricks without being too daunting. If you've used (and learned from) my other bag patterns, you can add rings and detachable straps and change it into a small shoulder bag or handbag.

It'll have its first outing at the Stitches and Craft Show. To celebrate, there's going to be a SUPER GOOD DEAL involving it.... at the show. You have to come.

If you'd like to order the Party Purse Pattern online, it's on the website. Leah's holding the fort while I'm away and will be answering enquiries and processing orders as efficiently as ever this week. Go on... give her something to do!
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See you at - or after - the Show!

Ready, Steady....

Well... not quite ready or steady... but closer to being there. Having learned my lesson in constructing Ikea furniture at bump-in time (ending in the inevitable tears and then thankfully being saved by Kristen's Dad) at the Sydney show last year, I spent a goodly portion of today with pieces of badly-laminated MDF, allen keys and those little wooden pegs Ikea love.

I now have a much-bigger-than-I-imagined (or thought of how I'm going to move it) display unit sitting in the hallway of my house.... simultaneously obstructing access to lounge, bedroom, bathroom and front door.

I'm looking forward to seeing the divine Ms Doran and her lovely prints.... and I'm missing her Dad already.

The lovely Holly will be teaching needle felting.... if I wasn't going to be chained to my stall for the entire show, I think I'd be heading off to that one.

New to Stitches and Craft, but certainly not new to Blogland, is the wonderfully witty Leisl of Hoppo Bumpo fame, who will be teaching a class in making her funky showercap design in gorgeous Pippijoe fabric. Caitlin of Pippijoe will also be at the show.

The eternally effervescent Sandra of Pepperberry & Co is teaching lots of workshops - including a talk on how to bring your crafty dream into reality. She did it and she can tell you how!

In fact, there are LOADS of craft labs, stitch bars and talks organised. I particularly like that they have the "Small Talk" business series - for people who are thinking about turning their hobby into an enterprise. Kate Vandermeer (who has a long history in fashion journalism and fashion forcasting) will be giving valuable tips of trends, business and marketing.

I was also talking to Elissa from Kelani Fabric Obsession yesterday, and she tells me she has LOADS of gorgeous new fabrics for the show, and will be on the ground floor as you walk in the door. So if you're going to the Quilt Convention this weekend, save some of your fabric budget .

If you're able to make it to the show, please make it.... you'll make it worth all the effort we're putting into it if you come and say hello. If you have a blog, bring cards with your address and come up to the Incubator. It'll be like coming home.

If you're in another part of the world, I hope you enjoy following my links. I'll follow up with more links after the show.

My Creative Space

Tables are filling up.... Getting ready for the Show.

Patterns and kits galore.

I also started a new purse pattern for the show (...am I mad?) and have been cooking up lots of ideas for super-specials to have for customers who visit us there.

Oh... I forgot to mention in yesterdays post, that there are also 40mm antique brass rings going out at 20%off - until they're all gone.

Check out what's going on around the global village of creative spaces over at Kirst's....

Child's Play

The wee girl convinced me to spend about $7 on a "Fuzzy Felt-esque" set at Officeworks yesterday. The fun lasted as long as it took her to separate all the half-stamped-out shapes from the squares of felt and pile them onto the board.

I thought perhaps she needed a bigger ocean, so gave her a large piece of acrylic felt (bought off the roll at Spotlight) and my felt scraps.

She designed a night-time scene of houses by a river (with a whale... of course) and an apple tree. She then insisted that I help, and together we built the rocket and space ships.

This felt creation engaged her for at least an hour or two, and I was sorry for having been sucked in by the quick fix Officeworks packet.

I wish I had the time to put into working with my girl to make a few things for "Mini-Me Handmade" at the Stitches and Craft Show. It's the opportunity for little crafters sell their handmade wares for a few hours at the show (with help from a parent).

I know the wee girl would LOVE it, and adults ALWAYS buy the things little kids make.... but I'm a bad Mummy who has other fish to fry right now.

I remember the support my Mum gave me at little markets and the local craft shop, when I was a 7-year-old with a small craft business**.... making dolls clothes and cushion covers (badly), making reasonably good soft toys (I've examned a few of them recently), sticking split peas on gift cards and drawing in the spider legs, wrapping soap in various textile creations..... My Mum patiently drove me hither and thither, bought my materials, did long days as a volunteer in the local community craft shop and always gave me confidence in what I was doing. I wish I was a bit more like her.

**I actually made all my pocket money from craft until I was about 16 (when I was too focused on sewing clothes for myself and being a girly-swot at school to bother with anything else). As you can see from the photo below (taken when I was 12) that my sewing skills far surpassed my photography skills.

In case you haven't yet downloaded the show guide to see all the goings-on at the show, here are the details for Mini Me Handmade.

Mini Me Handmade runs 10.00 am – 12.00pm on the Saturday of the Show.

The cost is $10 - inc. GST - per stall and includes entry to The Stitches & Craft Show for one child and one parent.

All items must be handmade and created by the child participating or their helpful sibling(s).
A table and chair will be provided. To assist with supervision, money handling, bathroom breaks and encouragement, every child must be accompanied by an adult.

Applications are open to children 10 years and younger.
BYO cameras.

For more information: T: 1800 770 222 E:

exhibiting@stitchesandcraft.com.au

My Creative Space

Hasn't been tidied since last week.......or was that two weeks before that?

It's all going on, and the clock is ticking too fast. I'd be lost without Cam and Leah (holding the fort in the office and stock control) right now, and my super team of secret-squirrel pattern testers. THANKS, TEAM!

I've been working dayshifts and nightshifts on the book. Not much else.

*My apologies for the lack of bloggable craft on several of your favourite blogs lately. Blame me. I swore them to secrecy.

The only non-rummaged-through fabric in the place is this new bundle that arrived yesterday. I'm still at the stroking tenderly stage with it.

I had to find more of the green Rhapsody floral fabric (to go with the orange one I was looking for) and while I was there I also stocked up on some bits from the Blush range by Basic Grey for Moda and some sweet American Jane florals. Gotta love a daisy.

(I found the orange fabric at another shop but wasn't super-happy with the service - so no linky blog post for that one!! The Quilt Shoppe were great, though.)

Also on my desk by mid-morning today was the new SEW DARN CUTE book that I won on Chunky Chooky's blog giveaway YESTERDAY. Now THAT's service!!

I have a feeling this one will be much-used in the great indoctrination plan . Lots of very appealing projects for beginners - and I think a fantastic resource for Mummy-and-wee-one sewing ideas.

And Stitches & Craft Show preparations...? Well - we're getting organised (I hope). And the organisers? They've been doing LOTS of organising, too! You can DOWNLOAD THE SHOW GUIDE from here.

Jodie's been getting organised, too.... three new patterns and a talk about blogging. Sheesh. I'd best get my skates on....

See all the other creative spaces on show over at Kirst's place. They're probably tidier than mine.

Stitches and Craft Show in Sydney

In pictures and links... still having problems with forming sentences here. All talked out. My stand - luckily on a corner so I could s p r e a d out and fit hat stands and people!! I was also lucky to have Gay helping out on the weekend. Thanks Gay!

The Charlie's Angels of the textile world - Ink & Spindle. (Yep - I now have some more of their gorgeous fabric).

Cute critters from Two Little Banshees (ummmm...yes - I now own one of these, too)

The Red Thread's adorable Sweeties.

Fabulous textile accessories from Berlinski.

Craft Schmaft's too-cute sock toys.

Lino Creative's fabulous prints and softies.

Gorgeous gorgeousness from Rourke and Henry.

Beauty and wit from Rummage... and from the fabulous Nan, herself.

Harper and Edie Japanese fabrics.... mmmmm.... couldn't resist.

Super cute Sprout Design.

Old Show buddies Audrey and Maude still manage to charm me with cute new softie patterns.

I LOVED this teacosy from Artish.

Fabulous fabrics by my flatmate for the week -the lovely Pippijoe. (Yep... bought myself a bundle!)

Juicy Roo's wonkie bunnies blew me away. (Couldn't leave without one!)

Kristen Doran's new prints are divine.... and her Dad is really good at putting together Ikea furniture (many thanks to Kristen's dad ... for without him I may not have actually HAD a stand!!).

Dear, Dear Fii's stand was a dose of happiness. Colour, cuteness and cleverness.... (and yup... I now have my own Dear Fii wrist pincushion!)

I also have a new tote bag and a swathe of badges from my gorgeous neighbour and all-round rockin' chick Justine from MixTape. (I also came home to find the latest MixTape zine had arrived in my mailbox - yippee!).

The sad thing was that I have to WAIT for all the goodies to arrive. They wouldn't fit in my luggage so I had to freight them back with my stand things. (Oh - did I mention I also bought a couple of books... who'd have thought...?).

So... a good time was had and I have the loot to prove it. It was a great show, and I'd like to thank the organisers for their constant support and all the hard work they've put into injecting new life into the Stitches and Craft Show. The Incubator Section recieved an amazingly positive response from everyone - including die-hard older S&C-goers. With more support from our corner of the craft community, the show will continue the transformation of a tired old lady into a vibrant showcase of our inspiring contemporary crafts scene.

A special thanks, too - to Leah, Ann Marie and Cam for all their help in the lead-up to the show, and for keeping the home-fires burning while I was away.