the outcome of my sewing day, an entry into Bricolage design prize II. It's a cushion made from a upcycled ladies woolen sports coat and child jumper, cushion comes complete with handy pockets, perfect for storing the remote or lollies maybe :)
I entered last year with a bird nesting box made from bits of acrylic off-cuts, maybe this year I will win!! no really, it's just great that there are competitions like this which encourage us to think about what we throw away and what could be given a new lease on life!
May 31, 2009
Tree hugger cushion
May 29, 2009
Hot design for a cold day
kleenex tissue box via The Dieline
Project credits: Hiroko Sanders, Illustrator
Jennifer Brock, Senior Designer/Brand Design – Kimberly Clark Corp.
This is making me dream of summer days! In truth Autumn is my favourite season, but on a cold dreary day like today a dash of summer is just what I needed, thanks the dieline!
May 27, 2009
Granny day 16-21
These grannies and the grannies from my last post are my week of "hues". I'm so excited to see the growing collection of squares!
Some wonderful news, my cousin Emma had a baby boy on Monday. Congratulations and welcome Jacob!
Granny day 17, originally uploaded by things to make and do.
Granny day 18, originally uploaded by things to make and do.
Granny day 19-20, originally uploaded by things to make and do.
Granny day 21, originally uploaded by things to make and do.
May 25, 2009
in a sewing state of mind
I've been working on a few sewing projects over the last 2 weeks. Birthday presents x 2 and an entry into Bricolage II . I've really enjoyed having my sewing machine out again and I intend to keep it out for a little while to finish off a few projects. I've set up a little sewing area, where I can look out on the cold wintery valley from my safe and warm in the living room. Who could ask for more :)
May 23, 2009
Roman's room before... and after
I love the 'before and after' section of Design Sponge . There are some beautiful and inspiring projects. It is so wonderful when people can see an opportunity within objects and spaces and can bring out them best in them.
This was our spare room before Roman came along. I wanted to create a space which I would enjoy (I knew I'd be spending a lot of time in there!)
...and here it is!
I found painting the trees when I was 8 months pregnant a bit hard going but had a grand ol' time seeing it all come together. I cut-out the red birds from vinyl offcuts from my local sign writers. It was difficult to find furniture locally that I liked and that suited the space, most of it came from interstate in the end. It is frustrating not to have the selection here, thank God for the internet! Some favourite pieces of furniture are; Seed organic cradle, Eames (replica :( ) fiberglass RAR rocker and Ikea Hensvik change table. I also really love the Flensted mobiles I was given as gifts (thanks Kelly, Meg and Madeleine!)
May 22, 2009
May 21, 2009
May 19, 2009
The hardest button to button
I've been a big fan of op-shops, thrift stores and antique shops for some time now and have many precious objects I have collected over the years (I'm sure I'm not alone!). I used to look for vintage clothes, but have less patience for it these days and spend most of my time looking at home-wares, furniture and books.
I think as the popularity of "vintage" has grown and as a result the shops tend to be a bit more clued-in. Sometimes this makes it is hard to find a bargain (sometimes it makes for a great searching adventure). Among the over-priced vintage buttons I found a big bag (maybe 500 or so) for only $3. I have a large button collection which is separated into buttons to use and buttons to love, these will be very useful indeed.
Also some small glass vases to turn into moss terrariums, inspiration here. Check out this moss carpet by Nguyen La Chanh what a wonderful concept!
This is one of my all time fav vintage finds, a double sided Skeletor/Heman lamp... nice
May 18, 2009
Eric Carle 40th Anniversary
I've always loved The very Hungry Catterpilar by Eric Carle, it was a favourite as a child and I'm having great joy sharing it with Roman. We popped into a local bookstore to look for Sewing Green but found these 40th anniversary addition board books instead. The books are: numbers, animal sounds, colours and words. They are all filled with Eric Carle's beautiful illustrations.
May 16, 2009
Day 7 granny
day 7 granny (mother's day granny, pictured with my mother's day gift! Yay!)), originally uploaded by things to make and do.
This year was my 1st mother's day and this book my 1st mother's day present! Blair is very patient with my craft needs, so much so I have taken over a room of the house with all of my fabric, wool, pencils, pens and books.
I have a few unfinished crafty type projects hanging over my head, I'm sure I'm not alone! At the moment (apart from the granny squares) I have a quilt 98% done, another quilt 50% done, a knitted hoody for Roman 90% done, a set of booties 50% done and not to mention an entire journal filled with ideas for books, illustrations, jewelry, exhibitions, animations and softies.
I think I should finish at least 2 of these projects before starting something new from this book! Otherwise I may need another room in the house for all my things...
May 15, 2009
Day 6 & souper dooper soup
Today was a rainy day, subsequently it was a day filled with rainbows. The lovely silver lining to dreary days.
I made my favourite soup to warm up:
Hearty Red Lentil
Butter (for cooking onion)
1 Large Onion
Table spoon Crushed Garlic
Table spoon Crushed Ginger
Cumin (I have no idea how much I put in maybe a few teaspoons, I just keep going till it tastes good)
250g red lentils
400g tin of diced tomatoes
Water (I guess this but usually around the 3-4 litre mark)
Salt to taste
Cook onion in butter until translucent :: add garlic, ginger and cumin* :: cook until fragrant :: add tomatoes, rinsed lentils and water :: Simmer for about 30 mins to an hour or until the lentils are cooked but not mushy :: add any extra cumin or salt to taste :: EAT!
* I usually am a bit lenient with cumin at this point and add more if I need it later
May 14, 2009
Day 5 granny
You can't really see it very well but in the background is a wallpaper from Kitsune Noir by Gemma Correll. It is lovely.
For some time now I've been collecting images which inspire me (ie. this wallpaper) and saving them in a little (or not so little now!) folder on my desktop, it occurred to me that they weren't so inspiring sitting in a folder so I have made them a directory for my screen saver - brilliant!
Day 4 granny
I love craft/art markets. They seem to be popping up everywhere! There are a few great ones in Hobart: Mothers Market, The Market and our very own ODD + EVEN created by crafternooners Jess and Cat. At the end of the last ODD + EVEN market lots of the stall holders (myself included) had a grand old time swapping their wares. I swapped some of my mushrooms and stationary in return for this great print from Cat Rabbit and some cards from Cathy at Phat flats. Good times.
May 13, 2009
Day 3 granny square
Everyday (well most days, ok some days) I go for a walk with Roman. Our route home takes us past an overgrown succulent which I can't help but snap a piece off and pop it in a jar, vase or bottle. They look so lovely, fresh and green but my house is becoming overrun with them. I love them because they sprout roots and stay alive for months and generally look pretty, giving our shelves a sense of life.
May 12, 2009
Day 2 granny square
white, pink and grey with my current favorite tea, Botanica, yum! The teacup is also a favorite from my teacup collection (which seems to be growing and growing!) It was a gift from a friend who I miss very much, she brought it back from Holland for me (thank you Kelly)
Day 1 Granny Square
Day 1 granny square, originally uploaded by things to make and do.
I've tried to blog before, but haven't felt the commitment. My sister-in-law and I started this project together to bridge distance via craftiness (she lives on the mainland and I'm in Tasmania) as inspired by several blogs particularly Meet Me at Mikes I'm hoping that this will be a great way to show the project as it progresses and muse on craftiness and other enjoyable things in general. Who knows, maybe it will grown into something else! Hope you are having a lovely day!
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