art journal project...

Hey all! I have signed up for the new e-course available over at a beautiful mess. It is an art journal creating course, with 52 different projects to complete over a year. 

My plan is to photograph my finished projects to share here and make a small book once I am finished... The pictures above are snippets of what I was playing with this afternoon. I figure that if I am photographing the end result, it wont matter so much if I use bits and pieces that can't be glued down...

I'm really looking forward to dedicating a couple of hours a week to getting creative with a glue stick and a pair of scissors...

Keen to join me?

my new man...

Last week I was cruising around blogland, checking up on all of my favourite reads, when I stumbled across a little inspiration in the form of a 'Graeme' doll, made by the totally fabulous Michelle over at rockmyroll blog... I realised that the men are totally under represented in Zavian's toy box, and something had to be done about it...

So last week I had a late night sewing sesh to make up this guy - as yet still unnamed which seems to be the case with most things around here. He is being referred to as 'man doll' which works well seeing as his best friends are 'lady doll', 'long person', 'frog' and 'bear'...

FYI - I did not use a pattern- I drew simple rectangular shapes for all of his body parts and no mum, his pant's do not come off... If you wanted to make your own and you are not an experienced doll maker, I have discovered that leaving a small opening in the seams of the leg's and arm's, then stuffing them after you have sewn them into the body, using a slip-stitch to close the holes in the limbs - is a lot easier than trying to sew up the body with fat arms and legs stuffed inside, and then turning out the right way... if that makes any sense at all??

In other news - Zavian has ripped all of the keys off my laptop, and this time I have had a real problem getting them back on again. This is making typing slow and frustrating...

Yesterday we brought the outdoors in to prepare for cyclone iggy (great name!!), but this one too has passed us and I will now spend the rest of today getting my house back in order and re-arranging my pot plants...

On the shop front, the re-opening was a fabulous success (thank you so much ladies) and I sold out of custom orders within a few hours. There will be a few more available next week if you missed out this time. 

I hope you have had the most fabulous weekend. 

Bec x

We are OPEN...

What does Australia Day mean to you? Do you have special plans. Are you the type to hang flags from your car and don a cork hat and some thongs to slug back a few cold ones on the beach?? ha ha. Don't lie, I bet there are a few closet bogan's amongst us!


How have I spent my Australia day so far??


enjoying the highs and lows of the triple j hottest 100...
eating damper which we have been slathering with golden syrup....
giving the house a much needed spruce....
re-opening the etsy shop...
digging out a few treasures to make a plate wall in my studio...
sitting around drinking coffee and wearing my nightie with a flower wreath in my hair, for good measure...


Eventually I might get dressed and head over to the sports club where they are having a slip'n'slide for the kids and a band is playing...


Happy Australia Day! Lets all hope that this year is safe and happy for EVERYONE, and that no yucky racism or violence ruins what should be a fun day for all.


Much love.


Bec x

Shop Update...

I have made a decision! The etsy shop will re-open on Thursday morning. Ready or not!! I have a few new dresses, ready to ship, that will be available. They will be added through-out Thursday morning. I will also list 10 custom dress listings... Eeeeep. Its been so long I am a little bit nervous!


In other news... Tonight we are heading to the coast!! We are making the 2 hour trip to spend the night in Dampier. If you have seen red dog then you will know where I am talking about. Tomorrow we will drive into Karratha for a shopping trip. Where we live now has very limited shopping. A Supermarket (that, by the way, is not very super...) and a deli that sells hot chips and a brief selection of magazines... Karratha is hardly the 'big smoke' but I am so excited about hitting the hardware shop and there is even a thrift store! Hurrah!!


I am packing lightly so that we can fit lots of stuff in the car on the way home. Just two dresses and two pairs of shoes... 


There are a few tasks to tend to before we leave... I am wrapping bits and pieces in preparation for my post-date for the package project (I am so excited miss Nat's!!) and trying to get my studio in some sort of order so that I don't lose my mind when the orders start coming in...

two of the new style dress (I have hardly taken these off since I made them!)

My AMAZING new tan, highwood clogs from lovely Lotta and my favourite salties...

Gift wrapping for the package project...

A barely functioning studio.... But lots of pretty colours!

See you when we get back!! Hope you have a great night lined up...

Bec x

Fun DIY - Peg wall display

Being a renter I am always looking for ways to decorate my walls without upsetting the landlord! Over the last few years I have come up with a few tricks for displaying art and favourite items/images and this is my latest.

1. You will need wooden clothes pegs, a packet of the smallest 3M poster stickers you can find (look at the hardware section in the supermarket) and whatever pictures/photographs or ephemera you wish to adorn your walls with...

2. Attach the 3M sticky tabs to your pegs just a little bit lower than the metal spring-part-thingy. This ensures that the tab will be hidden from sight once your picture is displayed. Make sure you follow the directions on the label to protect your wall!!

3. find a spot on your wall and stick it!

I have gone a bit nuts around my house, with peg displays every where. The great thing about these displays is that they can easily change with your mood, are inexpensive to create and the possibilities are endless...

Have fun. If you make a peg display I would love for you to show me!

Bec x

I'm on a roll...

I have been staying up late making things for my small person. I am making the most of this time I have before re-opening the shop and taking on new custom orders. 


Last year I bought Zavian an amazing little eskimo coat made from a recycled wooly blanket from wendy over at the textured leaf. I loved it so much! and after the success I had making Zavian that swing coat, I have always wanted to try my hand at making my own recycled blanket coat. I found the most amazing vibrant pink checked wooly blanket, and I have had it stashed away for nearly a year especially for this purpose. Finally, as a part of my project - destash I wrangled that blanket out from the bottom of the cupboard and got stuck into it. 


I am so happy with how it turned out. Now I think we had better book a holiday somewhere cold - because there is no-way she will get a chance to wear it up here! FYI - I used the same swing coat pattern from Heidi and Finn to make the coat body, but substituted the collar for a hood. I have made up a few of the heidi and finn patterns, and they have always worked out a treat. The instructions are easy to follow and the designs are gorgeous!


I also whipped up a satin cape as part of project - dress up's box. This has actually not been well received. I don't think my small likes having things tied around her neck. Fair enough. At least its there in case she changes her mind. 


On the shop front - next week Zavian will have her first two full days back  at daycare. I am planning on primping and preening the shop and its contents to re-open on Thursday morning! Yay!! Exciting! Back to business! I can't wait.


Hope you are enjoying a marvellous weekend. Talk to you soon.


Bec x

Vintage sheet FQ swap

The gorgeous Kel at green tea and red nails is hosting another FQ swap - the first for 2012!!

I am serious vintage sheet collector. I think I have more than 500 sheets in my stash. A fq swap might seem pointless for someone like me - But I LOVE playing along with Kellie's swaps. Because even when I think I have seen every vintage sheet pattern/colour/style possible there is ALWAYS a few new prints to delight and surprise me amongst my folded bundle of sheety goodness. 

Head over here to sign up! 

Bec x

donked on the head!

Late yesterday my small person took a dive off the stool that I bought her for Christmas.

It was very sad. She has a huge bump and grazes and a black eye. 

the first thing she said to Levi as he walked in the door after work was 'mummy broke my head'

What!

Anyway, the polar bear ears were whipped up last night as part of my 'Project dress-ups basket'. I followed a pattern from the beautiful oliver + s sewing book. 

Lots of love,

Bec x 

hello!

I am afraid that this weekend has been lost! Friday night was looking promising until I was suddenly hit by what I am guessing was food poisoning. Today I am feeling so much better. But a little weak nonetheless...

I have managed a small spruce of the small persons new bedroom. I labelled a few tins with the dymo for her very own sugar/coffee/tea canisters. Snazzy! I have plans for a few comfy floor pillows and also a wallpapered bit of board to stand next to her kitchenette, with hooks for an apron. And maybe even a trio of flying ducks! And a starburst clock! so much fun...

I think I will be back to myself tomorrow...

Hope you had a really wonderful weekend!

Scenes from around here...

Well the threat of cyclone Heidi has passed with nothing more than some rather unimpressive drizzle. I think that everyone in town was hoping for a bit of a show so most people I have spoken to are rather disappointed that it has headed back out to sea.


I have been spending my time playing photographer, styling my house and making a few bits and pieces. The dress Zavian is wearing was a success! However the hat I was making to match it was an epic failure.  I will make a second attempt this afternoon.


Other props include my beautiful new typewriter that was a Christmas present from my love and my Lotta from Stockholm clogs. I also have a whole stack of new fabrics to add to my stash - but that is a whole other post...


Hope you are well and happy!! Bec x