the blues, leafwork & a giveaway
I'm still deciding on a name for the colour - naming colours can be fun, but hard. I don't want to be all silly and 'arty', but fun and descriptive. Some paint names I see, on paint chips, are so silly don't you think! Tell me the best you've ever heard.
Some experimenting with the designs at the moment. Printing on the kitchen table, using an old sheet/blanket that I mum made for me an eon ago. I like using it, and remembering that she sewed it for me to take on my overseas journey. Now I use it for a new journey - and I'm adding good ink splotches to it too.
I thought I had a free week this week to do some fun exploring and work with fabric and ink and such, but suddenly, just today, it got busy. I'll try to slip in a spot of printing again - but not sure. I also have a sewing project that a friend asked me to do, that I need need need to get done.
Anyway - here's what came out from the screen yesterday. Some of it anyway. Some bits were mistakes, and they're the best bits. But I haven't photographed them yet. I'm trying to decide what to make with these pieces, they are smallish test bits, but I think I'll make some more of similar design in bigger sizes.
The best bit that came out of the screen yesterday was the doing of it - I haven't done any printing for a few months again now. So getting back into it was good good good.
I've decided to give away one of these pieces. It's about A4 size or so, maybe a bit bigger (it's not beside me right now, I'm at the town library - so I can't measure it). Tell me - what would you make with this piece of delicious organic cotton / hemp hand screenprinted goodness. Leave a comment to enter to win a piece. I'll draw sometime next week, maybe Monday morning.
{this is called 'lacework/leafwork', and I'm thinking of calling the ink colour smoked teal - you can't really tell in these images, but it's a deep blue almost like a cyanotype}.
stuff and more stuff
moving, and having to pack up our things, our stuff, our possessions......
are they our life?
do possessions + things = life?
next year we will be living in a very small one room house, while we build our slightly bigger home. we will be storing things in a shipping container, as we cannot store everything in our 'little house', and we are not ready to give up all our possessions/stuff.
some stuff we are planning on giving away, or selling, or will donate. our couch, which has served us well for the past 10 - 11 years won't be coming down with us. as comfy as it is, we have out grown it style wise, and will either make or find another one when we have a new loungeroom in a year's time.
also our tv - i am actually very excited about giving this up. we will have minimal electricity, due to solar power and no mains power at either our little house or our new home. i am sad + ashamed to say that tv has become too much a part of the daily life of our family, so i am very glad to be saying goodbye to it. {we will, i'm quite sure, get a new smaller one at some stage down the track. but i'm hoping hoping hoping that living in the country with endless things to do and play we will not want to watch very much}.
things like books and the treasures that we collect will be the hardest to think about getting rid of. books are a lifeline to me. something i grew up loving and cherishing; my parents instilled a deep connection to books and the stories and adventures they provide. i love going to visit at my dad's, and sitting at his book shelves and just looking looking looking. {i am very pleased to be moving closer to these bookshelves, and being able to borrow more books more often!}.
we will keep our books, and plan to build some wonderful shelves designed perfectly for storing and showing off books.
i know we have a lot of display/collection things - little bottles and ornaments and things like that. they hold special meanings to me, so i'm not sure i'll able to part with them. but i am planning on having (building) a cupboard in the new home that will house these things, and i can choose and edited collection to put on display. rather than having everything all at once; which is what we mostly have now.
with the time of 'giving', yet mostly 'receiving' (for the children) upon us, i am trying and trying to educate our children, and remind ourselves, that we don't need more and more things. little conversations with the children about why they think they need a new toy, or some other something else. it is hard for children, as they like the whole giving and receiving and unwrapping and excitement of it all. {and to be honest, as adults we do too - i love thinking about a special gift to give someone, and then taking the time to choose a fabric to wrap it in, and tying it up, and making a card for them. what i don't like is the guilt of gift buying, and the shopping centres, and the way that gifts are often chosen out of desperation, not long-thought. i don't like all that money being spent on made.in.china plastic items from major department stores. when there are countless other more ethical, environment, sustainable, community options.}
this year, with my family - as in other years - we are not giving gifts. nothing for the adults or the children. i mean my siblings, and nieces and nephews. instead us sisters (the mums) are taking the kids (the cousins) for a day out to a special place, with a picnic and lots of fun. it will be a surprise location for the kids, to add to the excitement of it all for them. also, we are probably going to give a gift from World Vision Smiles. a pig, or a goat, some chickens, pencils or school supplies, a cow, or a beehive are all wonderful options that will help out a whole community, they are fun items that my kids can have a connection to (and also understand how it can make a difference and what it can give to another child), and they cost no more (often less) than would generally be spent in the major department stores.
of course. there will be some handcrafted goodness. but that's another story. this is the story of stuff. (a ramble in fact....)
have you seen this. go now and have a look at the story of stuff. she's got lots of other ones to look at as well, so i'll understand if you take a while over there. but come back for some more ramble, hey!
about more stuff. yesterday i picked up my fabric and bits and pieces (nice words for "stuff") from the studio. there is a lot of fabric there. it will take up a lot of space in the shipping container, won't it. hmmmmm. what to do about all this stuff. the collection of stuff.
i am planning on spending the next week or so (until we go and housesit at a friend's house in bush) sorting through my stuff. editing and culling and boxing up things. i am sure there will be big piles that i'm willing to part with; i'm hoping anyway. and perhaps some decluttering (another word for getting rid of "stuff") of my fabrics and notions that you may be interested in adding to your own collection of stuff. {ie - i am planning on selling + giveaway some of those big piles of fabric over the next month, so stayed tuned}.
just my little ramble about stuff and possessions and the craziness of gift giving at this time of year. before you go and buy something, stop and think about it. where it came from, how it was made, what it's lifetime is, what will happen with it in 6 months time. think about the real needs of the person who are giving your gift to. even your neighbours or those people who you feel you 'have' to give a gift to, will understand and perhaps even really appreciate you giving a goat or a wind up torch to a child in need on behalf of them. and in the process you'll be educating someone else about the story of stuff, and reminding them + yourself that you have the power to say no to more stuff.
there - a motto for those who managed to read the whole way through this. you have the power to say no to stuff!
*all images from the Smiles Gift Catalogue.
are they our life?
do possessions + things = life?
next year we will be living in a very small one room house, while we build our slightly bigger home. we will be storing things in a shipping container, as we cannot store everything in our 'little house', and we are not ready to give up all our possessions/stuff.
some stuff we are planning on giving away, or selling, or will donate. our couch, which has served us well for the past 10 - 11 years won't be coming down with us. as comfy as it is, we have out grown it style wise, and will either make or find another one when we have a new loungeroom in a year's time.
also our tv - i am actually very excited about giving this up. we will have minimal electricity, due to solar power and no mains power at either our little house or our new home. i am sad + ashamed to say that tv has become too much a part of the daily life of our family, so i am very glad to be saying goodbye to it. {we will, i'm quite sure, get a new smaller one at some stage down the track. but i'm hoping hoping hoping that living in the country with endless things to do and play we will not want to watch very much}.
things like books and the treasures that we collect will be the hardest to think about getting rid of. books are a lifeline to me. something i grew up loving and cherishing; my parents instilled a deep connection to books and the stories and adventures they provide. i love going to visit at my dad's, and sitting at his book shelves and just looking looking looking. {i am very pleased to be moving closer to these bookshelves, and being able to borrow more books more often!}.
we will keep our books, and plan to build some wonderful shelves designed perfectly for storing and showing off books.
i know we have a lot of display/collection things - little bottles and ornaments and things like that. they hold special meanings to me, so i'm not sure i'll able to part with them. but i am planning on having (building) a cupboard in the new home that will house these things, and i can choose and edited collection to put on display. rather than having everything all at once; which is what we mostly have now.
with the time of 'giving', yet mostly 'receiving' (for the children) upon us, i am trying and trying to educate our children, and remind ourselves, that we don't need more and more things. little conversations with the children about why they think they need a new toy, or some other something else. it is hard for children, as they like the whole giving and receiving and unwrapping and excitement of it all. {and to be honest, as adults we do too - i love thinking about a special gift to give someone, and then taking the time to choose a fabric to wrap it in, and tying it up, and making a card for them. what i don't like is the guilt of gift buying, and the shopping centres, and the way that gifts are often chosen out of desperation, not long-thought. i don't like all that money being spent on made.in.china plastic items from major department stores. when there are countless other more ethical, environment, sustainable, community options.}
this year, with my family - as in other years - we are not giving gifts. nothing for the adults or the children. i mean my siblings, and nieces and nephews. instead us sisters (the mums) are taking the kids (the cousins) for a day out to a special place, with a picnic and lots of fun. it will be a surprise location for the kids, to add to the excitement of it all for them. also, we are probably going to give a gift from World Vision Smiles. a pig, or a goat, some chickens, pencils or school supplies, a cow, or a beehive are all wonderful options that will help out a whole community, they are fun items that my kids can have a connection to (and also understand how it can make a difference and what it can give to another child), and they cost no more (often less) than would generally be spent in the major department stores.
of course. there will be some handcrafted goodness. but that's another story. this is the story of stuff. (a ramble in fact....)
have you seen this. go now and have a look at the story of stuff. she's got lots of other ones to look at as well, so i'll understand if you take a while over there. but come back for some more ramble, hey!
about more stuff. yesterday i picked up my fabric and bits and pieces (nice words for "stuff") from the studio. there is a lot of fabric there. it will take up a lot of space in the shipping container, won't it. hmmmmm. what to do about all this stuff. the collection of stuff.
i am planning on spending the next week or so (until we go and housesit at a friend's house in bush) sorting through my stuff. editing and culling and boxing up things. i am sure there will be big piles that i'm willing to part with; i'm hoping anyway. and perhaps some decluttering (another word for getting rid of "stuff") of my fabrics and notions that you may be interested in adding to your own collection of stuff. {ie - i am planning on selling + giveaway some of those big piles of fabric over the next month, so stayed tuned}.
just my little ramble about stuff and possessions and the craziness of gift giving at this time of year. before you go and buy something, stop and think about it. where it came from, how it was made, what it's lifetime is, what will happen with it in 6 months time. think about the real needs of the person who are giving your gift to. even your neighbours or those people who you feel you 'have' to give a gift to, will understand and perhaps even really appreciate you giving a goat or a wind up torch to a child in need on behalf of them. and in the process you'll be educating someone else about the story of stuff, and reminding them + yourself that you have the power to say no to more stuff.
there - a motto for those who managed to read the whole way through this. you have the power to say no to stuff!
*all images from the Smiles Gift Catalogue.
housekeeping {swap details + giveaway winner}
Just a bit of bloggy house-keeping I need to finalise. {You didn't think I meant real housekeeping, did you! Last week I cleaned up my desktop - my computer desktop, not my actual real office.... all those kids drawings and important documents are still sitting there waiting to be filed}.
I've sent an email out to everyone who requested to be part of my pin cushion swap. You still have time to join (until Wednesday) if you want. Just send me an email {redseedstudio@gmail.com}. If you have already contacted me about joining, but haven't yet received an email - please let me know, perhaps I had your details wrong.
It seems everyone is happy to go for two pincushion swappers - more fun packages in the post (come and going) I say! I'll have all the swap details emailed out to you by Thursday afternoon (depending on how the day goes).
It seems everyone is happy to go for two pincushion swappers - more fun packages in the post (come and going) I say! I'll have all the swap details emailed out to you by Thursday afternoon (depending on how the day goes).
Also, I've picked the winner for the Craft Hope book giveaway. There's so many wonderful ideas out there in the community about how to help our fellow human beings. It's so just amazing to be part of a group of thoughtful, sharing, generous and talented crafters / bloggers / people.
The winner is of the Craft Hope book is ...............
......... (is that enough anticipation...............)..................................................................................Allison!
{Allison, please email me your details so I can get the book + extra little things in the post to you. I know you'll have lots of fun with this great crafting-for-a-cause book.}
*just a few more of the out-take kid images from the photo shoot.
......... (is that enough anticipation...............)..................................................................................Allison!
{Allison, please email me your details so I can get the book + extra little things in the post to you. I know you'll have lots of fun with this great crafting-for-a-cause book.}
*just a few more of the out-take kid images from the photo shoot.
Craft Hope Giveaway
There are so many bloggers here, who I love reading and am inspired by. A very short list includes {BlueYonderRanch} Stefani, {Soulemama} Amanda, {One Red Robin} Jhoanna, {Maya*made} Maya, {A Foothill Home Companion} Molly, {Geninne's Art} Geninne, as well as a whole heap more. The full list can be found on the Lark Crafts site.
I have one copy of Craft Hope :: Handmade Crafts for a Cause to giveaway. To enter, please tell me what crafting you would like to do to help out your community (be it near or far community - world or local) or those in need. I'll keep the giveaway open until next Friday 10th September, some time late in the evening. I'll even sign the book especially for you - and perhaps there'll be a little extra something in the parcel as well.......
giveaway - reminder
Just a quick reminder that my giveaway is still open. I think I'll pick a winner this weekend sometime. So - enter by leaving a comment over here or even just here.
:: Some other things ::
:: It's been raining in Brisbane for a few days now. Not as terrible as some other parts of the world. :: The washing is still sitting wet on the clothes line, while I slowly dry it in batches on our little heater.
:: It's a public holiday today in Brisbane. Due to the EKKA (the show day - which I have never been to, and have told my kids I'll never go to. Ever. I will admit that I have been to the much smaller show of the town I grew up in, and will possibly take my kids there one day. But, of course, there'll be no show bags). Tomorrow is a day off school as well (so that the kids all have more time to get to the show, I imagine.. Or recover from it, or something.).
:: Today we bought the foam to go on our screen printing table, for the new studio space. Don't know when it'll all get put together (as I'm need Sam's help, and he doesn't have as many days off for recovery as the kids). Hopefully I will be printing again ...... soon.
:: The kids are currently playing shops and doctors. It's so good to hear them playing nicely together; as lately there's been some not nice behaviour coming from Ari. (Due to being a big school boy or not, we're not sure).
:: The house is half a mess, as we have been rearranging furniture and things are still to be put away properly. But what's done is really good - Sam and I now share a big desk. Nice to be sitting next to him while we are both working at our computers.
:: That's all. Must vacuum the floors, as we are having a visitor here for the night.
Enjoy your middle-of-the-week-day.
crafting for hope
I am eagerly awaiting the arrival in the post of my copy of Craft Hope:Handmade Crafts for a Cause.
I am more than proud to be included in this beautiful looking book. A book that is more than just about the projects and designers; more than just about the bloggers and artists; it's about a global community doing something to make a change a difference.
All the projects in the Craft Hope book have a related charity, allowing you to do more with your crafting skills - helping people on the other side of the world, or around the corner. By doing something we all love to do (sew, knit, crochet.....) we can give love, warmth, respect and hope to someone in need.
All the projects in the Craft Hope book have a related charity, allowing you to do more with your crafting skills - helping people on the other side of the world, or around the corner. By doing something we all love to do (sew, knit, crochet.....) we can give love, warmth, respect and hope to someone in need.
There's a Month of Hope started over on Lark Craft (the publishers). Jade's {Chikaustin + Craft Hope founder + mother of 3 under 5 + extraordinarily amazing woman} story starts the month off, so go and check it out. She's spent many many months putting this amazing book together, as well as continuing on with the charities that Craft Hope support.
I'll be having a giveaway of the book, when I receive my copy. In the meantime, increase your chances by checking out these two giveaways - Chikaustin + Craft Hope.
Giveaway & Other things
I've reached 101 followers on this little blog of mine. That's so wonderful to me - it makes me feel appreciated in a way I never knew I wanted (okay, yes yes, I think I did know.....).
Looking at my stats and my readers is so much more than just the ego of having people like what I write and do. It's interesting and curious and intriguing to meet so many people from so many different walks of life, from so many towns and villages and cities and countries - yet all the one little planet.
So, as a thanks to you all for coming here regularly or occasionally, or perhaps this is your first time; I'm offering this little trio of our tea towels. One set up for grabs - all you need to do is leave a comment. {None of this needing to become a follower, or blog about it or anything.... just pop in and say hi. I would appreciate it if you could tell me why you come here, where you're from, and what you want to see more of on my blog}.
Other things ::
:: The boy's at home sick again today - we're hoping he doesn't have whooping cough (one of our friends has it, and my kids aren't immunised), and I can't get a doctors appointment until tomorrow afternoon. So, we're having to keep him off school - don't want to be infecting any other kids. But it seems as if he's quite better now; well, better enough to be hassling his little sister and telling me he doesn't like me (because I didn't let him do something or other he wanted.. that 5.5yr old back-chat!), and setting up little games in every single room of the house. Oh.
:: I've some screen printing to get done today, for a customer order. It's raining and cold here - not the best day for printing, but must get on with it.
:: The house has stayed mostly tidy for more than 3 days now - let's hope it survives these days of sickness-at-home-play. (There's an electronic shop being set up in our front room as I write, and draws being pulled out to find new toys to play with....)
:: Yesterday I booked tickets for Justine Clarke for the kids (we're listening to her fun songs right now on the computer) and Ballet Nacional De Cuba performing Don Quixote for Sylve + me.
:: My sewing machine is going to come out to play this week - the poor little thing has been sitting too long all alone.
* Tea towels are a beautiful Russian linen. Hand screen printed by me, in Brisbane, Australia. 'Pear Shaped' in green, 'Potter's Daughter' in scarlet, 'Clouds' in brilliant blue. They are a generously sized kitchen towel; approx 50cm x 75cm. I will post anywhere throughout the world - so giveaway is open to anyone (family + nearby friends included!).
giveaway
I'm participating in the Sew Mama Sew Giveaway day again, but this time over at our Selvedge House blog. So pop over there and check out the delicious little treasures we have on offer. We're going to do two draws, so more chances of you winning!
{pay it forward}
there's a whole lot of abbreviations that you need to learn when you become a crafter.
wip = work in progress; which is basically what you're currently working on, or have on the making pile
ufo = un-finished object; something that just sort of got abandoned along the way - numerous reasons that we won't go into, as to why a project could just get 'abandoned'. {poor little things - those baskets full of ufos across the globe}
pif = pay it forward; when someone gives you a beautiful gift, just because and you pass on the gifting love to someone else, just because.
{okay, okay - at the moment I can only think of these three things for this massive long list of abbreviations. I know there are more - my brains been focussing on paperwork and such stuff today. And park playing - eating cake and popcorn. And reading our new kids full colour illustrated version of Tashi - planning on going to see the play next week at the Powerhouse, with the kids.
If you have any other abbreviations you can share with us, please ease my brain.}
Anyway, back to the PIF. Quite a while ago I signed up for a pay it forward from the sweet Dear Fii. She gave me my lovely little package in, ummmm, ohhhh, errrrr back in May sometime. It's taken me this long to remember to put up my carry on version of it.
The rules go something like this:
~ I will post a gift out to three people who leave a comment on this blog {shall we say the first three, or do you want a random number pick thing - shall we see how many put their hands up.}
~ I have 12 months to post it to you {though will endeavour to get it done in less than 1/4 of that time}
~ I can send anything {but really, I will send something that is beautifully handcrafted by me, and I can only hope that you will love. By reading my blog, you have a basic idea of what sort of things I make, so I can assume you'll like it...}.
~ You too must promise to pass on the Pay It Forward. {it's all about passing the thought, care, love, hand crafted-ness onto someone else, but if you don't handcraft yourself, you can buy and then send another handcrafted item}.
~ You can live across the globe, or across the ocean, or across the street {I'll post it anywhere that a post(wo)man can deliver to; or maybe a camel or pigeon}.
I'm going to leave this open for at least a week.
*Photos are from our walk and park visit today. Two were taken by Ari, can you guess which ones?
wip = work in progress; which is basically what you're currently working on, or have on the making pile
ufo = un-finished object; something that just sort of got abandoned along the way - numerous reasons that we won't go into, as to why a project could just get 'abandoned'. {poor little things - those baskets full of ufos across the globe}
pif = pay it forward; when someone gives you a beautiful gift, just because and you pass on the gifting love to someone else, just because.
{okay, okay - at the moment I can only think of these three things for this massive long list of abbreviations. I know there are more - my brains been focussing on paperwork and such stuff today. And park playing - eating cake and popcorn. And reading our new kids full colour illustrated version of Tashi - planning on going to see the play next week at the Powerhouse, with the kids.
If you have any other abbreviations you can share with us, please ease my brain.}
Anyway, back to the PIF. Quite a while ago I signed up for a pay it forward from the sweet Dear Fii. She gave me my lovely little package in, ummmm, ohhhh, errrrr back in May sometime. It's taken me this long to remember to put up my carry on version of it.
The rules go something like this:
~ I will post a gift out to three people who leave a comment on this blog {shall we say the first three, or do you want a random number pick thing - shall we see how many put their hands up.}
~ I have 12 months to post it to you {though will endeavour to get it done in less than 1/4 of that time}
~ I can send anything {but really, I will send something that is beautifully handcrafted by me, and I can only hope that you will love. By reading my blog, you have a basic idea of what sort of things I make, so I can assume you'll like it...}.
~ You too must promise to pass on the Pay It Forward. {it's all about passing the thought, care, love, hand crafted-ness onto someone else, but if you don't handcraft yourself, you can buy and then send another handcrafted item}.
~ You can live across the globe, or across the ocean, or across the street {I'll post it anywhere that a post(wo)man can deliver to; or maybe a camel or pigeon}.
I'm going to leave this open for at least a week.
*Photos are from our walk and park visit today. Two were taken by Ari, can you guess which ones?
and the winner is......
my sister picked a number, this morning, for the draw of my little giveaway.
the purse and fabric goes to number 14, who is Sandrine - she blogs here, and sells her exquisite hand felted pieces here.
i was chatting with Sandrine the weekend before last at the Boutique Market, and she is a beautiful, friendly and generous woman, so i'm glad she won this little giveaway.
*****
Also, if any of you live in Sydney, or know the city well - i'd love some ideas of lovely places to visit. my sister + i are going down on wednesday, with our friends Kelley + Ben.
we have scheduled lots of child-free shopping time - hours and hours of carefree wandering. interspersed by some visiting the art gallery and the stitches and craft show. as well as the most decadent looking high tea (where we've already decided that we'll bypass the cucumber sandwiches in favour of extra chocolate fountain).
*** beautiful photos are from Sandrine's Etsy shop - thank you for letting me use them.
a giveaway
Well, I promised a giveaway. And yesterday was filled with wonderful, busy, tiring things. So here it is today.Can I just say, though, that yesterday I visited Nook, for the second time in a week. I bought a beautiful brooch, made by States of Nature, (also dropped off some Red Seed Studio stock). Nook has such an excellent selection of handcrafted items. Michelle really has done an amazing job filling her teeny little room perfectly - it's the sort of place that you want to take home at least one of everything. And in my opinion most homewares stores stock the same old thing, so it's lovely to see a local who is stocking beautifully crafted and sustainable items.
Then, we went and bought a new computer (still waiting for it to arrive - don't you hate spending lots of money and not being able to bring your new toy home then and there. Have to wait until Monday). After that the kids and I had d-e-lic-ious chocolate tart with gold leaf at Pearl cafe in Woolloogabba. I loved that Ari noticed the cart next door, at Nesting Bird Interiors, full of our Red Seed cushions. Was also fun watching people stop and pick them up while walking into the shop.
We headed up the old worn stairs, full of memories, to visit Danielle at Nesting Bird, and found a sweet little ceramic bird to bring home as a gift for a little friend. And a wind up old tin toy for Ari. I've written about Nesting Bird before, and each time I go in there I love exploring and looking. Such a beautifully styled place.
The Logan Rd section at Woolloongabba has finished all it's roadworks, and looks super cute with old-style looking lamp shapes for the lights, made of fun coloured plastics. Its a lovely spot to spend a few hours exploring.
So get out this weekend and explore your own backyard, and support your local shops and products.
******
But before you dash off, do please enter my giveaway for one of my little zip purses and a piece of fabric. I'll draw the winner on Sunday night, so I can get it posted before I leave for Sydney early Wednesday morning.
This purse is made from our own hand screen printed hemp/organic cotton, printed with the Lipstick image. The back is an indigo-dyed denim, really great colour. And fully lined with hemp / org cotton as well. I've got one of our fabric panels in the bamboo print for you to do some of your own crafting.
To enter, please tell me about your favourite local handcrafted store and why you love it. Or what you'd love to see if you did have a local store.
Enjoy your weekend, dear friends. xxx
This purse is made from our own hand screen printed hemp/organic cotton, printed with the Lipstick image. The back is an indigo-dyed denim, really great colour. And fully lined with hemp / org cotton as well. I've got one of our fabric panels in the bamboo print for you to do some of your own crafting.To enter, please tell me about your favourite local handcrafted store and why you love it. Or what you'd love to see if you did have a local store.Enjoy your weekend, dear friends. xxxwinner
Thank you to everyone for your visiting this little blog of mine, and for your words about our fabric designs and printing. It is so wonderful to be part of this amazing and supportive community of crafters and bloggers. I appreciate each and every comment.I wish that I could give fabric to all of you - I'd love to see all the creations you come up with. Unfortunately we can only have one winner, and random choosing (by Sam) has come up with Stephanie and Carlos at MooBear Designs.
I'm slowly trying to visit everyone's blogs. 230 new blogging finds - give or take a few.
For everyone who didn't win. Remember that we have 20% off all products in our shop. You can shop in AU$ or US$, enter the code "OPEN" for the discount. (discount not off postage). And, hey - if you buy something and leave a note to seller saying that you entered my giveaway, then I'll pop a little something else in there too. (If you don't see what you are after in either shop, let me know, I'll add it for you. I'm adding things slowly bit by bit, it all takes longer than it should!).
*photo has nothing to do with post - just need a little visual hey. This one is from some time ago.
**I'm not sure how to add a discount code in Etsy (US$), so write it in the notes to seller, and I'll refund the difference.
Giveaway Day
It's here again!Sew Mama Sew giveaway day. There's three different categories this year, so make sure you check them all out.
I've been thinking what would you like best?
Some fabric, for sure? Two pieces of our hand screen printed fabric - beautiful hemp & organic cotton. Jump on over to here or here and tell me which designs you like best. The winner will receive their own choice of fabric. (look under collections-fabric on our website). As well as a Studio Scrap Pack, which has heaps of pieces for all manner of imaginations and fun.
There will also be a lovely little purse, made of reclaimed fabrics, perfect to store your trinkets in. And my new tote bag pattern, which has full colour photographs and step-by-step instructions.I'll round up a few little surprises to slip in there too.
Oh, I do love a giveaway. I really love giving gifts to friends - near and far. This giveaway is open to everyone, anyone.
I'm going to leave this giveaway open for at least a week, as I'll be away at my sister's house.Good luck everyone and have fun.
Welcome new friends - I hope you do come back again for a visit soon.
(PS - there will be a pay-it-forward giveaway happening in the next few weeks, so check back for that one).
Giveaway - Peppermint + Red Seed Studio
If you hurry you may be able to snatch up one of these little purses and some yummy Zuii Lip gloss. They are the giveaways for the fastest (the first 10 anyway) who buy Peppermint Mag, tomorrow morning at Mag Nation Elizabeth St, Melbourne. Hurry, sleep outside, line up!I've mentioned Peppermint before. Read my mid-night written thoughts about it, if you want. Or just get off the computer and hurry down to pick it up from your nearest shop.
If you can't find it, then head on over to the website and order a subscription. 2 more days for the current subscription offer.
I'll tell you what. If you can't make it to Mag Nation - or you miss out. I'll make one more purse. When you subscribe through the Peppermint website, put a note to seller, and leave the code "petalplum-onemore". I'll post it anywhere in the world. And leave me a comment here, too.
Oh, the purses are hemp / organic cotton. It's beautiful and soft.Hand screen printed with our distinct smoke design on one side, and detail top stitched on the other side. Fully lined in reclaimed fabrics. New products for Red Seed Studio.
Photo Credit: Ms Peppermint / Mr Environmunter.giveaway :: magazine
I bet you've been waiting and waiting for this giveaway.My sister told me yesterday that she's been checking and waiting for me to update my blog, and that it's been over a week since I last wrote here! I know, I know. Life just got in the way.
So, without further rambling (I'm pretty good at that, aren't I), here is the little giveaway I have.
Two different prizes for two different people. And they're all about magazines and zines.
First up:
The launch issue of Peppermint Magazine - Fresh, Green, Fashion. This is a locally Brisbane produced magazine all about eco fashion, and ethics in the fashion and homewares industries. This is a funky and fun read. Lots of fantastic snippets about Australian (and International) designers and crafters, linking you up to some great new loves for fashion, accessories and homewares. With a well written, easy to read and compelling article about the story of the cotton industry.
And the fashion shoot is really sweet - a 'real woman' modelling some beautiful and quirky outfits. Issue #2 is in the works as I write (well, around the life of a toddler!!). Go and become a Peppermint Fan on facebook, to find out the latest info (though I'll let you know here as well). And, of course, printed on 100% recycled paper. What more could you want in a magazine?
Two little zines that I bought off this great New Zealand site (similar to Etsy, but exchange rate so much nicer for us Aussies!) - Felt. It's called World Sweet World - how could you resist reading something with that title. Issue #2 and #3 in this little giveaway pack. These are full colour zines printed on paper from sustainably managed forests, using vegetable based inks. They are jam packed full of quirky NZ (and expat) designers, fun recycling projects (how to make a hoodie out of t-shirts, a hand bag out of some vinyl records), excellent reads about craftism and activism, even a story about eco-friendly coffins!
Second pack:
Includes the Peppermint Magazine along with the premier issue of Mix Tape Zine, which is now well into it's second year of production. This is a fun little Australian zine about craft and recycling and making and... well, you guessed it.... the environment. The cover alone is fun and so representative of what the zine is all about.
As you see, my magazines all have a few things in common.The zines I'm giving away as I am trying to declutter and really this is the best way of recycling. The two Peppermint Magazines are straight from the editor, and I wanted two of my lovely lovely readers to get to see this beautifully edited, refreshing magazine.
So, to enter all you need to do is leave a comment, telling me about your favourite magazine(s). I'll leave it open for maybe a week or so, to give you all a chance to enter.
And on the subject of magazines. I wanted to show you my newest one. - Stitch Magazine. The most I have ever ever ever paid for a tiny little magazine (due to the exchange rate and the postage rates this thing cost me $25AU!!!). But I have pored over each page many many times, and enjoyed it all so much. It includes patterns for three skirts - at least one of which I am hoping (hoping hoping) to make sometime this week. (I saw this one here, and it gave me more urge to make it). As well as directions to make many other crafty projects.
I'd seen this magazine all over blogland, and am so glad that I ignored the price as I have been really enjoying this. I hope they do another issue - this one is called "special issue", implying a one-off?
Lastly I want to thank all of you for your sweet, kind and generous words over the past week (about my friendship post). It means so much to me that you take the time to comment and give me love and friendship and strength. While I wish that I could reply to each comment, time is running away from me too quickly. I do always try and visit your blogs - and then I find wonderful inspiration and colours and life.
Thank you. Take care. xx
So, without further rambling (I'm pretty good at that, aren't I), here is the little giveaway I have.
Two different prizes for two different people. And they're all about magazines and zines.
First up:The launch issue of Peppermint Magazine - Fresh, Green, Fashion. This is a locally Brisbane produced magazine all about eco fashion, and ethics in the fashion and homewares industries. This is a funky and fun read. Lots of fantastic snippets about Australian (and International) designers and crafters, linking you up to some great new loves for fashion, accessories and homewares. With a well written, easy to read and compelling article about the story of the cotton industry.
And the fashion shoot is really sweet - a 'real woman' modelling some beautiful and quirky outfits. Issue #2 is in the works as I write (well, around the life of a toddler!!). Go and become a Peppermint Fan on facebook, to find out the latest info (though I'll let you know here as well). And, of course, printed on 100% recycled paper. What more could you want in a magazine?Two little zines that I bought off this great New Zealand site (similar to Etsy, but exchange rate so much nicer for us Aussies!) - Felt. It's called World Sweet World - how could you resist reading something with that title. Issue #2 and #3 in this little giveaway pack. These are full colour zines printed on paper from sustainably managed forests, using vegetable based inks. They are jam packed full of quirky NZ (and expat) designers, fun recycling projects (how to make a hoodie out of t-shirts, a hand bag out of some vinyl records), excellent reads about craftism and activism, even a story about eco-friendly coffins!Second pack:Includes the Peppermint Magazine along with the premier issue of Mix Tape Zine, which is now well into it's second year of production. This is a fun little Australian zine about craft and recycling and making and... well, you guessed it.... the environment. The cover alone is fun and so representative of what the zine is all about.
As you see, my magazines all have a few things in common.The zines I'm giving away as I am trying to declutter and really this is the best way of recycling. The two Peppermint Magazines are straight from the editor, and I wanted two of my lovely lovely readers to get to see this beautifully edited, refreshing magazine.So, to enter all you need to do is leave a comment, telling me about your favourite magazine(s). I'll leave it open for maybe a week or so, to give you all a chance to enter.
And on the subject of magazines. I wanted to show you my newest one. - Stitch Magazine. The most I have ever ever ever paid for a tiny little magazine (due to the exchange rate and the postage rates this thing cost me $25AU!!!). But I have pored over each page many many times, and enjoyed it all so much. It includes patterns for three skirts - at least one of which I am hoping (hoping hoping) to make sometime this week. (I saw this one here, and it gave me more urge to make it). As well as directions to make many other crafty projects.
I'd seen this magazine all over blogland, and am so glad that I ignored the price as I have been really enjoying this. I hope they do another issue - this one is called "special issue", implying a one-off?
Lastly I want to thank all of you for your sweet, kind and generous words over the past week (about my friendship post). It means so much to me that you take the time to comment and give me love and friendship and strength. While I wish that I could reply to each comment, time is running away from me too quickly. I do always try and visit your blogs - and then I find wonderful inspiration and colours and life.Thank you. Take care. xx