Craft Hope for Haiti - book bag

 

This is a book bag that Sam and I made quite a few months ago. I haven't been able to show it to you before now, as it's actually a project in an upcoming crafting book. 

I was so honoured to be asked to contribute a project to the Craft Hope book. I'm not sure when it's due to be released, I think they're still in the last stages of writing. I'll let you know when I have a copy in my hands. There are many other amazing crafters who I'm so pleased to be bound up with in the pages of this fantastic book. 

This little bag was hand stencilled, onto organic cotton / hemp fabric. It's designed for children to use as a book / library bag, but really just makes a great bag for everyday needs. 

It is currently listed in the Craft Hope for Haiti Etsy shop - so pop on over and have a look. This is a one of a kind bag, and has been listed at a very reasonable price.

*photo used with thanks from Craft Hope (much better styled than my photos of the bag, as I was rushing it out the door to be posted all those months ago).

stamping love

This afternoon the lovely Holly, came up to me with two sweet little bags for my kids. I peeked inside with excitement and anticipation, and WOW! Inside the cutest, funkiest, funnest, sweetest, coolest, best little creatures I've seen. The girl who declared (yesterday in our printing class) that she can't draw! (those are her cute penguin-looking, chicken fish prints from yesterday's class).Holly hand carves these glorious little treasures. You read that right; she hand carves them. Such intricate details, such attention and love and care and dedication and talent.
And, boy did my kids LOVE love love them! They peeked at them in the car on the way home, and chatted and looked and swapped to look at each other's, and talked about the little bag they were in. And chatted some more, about Holly, who has the giant ice-cream at the craft market (you know the things kids remember!).And, as soon as we got home from the necessary supermarket shopping, they pulled them out, grabbed newspaper and paper (well, Sam set up the "keep table clean" precautions). And they started printing. And printing. And printing. And Ashey was here too. And the three of them could have spent a whole day making pictures out of 6 different stamps, and drawing little designs and stories and writing around them.
I just want to say that Holly, and her mum, are two of the loveliest and most caring and genuine and loving people I have met and been able to hang out with. We had such fun next to each other at the Melbourne show, and while we're not next to them this time around, we've been visiting each other's stalls often. These are two people who we would never have met in any other situation (even apart from the fact they live so far away in Melbourne). They have such a fantastic mother-daughter relationship; that mutual respect and total deep care for each other. That thing that perfect mother-daughters have together. That wonderful relationship I enjoy being a part of, lucky to be in their presence together.
Holly sells her hand carved stamps on Etsy, along with some other little pieces she sews and makes in her spare time. And look at her newest (and most dedicated!!!!!) venture; handstamping fabric. I love love love those acorns. What would you make with your own acorn fabric?

I'd best get onto finishing my swap things for Holly, hey!

PS - I'm eating chocolate for dinner now at 9pm, after I ate lunch at 5.30pm. That's the craziness of Craft Show. I'll take some photos of our stall tomorrow, and some other crafty loveliness.

Good night xxx

etsy beginnings

You may have noticed that new Etsy shop located on the right of my blog. Well, that's mine! It's all going slowly, uploading and photographing and writing the little bits of info, and mainly the making of the things. That's always slow. But I slip into my sewing chair any moment I can spare (time and energy), and sew a stitch here or there, cut a few pieces, pin some more together, plan the next project.

I love the little moments when I can get to indulge in my sewing. Sometimes it's for myself only, or for the kids - I really like making things for them, and happily for me, they like it too. Only this past week I made a new bag, that was planned for me, and Ari declared it his, before I even could finish it. He wears it proudly - with makes me happy. (And slightly eases the guilt at still not having completed his turtle).

And sometimes, just sometimes, I manage to sew a little bit for markets (yes, I've had two now, and am thinking about more), and then extra bits of sewing for this little store I have been planning to open up.

So, please go and have a look at the little things I have been creating. I am eager for any feedback or ideas or criticism (constructive?) you have about my designs, sewing, fabrics, ideas. And you experienced Etsy-iers, please - if you have any help to offer on how to make it easier, or better, or promote it more. I'm open to anything.

PS - with this slow internet speed I'm dealing with. (Photos loading slowly on your blogs, etc, etc). I have been visiting you, but haven't been able to leave comments when I've wanted. Be back with that next month, I hope!

Also, I want to thank all of you for the lovely comments and support about my crashing waves post. It means so much to me that I have this supportive network of (women) friends out there who are experiencing similar things, and sharing love and stories and offering help and that amazing blog support.

You may have also noticed the new links on the left. My friends who create and craft and do. Please check them out. These are some local crafters starting their businesses (or newly in business), or doing little sidelines while still working full/part-time. If you see your name there, maybe you want to add me to your links?