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).

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. 

a sneak peek {kids view}

Here's a few images from the first fashion shoot ever for my first fashion collection ever. These are not the images from the photographer (my talented brother-in-law, Ben), but taken using my camera. Ash  and Ari took them. Sam was the photographer's assistant and I was the stylist / dress-pinner / kid wrangler. And my gorgeous rocker-chic, skater-girl, sweet smiling sister was the model.

 I'll hopefully have the full shoot to show you in a few days. I'm super excited about how it turned out. Like.a.real.fashion.shoot. {does that mean I might be a real designer....}

* I do think these kids are both shaping up to be good little photographers. Perhaps they need to spend more time watching Ben, and seeing the results (hmmm..... guess I should print their photos onto paper, rather than just viewing on the computer screen).

styling i love

i'm planning a very small photo shoot tomorrow. there are only a few pieces i currently have finished that i'm ready to have photographed - but i need some new and good images for a few things.

{my sister will model. my brother-in-law will take the photos. i mean, really, why pay someone when you have fantastic professionals in the family who will do it for a few tea towels and smiles, and the goodness of their heart}.

anyway; have been thinking of styling ideas. how i want it to look. i do think it will be very simple, as there really isn't a whole lot to photograph quite yet. in an extra few weeks i'll have all my fabrics (hopefully) and a full finished collection ready to show off in it's entirety. yah!

i continue to love the look, feel, colours, mood, stories, products (clothes, homewares, bedding, shoes, dressing gowns......), models (i mean, look - isn't she gorgeous! why weren't freckles so beautifully accepted in fashion and mainstream society when i was a growing teen...) of everything toast puts out.
go and look at their new catalogues, and browse the stories and travels on their site.
{of course, none of these images are remotely at all similar to what we'll end up with; but it's always lovely to have some pretty things to look at!}.

enjoy your weekend. i'll be printing, sewing (last little bits to finish), styling and watching the model pout (not really, more like smile i think), and the photographer shoot and direct!

* all images used with thanks from Toast.

sometimes

Sometimes we expect more from others, 

because we would do that much for them.

*I don't know where I found these images. They've been lingering on my desk top for a while. If you know where they are from, please do tell me. Quote was found here - and is a good thing to think about, even though it doesn't actually solve the situations that may occur from the doing more for others thing.

evidence that i do actually do work and stuff

We made some cool little t-shirts for Ari's school friends' birthday over the weekend. {It was a double birthday party, of two of his best friends - well, the ones he talks about the most; do 5-6yr old boys have best friends?}.

So, here's our studio table, which Nina and I have been branding each time we do a print run. When it's all thick and stiff with printed images we'll cut it up and hang it on our walls {inspired in large by SpaceCraft}.

For the t-shirts, Ari hand drew his design onto the contact paper, which I then cut out using a really sharp scalpel cutting blade. Then we stuck the contact to our blank screen, and printed using custom mix-on-the-screen colours. {I love swirling ink colours on the screen, each print then gets different variations of the colours through it - if you're going to try it, make sure you use colours that will mix harmoniously and not end up mucky or dirty}.

A few other printing shed images - the printing screens, lined up ready for the next print run, are Kindling designs. Still no photos of inside the other parts of the studio - our sewing, cutting, talking, planning, thinking spaces - lots of space to spread out and not have to tidy up in time for dinner or worry that a kid is going to step on anything. Yah for that!

frocks, wraps and fabric lengths, works on paper and sterling silver pieces

If you are in the area, this is sure to be a beautiful exhibition to see.

India Flint's amazing eco-dyed and hand worked pieces - as she calls them frocks, wraps and lengths of fabric. You can view some of her work over on her website; but let me tell you - seeing it in real is just so very interesting and inspiring. To stop and look at the depth in the fabric, the colours and movement and stitches. Her work looks like little pieces of the landscape.

In conjunction with India's fabrics, there will be some jewellery pieces by Marianne Hall, and Roz Hawker's finely stitched intricately worked fabric pieces.

I met Roz while in New Zealand earlier this year; she had spent the previous year slowly and quietly stitching, almost as a meditation and a journey. The results of that year (in a different country with little-to no family) are simply awe-inspiring. Quite hard to describe the feeling of quiet that comes over you when you look at the cloth with her teeny tiny fairy-like stitches. {Of course, I didn't actually manage to take any photos of her work while in NZ; so I hope to show you some after this exhibition}.

Saturday September 18th, 5 - 8pm. 22 Blue Hills Drive, Bunya,Qld.

There is a 5-day workshop with India to follow; which I really wish I could attend. {But lots of other things happening, and you know - kids to look after and stuff like that. So, I hope those who are going have a wonderfully marvellous time}.

* all images used with thanks from India Flint's website. Visit her blog as well.

Craft Hope Giveaway

So, here it is - The Craft Hope Book - in all it's handcrafted goodness and "spreading the seeds of hope one stitch at a time". It was on my desk waiting for me yesterday afternoon (I'm sure Mishi was disappointed that it wasn't for her, but happy enough to see the lovely book anyway - with lots of great projects and pretty pictures to look at).

I love the format of this book, easy to sit and look at, easy to have by your side while you're sewing or making, easy for the kids to look through. {Easy for me to find the page where our project is.... the lucky last project in the book}. And all the special heart-warming photos of smiling and happy children.

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.

The projects in this book at achievable and versatile; there's a great assortment from quilts to bags (yes, my stencilled book bag) to sweet dolls, dresses, and carved stamps. Make them for yourselves, a gift for friends or family, or send them on to one of the many charities mentioned (there's often more than one charity for each project, as well as ideas for local to you options).

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.......

a lovely day

Welcome Spring!

I've spent a very lovely day working in the studio with Nina. She's my studio buddy - such a nice thing to have. We work on our own, but beside each other. Doing our own thing, but chatting about what we're doing. {And she's being such an excellent and generous help for what I'm doing, as well..... so wonderful and greatly appreciated}. Wish I could spend more time at the studio, rather than the only two days a week I've been managing.

Do you know Nina's work? No - well, check out her website. My kids have some of her shirts, me too. And she just showed me the cutest little dress she's working on. Lots of lovely good things to come.

{window with the most amazing yellow fungi growing on it}

We'll be doing a bit of screen printing tomorrow (her stuff, and me printing a few things for the kids and birthday presents and things). We'll have Mishi as our helper - so hoping we get a decent amount done.

No studio photos yet. I'll try and remember my camera tomorrow. Some good screen printing action shots, or something like that. {Though in reality it normally never works too well, as I've got ink on my hands and am printing quickly before the ink dries. But well see.}

 {fairies live in here. see the whole tree here}

These are a few photos from Sam's phone, from at my dad's land. I love these trees (top image) - stark in the late Winter afternoon. The smaller one's a plum, which has some fresh new growth growing on it; the bigger one is a persimmon, which looks as glorious in it's Autumn colours as well. I don't really like the fruit, but I know Sam's mum does - and the beauty of the tree more than makes up for my dislike in it's taste.

it feels like monday

but it's really tuesday.

we spent a night at my dad's house, and came home late-ish yesterday afternoon. and i missed yesterday's studio work day.

we walked around the land and chatted and dreamed. and drew pictures, diagrams on the back of envelopes of how our house would / could be.

we talked plans for making sheds {for Sam's car + all the bicycles + all the junk one ends up owning + a smallish skateboard ramp}.

building materials and time frames and possibilites. and what the kitchen could look like, and how the bathroom would be.

i got up early-ish (it's still late Winter after all, so not too early) and watched the way the sun rose over the trees. and saw two wallabies hopping through the paddock. and picked citrus from the trees.

my dad picked perfect white blossoms (which Sam photographed on his phone, and i'll show you another day).

the kids and i walked up the hill. we saw mushrooms and moss and the king and queen of trees. and listened to the birds calling and talking. they saw forest fairies - but i wasn't quick enough to see the magical spots of fairy light.

we came home tired and happy. with lots to talk about and plan and decide.

in six months we will be in a new home, living with the forest fairies (and goannas and birds and mosquitoes). and my kids will become the bush kids that we were........

 *all these photos were taken on Ari's camera (which automatically uses it's flash at times of low-light). but i'm enjoying letting him take the photos, and me not having to carry around my bigger camera.
** he took that moss to school today - with much excitement and pleasure; carrying it in a container with a bit of water and showing all his classmates. so good to see.

clothing.making.challenges

It's much much overdue. Writing this here, and making it official and all. But, I'm finally doing it. Here's my challenge. To myself. Inspired by many more things that I can recall or say.

This, of course, all leads on from my Slow Project. Is part of it. In a way, a big part. 

Consumerism. Fast fashion. Throw-away fashion. Made-in-China cheap stuff.

I grew up in a fairly not-consumerist family and lifestyle. We wore hand-me-downs (I'm the third of four kids), and lots of second-hand, market finds. And also, lots of special handmade pieces. Some pieces my mum made for us, some pieces other people made for us. One year my parents came back from their India journey with some spectacular silk dresses that they'd had made especially for us  by a tailor (brilliant red, emerald green and brightest yellow). Oh, I do wish I still knew where those dress were. The fabric alone was just amazing; rich and sumptous.

Anyway, so to my challenge. Setting for myself. To make a real commitment. {In truth, I do not buy many clothes for myself or my children ever. I look after my clothes and keep them for many years. I buy quality clothes, that do last. But sometimes, just as often, I need a simple quick, cheap t-shirt or warm long sleeve top - and I head to the big box store, and come out with a few new shirts, and perhaps some new undies as well. But even these things I need to be more conscious of 'not doing', rather than 'occasionally doing'}.

I'm joining Dottie Angel's challenge ::

And also So Zo's Self-Stitched September ::

'I, Ellie, sign up as a participant of Self-Stitched-September. I endeavour to wear only handmade and refashioned items of clothing every day for the duration of September 2010'. {Excluding underwear, tights and jumpers until further notice...}

Other inspirations include ::

Cal Patch, who says "I am working toward wearing mostly clothing made by myself, or other handmakers". And who's book - Design It Yourself Clothes - is a fantastic starting point for anyone who wants to rewardrobe themselves by themselves. 

Amy Karol, of Angry Chicken, who makes so much of her (and her daughter's) clothing. And totally rocks at the styling. And the tutes. {I have her first book, but it's gone missing at one of my friend's places..... I'm trying to justify ordering her second one, as it seems super cute and cool. Talk me into it!}.

Natalie Chanin, of Alabama Chanin amazingness. Love all her handstitched goodness {on my list to hand stitch a piece of clothing for myself during this yearly challenge}. {Also have her first book, and need justification to be talked into the second one!}.

There'll be much more talk about this, I have lots to say and show. I'm really excited to officially declare my intentions to you all ::

During the next six - twelve months, I aim to wear + buy only handcrafted (by myself or other artisans), second-hand or ethical + organically made clothing and shoes.
{I will still continue to wear my current wardrobe of clothing}.
Please follow my adventure, perhaps you may like to join in.

lolly dollies

I realised that I haven't yet shown you the finished costume making from a few weeks ago.

I did feel like a crazy sort of tramped up Alice in Wonderland all night. It was marvelous. I was made up (by the resident make-up girl, thanks Bonnie) with the longest fake eyelashes. Oh.Fun! They did feel a little strange, took a bit getting used to. But were so lovely to see on everyone else (and make great shadow shots!). 

Of course, I forgot my camera on the night. Ari took a few before my hair + makeup were done (and high-sunlight squinting factor - ie terrible photos of me......). And the girls took the others on the night (in low light and bathroom / glamourous dressing room mirrors).

*We called ourselves the Lolly Dollies, as we handed out packets of lollies as prizes.

We are having a Mad Hatter's Tea Party for Ari's birthday. I have my costume done and done, now!

pin+cushion swap

Do you know that I don't actually have a really suitable pincushion. That's a crime, isn't it! For a sewer, crafter, maker sort-of-person. I should have enough pincushions for every crafting space in my life. {downstairs studio, upstairs room, that draw in the front room, my go-places-sewing-stuff, and now at my new studio}.

But I have only two teeny little pretend pincushions. Just little bits of stuffed things (one's a pear, the other's a cone thing, based on those cone tree things that were very popular a few whiles ago -can't remember the link, sorry). Neither of them are big enough to actually properly accomodate the pins I have strewn around.

I love these apples from boxsqaure. Here's a tutorial.

{Mishi + I saw some of these at Sooki, made of the most beautiful silk 

Kimono scraps. She wanted, but I resisted......}

So, here's my thoughts. Because I don't want to just go the boring route and make myself one; I'm suggesting a little (big?) pincushion swap. I know one happened a bit ago somewhere in blogland, and I missed out on being part of that. It did look like fun. Did you miss out too, and now want to be part of something.......

Oh yum! Love this juicy pyramid from The Purl Bee. 

So - if you're in need of a new pincushion, or want to be part of some swapping fun; then just leave a comment and send me an email {redseedstudio@gmail.com}. I'll see how many people are interested and then organise partner swaps and things like that.

There's not going to be any rules about what sort of pincushion - I think most all bloggers out there are pretty decent about sending beautiful swaps (from what I've seen over the years). You can send just a pincushion, or send some other little things (but aren't obliged to). I think perhaps lets make it a secret swap - so you won't know who is sending you a pincushion, and you'll send yours as a surprise. {You'll get to do some blog lurking, so you know their favourite colours, fabrics, etc....}.

These Very Easy Pincushions, from Purl Bee, would look so cute en masse.

There's a friendly looking mouse here - who would look a bit like an echidna, hedgehog or porcupine when filled with pins. Cute!

And I can't get over this bee hive. What detail and dedicated for some pins. How fun. 

I've seen this lovely shape of pincushion around a lot - but, as usual, the fabrics really make it pop, don't they. Dear Fii makes the sweetest piles of pincushions.

Anna Maria makes some spectacular cushions for the pins. 

And this pretty little flower one.

{I could go on and on and on...... show me where your favourites are.}

So - are you up for it?
{Include your details in the email: Name, Blog name or flickr or whatever you online thing is, Fav colours (or anything you don't like - eg no felt or pink or something like that....).}

bread I'll be making

look at this yummy bread. oh.so.good.

i've not been making enough bread lately. i do hate buying bread. be it from the shops in a plastic bag (eeekkkkk hate that) or from the bakery in a paper bag (a much better option than plastic, and i can take my own paper bag to reuse. but the "gourmet" bakeries around here can get a bit $$ for something my family will consume in 1-2 days).

i'm planning on bread making this week.

rye is the only flour i have in the cupboard. trying to stop the excess wheat.

monday is studio working day (Sam is off work, to be an at-home-dad). so tuesday will be bread making day. perhaps you'll want to come back and share some fresh warm bread (with dripply butter and Vegemite, maybe) with us.

what's your best bread recipe? i don't really have one, as such - just bung it all in and knead it up. even though i've seen a lot of no-knead bloggers out there, the kneading is the thing for me. that's the part that always makes me think of my mum. and that's good.

*image used with thanks from Artisan Bread in Five Minutes.

sunday afternoon + giveaway winner

I've been sick for the past week and a half.
Keep thinking it's over; but it's one of those flu things that just stays around.lingering.
Lots of night time coughing.
Sam's been sick too; yet still having to go to work every day. Urgh. He's a good man.

Today I have finally have the energy to start getting the house back into order. And get the back-log of washing on the line. Perhaps by tomorrow the house will be looking good again - livable in.

We've spent a beautiful day of picnics in the backyard with my sister + nephew. Riding bikes, chatting, playing bubbles with the next door neighbours, drinking dandelion in the last patches of sunlight on a late Winter afternoon.

Sam and the kids have walked up to the bike shop. They're looking at a new bike for Ari's birthday (in October). He's finally getting the hang of riding, and needs a bigger bike. Mishi will get his old bike (painted pink, purple + silver; as per her request!).

I'm sorting through things (fabrics and associated stuff). Will be working at the studio tomorrow, and need to have everything on hand over there.

Listening to The Audreys.
Loving the lavender and jasmine that the kids are bringing into the house, and putting in little jars of water.
Enjoying this bookshelf and it's collection of things that I've recently put in the front room (during one of my little rearrange-moods).
And this crochet snowflake I made a while ago, and have hanging in the front windows.
Being inspired by this sea quilt. (Perhaps I'll finally get Ari's quilt started.....).
Flicking through the July/Aug issue of VogueLiving that Sylv found at the airport (on her way home from Tasmania a short while ago). {Sorry person who left it accidently and wanted to read the mag while the plane - I hope you enjoyed looking out the window instead}.

And the winner from my tea towel giveaway. (Sorry it's a week late - the flu headaches and drowsiness have been too consuming). Random generator has declared the winner to be Kim from Udessi.

*Come back soon, as I'll have another giveaway later this week.

two little tea pots

 

I made this little apron on Saturday afternoon, for my sister-in-law's birthday. Sam wondered if, now that she was engaged, I was dictating she become a housewife. You all know me better than that, don't you! {Sam does too - he was only joking....}.

The apple + pear fabric is a piece of my ultimate favourite from Alexander Henry. Don't know why - but it's fun isn't it. Looks super cute combined with the pink + yellow spots.

Of course it's a proper length on an adult - but on my two little tea pots is very long. Isn't it fun when you have some good looking models who like to spark it up for the camera!

The apron is based on a pattern from Made By Miffy. Very easy to make, and quick too - I sewed it up in less than 45mins (with interruptions of the boy burning himself on my iron and a little pony chattering to me in my sewing room). Of course, being me I didn't really follow the pattern - but I did read it and there are some excellent sewing tips and helpful little ideas, with step by step instructions. {I do have some for sale over here - if you want to make your own}.

today we are

- sitting in the sunshine
- smelling the beautiful jasmine growing along our front steps
- trying to avoid having to go out - we need to get a birthday present and a plunger (our kitchen sink is clogging up)
- drawing and writing birthday cards - I so love the way both my little ones are learning to write and being interested in words; at differing levels depending on their age
- trying to ignore the throbbing head, sore throat and hacking cough that I've had happening for the past two days {with Sam at work, having a decent sleep has not really been successful - unless you count 5 minute interruptions as sleep!}
- waiting until we can wash out the hair lice treatment on Mishi. If this doesn't work, then we'll have to consider shaving all her hair off.....

Enjoy your weekend. xx

lolly dolly {creative space}

I'm part of the entertainment, tonight, at a massive scrapbooking event.

The costumes are crazy and fun and like a little girls birthday party - but on high speed or something! 

I'm adding the finishing touches to my costume (it was given the seal of approval, last night, by the organiser).

A beautiful underskirt / petticoat borrowed from Sylv. It's so lush to wear so much tulle - oh, I do think I was meant to be born in a different era. {Mind you, I'm not sure I would have coped with the corsets or restrained feminist ideas}. A red + white striped silk dress, which I'm pulling up in ruffley bits so it shows off the most demure amount of tulle.

This morning I'm making fabric floral rosette bits to put onto the pinned up ruffles. I'll be wearing some in my hair, and around my neck as well. {This blue flowery hair piece was made by the always beautiful Nannette. I bought it from her last year at the Stitches + Craft Show - where I wish I'd bought one of her amazing cushions.....}

And my pink wedding shoes - so much fun to wear. But thankfully also quite comfortable. 

I'm thinking pink or purple tights underneath. Just for fun. Of course. 

Tonight is all about fun. 600 Scrapbookers. And a gang of Lolly Dolly entertaining girls all dressed up in craziness!

Lots more creative spaces at Kootoyoo. 

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.

ruffled

I'm working (much too slowly....) on my first fashion collection. I was hoping to have something to show by now; but life has not gone that way. Oh well.. much other stuff has happened. Let's aim for some sneak peek glimpses in a few weeks {still working on setting up new studio space, so I won't rush myself}.

Anyway - my collection features quite a lot of ruffles and frills and things. It seems I'm very fascinated with them. 

Not sure if the fact that they are all over Anthropologie (and I suppose, some other fashion places...) is a good thing or a bad thing. Perhaps by the time I have my collection ready to show ruffles will be too overdone. Perhaps my pieces will be something different anyway - and it won't matter in the slightest. {Here's hoping the latter is the truth}.

Anyway, here's a few pieces from the newest Anthropologie collection. I'm very much liking this jacket and gunmetal shirt. And the berry coloured blouse is very sultry.
{August 2010}

These few pieces are from Veronika Maine (as always favourite, and inspiring - love her cuts, designs, colours, shapes, patterns).
{top:: Summer '09 bottom: Winter '09}

* There's more to look at here - ruffle, frill, pleat.

more storage - display ideas

The top one is my favourite - very doable; if you have access to those sort of boxes. Which are very very hard to find in my city....

Found {meetmeatmikes}, which linked to {rugged storage options(morning's light)}, which linked back to {Hindsvik}, which has original sources. Oh - the joys of blog hopping.......

*all images used with thanks from all these, and the original, sources!