clare's craftroom

feeling.......

2012-01-30T14:44:00.000+11:00

extremely grateful ~ for your support

sad ~ to find out it is happening to so many others

embarrassed ~ that I carried on like a spoilt brat

and involved all of you.

humbled ~ by your loyalty

silly ~ that I let the matter affect not just me

but my family also .

sorry ~ I cut the comments on the last post too soon

and then people had to email me with their support.

grateful ~ again

free ~ strange maybe but I feel free !

I feel as though a huge weight has been taken from shoulders

and now I am able to reclaim my blog and because I am

so very melodramatic my life .

Free as a bird .

The little bird in the photos is just symbolic

because this little bird is not normally free it is usually

blue tacked to my kitchen shelf .

I thank you all from the bottom of my free heart.

spitting the dummy

2012-01-28T12:46:00.000+11:00

This , I hope , is my only dummy spit for the year.

I don't know about anyone else but I love to read comments on my blog , I really do .

I don't take any for granted and appreciate the time that people take to stop and say hello.
For some time I have gotten hardly any comments despite the fact that my stats tell me I still have 100s of visitors especially to my tutorials that I love to do .
Then I look at pinterest and see they have been pinned a zillion times so someone likes them .

So I adjusted my settings so that anyone could leave a comment , big mistake.

Anonymous thought this a great opportunity to rip into me .
Anonymous is such a nasty piece that at times I have even considered shutting my whole blog down .
It has gotten to the point where instead of being disappointed at no comments I have been relieved that they haven't been there because it feels like they have stained my cheerful blog .
This may sound a bit silly but it was beginning to feel uncomfortable .
Anonymous is so petty so far they have said ~
they won't be visiting anymore because I don't do enough giveaways ,
or because I said shit in one of my posts .
I am irresponsible for posting the chocolate cake recipe .
Excuse me I didn't know the health of the whole world rested on my blog.
I am also irresponsible for doing the previous post with the pencil tin as some child might hurt themselves getting a pencil out .
These comments from anonymous are the kinder ones it is actually a bit upsetting to think about let alone repeat the personal attacks that have been screeched at me .

Then there are the emails ...... these come into my home , my family could even read them .
I recently had the nerve to reply to a particulary horrible email and was then accused of stalking them.
I'm not up myself but I think I'm a pretty decent person and I don't deserve this.

I had thought about shutting my blog down but ,
stuff you anonymous this is my blog so I won't !

I will be closing comments after this post so anonymous comment away, be your mean self , I won't be deleting your comment .

Give it your best shot because this is your last .

I would like to go back to blogging for the joy of it instead of worrying that no one is interested or they are a little too interested .

To the genuine people that stop and visit , thanks xxx

back to school

2012-01-26T18:06:00.000+11:00

Pencils +

glue +

tin

= pencil tin !

Wishing your kids a year full of learning

and lots of laughter .

are you lucky ?

2012-01-24T14:00:00.000+11:00

Were you lucky enough to win the Tilda book ?

Thank you all so very much for taking the time

to visit my new shop and giving your opinions .

I really appreciate it and believe honest feedback

and constructive critisism

is very important and useful .

(Nasty old anonymous didn't make an appearance

on the last post either which is always a good thing)

Anyway were you lucky ?

Well guess what Lucky was lucky !

Yes Lucky wins the Tilda book .

Please send me an email with your address please .

I'll be back with a back to school project very soon

but in the meantime you can find me pinning at pinterest.

Or facing books at facebook.

Thanks again , have a great day x

tilda book giveaway

2012-01-21T12:58:00.001+11:00

It's a bit odd that someone who crafts for a living

has nothing crafty to blog about .

I've been busy streamlining my business and

trying to make it a bit more manageable .

I have opened a bigcartel shop to sell my patterns from.

What an easy set up , it's clean and tidy and I hope

to add some one off handmade things this year .

So why am I boring you with all this ?

I would like you to visit my new shop and

have a look and maybe tell me what you like

or what new design you would like to see there .

You won't need to take a cut lunch or anything

just click here and then come back here with your

wisdom and enter by leaving a comment

and you just may be the winner of this Tilda book .

It is open to everyone .

PS There is free post on all patterns in Australia

until Thursday in my shop

Thanks very much xxx .

Thanks for your interest but

this giveaway is now closed .

The Rug . Much more than just rags.

2012-01-17T17:15:00.000+11:00

Jodie from Ric Rac is having a rag rug-a-long .

I read about it and thought

"why yes Miss Clare you can manage that"

Jodie very clearly states it is not a challenge

but just for people to join in and support each other .

Pffft !

Damn right this is a challenge and I am in !

In fact I was so in I started ripping a vintage sheet

there and then .

I ripped and ripped because I was in .

I then rolled and rolled because I was in .

I got myself a fat , chunky hook and went for it .

Hook , pull , yank .

I was on a mission , the rag crown would be mine .

The whole time I felt I'm in and I'm going to win !

Not only would my rag rug be the best and the biggest

I was also going to finish first .

Blogger was going to give me my own space

because so many people would want to see The Rug .

Pinterest would inform me that everyone loved

The Rug more than my carrots .

Martha Stewart would want to fly me over for an interview

and 60 Minutes wanted to schedule a whole program

just about The Rug .

As I hooked , pulled and yanked I thought about

how I was going to photograph The Rug .

I really wanted this for a bathroom rug but no

photo editing program could fix my bathroom

and I couldn't retile the bathroom just for these

photos because I had already priced having The Rug

insured for the trip to visit Martha .

So I thought I would photograph The Rug with my darling

children rolling around on it and smiling.

OK This is my fantasy I know they'd be fighting.

Then I thought about a beautiful photo beside

the river with a lot of vintage crockery

and me looking all glamorous and willowy.

Still my fantasy ok !

I hooked and pulled and yanked until my arms were sore.

Surely , surely I would win a Punky award as

there could never be anything better than The Rug.

It was finally finished I was in !

My awards speeches were all rehearsed , I notified facebook

to expect lots and lots of new people to my page .

and then I had a really good look at The Rug .

Sorry Jodie , I'm out .

hearty xx

2012-01-14T15:43:00.000+11:00

I'm sure you've seen these hanging hearts in paper.

I thought maybe you'd like to try some in fabric.

They are fairly quick to make and the more

you make the better they look.

Cut a heart template to the size you want from cardboard.

Trace around the template onto the paper

side of applique paper.

Cut roughly around the traced lines .

Following the manufactures instructions for the paper

press the paper to the wrong side of your fabric.

You need four heart shapes to make one complete heart

and they don't all need to be the same .

Cut your heart shapes neatly on the traced lines.

Before removing the paper fold your hearts

in half and finger press to make a centre crease.

Remove the paper and start pressing your hearts

carefully to join them.

Make sure you are only pressing two halves at a time.

Work your way around using all four heart shapes.

When your heart is all done you can then thread some

invisible thread through with some buttons and beads .

Please forgive the dodgy photos and I really

wish Booger would stop putting those silly frames

around everything.

Please let me know if you make some hearts

I'd love to see yours x

chocolate

2012-01-11T12:46:00.000+11:00

I knew that title would get your attention .

I don't usually do the cooking bit here because

honestly I am a ~~terrible~~ ~~hopeless~~ ~~horrible~~

let's just say I'm not much of a cook .

But I thought I would make an exception with this

as it is absolutely the easiest thing ever .

All you need is a bought pastry shell

1/2 cup of cream and 200g block of chocolate.

I just used normal chocolate not cooking chocolate .

Slowly melt the chocolate and cream until smooth.

Pour into pie shell and refridgerate for an hour .

That's it !

It actually looks like I made an effort too .

Yes I know you could make your own biscuit base

but when I said this was easy I really meant lazy .

Enjoy .....

so you can get hopping

2012-01-08T13:02:00.000+11:00

I thought it might be helpful to if you

could find my Easter tutorials all in one place

and get an early start on the Easter Bunny .

Just a little bit of trivia ~

did you know my Fabric Carrots tutorial

has been viewed 17,540 times !

So if you would like that number to go up again

click here for the tutorial .

Daffodils are for anytime but especially nice for Easter.

Tutorial here .

maybe you'd like to try placemats and coasters

tutorial here.

Fabric tulips here.

Easy Easter craft for kids here.

Or something for the Easter Bunny to carry his eggs in here.

There will be a Valentine's Day tutorial next week

and another Easter tutorial is coming up .

This lot should keep you out of trouble .

Thanks for hopping in , see you soon !

lounging about

2012-01-04T17:06:00.000+11:00

Summer holidays , kids are home and the cricket is on .

Lots of lounging about has been done .

I feel a little more justified lounging about now

that I have made myself some lounging pants.

These were made from a vintage sheet and

are so very soft and light.

How are you spending the holidays ?

a little gift for you (I hope)

2011-12-30T17:51:00.000+11:00

Hi all did you have a nice Christmas?

I am slowly getting back to work , slowly , slowly.

Over the holidays I have been trying to work out

how to do PDFs as in the new year I am

hoping to offer some new patterns as PDFs as well as paper.

So you are probably wondering why I have a photo

of the crosswords in the paper here.

I love crosswords and wordgames and thought you

may like a crossword too .

I designed a crafty crossword in PDF for you to print out.

It is all craft related so if you would like to print out

extras for your craft group , go for it !

It does have a couple of swear words in the puzzle

so if you can't handle swearing don't download it .

This is my very first attempt at a PDF ~ I hope it works!

I'd love for you to let me know if you download it

and also what you think.

Fingers crossed ~ click HERE not shouting but a little nervous.

this time last year

2011-12-28T08:59:00.000+11:00

This time last year my family gathered together

and said goodbye to our Mum .

It feels like so long ago.

It feels like yesterday.

We have all missed her every day since.

Love you Mum xxx

a big ho

2011-12-22T13:04:00.002+11:00

Told you there was a big ho here .

Wishing all my readers a fantastic Christmas

please, please travel safely .

I will be back here after Christmas but

then in the New Year I will tell you all

my exciting plans for 2012 weeeeee!

This year has been a great one for my little business

and yes it has been a lot of hard work

but I think I have been given heaps of help

from you and others in the webby world .

Thanks so very much .

If you are looking for me you can find me

most days on facebook come on over

the Christmas tree is up and the kettle's on .

HO HO HO

the point is

2011-12-16T22:20:00.000+11:00

Hello there !

I've been making poinsettia brooches and thought

if you had a spare few minutes you might like

to make some too .

First I made a template from cardboard in a sort of

poinsettia petal shape .

Mine is about 1" along the base tapering to the top

and about 3" high .

Trace 6 petals on doubled Christmasy fabric .

Stitch around the sides leaving the base open

for turning through .

Cut around the petal with pinking shears

and trim the point .

Turn right side out and press .

Use a double thread and tacking stitch to join the petals.

Pull the thread to gather the petals into a flower shape.

Use little , teeny stitches to stitch the flower securely .

Add some pretty matching buttons to the centre .

I can hardly call this a tutorial (but I will) these are so easy !

These can be used as brooches , gift toppers or Christmas

decorations maybe you'd like to wear one in your hair!

I hope you get a chance to make some of these .

Quick coasters

2011-12-11T16:18:00.000+11:00

Tick tock Christmas is coming quickly .

I have heaps of quick Christmas ideas if you're interested.

Yes by quick I mean really lazy and hardly any effort.

To get some pretty coasters to match your Christmas

theme just use a gluestick to glue some wrapping

paper to small paper doilies .

Easy enough for the kids to help with and when

they're finished with they can just go

into the recyle bin .

Not the kids the coasters.

be seated

2011-12-09T09:13:00.000+11:00

I've been having a bit of a fiddle with place settings

for my family Christmas dinner .

I finally got myself organised and did teeny tiny

stitches on my dyed doily rounds and turned

them all into a very festive runner .

So , so lucky my oilcloth and doily runner

match my button tree .

I am a hopeless cook so it's just as well

the table will look beautiful as it might distract them .

it's all about the money

2011-12-06T13:59:00.001+11:00

Every Christmas a chocolate coin is placed under

every plate at the dinner table .

My kids don't think it's "just like magic " anymore

but it really isn't the same Christmas unless I do it .

Last Christmas was a very traumatic one and I was

so distracted I didn't manage to get any coins .

The week or so before Christmas day I had

so many people hunting all the shops for me and

I was even ringing nearby towns looking for them .

This year it's going to be different .

I have so many gold coins they can all eat the

chocolate and maybe I won't have to cook !

Do you have your own little traditions?

Please tell about them , I love hearing nice stories.

on the...

2011-12-01T06:58:00.000+11:00

first day of Christmas

my true love sent to me

lots and lots of buttons

so I made a tree .

oh baby

2011-11-28T10:24:00.000+11:00

I've been hoarding a stack of baby food jars and

considering my kids are teenagers it seems

I really like to hoard stuff .

In one of the bargain shops the other day I found

battery operated tea lights .

This was very exciting for me because I hate

real candles with a passion .

I can't stand the waxy smell and instead

of relaxing with candles they make me tense waiting

for them to burn my house down .

Anyway blah blah blah I decided to finally

use some of the baby food jars .

I just used some coloured string wrapped around ,

turned on the little lights and popped them in the jars.

I wish you could see these in the dark they look so pretty .

You'll have to take my word for it as the photos don't

do them justice , they are so beautiful

all twinkling away and

safe too.

winners

2011-11-27T15:38:00.000+11:00

Hi everyone from Squiddley !

The winners for the pattern and 3 fat 1/4s is .....

Sally and Posie Patchwork .

The winner for the o/s pattern is ...

Indigo Blue .

Thanks to everyone for entering and could those ladies

please contact me with addresses .

If you are really , really disappointed in not winning

cheer up , the pattern is now in my shop !

fabric and pattern giveaway

2011-11-24T16:00:00.000+11:00

To celebrate the launch of Squiddley the very cute alien

at Australian Quilt Market I have decided to have a

fabric and pattern giveaway !

This has nothing to do with me becoming a very slack blogger

and needing feedback on my new design , really it doesn't .

Well yes it does but that's ok .

Unfortunately there is a little catch , sorry

but it would cost me a million dollars to post the fabric

and the pattern overseas so I am going to say

only open to Australian bloggers .

I will have one pattern on it's own for overseas visitors.

So if you are an Aussie and would like 3 fat 1/4s and

a pattern for Squiddley please leave a comment on this post.

If you are a guest from overseas please leave a comment

and just let me know you are far , far away ...

There are two fabric and pattern packs , yay !

Squiddley would make a fantastic Christmas

pressie for a little boy because it's really hard

to find stuff to make for them .

I need to be able to contact you if you win so

please make sure you are reachable.

I will draw the winners on Sunday but if you don't win

you will then be able to find the

Squiddley pattern in my shop.

Thanks to F.D Textiles for the great fabric !

P.S. You'd make so happy if you blogged about my new

pattern I'd give you an extra entry !

off to the trade show

2011-11-21T21:05:00.000+11:00

Squiddley has left for the Melbourne Trade Show.

I thought he might be lonely so I made him a few brothers .

They were all hanging around as I packed patterns .

There was lots of giggling and mucking about

because they are very naughty monsters.

They waved goodbye

and happily jumped in the box with the patterns

and headed off to Kathryn at F.D. Textiles.

Kathryn is taking them to The Trade Show in Melbourne

this week and they will get to hang out with

gorgeous fabric from Saffron Craig

Twomonkeys Fabric and Umbrella Prints .

If you are going to the Show pop over to

F.D. Textiles on stand 55

and see if they are behaving .

Maybe you'd even like them in your shop !

wrapping myself in love this Christmas

2011-11-18T15:43:00.001+11:00

This year has been a difficult one and as Christmas

draws closer as I have been thinking more and more

about my dear Mum .

I have been hanging on to some of her nighties that she

gave me last year as she wanted

the sleeves shortened on them.

I never did get to do them for her.

So I have decided to cut them up and make myself

a small quilt out of them as a Christmas present from her.

Yes some of the squares that I have cut

have tea stains on them.

No I will not be trying to get these small stains out.

Mum will understand xxx

what ! more bunting !

2011-11-15T23:07:00.000+11:00

I was so pleased to be asked by Kerryanne to

be a part of Simply Christmas again this year .

There is just much going on over at her blog

Shabby Art Boutique .

This is a tutorial that I had over there

and I thought you may like to make some bunting too .

I was lucky enough to find some Christmas tablecloths

in my local op shop but you could sort through

your stash and use up leftover Christmas fabric

to make multi coloured bunting .

I first made a template from cardboard 7" sides x 7.5" top.

Trace around the template on doubled fabric.

Cut out on the lines.

Stitch around the sides using 1/4"

seam allowance leaving the top open.

Trim the pointy bit.

Turn your flag right side out and trim the little

triangles that poke out.

Use a blunt skewer and push the base of your

flag to make your point nice and sharp.

Press all your finished flags.

Make yourself some binding in a contrasting colour.

The length is determined by how many flags

you would like to make or where

you are going to hang your gorgeous bunting.

I made my binding about 3m long.

For this bunting I cut strips of white fabric about 2.5 " .

Press them in half .

Open them out and fold over and then press the edges

into the centre , press again .

Pin your flags with the open tops inside the binding.

Leave about 60cm at end end for hanging your bunting.

Stitch along the whole length .

Hang your beautiful bunting and enjoy !

Wishing you all a simply beautiful Christmas.

Yes I know I have turned into the slackest blogger

ever in the whole history of blogging .

I'll try and get my act together very soon .

bye bye bunting

2011-11-10T13:31:00.000+11:00

My baby girl is turning 14 this week .

We are having a family tea outside on the verandah

and I am going to decorate it with paper doily bunting.

Not too young , not too old , just lovely !

In the olden days when I was in primary school

we use to make these to decorate the classroom .

Paper doily bunting is great for any occasion

birthday , Christmas and markets .

Bunting and doilies = a perfect mix !

simply christmas

2011-11-09T10:36:00.000+11:00

Do you want to be really , really organised this Christmas?

If you think you may need a little help hop over

to Kerryannes blog Shabby Art Boutique .

Kerryanne has lists to get you organised and

lots of home cooking and fantastic giveaways.

There are also going to be really simple tutorials including

one from myself today so you know it will be simple !

While you're there check out Kerryannes ebook

The Creative Mumpreneur

Seeya there !

my place and yours

2011-11-05T12:08:00.001+11:00

I'm joining Vic and all the others in My Place and Yours.

This week it is my favourite piece of clothing.

Now that I'm really old I'm not that interested in clothes.

If anyone gave me free rein to go anywhere clothes shopping

I would always still end up in Vinnies.

Racks and racks of all the same clothes that are in the

trendy shops just bore me to tears .

Honestly I would rather poke sticks in my eyes

than to have to try stuff on in those places.

All that being said as the photo above shows

I did have a little flick through my wedding dress collection

this morning looking for something to show you.

I have such a nice assortment just in case I get

married again one day .

I have no plans at all to leave my beautiful husband

but you just can't ever be too prepared .

I'm sorry I couldn't pick just one stunner to show you.

So it looks like I just have to sit this one out

but you can still play , I'm just too comfortable

in my pink crocs and grey trackies to move anywhere.

my place and yours

2011-10-30T13:17:00.000+11:00

I was a bit hesitant to join in with my place and yours

this week as the meme is where I sleep .

I didn't want anyone to feel jealous seeing my

beautiful and scarily tidy bedroom.

So I visited where Red Dog sleeps .

She gave me a wink and said "just go for it!"

I still wasn't quite sure so I wandered around the yard

and then I made my decision .

Yes I will show you the rest of my gorgeous bedroom .

But when I got there the old cat was asleep on

my unmade bed and I didn't want to disturb him .

I hate to disappoint you but the first photo

is not really my bedroom but I can dream .

Image from here.

Hop over to link up here if you'd like to play along .

our creative space

2011-10-27T07:41:00.000+11:00

My creative space is outside this week .

The weather has been gorgeous and I know

very soon it will be far too hot to go outside .

So I have been digging and mulching .

Visiting the gnomes,

waiting impatiently for strawberries

and adding a bit of bling to

The Horny Head as it is fondly known as here .

Are you playing our creative spaces ?

my place and yours

2011-10-22T10:44:00.000+11:00

My place and yours this week is your favourite pincushion.

My favourite pincushion was originally a double layer

sponge cake with a lovely embroidered doily

for the icing and beaded trim.

One day I was desperate for some stuffing and ripped the

bottom layer apart to pinch the filling.

So now I have just the top layer sitting in my beautiful

green glass bowl beside my sewing machine.

I really need a big pincushion as I often don't look

when I'm throwing pins about and this way I have

a better chance of some landing where they should.

Thanks for the chance to play Vic .

Are you playing ? Go here to add your link .

ten things you probably never needed (or wanted) to know

2011-10-20T20:00:00.000+11:00

1. My favourite flower is the daffodil.

2. I am the third youngest of eight children.

3. I never , ever wear matching socks.

4. My football team is the South Sydney Rabbitohs

(it was also my grandfathers favorite team)

5. I am married and live with 2 kids , 2 cats , 2 dogs but

sadly only one husband but I think a wife would be helpful.

We also have a pet python .

6. I don't like the dark , I'm not scared of it

I just don't like it .

7. I am terrified of heights . When I was a teen a group

of us scaled the fence at the Harbour Bridge

in Sydney and climbed it all the way to the top.

It was so much fun then but I shudder to think of it now.

8. I left school at 14 the above story probably

gives a clue to why.

9. I am a vegetarian .

10. I love clocks , solar lights , books , the smell of trains ,

living in the country , craft and my family.

Are you still awake ?

If you are awake and want to play just list 10 things

about yourself , I'd love to see it as I'm

sure your 10 will be much more interesting than my 10.

Love to

2011-10-18T13:54:00.000+11:00

Recently I was contacted by Kathryn from

F.D.Textiles an Australian

fabric wholesaler .

Kathryn asked if I would be interested

in making a softie for the boys .

Oh and they would supply the fabric

Well I thought about it (for about 3 seconds )

and said yes please , love to !

So here you are , meet Squiddly !

Squiddly won't be released as a pattern until

November at the Melbourne Quilt Show .

F.D.Textiles will be there with Squiddly

and a few of his brothers in other

colours from the range .

I'll remind you again before the show just

in case you are going to be there and that

way you can check up on them for me.

They do look a bit cheeky !

on my shelf

2011-10-16T10:23:00.000+11:00

Hooray Vic has brought back My Place and Yours !

I was so very excited to join in with this weeks meme

which is ~ on your shelf .

In fact I was so excited I spent the whole morning

washing and shining and dusting my bottle

collection that is on my shelf in my kitchen.

Just to prove it the photo below is how my bottles

looked before all my dusting and cleaning and washing .

What ! Exactly the same photo !

I really am excited to join in but not enough

to clean all these on a Sunday .

Join in and show us what is on your shelf .

Wordless Wednesday

2011-10-12T13:11:00.000+11:00

I know it's meant to be wordless but I need to acknowledge

the source of this image .

Magnets and cards on facebook here.

Website for lots of retro fun here.

I'm also hoping this picture helps explain

why I have been so quiet .

ho ho hum

2011-10-06T21:07:00.000+11:00

Another week has gone by and I have managed to blog.

Still school holidays here , again .

Deadlines looming.

Housework not being done.

Working hard and can't show you anything.

Same , same , you ?

loopy

2011-10-01T22:15:00.000+10:00

I still haven't decided on my colours for Christmas.

I'm not really a red and white girl....

but I do love a good pink and white .

While I'm deciding I'll just keep playing with

lots of different colours.

What other colour combinations do you think I should try?

I heart vintage fabric

2011-09-25T22:33:00.000+10:00

I've made a start on my Christmas stockings

using the chenille that I showed you in my last post .

and because I am ~~tight~~ no ~~stingy~~ no frugal I have

been making very good use of the scraps

and making some little hearts filled with lavendar.

These smell so beautiful .

How are your Christmas preparations going ?

our creative space

2011-09-22T07:00:00.000+10:00

My creative space is full of old

but very beautiful fabrics this week .

I'm on a mission to use up my new and vintage

fabric that I already have instead of buying more.

This gorgeous lot is destined to become

Christmas stockings for my family presents.

Most of my family follow

the same football team, South Sydney ,whose

colours are red and green so these colours for

Christmas will

be a very pleasant change !

For lots more creative spaces head over here .

a tip from an old hooker

2011-09-15T22:09:00.000+10:00

Oh come on you know I can't give away those secrets !

You already know I love to crochet and I think

to be quite honest it is because I am so lazy .

I've said before how much I love the soothing repetition as

I can't follow a pattern and can only do very basic work.

Like a lot of you my fingers and wrists used to ache

and made crocheting a chore .

That was until I decided to add pencil grips to all

my hooks and really , truly I can crochet all day !

Yes I have told you about this before but

something so helpful is worth repeating .

P.S. I am still having lots of trouble commenting

on certain blogs if anyone can give me suggestions

how I can fix this I would appreciate it as I have the

best visitors here and I love to return the visit

when I can .

A special hello to Bri from Live.Laugh Love.Create.

no matter how many times I've tried I can't leave

a comment for you , sorry .

P.S.P.S. I still haven't heard from the winners

from my giveaway , see post below.

Were you a winner?

Do you know I play a bit at Facebook ?

I'd love to see you there !

and then there were two

2011-09-12T16:29:00.000+10:00

Do you remember my snuggly , stripey and fun blanket ?

I showed it to you a while back and since then it

has been a big hit at my house .

Of course I needed to start another .

This one is done with all my scrappy bits of wool.

If I can do two rows in one colour , great !

If I don't have enough I've just been joining bits on and

enjoying the soothing repetition .

There are also two winners from my anniversary giveaway .

Sarah who won two patterns

and Kate who has won the books.

would you please email me with your details.

Thanks to everyone else for your interest

and your very kind words.

3 years ago .....

2011-09-08T08:56:00.001+10:00

Three years ago I shyly began this blog with

this exciting picture of my own logo.

Since then I have ....

posted lots of crochet and

lots of Christmas

released new patterns

and done quite a few tutorials

and a few makeovers ..

I've also done a whole lot of just weird posts.

But I have also opened my blogshop

and blathered on in facebook.

My business has grown more than I could

ever have dreamed .

My kids have moved on from Primary School to High School

We are still renovating our house .

We have been flooded.

I lost my beautiful Mum .

As a very small thanks for all your incredible support

I would love to give a parcel of goodies

to one of my Aussie followers.

I would also like to thank my cheer squad from OS .

If you would please comment on this post after

you have visited my shop and let me know

which two patterns you would like .

So for the Aussies it will be the books and

for the OS visitors it will be patterns .

Thanks so much to all you for putting up

with me for 3 years !

You really are a very tolerent bunch !

Thanks for your interest , this giveaway has been drawn .

well hello Spring , it's nice to have you back !

2011-09-01T10:35:00.001+10:00

It's nice to have you back too !

Let's get started on making some beautiful daffodils .

You will need some daffodily coloured fabric,

some thin wire , buttons, cardboard for templates

and green electrical tape .

Use the cardboard to make a petal template

the one used here is about 2" high .

Cut out your template and use it to trace 6 petals

on double fabric with right sides facing.

Stitch around all the petals before cutting them

out with pinking shears .

Turn the petals right side out and press.

Tack along the base of the petals without breaking

the thread in between keeping them all together .

Pull the thread to form flower shape and stitch

securely together .

Cut two different pieces of coloured fabric approx

4" wide x 2" high .

Stitch along the top .

Open out and fold to form a tube , stitch .

Fold under raw edges.

Turn right side out with the folded edges as your base.

Turn over a small piece at the top.

Gather and secure the base with neat stitching .

Stitch centre to petals .

Thread wire through button .

Push the wired button through the centre of the flower.

Cover the wire with green electrical tape .

I hope I have made all this very clear and

haven't forgotten any photos or steps .

Wishing you all a blooming gorgeous Spring !

daffodil day

2011-08-26T07:57:00.000+10:00

Today is Daffodil Day .

The daffodil is the international symbol of hope

for cancer sufferers .

The Cancer Council hopes to raise$ 9.5 million this year.

I have provided the link in case you are able to donate .

If you would like to make some very pretty daffodils which

also happen to be my favourite flower,

I'll be back on September 1st to celebrate

the beginning of Spring in Australia

and give you a tutorial on how I make these .

I love being able to make fabric flowers because I can

have daffodils all year round .

If you would like to make them too pop back

on September 1st and I'll have a million photos

to show you how .

really?

2011-08-21T16:25:00.000+10:00

Yes really !

It's almost time for a little celebration as soon

I will have been blogging for 3 whole years !

Don't worry I won't start getting all weepy

just yet but I am planning a party , yay !

Are you coming ?

spot the lazy crafter

2011-08-17T13:20:00.000+10:00

as I was saying ...

I've been working on some Christmas projects.

The theme is red and white .

Of course I needed props for photos .

The red and white cups were easy

as I do love a few spots .

All I had then was a plain ,white ,boring vase.. ..

but I did have some red stickers so....

Ta da !

When I'm finished with the red and white

I can just peel the stickers off and replace them

maybe with pink ?

notable

2011-08-10T21:10:00.000+10:00

Here is a very quick and easy way to

to make dull old notebooks more noticable .

Get yourself some daggy notebooks .

These were very , very cheap at the newsagents.

Trace the size of the notebook and add 1.5cm

to each edge . If you are going to make a few

of these glue your tracing to some thin card

to use as a template.

Trim the corners for a neat finish inside.

Use a marker and trace around the template

onto the paper side of applique paper .

Follow the paper manufactures instructions

and press the paper to the wrong side of your fabric .

Use paper scissors to cut the traced fabric out.

Peel off the paper and fit your prepared fabric

to your notebook adjusting as necessary.

Use a hot iron with no steam press

the front and back covers only on .

When you are happy with the covers press

the inside flaps to secure them .

Aren't they easy !

You can always add some applique

or ribbons to these and they can then

be on hand for quick gifts .

Christmas , I'm sorry , really isn't that far off

and you can make a stack of these

in no time , really you can .

it's beginning to look a lot like.....

2011-08-07T13:47:00.000+10:00

....a mad womans breakfast around here .

I'm preparing magazine Christmas projects

and they asked for some projects in red and white .

I'm not really a red and white girl but I think

I could be swayed .

Does your Christmas at home have a theme ?

Are you all colour coordinated ?

Although my kids are teenagers I still put their

kindergarten crafts up and the rest of the

decorating is a little hotch potch .

I'd really be interested to hear about your

Christmas decorating , it's not

too early to start thinking about it

and if you are anything like me

the sooner the better !

PS I will be doing lots of Christmas tutorials

here in the next few months leading up to

the big day if only to get my own act together.

family photos

2011-08-02T14:21:00.000+10:00

I tried to take a photo of all the "Kennedy Kids"

Honey Bunny kept poking Perky Penguin .

Frances Frog wouldn't leave anyone in peace.

She kept leaning on Toby the Dog

and tickling Chris Crocodile .

Here they all are together sort of behaving .

The patterns for all of these naughty kids are

available in my blogshop or in my ebay shop.

Thank goodness the new softie I am working on

doesn't have legs or arms or hands .

Curious ?

oh look terrible photos too !

2011-07-29T17:08:00.000+10:00

I've whined before about my computer problems .

Hopefully it will all be sorted soon and I can

show you some things I've been working on .

If you squint your eyes these photos

might look better .

Now would you believe it my camera is playing up !

These little bags are just so cute

but they look a bit ordinary in these photos .

I scaled down my Catchit bag pattern

and I've been having fun making

little Catchits for little girls .

Thanks to all who have stuck by me.

As some of you know the last 6 months have been

very difficult for me but I'm getting there .

So next time you visit you may just

find inspiration and non blurry photos ,

maybe ..

keeping teens tidy ha ha ha !

2011-07-23T15:09:00.000+10:00

In an effort to try and get the teen girl

to keep her room tidy I've made her

some pretty boxes to store her things in.

I know I'm not the only one with messy teenagers

so I've done a little tutorial for the boxes in case

you need help too .

They really are so quick and easy to make

that I thought they'd be great Christmas presents

with a few nice things inside .

You can make these any size just adjust

the measurements to suit .

First I cut 4 x 20cm x 20cm squares in two colours.

I then ironed a firm interfacing to the wrong side

of the fabric that I chose to have on the outside .

Stitch around 3 sides of the two front pieces

with right sides facing.

Repeat with the inner fabric but in this case

leave a generous gap for turning .

On the wrong sides of each base corner

mark out a square 3cm x 3cm.

Fold the fabric to make a neat corner .

Pin and stitch across the line .

Trim excess .

Repeat with inner fabric .

Place inner box inside the outer box

with right sides facing and side seams even

and stitch all the way around .

Turn your box the right side out through the gap

you left in the inner fabric .

Stitch gap neatly closed .

Press along the top edge of the box and top stitch .

Now your pretty box is ready to be filled

with junk by your messy teenager

or is this just what happens in my house !

I can't think of a title for this post

2011-07-17T14:32:00.000+10:00

We are almost at the end of school holidays here .

Right at the beginning of the holidays

I felt I needed to make the decision to continue

working around the kids and their friends,

juggling two part time jobs ,

renovations and all the other stuff we seem to manage.

Or let something go for just two weeks .

So except for orders I have done no work,

designing or sewing for Clare's Craftroom

for two long weeks .

My girl and I made these cards together

and a bit of scrapbooking and that's it !

I think the break has refreshed me and I can't

wait to get back into it .

In the meantime to kick me back into some

sort of creativity I have started a paperbag swap

over on facebook .

If you are an Aussie interested in a small swap

click over , like my page and let me know .

I'd love for you to join in .

There's only a few days until the kids go back

to school , do you think I can last that long ?

still nothing going right

2011-07-12T12:27:00.000+10:00

I flattened some of my old spoons the other day

as I wanted to stamp them to use

as garden markers .

So I wrote out the herbs that I wanted printed

and got started .

I tried stamping basil and got this .

I tried again .

and again ...

I hate basil anyway .

craft fail

2011-07-07T15:35:00.000+10:00

My friend Jodie from Ric Rac first alerted

me to a condition known as E.I.T.T.T.S.

Every thing I touch turns to shit .

Personally I don't believe she has really ever suffered

from this as she is one of

the most talented crafters I know .

Anyway I seem to be suffering from

this condition in a big way .

Some of the things I have attempted lately

I can't even laugh at them yet but I know I will soon .

So instead of showing you still painful recent disasters

I thought I'd relive an old one .

Obviously this one is quite old as it has been a

while since my house has had a rustic , country theme.

Quite a while back I was a decorative painting teacher

and painted everything that would stay still and

this was how it was for my old cupboard here .

I whipped the doors off and took it to my Craftroom

to paint it with chooks and wire .

At the time I was very pleased with it and wanted

the cupboard completed as a surprise for the family .

It was all going to plan until I realised I'd

painted the design upside down on the doors

so now the doors don't shut properly and it

is forever flopping open .

It has been known by my lovely family

as Mums' Failed Cupboard .

Do you have a crafting disaster you can share ?

Please leave details so we can come and ~~mock~~ visit you.

Please share your disasters

you just might make me feel better !

the art of dying

2011-07-01T15:07:00.000+10:00

I've been meaning to dye for a while and

have finally gotten around to it .

Please note this is not professional tutorial

this is just the way I did it .

I had a very old stained lacy tablecloth

that I washed and cut up .

This is what I used to dye -

6 RIT colour packs , 6 empty honey containers (1.5kg)

6 plastic forks , 6 sachets of salt from Maccas ,

rubber gloves , hot water and a plastic

cloth to cover the table .

I did try and read the instructions on the

inside of the packet but the print was very small

and I really can't be bothered with instructions

so I ignored them because I couldn't

find my glasses anyway .

I scooped out 2 teaspoons of dye from each packet

and put it into a plastic pot with a sachet of salt .

I then poured some boiling water over to dissolve it all.

Then I filled the pots up to about 2/3 with hot water.

Then I put in the doilies and sloshed them around

with the plastic fork.

When the water had cooled and I had become

really impatient I tipped the dye outside .

(I tipped the full strength dye behind the shed ssshhh)

I don't think anything like this belongs in

our waterways , stepping off soapbox.

Then I rinsed and rinsed and rinsed the fabric

until the water ran clear .

My rinsing photo I took inside but

it is a good idea to do it outside on the grass

because you do use a bit of water and

you may as well water the yard .

PS One day later my grass is still alive .

Spread the dyed pieces out to dry .

I waited until mine were dry and then poured

hot water over a couple of them to see if they ran

but they didn't .

Just in case you were wondering these are

the colours I used .

I enjoyed dying and hope to dye again soon !

not drowning , waving

2011-06-27T14:03:00.000+10:00

Well sometimes it feels like I'm drowning .

Just when blogger started playing nice

my computer decided to curl up it's

little keys and die !

So while we are waiting for my computer

I can show you a little of my tidier Craftroom.

the fabrics I am using on a new tutorial

just for you !

and......

a little look at my new bag design

that I can't write the pattern for because

I don't have my computer .

See I'm not really drowning ,

still smiling

and waving hello to you all !

have a seat

2011-06-22T12:25:00.000+10:00

On second thoughts maybe you shouldn't sit here

as you'll cover up the only craftiness

I've managed lately .

You know how it is family , house , work , it all

takes time and craftiness just for the pleasure

of it somehow just needs to be crammed

in between somewhere .

This is why I decided to cover this old chair

as the vegetables were cooking last night .

Ooh you may be thinking that must look

lovely in Clare's shabby chic designer bedroom

that of course must be immaculate .

Well I hate to disappoint you but my bedroom

is an absolute disaster and this beautiful chair

is just a spare kitchen chair for.....

the cats !

who's cool ?

2011-06-17T11:42:00.000+10:00

I thought about doing a post with Perky Penguin

sliding around in the snow ,

throwing snowballs and having fun .

Then I decided Perky didn't need all that

as he is just so cool !

Well maybe he's not that cool !

Pattern for Perky Penguin in my shop now

and that really is cool .

oh deer

2011-06-11T17:04:00.000+10:00

Deer oh deer ...

oh deer you thought I'd forgotten you !

Never fear my dear I am here

with the winner of the book in the post below .

The winner is .....

Amy@flowerflame.

Thanks everyone for all your great answers

I love to receive input !

I'll try not to be away for so long this time

I'm just waiting for my new logo

and then I can send my new pattern to

the printers and that means more winners

and another little pattern giveaway !

If you're looking for me you can find me

at my facebook page most days

so please come for a chat .

a quickie giveaway

2011-06-06T12:23:00.001+10:00

I really don't know where the time goes

but suddenly I am finding deadlines looming .

I'm going to be head down for the rest

of the week finishing a few things and

then pattern writing so I thought I'd pop

in for a quickie giveaway so you don't

think I've dropped off my perch .

If you would like this book just leave a comment

on this post , open to all !

Just do me a favour please though and pop

over to my little shop and tell me

what other patterns you would like to see in there .

I'll be back in a few days to let you know

who wins this great book

and hopefully I'll show you this scarf all finished too !

This giveaway is now closed .

Thanks for your interest .

tacky ! yep that's me !

2011-06-02T19:29:00.000+10:00

There's was a party atmosphere at my house

the other day with my teenagers .

The reason was that Mums tacky lamp

had finally broken and had to go !

If you know teenagers you can just picture

the eye rolling when I needed to use my lamp

and to make it just a little more interesting I

would always say "hello pretty birdies"

as I turned it on .

This was guaranteed

that I would get an eye roll and sometimes

the bonus prize for me was the big huff

as they left the room sooooo embarrassed of their mother !

Well I fixed those kids of mine .

I cut the cord off and took out the light fitting

so I still have my tacky but very pretty little birdies .

caught !

2011-05-30T11:13:00.000+10:00

I met a lovely old dear the other day .

She told me she had seen my Catchit bag in a

magazine and how much she loved it .

If fact she loved it so much she wanted 3,

one for each of her great-granddaughters.

I tried to politely explain I only do the

patterns I don't take orders for the bags themselves.

Never mind about what patterns she said

I'd like one in greens,

and one in pinks ,

and do you have one in bluey greens

for the oldest one?

But , but I only sell the patterns !

I delivered her new Catchits on the weekend

and the old dear told me I was such a good girl

she would tell her friends !

If you would like to make your own Catchit bag

the pattern to make your own

is in my shop .

my creative space

2011-05-26T08:09:00.000+10:00

I was bored for a split second last week so

of course I went shopping online .

I bought two charm packs of Hullabaloo.

As you might know I am not a quilter

but would like to be so I thought I could

just stitch all these squares together

and then go ta da I made a quilt !

Then I convinced myself if I was capable of

buying quilt fabric I could do something

a little more adventurous .(silly girl)

So my creative space has been full of circles

on squares . I love the handstitching part

but really don't like getting the circles ready .

Hope to show you it all finished by 2020!

Smarter creative spaces here .

the great cushion swap

2011-05-23T12:16:00.000+10:00

I joined Vics cushion swap , yes I know I said

no swaps this year but.....

Anyway I had no idea who my partner was

until my cushion turned up here this morning .

Well Jennie from Craving Frocks really

out did herself with my lovely cover !

After going through my blog Jennie decided

to use my own images on my cover

how clever is that !

I really love my new cover and appreciate

the effort and creativity that went into it,

Thanks very much Jennie .

I have sent my cover to the hostess with the mostess

but she hasn't received it yet so I won't show

it to you , I like to keep her in suspenders !

PS I do apologise that I have been unable

to email and thank Jennie personally so to speak.

you have come to the wrong blog

2011-05-20T10:17:00.000+10:00

If you were looking for some creative inspiration

or perhaps a glimpse of my rosy cheeked children ..

maybe you were hoping for some witty banter or

at the very least some lovely neat stitching...

were you breathless at catching a peek at

my immaculate home

or wanting to see a new pattern release...

well......

you're out of luck ,

maybe next time !

settle down

2011-05-14T13:16:00.000+10:00

Well blogger sure had some issues this week .

Time away from the blog led me to a garage sale

where I found these beautiful cups , sigh ...lovely !

I think I'll use them for a bit and then make them

into pincushions , what do you think ?

I'm making pumpkin soup today with the

ugliest pumpkin ever!

Here's hoping you have a great weekend !

the mystery of the missing head

2011-05-09T10:15:00.000+10:00

Yes I think my head is missing !

I have been a little distracted lately and having

just a bit of trouble staying on track .

This poor softie that I have been working on

has been sitting on my workbench for oh um

about a month, headless !

I've worked out the body but just can't get

my act together and get the head right .

I did say a few weeks ago I was going to have

a new pattern release and a giveaway so

I'll kill two birds with one stone ,this is just

a saying please don't call the R.S.P.C.A.

See if you can guess what my new softie is and

I will draw two winners to receive

one of the books below .

The fabric used in the mockup won't help you

I only used brown because I know I don't have to keep it !

fabric tulips tutorial

2011-05-05T07:59:00.000+10:00

So you'd like to make some tulips ?

First you will need some scrap cardboard .

Copy the diagram below , my finished template

was about 6" long by about 2 1/2 " high

with a little edge about 1/4" on each end .

Trace around your template onto doubled fabric .

Do not cut out yet .

Begin your stitching on the little edge leaving

the longer side pieces open .

Stitch all around the petal shapes .

Trim and clip curves before turning out .

Give your petals a good iron .

Open the fabric and match the unstitched edges and stitch .

Turn the tulip right side out .

Fold under the raw edges at the base of the tulip

and use a double thread to tack all around

and then pull the gathering stitches to form the base .

Push a stick into the centre (you can use a chopstick)

If you find your flower a bit wobbly on the stick

you can add some glue on the inside .

Tie a piece of green ric rac or ribbon on the stick

because this makes the tulips look even more real !

A few variations could be putting two flowers

on one stick for double tulips or having

different fabrics on the inside .

All done !

Let me know what you think and if

you make some I'd love to see them .

Thanks a bunch for visiting !

fabric flowers for mum

2011-05-03T13:23:00.000+10:00

Would you like to make your mum

a pretty bunch of flowers ?

They look realistic don't they ?

Don't you have flowers like this in your yard ?

I must just be lucky !

Pop back for the full tutorial on Thurday

and while you're gone I should really do some weeding !

vintage sheets

2011-05-01T17:04:00.000+10:00

I always feel a bit sad when I cut into

one of my vintage sheets .

But then again if I'm making something for

someone else I feel a bit more confident

that if I stuff it up there is plenty more

beautiful fabric to work with .

There is also the added bonus that if I make

something for someone else and I just adore

it and can't bear to part with it

there is plenty more to make one exactly

the same for me !

supporting handmade

2011-04-29T12:22:00.000+10:00

I went shopping with my teenager daughter the other day .

We don't get to the big shops very often so

we took the opportunity to have a good look around .

We went into one of those jewellery shops,

you know the ones with all the loud music

and the shop girls bounce over to see

if they can help with very bright , high voices .

Anyway my daughter was a bit taken with a necklace .

It was pretty , it was trendy and damned if

I couldn't make it myself !

It was also very , very expensive .

I'm fairly sure it was imported very cheaply

from overseas and now someone is making a fortune

and it isn't the people overseas that are

paid a pittance .

Which finally brings me to my point .

There is a program on the ABC

called Blood , Sweat and Luxuries

that shows the hardships people endure just

so we can have our fancy goods .

It has showcased embroidery sweatshops and

precious metal mining and computer recycling .

What these poor people go through for us

is just incredible and heartbreaking .

This program is a real eye opener and

I highly recommend it .

I would always rather support local handmade and

in a very small way I hope this helps .

This is as political as you are ever

going to get from me but I am so passionate

about handmade , upcycling , recycling , reusing

and just making do that this was a good place

to rant to so many others that feel the same .

So the handmade necklace was made.

The girl and I just love it and because

we worked on it together this

always makes handmade extra special !

help I've been hexed !

2011-04-27T13:51:00.000+10:00

As most of you know I am not a quilter .

I have seen hexies around forever and have

never really been interested in doing them

until just recently .

After a bit of chat on facebook I found

a great tutorial here .Thanks Karen .

I decided right from the start that

only scraps could be used .

The new addiction then began .

There are little bags of hexies ready

to be stitched everywhere !

I even have a bag of them in the car

for times when I'm waiting to pick up kids .

Why do I need help you ask ?

After all these little hexies have been joined

to make a flower then what ?

Surely if I stitch around the edges onto backing

fabric the middle piece will pop up ?

Or if I join all the flowers together how do

I get them onto the backing .

I repeat

I.am.not.a.quilter.

hello chickadee !

2011-04-20T13:53:00.000+10:00

From my chicks to your chicks

have a safe and happy Easter .

I will be having a little blog break over Easter .

When I come back there will be a giveaway ,

a new pattern release and maybe a new swap .

If you have a swap idea let me know here

and I'll see what I can do .

Don't eat too much chocolate !

how does the Easter bunny carry his eggs ?

2011-04-16T16:39:00.000+10:00

In a Honey Pot of course !

I did a tutorial for these last year for Christmas

in Christmassy fabrics but as you can see

that look pretty darn cute for the Easter Bunny too !

If you you would like to make some the tutorial is here

They are easy to adjust the sizes and you could fill them

with eggs or even hot cross buns , yum !

grateful

2011-04-16T15:20:00.001+10:00

I'm grateful for living in the country with the family I have .

I'm also grateful they haven't run away from me

as I seem to be a little scatty and they are so

very tolerant of some of the mistakes I make .

Find more gratitude here .

easy Easter craft for kids

2011-04-15T17:19:00.001+10:00

Easy , easy and almost mess free !

All you need is colourful paper even old magazine pages

and cardboard an old cereal box will do .

Tear a pile of colorful pages into small scraps .

The kids love this part .

Glue all the little pieces to the cardboard .

Turn the cardboard over and draw

some eggy shapes and cut them out .

Use a holepunch and put a hole in the top of the eggshape .

Thread some ribbon through and you're done !

These don't take long and is a great way

to distract the kids from saying

"When again is the Easter Bunny coming ?"

because I felt like it

2011-04-12T13:52:00.000+10:00

I was reading one of my favourite blogs the other day

and Tania had the best tutorial for little Easter chicks .

I haven't done a lot of work with felt

so I thought I'd have a go .

How easy this was going to be , no seam allowances

no heming , no machine sewing .

It was going to be so cruisy sitting by

the fire stitching my little heart out .

I got a little excited and had visions of myself buying bolts

of felt because this was going to be great fun .

I started on a little design of my own and then

remembered this was meant to be for fun not work

and used a pattern from this cute book .

Well that was when it stopped being fun .

I didn't like the fluffy bits that went in my eyes .

I didn't like the untidiness of it all .

I didn't like not having the structure that I'm used to .

I sort of liked the end result and will probably

have another go at felt animals .

I know lots of others love to work with felt and make

fantastic things , just not me .

I did ask the bunny do a little jig for me like the

chicks did over at Myrtle and Eunices

you really need to see these talented little chicks

they really know how to dance !

This was the response I got got from my bunny

when I just asked for a tiny , weeny dance .

Hmmmph how ungrateful !

fairy dance - complete

2011-04-08T10:28:00.000+10:00

Finally the fairy dance blanket is finished .

In case you are wondering what the heck I'm

going on about the story starts here .

I took lots of photos of it for you but had so many

I put some together so you didn't feel the need to

nod off especially after seeing my lovely, soft blanket .

I won't get sick of looking at it and I won't get

cold with this over me this winter .

It's so nice to see your family snuggling

up with something you've made ,

beats a shop blanket any day !

Imagine how excited I would be if I could quilt !

my creative space

2011-04-07T07:46:00.000+10:00

My Creative Space is chaotic as usual .

I've been dismembering cupie dolls for my shop .

I have certainly not been charming this week .

This week I have been planning to dye .

This week has been pretty well frocked !

How's it going in your space ?

Lots more creative spaces here .

memories of The Easter Show

2011-04-04T14:08:00.001+10:00

The Royal Easter Show was a huge deal when I was a kid .

I was one of eight children so obviously we weren't

able to go every year but when we did it was

the most exciting thing ever !

We would take our own lunch and walk what seemed miles .

My parents were country people so it was the

woodchopping and fresh produce displays that we

spent lots of time at .

But it was always the dolls on sticks that we wanted .

If you were lucky enough to get a doll on a stick

your life just felt complete .

We would trudge back to the bus with your doll

held high so everyone could see just how lucky you were .

The doll on a stick was placed beside your bed

so it would be the first thing you saw the next morning .

I have all the dolls on sticks I want now .

They still make me smile and I remember

much simpler times and a very happy childhood .

Dolls available in my shop now .

You know what they say about rabbits .....

2011-03-31T12:44:00.000+11:00

All true !

Honey Bunny

2011-03-26T16:08:00.000+11:00

Now that the Sew It Together girls are all together sewing

I can show you the pattern that I

designed especially for them .

Honey Bunny is the first in my new range

of handpuppets called Handfuls of Fun !

Honey Bunny is very easy to make and I just

love her reversable dress !

Honey Bunny is not just for kids as

she is quite happily spending time with me

in The Craftroom sitting on tall jar .

If you would like your own pattern to make Honey Bunny

hop over to my shop !

my creative space

2011-03-24T07:49:00.000+11:00

I posted a tutorial the other day here

for shabby Easter coasters

and still had bits of quilted fabric left over .

I used the scraps from the coasters and cut

them into little egg shapes .

I stitched on some pretty buttons and

then attached brooch backs .

They were then pinned to scrapbooking cardboard .

Now I have some pretty little gifts

for a few special little girls this Easter .

Lots more creative spaces here .

still here

2011-03-22T12:29:00.000+11:00

Just popping in quickly to let you know I'm still here .

I've done a bit of shopping at Vinnies , love my new tin !

Lots of pattern folding .

Adding new patterns to my shop and my eBay store .

and slowly , slowly cleaning up The Craftroom .

What have you been up to ?

easter coasters and placemat tutorial

2011-03-17T16:35:00.000+11:00

I've been promising a new tutorial for a while

and finally here it is !

It's quick , it's easy and you can change the colours

and make it for kids or big people .

They would look great on your Easter breakfast table !

You will need about 20 x 1" x 60cm strips

in fabric of your choice .

wadding and backing fabric approx 65cm x 40cm .

Make sure your wadding and backing is

a bit larger than your front piece.

Join your 1' strips to make a piece about 40cm .

Lay your backing fabric right side down .

Sandwich the wadding between the joined piece and

the backing fabric . Secure.

Stitch in ditch along all joins .

Use a fabric marker and trace 4 egg shapes about

the size of your hand on the back of the quilted piece.

Repeat for a larger egg shape for placemat about A4 size .

Do not cut shapes out yet.

Stitch all around shapes .

Cut out all egg shapes about 1cm from stitched line .

Use clippers or small sharp scissors to snip little cuts

all around from the edge

to the stitched line taking care not to go too far .

Give your coasters and placemat a good shake to shaggy up the edges .

I hope these instructions are clear enough for you .

I.am.not.a.quilter.

Please let me know if you make some as

I'd love to see them in your choice of colours .

the last dance with the fairies

2011-03-14T19:37:00.000+11:00

Do you remember a few weeks ago

I bought the prettiest chenille from GoLo

called Fairy Dance?

I have been happily crocheting a blanket with it .

It sits on my chair in the loungeroom and I

reach for it as soon as I sit down .

It is going to be wide enough to go on

my queen size bed .

It sure isn't going to be long enough though

as I've run out of wool !

The shop assures me they will be getting more .

This is the result of 14 balls so far .

Just enough for a very short queen .

the carrots aren't the only things that are stuffed

2011-03-12T14:25:00.000+11:00

I don't know how I stuffed up so badly yesterday ....

I thought I would repost my fabric carrots from last year,

at the same time I was working on a post about buttons .

Anyway no buttons but the fabric carrots tutorial

is in the post below but no one knew it was

there because it didn't show up on anyones

sidebars , told you I stuffed up !

It doesn't matter though as long as you're here now ,

thanks !

Something quick for the Easter Bunny

2011-03-11T22:50:00.000+11:00

No you aren't seeing things this is a repost of my

fabric carrots from last year .

I lot of blogs have added my carrots to their listings

and included a link directly to me , thankyou !

Quite a few have taken my photos , words and

instructions without acknowledging me or

asking me , to you I'm poking my tongue out at .

For you my friendly , nice readers I am reposting

these so you can get some done in time for Easter .

Obviously I am a girl with far too much time on my hands , why else would I be making carrots for the Easter Bunny !

Anyway I thought maybe someone else ~~would like to waste some time~~ might like these .

This is my very first tutorial and as I must be a very visual type I have done this in picture form .

I hope it is clear enough for you and if you make carrots please let me know , I'd love to see them .

Using the measurements here (in inches 'cause I'm old ) make yourself a cardboard template .

Trace around scraps of doubled green and carroty colours . Stitch and trim .

Turn and stuff .

Turn under a small hem at the top and tack around .

Pull the thread to gather and secure 3 leaves by stitching through all layers .

Add a bit of ribbon or ric rac and ta da something that won't make the Easter Bunny fat !

My Creative Space

2011-03-10T07:55:00.000+11:00

I'm still playing with my gorgeous hankie stash .

It seems such a shame to not let them be seen .

I hemmed the edges of some of them and

threaded some wire through .

Vintage buttons were strung on beading wire .

Now I have a very pretty lightshade .

It took about 10 minutes from thought to completion .

I love a quick craft fix !

More creative spaces here .

more softies - book winner

2011-03-09T11:38:00.000+11:00

The winner of the more softies book is .....

Silly Gilly

Congratulations , please contact me with your details .

In the post below I asked for your favourite

crafty blogs . I received a few but it isn't

really going to be a great big list unless

we have a few more suggestions , hint , hint !

In case you are wondering why Toby is the

photo here , I just thought I'd remind you

the pattern for Toby is available in my blogshop

Hopefully I'll see you tomorrow for My Creative Space.

Also hoping I can have been creative by then .

great big list of great craft blogs

2011-03-07T12:47:00.000+11:00

Do you know some great craft blogs ?

Would you like to share them ?

I thought I'd gather a list of them and put

them here on my sidebar .

Someone told me about a craft blog the other

day that I had never seen ,

Just Something I Made has over 5000

followers and I never even knew about it .

Yes I am following Cathe now too .

So if you know of a great craft blog

please tell us about it and

then I'll leave it here so you can

come back and find new blogs to inspire you .