under the christmas tree ~ 11 weeks to go

 

Isn't that getting scary , only 11 weeks to go !

 

For those of you who are new here this is what's happening ~

 

We are leaving some craft here under the Christmas tree

and adding the link to our blogs.

This craft can be new or old , cooking or sewing , lists or decorations .

 

Show us whatever you like that is Christmas related .

Grab a button from my sidebar and tell your friends you're playing .

 

Visit some different blogs and be inspired !

 

 

lolly wreath ~ anyone know a good dentist ?

 

I wanted to try making a lolly wreath so I got myself

some very willing helpers , lots of wrapped lollies,

 a wooden ring and some string .

I then just tied those little lollies to the wooden ring .

 

 

I kept tying and then I did some more tying .

 

These are going to be sweet  Christmas decorations !

 

 

See you on Sunday for the Christmas linky !

morning tea with

 

Good morning Melissa from Ms Midge .

 

 

Coffee or tea ?

   Weak black tea with one sugar in the morning - but Jarrah hot chockie in the evenings!

 

What is your business ? What do you do ?

  My little "hobby business" is Ms Midge! I sew a variety of yummy goodies, but mostly now make little girls clothing.

 

How long has it been going ? How did it start out ?

  I started out in late 2010, making art smocks and library bags for the kids at my children's school. I then began getting orders outside of that circle and it just sprung from there. I've made a whole lot of different bits and pieces, but find it most fun to try new patterns using gorgeous prints. 

 

How do manage around your family ?

I only have the youngest of my four children at home, and she is four. So when I want to sew, she is generally happy to amuse herself, or she will come in and "help" me. I also work part time, so having full days to get projects and orders completed are pretty rare. I basically just fit it all in when I can.

 

 

Do you make things and sometimes keep them for  yourself ?

   Quite often! When I use a pattern for the first time, I generally make it in one of my girls' sizes, so that I can check the sizing. On many occasions they have asked to keep them, and I have said yes.

What is your favourite craft ? 

Sewing! I used to do a lot of scrapbooking, but found that I needed big blocks of time to be able to sit and get what I wanted done, which just doesn't happen.

 

Describe a normal day for you ? 

  A normal day starts around 7am, getting all four kids out the door to school or swimming, then returning home to clean up before I can get stuck into whatever it is I am creating. I could spend hours looking for fabrics, but once I see something I like, it's ordered and on its way. I can also spend hours working out fabric combinations and sizing choices. I like to get all my sewing done by the time school finishes - but it doesn't always work out that way!

 

Are your designs your own ? 

Nope! I use a multitude of different patterns, from all different pattern designers. I would love to be able to design my own patterns, but am not confident. I alter patterns to suit what I want and to make them a little different!

 

Tell us something quirky about yourself ?

  I am a serious creature of habit! I eat the exact same thing for breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea every single day. My workmates think that is very bizarre! I also do not like melted cheese - a fact that shocks many.

 

What are your plans ? How much further do you plan to take your business ? 

I'm more than happy where my little business is at present. I honestly couldn't do much more than I am doing now without burning out. I want to continue enjoying doing what I'm doing, without it becoming a task or something I HAVE to do.

 

Where do you sell ?

I have a website www.msmidge.com but just don't have the time to keep it up to date at present. So I mainly sell on my FB page www.fb.com/msmidgemadebyme where customers can find ready made items as well as custom order options. I also have a blog which is a mix of personal and sewing - www.msmidge.blogspot.com.au

 

Thanks so much for coming over for a cuppa Melissa .

 

Another fantastic crafty girl next week , seeya then x

---

 

under the christmas tree

Hello and good morning , thanks for being here !

We had the most linkees last week , hooray !
I expect that we will have more each week as we get closer to Christmas .
Did you play last week ?
Are you playing this week ?
Do you like Christmas ?

Add your link , take a button , visit different blogs , make new friends , have fun !

let's make up

 

I've seen various tutorials around using felt circles and thought

how great they were but because I don't have a circle

cutter thingy there is no way I would be cutting 100 plus circles by hand.

So I thought I would give these cheap make up pads a go .

 

All I did was fold them in half and scrunch the bottom to form a point

and then hot glued the point to a styrofoam ball .

I used a knitting needle to pierce a hole all the way through

the ball first and threaded some cord through for hanging.

 

Then I glued and glued and glued and glued and

 

I ended up with this !

The photo doesn't do it justice it really is the softest

and prettiest thing and really beautiful !

Well worth all the gluing .

 

Don't forget if you have some Christmas craft even if

it is from last year come and link up here on Sunday to show us .

morning tea with

It's Jane from Lil Pip !

Coffee or tea ?
Coffee although I don't mind a Chai Latte in the afternoon.

What is your business ? What do you do ?
My business is Lil Pip and I make mainly girls clothes and children's toys. My 'famous' product is the Boobook ribbon owl that I designed and I'm currently working on a pattern for release in the next couple of months.

How long has it been going ? How did it start out ?
I started the business in August 2010 when I started making creations for my daughter and as gifts and all my friends asked me if they could buy them!

How do manage around your family ?
Oh this is a constant juggle. I work 4 days a week in a marketing role (yes it comes in rather handy for the business!). I have one day at home on Friday but by the time I walk my eldest to school, take my younger daughter to swimming lessons, rush home for nap, then back to school for pickup, it is no wonder that I don't seem to get much done that day! I usually try to cut out and prepare during the week and sew on the weekends. I have an incredibly supportive husband and he and the kids seem to disappear for hours (usually on a Bunnings related adventure) which leaves me to sew in peace. I love you honey! School holidays are coming up and I'm looking forward to two solid weeks of sewing in preparations for markets coming up.

When your craft becomes your work how do you relax ?
See for me craft is the relaxing! Because I have another 'real' job, sewing for me is my creative outlet. I just love putting my Boobook owls together, deciding on fabric, matching the ribbons and putting it together. Is there nothing more rewarding then seeing the finished product? I have changed my focus over the last year and moved away from selling online. I don't take orders and just sew what I want, when I want and only sell at markets. It has taken most of the stress or pressure away and now I just do what I love!

Do you make things and sometimes keep them for yourself ?
Oh rarely which is terrible. I do however make lots of things for gifts for friends and family. mmmm maybe I should make that skirt pattern I've 'been meaning to get around to' for ages!

What is your favourite craft ?
Sewing for me but I have done scrapbooking, cross-stitching and last year I taught myself to crochet thanks to YouTube.

Describe a normal day for you ?
When I create my Boobooks it is a rather involved process! I surround myself (on my bed since that is my 'sewing space') with piles of fabric and put together a 'suite' usually about 4 of each colour or design. I'm determined that each one has to be different (which is saying something now that I have created over 200 owls!). Then I match the ribbons for wings, feet and the handle. Last is cutting out the felt eyes, beak and the minky back. That is before I have even started sewing! I then tack down the background eyes, tummy and wings with hemming tape (rather than iron on interfacing), stitch around all the pieces and put it all together. Stay tuned for a pattern though - with much more detail! I'm also planning some variations and have already sketched out the most gorgeous giraffe, elephant and turtle!

Are your designs your own ?
My children's clothes are usually sourced from other designers patterns but my Boobook ribbon owl is my own. I have adjusted it quite a bit over my time making them and only now feel like it is ready to put to paper, so to speak.

Tell us something quirky about yourself ?
I finally got my drivers license when I was 7 months pregnant with my second child, after having my learners in three different states over a period of 13 or 14 years! Yay for my patient hubby that got me there!

What are your plans ? How much further do you plan to take your business ?
I just want to keep doing what I love doing. I do plan to sell my patterns and that's what I'm working towards now. I also am a committee member helping to organise the Maribyrnong Makers Market <http://maribyrnongmakersmarket.blogspot.com.au/> and have loved gaining the insight from the other side.

Where do you sell ?

Facebook ~ Lil Pip
Blog ~ Lil Pip

You will find me at the following markets: Craft Markets here
Werribee Park Market, Saturday 13 October, 8am - 1pm
Flemington Twilight Market, Saturday 17 November, 3pm - 8pm
Maribyrnong Makers Market, Saturday 24 November, 9.30am - 3.30pm
Werribee Park Market, Saturday 8 December, 8am - 1pm


Thanks so much for having me over for morning tea Clare.
Did you enjoy the banana cake I made? I just couldn't come empty handed!

Jane

Thanks Jane you and your cake are welcome anytime .

Next week another fantastic crafter is coming over for a cuppa , seeya then !

under the christmas tree ~ 13 weeks to go

 

Hello there , I'm so glad you popped in !

 

Are you able to play this week ?

 

If you are making anything for Christmas we'd love to see .

Do you have a great decoration idea ? Or gift wrapping?

A favourite recipe maybe ?

It does not have to be something new , you could have blogged about

it last year or even before then .

 

Melanie from The Patchwork Robin was the only

one who played last week I hope you will keep her company this week !

 

Don't forget to grab a button to let your readers know that you're playing !