pretty in pink

Little Bird Tree Decoration (Pink), originally uploaded by edwardandlilly.

New tree decoration available in the shop now.

Can you believe it's the last day of Blogtoberfest? A huge thank you to Big Cat's Emporium for putting the hard work in to organise it. I've had some lovely visitors to this little space in the last month and I've discovered some amazing blogs that I'll be keeping my eye on.

I'm celebrating the end of Blogtoberfest by having a halloween party tonight (what perfect timing!), how are you celebrating?

Pablo Cano, The Blue Ribbon

If you love marionette puppets, art, creativity and anything made from found objects you must watch this video, it's only 3 minutes 42. Can't view it here? Go here.


Pablo Cano, THE BLUE RIBBON from Common Machine Prod. on Vimeo.

on my desk ...

Soft hand dyed wool felt from Winterwood Toys,



The current issue of Runway and MixTape,
Cards from Moonmum and Tsk Tsk (who, incidently, is having a sale at the moment for Australian customers), and
Babushka Bunny sewing kit from Funky Fabrix.

Go have a gander at more desks here.

Flickr Friend: Thimbly Things

1. Chicken scratch heart, 2. Crocheted Container, 3. Needlebook and Pincushion, 4. Servingware Roll-up

The thing I love about this flickr friend is not just these absolutely divine creations but the beautiful photography and settings. Be sure to check out the thimbly things blog as well, her kitchen will make you green with envy.

Ooops

Tree Decoration, originally uploaded by edwardandlilly.

Maybe I shouldn't mention this because maybe you didn't notice but I missed a day of Blogtoberfest, oops, the weekend was a little too hectic. To make up for it I promise to do an extra post one day this week.

This is the prototype for my tree decorations for this year so expect to see a few more hanging around here between now and December. I'm trying to avoid using Christmas motifs for the embroideries, that way they can be used at any time of year plus they make great gifts for those who don't celebrate Christmas.

Saturday Shopping List

1. Making Shadows from Tummy Mountain
2. Nikkita Nushka doll from Nushka Dolls
3. Vintage eaten candy apple core necklace from Bunny Boutique
4. Sunshiney Heart Wallet from Love Janie Lou

For more shopping lists visit Fancy Picnic.

Keeping things cool

Water Bottle Carrier, originally uploaded by edwardandlilly.

Want to make this water bottle carrier? It's super easy, this one took me less than two hours last night. And, for the Aussies out there who are preparing for a hot Summer, it's insulated! What a brilliant idea. The pattern's been around for a while so you may have already seen it, for those who haven't it can be found at Pink Chalk Studio.

A huge thank you to craftblog for including one of my flickr images earlier in the week.

Flickr Friend: Black Crow

1. ben, 2. george, 3. Kat's party, she is such a flirt!, 4. David

I discovered Black Crow a while ago on flickr and was blown away not just by these cute little faces but by how great they look in their surroundings.

For more go check out her blog little arty crafty crow.

On my desk...

On my desk..., originally uploaded by edwardandlilly.

The start of Christmas decorations.

No, I'm not that organised it's just easier to hand sew on the move.

More desks here.

Travel Tuesday: Bazaar, Istanbul, Turkey

Bazaar, Istanbul, Turkey, originally uploaded by edwardandlilly.

Embroidered Notebook Cover

Thank you to everyone who gave suggestions here about what to create from this embroidery. There were some great ideas which I'll be keeping in mind for upcoming projects. In the end I went with the suggestion from Drewzel and Erin for a journal cover. It's available for a very good price in the shop now. Australian shoppers can find it on madeit.

This is ... my favourite film

Thank you Hollie for this week's theme. For more this is... check out the lovely Three Buttons.

Saturday Shopping List

The weekly round up of online goodness.

1. blue green distant hills original drawing from gretchenmist. You must go and check out this shop, I have loads of favourite drawings there.
2. Not my Granny's Bag from My Studio. This girl knows how to make a handbag!
3. dragonflies are blue original woodblock print from Mizu Designs. I'm always on the lookout for a good birthday card.
4. Felt Birdies from Chelley Bean Designs. These are beyond brilliant, they're simply an embellishment so you can decide yourself what to use them for. I reckon they'd be cute as a brooch or on a card or as the perfect stocking filler for scrapbookers. They come in a number of different colours. Oh, make sure you check out the felt flowers in Christmas colours too.

For more Saturday shopping suggestions visit fancypicnic. Because Saturdays were meant for shopping ;)

Stop Press!

The Craft and Quilt Fair is on in Brisbane next week so get down there for some great workshops, demonstrations and most importantly shopping! I already have my little list of desired items.

You may have already found Retro Mummy but I only just discovered it this past week. A great online store for Japanese and Australian designed fabric.

For those of you who love the combination of cooking and creativity you will adore The Hungry Girls Cookbook. There are a number of stockists throughout Australia and you can buy it online.

Did you notice I've been doing a 'Stop Press!' post each Friday? It's my way of keeping up with blogtoberfest, I'm finding Fridays the most difficult to post on.

Feel free to send anything newsworthy my way (email link is in the right hand column or leave a comment and I'll get back to you).

six things

I've been tagged by Hollie and Charlotte to reveal six random things about myself and tag six other bloggers to do the same so here goes:

1. I've never sewn in a zip or a button hole (eek - you may commence stoning now!)

2. I don't spend my days sewing, I work full-time for a magazine (so if you ever have a question about publishing stop by and ask)

3. Last week I went to a pole dancing class and loved it, best work out I've done in a while.

4. My ironing board (also known as cutting table) cover has a huge hole in it. It's been there for about six months but I never get around to replacing it.

5. I don't have a car, I can drive but figured I don't really need one so why bother. I also hate public transport so my main form of transport is walking (lucky I live inner city).

6. I like to rotate things: the clothes in my wardrobe, books on my shelf, things on my to do list, sewing projects, household chores...

and I'm tagging six blogs I visited for the first time today (I urge you to check them out too):

Vanilla Pixie
Unbecominglily
Thousand Threads
fine little day
winsome hollow
betsyply

If you've been one of the lucky (or unlucky depending on how busy you are) ones to be tagged you simply have to acknowledge the tag is from me, post your six things and tag six other bloggers. Oh, don't forget to leave a comment on their blog to let them know :)

on my desk ...

The machine is out and sewing of the baby quilt has commenced.

To see what's on other people's desks check out kootoyoo.

Getting things done

Thanks to Blogtoberfest, organised by Big Cat, I'm actually getting things done this month. I was a little worried at first about posting every day but I always seem to have something to say and am in a bit of a routine now. I've also discovered loads of great blogs along the way, which is both a good and bad thing as my bloglines is getting a little out of control.

Now, down to business, any ideas what I should create with this completed embroidery???

Travel Tuesday: Korean Banquet, Gwangju, South Korea

Also known as Hanjeongsik, this is a full-course Korean banquet. It's made up of loads of side dishes (banchan) which include fish, meat, fermented vegetables (kimchi) and rice. A bowl of boiling soup sits in the centre of the table and a large plate of green leafy vegetables lies to the side for wrapping a selection of kimchi in. Korean chopsticks and the rice bowl are both made of metal. You're not expected to eat everything in sight, oh, and unlike China, don't lift your rice bowl from the table when eating!

Flickr Friend - Effunia

Effunia

Why? Because could her 'Ploosh' be any cuter! Especially the Halloween ones.

For more about the brilliance behind the creations check out her blog.

this is ...

My current reading materials.

Mostly Biennale catalogues (yeah, gettin' a little boring) but have managed to squeeze in one novel this month.

Thank you Missk for this week's theme and as usual there are more reading materials here.

Speaking of reading, if you are in the Brisbane area and you want to make yourself read at least 4 books a year (I know, I know, we're all busy) we're starting a seasonal book club. First book off the rank is Patrick Suskind's Perfume.

Saturday Shopping List

Hard to believe it's Saturday again already!

1. Cute little Fruit Bunch hand-carved stamp set from Two Cheese Please
2. Mini wallet card case from Pinky Pig Handmade
3. Fox Badge from Pocket Carnival. Go check out her blog too.
4. Red Rose Birdy Brooch from Inretrospect. This one has free shipping!


More shopping lists here.

stop press ...

The Handmade Expo is off to Goondiwindi so if you feel like going regional with your wares go talk to the girls and book your stall. The Goondiwindi Expo is scheduled for April 2009.

Sneak Attacks are happening on Etsy stores thanks to The Handmade Movement. An undiscovered etsy shop is chosen and buyers attack the store in one hit resulting in a rush of business for the chosen one. You've gotta love the crafting community, there's always a new way to support each other!

If you are in Brisbane Jemima Wyman has outdone herself again at Milani Gallery, go see for yourself.

Tips from the best

I've been working on embroidery projects this week because they're easier to travel with. I'm not quite sure what this one will end up being used for but am loving working on heavy linen.

Imagine my delight this afternoon flicking through the Blogtoberfest blog roll when I came across a great tip about water soluble vilene from Sophie on Artstitches.

While you're there check out her amazing wheat stalks, I had to do a double take they're that brilliant!

on my desk ...

well, on my lap ... a little bit of travel friendly cross-stitching.

I'm up and down this week from home to the coast for my friends' wedding celebrations, lucky me!

For more desks go to Kootoyoo.

Travel Tuesday: Shanghai

Shanghai, China, originally uploaded by edwardandlilly.

WIP: Baby Quilt

A very, very slow work in progress due for completion in November. You might remember I bought the fabric for it way back then.


I haven't started sewing yet, in fact I haven't even cut all the squares, but at least I now know where they're going :)


It's my first quilting project so I'll keep you updated.

this is ...

My favourite kitchen tool.



Wheel & Barrow chopping board with removable dish. Could there be a better combination?

Thank you Sharon at Handmaiden for this week's theme. For more kitchen tools visit Three Buttons.

Saturday Shopping List

clockwise from top left: Mrs Summer Drops from tsktsk; Farewell Kabarista Original Painting from Octavine Illustration; Bear Postcard from Jennylovesbenny; Kooky Time Cockoo Clock Brooch from Betty Jo Designs.

For more shopping lists go visit Charlotte at fancypicnic.

Jin Hua Embroidery Store, Shanghai

In Xu Hui District, a 20 minute taxi ride from Shanghai's city centre lies a very small embroidery store. Four ladies sit at the entrance hand embroidering beautiful cotton or linen table cloths, bed spreads, hand towels, handkerchiefs, the list goes on ...

This table runner had my name on it the second I walked in.


Jin Hua Embroidery Store
860 Luo Xiu Lu
Xu Hui District
Shanghai 200237 China

BLOGTOBERFEST

How could I resist Blogtoberfest, just the thing to get me back on track.

Are you joining in?

Go here for more.

On my desk ...

Finding inspiration to sew after a two week break.

For more 'On my desk...' madness and a good read check out Kootoyoo.