A Plush Car

This little car is heading over the ditch (no, not the sort of ditch that would cause a crash, the ditch between Australia and NZ).

Making this was supposed to be one of those mindless activities, you know the one where you do a search on google for 'free plush car pattern' or 'car softie tutorial' and then whip one up in a night....

Do you think I could find a pattern or tutorial for a car softie? No! Where are they all? Are they hiding? Is there a car softie site out there with really bad metadata that doesn't come up in a search engine? I mean, there must be a million stuffed cars out there, right? Have you seen any?

After a number of wasted internet hours I drafted my own pattern. Clearly it needs a whole lotta work but I do plan on developing it a little more, so if you or I haven't come across a car softie pattern or tutorial online by the time I've developed one, then I'll upload it here. How does that sound?

My creative space...

The space is in recovery after my last frantic project, more on that later. Today it's all about:

- The start of some new birds
- Frilly Dilly Bloomers pattern from Little Bird Patterns (on the list to be made for my niece, not for me)
- A pile of linen for review
- Embellishments from Amitie VIP mailout, what the heck am I going to make with those? They require some serious thought.

Pop over to Kirsty's for more spaces.

Hang on, I think this is my 300th post, how did that happen? Surely I don't crap on about stuff that much, do I?

Stitches & Craft Show Brisbane

Are you going to the Stitches & Craft Show in Brisbane this week?

I am and so are loads of other BrisStylettes. If you are going and you see some crafty peeps wearing BrisStyle badges go hassle them for a 10% discount in selected etsy stores.

Where will I be? At the MixTape stall on Saturday and Sunday between 11am - 1pm. So pop by, say hi and grab your copy of the fabulous zine.

See you there xx

A Granny A Day

My name is Rebecca and I'm a granny-a-holic.

Ok, I confess while I don't have time to do a granny a day I am definitely finding this addictive. I can knock one over in an hour now. Em, what have you done to me??? Don't worry I'm still sewing, but more on that later...

Check out all these grannys.

The Linen Quest: Quilt Fabric Delights

Name: Taupe Linen - Sutherland Linen
Purchased from: Quilt Fabric Delights
Cost: $5 AUD per fat quarter
Service: The service is always excellent at Quilt Fabric Delights

Rating:
This isn't the perfect linen for me only because of the shade of colour but it is very nice quality, the texture is quite smooth and it was perfect for the lining and bottom section of the bag pictured below. The problem with purchasing any sort of fabric online is the difference between the colour on the screen and the colour of the actual fabric. On screen this linen looks much lighter than it is. The image below will give you a better idea of the shade of taupe.


While I did use this linen for a bag, it is only a medium weight fabric so may not be suitable for larger bags.

Would I use it again? Yes, but only if a project called for this shade of colour.

Learn to crochet... done!

Thanks to Em's clever tutoring I made this yesterday at Brown Owls. Check out all the action over here.

And yes, I am now addicted to granny squares :)

The Linen Quest

I think it's fair to say that I love working with linen. I love using it as a base for embroidery, I love that it goes with almost any fabric, and I love the look and feel of it.

What I don't love is how difficult it is to find the perfect linen for a project that doesn't cost the earth.

So, I'm on a quest to try as many different types of linen as I can find. If you can help with suggestions leave me a comment. I'm not going to keep the results to myself, I'm going to share them with you over the next few weeks so if you love working with linen or would like to and don't know where to start stay tuned...

Saturday Shopping List

Tomorrow at Brown Owls I'm learning to crochet a granny square. I have no idea what I'll do with the square when (if) it's finished. Will I keep grannying my way to an afghan? Or will I give up after one? All I know is I'm loving these innovative takes on this popular style of crochet.

1. Spiffy Granny Tops for Blythe from Dolls With Attitude
2. Granny Mitts Crochet Pattern PDF from ChezPlum
3. Teal and Off White Hand Crocheted Granny Square Afghan from Winds of Change
4. Crocheted Earrings Granny Square (free shipping) from Crocheted Little Things

Pop over to Charlotte's for more lists.

And if you like making granny squares or you want to learn why not take part in Pip's A Granny A Day.

Apple Cyder's Sturdy D-ring Belt Tutorial

Just popping in to let you know Molly of Apple Cyder has uploaded a tutorial to make this cute and very sturdy looking belt. The tutorial has been created in flickr so it has loads of images (gotta love that) and looks really easy to follow.

My creative space...

Snowed under with the day job so not much going on this week other than a bit of quiet embroidery.

A big thank you to Steph Bond of Bondville fame for featuring edward and lilly this week and also to Katy for blogging my purse here.

Head over to Kirsty's for more spaces.

New Birds

New lavender scented birds in the shop now.

Penelope Sara Giveaway

Cute brooches right? You can win one over here.

Fat Quarter Tote Bag Tutorial

I made these for Mum's birthday over Easter using Marcus Brothers and Anna Maria Horner fabric. I used the Fat Quarter Tote Bag Tutorial over at Cicada Daydream but adjusted it slightly in size, handle length and I added an inside pocket. Oh, and the bigger one uses more than a fat quarter.

I've used a few tutorials for making bags but what I love about this one is the easy to follow instructions and diagram for doing the bottom corners. In fact, the whole tutorial is so easy you could whip one up in a couple of hours after work. If you've never made a bag or you have a great fat quarter of fabric lying around I highly recommend using this tutorial.

My creative space...

Working out packaging for birds, sewing up a bunny order and a new lavender scented pincushion from a swap with tiny house.

I think I'm due for at least a two day sewing break after this lot.

For more spaces pop over to Kirsty's.

99 feelings

99 curvy little feelings. Have you seen them? I love the simplicity of their form and the subtle way each feeling is expressed. These are four of my favourites from top left, clockwise: Torn, Pain, Balanced and Divided. There are so many more that make me laugh, frown, sigh and wonder.

A brilliant concept from Art Mind.

Non-chocolatey Easter Gifts

Happy Easter!

What are you up to today? Was Mr E. Bunny good to you?

We're having a combined Easter/birthdays celebration lunch out today so I'm hoping these little colouring wallets will keep the nieces occupied. You can get the pattern from JCasa Handmade. The bunny is for the littlest.

Fabrics from Kimono Reincarnate and Superbuzzy. Oooh, probably a good time to mention there's a list of online fabric stores in my sidebar that I personally have had a good experience with, I'm sure it will grow along with my stash so if you have any suggested online stores let me know.

Saturday Shopping List

Inspired by the new jute bag range from Bec and Jade and "church" and coffee with a good peep ;)

1. Macchiato Shoulder Bag (...such a cherry picker...) from Beckybean

2. Coffee Sugar Scrub from Crazy Times Candle and Bath Co.

3. Cup of Joe Ring from The Lovely Teaspoon

4. Pair of tall coffee mugs with dark polka dots from jd wolfe pottery

5. No. 9 'Black Coffee' superwash merino/nylon Foot Notes Unspun pencil roving from Fiber Optic

6. I'll have a double soy non-fat iced Vodka latte please Button from Minds Eye Design

I fully need a coffee now...

For more Saturday Shopping Lists say hi to Charlotte.

My creative space...

The space is the couch this week while I make tiny stitches for a wholesale order of scented birds.

For more creative spaces pop over to Kirsty's.

Dream Boy Port-a-Plush

Dream Boy Port-a-Plush (detail), originally uploaded by edwardandlilly.

Because where there's a girl there should be a boy right?

Recently a lovely lady contacted me about a little boy who had lost his toys in a house fire. I made a boy version of the port-a-plush to keep him company and another one for the shop to keep the girls company ;)

Spreading the Blog Love

Funny found via Fabulous

They're both going straight to the reading list.

New Kid on the Bloggin' Block

Did she find me or did I find her? I can't remember but I do remember being very taken by Benito de Soto the notorious pirate octopus when I clicked on her blog.

Sophia is new to the blogging scene and I'm really excited to see what she comes up with next. Another cute octopus or more amazing stationery like these bright little bird magnets?


Ulrika, Diabolito and the very girly Miss Glamour-Puss are waiting for you in Sophia's shop, go check them out!

little piece of my 'art shop
little piece of my 'art blog
Sophia on twitter

Giveaway Winner

Thank you to everyone who entered the giveaway last week and a double thanks to those who posted it on their blog.

The random number generator decided this little bunny will be going to Liesa from The Handmade Expo. Congrats Liesa, if you could email me your address I'll pop it in the post for you asap.

For those of you who missed out kitty, bunny and puppy are available in the shop now ;)

New Bunny

There's a new bunny in the shop now :)

Saturday Shopping List

This week's list is all about recycling:

1. Golden Bud Explosion Recycled Felt Applique Cushion from Alexandra Ferguson
2. Vintage 1960s map of Greece and Turkey Map Lover's EcoBangle (TM) from Eco Bangle
3. Recycled Computer Circuit Board Magnetic Geekery Clipboards for Post-it Notes for fridge or office Pkg 2 from Debby Arem Designs
4. Maxi Messenger Bag from Lemon Ink

Saturday Shopping List is the genius idea of Charlotte. It provides bloggers with an opportunity to promote the wares of fellow etsians. Head over to Fancy Picnic for more shopping ideas.

Reminder: If you haven't entered my blog giveaway yet you only have until tomorrow night!!

The bunnies are heading to Victoria

25 bunnies are finally hopping down to Handmade Help for the little ones who lost their toys in the bushfire.

Thank you all for the kind words, thanks to those who donated to the Red Cross via the bunnies web page ($513 was raised) and also to everyday hero for providing the online facilities to help individual and community groups raise money for important causes.

The bushfire bunnies web page is now closed however you still have until 17 April to donate directly to the Red Cross Victorian Bushfire Appeal.

Hmm... they all look quite sedated now so I hope there's no fighting on the trip down ;)

BrisStyle Giveaway

It pays to be a follower of the BrisStyle blog, especially with such great monthly giveaways. This month you could win cute little brooches from Little Chrissy or this fab apron from Made by Miffy.


You can also make the apron with Louise at the Brisbane (and Sydney I think) Stitches and Craft Shows where she will be running workshops.

Head to the BrisStyle Blog to enter!

My creative space...

My space today:

- Cutting bunnies
- A variation on the bunny pattern
- Dream Boy port-a-plush ready to be photographed and uploaded
- Giveaway bunny
- a pile of linen for the Linen Quest (more on that soon)

Hop on over to Kootoyoo for more creative spaces.