I'm playing here

I'm playing here all weekend so if you're in Brisbane pop by and say hi.

Keep an eye out next week for a shop update!

edward & lilly at udessi

photo courtesy udessi

I'm so pleased to announce that edward & lilly is now represented at udessi online gallery shop. Check it out here and a bit about me here. If you haven't seen udessi before you really must head over for a browse, there's loads of amazing artists and crafters whose work is just stunning. The perfect place for Christmas shopping.

3 Quick Questions: Jetta's Nest

Chantico for Day of the Dead

I look at A LOT of images every day, both blog hopping around the crafty world and at the day job in the art world. It's rare that an image will be so different to the hundreds of others I see in a day that it will make me stop for a second look. That's what I like about spending a few minutes in the world of Jetta's Nest, I always know Sam will upload something unlike anything else I've seen that day.

Sam happily took some time out from her busy BiDM preparations to answer 3 Quick Questions...

Bloomin' Buttonhead Brooches getting ready for market

What inspired you to start creating?

I've been around creativity my whole life. Sewing, drawing, painting, embroidery, cake decorating, photography and more, there's a strong creative gene in our DNA!

Jetta's Nest dolls

I remember very clearly being about 4 years old and asking one of my Aunts to draw me a picture of Cinderella just like the one on the front cover of my Golden Book (she's a great artist and was studying photography at the time). She told me that all I needed to do to be able to draw it myself was practice... so that's what I set about doing. It most definitely was a defining moment for me because I've drawn something just about everyday since!

As for sewing and my appliques, my inspirations are a fairly common one. The lack of fun, bright and most importantly, child appropriate clothes for little boys left me with only one choice when my biggest boy was born... make my own!

Pirate applique shirt

If you could spend more time on one thing what would it be?
Most definitely it would be painting. I'm one of those people that really needs to switch off to paint... any distractions and my moment just cracks into a million pieces. When my boys are bigger and a bit more self-sufficient I'll be able to really get back into it and I can't wait, although I'm pretty sure it won't be like in the pre-kid years filled with loud music and cold beers.

Turn off your TV - Single card on Etsy

What's next for Jetta's Nest?
I wish I knew! Everything that's happened so far for Jetta's Nest has been such a surprise and I still get blown away nearly every day that people like the stuff I make.

I've got some new brooches in the pipeline... a mini gallery series if you like, featuring my art and some gorgeous native Australian timbers and I'm also playing with some ideas for some colouring books and maybe getting some of my applique designs out into the big wide world in pattern form and way too many other things to mention!!

Gigi, Xiola and Coconut Ice Lola Buttonhead Rings

Thanks Sam for being so fabulous!

For more Jetta's Nest (and believe me, there's a whole lot more!) check out these links:
Jetta's Nest blog
Jetta's Nest on Etsy
Jetta's Nest on madeit
and at the BrisStyle Indie Designers Market.

My creative space ...

1. My creative space... badge making, 2. My creative space... little softies, 3. My creative space... embroidered brooches, 4. My creative space... christmas birds

There's so much going on in the space this week, lots of half finished stock for the two markets. Click on the links for a closer look.

I've also been working with my lovely friend Kate to get the online space in order so if you're reading this via email or a reader pop over to the blog and check out the facelift :)

For more spaces or to show off your own head to Kirsty's.

Saturday Shopping List

I'm loving the warm tones of these gorgeous Etsy finds.

1. Among The Pines Wooden Brooch - Hakea from Hunter To The Hunted

2. Ten Tiny Tapers Too - Genuine Drilled Beach Stones - jewelry beads diy from Stone Me

3. Red flower Zoffany fabric kisslock clutch from Clouded Yellow

4. Handmade bracelet. Focal beads with beaded bezels. Seven Little Monkeys from bayly

For more Etsy shopping lists or to play along head over to Charlotte's.

My creative space ...

I'm working on a new product this week, a little one but a good one. All will be revealed at The Finders Keepers Market (and in my shop early November).

For more spaces or to show off your own head to Kirsty's.

Giveaway Winner

A big congratulations to Singtatter's Corner who won my blog giveaway. Singtatter please email me with your address and choice of brooch and I will pop it in the post for you.

And if you missed out this time you can pick one up online at etsy or madeit or visit me at Finders Keepers or the BrisStyle Indie Designers Market.

I'll be having another giveaway later in the year, to find out about it you can sign up for my newsletter in the blog sidebar :)

3 Quick Questions: 3 Sheets

Paper brooches

I love popping over to 3 Sheets to see what's been happening in Kylie's experimental playground. Her knack for combining texture, technique and shape is enough to make any textile and fabric design loving girl swoon. There aren't many people with the creative mind power to pull off brooches inspired by geometric abstraction so successfully. With a new shop, a keen eye and future plans for more designs Kylie is definitely one to watch.

What inspired you to start creating?

I couldn’t tell you what inspired me exactly as it’s something I’ve always done. I did my first oil painting at the age of 6 and my mother still has it... I look at it now and can’t believe I actually did it. I have so many art prizes from childhood – painting was a major part of my life until the end of high school. I still have the same sewing box I had as a child – I used to make all the clothes for my Barbie and other dolls. I even have pots I made and screen printing from childhood... So, where did it all come from? I have no idea! My mother tells me I just did it on my own and that it was always just who I was :) I like that – it helps me have more confidence in myself and what I’m making.

Sonia 2 - inspired by Sonia Delaunay

I remember going through a stage of making patchwork quilt covers for friends for their 21st birthdays... Hand-sewing them completely! I just knew what I wanted to do and if I didn’t have the skills I’d make it up as I went along. I remember deciding in Year 12 that I wasn’t good enough to be an artist and dropping everything, embarking on an academic quest to find my niche...which I never seemed to find, although I had lots of fun along the way ;)

3D felt brooch

So, study and work and travel and marriage came along and all of this went undergound. I worked in art galleries in Brisbane and in London and became more the appreciator rather than the creator. And then... Children happened! It was this sudden loss of identity that made me turn back to creating my own pieces. I needed something that had an end product, so I taught myself how to use a sewing machine. From there, all the other skills and hobbies from the past have kind of crept back into my world to the point where I find myself now... In a chaotic little room overflowing with bits and pieces and on a dining table sewing desk with a million different projects on the go! :)

Flower brooch

If you could spend more time on one thing what would it be?

Sewing. I love it so much. I love fabric and get so much out of creating clothing. The amazing textures and the way it falls inspires me so much. I don’t use patterns as I seem to have some kind of (undiagnosed!) dyslexia when it comes to following instructions ;) I just cut and do whatever the fabric seems to want me to do with it. I’ve become very distracted by my brooches lately. There are many things I love about making them – in a way they are mini-creations and the scope for incorporating different materials is something I find so fascinating. So, I still love making them but I’d really like to get back to making one-off creations with fabric. This also includes doing more screen printing of my own fabric designs.

Screen print ideas

What's next for you creatively?

I’m not really one for structure and planning - I kind of let things evolve ;) I’m really loving doing collages at the moment and I’d like to get back to doing more sewing and dressmaking. I want to develop my brooches and do more screen printing of fabric... There are so many things I want to do, I feel like I’m always racing against time :) I’m sorry if this all sounds so pompous... My biggest problem has actually always been self-confidence, believe it or not! It’s only since starting up my blog that I’ve begun feeling more confident in what I create. I really love the craft blogging community. I’m always so inspired by the things everyone is creating and feel that I’ve really found that place where I can make things and interact with people about it. This has given me the confidence to actually set up a shop on a new site called Zibbet ( http://www.zibbet.com/3Sheets). I’m saving up for a dressmaker’s dummy :)

Embroidered brooches

For more 3 Sheets:
3 Sheets blog
3 Sheets shop

Saturday Shopping List

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A few nice things I noticed on etsy this week:

1. Free Shipping - Felt and Fabric Pendant Necklace No.46 from shagpile

2. Scribble from AliWard

3. Brooke the plush peach vintage chenille birdie rattle from Vintage Chenille

4. 2010 calendar from gretchenmist (if this one is now sold check the shop for others)

Speaking of Etsy, have you seen this kinda mean, kinda funny site.

For more Saturday Shopping Lists head over to Charlotte's.

Have a lovely Saturday, I'm off to sew :)

My creative space ...

Every surface of the space is covered with half done jobs this week. Half way through stuffing little birds with lavender...


Little ears, arms and bodies waiting for their turn under the sewing machine, lots of erasing and re-planning for the next few weeks, the Stylish Dress Book that I'm dying to use but know it will have to wait till January...


and a few final stitches for a special order.

For more spaces or to show off your own head over to Kirsty's.

3 Quick Questions: Emily from Super Stitches

Strawberry Potholder

Emily is a 9 year old skateboarder learning to sew, that alone is inspiration enough for 3 Quick Questions. I think you'll really enjoy this one!

What inspired you to start creating?

My mom is the one who inspired me to start sewing. Seeing my mom sew made me want to learn how. She is the one who is teaching me. She has her own sewing blog as well. It is www.sewingwithtrudy.blogspot.com. There are several pictures of me on her blog wearing clothes that she has made for me. You can see them if you scroll down to previous posts on her blog. She is actually an inspiration for many. She has been teaching my cousin to sew this week. You can see what she is learning on my mom's blog. And my six year old brother has joined me for many of my sewing lessons and has sewn many of the projects himself. There are pictures of him on my blog. She has given one of my best friends lessons. There are pictures of her sewing with my brother and I on my blog.

Egg Cozy

If you could spend more time on one thing what would it be?

If I could spend more time on one thing, it would be even more sewing because sewing is so much fun. I love to create and design things; so I am looking forward to learning all that I can so I can do more. I have lots of ideas. I just need to know how to make them happen. Currently my focus has been hand sewing projects. My mom wants me to learn to hand sew well. I have learned some basic as well as embroidery stitches, for example, the basting stitch, the running stitch, backstitch, gathering stitch, hemming stitch, slip stitch, chain stitch, stem stitch, French knots, blanket stitch and the cross stitch.

Baby's bib

I have done several hand sewn projects: a drawstring bag, strawberry pot holder, egg cozy, elf slippers, frog pin cushion, a baby's bib and Barbie doll swim suit coverup and pool bag. The hand sewn projects I have left to do are: sock doll, felt cap and mittens, cat purse, apron, pom pom and tassel. After I complete these last few things, hopefully within the next few weeks, then my mom will start teaching me machine sewing. She actually let me get on the machine this week. I made a little purse which I designed myself. I did not use a pattern.

Barbie doll swim suit coverup and pool bag

What's next for you creatively?

As far as what is next for me creatively, I'll probably start designing my own patterns and sewing clothes for people. I want to learn to sew anything I can. I think it would be neat if I could redecorate my room with things I have sewn, like curtains for instance. When I was six years old, I gave sewing lessons to a ten year old. I would like to start teaching sewing again. Actually, this week, I have shown my cousin how to do some of the basic hand and embroidery stitches.

Emily teaching hand-stitching and embroidery

My goal is to be on the sewing machine by the time I am 9. When I started my blog back in April, I was just learning these basic stitches, and soon I'll be on the machine. Those who read my blog will be able watch me go from knowing basically nothing to being able to do some really awesome creations. They will actually be able to watch me grow and grow up. It will be an exciting journey for all. I hope you can be a part of it. You can keep up with my progress by signing up to be my follower and putting me on your blog roll. Please be sure to say "Hi" when you come by and visit. I am Super Stitches at www.sewingsister.blogspot.com .

Emily's first sewing machine project

BeaniPet's 1st Birthday Bash

This is too cute not to mention, BeaniPet's 1st birthday is just around the corner, check out the countdown here.

My creative space ...

My space today is a super quick summary of the week that's been. I pumped out 40 brooches last week and I know it's a little early to even be thinking about this but I'm squeezing some Christmas birds in with the others I'm working on for this week. Fighting off a cold after 3 house guests on the weekend but still remaining calm ...


A lovely Sunday morning was spent shopping up a storm at Nook with Brown Owls, followed by a little unwind and chat at Lock'n'Load. Check it all out here.


My scores from Nook included hand printed ribbon from Little Jane St and a gorgeous fabric covered ring from that vintage. Plus an eco buttonhead brooch direct from Sam for my Summer wardrobe, so sweet :)


And another book ticked off the book club list, this one comes highly recommended and is a super quick read.

For more spaces or to show off your own head over to Kirsty's while I make myself another cup-a-lemsip.