recycled packaging

I'm always trying to work out more sustainable ways to package parcels so I love this tutorial over on A Beautiful Mess for recycled kraft packaging.


At the moment I'm using recycled envelopes from Scribble Shop, Flight Industries and Chicuff for my smaller items and I'll definitely be aiming to make my own recycled packaging for larger items. It may take a little longer but it will be so worth it. Don't you just love receiving special mail!

The little bookmarks on the package above have been going out with more recent purchases, they're made from recycled scraps of paper and card, mostly old gallery invitations. What do you think? Is the bookmark better than a business card?

easter gifting

There can be no doubting that most kids are going to receive loads of chocolate for Easter right? So, why not give them a treat that lasts a little longer, is better for them and supports the fabulous handmade movement. I love the nostalgia of paper dolls and once the chocolate rush is over these cuties from Little Mo and Friends are sure to be a girl's best friend on Easter morning. You can choose from 4 styles representing our 4 beautiful Seasons.


I really love the huge range of products at Pocket Carnival this year especially the sweet pencil cases. For all those little ones who have started school this year I reckon they'd love to go back after the Easter break with something as cute as this.


Mel from Retro Bird is all stocked up with so many pretty things that would make the most perfect little gifts. I'll be gifting a selection from the babushka range this Easter, I also love the pretty Easter egg necklaces and bracelets.


My nieces love it when I visit with a big bag of fabric scraps and some wooden peg dolls, there have been all sorts of creations made from those scraps, from batgirl to butterflies to a full fashion parade. I don't think any have been quite as perfect as Enchanted Belles' clothespin dolls, there's a gorgeous range of dolls including this Japanese inspired one, Alice in Wonderland and sweet wedding cake toppers.

Found any special Easter gifts? Leave a comment I'd love to hear about them.

Australian Bass completed

Australian Bass hand embroidery is finally framed and in the shop. For more info and a detailed description head here.

My creative space ...

I had planned on skipping Easter Chicks this year but then the lovely Tina asked me about them and I couldn't resist, plus I had a few half made from last year. So much better than a chocolate egg! A couple of them will be making an appearance in the shop this week.

For more spaces head to Kirsty's.

crafty weekend

Had a super crafty weekend, kicked off with the BrisStyle second birthday bash at Bleeding Heart Gallery on Saturday.

Me, jet-setter Helen and Super-fly Sam

Thanks to Robyn for the excellent photos, you can read more about the birthday celebrations here.


Followed by a very relaxing Sunday morning with the lovely Brown Owls, more on that here.

And of course there was loads of sewing and stitching over the weekend as well as a quick trip to the Kelvin Grove farmers market, highly recommended if you're a Brisbanite!

Sea Bird Brooch

Sea Bird Brooch is the first in my new series of one-off embroidered pieces, in the shop now.

black dog

Print of original acrylic painting of black labrador by Jennifer Burkin

I walked past a dog this morning, he didn't have a collar on. I stopped to talk to him, to check if he was ok, but he walked straight past me. He seemed preoccupied with where he was going.

Snow Day Handmade Block Print Holiday Card by KG Crafts

I love dogs, they make me smile, but he was almost as big as me and I was afraid to touch him. If he were a little dog I might have picked him up...

Such a Good Dog (screenprinted note card set) by Katie Blair Designs

I've been thinking about him all day, wondering if he was lost or if he knew exactly where he was going.

this years girl

Melissa from This Years Girl won one of my lavender scented birds in The Lovelies, she then very kindly featured my little bird in this gorgeous Treasury which made it to the front page of Etsy this week and subsequently sold. This lovely chain of events then led me to her shop and I just had to share these beautiful images with you.

Little Lamb Prince - 8x10 Inch Print

The Queen - 8x12 Inch Print

Sanctuary - Pendant

I know I haven't blogged much lately, my time has been spent making birds but I promise there are some nice and thoughful posts coming in the next few weeks. In the meantime I'm off to see The Pixies tonight who I'm sure you'll agree deserve a big fat Hurrah!

Also big thanks to Diana for bestowing me with a Sunshine Award this week :)

newsworthy

The lovely Michelle spotted my little foxy squirrel brooch in the Canberra Times yesterday (thanks Moose)!

A big hello to those who popped by The BrisStyle Indie Designers Market yesterday, next up is the BrisStyle Indie Twilight Market at King George Square in the City on Friday (night) 30 April, this one promises to be spectacular! Stay tuned for edward & lilly's involvement.

And, if you're keen to win some handmade goodness head to this month's Big BrisStyle Giveaway!

European linen from Thea & Sami

Have you seen the gorgeous European linen from Thea & Sami?

Thea now stocks three types of linen, each one very different to the other, I blogged Versaille natural unbleached linen previously here. Now it's time for a little bit about Thea's new stock Provincial and Petersburg (don't you just love the names).


Petersburg (above) is probably the sturdiest of the three but still has a lovely soft feel to it. Perfect for all types of crafts and definitely a winner for homewares. I love that the weave is tighter than some linen, making it perfect for embroidery. The combination of texture and shades of natural colour will make Petersburg perfect for my embroidery series on fish, more of which are coming soon.


Provincial, in my opinion, is a rare find. The colour is stunning and it's incredibly soft. When Thea first sent me a swatch of this one it was like stumbling across a delicate piece of fabric from a bygone era (ok, maybe I get a little over excited about these things). While it is more delicate than Petersburg it's as sturdy as any linen making it perfect for crafts, homewares and the weave is tight enough to create a detailed embroidery.

The highlight of Petersburg and Provincial is that they're both pre-shrunk!

Head to Thea & Sami to stock up.

And if you're also a linen enthusiast click here to dredge up previous rants on the subject.

udessi update

photo by udessi

Puppies, kitties and bunnies are now stocked at udessi! Head over here to check them out along with loads of other sweet things for little ones.

Retail Therapy for Brisbane

Brisbanites, get your shopping lists ready and your gumboots on (well, hopefully not but then who doesn't love sloshing around), it's time for the BrisStyle Indie Designers Market, this Saturday 6 March, 9am-2pm at St Augustine's Church Hall and Grounds, Racecourse Road, Hamilton.

I'll be playing in the BrisStyle Co-op section on the promo and charity tables so pop by, say hello and make a donation to The Leukaemia Foundation in support of this brave BrisStylette.

** Diaries out! There's more exciting news about upcoming BrisStyle markets here **

See you there!

3 Quick Questions: Enticing Icing

Edible fondant sugar pirate cake toppers

Some of you will know Bel from EmBelIsh but did you know about her new venture Enticing Icing? Cute, practical and ingenious, Bel's sugar art creations are sure to be a crowd pleaser, plus they last for months so you can stock up till your heart's content.

Edible fondant sugar star cake toppers your choice of colours

Can you tell us about the inspiration behind your sugarart creations?
I would have to say my Nan is my biggest inspiration, every year until I was about 10 she would create these amazing cakes for me (sometimes 2 if I couldn’t pick just one design) and she also made wedding cakes and little Marzipan creations that were so life like.

Edible fondant sugar birdie cake toppers your choice of colour

I have always loved cooking and baking sweets and desserts in particular and always enjoyed making birthday cakes for my niece and nephew and now my own boys and close friends children so I guess it has just been a gradual progression from that. I found that like me lots of my friends also liked to bake but then weren’t sure how to decorate their creations to turn them into something amazing so I also wanted to make a product that would help them do that, whilst still having that ‘home made’ feel and giving them the pleasure of creating something for their family and friends.

edible fondant sugar frog cake toppers your choice of colours

Do you find there are similarities between your EmBelISH creations and Enticing Icing creations?
I guess I still tend to go for the ‘girly’ designs, the reason Em and I started EmBelISH was to fill that void of both having boys and I guess in a way I think I do the same with Enticing Icing. Although I have to say I am starting to think more about ‘Boy’ designs and I guess my latest Pirate collection shows that. Having a 3 year old boy with lots of opinions also helps that problem, I am sure there are going to be some Cars and maybe Trucks in the not too far away future.

edible fondant sugar girly party set cake toppers

What was the biggest challenge in setting up a business creating Sugarart?
I guess like any stay at home mum with young children I would have to say time. I wish I could create all day but it feels like there is always someone in the house who needs attention. Sunday afternoons/nights have kind of become my creating time, so I normally cook dinner early and clear out the kitchen. Being a craft involving food preparation it’s not something I can sit in front of the telly and do at night so I need to be organised about when I can create.

Thanks Bel!

edible fondant sugar baby bottle cake toppers your choice of colour

For more Enticing Icing check out Bel's website and Etsy shop.

**Stop press: Brisbanites, Bel will be at the BrisStyle Indie Designers Market with Enticing Icing creations so pop along to check them out in person. The BrisStyle Indie Designers Market is from 9am-2pm, Saturday 6 March at St Augustine's Church, Racecourse Road, Hamilton. **