Craft Schmaft

I posted a few weeks ago about a little owl angel in progress. Here she is finished and I’m thinking that these might be great xmas ornaments. A few tweaks to make – I think I’ll use some hessian and muslin fabric for wings on the next one to get a bit of contrast in the textures and a slightly more floaty appearance. The feet need to be in grey or a contrasting colour as well – they kinda disappear in the white. These ones are just felt, the newborn size socks just don’t allow enough for the little feet.

This Christmas we’re having a tree at home but I live in fear of Oscar pulling the whole thing down on himself or breaking every precious item on there. So I’m thinking I’ll whip up some felt and softie ornaments that are unbreakable – and perhaps even a few things that Oscar can help me with. Oh how I luuurve Christmas. Have been so busy with market preps that I haven’t had a chance to even start shopping but have promised myself some time next week after Finders Keepers.

Couldn’t resist these cute little sailors, fabric from Retro Mummy.

It was a classic Aussie summer day for Avalon village market on Saturday. And we’re only in spring! I’ve been a bit slack on taking photos at markets recently so here’s a couple of pics, more on the facebook fanpage. I was down near the rides so despite having to listen to the dodgem cars and kiddie entertainment all day I did get lots of very excited little ones convincing parents to buy them sock kits. So cute! I think for the next few markets I’ll sew up a few softies – not everyone is up for sewing their own friends.

I wanted to something special for the Finders Keepers market in December – something that wasn’t quite as focused on babies and kids. So in an indulgent moment I started to put together pieces from my stash that I would love a little owl to be made out of. The kind of thing I’d want sitting on my desk. I’m so inspired by fabric at the moment – especially Australian and Japanese fabric. These pieces by Surface Art,  Aunty Cookie,  and the Japanese Cosmo Tex will be going in to a little trio of baby owls for kits. They’re going with simple little grey and charcoal socks. Yum!

I luuuurve this environmental art by Joanna Pohjalainen.  There’s something so whimsical about coloured pencils growing in the wild. Imagine being able to pick from a forest full of colours, searching out exactly the right shade of purple, the excitement of discovering a rare mushroom brown. OK so I’m letting my imagination run a bit wild now but something this week has my brain ticking overtime with ideas. Xmas presents, tree decorations, new projects, colour combinations. Must be something in the air.  Found via the wonderful monster-munch which, by the way, has a fantastic array of sock monsters on it.

Saturday’s Allies Attic market was just beautiful. A gorgeous day spent in great company under the shade of trees. Chatting away, selling wares and being inspired by all the creativity around. Not many photos to show you as the toddler has managed to thoughtfully dispose of my mobile phone (fun!!) Anyway, I was next to Simone from Apple Jelly who had the cutest applique onesies and t-shirts. Steph from Moobear was there with her gorgeous tees and so was Sarah with incredible bird cage mobiles from gifts created. It was the first Allies Attic ever and while it would have been great to see a few more faces there, the atmosphere and stall holders were just breathtaking. This is one market to watch I tell you! Next one is coming up on 12th of December at Paddington town hall.

My gorgeous boy turned two last week and we had a little party today to celebrate. I have to confess that I cheated on the cake. Oscar is obsessed with diggers and rather than try to construct one out of cake – which did cross my mind – I bought him a toy digger and filled it with cupcakes. Easiest cake EVER but I do feel a little bit naughty. It wasn’t quite the E for effort that last years rubber ducky bath cake was but Oscy was very excited about the toy once all the cupcake had been eaten and smeared over toddler faces.

I’ve been getting ready for Allies Attic Boutique babies and kids market tomorrow at Hunters Hill. Here’s how it goes…Stitch stitch stitch. Print print print. Pack pack pack. Back to spotlight. Swear swear swear. Stitch stitch stitch. Photo photo photo. Smile smile smile. Pack pack pack. Oh and these lovelies…. he he he…

Couldn’t decide yesterday between pink or purple on the I heart G-Raf’s mane but I think the purple checks is definitely the right choice. Thanks Susan! It’s very mean of me to go on and on about markets in Sydney when I know you’re not all in Sydney but, fear not, if you like this little girl you can buy the I heart G-Raf kit in the Craft Schmaft store. There’s only 15 of them available so be quick!