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First market stall ever for me today. I had no idea of what to expect but arrived bright and chirpy and had a fantastic time. I was truly blown away by all the lovely comments and ooohs… and ahhhs over the sock toys. And I sold plenty too! All in all a great success. But I have to say this wasn’t just my success, so many people have helped me over the past couple of months that there will be a whole post tomorrow on thank yous. For now I think it’s time for me to go to bed… although I’m still slightly buzzing.

P.S. Excuse the photos, all I had was my iphone to take pics.

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I spent all Sunday stitching with the lovely ladies of The Craft Room (Thanks to the ultimate retro mummy for organising!) It was perfect timing for finishing off the Mathildas Market sock toy gang, here they are all in blues. I love that each one of them turns out to be slightly different, it’s almost like they have different personalities. Still lots more stitching to do for next weekend… I have to admit there was an awful lot of talking and not quite enough stitching going on. It’s so great to meet crafty bloggers in person although quite weird to recognise people more by their blog name than their first name or even face.

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Here she is all finished and ready for Mathildas! Thanks for all the market well wishes. That last post really made me sound like a nutter on the edge… it isn’t quite that bad just yet :)

I haven’t been blogging much. I haven’t been exercising much. I haven’t been cooking much. I haven’t done anything much recently except madly work on getting patterns and kits ready for Mathildas Markets. Somehow this weekend it’s all coming together… the patterns are printed, the kit boxes have arrived, I’ve even managed to create little tins for needles and thread. I still have a mountain of softie sewing and packing to do and there’s that rising panic in my stomach but here’s a sneak peek…

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DIY traditionally has been slightly naff. You know what it’s like, often the best intended DIY project ends up a little worse for wear (or is that just me?). Well not over at A little bit of Sugar. Lucy came up with the idea of tiling her custom made desk with vintage scrabble tiles and it looks absolutely amazing.

While I’m on the inspiring recycled objects front, Steph over at Moobear creates gorgeous t-shirts for kids featuring recycled fabric motifs. Her kids actually do the illustrations and she turns them into designs for t-shirts. How cool is that? My favourite is the bubble factory, who doesn’t need a little bubble manufacturing in their life? What a clever Bizness Babe she is.

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There have been quite a few little domestic dramas going on around here this week. Nothing that I’ll bore you with on this blog but just when I was starting to feel quite defeated a little package showed up on my doorstep. Wonderland by MoMo, inspired by Alice in Wonderland .. mmmm… it’s as good as it looks. I bought a layer cake from the Fat Quarter Shop because I couldn’t decide between the colourways and I dont’ use huge amounts making sock softies anyway.  I spent a blissful hour down the rabbit hole today matching fabrics to socks and dreaming up new patterns. It was better than retail therapy. It was stash therapy. *sigh*

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Pictured here is Tweedle Dee Jam, Tweedle Dee Sugar and Snip Snip Glass.

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In other news patterns are complete for Mathildas Markets and I’m busy working on packaging and logos. More on those later in the week!

G-raf for sure

June 14, 2009

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I braved the spotlight stocktake sale today. I must be insane. I wouldn’t have gone at all but this Giraffe needs a mane and I haven’t been able to find the right lilac grossgrain anywhere nearby.

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So what’s with the title? Well you may have noticed that I don’t name the sock softies. Woof Woof was a name Oscar, my little boy, gave to the first ever sock dog I made. Toot was the first thing Karen’s (and-so-i-sew) daughter said when she saw spotted him in the snailblazer swap.

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The G-raf has been named by the supremely talented Melanie Horsnell who, when she’s not coming up with cool names, is an indie/folk vocal and guitar artist. If you haven’t heard her stuff go over there and listen, it’s gorgeous. (She’s also the voice behind those huggies pull-at-your-heartstrings, ads).  She commented that Mix Tape Molly was “very groovy, he’s a hip hop g-raf for sure..”

So g-raf it is. Thanks Mel!

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Another gem from my ridiculous vintage craft library. This one features a belted jacket with side vents which, of course, are absolutely essential during  “hello sailor” moments. *sigh* perhaps I was simply born after my time.

Busy Babes and Big News

June 11, 2009

I haven’t blogged much about this but I have recently become a Bizness Babe.

In their words Bizness Babes is … “a dynamic program that provides free business training to mothers who otherwise might not get the chance (and we all deserve a chance!)” In my words it is …the most amazing group of intelligent, supportive, wonderful women teaching others how to create and run their own business”

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I graduated a couple of weeks ago and I cannot rave highly enough about this course. As one of the girls in my group put it… life changing. In fact it’s Biz Babes that helped me take the step to Mathildas Market and my next exciting step to the Stitches and Craft Show.
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Craft Schmaft will be at the Sydney Stitches and Craft show in August. Yep… pee in your pants excitment people (well for me anyway, you feel free to hold on).

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In recent weeks I’ve been madly creating patterns which the lovely girls from my Bizness Babes group have been testing for me. It’s so nice to see other people having fun making little owls and sock dogs and their feedback has gone into refining the patterns too. Thank you ladies! I plan to have the patterns both at markets and available on etsy at the start of July.

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I think I need to go and lie down.

A Wintry Weekend

June 9, 2009

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We spent the weekend with family in Woodend, Victoria…. brrr… it’s cold down there! Not your snowing kinda cold. More a grey drizzly cold. Perfect for stitching beside the fire. Nothing completed but lots of progress on little owls and the third sock dog. I’ve almost finished the owl and sock dog patterns and have the giraffe well under way too.

I’m loving the Woolly Woof Woofs at the moment. Using woollen socks makes the toys even more cuddly and the thicker the sock the more they hold their shape. Seems the perfect crafting for a cold day.

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