What’s wrong with this picture?
February 25, 2010
Here they are, three little pink owls, all ready to be assembled into a mobile. Ready to take flight. Almost ready for Mathildas Market. So what’s wrong with this picture? There are ONLY three! I personally suspect that the little terror that is my two year old son has stolen one. When quizzed about this he looked around, shrugged and said that it must have run away. Of course! How could I possibly assume that he would be responsible? I did laugh though.
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So now I have to go around the whole house and check every nook and cranny for a runaway owl. Now where would a toddler stash an owl? Any ideas?
I think he likes it
February 24, 2010
The seagull was a big success. Hooray! The only thing that Oscar was disappointed in is that it couldn’t fly. He spent most of the morning hurling the poor seagull in the air to see if it would fly. Good thing I double stitched those wings on hey!
Seagull on a Sunday
February 21, 2010
Love a sunny Sunday morning when the toddler is entertained by his Nan making me bacon and eggs, yum! Here’s the almost finished seagull. Just stitching on his eyes this morning and some more work to be done on his wings this afternoon
A new little project
January 31, 2010
I’ve wanted to try making a little mushroom from left over sock bits for ages. I wasn’t sure it would work but here’s the first attempt. I think it definitely has potential and talk about quick. It’s made out of the toe and ankle band of a sock with two pieces of felt. The thing I really like about this, and working with socks in general, is that every one you make turns out slightly differently – variations in size, pattern, elasticity and fibres mean you never quite know the exact shape you’re going to get. I love that they all have a personality of their own – little quirks and looks that they’re born with.
I’d like to create a little cluster of these in different colours, sizes and shapes, just like you’d find at the base of a tree in a forest. The other thought at the moment is to embroider a little door and windows, perhaps some spots on top and turn it into a a tiny house. *sigh* there’s nothing more wonderful than the possiblities of a new project, before you get in there and start realising that certain things just wont work.
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What are you daydreaming of?
Hearts for Haiti – Love Owl Kit
January 28, 2010
The little Love Owl Kit is all ready to go. This little fella was going to be a valentines day owl, a crafty gift for the one you love… or for yourself. I’ve been watching the amazing rescue efforts in Haiti over the past two weeks, the stories of courage, survival and spirit and I wanted to help in some small way. So I’m dedicating this Owl Kit to the hearts of Haitians and $5 of every one sold in the Craft Schmaft Store will go to Médecins Sans Frontières who continue to provide medical care under devastating conditions.
Click here for The Love Owl Kit
Stay tuned for S and C
January 25, 2010
Thank you so much for all your tweets, emails and comments on Stitches and Craft. I have good news… the Sydney hasn’t been canceled (my mistake) only postponed and there will be a new date announced this week. Hooray! We live to stitch another day ladies. Stay tuned and I’ll let you know all the details.
As a sneak peek, here’s one of the owl mobile kits I’ve been working on for the show. I’ll be launching them online next week.
I’m in love
January 14, 2010
I thought I’d create a little love owl kit for Valentines day. Not that I think many men are going to be stitching for their girls BUT I was so taken with Cass’ (snailblazer) suggestion of buying a present for yourself, wrapping and and having it under the tree for Christmas that I thought I’d make myself an owl for Valentines day. She’s a little companion who will sit next to my computer, happily hooting while I tap away. The thing that I’m completely in love with is actually the fabric – it’s Japanese and I just think that the colours and pattern are divine. Very Kimono. Very expensive. Nicely indulgent.
I have such a thing for Japanese design. On one hand they do cute like no-one else and on the other they have this innate sense of asymmetrical balance, of colour and tone that can be so elegant and graceful. They’re so inspired by nature, so ordered and thoughtful. All of which makes my heart break even more over the whales.
One day I’ll fly away
November 28, 2009
I’ve been locked away in the bat cave all day stitching to finish off the softies for Finders Keepers Market today. Six softies stitched and finished. Phew. Lots of packing to do before next Friday but at least I know what I’m packing now. The fabric on the black owl is a linen with passport stamps and script hand printed onto it. I haven’t done much travel since Oscar was born but once upon a time I backpacked through Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia…. and let me tell you those were good times! I’ve always loved the raw quality that the stamps have in a passport- slightly broken up type, ornate national emblems, simplified symbols and sweeping arabic characters.
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I spent many a border crossing with knots in my stomach (particularly the Turkish/Syrian border but that’s a whole other blog post) not quite sure if we’d be let into the county or not. Spent many an extra night in cities where I was stuck until a visa came through. Spent one border crossing between Spain and Portgal chatting up a rather cute guy who I’m now lucky enough to be married to. Passport stamps became a bit of an achievement. Maybe that’s why I love them so much. I really hope I have another chance to travel one day. To fly away with nothing but a bag and a world of possibility before me.
Finished Finders Keepers Owls
November 25, 2009
Here they are. Three little owlies, all in row. I can’t decide which one I like the most, but then I guess I shouldn’t play favourites with my owls. They do have a tendency towards jealousy! Got so much done today thanks to the lovely Ms Tutti Frutti who came over to help pack kits. Thanks Belinda! The pressure is on for Finders Keepers Market next Friday… eek…. so much to pack… so little time.
Owl mobile pattern is finished!
October 30, 2009
At last it’s finished. The sock owl mobile pattern is now in the Craft Schmaft store available for pdf download. It feels like I’ve been working on this one forever and the last tweaks and edits have taken nearly a month! I really wanted to make sure that everything was as simple, and at the same time comprehensive, as possible.
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A huge thank you goes out to the fantastic crafters who tested it for me – their feedback and suggestions were just fantastic and have gone a long way to making this my best pattern. Thank you so much… Nikki of My Black Cardigan, Sarah of The Shopkeepers wife, Sophie of Her Heart, My Hands, Ingrid of Lottielulu, Bianca of Sadie & Lance, Brianne of Limes Sweet, Peta of Pippiwillow, Talia of Talia Carbis, Melissa and Bonnie.
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Cick here to go to the store for the Owl Mobile Pattern (PDF).
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A printed version of the pattern is coming in the next week and will also be available at Kelani Fabric.
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Hello. My name is Claire. I have a sock toy addiction. It began two years ago when I was pregnant and nesting. At first I dismissed it. I hadn't sewn in years. "Craft Schmaft" I said. Well it seems this crafty thing is here to stay. This blog brings you the delights of making sock softies, fabric finds and crafty inspiration from round the interweb.
