Bead me up
Remember the urge to bead I was wittering on about recently? Still unwell and in hibernation mode, I haven’t quite got to starting anything yet, but have been focusing instead on the numerous repair jobs I’ve been putting off for some months now.
It’s intensely satisfying, returning these once-loved pieces to their former glory. And I’ve been able to sew while watching favourite old DVDs on the sofa and soothing a sore throat with endless cups of tea, in the downtime while Olive sleeps off her own cold.
I’ve simply no patience for my old Janome today, which is becoming more and more erratic (the old girl might be on her last legs, I fear). Some days, there is comfort in taking the slowest route possible.
Mexican oilcloth from Me Too Please
If you’ve seen the new book or indeed read the posts here, here and here, you’ll know I’m a huge fan of oilcloth, and particularly the Frida Kahlo-esque brights used for projects such as this kite here in The Crafty Kid. Children love the bright prints and I can’t stress enough how easy oilcloth is to wipe down when used as a tablecloth, apron or purse of any sort. It’s also pretty simple to sew, and I don’t bother changing the presser foot on my machine to an upholstery one (although you do have to take it a bit slower when stitching oilcloth if you don’t want to bust too many needles).
Ben Elke, the wholesale importer for Mexican oilcloth in Australia got in touch recently to show me some of the new range they’ll be bringing in, which is just gorgeous and very retro. Order direct here from Me Too Please, or from any of their stockists throughout Australia. My locals are Balmain’s Prue Trollope and Beezaar in Rozelle.
Two groovy mags and a Mad Men wedding
Cloth's latest issue
Charmingly naïve
A couple of hotties
I made these the other night while watching one of my favourite films, The Royal Tenenbaums (because, just like the cobbler with holey shoes, I didn’t have one when the temperature dropped, having given all mine away).
But back to the film – it’s one I love so much, it warms my heart every time I see it. And I thought the same thing last time I watched it: I must dedicate a wall to family pictures, just like Etheline did (the Tenenbaum matriarch, played by Angelica Huston). Naive prints in texta, pencil and paint, in different-sized frames.
I’ll start with a painting of Olive, on a postcard-sized canvas, and maybe one of our home with its shiny red front door, open in welcome. No need to be precious – they’ll be simple, just whatever I can manage. And we’ll add to our collection over the years with all her artwork and ours. Yep, that’s what I’m going to do.
The Tenenbaums' picture gallery
Margot's room
A visit to Channel 7
Georgina’s cloth shopper bag
Here’s a snapshot of the kitchen table this morning, where I’m working away on some last-minute things for the next book and drinking copious cups of tea… we go to print in less than two weeks (eek!)
Last week my editor, the crafts genius Georgina Bitcon dropped by, and brought this lovely gift with her: it’s a cloth shopper bag based on the same pattern as the plastic ones given out at the supermarket. I’ve been using it every day now and it works a treat. It also folds up nice and small in my handbag, so I have it at the ready when proffered a plastic one.
Georgina sourced the Japanese fabric from Quiltsmith in Annandale. I think it’s gorgeous, don’t you?
Too hot to handle
Fab stripy oven mitt
With the rain pelting down and Sydney gridlocked in traffic last Wednesday, I headed off to No Chintz for a workshop to make some nifty oven mitts. The women I met in the class were so fab – all mothers, all crafty – and we each made an oven mitt and half a matching mitt to pair with the first.
Once you get the hang of these handmade pieces, you can knock one up in half an hour. And a pair make a great gift for a friend who loves to cook.
A while back, I was visiting all the people in my old office, and my former MD mentioned the book: “One thing is certain,” he said. “I’m sure you won’t be writing one for men”. I think these could be a contender for The Crafty Minx for Blokes, don’t you think? Maybe I should add a bit of padding and call them boxing gloves.
Love this embroidered fabric
My mitt
One stylish oven mitt
Do it in Paris
Flowery dresses and pretty accessories for a successful garden party
Are you all addicted to this site after my last mention? How I love the look today!
Accessorize clutch
To bring a little Sacré Cœur sunset to your evening, how about adorning a favourite item with silk flowers, as per this Accessorize clutch suggested by Do it in Paris?
Life is sweet, non?
Headed for a dye-fest
Colour inspiration for my next dyeing project... our budding orchid
When I was a hapless teenager and just moved out of home, I couldn’t quite figure out the whole separating whites from darks from colours business when I did the weekly laundry, so I ended up with a pile of grubby-looking whites to wear.
Around the same time, I discovered the beauty of hand-dyeing; I loved how it gave a second life to tired-looking clothes, and particularly zingy lift to silk chinois-style tops and simple underwear. I think a lemon-yellow bra strap slightly visible under a white cotton shift looks cute, say, or a fuscia petticoat peeking out from under a frock. And there’s something lovely about the mottled effect it gives old, crushed silk.
This week, I’m planning a dye-fest. But starting tomorrow, when I don’t have the wee one, or have to worry about turning Olive emerald green by accident, in an I Capture the Castle moment…
Carnival pink - why not?
It’s been a while, so when I’m feeling brave I’m going to attempt making some of India Flint’s home-made dyes from vegetables, leaves and the like and putting them to use. For d(ye)vine inspiration, check out her beautiful book, Eco Colour.
One item which will be finding its way into the dyeing pot is this age-stained old linen tablecloth, bequeathed to me by my dear friend Catherine. I’m thinking pale blue, with a touch of lavender.
Tea o'clock
Another sneaky peek at The Crafty Kid
Hootie the Owl softie
Hello on this chilly Friday morning. Here’s a little sneak peek at some of the new projects in The Crafty Kid for you, out in just a few short weeks.
The three projects here were constructed entirely from remnant fabrics and scraps. The owl above is made from the leg of an old pair of denim jeans, a scrap of wool from a flea market, the button from an old sixties trench coat and a lurid seventies pillowcase. See? It’s so easy to make something from the most useless-seeming things.
Heart-shaped pincushion
Felt & ribbon cutlery roll
