a 55cm version of may mouse…

…myfanwy

images from fabrickideezs (awesome site)

recently my husband peter did an amazing job giving our tired old kitchen a makeover.

i love how it’s turned out & I’m now enjoying, adding the final little touches to bring it to life.

i saw the above potholders on pinterest & thought they would be both practical & decorative for our home.

i made some this weekend & here they are…

…the little patches of maze & vale fabric goes perfectly with our maze & vale t. towel.

i saw these dreamy beauties on pinterest & was captivated.

“the toy you destroy to enjoy“

made by *Charles Gregor creations in the 1950′s & recently sold on etsy.

These unopened surprise balls contain layers & layers of coloured crepe paper & hidden little treasures in the different layers.

an idea & tradition that has featured in different cultures through history.

watch this awesome video by Nathalie Lete opening a ball made by Gina Namkung.

to say i was inspired is under statement…

i hope you like my first foray into making surprise balls.

I’m very excited to be adding them to the cloth and thread range soon!

* charles gregor surprise ball photo’s via thelovelyandthestrange

some small cute items from cloth and thread’s little online craft market soon…

a little store update at down that little lane …

soft pinks, neutrals & fur!

i’ve opened a little store with the gorgeous site down that little lane.

it’s a very nicely curated store with goodies of all description &

mr. dandy lion is very happy to be residing there…

…in the company of the dolled up gal’s below,

store

blog

for a great girl!

:+)

kido’s jeans too short…

…snip, snip, snip…

…made a gathered frill 9cm in height & double the measure of cut hem eg. hem circumference 80cm – frill length 160cm…

..(.ignore hem,i  undid it) & pinned gathered edge to jean cut hem…

…i added another frill 13cm in height & 200cm in length (didn’t want next frill too gathered)

hem & attach to the hem of 1st frill

note: i would use a ruler next time when chopping off crutch & legs ;)

a quick & sweet way to decorate a singlet.

things…

plain white singlet

10cm of bemsilk lining (112cm wide) in pale pink, torn into 6cm wide strips (raw edge top & bottom)

-sew 3 rows of gathering stitches, leaving long ends of cotton to tie in knots.

-1st row 8mm from top edge, 2nd & 3rd rows 8mm spaced from each other.

-gather all threads from one end & tie off into a knot (without misshaping side of strip, not too tight)

-from unknoted end, pull 3 top gather threads from each row together & gather (distributing gathers evenly)

-when happy with amount of gathers, tie off the 3 rows ends & knot together (once again not too tight to misshape side of strip)

-cut gathered strip into 3 different graduating strip lengths.

-i did 17cm for 1st row, 14cm for 2nd row & 11cm for 3rd row.

-fold side edges under 1cm each edge, pin a little above the top of the singlet neckline, so raw edge is feature along the neckline.

- sew across gather stitches with triple stitch zig zag (this stitch has some stretch in it for stretch singlet material) & a little down the sides to secure the gather stitches but leave frill free.

-repeat this method for the 2nd & 3rd gathered strips, pinning each a little under the bottom edge of the row on top.

-press strips when attached with a cool iron (careful, bemsilk melt’s if too hot) to flatten gathers.

-finished…..but if your littlie is like mine, you will be ironing some light stretch interfacing to the back of the singlet where the strips have been attached to cover all the stitches.

via b4 it fades

realising this sketch to a plush for a new doll, is proving quite a challenge…

no: 6 (& more no doubt) this week!

super happy for cloth and thread to feature in the latest papier mache loves!

This talented team continually produce beautiful online & print magazines bursting with inspiration.

(February 2013 issue is no exception)

Thank You especially Deborah Sfez :)

… & welcoming may mouse to cloth and thread,

we hope you like!

she bought her special silver collar in Brie.

Sylvia the silver fox is in store

& a new custom elephant for my customer.

Hope you like :)

i went here last night,

admired & bought this board from Sands Made

enjoyed some killer guacamole from the Taco Truck

but my favourite bit was meeting Udder’s Fliss & Hal.

Nicer, fun, warmer people could not be met.

My Udder collection grows….

I think you might really enjoy this colourful, clever & beautiful collection of makers & their works.

It’s on ’til Sunday!

the snow is divine but it’s a wee bit chilly…

…aaah that’s better

pink & silver lurex leggings via sock

faux fur boléro via hat trim

~ for shop update soon.

a new design, now I will try him in different fabrics.

hope your holidays have ended on a high note!

4 rows of gather stitch (longest stitch),

pull all 4 rows together at once & knot ends to stay,

top stitch with machine embroidery stitches.

when you can’t have the real thing :)

just because I can (welcome home computer :D)

a pic of my Ruby & a 52cm elephant to show you the size.

The sweet as Rosa top is from Udder.

i hope you like the new necklaces I will be adding to my beaded doll collection.

you can even request a name if you wish :)

wishing you a great weekend!

I went along to this & purchased these beautiful little vintage pieces of fabric from Jennifer.

Her love & dedication to cloth is absolutely inspiring.

A sweetheart of a lass to boot.

i am enjoying the beads!

i have made some limited edition animal dolls in dresses featuring the beaded panels i have been working on.

The larger fluro beads glo-in-the-dark!

i had no idea when i first purchased these beads, my son picked it up & i thought it was a bonus.

a wee store update… a few small dresses suitable for small cats & elephants in store.

wishing you a great weekend!

I have re-opened my big cartel store with a limited selection for the moment.

I will be adding new things as they are made.

There is free delivery worldwide until i have worked out postal charges.

(just type free shipping in discount code on checkout)

I welcome your visits & hope you enjoy.

cloth and thread store.

:D

the eyes have it don’t they, on these beauties!

:)

dapper rabbit (he’s still for sale)

vinyl rabbit

felt nosed clown (sorry, not sure)

smart rabbit via Rachelles pinterest

i’m slowly working on stock for my store.

i’m trying different mixes & tweaking patterns.

this is the fun part,

wishing you a great weekend!

a sample of the creations from the hands of Zoe Loomis.

I love her work!

Her delights are found here

Twinkle Twinkle Studios

The final 2 frocks for petite cat order.

Next it’s repaint the bathroom or restock my store,

repaint the bathroom, restock the store?

hmmm……

some subtle changes in new eye colours & dress designs.

i have been watching The Day Before & this last pic reminded me of the look of anticipation

on the models backstage before they strut their stuff on the catwalk ;)

not my usual fabric choice but the “homespun” is very nice to sew with.

I don’t think i will be able to resist a run of small cat dresses in this adorable Heather Ross fabric collection named Nursery Versery.

What do you think?

my first run of cat cushions, maybe fruity gelati colours next!

Small cats & elephants in dresses from doyleys & sweet cottons.

Hello friends, haven’t been here lately. i have been enjoying the interaction over at Facebook for a change of scenery. I’ve also been re making some earlier designs I have. it’s my doyley doll, hope you like :)

these little glass & plastic things are offering me some entertaining moments.

I haven’t beaded for over twenty years & liking how it feels.

I’m using limited beads & skills but that’s the fun of it!

Wishing you a very lovely Easter break.

little cats have made it to lilliput!

They’re in the latest lovely chuppeta magazine.

Thank you Lucile

I have just about ticked off all the jobs on my list & looking forward to the Market day.

Please say hello if you’ll be coming & keep an eye out for some “market day specials”

 it will also be the very last of my doll face cushions,

(although you only to have to ask if you really want one )

Craft Hatch Market

Saturday 17th March 11-4pm

at 1000 pound Bend

361 Little Lonsdale Street

Melbourne.

I have been making quite solidly this last week for my market stall

& hope I have a nice enough selection of what I am working on.

7 and a bit days to go & really looking forward to the day, meeting other makers & visitors.

Wishing you a happy weekend.

made from some recently received new fabrics,

Thank you Helen they are stunning!

maude mouse is getting ready for the market,

her dress is made from some of my favourite fabric.

the orange pattern is printed over the woven striped fabric, too sweet.

Have a lovely weekend & hope you’re handling the heat if in Melbourne.

a sweet surprise while thumbing through the mags at the supermarket.

Shop 4 kids  Issue 15 Autumn 2012

Thanks Danielle & gals :)

Elodie elephant will be up for auction from March 18th – 25th March.

In cuddle craft collectives own words:

Our first auction will run from 18 March – 25 March 2012 and will be held via our Facebook page. We invite you to head over to Facebook and join the Cuddle Family in preparation for the auction, and to get a first peek at all the goodies that will be available for bidding!

>> Join us on Facebook

a lovely purchase last year from the clever hands of adatine

etsy store

we do love her!

images from etsy store.

gosh, this is so much fun.

oops! I have mistakenly deleted quite a few images from my blog, whilst doing a little (maybe too vigorous) housekeeping. I hope to restore soonish.

wishing you a fine weekend!

edit:

That’s a little better.

Tutu

this week Ruby & I are enjoying this iPad app!

fabric via Jen