what a lot of fun!

It is with a little sadness that we wrap up the 6 week Colour Challenge. Can I just say that I have really enjoyed myself and thankyou to everyone who found the time to participate. I don't know about the rest of you, but it sure has increased my productivity and allowed me to experiment more freely with colours and designs. Hey, I've even made my first item of "little" clothing. It's the green & PINK striped pants I previously mentioned. I'm pretty pleased for a first attempt but then again it was a very simple pattern (thanks Mum). By no means perfect but that always leaves plenty of room for improvement. Typically for me I couldn't just follow the pattern (no that would be too simple). I had to complicate the process by adding the corduroy cuffs. They turned out to be particularly fiddly and tricky for a novice such as myself, but with a little nudging and tucking I think I may have pulled it off!

So to celebrate the past 6 weeks of super productivity here's a showcase of my favourite pieces from the other very talented colour challengers.

Images L-R numbered 1-9


1 & 7. Treasurefield
2. Wiccked
3. Glady & Cloudy
4. Beading in the Dark
5 & 9. Hot Fudge
6. Elements By Dawn 8. Daisychain Jewellery



Infact I've enjoyed the process so much that I'm already thinking about the next 6 week challenge! It's currently still just an idea floating around in my head but it may involve a little "re-loving" of old materials.... with maybe a swap......mmmm.... or something along those lines????? With a busy couple of weeks ahead of me I'm required to concentrate on a few deadlines but after that I'll be ready and willing to play the next round. So if you're up for a creative challenge stay tuned for more details.

here she is

Our 1957 Diamond in the Rough

As promised here are a few pics of our new house (or should I say "new to us" house). While we're a little apprehensive about the amount of work we have ahead of us, it's mostly excitement. I'm itching to get my hands on this lovely lady. The interior is in original condition right down to the carpets (which I love but don't think I can live with), so we'll be trying to keep the character & charm that she was designed with. The thing that most appeals to me with houses of this era is the large windows and large rooms, of which we have plenty. The floor plan layout also suits us perfectly, with bedrooms all together on a split level between the upstairs living areas and downstairs playrooms.

We have a 90 day settlement so will be spending the next couple of months planning & designing the refurbishment. I've been out of my professional career as an Interior Designer for 3 years now while at home with the kids. Unfortunately, as a consequence I've lost the contacts & knowledge I had with regard to suppliers, contractors & products (also moved to a new state) so I'll be needing to devote some serious time to researching and haggling. As I go I'll try to share some of the best finds with you.

We renovated our last house during the winter while living there (including major structural works) which was a memorable experience. Lets just say we won't be going there again, especially this time with the addition of 2 toddlers. The plan is to complete the changes before we move in, with the expectation we will have our first Xmas there this year. Woohoo!!

ciao green

Farewell to green week (6 week Colour Challenge).... oh yeah it has been fun! Then again, how could it not be when it's my favourite colour. Having said that these utensils were a little more challenging as I find purple one of the hardest colours to work with. Mmmmm.... maybe we should have had a purple challenge week???

This coming, and sadly final week of the challenge will be another favourite for me - Pink. I'm sitting here looking at a pink & green stripe cotton on my shelf and it's calling out for a pair of boys pants. I know that sounds weird as you're thinking "pink"? for a boy... what is she thinking??? It's a dusky pink with racing car green. I'm hoping to give it a try. Firstly however I have to get around to see Mum to borrow a super easy pattern she has for boys summer pants. Elastic waste, 2 seams & cuffs. Sounds simple in theory!

I'd just like to say congrats to the other participating colour challengers who have joined me in this week by week journey. It has been great to share our interest in crafting/creating and give a little encouragement & inspiration to each other along the way. Thankyou all for your supportive comments, I have enjoyed reading each and every one of them.

Beading in the Dark

Treasurefield

Hot Fudge

Daisychain Jewellery

Wiccked

Glady & Cloudy

a good thrift

Inspired by Linaloo I had a wonderful outing this morning leisurely meandering through thrift stores (obviously without little people) and bought home some treasures. Above are 2 little egg warmer houses purchased for 20cents each - who wouldn't fall in love with them?



vintage linen & buttons


wool blanket for ruby's bed

winter sheet set which looks great with the blanket

.... and my favourite... this beautiful vintage opera coat. I'm not the best photographer so the photo really doesn't do it justice but the fabric is a turquoise blue shot silk. It also came with a dress but that didn't fit me so has gone into the fabric stash for a future project. I still can't believe the set (dress & coat) cost me a total of Aus$7.50 (which is about US$8).

Bloesem Kids

Wow! I am very chuffed to find my Baby Tool Rattles featured today on Bloesem Kids (yes I am showing off a little now after my front page exposure on Etsy a couple of days ago). If you're always on the look out for new designs & ideas for the kids then head over to Irene's blog (she refers to it as B-Kids) as it's full of wonderful finds for little people. Irene is a wife & mum currently living in Kuala Lumpur but originally from The Netherlands. She also has a sister blog called Bloesem for big people which focuses on Interior Design products. Irene welcomes submissions for her daily features on both sites so if you have something you have seen or designed/created yourself you might want to make contact with her.

Thankyou for all of you who have popped over from B-Kids. Please enjoy your visit!

etsy front page July 9 '08

Yippee... the front page!

While my little hammer was workin' it up there on the front page I was snoozing. It would have been great to see it live but thankfully the online world has enabled me to take a peek, as I found this screenshot on flickr.

You can see other Etsy Front Page images on FrontPagers or in this Flickr Group.

what a bargain!

Don't you think this little chair is just adorable?

Found it today reduced from $99 to $25 (display model). Wish I could have bought another one for the little guy and changed the fabric but apparently it's the very last one. Bummer!

They are made by an Australian company called Mandalay Designs. Can't seem to find their link at the moment but I'll update this post when I can.

Found them! Mandalay Designs

today on my desk

Given I didn't get back to post my red item (that's me trying to pretend I did one...ha ha) I thought I'd show you my work in progress for this green week.

My process (if you can call it that) for designing & making my toys goes like this:

1 Play with fabric combinations. I mean PLAY. This can be a very lengthy process. Generally I have a loose idea in mind as to the style of the toy. ie. it may be for a boy or girl, subtle or loud in colour & pattern, quirky or conservative. I am very easily distracted - I'll spot a fabulous scrap of fabric that I haven't seen for a while and head off on a totally unrestrained direction trying to figure out how I can use it. This is why the colour challenge has been good for me by tightening the parameters of my fabric fossick.

2 I usually will try to create a minimum of 2 toys at a time. Cut the fabrics.

3 Sew together inside out (leaving a 1 inch opening) and then turn out and smooth seams.

4 Stuff with fill, insert bell and hand sew opening (in front of TV)

The entire process usually takes me several days & nights as I get to do little spurts at a time. If I'm lucky I get an hour during the day while sleeping beauties have retired to their rooms, then an hour or two at night when the house is quiet.

I managed to get these 3 almost completed yesterday from scratch. Just a little hand sewing is required to finish (that's tonights feet up on the sofa job). My mind was still in the red week (feeling a twinge of guilt) but also thinking about the current green challenge. End product = green + red. I like this combination - it's fun and unisex.

Today I wrapped and posted this customised car cushion for Andre's first birthday present. Hope he likes it :) His Mum is a pretty funky momma and a lover of green hence the colour choices - check out her Etsy shop here.

red means stop!

RED - I have taken this weeks colour literally and stopped. Oops.

Not "made by me" but a red collection of images & objects created by other talented folk on Flickr.

Anyway, I still officially have 2 days to come up with red so you never know. Off to the footy tonight & catching up tomorrow afternoon with the Adelaide Etsy sellers. Can't wait for that as it's a first get together for all of us.

Here's a quick pic of the house we have just purchased. Must dash now to feed & bath little ones but when I have more time I'll put together a little package of photos. We call her our "diamond in the rough" as she has good bones but needs a lot of TLC.