neon

The neon trend may have been around for a while, but I do love it. Infact, I loved it first time around too in the 80's with my neon pink socks and jelly shoes. Remember those?

Click to see some of these Etsy treasures.

they may be scraps for some...

...but not for others!

I've been replenishing my scrap fabric collection lately.

Found these lovelies at the Bowerbird Bazaar market from Surface Art. The first thing that comes to mind is a skirt for moi.... I think one of pieces is large enough to do a front panel... oooh....could be a goer.

Then I was super dooper lucky to win these Maze and Vale handprinted pieces by the clever Leslie Keating over on her blog. Oh yeah, I was pretty chuffed. She seems to always add a little extra to the package, like this a few years ago. Last week she threw in the linen circle brooch. So sweet. Thanks Leslie!

Goodbye and adios to this collection of toys. They're heading off to a new retailer here in Adelaide. Will let you know more when they are in store :)

Wishing all the mums and grandmas a lovely day for tomorrow xx

I'm in party planning mode

We have a special family birthday just around the corner. Yes indeed, it has almost been one year since the arrival of Quinn Alice, or Quinnie as she is known around these parts.

I'm currently collecting birthday party ideas and finding plenty of inspiration online. In celebration of Easter and Quinn's birthday I've put together a treasury of Etsy finds to capture the colours and feel I have in mind for her party. Going with pastels, balloons and flowers. We're having an afternoon tea party at home which fits nicely with the pretty, girlie styling. Click the image for links.

I've just ordered a customised file of this invitation from The Parchment Place, as life is too busy now to faff around designing my own invitations (especially when there are so many beautiful ones available at the click of a button).

Think I'll make some of these jellybean bracelets

How cute are these chocolate covered marshmallows (which also score points for easy preparation)

...and rainbow fruit kebabs (why have I never tried these before??)

These balloon and streamer decorating ideas are a winner. Could take a little effort, but it would be super cute to create an ombre effect with pastel colours...mmmm

OK so I did mention that I was time poor... but... in a parallel universe where I have plenty of free time I would make these...

...and these...

...and these.

I need a personal assistant. Actually, that is not the truth. I need a cleaner! That way I can spend more time doing the fun stuff that comes with motherhood :)

Oh dear!

Hello! How are you? It's been a while between drinks. Nothing personal ;)

It's always hard to know what to share when it's been so long since checking in. I'm not very good at working out priorities, never been a strength of mine. In fact I tend to get caught up in the small detail which is often of very little significance, but there you go, you probably didn't really need to know that. Oops.

So.... getting back to much more interesting things.

I have been having a fling with Pinterest.


Yes, I am over there having a wow of a time. Seriously, what can be more fun than creating pinboards for all the lovely things, ideas and inspirations that one finds online? It has always been a dilemma of mine to know where to store these so I could find them later - bookmarking never seemed to work for me - it's just not visual enough! Feel free to follow my pins here or send me your email and I can invite you in as a friend.

I have had a few evening dates with my sewing machine and finally brought to life a new design (which has been floating around in my head for a couple of years). Introducing...the Stop Light. Tada.


Oh and also a golf club and retro tool set for good measure.

Of course you can still check out my toys on Etsy but now, in addition, if you are in Australia you can also find me at Down That Little Lane. I am fortunate to have been invited to sell my wares in this delightful little online store run by Tessa White. Seriously, if you love all things unique and desirable, this is a one stop shop!

in the mail....

You know I love parcels. Yesterday's mail was exciting.

Firstly I opened an envelope to find this stunning printed fabric so beautifully packaged from Belinda Kemp (aka gretchenmist). My desk is covered in all things blue and green at the moment so these fabrics continue the theme.

The other letter that came in the mail was from the school to say that Sachin is due to start his transition visits in 2 weeks. Awwwww... my little boy going to school! How did that come around so fast? I recall having a conversation a couple of months ago with another mum and saying that I really questioned whether he would be ready to go when he turned five. It's amazing how all of the sudden they develop emotionally and seem so much older in the last term of Kindergarten.

I remember exactly the same thing happening with Ruby before she started school. So young Sachin will be celebrating his 5th birthday in a few weeks and no surprises here, it's going to be a Lego party (remember the t-shirt). No complaints from me. I think it sounds like super fun and there are a stream of ideas running through my head! I've just ordered some of these for the party (favor) bags - aren't they great :)

buying handmade for christmas

Last year I had planned to make Christmas gifts but my pregnancy fatigue had other plans! Just incase that happens again (oh no not the pregnancy bit... but the lack of production) I have a backup plan. Shop handmade.

Here's a couple of links showcasing great handmade gift ideas and beautiful online shops where you will be able to find something for everyone on your list.

Irene of the amazing Bloesem Blogs (seriously good reading) has put together her Bloesem Kids 2011 Gift Guide.

Magdalena Orlik has been curating this gallery of Etsy Designers and their shops on her Design Dot Team blog.


Happy Shopping!

mini design dots

You can't go past Etsy for a spurt of design inspiration and examples of handmade with love. Sometimes the process of sifting through the... well.....bland stuff... can test your patience, but when you find a piece of "gold" it can lift the spirits. Then you pop that beauty in your favourites file to realise it is for looking only.... sadly and most likely not for keeps! sigh....

Never the less, go on, head over here and enjoy some faux shopping.

fede shop update

There's a handful of new toys (soft baby tools with rattles) available for sale here

textures. textiles. tactile.

handmade toy sale... bag a bargain!

Today it bit me.... you know....the "I need to start creating again" bug. If you add the almost 12 weeks since Quinn was born to another 6 months prior of pregnancy fatigue, you get a long period of little action in the sewing room. On inspection, my poor neglected Etsy store had 3 items left for sale as the rest of the stock had expired and dropped off. My friend De recently enquired about a few hammer rattles for baby gifts and on inspection I discovered a box of finished toys and a handful of WIPs waiting on my desk. Sitting here today, my hands felt all twitchy as my eyes excitedly reconnected with the neatly stacked fabric on the shelves (an obvious sign that there has been little love here since relocating my sewing room to make way for Quinn's Nursery). My heart raced and my palms felt sweaty! It was time. Time to reconnect with my old Bernina 730.

Also time to clear out some stock and make way for new creations that are wanting to be released from my head. Hence the SALE that commenced this afternoon in my online shop. Everything is 20% off until sold. In the next few weeks I hope to be listing a batch of new designs in the shop for a fresh new look.

To answer a few frequent questions.

• Yes, I ship worldwide. Prices are quoted under each listing in my online store 
• The shipping/postage price is the same flat rate for up to 3 toys (the more you buy the better value)
• All prices quoted are in US dollars 
• Everything is handmade by me
• Fabrics are a combination of new & vintage
• Custom designs can be made but these are not included in this sale

Hammers and Spanners $20 now $16 each + postage

Tool Sets $38 now $30.40 + postage

First Utensils $50 now $40 + postage (other colours available - please drop me a line to enquire)

Forks N Spoons $36 now $28.80 + postage

First Lollipops $20 now $16 each + postage

Fairy Wands $20 now $16 each + postage

lazy weekend

Head over here to check out these lovely items of gorgeousness you can find for your lazy weekends. I'm loving those yellow handmade boots .... yum yum.... would be perfect for a mum with newborn slothing around the house.... anyone got a spare $475???? Yeah, that could pose a small problem. Oh well, a girl can dream ....sigh.....

Hope you're having a super weekend.

handmade for everyone

So as you may have gathered from my lack of content of late, there is not a lot of making going on here right now. My focus has been on the garden, which I plan to share with you soon, but in the meantime you can see some of what we've been up to here. Sadly, I'm a one focus girl, so the sewing room has been feeling quite neglected. Having said such, I have a 3 hour opening this morning home alone so must get a move on so I can attempt to break that drought.

While my sewing hands may be on vacation my mind is not. The need to be stimulated by design aesthetic & ideas has me spending my free time trawling the internet ooo-ing and aaaa-ing. In an attempt to remember just some of what I see, I have been saving favourites in my flickr, etsy & tumblr accounts.With a little girl's Princess 5th birthday party to plan for in a couple of weeks I'm checking out birthday cakes, cupcakes and decorations for ideas.

The making of Treasuries on Etsy is a bit of a time waster but admittedly quite addictive if you enjoy putting colour schemes together. This I am guilty of but try not to go there too often. This morning it called! Honestly, there are so many talented people on Etsy. Here's my Awesome Foursome collection of handmade things for BABE + HOME + ME + HIM. A little bit of Handmade for everyone.