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.

fede toys now at Ethels

I am happy to announce that fede toys are now available to buy locally at E for Ethels - a groovy little coffee shop / handmade gift store tucked in at 116 Melbourne St, North Adelaide.

If you're local, or ever planning a visit to Adelaide, pop in and see Amanda for a lovely cuppa, friendly chat and gander at the mini gallery of Australian made goodies she has so lovingly created.

Isn't that wallpaper just fabulous!

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

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!

fede stocking stuffers (candy cane rattles)

These little candy cane rattles are now available online. Perfect for baby's first Christmas, they can chew, slobber and jingle to their hearts content. I've only made a handful so get in quick - they are a bargain at US$14.

something little | pop up shop

I'm preparing to take part in this adorable new market kicking off in Melbourne at the Clubhouse Canteen on November 27th. Maria and Tiffany are the lovely ladies behind the concept and they have gathered a collection of artists/makers who celebrate childhood, motherhood and sisterhood in their work. Visit the Something Little facebook page or blog for more information about the day and who will be there.

So if you know peoples in Melbourne then please spread the word and tell them all about it!

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!

fede shop update

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

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

#20 softies for mirabel

There's not been a whole lot of toy making going on at the moment, but these guys took priority. It was getting closer and closer to the "Softies for Mirabel" end of November deadline, so I think I've managed to allow just enough time to package and post them over to Pip in Melbourne. She will be displaying all of the donated creations in her shopfront window from Dec 1 - Dec 7, so if you're in Melbourne pop by for a gander. Don't worry, if you're not, you can check them out here.

The Mirabel Foundation is an organization that provides help to kids who have been orphaned or abandoned due to their Mum or Dad's drug addiction. All of the donated handmade toys will be thoughtfully matched up with the children and gifted for Christmas. Yay! 

(another item completed on the 40 before 40 list...)

keeping up with the joneses

Finally caved in to peer pressure (hey... everyone's doin' it) and created my Facebook Fan Page.

I'll admit at this moment in time I currently have 0 fans - that's OK - I've got broad shoulders!

If you'd like to become a friend of fede and hear about new designs, shop updates & other worldly , life changing news then please don't hesitate to pop over and take a look. Hey, you might even want to become my first fan :)

fede in the press

HERALD SUN HOME MAGAZINE MARCH 13 2010

This is the first time my mug has appeared in the printed press which made it a very exciting experience for this little maker. The telephone interview was quite nerve wrecking and I'm sure I waffled and waffled.... and then waffled some more!! Nervous energy makes me babble. Lucky for me the ears of a professional waffle sifter were at the other end to make sense of it all.

I am very grateful to all of you folk from Victoria (home of the Herald Sun) who have made contact with me and/or purchased toys from my online shop. Your response has been overwhelming and very flattering.

Thankyou to Louise and Joanne at the Herald Sun Home Magazine for putting it all together.

I will be uploading new toys and a hand full of new cushions into the shop over the next few days - products of my recent "making" frenzy!!

Also to come are photos of last weekends fabulous Bowerbird Bazaar......

baby tools ready to go

to market to market

one week to go!

1. first tool set (baby rattles), 2. first spanner (baby rattle), 3. first golf club (baby rattle), 4. first axe (baby rattle), 5. rainbow utensils, 6. first hammer (baby rattle), 7. first lollipop (baby rattle), 8. first hammer (baby rattle), 9. first hammer (baby rattle)

my talking fabrics

When I spend a lot of time in my sewing room my brain starts to go into overdrive. My fabrics are all sitting out on their shelves and simultaneously yelling out ....."pick me...pick me". Yes! You may be right - perhaps I am borderline crazy (some may say genius??) but it is infact working for me in a creative way. The only problem I have with these talking fabrics is that they all inspire me at the same time and then I get all confused and leave the room with about 100 new design ideas. I need 100 assistants to help put it all into action.

Never the less I have managed to work through a couple of new ideas which I plan to test drive at the upcoming Bowerbird Bazaar.

Cushions - back where it all started a long time ago. I'm feeling the love again and hope to build up a little range. I'm currently drooling over vintage pillowcases I find while thrifting and the panel cushion is my version of granny chic (with just a bit of masculinity to make it not too fru fru).

Rainbow Utensils. Mix 'n Match softies in plain colours. The buyer gets to pick the colour combinations of their choice. To give you an idea of their size the knife is about 30cm / 1 foot in length. All going well I will be making them available in my Etsy shop some time in April.

I'm taking the plunge

Do you remember when I was contemplating taking part in the Stitches and Craft Show? I did a lot of thinking about it and decided in the end it was too risky for a first time market experience. This year I plan to be a buyer and maybe then a seller in 2011.

images courtesy of Bowerbird Bazaar

Instead, I'm joining forces with the fabulous Fiona of Hop Skip Jump and will be presenting myself and my toys at the next Bowerbird Bazaar, held in Adelaide this March. I am very excited to be sharing a stand with Fiona, whom I have long suspected was separated from me at birth. See here for further explanation. A big hello and welcome if you have popped over from the other Fiona's blog.

The Bowerbird Bazaar is a relatively new design market, held for the first time in Adelaide last October (2009). It is the brain child of 2 local business women, Jane Barwick of In-Sync Design and Rebekah Cichero, of One Small Room. For pics of last years event see here, courtesy of

Denis Smith.

So what this has done is make me into a mad crazy deadline driven sewing mama. Go Go Go!

If you are local then you really must mark this in your diary. Come and say hi!

BOWERBIRD BAZAAR - Adelaide's Design Market

March 26th - 28th 2010

Queens Theatre, Playhouse Lane, Adelaide

It has also motivated me to attend to an item that has been on my to-do list for at least 12 months. A sewing tutorial to make a fede baby hammer rattle. I will be making them available for the first time at the market in the form of a sewing kit, with cut fabric included. All going well I hope to then make a PDF tutorial/ebook that can be purchased online. Here's a sneaky peek.....