Crafting Bug

Both kids are getting excited about the prospect of having their own rooms and Gidget in particular is starting to think about how she wants it to look.  I came across this ides over here and thought it would be a fun activity for her in readiness to hang when we move back in.

We have an old set of string lights that I luckily saved and as this project requires no sewing and I have tons of fabric scraps I think this will be a winner.

CHALK Quilts

Invaribly when I make a quilt, be it a customer order or stock for the shop, I forget to photograph it which is such a shame.  Each quilt is a one-off and I'm sure there are dozens out there that I have no record of.  You can't help but invest a little of yourself in each one as I'm sure all crafters will attest to. 
Luckily I remembered to snap a couple of the above quilt as I put it out in the store as a couple of hours it was gone! I posted a photo of it on our store Facebook page and one of our lovely customers saw it and came straight in to buy it!  
There is a boys quilt on the machine at the moment so as soon as it's finished the camera will come out - I think I should make them a proper file so I can document them all.

Today's Crafting

Monday is usually a quieter day in the shop so I had a chance to make this today - my friend Kris lets me go through her fabric stash every year on my birthday and some of these lovely fabrics are from my treasure hunt through the Townmouse fabrics.

What We Made

 

Here is some of the ridiculously simple yet 'people seem to keep buying it' goodies I crafted for CHALK.  My very, very dear friend Kristine designed and developed the tees we use at CHALK and luckily for me when we ran out of our own she agreed to share her Townmouse stash with us.  This has meant we've been able to play around with some designs for the Christmas season.

 

The apple fabric that I had in my stash was leftover from the window display at one of the stores and just happens to tie in beautifully with Walnut's range of shoes.  A merchandisers dream, and a complete accident.

The boys haven't been left out either - the lovely Lou who works for me has taken home some suits and whipped up the most gorgeous onesies for us.  I'd love to claim them myself but as she reads this blog I'd best tell the truth!

I managed to take some photos of the Yarraville store last night on my new phone (a whole 'nother story) so I'll share those with you later.

Getting My Craft On

Over the last couple of weeks I have been kicking arse in the crafting department as far as work goes - Christmas windows for both shops, a range of tees, and Christmas onesies, CHALK Reindeer Food, Santa Letters, Christmas cards, a plethora of Christmas goodies crafted by moi.

Problem is that I can't seem to find the time or energy to get my craft on at home.  It's pathetic.  As we aren't at home all my usual decorations are in the roof at the 'building site' so we've commandeered Mum and Dad's tree and Gidget has strung up lights out the front but I feel I'm letting the team down.  There are so many fabulous ideas floating around in my head but I'm afraid that is where they are going to stay.  


Maybe the trick is to settle on one project rather than get depressed about the million things I'd love to have the time to do.  That said - I think I will aim to make these this week.....

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Hand made snow domes!  what a great way to use up all those toys we have underfoot.  Anyone want to take bets on whether I'll get them done?

pics from here

Not The Only One

Kate over at Foxs Lane is off on a caravan adventure and she has posted some fabulous photos of their van - how could I not share them here...  Have a fantastic trip Kate.... make sure you drop in to Foxs Lane to see all the other photos and read about her plans.

She Sews - finally

I finally got motivated to make some quilts for CHALK last week.  I have had very good intentions for a very long time but it took one of my staff to fire me up to actually sit down and produce some.  Both stores have been saddly lacking in quilt love so I felt very chuffed that I had finally made some even if it was only three.  I was hoping that I'd find myself on a roll but unfortunately that doesn't seem to be - put it this way, if you want one you'd better grab one because it could be a while before I get around to making any more!

Pears Please

Now that's what I can do with all my material scraps...

 I have completely lost my crafting mojo lately but that doesn't mean I can't appreciate other people's projects.  If only I could convinnce someone to make me up a couple of these! Anyone? (The pattern can be found over at RetroMama's Etsy page)

My Studio

The extension plans for our house include an upstairs studio which has been earmarked for ME!!  It will be a long rectangle with a cathedral ceiling and is going to serve as my office/sewing room/TV room.  Since having kids we have had to do without an office and when you run your own business it can get very frustrating.  I also make the patchwork cot quilts that we sell at CHALK and with 2 shops now it is almost impossible to produce these in the limited space I have. 

My intention is to have the office area and sewing bench up one end with a floating bookcase on casters seperating it from a 'den' where I can watch as much crappy television as I like without interruption.

I have threatened to have a door at the bottom of the stairs to which only I have the key and I think they almost believe that I will do it.
I can not begin to tell you how excited I am about this part of the house - I often find myself daydreaming about it and I'm petrified someone will tell me we can't have it as it seems to good to be true.

Here is the inspiration for the sewing area of my space - my dear friend Kris has an amazing studio in her home and I'm hoping mine is half way as inspirational as hers.

Yay, Gifts

Last week I posted some pics of various knitted things that had caught my eye now that Winter has kicked in - well look what I was given this morning......

Krissa has obviously been keeping up to date with my blog and came across this while she was in Sydney on the weekend.  I absolutely love it and have had many jealous customers commenting on it already.  Thanks Krissa!

It's Freezing In Melbourne

And it makes me wish I could knit!

Crochet For Lorelai

When we bought the caravan a girlfriend of mine commented that she would now have to crochet me a rug for it.  Well I don't expect her to actually do it but after seeing some of these pictures I am tempted to get her to re-teach me the fine art of crochet.

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But then again - what if I end up doing this.....