. . . JOY.

My eldest celebrated her 5th birthday today. She was full of joy the whole day. And it was a joy to behold :-)

Thanks Lauren for the timely theme! More Eye Spy-ers over here.

Now back to watching the tennis . . . :-)

Mr Cheery Chimp (v3) is complete:

He is the next sewing pattern that I’ll be releasing through Pattern Press - hopefully ready in a few weeks’ time. Some of the patterns that were previously published in craft magazines will be released as stand alone patterns this year, and some with minor changes like Cheery Chimp. He was originally published here but since then I have been wanting to give his face more shape and character. Hope you like the new version :-)

A state of normalcy has returned to our home today - my hubby has been away overseas for the last 8 days and arrived home this morning. I must confess that in his absence, this past week has been really tough - projects ramping up at work, the constant heat, migraines, looking after two very sweet but sometimes very mischievous little girls (with one going through that Terrible-2’s stage), plus trying to keep up with all that housework stuff. I think I just barely made it with my sanity intact. It’s wonderful to have him back home again :-)

And tomorrow my eldest turns 5. I still can’t believe it. Five. Wow.

So tonight I will be working on last minute 5th birthday party preparations. And next week - well, she starts Prep. She has been in Pre-school two times a week the past 2 years, but this is different - this is the official first year of school and I’m pretty certain I will be the one crying on her first day :-) I am excited and saddened by it at the same time, and yes, a wee bit emotional too. I never thought it would be this hard to let go and just let her grow up :-)

My creative space today:

Cheery Chimp version 3 (previous versions: 1 and 2) almost done, sitting on a pile of fabric meant for another project, and all sitting on my computer desk (laptop has been moved elsewhere for the time being :-)). More Creative Spaces over here.

And some linky love:

>> ZakkaArt is having a Chinese New Year giveaway: a super cute pouch. To enter go here and comment by January 24

>> Biscuit’s House - doll collector extraordinaire (thanks for the tip Pip!)

>> Too Many suitors - lovely design

>> Colourlovers Blog - you guessed it, all about colour! I especially adore this post on colourful fields of flowers.

>> Every single Valtentines Day Dolly made by Boopsie Daisy in this photo makes me giddy!

Fabric I’m liking:

>> Sanna Annukka for Marimekko

>> Birds of Norway by Michael Miller

And some news:

>> Thank you to Stampington Press for including my Matryoshka Doll and Pink Bear in the first issue of Stuffed Magazine.  If you like softies, this is the magazine for you! So many wonderful artists are featured in this first issue and many are new to me - I’m looking forward to spending time checking out their websites.

>> I received confirmation today that I will be having my very own little One Red Robin booth at the 2009 Melbourne Stitches and Craft Show! Yipee! Living Creatively have taken over the show and is promising to make it bigger and better than ever before - find out all about it here. I’m excited to be part of the Incubator section featuring emerging and established contemporary crafters/designers.

I have never participated in a market selling my own stuff before so this is all new to me but I have already made a huge list of things I need to do, make, buy, etc (yes I do like making lists!) and am raring to get into it! I’m thinking of making a new batch of Woodland dolls, more Peggies, fawns and owls. I also plan to have a daily craft lab/workshop on making the woodland doll brooches. I know it will be a lot of work but it feels good to be able to focus on, and work towards something concrete and tangible again :-)

I’ve got two lists going at the moment: one called “Need To Make” where items are crossed off quite regularly; and the other is called “Would Like to Make at Some Convenient Time in the Near Future“. Obviously the latter list hardly gets anything crossed of it and instead grows a little bit everyday :-)

But I’m happy that I’ve been able to find a little time in the last week to make some progress on that latter list. The first mini-project was to make a simple apron from my “Folksy Teaparty” fabric printed via Spoonflower (please excuse the marks on the mirror - who knew how hard it would be to photograph yourself wearing an apron!):

And the second mini-project involved cushions using my “Woodland Girl” (teamed with a polka dot print from Amy Butler’s Lotus collection) and “Faux Crocheted Circles” prints (also via Spoonflower):

And now on the couch:

The Cushions were backed with a chocolate linen and snap closures. These were done in no time at all and very satisfying - great projects for the kind of hot weather we are currently experiencing in Melbourne!

And a few quick links:

>> If you like Yoshitomo Nara, you will like pics of his latest exhibition at Blum & Poe

>> My latest fave artist - Carrie Chau.  I am disappointed that I didn’t get to see her show, “Indigo Child” in Hong Kong late last year, which was happening at the same time I was there! Here are photos of her show.

Thank you to Anastasia for the fun Eye Spy Sunday theme this week. Whenever I think of Summer, I think of ice-blocks/ice popsicles/ice lollies (whatever you may call them in your part of the world!).

[Credits: 1. ice lollies, 2. Ice Lolly, 3. Ice lolly, 4. This is not just an ice lolly...]

These are consumed almost daily during the peak months of summer in our home and I’m hoping to experiment with some interesting, homemade flavours this year. (Here’s a excellent starting point).

And some wonderful news - the Meet Me At Mikes book is now ready for pre-order! I am very excited about this book and have promptly pre-ordered my copy :-)

Pip has put a lot of love, joy, and passion into this book and it has been inspirational to read about its progress on her blog and watch one of her big dreams unfold and come to fruition!

Also very exciting are the projects by 26 Aussie crafty ladies and I am just itching to see all the different contributions. I am sure the photos and whole feel of the book will be just amazing. Yes I am excited!! (And admittedly also because I have a little project in there too, hee hee! Thank you Pip for asking me to be involved :-)).

Here’s the book description from the Readings website:

“From Melbourne’s best loved crafty store comes Meet Me at Mike’s, a cornucopia of crafty fun and inspiration. Queen of Crafters Pip Lincolne has gathered 25 of the best projects from the country’s most creative cleverbods -everything from baby yoga pants and clutch purses to hankies and softies. You can sew, knit, crochet, collage and screenprint yourself into a frenzy! Each cute and quirky project comes with easy-to-follow instructions and full-size fold out patterns. With such a fabulous range of ideas, you’ll find something to make for all your favourite pals. If you’re looking for fun and creative things to brighten up everyone’s day, have a peek inside and get crafty!”

Pre-order it here!

It’s funny how things randomly link up together sometimes. I’ve been reading “The Boss of You” since the beginning of the month and it got me thinking about new things I wanted to try this year. Then Red Chocolate chose the theme “Eye Spy something new to try in 2009” for last Sunday’s round. Then I drew up this postcard. Then with the whole “something new in 2009” buzzing around in my head, I started thinking about turning some of my little illustrations into embroidery patterns. Then Jane and Becky left comments on my postcard post about stitching the girl featured in the postcard! Weird hey?

Anyways, I have followed their suggestion (thanks ladies!) and have turned the little mushroom girl into an embroidery pattern:

Please click this link to download (it’s in PDF format): Little Mushroom Girl & Bunny Stitch Pattern

Just print it out, use transfer paper/pencil to trace the pattern, and iron-on to your chosen fabric.

Here’s what I’ve done with mine:

I cut out a piece of red ‘n’ white polka dot fabric for the mushroom hat and appliquéd it on (used iron-on adhesive); used mainly split stitch; used satin stitch on the frills of the dress; running stitch detail on the apron; and a bit of reverse appliqué for the rain-drops. It sits stretched over a 300mm embroidery hoop.

Here is it hanging above my youngest’s cot (yet to put more artwork on those empty walls!):

Other ideas for this pattern:
>> Make it into a panel for a cushion or a quilt block, or
>> Pretty up a plain canvas tote by embroidering it on one side, or
>> After embroidering, cut around the shape of the girl leaving a 2-3cm space around the whole girl. Cut a matching backing piece from your favourite patterned fabric. Sew together around the edge using a 1cm seam allowance with right-sides facing and leave a small gap for turning out. Turn right-side out and stuff with poly-fill. Ladder-stitch closed the opening. And ta-da! A little softie girl :-)

Hope you have fun with this and please send me pics of your work if you get a chance to stitch her up!

Blogging four days in a row - that’s very unusual for me! :-) But just had to share a wonderful package I received the other day from a wonderful crafty blogging friend: Michelle.

First up, an exquisite, beautiful, and perfect granny-square lap blanket. Michelle made this herself and she did an amazing job - it is stunning in person. Love how the black borders make the colours really pop!

(Draped on an armchair a la Kirsty-style). Michelle and I organised a swap a few months ago - I sent Happy Chibi Dolls for her two beautiful girls (look at them cuddling them over here - makes me so happy!) and Michelle crocheted up this beauty just for me! Love it, love it, love it. She also sent me this amazing crocheted BLT sandwich (which my girls are taking turns ‘eating’) . . .

. . . and a delightful load of smores pop-tarts (a snack I have a ridiculous weakness for!). Thanks so, so much Michelle! I feel very blessed to know you as a virtual friend :-)

Joining in on Kirsty’s new meme: My Creative Space. Here’s the current state of my little studio as seen from the girls’ room:

My inspiration board hasn’t changed much. I’ve added a few pieces since we moved to the new house but I’m thinking it needs a bit of a shake-up for the new year. My faithful card table is still holding up well - I do all my cutting/drawing/collaging/softie-preparation on that little thing. I’m enjoying the company of Patience and Constance during the late night sewing sessions :-)

Hope to be back here on the weekend with a little freebie for YOU!

Just a quick post to share my latest pattern design: Little Mushroom Girl.

Above is what it would look like printed as a Fat Quarter. I have ordered a few Fat Quarters of different designs from my portfolio from Spoonflower and I am just itching to see them in person!

The pattern is based on the girl I drew for “Your hugs are a best-kept secret” postcard :-) I think the next iteration for this one will be a patterned background but I want to see how well the little details show up on the actual fabric before I play with it again.

And some quick links:
>> Liz Lomax recently sent me an email and I’m so glad that she did because you really need to check out her amazing 3d illustrations: her blog and website. She’s also got an exhibition at the APM in Hong Kong - and it sounds fantastic. Jaw-dropping, delight-inducing, awesome work.
>> I’m always on the hunt for new music to listen to whilst sewing away so I was very happy to stumble across this: The Designer’s Mixtape.

Hope you’re having a great Wednesday - I’m so thankful the cool change has finally rolled into Melbourne (after a restless night trying to sleep through 28°C!)

I received my second Pullip the other day - Pullip Celsiy circa 2008.

I’ve named her Magnolia after my favourite brand of ice-cream from the Philippines because that’s what she reminded me of when I first saw her - ice cream :-) Again, I was so impressed by the detail on the tiny clothes! She came with two outfits, over-sized glasses and stand. Her face seems a little warmer in character than Poppy’s.

Although I thought the purple hair (with blue highlights) was pretty cool, I thought she might look better in a brownish bob. So I re-wigged her and put her in a new outfit:

Heehee! I like her a lot ♥

I heart Poppy a lot too since I re-wigged her with a gorgeous curly wig and new outfit (here’s what she looked like before):

To re-wig the dolls, I followed this excellent tutorial specifically for Pullips:

Wigs are from Goody Blthye on Etsy
Outfits are SugarMag
Shoes are from Pocowai on eBay
All highly recommended!

Is done!! Well, 90% done - I still have to make her little lace-up boots but that can wait for another day :-)

I really liked how the long-haired acrylic fur worked well as hair. Must look for more in different colours. She’s button-jointed just like Patience and is made of wool flannel, wool felt, lace trims, and assorted cotton prints.

More photos of her in my flickr.