I like looking to a few style* blogs mostly for inspiration in terms of my softies and dolls. I know that sounds weird, but I like thinking about how the textures, prints, shapes, colours, accessories, etc can be reflected in how my softies/dolls look or what they wear. Of course, I also get ideas for things I can make for the girls (a list that just keeps growing and never sems to get shorter!) and perhaps a few things for me too (I am trying to convince myself to wear more colour!).

So here are a few that I really liked this past week:

1. Looking back on archives from Elsita’s The Hidden Seed blog. There are so many outfits to heart, like these – plus Elsita is someone who is truly beautiful both inside and out :-) More here.

{image credits: The Hidden Seed}

2. From the Mori Girl blog found via Jamfancy. A Mori-Girl: “belongs to a Japanese subculture. ‘Mori’ means forest in Japanese, and mori girls look like fairytale forest wanderers in their loose dresses, vintage prints and quaint accessories. Mori girls choose to live their lives on their own terms, stopping to appreciate the little things that others overlook amidst the hustle and bustle of daily life“.

Again, I like so many outfits/designers/shops featured by this blog but here is a particular favourite from Japanese magazine, Fudge (top) and a few pieces from the Sally Scott collection (bottom). More here.

{image credits: Mori Girl Blog}

I also like the this statement that the blog’s author made: “It is also quite true that mori girl style tries to downplay sexuality . . . Mori girls, while peace-loving, are ardent about expressing their individuality, albeit in discreet ways. Their penchant for unique clothing, creative hobbies and rejection of mainstream attitudes to life are a quiet protest against the status quo“.

3. I’ve mentioned Sew Weekly before (Mena is attempting to sew one dress a week using vintage patterns). I adore this classic circa 1950s dress she made for the holiday season:

{image credit: Sew Weekly}

I am also so impressed and inspired by the way she has used one Simplicity pattern and turned it into 5 fabulous dresses for her daughter. More here.

4. And finally, a new-to-me blog called Fashion Nation from Singapore. I’ve just started reading their blog and they recently posted some pics from an emerging designer/label, Chalk. I’m really liking Chalk’s Glad Rag Doll collection . . . .

{image credits: Fashion Nation}

Super cute, right? More here.

And of course, in terms of sewing my own clothes, I enjoy looking at what is going on over at Burdastyle, the Colette Patterns blog (I really hope to make one her patterns soon!), and what garments Nikkishell, Angry Chicken, All Buttoned Up and Bug and Pop are making/modifying – amongst many others.

How about you? Where are you sourcing your ‘style‘ inspiration from at the moment?

[*As an aside: I've got a couple of what some would call 'fashion' blogs in my blog reader. I don't like the term 'fashion', which to me always means what a small percentage of the population deems popular and trendy at the time. And you know what? Usually only a small percentage of the population can actually wear what is apparently 'fashionable' anyway!

Plus, I have found some self-proclaimed 'fashion' blogs who exclusively speak of popular and ridiculously-overpriced brands/labels (as if they are THE only clothes to be seen in) to be something starting with 'b' and ending in 'itchy' both online and offline. So I steer clear of those - who wants to support that kind of superficial nonsense?

I prefer the term 'style', which is more personal and genuine and lasting. Everyone has it and we express it in our own unique ways. Simply: to each their own. So I'd rather call them 'style' blogs :-)]

In my creative space at the moment – I’m joining in for the first time this year, thanks to Kirsty :-) I should add that I’m only focusing on the ‘cleaner’ area of my creative space, not the rest of the craft room – which looks like a rubbish dump . . . and hurts my eyes . . . and makes my skin crawl . . . and frightens little children . . .

So anyways, a closer look:

Faux fur, gingham, and black denim from the bargain bin at the local fabric shop . . . to be turned into softies, a top for me, and something for the girls -

My two new favourite pens from Kikki K featuring toadstools and happy little yellow crosses -

A sweet brooch I picked up at the Northside Makers Market a few weeks ago, made by Finki, that I keep thinking is just too nice to wear -

And finally, a note written by Ava that greeted me when I opened up my laptop this afternoon:

My girl has discovered Post-It Notes. Watch out.

More (as in almost 100 more!) creative spaces to be found at Kirsty’s here.

I always enjoy seeing the softies that other crafters create using my patterns. I love seeing what kind of fabric and prints they use and reading about how they found the pattern itself. Here are a few creations:

Mandy’s owl – he looks so genteel and dignified :-)

{image credit: MandyMade}

Antmee made Myrtle the Turtle (which was published in Sew Hip Issue 6) from recycled materials – she’s so sweet!

{image credit: Antmee}

And a good friend of mine made her first softie – a Baby Chibi doll. She made it as a gift for a friend who is a very talented cake-maker, so she added a little apron and wooden spoon. I love it!!

}

{image credits: Jen C.L.}

You can find more One Red Robin softies made by crafters in the Flickr Group here. And of course, a really sweet range of Ruby dolls here.

Some of you have asked for details in regards to where my patterns have been published – the list is here. And all current stockists of my softie sewing pattern range with Pattern Press can be found here.

Thank you to those of you who have picked up one of my patterns (whether from a shop, a magazine/book, or one of the freebies on this website) and given it a go. I truly appreciate your support and I hope you enjoyed the process as much as the finished piece!

Woohoo, actually progressing on some softie-making!!

Hope to have this one and two more of these little Woodland Bunny hybrids done by the weekend.

This is the original Woodland Bunny hybrid (Anouk) that I made 2 years ago and I’m adding a little twist to the new versions :-)

And speaking of softie-making, after an extended hiatus, I have finally begun updating my other blog for 2010 with links to free softie patterns and helpful tips and tricks. Check it out here: Softie Making

Apart from finishing up a few softies, I look forward to spending my lunch breaks this week savouring the latest issue of Peppermint that I received in the mail today – yippee!

You know that feeling when you are reading blogs and then you follow a link, to another link and then you land on something so fabulous and you think, “Now why have a I never seen this before?!”

This is what happened when I followed a link on Cicada Daydream’s blog to a link to the Japan Society and came upon the work of the late Japanese textile designer (and painter, illustrator) Keisuke Serizawa (1895-1984). I immediately fell in love with his work, attracted by the rich palette of colours (using natural dyes), but also the folk art motifs and bold graphics and – because I am no expert in Art or Design – it simply made me happy to look upon his work!

Some examples:

Pattern Imitating Glaze Dripping Down the Side of a Jar, 1961. Credit.

Flowers, 1940. Credit.

Mandala of the Four Season, 1971. Credit.

Seabream, 1964. Credit.

Two panels of Views of Okinawan, 1948. Credit.

Japanese Symbols, 1960s. Credit.

Keisuke Serizawa was designated as a “Living National Treasure” for his katazome stencil dyeing technique in 1956 by the Emperor of Japan. He became a leading artist of the ‘Mingei‘ art movement, which in Japanese generally means folk art. His work can be found on kimonos, paper prints, wall scrolls, folding screens, curtains, fans and calendars.

I understand that some of his work has been reproduced into calendars and I found an example of the 2008 calendar via Apartment Therapy:

Credit.

. . . but I have also found out that the 2010 Keisuke Serizawa calendar is sold out!!! Bummer. Soaking in the beauty of his work via the internet will have to do for now I guess :-)

Hope these samples of his work brought a smile to your face too. Wishing you all a reinvigorating weekend!!

Getting unexpected brown-paper packages from crafters I admire is always an instant cure for the blues. Nicole’s sweet surprise came at just the right time :-)

I mentioned last July (yup – JULY) on twitter that I really loved the crocheted button flower brooches she had made for a market she was participating in. She actually remembered my comment from back then and sent me this gorgeous collection a few days ago. My youngest quickly claimed the pink and green one as hers, proudly wearing it to pre-school :-)

They are so pretty in person. Nicole also enclosed some very cool novelty tape and a beautiful card. Thanks so much Nicole – you are really too sweet!

If you don’t have Nicole’s craft blog in your blog reader, please add it – you’ll find a lot of crafty inspiration, gorgeous projects (she has such a good eye for fabric!), tutorials, and good finds (after all, she is a contributor to Whip Up too!) . . . and don’t forget to check out her brilliant apple pincushion pattern!

Three Ruby Dolls ready to go to The Abundant Ground Foundation’s Haitian Orphanage.

Thank you to Dolly Donations for organising this dolly appeal. Remember, dollies are required by 31st March (and you can make your own Ruby Dolls using this free pattern!).

I headed off early this morning to the Run for the Kids fun run in the city. It was my first fun run for the year and the first time I’ve participated in this particular run. I really enjoyed it! I am so thankful that there has been amazing weather on every fun run I have done so far – even in Winter. This morning was no exception and Melbourne looked gorgeous!

I really love the atmosphere of the fun run. People of all ages and backgrounds, out there to punish their bodies for a little while for a good cause :-) I must say I also ran next to some interesting characters. 30,000+ people turned out for the run this morning and raised over $1 million for the Royal Children’s Hospital.

I usually go to these fun runs on my own, which means I don’t have anyone to take photos. So this is the only momento I have of the run :-) The first thing the girls asked me was, “But Mama, where’s your medal?”

It’s been a wonderful weekend. I took the girls out to the city yesterday and we enjoyed a busy but fun-filled day together:

My girls love to write notes. We have little bits of paper all over the place at home. I am not exaggerating. You can even find a few notes left in the bathroom. Or maybe under a pillow. Even in the fridge. This afternoon, my youngest (3.5 years) wrote me this note. I helped her with the spelling but she wrote the letters on her own – I was so surprised as it’s the first time she’s been able to write a note unaided!

(It reads: “Dear Mama, love from Aurora”)

Hope you’ve had an enjoyable weekend and ready for the new week ahead!

{“132/365 – bench monday – autumn sunshine” by xanthe berkeley}

Pip posted a list of Nice Things To Do this morning . I thought it was such a nice thing to do to close off the week!

So here’s a list of nice things I have done and hope to continue doing:

: listen to music you loved in high-school but haven’t listened to in years
: sit on the banks of a river and stare at the ripples in the water in silence
: eat a freshly-made cinnamon & sugar covered pretzel for breakfast
: watch previous seasons of your favourite comedy show again
: sacrifice something of value in order to help someone else
: teach your kids one of your favourite songs to sing
: go for a nice slow run outdoors with no time limits
: receive a Peace that passes all understanding
: listen to kids tell jokes that don’t make sense
: accept help from others with a grateful heart
: receive comforting cuddles from your kids
: stand in the sunshine on a chilly morning
: be in the company of genuine friends
: eat a cupcake without interruption
: learn a new language
: watch a sunrise
: paint your nails
: pray

Have you got a list of nice things to share too?

Happy Friday all!

Spent some time re-arranging my Flickr sets today. I now have separate sets dedicated to:

My Fawns:

My Woodland Dolls:

My Owls:

And my Peg Bears and Bunnies:

Seriously, I was quite surprised when I collated all the Peggies into one set – I can’t believe I have made so many of these little gals and guys!

Actually, I can’t believe I have made hundreds of softies over the last 3 or so years. How many kilos of stuffing would that equate to I wonder. Not to mention the number of thread spools and metres of fabric used. So weird. Not that I am complaining of course – I have enjoyed bringing every single one these characters to life.

Apart from making it easier to find certain toys, creating these new sets also helps me to ensure that 1) I do not use the same fabric on the same kind of softie, and 2) I don’t use the same name twice! :-)

I ♥ Flickr!

Dropping in to let you know that three new fawns are now available in my etsy shoppe!

Fidelity:

Fiorella:

And Forest:

You can find more photos of each fawn in my flickr or find them in my etsy shoppe here.