. . . are a few critter faces for softies I am making for the Crammed Organisms show in the USA in June; “Tell the Time with Miffy” by Dick Bruna, which my almost-2-year-old asks me to read to her everyday; and a sweet Babushka doll and her 7 tiny kids, handmade in Russia and found in this gorgeous shop in Melbourne.

And in my head, on repeat, is this song by Yael Naim:

Hope you are having a lovely week and thank you for the kind words on the feature in the Homespun Magazine and to all of you generous folk who recently adopted a softie from my shop :-)

Boy, is it hot here in Melbourne!!! Trying my very best to distract myself with other things so that I don’t keep whinging about how hot is it :-)

I have a few things to share on this sunny Friday. Some floppy-eared Peg Bunnies are taking shape and almost ready for Easter:

In a recent post, I linked to the work of the inspiring Saelee Oh. I found out that she and Jill Bliss held a show late last year called “Hidden Habitats“. I’ve been looking for a desk calendar and was delighted when I then stumbled upon the “Hidden Habitats” calendar that they produced together:

Lots of gorgeous illustrations like this one inside:

The calendar itself uses vegetable-based inks and is printed on recycled paper. You can buy the calendar here (and there are much better pics of the calendar in the link!).

As mentioned on other blogs, the super talented Emily of the The Black Apple recently appeared on Martha. She goes through a quick tutorial of how to put a simple doll together. If you are wanting to see a step-by-step video of how to create a doll (and really, they are the same basic steps for putting together any softie) watch the clip on Martha’s website, where you can also download the templates to make one yourself.

And I came across this article in The Age about the recent landmark Federal Court case on copying and infringement of a registered design. It was found that a dress designed by Lili was a copy of a dress designed (and registered) by Review (see the actual dresses in the article). I have no idea about the actual scope of the Designs Act, but I do wonder about its applicability to such things as fabric designs, soft toy designs, bag designs, etc that are very much part of the craft world at the moment. It may perhaps afford more protection on craft designs given the various ‘copy-and-take-credit‘ cases that have been popping up in Craftland over the last few months.

And to wrap-up this meandering post, just wanted to share a photo taken by my hubby who has been having a lot of fun playing with the camera lately (note: this pic has not been edited/Photoshopped in any way):

(Don’t worry, we normally don’t have leaking taps in our house - just this once for the photo!)

Thanks to Brooke for another fun theme for this week! Unfortunately, there’s not much inspiration looking out our front door:

A pretty stock-standard front-yard. However, the girls do love to play on the lawn when the days are cooler. We live in a cul-de-sac/court and have wonderful neighbours who we all know by name and talk to regularly. That’s just one more thing about living here that will make it hard to leave once we finally sell the house.

Up in my craft room, I’ve been putting a few of these together for another magazine submission:

An Editor of one of the Aussie craft magazines has asked me to be a regular contributor for the next few months - a prospect I am finding both exciting and a real challenge, as it will mean coming up with something new and different according to a particular theme every month. But still a good challenge to have!

Here are some amazing artists I’ve stumbled across this week via Issue 3 of King Brown magazine:

>> Saelee Oh: “Watergarden”

>> Amy Sol: “Going Forth With Apples”

>> Koralie: “Plume”

Check out their websites for more inspiration and stunning artwork.

And finally, thank you to everyone who has been sharing a random fact for the giveaway - it’s been enlightening, entertaining and at times hilarious, reading what you’ve been willing to share! Thanks for playing along :-)

If you haven’t done so already, don’t forget to leave your random fact on the previous post by midnight, this Tuesday 11th March (AEST). I’ll be back here on Wednesday with the new owner of Peg Bear Waltz!

‘Tis Wednesday again and time for “On My Desk“.

My main study desk is one of those multi-tiered structures and the upside is that I have a lot of space to play with (and the downside being there is a lot of space to just dump stuff on!). I do have one little corner for my slowly growing Kokeshi collection:

I recently acquired two older, more traditional Kokeshi dolls - the one on the left in the background is by Suiho Yajima and the one in the foreground on the right (carrying a little baby kokeshi on her back!) is by Sogen. I love that these two are a more ‘raw‘ than the others and tend to have a more handmade feel to them.

Thank you very much to those who adopted a softie in the recent shop update! My craft room always looks like a train has gone through it when I’m working on an update. Thought I’d take a photo of what the floor usually looks like when I’m trying to get the images done for the listings:

No fancy photo studio here folks! It’s all done on the floor, and rather hurriedly I must add, in order to make the most of the natural light and to keep them out of sticky little fingers :-)

Thank you for the comments on my inspiration board. I know mine is kinda ‘neat-&-tidy‘ which is in contrast to a lot of inspiration boards. I think it’s because if I find something I really like, I want to see it in its entirety and not have it covered up by other things, so everything has to be clearly viewable. Hence the slightly more organised positioning of bits and pieces.

Speaking of inspiration, lots more has come my way this week through the endearing characters created by artist Yuko Hara. Some illustrations can be found here, and some softies (such as the one below - love her little coat and matching hat!) can be found here.

And more inspiration through the images in this book, which a lovely blogging friend (and who I actually get to talk to in real life!) kindly recommended to me:

It’s part of the 500 Series by Lark Books and is filled with such a diverse and stunning collection of handmade dolls. I must have muttered “wow” at the turn of every page and really couldn’t pick just a few to post up here on the blog. Simply stunning - if you love art dolls, you will love this book!

I also wanted to spread the word about Crammed Organisms. For all you softie-makers, you might want to consider applying for this as it’s meant to be the “World’s Largest Plush Show“. Check out their website for more details.

I’ve got a giveaway planned this week so don’t forget to check back soon :-)

Thank you for all the Doddi Bear-love :-)

Softie-making over here has come to an abrupt stop as I have run out of labels! So much for being organised this year :-) Apparently my current order will arrive within the next 38 days. I’m going to start searching for somewhere else that can deliver faster . . .

Anyway, thought I’d share what I’ve been SWOONING over lately:

>> Latest batch of flickr faves:

Credits:
1. Lily and Nickers, 2. Racoon in Daylight, 3. 25 faces, 4. Owl, 5. Gather, 6. Untitled, 7. Dreamscape (Homage to Paul), 8. audrey, 9. Visit the Chan Nursery, 10. fancy, 11. cat, 12. Gota & Gorin Odjur Monster Love=Creature, 13. Thrifted - linen tea towel with robins, 14. cookie jars 2, 15. feeling the change, 16. Twilight Awakening - Painting

>> Loving the artwork of:

1. Meomi
2. Majeak Ann
3. Seaspray Blue
4. Happy Doodle Land

>> Thoroughly enjoying and inspired by the work of Rex Ray found in this book:

It’s been on my Amazon wishlist and I was stoked when I saw it on the shelf at my local Dymocks! One of my goals this year is to get back into creating some mixed media collage. I’ve been flicking through the pages of this book daily and have it open on a different page everyday as it sits by my desk. I love the composition and sense of fluidity but what really gets me are the colours and textures. It’s so difficult to pick my favourite but this one comes pretty close: “Stereoaspicilia”

On my sidebar, you may have noticed a new link to The Needle.org. If you love softies/plush, then this new blog is for you! It is described as “a collaborative website where creators of quality plush can share their work. We straddle that line between art and craft, leaping back and forth willy nilly as it suits us“, and I’m really excited to be a member.

And finally more close to home (and to my heart!), my most recent favourite drawing from Ava, which she has called “My Family . . . and a Duck” :-)

I can’t believe she will be turning 4 in two weeks time! She’s requested a little party in our backyard with a few friends so we’re busily scrambling around trying to make it happen.

Aurora and I finally had a chance to pop into Mikes Fitzroy yesterday. It is such a gorgeous shop! Brooke kindly brought out a few toys for Aurora to play with but the little one was more interested in rearranging the stock on the shelves :-)

We came home with a few goodies in hand:

A delicious pack of vintage reproduction fabrics from Edna & Alice May, a cute pencil holder cup that Aurora wouldn’t leave the store without, and an irresistible pack of Paper Dolls & Clothes from Catherine Campbell. The pack contains 3 prints and each print has a doll with their clothes/accessories - which works out rather nicely as each print will be framed with one each for the girls’ rooms and one for me (heehee!).

I also finished off a softie cat for an upcoming yet-unmentionable Group project. Made from re-purposed vintage wool-blend fabric, cotton print from Spotlight, wool felt, wool flannel backing, ric-rac tail, and she wears a little bell on a leather strap around her neck.

Her shape and proportions are very much inspired by the Japanese ‘kawaii’ look and her rather serious expression is very much inspired by the aforementioned Little One:

:-)

Sorry, a few days late :-) Hope 2008 has started off very well for you!

I’ve been able to start a few projects but none are near completion. The past week has been full of social outings (wedding and birthdays), preparing for Ava’s 4th birthday in a few weeks time, and culling and cleaning out the house in preparation for a much simpler and uncluttered 2008.

I did want to share a few lovely, lovely things with you from very, very talented people.

Ngoc left a comment a few weeks ago and after a few email exchanges, she wanted to send me some of her handmade stationary just as thank you for providing some inspiration. Wow - her generosity and kindness astounded me. And then I was almost knocked off my feet when the package arrived:

Look at it all! The envelope was bursting at the seams. And all of it is just gorgeous - pears, flowers, fruits, owls . . . love, love, love! Thanks so much Ngoc! I really am touched by your generosity and inspired by your talent.

I must admit that one of the most wonderful and pricless things about having a blog is the ability to “meet” people from all over the globe and establish friendships. Last year, I received the sweetest email from a 12 year old named Remi. She and her younger sister owned a few of my dolls. Remi wanted to try her hand at making a few Happy Chibi Girl dolls for her school project. Without any pattern to follow, Remi and her Mum set about making the dolls and here is the first one she made:

Remember - this is from a 12 year old girl! Amazing!! She even made a few more and donated them to Mikes’ Mirabel Appeal (thanks to Angela for the pic). Like I mentioned to Remi’s Mum, at this rate I may be out of business very soon :-)

And speaking of dolls, I’ve been really encouraged by all the Ruby Dolls popping up over at Flickr. Here are just a few from crafters that take the basic pattern and really make it their own - love that Ruby Rabbit!

1. ami’s ruby doll, 2. Fortune, 3. 2007 November 063, 4. My version of the Ruby Doll

More Ruby Dolls here, and don’t forget you can download the free pattern from the link on the sidebar.

And finally, a few wonderful etsy finds:

I bought this clock as a Christmas present for myself :-) I can’t afford a real cuckoo clock but this is the next best thing!

Find it here (available in different colours).

And I’m saving up for one of Christine’s beautiful dolls:

Her shop is here and her blog is here.

Okay, the little ones are waking from their afternoon siestas - have a lovely weekend!

(P.S. I’m having a little sale over at my shop with a few items 15-20% off until the end of January - making way for new stuff in February).

Thought I’d share with you some of the prints/artwork I’ve received lately as I haven’t had a chance to get to the sewing machine over the last few days.

As previously mentioned, I ordered a few prints from A to Z (Margin), which I will frame, wrap up and give as gifts for Christmas. Here’s what I received:

The prints are excellent quality and I know they will look fabulous in the right frames. I’m actually finding it very hard to part with the “Pin the Birdhouse” print though - may have to order one for myself! Zoe also graciously included a large size and standard sized postcards, stickers and moo cars of her “Little A” and “Little B” prints. I’m thinking of framing the larger postcard and hanging it up in Ava’s room. Thanks so much Zoe!

I’ve been a fan of Jennifer from Swallowfield for a while now and treated myself to one of her prints. It was so very hard to choose just one but this print kept popping out at me. So here it is all framed up and hanging on a wall in my crafting room. You can see the detail of the print here.

I also wanted to share with you this incredible drawing by Dani of Pyglet Whispers, which I was able to snap up a few months ago. It’s sitting on my desk at work, keeping me company. You can see the wonderful detail of this drawing here.

I’m still on the look-out for more prints as gifts and have been finding it very hard to leave the Thumbtack Press website alone - it’s chock-full of art prints from artists around the world.

These are just a few of my favourites:
1. Down, down, down by Liza Ferneyhough
2. Great Flood 3 by Oksana Badrak
3. Have It Your Way by Chris Buzelli
4. Dream Diary by Gina Triplett

How FANTASTIC is it that we have access to such wonderful art at our fingertips?!

In other news, I was able to attend a dinner last night that Pip organised for the crafty gals that were selling their creations at her store. I was actually thinking of not going as Ava has been recovering from a bad bout of gastro but hubby insisted I have some ‘me‘ time after a particularly trying week, so off I went. And I was so glad I did attend - it was a treat to meet so many creative women, to catch-up with fellow bloggers in person, and to make new contacts. Thanks so much the opportunity Pip!

Just a few more little tid-bits:
1. My Baby Chibi Ana & Seahorse Softie patterns are now available at Patchwork on Central Park (in-store, not on the website) and Quilt Fabric Delights
2. It’s always a thrill to see what others can do with a pattern you’ve drawn up, so thank you to Amanda, who contacted me about the Cheery Chimp she made from the pattern available in the latest Handmade magazine. He’s a handsome little guy :-)

I’ll be away taking a break from the blog world for the next 2 weeks - my BFF is visiting from interstate with her family and I’ll be working on my final shop update for the year, which should be around the end of November.

Wishing you all a lovely week.

1) Finally cut into some of my recent favourite fabrics (including fabric from Shannon and Lara) and combined them with linen on the outside and fun lining on the inside to make a new batch of Take ‘em Tote bags, for inclusion in the next shop update.

2) Working on some Happy Chibi dolls. This one is patiently waiting for the rest of her face and completion of her dress. Tights and dress are from one of Mikes’ vintage fabric stashes:

3) Found: 2 second-hand vintage 1960’s women’s knee-length smocks . . .

. . . to be re-purposed into some dresses for happy chibi girls, patchwork, and an assortment of other things.

4) Being happily inspired by this illustration from one of my favourite Classic Little Golden Books, “I Can Fly” (by Ruth Krauss and illustrated by Mary Blair). More gorgeous illustrations (and further links) by Mary Blair here.

Happy Saturday all!

Thank you to everyone who commented and emailed regarding my last post. Your sentiments, encouragement and support is much, much appreciated. The update is that one of the expo administrators wrote back to me to say that they had spoken to the lady in question. They were told that the intention of the class was for everyone to design and make their own ‘monsters’ and not make the Shmerpi that was pictured.

My issue with this explanation is that a) the description of the class on the website is markedly different from the intention provided by the administrator, and b) if that is the case, why use a photo of my Shmerpi??? So anyway, I asked that they remove my photo immediately and change the description as the current description + Shmerpi photo is a completely false representation of the class. The administrator has advised me that the webmaster does not work weekends so the changes to the website will be made next week. So that’s where it’s at.

I still haven’t heard anything from the lady who is supposed to be teaching the class, despite emailing her.

For now, I’ll move onto some recent mail goodies and good finds :-)

I was super happy to be able to snap up some of Shannon’s “Cookies” in cherry and “Knitters” in black late last month. Not sure what I’ll use it for just yet - but sometimes, who needs a reason, right? :-)

A few weeks ago, I was surfing some of my favourite shops on etsy with Ava sitting on my lap. She saw the print below by the multi-talented Jade, and immediately requested that we buy one for her room. Jade also sent the cutest penguin fabric. Thanks Jade!

Some of you may have picked up on Superbuzzy’s sale a few weeks ago. I’ve had my eye on a Shinzi Katoh bag for months - I was stoked when I realised it was on sale! Of course, I couldn’t just order the bag from Superbuzzy, so a few pieces of sale fabric also came my way including a really sweet vintage owl trim.

And speaking of Japanese fabric, this is what I found in the latest Spotlight catalogue:

Looks like Spotlight have caught onto the Japanese fabric craze! I did notice that they started stocking a limited range of Michael Miller and Kaffe Fassett fabrics a few months ago. The pricing is very reasonable too. However I checked whether my local store had some of the fabric and they said that stock was running a little behind schedule in terms of delivery - not sure if that’s the same case for other stores too.

Okay, off to enjoy a gorgeous sunny afternoon!