Fawns are still in progress but getting closer to completion. I’ll be re-opening my etsy shoppe this Sunday and the fawns will be available for purchase then. Next week: A batch of grumpy owls on tree stumps :-)

I’m slowly working through all the blogs in my Reader (although current unread items still stands at 1000+!) and so far I have come across some real gems that I thought I’d share here:

>> A beautiful pattern by Yasmine entitled “Little Princesses”. I think this would look gorgeous as a little girl’s dress, on cushions, or used to upholster one of those kid-sized armchairs:

{image credit: A Print A Day}

>> Stunning handmade and hand-painted art dolls based on Alice in Wonderland by Cart Before the Horse (via Plush You)

{image credit: Cart Before the Horse}

>> “Garden Nest” is definitely my favorurite Amy Sol painting to date. She also provides in-progress photos, which make me just as happy as seeing the finished piece!

{image credit: Amy Sol}

>> Poketo’s new range of Paper-cut Wallets - especially this one by Jayme McGowan:

{image credit: Poketo}

>> The colourful work by Simon Wild, particularly this mixed media piece “The Sounds That Brilliant Things Make”

{image credit: Simon Wild}

>> Speaking of brilliant, I am continually floored (and once I pick myself off the floor - inspired) by the softie characters created by Jodie of Ric-Rac. It’s very hard to believe she suffers from EITTTS at all! :-)

{image credit: Ric-Rac}

>> The re-styled Shakira dress on Burdastyle. Love the colour! (But pretty sure I couldn’t pull that off myself - might opt for a darker palette and tiny bit longer too . . . that is, once I get over this fear of actually making my own clothes!)

{image credit: Burdastyle}

>> I also LOVE this Colette dress (Ceylon) that Teegs made. Doesn’t she look gorgeous! I’ve got that Colette pattern on my Must-Make List.

{image credit: Teegs}

Is it only Tuesday?! It’s already been a crazy week. I can’t wait to go for a run tonight in much cooler temps. Hello Autumn my dear friend, how wonderful of you to drop by again!!

The next batch of fawns are coming along slowly but surely. I hope to have them up in my shop in a week or so. Here’s a sneak peak of one currently being stuffed . . .

Just wanted to also remind you that tomorrow is the last day that you will be able to redeem the special Mooo 20% discount for all One Red Robin readers! Don’t forget to hop on over there tonight for a last look around :-)

Also, the deadline for your dolly donations to the Haitian Orphanage supported by The Abundant Ground Foundation is fast approaching - they require the dollies in their office in New York by March 14 March 31. I am hoping to finish my little Ruby dolls by tomorrow night and ship them off early next week.

Thank you for the sweet comments on the girls’ craftiness last week :-) Holly shared a fantastic article on twitter: “Crafting Rich Experiences for our Children on a Frugal Budget” on Simple Mom. The article provides a clear definition of “rich” in the context of a child’s experience; how to go about creating such a rich experience for them; and some really good ideas if you are of the frugal persuasion :-) Definitely worth a read! (The comments on the article are very good too!)

I had an opportunity this past week to go and see a movie child-free. I rolled up to the movie theatre and picked “The Blind Side“, simply because I had heard Sandra Bullock was in it and she had done a fantastic job. And it was the only movie on at the time. I had no idea what it was actually about.

The opening scene showed an American football game and for the tiniest second I wondered if I should cut my losses and leave because I know nothing about American football. I watched a few football games when I lived in the USA back in high school, but I never understood it then and I am certainly none the wiser now!

I’m glad I gave the movie a few more minutes though . . . because I think it is the best movie I have seen in a long time. I won’t spoil the story for you except to say it is based on a true story and it really touched my heart - I found myself crying out of both sorrow and joy. I came away thinking a lot about motherhood; the limitations we knowingly and unknowingly place on the concept of love; and a renewed sense of hope in humanity (after having to personally deal with a hellish two months).

For those of you interested, here is the trailer:

Hope to be back with some finished fawns very soon!

I have been just itching to share this with you! Have you seen the new craft book: “One Yard Wonders“?

Following on from the success of the book “One Skein Wonders“, Rebecca Yaker and Patricia Hoskins have put together this wonderful craft book full of simple projects that you can sew up using just one yard of fabric.

I got my copy in the mail today and I can honestly say that this is already one of my favourite craft books. There are 101 projects covering household decoration and storage, craft organisation, on-the-go storage, clothing for adults and kids, bags, accessories, kids toys and even sweet craft projects for your favourite pet! The front of the book covers all areas of sewing fundamentals.

I am also thrilled because I have one project in this book!

Now you can make your very own Peg Bear using just one (actually only a 1/2) yard of your favourite fabric! :-)

Other projects from the book that I really like -

Adorable elephant by Sarah Faix:

Toddler dress by Rachael Theis:

Folklore bag by Lauren Booth:

Kitschy apron by Mother’s Apron Strings:

and laptop sleeve by Becka Rahn:

If you like to sew (no matter what skill level) this will be a great addition to your library, especially if you are keen to make quick-to-sew gifts this Christmas. If you know someone who likes to sew, this book would make a fantastic Christmas gift!

You can buy the book over at Amazon, or if you’re in Australia, you can now find it stocked online at Fishpond.

Congratulations to Rebecca and Patricia for the great job that they’ve done putting this book together and thank you for giving me the opportunity to be involved!

{image credit}

How about that blue toadstool up there? I have never seen anything like it. Love it!

It has been a week of no sewing or crafting for me and I will admit that it has been a nice break :-) I’m feeling refreshed and ready to tackle the remaining things on my To Make/Craft list for 2009 (including a few Christmas presents - someone told me it was only 35 days or so away?!).

I’ve finally caught up on my blog reading. I’ve missed a  lot of good stuff while I was working on the show. Here are just a few of the things that have really inspired me/got me excited about making again:

>> New paintings by Amy Sol entitled “Wilderness Buffet”

>> Anna Maria Horner’s Little Folks Dobby Dots fabric

>> Hop Skip Jump’s Jack Rabbit softie pattern is now available!

>> Jamfancy has a new blog AND her prints are now available on etsy! Yay!

>> My Paper Crane’s dolls and photo shoot for her Christmas cards. Wow.

>> Very, very much looking forward to Helen Dardik’s “Mod Kitchen” range that she has designed for P&B Textiles!

>> Softie pattern for Jodie’s gorgeous elephant softies, Parsley & Beet, is now available too!

>> Beautiful new tulip and bird prints from Tiel

>> The artists and the artwork that make up the “Once Upon A Time Exhibition”, held to celebrate Leeloo’s 2nd Birthday.

Hope you enjoy that little list! Would you like to share what’s been inspiring you/getting you excited about making lately?

The girls have been enjoying the short flashes of sunshine amidst the blasts of wintry weather that we’ve been having in Melbourne. Above is one of my fave shots of the Eldest from recent days - I love all the saturated colours and the fact that she is in mid-air. Doesn’t she look like a kid-warrior in action? :-)

I went on my last major run yesterday before the 10km race at the Melbourne Marathon this weekend. It has been SO hard to get back in to running after the two weeks of illness I had recently, so I’ll just be happy to make it to the finish line in one piece on Sunday. But I am looking forward to doing another fun run later on in December (anyone else want to join in too? :-)).

I’ve started cutting up woodland dolls for the exhibition. There will also be Peg Bears, Bun-Buns, sitting Fawns, and Grumpy Owls. I am hoping to make a few new hybrids (something like Olivia the Owl) but still deciding on what kind of hybrid animal they should be. And there is a theme to tie them all together - just working out the details on that too.

Some cool things to share with you from around the crafty blog world:

>> Kirsty has put up a tutorial on making a very clever corner bookmark
>> Good finds and inspiration via Pip’s Tips
>> Check out Larissa’s cute and dapper boy Monkey softie, Mikey
>> How About Orange shares how to make gift bows out of magazine pages (good idea for upcoming Christmas presents!)
>> Fancy a new beard? (via Misha Lulu blog)
>> The coolest (and scariest) soft owl ever by Ann Wood
>> Nikki’s tutorial on making a simple kids belt

Happy Wednesday!

Ahhhhh, definitely feeling a little more settled and level-headed today :-)

Thanks to Rhelynn for the great suggestion on the last post regarding kids gifts - a floor cushion or something to sit on is an excellent idea! Especially when you have kids who would much prefer to sit on the floor and draw, play games, watch TV, eat, do homework, etc, instead of sitting on the couch like regular people :-)

I really like what Fiona did here teaming Ikea heavyweight prints with vinyl to make some hardy but gorgeous floor cushions. And here’s a tutorial for bean bag chairs provided by Michael Miller Fabrics. These would be quick and easy to whip up and look so good in kid-themed fabric.

Meanwhile, in my creative space today are happy chibi girl samples waiting for some clothes . . .

And not so much in my creative space, but hanging around my neck is something I recently won from a giveaway hosted by one of my favourite blogs - Pikaland. It arrived yesterday:

I adore it! “The Visit” glass art pendant is made by Lori Dean Dayment, who is an artist/printmaker living in Richmond, British Columbia, Canada. You can view her beautiful work in her etsy shop here and she posts her inspirations and good finds on her blog here.

I hardly win giveaways so this was such a wonderful surprise. Thanks Pikaland and Lori!

More creative spaces to be found at Kootoyoo’s.

P.S. Have you seen Cate Blanchett’s crocheted granny squares dress that she wore at the recent opening of Screen World? Do you love it or hate it? I actually love it because I do love granny squares and who would have thought that you could make a dress out of them?! Though I would never be able to successfully carry one off but Cate can wear pretty much anything and still look fabulous!

Boy, I’m feeling really restless at the moment. Can’t sit still. Can’t concentrate on anything for more than 5 seconds. It’s all because I’m waiting on a few things, waiting for people to get back to me on craft and non-craft related decisions. And I am impatient by nature. And I hate uncertainty. Not a good combination. I’m not proud of it and it has been to my detriment many times. So playing this waiting game is really driving me loopy!

I am very thankful for distractions - like blogland - for times like these :-) It’s good to be able to step away from the anxiety and be immersed in creativity and inspiration, even if just for a little while.

Someone told me that Christmas is only 14 weeks away - seriously! So I’ve started thinking about gifts for kids. I’d really like to make an effort this year and make as many gifts as I can.

Here’s a few ideas I’ve come across:

1) Chez Beeper Bebe provides an excellent tutorial on making your own colouring books tailored with your recipient in mind:

2) The you can team it up with this easy-peasy-lemon-squeasy pencil roll - tutorial provided by Cinti of My Poppet:

3) Got a little Masterchef in mind? I love the idea of this chef’s hat by Cam (tutorial also provided):

4) And you can then team up the hat with a kid-sized apron using Supafine’s super fine tutorial over here :-)

Found any kids gift tutorials you’d like to share too? Please leave them as a comment - I’d love more ideas!

I also wanted to share Cathy’s Ruby Doll:

Isn’t she beautiful? Cathy did such a fantastic job with the pattern and I really love how she embroidered the hair and even made a matching bag (doll+bag is another great gift idea for little girls don’t you think?). Of course, Cathy is half of the very successful Audrey and Maude team so it should be no surprise :-)

If you’ve made a Ruby Doll, don’t forget to add it to the Ruby Doll Group on Flickr!

Well, I finally started running again today. Can’t believe how unfit I have become after just one week away from running!!! I did a typical distance for me and used a standard route and I was struggling all the way to the end. I think it’s partly due to this cough, which I can’t seem to shake off. It made breathing properly a real challenge! Anyway, I’ll try for another run tomorrow and see how that goes. The Melbourne Marathon 10KM race is only 3 and 1/2 weeks away so I need to get my act together!

* All photos above belong to the blog authors to which they are attributed.

I have so many things bookmarked - thought I’d share more with you!

:: Stunning paper-cut by Elsa Mora called El Bosque de la Mente for her upcoming show (click the link to view the amazing detail):

:: Yasmine has recently launched Parasol Craft. Find a sneak peek of the contents by clicking on the link - so lovely! The focus is on crafters, artists, photographers and tutorials. You can download the magazine for US$2.50.

:: Wish I had the good thrifting fortune that Doe-C-Doe has had - check out all of the gorgeous photos that she took of her thrift finds:

:: Pip shares an excellent list of pouches, wallets and cardholders that you can make yourself (hint: Christmas is only a few months away!):

:: BEAUTIFUL handmade dolls by Bamboletta:

:: I adore these dresses made by JC Handmade, who has triumphantly succeeded in working with gorgeous prints and elastic thread (I hope she publishes a pattern!):

:: This sweet couple by Matilde Beldroega simply ROCK!

:: Would love to sew up this skirt that Jade made - delicious chocolate linen too!

:: Also adore the swedish-inspired patterns on homewares by Isak (found via Paisely St Claire):

:: And finally, this photo by Ye Rin Mok makes my heart flitter-flutter just a little bit :-) So other-wordly, ethereal and romantic  (found via My Love For You Is Like a Stampede of Horses):

I’ve been sewing, and despite the lovely sun we enjoyed over the weekend, I never seem to have the time to take decent photos. I’ve also been caught up in this book and oh my goodness, I’m down to the last 100 pages and I feel like a train barrelling down uncontrollably to a horrible and unexpected end. Too dramatic? Really, I am stuck between that feeling of wanting to consume the rest of the book in one sitting because I really WANT to know how it ends, and at the same time not wanting to turn another page because I just know it will end badly and I really DON’T WANT to know how it ends. Yes, this book has sucked me in big time!

By the way, don’t forget that the Gippsland competition ends this Friday! Up for grabs is free accomodation at a beautiful and picturesque cottage in Neerim. Details are here.

*All photos above are the property of the people/blogs to which they are attributed.

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◘ Don’t forget to enter the Destination Gippsland/Nuffnang/One Red Robin competition for your chance to win free accommodation in Gippsland! Entries close 28th August. Click here for details on how to enter.

◘ AND the offer for 50% off Black Dog titles “Making Stuff: An Alternative Craft Book” and “Making Stuff for Kids” is still open to One Red Robin readers. End 31st August. Click here for details on the offer.

I wanted to share a few lovely things I’ve come across lately . . . perhaps something to look through on the weekend :-)

:: Smitten with Renata Liwska’s blog - Pandas and Such:

:: Jenny Hart shares a step-by-step tutorial on floss blending via Chronicle Books blog:

:: Also enjoyed this post by Chronicle Books about the Summer National Senior Games in the USA:

:: Living vicariously through Delicious Coma on her ice-cream scooter crawl (YUMMMO!):

:: Colourful (and funny!) little bookplates, free for you to download by Happy Doodle Land:

:: Fiona has released the pattern for her beautiful Poppy Doll!

:: I would really, really, really, REALLY, love to make dresses like these for my girls for Summer. I love the palette of colours Larissa has chosen!

AND some online shops to help you make your wallet a little lighter :-)

:: Love the rings with vintage findings and yo-yo necklaces by Cookoorikoo:

:: And more sweet jewellry with a certain elegant and understated old-world charm by Two Cheeky Monkeys:

:: Gorgeous, textured flower brooches by Curlypops:

:: Super cute thrifted, vintage finds by Ismoyo:

:: An online store of Japanese goodies (with really good prices too!) called Uguisu Shoten (found via Dawn, whose illustrations and gorgeous photography will brighten any day):

:: And Claire has just released a batch of handpainted Kokeshi dolls (eeek!) and Marshmallow Bunnies (double eeeek!):

*All photos above are the property of the people/blogs to which they are attributed.

~~~~~~~
◘ Don’t forget to enter the Destination Gippsland/Nuffnang/One Red Robin competition for your chance to win free accommodation in Gippsland! Entries close 28th August. Click here for details on how to enter.

◘ AND the offer for 50% off Black Dog titles “Making Stuff: An Alternative Craft Book” and “Making Stuff for Kids” is still open to One Red Robin readers. End 31st August. Click here for details on the offer.

Thank you to Elliboo for the fun Eye Spy theme this week!

A few red things in our home this past week - miniature accordions for the girls!

My youngest mentioned last week that she wanted an accordion and lo and behold, a few days later my in-laws gift them both with these. I think they are actually pretty cool :-) The girls love them and get a real kick out of playing them and making up songs. The sound is not as annoying as I though it would be :-) It’s a nice change.

Also, hubby surprised me with some beautiful flowers, red and pink.

And this is not red but I had to share this with you:

I’ve been enjoying a few of these over the last week. The ones above are strawberry, dark chocolate, and passion fruit macaroons. I’ve also had the blueberry, the rose, and the milk chocolate ones. I keep missing out on the hazelnut one though. I have to say that I like the passion fruit one the best! So if you’re in Melbourne, you might want to pop into the Lindt Cafe on Collins Street in the city for these little goodies :-)

Hope you have a fun week ahead. I’m looking forward to getting behind the sewing machine tomorrow - it’s been too long!

More Eye Spy players over here.

P.S. Totally loving this book!

~~~~~~~
◘ Don’t forget to enter the Destination Gippsland/Nuffnang/One Red Robin competition for your chance to win free accommodation in Gippsland! Entries close 28th August. Click here for details on how to enter.

◘ AND the offer for 50% off Black Dog titles “Making Stuff: An Alternative Craft Book” and “Making Stuff for Kids” is still open to One Red Robin readers. End 31st August. Click here for details on the offer.