craftjuice

fresh juice for March

 

(photo from pigeon pair)

Here's some great blogs I've been recently reading that you might like too...

froo*gal
just anna x
let's explore (kids crafting)
pigeon pair
simple song

I've added my fresh juice list for March over there on the left hand side...

(procrastinating about the washing up? visit my other fresh juice picks throughout the year!)

shopping for corduroy

(Birdie corduroy from peanoonies)

I thought I'd get a headstart on Winter for Miss M and sew up some funky corduroy skirts. I saw this (on page 12) awesome little skirt in Susan's Ottobre book (I think I'm going to have to subscribe) and was inspired!  (Oh, did I mention it's Susan's birthday today! Happy Birthday!)

Problem is, not only is it in the middle of Summer here in Brisbane, the local Spotlight and Lincraft's fabric section has been depleted significantly and replaced with scrapbooking and other, higher-profit-margin-merchandise (one can only assume). So its almost hard to find plain denim, let alone gorgeous printed corduroy!

So, here my search began and I discovered some beautiful corduroys online now (as its mostly Winter in the Northern Hemisphere!)

Here's my favourites from Etsy...

Top row (L-R) from: Matatabi, Holland Fabric House, Whipstitch, PhatFabric
Middle row (L-R) from: good-ness, This and That from Japan, Fabric Supplies, LassieGirl
Last row (L-R) from: fabriclicious, Fabric Supplies, good-ness, good-ness

In my eco-sew theme...finding eco/organic corduroy was hard, with near sea naturals being the only store I could find eco-corduroy (they have hemp corduroy).

There is other good corduroy to be found online at e-quilter, harts and in Brisbane, the Quilters and Embroiderers Store.

Any other tips on finding some lovely corduroy online? 

I think I might like a skirt (and perhaps handbag) in corduroy too!

lustful object of the day...5 minute chocolate cake

I'm feeling particularly sad this afternoon that the weekend is over. So how delighted was I to find this recipe (via Two Mittens) to medicate the Sunday blues!  It's all your dreams come true - 5 minute chocolate cake...IN A MUG!

I love anything in a mug.  (My million dollar idea of Mug-O-Wine will some day come to fruition.)

And I'm sure I will love this. I can hear my thighs screaming as we speak...

Hmm...I might add a tablespoon or two of ground hazelnuts too...

zakka 'lantern' or 'flower' tutorial

Here's a tutorial I made for these little zakka 'laterns' and 'flowers'.  I'm not sure what they are called, and I can't read Kanji to find out (maybe someone can tell me?) but they are a lovely little embellishment for just about anything and are super easy and quick to whip up.  It feels nice to make something with a few easy folds and hand stitches.

The above photo is the 'lantern' shape and below is the 'flower'...

I also found this other great tutorial for kanzashi flowers (geisha hair ornaments) which might also spark some ideas for more embellishment projects.

Enjoy!

fabric bead necklace

Following this tutorial here, this is my first attempt at a fabric knot bead necklace.

I used a fat quarter of Japanese fabric, cut into four strips and sewn together in one long strip. This makes a necklace slightly longer than choker style. Note you need twice+ the fabric for the finished length of the necklace as the knotting takes up a lot of fabric. Then, right sides together, sewed it into a tube, turned right side out, dropped in some wooden beads and knotted in between. Make sure the knotting is tight up against each bead (trickier than it sounds).

Easy peasy Japanesey. 

Although I'm fairly happy with this first attempt, I need to make another one to properly measure the fabric for the size of the beads I used as I think the material looks too scrunchy around each bead. I also need to take a bit more time with the knots so they are a bit, well, 'nicer'. (I tend to get all excited about a craft project that comes so quickly together and don't pay as much attention as I should!) I also need to leave more material at each end so I have longer ties at the ends to secure around my neck.

I have some even-more-lovely larger wooden beads so I'll give them a go in another version soon.

For another version see this tutorial over at froogal.  And here's one made with a scarf.

garden fruits

Behold my capsicum!  Zero on the Scoville Scale.

I love how it curls at the end. Like a goblin shoe.

quilt-a-long finished!

I've finally finished off tiny teeny Miss I's quilt...here's some pictures...

Little Miss I was born at 28 weeks and with her fighting spirit, continues to astound everyone with her amazing progress. She is just incredible, as is her mum and dad. I send her and her parents good vibes every day and hope she grows big and strong to have a tea party and cupcakes for six on this quilt.

washi fish brooch tutorial

On the weekend I made this washi fish brooch! Do you like it?  I've been wanting to make something like this for some time and inspiration finally struck.

It is made from a basic balsa wood shape, with washi paper I had bought in Japan, traced and cut to size, sealed with several coats of polyurethane lacquer and has a felt back with metal clasp. It's a little fiddly but easy to make.

I was even organised enough to make a tutorial.

I'm looking forward to wearing my new creation to work this week.

girly girls

Here's a lovely way to spend a rainy Friday afternoon...asleep in mummy's big bed (shhh...don't tell daddy).

Miss M has been having a busy morning visiting the hair salon for her first ever 'proper' haircut. I've always just hacked into her fringe, but the lovely Amy made it all better.  She loved the whole experience - climbing up excitedly into the big comfy chair - having it pumped up to the right height - spraying her own hair with the spray bottle - staying completely still while her fringe (bangs) was cut. I was so proud!

And here's another two gorgeous little girls...

The one on the left, cowgirl style, happens to be my mum Miss S. The queen of hearts on the right is my aunty, Miss F.  This is one of my most favourite photos ever.

(I don't know why, but just looking at this photo makes me itch...)

eco sew

 

Image of Bloem fabric from Ink & Spindle

This week I borrowed my friend Susan's 'stitch' magazine. I have to say I'm really impressed with it. I've read it from cover to cover about three times already.  I like something or find something interesting on every page, which is unusual to say the least!

There is an excellent article about eco sewing by Elaine Lipson who also has other blogs around this topic  here and here.  She talks about understanding sustainability and also suggests what materials to use and how to source them.

Here's a little summary...

Sustainability = no net loss of resources in manufacturing a product, so future generations don't come up short.  Leaders in this field are currently exploring: certified organic or highly renewable fibres, low impact dyes and non-toxic finishing; ethical and fair labour practices, sustainable packaging and distribution.

Eco fabrics = organic cotton, organic wool, bamboo, hemp, peace silk, wilk silk and vegan silk, soy- and corn-based products, Tencel, recycled polyester fleece and of course, vintage and reclaimed fabric.

Where to find them...
Near Sea Naturals
Stonemountain and Daughter Fabrics
Hart's Fabric
Dharma Trading
Aurora Silk
Mod Green Pod
Equilter.com
Furnature.com
Purl Soho
Silk Road Textile Merchants

Also see these excellent posts on Etsy's top 10 modern eco-friendly printed fabrics for 2008 and 2009 which include some of my favourite Australian designers and bloggers including Pippi Joe, Aunty Cookie, Hollabee and Of Paper and Thread.

For eco-sew craftspriation...
Harmony Art
Crafting a Green World
Permacouture Institute
Sew Green
Organic Exchange
Sustainable Cotton Project
Organic Clothing Blog
Vermont Organic Fibre Company
Wardrobe Refashion
Fashion-Incubator

I'll add another fabric source list over there on the left hand side with these online fabric stores for handy reference!