craftjuice

pyjamas

Yes, today the temp has dipped below 25 degrees, which means, in Brisbane, ladies desperate for Winter fashion start to appear on the streets in the form of opaque tights, knee high boots and maybe even a jacket or two.  Sadly, Brisbane really has no clear seasons. Summer = six to eight weeks a year (although a bit longer this year must admit) to 35+ degrees days and Winter = six to eight weeks a year of below 15 degrees - even down to 2-3 degrees on Wintry mornings. The rest of the time its fairly 'even stevens'. So whenever even a hint of cooler weather approaches, Bris Vegas descends into a hurried frenzy of please-let-it-be-cold-so-I-can-wear-lots-of-black-and-cover-up-this-post-child-late-thirties-body.  And cozy jimmy jams.

Now is about the time of year where I start to think about new pyjamas for Winter. 



Why hello, I was just taking last night's pizza box and empty wine bottles to the wheelie bin
(PJs from here)

I do love pyjamas. I think its the romantic in me thinking about at night curling up on the sofa (or more realistically, typing on my computer) with a hot steaming cuppa (or perhaps mulled wine) in warm, comfortable and loose fitting pyjamas. And then in the morning, looking in the mirror to see someone with a bad bedhead and furry tongue, but at least looking slightly fashionable in something I don't mind going outside with the risk of neighbours seeing me to put out the trash into my wheelie bin. 

With this in mind, I've noticed recently that when considering pyjamas, a whole new pre-pyjama purchase decision needs to be made by way of 'leisurewear'.  That is, a whole new wardrobe concept to wear between daytime/work clothes and pyjamas. I'm sure in the 1970/80s when I was growing up this was called a 'tracksuit'. But as a working mum, this new wardrobe dimension entirely makes sense to me. After working all day in uncomfortable outfits (ie anyting that is not jeans, t-shirt and sneakers) to come home and change 'into something more comfortable' before donning bedtime attire, seems entirely reasonable - even civilised, and something to look forward to.

My criteria for pyjamas is as follows...
- cotton only (but can be very expensive cotton, mixed with a little silk!)
- stylish design
- no silly prints, Mr Men characters, lace, or cartoon like images
- something that if my neighbours saw me in, I wouldn't feel mortified
- if I bent over, you can't see my awful undies (ie long pants)
- must cover all post-child-late-thirties-body bits
- maybe even look a little bit sexy. if that is at all possible. even if its just nice buttons. or something.

Here's some nice 'leisurewear' and 'pyjamas' I am currently considering...
- Sussan...see Sleepwear
- Victoria's Secret Sleepwear and Loungewear
- Anthropologie Sleepwear and Comfortwear
- Peter Alexander
- Deshabille

Perhaps even I should make some?

What do you like in a good pyjama?

meet me at mikes wheat bag

After a day with a feral child affected by yesterday's spring roll red sauce, I needed some sort of therapy to get me back on an even keel.  Flicking through my new Frankie magazine...I happened upon a sneak preview pattern from the Meet Me At Mikes book (out today!) for a cute as pie wheat bag!

I love wheat bags...especially for keeping my toes warm in Winter, so whipped her up this arvo using a lovely piece of floral corduroy from the lovely Jacqui...

The colours have come out a bit funny in this photo, but the reds all match, including the rick rack. I finished her off between meatballs at dinner...all that's left to do now is to fill her up with wheat!

Toasty.

fashioning felt

I love felt - the more I learn about it, the more fascinating a material it seems.

I saw a great item on Martha last week about a new exhibition called Fashioning Felt at the NY based Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum 

The exhibition has taken three years to curate and features early forms and uses of felt through to modern applications in furniture, sculpture and fashion.  One artist, Janice Arnold, was commissioned to make a felt yurt, or traditional tribal tent - you can see how she made it here and on in this video.

It all looked so amazing...you can purchase a copy of the catalogue here for US$35.

To follow more on this exhibition, Cooper-Hewitt have a great exhibition 'design blog' to learn more!

malaysia corner

Today was yum cha day. And it's always when you're super hungry (after all, yum cha preparation requires 'preparation' from 6pm the night before to make room for you to eat your body weight in dumplings and rice noodles) and your taste buds have pre-prepared to receive the flavours of a particular cuisine (especially yum cha), that it all goes wrong.

Over a year ago (it might even be two) our very favourite yum cha restaurant burnt down. And yes, apparently it did have something to do with an overenthusiastic wok.  It was the best ever. Efficient, tasty, appeared healthy and clean, with a plentiful supply of jasmine tea and BBQ pork buns. I once was seated at a very large table still with the spoils of the last feast intact - endless bowls, chopsticks, steamers and the tablecloth painted with chilli and soy. In five seconds flat, the corners were drawn up all together at once, bundling the remains away to the kitchen and new bowls, chopsticks and a crispy white tablecloth were all juggled into place. I've always wanted to do that at home. It was enormous (by suburban standards), probably easily seating 200 hungry yum cha enthusiasts. Red and wood paneled walls lit with chandeleirs, and a healthy smattering of Christmas decorations around an abundance of good feng sui mirrors all year 'round. 

Today we concurred that surely it was back by now and we'd meet my mum and dad there in 15 minutes.

Sadly, it had turned into a tea house and mini photo booth shop.

So off we went over to the 'other' yum cha across the road only to find at 11am, a line up that would take us over an hour to navigate to a table.  Miss M says "Dinner nooooow".  We agreed and trotted back across the road to a local Malaysian called Malaysian Corner (at Market Square for those of you local).

Superb. 

Hainam Chicken, Lamb Roti, Laska, Spring Rolls, Noodles, Deep Fried Tofu.  Yum.

And now I have a two year old child high on that red sauce containing every additive known to man that comes with the spring rolls.  But geez it was good...

miss denim skirt

Here's the denim skirt that I made last night...I had some bias binding I'd made out of a fat quarter for a previous project and really liked the pattern. When I put it against the denim, it was a match made in little girl heaven. (I can do things like that now my stash is organised! It's so great to try new combinations without ending up sitting in a pile of fabric!).

When I turned up the hem, I noticed when I was ironing how much I liked the wrong side of the denim in contrast, so I ironed it all out flat again and experimented with a 'wrong side' band at the bottom and I think it turned out great.  The pocket was just a circle that I backed with some plain light blue cotton for lining and again used some offcuts of the bias binding and a scrap of denim to add interest.  Miss M chose the blue buttons on each end of the pocket - this was not a clever planned design detail, but to hide the raw edges of the binding which I had forgotten to tuck in under!

Will look great in winter too with long sleeves, leggings and boots!

As I always do, I used some scraps to make this little brooch, which can also be attached to a hair tie, to match.

Miss M's verdict? "I don't like it mummy".

Yes you will. In about 5 more minutes when I make you wear it.

Off for some yum cha for lunch...see you soon!

morning at the planetarium

This morning we once again trekked to the Mt Coot-tha Botanic Gardens to take Miss M to her first ever planetarium show.  We explained it was a very special movie, so naturally she requested to take popcorn along.  I thought it might be a bit overwhelming for her, but as always, she took it in her stride and was thoroughly involved. Loved it.  There is another kids show on during the school holidays in a few weeks time, so we'll take her back for another go!

We then sat by the garden lake and enjoyed a quick picnic lunch (Miss M tried ginger beer for the first time - her verdict? "Deee-licious!").  She and Mr B walked over to the jetty to feed the ducks and turtles, which is always great fun.

Another great morning out on a beautiful weekend.

status report: friday, 5.12am

WTF - isn't Fridays for long lunches?

Finishing: blowing my nose...can't sleep...cold and flu descending upon me...

Cooking: all I can manage is a cup of coffee and many vitamin C tablets

Planning: my to do list for the day (above) - the culmination of two weeks worth of tasks that are either in my head or written in my trusty work book. Jeezzz...that should keep me off the street today (but perhaps not out of trouble). And ringing The Criterion hotel (across the road from work), remembering I've organised a $10 steak lunch for 10, and I forgot to book. Danger Will Robinson...there could be mutiny!

Checking out: the first signs of sunrise - gorgeous navy blue sky. I love this time of day.

Just discovered: this delectable range of woodland fabric (thanks Jac, I think.)

Listening to: silence. golden.

Using: my blog as an all too handy procrastination tool to delay the real reason I sat at the computer - to get a headstart on work today.

Watching: a growing pile of snotty tissues

Wanting: to clone myself to complete the to do list today - that would be a huge weight off my shoulders. Oh, and perhaps another coffee. A good one. Not instant.

Have just finished: coughing like an old woman.

Going to: be courageous and glance at my work appointments for today...I already know its going to be ugly.  But I need to mentally prepare.  (Oh dear...I have exactly 6 meetings and 2 hours, 15 minutes at my desk today...my to do list looks in jepordy already.)

Needing to: have my flu in style...perhaps I'll go and get some nice hankies today - are hankies good or gross?

Thinking about: hurrah! It's FRIDAY!

Looking forward to: taking Miss M to the Planetarium this weekend! And having an awesome day. Despite the usual Friday drama.

Happy Friday!

tagged!

Jacqui tagged me to list seven things I love...here's what I love today...

1. This fabric from Leslie (oh wow, she's going home!)

2. Reading my Frankie magazine on the bus to and from work.

3. That it was a bit cooler this morning...bring on Winter!

4. The support of my friends (which today included a lemon tart and flat white) and sharing of the load.

5. The possibilities of a new haircut...maybe...(wasn't I growing it?)

6. A kiss on each cheek from Miss M goodnight.

7. Watching Mr B getting increasingly excited about his trip.

I'd like to tag some crafty ladies who recently were so encouraging and lovely and left their comment!
Susan, Eileen, Beatrix ... and maybe ... even ... Kaz...?

lustful object(s) of the day...me and oli

My bus ride to work was suddenly made all the better reading through my current edition of Frankie, when I spied a lustful me & oli top with gorgeous owl fabric - yum!  How delighted I was to find their website linked to their etsy store...double yum lust.

yum yum.

Frankie says...

We're all atwitter with the supreme loveliness of me & oli from designer and illustrator Lalita Lu. The latest collection, me & oli's first adventures, is - according to Lalita "made with love and a bit of RAH!" and it certainly looks the part, featuring cutely intricate animal-themed textile prints with a dash of vintage detailing, and other fun bits and bobs like lasercut jewellery and hand-bound journals. Swoon.

Swoon indeedy.

Hurrah for Australian indy designers!

craft room organisation...

Today I spent a good coupla hours while Miss M was asleep trying to consolidate everything crafty in my house into one spot. I had plastic bags here, paper bags there, boxes over there, and stuff, well just on the floor really!  Most of my poor fabric and patterns were stuffed in a big moving box and buttons and embellishments are regularly found by the dogs poked in random places about the house.  My books were in at least four locations and under the dining room table was, well, a big ol' mess!

So here's where I got to putting it all into a storage unit in our spare room...

You can tell its the spare room because you can stil see a hint of clutter and chaos all around this well ordered (!) square metre section...

I'd like to point out a few 'features' of my new possie...

- ok, lets just get this one out of the way...yes, that is someone's Christmas present still sitting there on the lower right shelf (it might need to be reinvented as a birthday present shortly for the same kid).

- the two white boxes - don't let that fool you. See the lids are a bit wonky? Can't get them on. Inside looks like a rats nest...a crafty rat nest, but a rat nest nonetheless...I need a better solution there for all my fabric scraps, buttons, thread, embellishments, crafty tools, embroidery thread, hoarded slevage strips etc...you get the idea.

- bottom shelf are all my craftbooks and above, my inspiration magazines...if anyone can identify one of theirs, please let me know and I'll send it back! (Susan, I discovered a few of yours...eek!)

- note fabric stash...is that normal? do I need more? yes I think I do.

- bottom right hand corner fabric stash - on the bottom I discovered (on the top shelf of my wardrobe) 5m and 3m of Laura Ashley pure wool - one brown/orange plaid and one a lovely olive green. I remember buying these when I worked in shopping centres - obviously a wise choice back in my youth...but do you think its vintage now? I've calculated it is almost 18 years old! I'm too scared to look if it has holes in it!

- I'm not going to open the cupboard door...no one wants to see that. It started out well, but by the end I was just shoving stuff in there!

To keep the motivation and inspiration going, I've found some good craft organisation craftspiration
- on Flickr here
- on Craftzine here
- on The Black Apple  (who wouldn't want their room to look like that?)
- very organised photos on HGTV here
- great resources on Squidoo here

- and just for the drool factor...see Martha's here

I'd love to know how you organise your craft stuff...any good hints or tips? 

Perhaps I should take the craft room challenge!