craftjuice

bleaching and altering fabric

A few weeks ago, Easter to be exact, remember I made these for the day care girls? Well, they met with a rather nasty bleach incident and I had to make them all over again. Which was OK. But a bit of a pain in the ass. And I was rather cranky at myself, because, you know, bleach...well, bleaches. 'Speshially when you leave whatever in the bleach longer than you should. And only half submerged. On a funny angle.

So today I was trawling through all my bloglines with a nice cup of green tea I got from the chinese supermarket today, when I nearly inhaled it through my nose when I saw this! And realised that not only was I 'on trend', but inadvertently, creating something fabulous!! Who knew.

Seems everyone is paying a fortune for nice fabrics, then throwing them in the bleach!  But jeez, it does look good. When you do it in a crafty-cool and purposeful kind of way...

Check out Elizabeth from the delightful Oh, Fransson! experiments 1 (bleaching) and 2 (overdying) for some really good detailed posts and hints and tips from her experience. Her results are quilted in some sample squares above - super nice eh!?  People are even getting tricky with perspex and clamps...

For more information and examples...check out this Flickr group.

status report: saturday 25 april, ANZAC day, 12.17pm

"Mummy! Mackenzie wave to Daddy!" (might I add she started up the webcam all by herself)

Finishing: getting Miss M off for her day sleep after an intense session of bed jumping!

Cooking: vegemite on toast and cutting it out with star cookie cutters

Planning: to make that little girl shirt dress later if I am feeling better

Checking out: how much toilet paper I still have to blow my nose with

Just discovered: that Quilton toilet paper says "Quilton loves your bum" on the inside of the inner roll!

Listening to: child and two dogs sleeping soundly

I really must: feed the dogs today

Watching: the ANZAC Day parade on ABC1

Wanting: both Miss M and I not to be so sick so we could get out and enjoy the beautiful day

Have just finished: sewing eight tiny bean bags for throwing/juggling/playing and a simple little carry bag for Miss M after watching her have such a great time at her Sports Day this week throwing little bean bags into a bucket. Ahhh...the simple things are the best aren't they!

Going to: to curl up on the couch with a cup of tea and my new Frankie magazine (one coming Jac's way shortly!)

Needing to: buy tickets to the Stitches and Craft Show next weekend!

Thinking about: Mr B in San Diego today. and still about these.

Looking forward to: enjoying the afternoon with Miss M, even if we're snuffly and a bit sad.

my top 10 hankies

Because Miss M and I have both come down with nasty colds today and I'm sitting here amongst a sea of scrunched up, snotty toilet paper (tissues have long run out), what I need is one of these hankies...

Top Row (L-R)
1. bLoveClothing
2. caroline dulko
3. The Honey Press
4. avril loreti
5. artful beginnings

Bottom Row (L-R)
6. little loo loo
7. avril loreti
8. The Honey Press
9. mud flap grrrl
10. avril loreti

sniff sniff, snuff snuff..

my top 10 tartans

OK, so I'm seeing lots of tartan this winter which is a good thing. Although not so much the Scottish kind, more the kinda saucy tart-on.

But a touch of tartan can never go amiss I say, so here's my top 10 tartan favs on Etsy right now...

Top Row (L-R)
1. Sugar Lolita
2. Sweet Bitty Bows
3. Larimeloom
4. Marjji
5. Worthy Goods

Bottom Row (L-R)
6. Desire Lines
7. The Girl Can't Help It
8. CherryPips
9. malam
10. Pear Shaped

...and here's your legs eleven.

happy 4th wedding anniversary!

new japanese crafting book...

OK, so Mr B said...sorry no camera, use your webcam!  You so smart Mr B!

So here's some pics featuring one of the most lovely books I've ever laid eyes on, so generously sent to me by the gorgeous Jacqui (BTW, how gorgeous is her Karate Kid!?). 

The book is by Emiko Takahashi - and the only English I can read on it is the ISBN - 978-4-576-07249-4.

Ah HA! I just found this!  It is called Inspired by Children's Picture Books. So there you go!

It features numerous children's books and craft projects inspired by them - including Alice in Wonderland with the most DARLING white cotton over apron...

Hansel and Gretel (with gingerbread house!)

And a sweet, sweet book about an old man, his animals and a strawberry patch with corresponding tote and strawberry embellishments...(I think these strawberries need to be a brooch for winter)

This book is so good it makes my teeth hurt.

Scuse the dark circles and bags under my eyes (although they seem to be a permanent fixture these days!) I had to concentrate a whole EIGHT hours at a training session on Employee Engagement for Business Excellence today. That was about seven hours and forty minutes longer than my personal best. It was really great. But wore me out big time.  Thank goodness for red lipstick after 2pm. And bottomless coffee.

having a go...

BTW, remember this? Well there is now a tutorial available and this week I'm going to have a go at this...

faffing about

I was just about to rush off and start photographing some new fabric I've received recently from the fabulous and most generous Jacqui at MeeABee as well as an amazing Japanese craftbook inspired by children's story books.

But Mr B has gone to the US and taken my happy snapper with him!

This is slightly more distressing than I first thought. I love sharing my pictures and taking them too. Trying new things and 'taking a few chances' with some crazy angles!  I have found it lovely to be able to document my day and the things that make me smile. And especially to document the things I make and share them with people who like that sort of thing too.

So, you're just going to have to wait and see. Perhaps between now and then I'll squeeze in a project from the book so I've really got something to share!

But as luck would have it, I have some images of some lovely corduroy (I've been on a corduroy bender lately)  I recently bought from Leslie in her sell out sale to add to my stash...

Such good-ness.  She's emptying her shop on Tuesday (that's tomorrow) so get in quick for a 50% off bargain!

Oh dear...while I was just linking to that, I accidentally bought these...

But really, how could you not.

bend it like amy

After about 23 seconds, I gave in and spent some of the grocery money to pre-order this new book authored by amazing blogger, crafter and mother Amy Karol.  It 'launches' on 25 August...so not too long to wait!

Her first book is just sensational - great projects and lots of tips and tricks that have been invaluable in skilling up the crafty way. There is no way I cannot have this book too - 'speshilly with that cute embellished cardi on the front cover!

Also on my Amazon Wish List are these two great quilting books by amazing Australians Sarah Fielke and Kath Doughty.  You can find Sarah's lovley blog here. I don't know why they are on my Amazon Wish List...I should just go to the bookshop!  I love these books because they are a bit of a twist on the traditional quilting - I love these inspired applique embellishments that look quite like folk art to me (there you go again Jacqui - further evidence of my hidden 'country' side coming out!). 

Whoduv thought that I'd ever be talking fondly about quilts...jeez.

status report: saturday 18 april

there's an ice pack in the freezer in case of not-so-graceful ankle rollover

Finishing: getting dressed to go out for a coffee and brekkie with Mr B (Miss M on holiday with Nannie and PeePa until tomorrow!)

Cooking: I'll leave that to someone else this morning!

Planning: all those last minute things to go to the beautiful Rosey's wedding this afternoon and Mr B frantically packing for the US tomorrow (hmmm..remembers to pack Tim Tams, but not underpants)

Checking out: how much my feet are in need of some professional attention - all those years of neglect, silly heels and cheap shoes have taken their toll.

Just discovered: that I can curl my hair with my ghd...

Listening to: the dogs tapping on the window for their brekkie! they do!

Using: OPI nail polish in Bright Apple Red

Watching: rather, listening, to the ABC news on the radio

Wanting: Miss M to catch a fish today at Currumbin Creek

Have just finished: the working week - hurrah!

Going to: Rosey and Christian's wedding today!!!

Needing to: practice walking in the above 6" Tony Bianco heels - aren't they fantastic!

Thinking about: missing Mr B already...

Looking forward to: seeing Rosey hitched to her perfect Norweigian.