craftjuice

virtual inspiration board

I've started a new page on my blog as a virtual inspiration board for miss m's room

Quite simply, as I find images and lovely things that inspire me towards redecorating her room, I'll add them to this page and work up a 'direction' - although already I'm clearly heading towards a bit of a 'gelato' palette in 'fresh woodland' theme!

I quite like this idea to work up a visual representation of things and might use this page for other inspirational themes...

the great potato experiment 2009-001

My friend Gavin and I have been conducting the great potato experiment 2009-001 in my backyard, where we planted a couple of kipflers in some soil in a box, then kept on heaping sugar cane mulch over the top of it as the plant grew up.  We placed a thick black plastic bag around the box and as we added the mulch, we unraveled more of the bag. So essentially at the end of it, there was a big bag of sugar cane mulch.  We had read that this would keep the potatoes nice and clean as they grew.

Neither of us had really any expectation anything would really happen, although we lived in hope of a bumper crop!

So today I decided was harvest day. The top of the plant had died down, so I split the bag and....nothing. The plant had rotted away! So I upturned the box and found these little gems!

Potatoes!  Not many and they are teeny tiny, but kipfler potatoes none the less!

I have already started the great potato experiment 2009-002...stay tuned...

status report: saturday 25 july, 6.45am

she's so cuddly, AND wuddly!

Finishing: Miss M's breakfast

Thinking about: what we might do today

Just discovered: our friend DJ Todd's new dance mix

Cooking: coffee

Planning: something, but I don't know what yet

Checking out: Mr B's latest weekend adventures in Las Vegas

Listening to: the dogs squabbling over an empty toilet roll

I really must: do the washing and clean up today

Watching: Dora Saves the Mermaids and Dora Saves the Snow Princess (is there nothing Dora can't do?)

Wanting: another coffee

Have just finished: wiping a very small bottom

Needing to: get myself sorted for the morning

Hoping: there is something good on Miss M and I can go to today

Looking forward to: relaxing for the weekend!

button 'necklace' t-shirt

This week I had bought Miss M an extra little plain long sleeved shirt and thought I might jazz it up a bit with a button 'necklace'.

I stitched the 'necklace' on in running stitch with embroidery floss - it was a bit tricky as the shirt was so stretchy (you can see a few loose stitches there) but when she puts it on, it stretches out flat nicely.  I then just tied on a selection of colourful buttons like jewels and also added a 'bracelet' around the sleeve to match.

This is so easy and quick to do - Miss M and I had lovely fun with all my buttons on the floor and selecting which ones to go onto the shirt.

Miss M said it was "beautiful mum" and wanted to wear it the next day!

piggy purse

I've been dying to try out Nosey Nest's free piggy bank purse pattern and downloaded this freebie ages ago waiting for the right fabric.

The lovely Jacqui sent me two beautiful squares of Japanese linen - one pink and the other an adorable piggy design, plus some brown braid - perfect for this project! I finally made it up a few weeks ago.

Here's the back...

Here's the lining...(SO cute)

And little piggy snout...

oink! oink!

material obsession two

Because Susan sent me a link to the Book Depository and a 10% off code, of course I had to try it out and bought this much lusted after follow up to Material Obsession - Material Obsession Two! (FREE shipping worldwide - whoo hoo!). Even after the exchange rate, I purchased this book for over AUS$20 less than what it is available here - and it arrived on my doorstep in a nice brown cardboard packet!

The idea of this book is 'shared inspiration' - there is a common block, colour or theme and each of the authors, Sarah Fielke and Kathy Doughty, each give their interpretation for completely different, but equally delightful results.

The quilts in this book look a lot harder than in the first book, but there is again a section at the back that gives excellent technique instructions.

As with the first book, even if you don't ever make a quilt - this book is a goldmine for craftspiration.

Such creative blends of fabrics with some surprising results!

Modern and traditional - but all beautiful.

So inspiring!

mathildas market booty

Here's a look at my booty from yesterday's Mathilda's Market!

This is a gorgeous little dress from Mini Mermaid who creates her garments from imported vintage fabric from the US - I had a hard time choosing, but thought this one would be great for Spring and Summer seasons!

I love the detail of Mini Mermaid!

I also bought this gorgeous little hand-screened long sleeve t-shirt from Three Little Trees...

Cutie!

I drooled for a long time over these, but thought I'd need to save up a bit more pocket money! Even though they were on sale...!

etsy tv

Mr B directed me to Etsy TV on blip.tv and I'm hooked!  So many inspiring short videos on artists, inspiration pieces, how to-s, man craft etc.

You should go and have a peek...I dare you to watch just one..!

status report: sunday 19 july, 7.35am

bad dog (but happy and warm dog)

Finishing: waking up after a luxurious sleep in!

Thinking about: seeing Miss M and hearing about all her weekend adventures with Nannie and Peepa today

Just discovered: Anthropologie's Fall Windows on Facebook

Cooking: does boiling water for coffee count?

Planning: going to Mathilda Market this morning

Checking out: Facebook

Listening to: Col Campbell's gardening show on the radio (the old ladies LOVE him)

I really must: get dressed

Watching: Etsy TV - There's No Place Like Here: Edna W. Lawrence Nature Lab at the Rhode Island School of Design

Wanting: a jumper....brrrrr

Have just finished: putting my contact lenses in so I can see

Needing to: bake a carrot cake today for some special visitors tomorrow

Hoping: Mr B has a great day of relaxation in Balboa Park

Looking forward to: seeing Miss M again and hearing from Mr B

urban flannel quilt

With Mr B in San Diego and Miss M having a sleepover at Nannie and Peepa's after a long day at the  Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary (photo of Miss M and large snake around neck to come...) left to my own devices, I decided to keep my hands and mind busy today finish my Urban Flannel quilt.

I bought this beautiful and soft Urban Flannel material (designed by Valori Wells) at Peppermint Stitches and I topped up my backing flannel stash at Sew Sassy Boutique on Etsy.

There were eight large 30cm wide strips in a lovely jelly roll tied up with string - who could resist!? Such lovely colours and patterns (they also have it in blue, green and orange colourways). I loved the patterns so much I couldn't cut them up, so just sewed them together in large strips.  I used the little bird pattern for the backing.

Here's me sewing it up today...

To quilt I just 'stitched in the ditch' and then did one line of straight sewing at random intervals across each strip. My needle is a little fluffy...

I loved handsewing the binding on. It took me three hours of Channel V's 100 best hits of the 90's (Nirvana was number 1 with Smells Like Teen Spirit).

And I couldn't resist making a matching pillowcase! It ended up being a very efficient use of my fabric.

The quilt turned out very nicely - it ended up 105cm wide x 190cm long - single bed size.  A bit big for Miss M's converted cot bed, but I just tucked the excess under...

What do you think? I love it. And it's so soft and comfy - I might steal it to what TV on the couch tonight! 

And a lovely surprise for when Miss M gets home tomorrow.

Postscript: When Miss M saw her new bed set she exclaimed "OH my GOODNESS! It's wonderful! Thank you mummy - its beautiful!" and then went on to closely examine every pattern on the quilt. No better reward full of love than that :)