News 2025:03:19

Upcoming: Kingston Arts 'Kaleidoscope' school holiday arts program

I will be facilitating two workshops at the upcoming Kingston Arts Kaleidoscope school holiday arts program. On 7th April 2025 will be the Stitch & Spin workshop. Followed by the Paint & Play workshop, 9th April 2025. 

For more information about the Kingston Arts holiday program please visit: Kingston Arts

Recent: Cricut Maker X Easter

During the past few weeks I tuned my energy to crafting a miniature paper tableau, for Easter. The tableau was made with a complimentary assortment of cardstock (sourced from Spotlight), both plain and ornamental.Once I had mocked up a very basic concept for the tableau, I set about cutting the cardstock with my first generation Cricut Maker (Did you know that the Cricut Maker 4 just hit the market?). The tableau looks much like theatre set design, with just a touch of video game background. Originally the plan was to create a photo shoot of the tableau with chocolate eggs scattered on 'the stage' floor. The images were created, but then I created a reshoot when I realised that the eggs distracted from the beauty of the tableau itself.

To find Australian Cricut distributors please visit: Cricut distributors in Australia

Briefly now

• Manga that I am reading - The Apothecary Diaries, My Special One and Kamisama Kiss.
• Book of essays that I am reading - The Passenger: South Korea.
• Currently my favourite go to bookstore is Cook &Young Booksellers.
• On Netflix I am watching (for the second time) - Tale of the Nine Tailed.

Bunny + Egg = Buggy

 

© Melissa Gaggiano

The Easter weekend arrived, and there were some last minute crafting activities.

I blew an egg, and turned it into a bunny. The knack is to not pop your eardrums in the process. The kids loved the result, and wanted to make their own.

We had a grand plan to attend a public Easter egg hunt, but holy bunny-egg, you should have seen the queue. The kids were a bit disappointed that didn't happen, but when we got home I hid the chocolate merchandise so they could find it 'again'.

For the egg hunt I made the kids Easter baguettes. I used felt, craft glue, needle, thread, scissors and a sewing machine. Technically these bags were a draft. Got it on the first go! 

© Melissa Gaggiano

© Melissa Gaggiano

© Melissa Gaggiano

Bunny Craft + Green Bean Baby + Jay Stelling

{My Poppet}

In the week that 'was' and 'is'. I have been feeling quite a bit ill. But I'm slowly recharging.

In more interesting news, I'm proud to announce a new sewing tutorial is now live on My Poppet. It's a cute little hand sewn bunny to add to your Easter fun. Even if you don't celebrate Easter, it's still a fun project to do.

{Green Bean Baby}

While I've been in rest mode, I've kept my fingers busy with a bit of therapy embroidery. I bought a digital embroidery pattern from the amazing Ellia of Green Bean Baby. If you like doing embroidery, check out Ellia's Etsy store to see more of her digital patterns, as well as a few other wee wonders the lady crafts and designs.

{Jay Stelling: Whistle-Stop Thistle}

Before signing off, I'd like to share one final interesting tid-bit with you. Doll artist, Jay Stelling, makes some of the sweetest lil' fairy folk that I've ever seen. I honestly love the baby belly bods of Jay's small people.

Jay is working hard to bring her lil' people to more people, by way of an illustrative-photographic book – Whistle-Stop Thistle. To find out more about this, head over to Jay's Kickstarter page.

Kids Craft Easter Basket

My Poppet Easter Basket

Easter is just around the corner. Indeed it is! If you're looking for some easy, crafty fun for Easter then let yourself be tempted by this tasty morsel My Poppet project – a Print & Colour Easter Basket.

{ Visit My Poppet }

Life Lesson #3

© Melissa Gaggiano