Craft for the Soul

    I have been in something to a tail spin the last 24 hours so I was grateful when something nice fell into my lap to take my mind off things.

{Link}

    Pip Lincolne, of Meet Me At Mikes, recently hosted a blog giveaway to celebrate the publication of her latest book Craft for the Soul. I was one of three winners chosen by Penguin [the publishers of this cute book].

    For this competition Pip asked, "What’s your favourite creative memory?" Here was my response:

I was going to write about the time that I made Herbie the love bug out of paper and an entire roll of sticky tape when I was seven. But then I thought of something special that happened this week.

My youngest sometimes copies me, and I guess because I drag the sewing machine out every month she now has an invisible sewing machine. She pulls the two step stool from the kitchen, sits on the lower step and announces that it’s her sewing machine. She will then pull out tea towels and blankets, and pretend sews. She then shows me what she has made and says things like ‘isn’t that lovely’, ‘feel how soft it is’.

That memory is going to stay with me for a long while.

I have already read a couple of pages of Craft for the Soul and I can honestly say this book has arrived at just the right time in my life. The book is about harnessing your inner good time through creativity. I'll leave it at that, because I don't want to spoil it for you, also I want to sign off here as quickly as possible, so I can get back to reading my brand spanking new Pip book. Thank you Pip! Thank you Alexis!

À tout à l’heure.

Taking Stock in March

Pip Lincolne is doing a Taking Stock list thing and inviting others to participate. So here is my mental Stock Take for March:

Making : cloth dolls
Cooking : Hot dogs
Drinking : Coffee
Reading: The Ruby Circle [Richelle Mead]
Wanting: A zoom lens and fabric supplies
Looking: At everything
Playing: Taylor Swift - 1989
Deciding: Whether to go for pink hair.
Wishing: To make a beach lifestyle coffee table book.
Enjoying: Chocolate
Waiting: For my new pink running shoes to come in the post.
Liking: Elvis films.
Wondering: If I'll ever surf again.
Loving: My husband, kids, chocolate and Monster High.
Pondering: A dozen creative thoughts per minute.
Considering: Making a pair of fisherman pants.
Buying: Nothing.
Watching: Wonderland.
Hoping: For more clarity and direction.
Marvelling: At how quickly my youngest is learning from my eldest kid.
Cringing: When I think about high school.
Needing: Focus.
Questioning: My focus.
Smelling: You don't want to know.
Wearing: Stretch black pants and old pink "Venice Beach" shirt.
Following: Carla Coulson
Noticing: Brigitte Bardot.
Knowing: How to make a delicious sausage roll.
Thinking: Too much
Admiring: Carla Coulson and Cat Rabbit
Sorting: Useless stuff around the house.
Getting: Inspired!
Bookmarking: Photography blog articles.
Coveting: Pidgin dolls
Disliking: Cleaning the house.
Opening: My new online doll shop.
Giggling: Over dialogue in an Elvis film - "Let me tell you something beautiful." "Cinderella is a junkie." [You had to be there to find it funny, I guess]
Feeling: Hungry for hot chips and a burger.
Snacking: Nope.
Wishing: My eyes didn't feel dry and tired.
Helping: Taught my eldest how to use the sewing machine. She made her own doll.
Hearing: The telly, and cars on the main road.

Fab Finds #9

Great stuff…

1. Smart Girls at the Party is an internet sensation encouraging girls and ladies to be cool in a much better, smarter way. This site is a step in the right direction for feminism. It encourages smart talk amongst the girls and breaking down the walls of stereotypes. One of the creators of this friendly site is Amy Poehler, and she will respond to questions via video feed, covering issues as dealing with people, situations and using your head. There's so much more to it, but I'll leave that for you to explore...

Meredith Walker, Amy Miles, and Amy Poehler,
creators of the web series Smart Girls at the Party.

2. Softies for Mirabel is just round the corner and is a lovely festive season project to participate in. The aim is to make a  toy which will be matched with a child, under the wing of the Mirabel Foundation. For more information simply visit this link. This is a project that I have participated in over the years, and this year is no exception.

3. I love sinking my teeth into a goody juicy burger. Who doesn't? Well actually now that I think about it, not everyone, but I think you understand my sentiment. So when I came across this burger via a Pinterest feed I just knew what I'd be adding to next weeks dinner plan. It is none other than a Jamie Oliver Insanity Burger recipe, excerpted from Jamie Oliver's Comfort Food.

Insanity Burger
Jamie Oliver's Comfort Food

4. Bashful Garter is now a fully operational fashion website with a cool new look-book and a shop stocking specially chosen high quality pieces from independent designers.

Bashful Garter lookbook

Softies For Mirabel

Softies For Mirabel is a wonderful cause. To find out more visit Meet Me At Mikes.

Softies For Mirabel

    For six years running Pip [nearly typed Pop] Lincolne, over at Meet Me At Mikes, has coordinated a charity event titled Softies For Mirabel. This is the third time that I have donated a homemade doll, and I chose this sweet little thing that I finished on the weekend....

    I couldn't possibly explain Softies For Mirabel so eloquently, but Pip's poster says it all quite nicely. Have a read of it to find out what Softies For Mirabel is all about.

Homemade Yum Love

    The past few years I have learnt to appreciate the art of homemade in a whole new way. The first time I discovered a blog it was Loobylu which led me to Meet Me At Mikes and inevitably a wide world of online crafters and artists. I cannot express the joy I felt in seeing people just getting out their paint brushes and sewing machines, making things and quite literally making their own rules.
    When it is gift time I do still buy presents, but when I can, I will try to make something. And the things that I've made have made far greater impact on the people who have been on the receiving end.
    This week's craft project will be making felty pizza slices. I found a wonderfully simple tute by Semi-Crunchy Mama, which I shall follow. You can check it out at...
http://semicrunchymama.wordpress.com/2010/02/22/tutorial-felt-pizza-slice/



Image copyright Semi-Crunchy Mama.

Get Granny

    I am setting myself a new challenge. I am learning to crochet granny squares and intend to have completed a nice big comfy blanket by November next year. That may seem a long way away, but it is a large project and I want to give myself plenty of breathing space to complete the thing.
    I have been following Pip Lincolne's instructions of making a granny square. I have her book, 26 crafty projects and things to make, plus I have referred to her videos for some visual  reference.
    I am so excited about doing this project. I will keep you posted on the progress of my blanket.



Some of the yarn that I will use for the blanket.




Getting some crochet practice in before I really begin.




Check out this lovely book,
by an equally lovely lady.
Simply lovely.



My Creative Space

Yesterday, in a fit of creativity I pulled out one of my craft books - Meet Me At Mike's: 20 crafty projects... and the result was the Udderly Lovely Cow.


This is the book.



This is the project.



This is what I made.



20 Questions

I noticed Pip's blog entry for 20 Questions, and thought I'd play along:

1. Sweet or Savoury? Sweet & Savoury — I love eating it all.
2. Dresses or Jeans? Dresses & Jeans — I am a casual dresser, but love the opportunity to get all dressed up. 
3. House or Apartment? House — I like having space to move and breathe.
4. Shop Online or Offline? Offline (& Online) — Online does have it's appeal when I struggle to find those rare items. But nothing beats walking around inside Borders and touching the books before I buy.
5. DVDs or Downloads? DVDs — I like having the pretty package to go with the film. But when it comes to PS3 games I am into the downloadable packages, because they are so economical.
6. Cocktails or Juice? I fantasize about trying those tropical cocktails, but so far have stuck to my juice.
7. Chocolate or Strawberry? Chocolate & Strawberry — it causes me pain to make a choice.
8. Laptop or PC? Labtop in a heart beat (if I had one), I love that you can do your work anywhere, with a labtop.
9. Magazines or Newspapers? Magazine girl.
10. Facebook or Twitter? Facebook — I like to keep it simple. With my blogging I don't have the energy to share every brain fart that I have.
11. CDs or MP3s? CDs & MP3s — I go both ways. I like to be economical in this department, but sometimes you just can't beat the album artwork.
12. Kids or Pets? Kids & Pets — Why choose, when you can have it all.
13. Macaron or Cupcakes? Cupcakes — I have no idea what a macaron is, but I do know what a cupcake is, and I love eating those.
14. Walk or Run? Walk — running is hard on the joints, and besides you can burn the same amount of energy walking the same distance that you might have run.
15. Breakfast in Bed or Breakfast Out? Breakfast Out — Someone else cleans up the mess.
16. Market or Supermarket? Market & Supermarket — Depends what groceries is needed.
17. Sourdough or Grainy? Sourdough & Grainy — It's all good.
18. Heels or Flats? Flats mostly — I like to be comfortable. But the heels come out when I dress up.
19. Late nights or Not? Late nights — I am most definitely a night owl, and not a morning person.
20. Coffee or Tea? Tea — I generally find Coffee to be way too strong for me. So much as one sip of coffee and I am bouncing off the walls.

Making It Handmade

Today I had a lovely afternoon out in the city. I had such a good time I didn't even mind the rain.

I won a free entry (thank you Pip, of Meet Me At Mike's) into the screening of Anna Brownfield's film Making It Homemade. It was a thought provoking film, and it was good for a few giggles. I even met the Director herself, who in true craft form decorated her hair with two knitting needles — it was very pretty.

The crafters who appeared in the film provided responses to questions that I subconsciously felt, but never knew how to answer before. I suppose watching this film helped me to understand the craft movement I am gradually being drawn into.

When I was sitting in the cinema waiting for the film to begin, I listened in to bits of conversation around me. One person spoke of her knitting — something that was meant to be a gift. She wasn't satisfied with how it was turning out, so she was going to start again. Another person spoke of friends attending the launch of a new comic book. Why am I mentioning this? Because I want to point out how a film about craft can draw in crowds of strangers who are actually creative and like-minded. You would hardly hear this sort of banter at the screening of a regular Hollywood film.

When the film finished I decided to buy the DVD of Making It Handmade. So glad I did. I can hardly wait to watch it again.

P.S. I am halfway through knitting the baby blanket.

P.P.S. What happens next? Who knows. My mind is brimming with sparks of potential.

The Last Gasp of Winter

Spring is upon us, but as always in Victoria, if a new season begins we still feel the chill or the heat of the previous season. And it seems that Madame Winter is determined to make her last stand in September. I am very much an Autumn/Winter person, but I got to admit it is time for a change and I welcome the sunny days with open arms.

As you can tell, I am in an up and up mood this morning. I had a nice morning with hubby and bub. I got in some knitting. Oh yeah! Plus, I discovered I was a winner of a ticket giveaway over at Meet Me At Mikes. The tickets are for the screening of Making It Handmade by Anna Brownfield. So I'll be going to see that. Woo Hoo!

How will you be spending your time, this weekend?

The Envelopes Opened

I am very excited today. Pip, over at Meet Me At Mike's, has opened the shop display for The Envelope Project. Amongst the many envelope offerings on hand is a selection of craft pieces that I myself put together and sent off.

To find out more about The Envelope Project, simply follow this link.

The Envelope Project

Today I mailed the above envelope to Meet Me At Mike's for The Envelope Project which is being hosted by Pip. For the time being I'll keep the contents of this envelope a surprise, till Pip gets the mail.

To find out more about The Envelope Project, simply click here.

Ten Things

Okay, now this is a response to Pip, over at Meet Me At Mike's…

Ten Things about me:

1. In the 80s, I earned 3 star badges for passing roller skating classes (beginners, intermediate & advanced skate tricks).
2. I was eating ice cubes on the tail end of my pregnancy with Gwen.
3. I have a single freckle on the underside of my LHS pinkie.
4. Say it loud, then cast your head down with shame — I am a chocaholic (last week proved it, when I personally demolished 95% of the Easter chocolate in the house).
5. I have a dream of running a doll & toy museum that focuses on the 80s.
6. When I was a kid I wanted to be a Gooney.
7. I haven't eaten Murtaba in such a long while — and I want some tonight.
8. On and off I am attempting to teach myself to knit and crochet.
9. I sometimes battle mild doses of obsessive compulsions.
10. I too would like to write, or even illustrate a book.

Meme: My Place & Yours

The theme this week for Meet Me At Mike's Meme: My Place and Yours is… My Collection.

Ever since I was a child I have always been collecting something. I would go through phases, sometimes only for a few weeks, and other times for a few years.

Since the age of nine I have been a stamp collector. There are no rules or a limit to my collection. I am attracted to bright colours, antique, and even international stamps. I like stamps because they say a little something about our history — politics, economics, and especially culture.

As long as there are stamps my collection will be ongoing. And one day my collection will be passed on to my offspring.

My collection has never been valued, though I suspect there are some real treasures in the collection. Some of my stamps date back to WWII era. I especially love the modern Australian stamps as AustPost goes to a lot of effort to make our stamps so bright and cheerful.

Meme: My Place & Yours

Blog Headquarters: This is where all my blogging takes place, as well as all my computer art (duh). You will see my Wacom Bamboo tablet for all my artwork, massive speakers for listening to music and watching movies, a large cannister of water to keep hydrated, a Xmas mug filled with pens (to keep from losing those pens), one of my old paintings in the background, and yes there is a craft book on the desk.

To see other blog headquarters head on over to Meet Me At Mike's.

Meme: My Place & Yours

This weeks theme for Meet Me At Mike's meme is titled “Bedside”.

The above photo of my bedside says a lot about the chaotic, creative mess that is in my mind. Notably are the IDN mags, Pip's craft book, knitting and crochet instructions, my Twilight books, my Gwen Stefani perfume (smells like Halloween face make up from my childhood), there is a My Little Pony hidden away behind a clown statue, an Irish postcard from my Nanna (she passed away late last year), an Oz (Seth Green) action figure, Nintendo DS games, a cassette (audio recording of 3AW Bruce Mansfield interview I conducted when I was a teen), a Kylie Minogue poster all rolled up, a box filled with lovely homemade soap. Just to name a few…

Road Trip

This afternoon Gwen and I decided to get out of the house and the general neighborhood. We drove through the Bayside, sticking to the scenic coastal drive and made a beeline to St Kilda.

We had a lovely walk by the beach and visited a rebuilt kiosk landmark at the end of St Kilda pier. The original kiosk was destroyed in a 2003 fire.

We then headed off again, toward the city and out the other side, making a lovely pit stop at Meet Me At Mike's in Fitzroy. It was Gwen's first time in the shop and she just loved looking at everything and blowing raspberries to Pip and Cam.

I picked up two pieces of lovely at Meet Me At Mike's — 

Firstly I chose a crochet Japanese mushroom for Gwen's bedroom. Secondly, I fell for a pink/brown fabric square. I don't know what I'll do with this fabric. I'll think of something special.

Meme: My Place & Yours

This entry is a response to Pip's latest Meme — My Place & Yours. The theme this week is On the shelf. 

So this is a small section of my many beloved book shelves… As you can see there are many craft reference books and lovely magazines to inspire (Nylon, Frankie, Computer Arts, IDN). Look closely enough and you will also find the Andy Warhol Pop Box (love him or hate him — he was a design genius), and a book of SHAG art (as in Josh Agle).

My Creative Space...

The weather here in Melbourne is Suddenly Spring. It was only a week ago that I was freezing my toes off. Now I've got to trade my sweats for slightly cooler garments. Which means I'll need to make myself some shorts.

On Tuesday I began making a finger puppet collection, for my baby Gwen. Follow this link to see my first creation.

Also I received word from Katharine, of Woolly Wotnots, that she had received the Japanese doll collection I had crafted as a Pay It Forward project. Follow this link to see Katharine's blog entry on the topic.

Earlier this week I delivered to Meet Me At Mike's my contribution to "Softies for Mirabel". I designed and had the doll made in just under a week. Not a bad effort, I think. The doll is named Genevieve, and to find out more about her creation, simply follow this link.

Piper the cat is asleep (not so creative I guess).

I am currently reading "New Moon" for the second time. Now that is a hard read because I will be feeling Bella's anguish all over again. But I can't help myself. No, I can't stop myself. I am head over heels caught up in the world of the Cullens family.

Shimmy on over to Kootoyoo to see other great creative spaces.