psst...look what i got for my b'day!

A very sturdy sewing machine.

Pfaff, a brand thats been around for a long time. In some ways its actually more basic than my Brother (i don't mean you Ant!) But it can handle alot more sewing, has a dual feed system - where the fabric is fed from the top and the bottom. And can sew through alot more layers/thick fabric! Its the sort of machine that will last a really really long time (and you should hear it when you put your foot down)!

So I've gone from this, on my other machine.

To this attachment on the new Pfaff.

Scary looking aren't they?!

Sara Moon

You might have heard of Sara Moon?

The name appeared in the mid 70's on dreamy paintings of bright eyed girls, and became very well known. Sara Moon was actually the signature of Persian born artist Bijan. He was commissioned by a publishing company in 1975 to create commercial artworks of the female form in watercolour and oil paint.

For Bijan, it was all about the eyes - if they weren't right, then he didn't carry on to finish the painting. He retired in the early nineties, but continues to teach art classes (to some lucky people) in Germany.

Anyway, this morning at the Op Shop i was so delighted to find this framed print of an early Sara Moon painting from 1976. She is named Moshgan. I'm not quite sure where she's going yet, as her frame is very big and heavy. I do love her! (i think she must be an early birthday present!)

(For all things Sara Moon, you can go here)

Creative Space - plastic bag crochet

Recycling...

(started late at night, as you can see from the flash photography!)

I slipped the scissors through the bag, going round and round till I got to the bottom.

Then used a 10mm hook.

Photographed in daylight, on a rug of crocheted sheets.

(just setting the scene for my entry for a Waste/recycle exhibition).

More creative spaces here!x

A cushion in the post!

The cushion from my swap partner has arrived!

Here is the beautiful crochet edging.

White back and vintage buttons.

And some gorgeous thrifted fabrics in my fav - blue and white!

Thank you so much Kirsten - it is beautiful!!

And thanks to Vic for organising such a fun swap!

You can check out what everyone made here.xx

Swaps and other things...

Amongst the depths of bad headaches this weekend, I've started on some bits that will hopefully turn into a brooch for the swap over at Flowerpress.

Haven't made a brooch like this before, so we'll see how it goes.

I've grasped onto one thing that my swap partner likes, and making that!

And I've just found out about a local Waste Art Exhibition/Competition. There is a textile category for reused/repurposed items. But they are due in at the beginning of June! So i've started ripping up some old sheets and have grand ideas (just thought of it) to crochet plastic bags too. Hoping to use my inability to crochet a flat circle to my advantage again...

PS. Tonight is your last chance to sign up for the Hottie Challenge over at Curlypops. You don't have to make a functioning hot water bottle cover - just a design! Its to raise funds for the Margaret Pratt Foundation Heart & Lung Transplant Trust.x

PPS. Anyway,  I'm hoping for a night where I'm not out in the street at 4am with a mouse inside the vacuum cleaner!  :-o  Fingers are crossed.

MCS - Finish Line

I've been finishing off a few things in My Creative Space this week.

This dolls necklace is a vintage jingle bell bracelet, which had just been waiting for the right doll to come along (thanks Nanc!).

And this one, which looks completely different in colour!

A library bag for the Little Miss made from printed denim and cotton.

(discovered how to make this as I went along)

Also a little stand up pouch for her to keep her Leapster cartridges in.

And a few more crochet ponchos for some dolls or softies.

The girls had an exciting day yesterday, when the Prime Minister visited their school. Not that they really know who she is, as we haven't been here very long! And yes, she did wear her usual uniform of black with a different colour jacket...

Theres some more Creative Spaces over here at the new venue!xx

Custom Made Doll Stamps

(doesn't she have a look of 'Twiggy'??)

After seeing this post over at Kate's place, I thought it would be great to have some doll stamps made. So I gave the lovely Chantal a photo of one of the dolls, and she carved out these two stamps for me.

 Chantal is so clever to get the look as well as the detail into these stamps.

The tiny flowers in the dress and carving in between the eye lashes are amazing!!

Visit Chantal's etsy shop here,

or order some custom mades yourself!xx

Cushion Swap Cushion

The lovely lady I'm sewing for loves repurposed fabrics.

So for this cushion swap I've used vintage fabric,

 doilies, linen tableclothes and vintage sheets,

along with my favs free motion sewing and a face.

Hope my swap partner likes it!

See some more of the swap cushions over at Vic's !

My Creative Space

Apart from working on a cushion for a swap, I have made a start on the faces for a couple of dolls.

Some dark eyes

for one who loves horses.

And one for a friend of Miss E, who made a list of what the birthday girl likes!

So I've done the best I can with the fabrics, just got to pull it all together somehow now (and add a little frill).

There is a new venue for My Creative Space now, over here!xx

Sneak Peaks

I was so sure I was going to make a cushion from neckties for the big cushion swap. Had so many ideas, but couldn't actually decide what to go with.

So all thats gone out the window, and I ended up chopping up bits of fabric that I liked and putting it together without a plan.

Any ideas what this bit turned into?

Will post a photo when its finished - unless I change my mind again and end up doing something else!

I've posted over at 5 Years Between about the shocking end to our Mother's Day. Just letting you know - as it won't come up in your dashboard! Let me know if you can't log on.x

on her own

Sunday is not only Mother's Day for us, its also the Daddy's birthday!

So the big E girl wanted to sew something to then put on a card for him.

She did this free hand,

no disappearing ink business!

He's been away again for part of this week, so the girls are looking forward to giving him his presents on sunday.(the poor bloke has been waiting and waiting for some slippers - the time has nearly come!)

Its quite hard to see what you're doing, even with a see through foot. So she's done incredibly well!!

Contemplating My Creative Space

Thinking about turning these teatowels that I've had forever, into aprons for another birthday party.

Making something to keep the little ones Leapster cartridges in hand. (aaargh - and a library bag as we can't seem to find her school one!)

Wondering what to make for a swap coming up.

And thinking about the machines I've been testing out (dropping the feed dog of course).

Now I'm off to Kirsty's to see some blogs that have some making going on!

New Retro Fabrics

A well known store (here) has finally cottoned on to the fact that vintage is in, and has produced a Retro Collection of fabrics!

Spotty have quite a few different designs out to choose from - including some great mustard tones.

So heres hoping they will come up with some much larger, bolder retro designs. Some huge swirls and gigantic flowers in unmistakable 70's colours would be brilliant!

 Obviously repurposing the real thing would be ideal, but if you can't find it - then this is the next best thing!