Hottie Challenge Opening ::

If you're in Melbourne this weekend, pop in to the opening of  

Open Drawer's 'Hottie Cover Challenge Exhibition'!

All funds raised will go to heart and lung transplant research.

There are some amazing hottie designs - by lots of crafters/bloggers you may know!

(details above)

xx

A Warm Heart

A Warm Heart :: my hottie challenge

This is my design for Cam's Hottie Challenge this year.
I'm joining in with lots of other crafters to make a hottie cover,
functional or not (mine is not!). All the hotties will be exhibited at the
Open Drawer Gallery in Melbourne and sold with proceeds going to
the Margaret Pratt Foundation Heart Lung Transplant Trust.

This hottie feels like its taken ages, when its only been a few days!
The background is vintage wallpaper/cloud fabric at the top.
The curtains are made from vintage curtain fabric -
we've had a bit of a curtain nightmare around here recently,
 so maybe thats why they were in my head...!
Thats supposed to be a curtain rail at the top, and then her hair is
flowing over that into the sky.
Her hair and face is free motion sewn (thread drawing) and her skirt is a bit 3D!

She holds a warm heart - made from wool rug.
And her eyes shine bright.

If you'd like to join in the Hottie Challenge -
sign up here!

ps. if you look closely - her neck is actually part of the vintage wallpaper design!xx

Day of the Dead inspiration

Looking at inspiration pics for

Gleaners Inc's next exhibition

'Day of the Dead'

- this one is pretty tame compared to some others!

And this beautiful, clever lady -
 who has been immortalised so many times before.
 Frida Kahlo.

My Creative Space :: Twiggy

She's a bit of a fashionista this one ... her dress can be worn three ways!

Cowl neck.

Roll neck.

And a poncho!

*vintage teatowel prop courtesy of Selina's Vintage!

She'll be at the Reverse Garbage Exhibition ::

Junkie Couture

  September 15 - 27th

 20 Burke Street

Woolloongabba

Brisbane

more creative spaces over here

Twiggy

My inspiration for Reverse Garbage's latest exhibition entitled

'Junkie Couture' focussing on fashion.

 I'm making something inspired by a fashion model of the '60's.

Twiggy - a stand out 'look' of that era.

Loving the heavy mascara,

which I didn't realize till now - was painted on, under her eyes!

*(finished doll is over here)*

My Creative Space

I'm back with the spray painting again!

This shelving unit (I can't remember if we got it in NZ or UK), was a dark brown wood before. 

I did a few coats on the outside and just one coat on the backing board. 

I like how you can still see the knots and grain through the paint.

Being a lighter colour, it has really opened up the space in our living area now.

I also repainted some of our old dining room chairs.

(I originally painted them white about 12 years ago

when I was pregnant with the eldest).

I've used an outdoor paint so that some of 

these chairs can go with the garden table.

And these are two of the second hand chairs we got a few months ago - with new coats on!

I love this blue, it went on really well. The yellow looks good too, but it was a nightmare

to spray on compared to the other colours I've been using. It dripped really easily,

so there are patches I need to sand over and do again.

(see the other chairs I've already done here)

Here's a bit more yellow for you -

some pineapple jellys setting for the little one (and her big sis) 

who is not well at the mo.

Kirsty asked us last week in My Creative Space  what our best tips were for staying creative.

I think that mixing things up a bit and stepping out of your comfort zone is a good thing.

Have a go at something a little different, even if it is still within your genre.

Push past the frustration barrier and keep going.

Also - always have something at hand,  to jot down new ideas 

or inspirations where ever you are. Either a notebook or sometimes

 I use Evernote on my phone, which is great for lots of lists.

(including the shopping list)

Thanks to Leonie for my gorgeous new notebook -

I love the tape measure page finder!!xx

More creative spaces and tips over here.

Ettie and Edmund

Here's the inspiration I was given for these dolls:

dark colours, retro pin ups, funky design, steam punk, 

moonlight, interview with a vampire, shiny things, vintage objects,

 vintage style, Victorian and Edwardian styling, carnivale, moulin rouge...

Inspiration from Reverse Garbage who's first exhibition of the year is

'Trash Amour'

For this exhibition they want 'romantic handmade items with a bit of attitude and edge'.

All items must be at least 75% recycled/repurposed.

(those beer bottle caps are his goggles!)

So here's some of the things I used:

an old tablecloth

wedding dress off cuts

vintage clip on earrings/

pearl bracelet on old metal spring

old trousers

vintage buttons

1960's neck tie

beer bottle caps

nuts from our broken fan

wire spring

napkins

op shopped charm bracelets

theatre costume off cuts

hands from a broken clock

stuffing recycled from plastic bottles

Ettie and Edmund

My recycled couple!

(not suitable for children)

*did you spot his key to unlock her heart(s)?

more creative spaces here

Getting back into it...

I've been dying stuff black.

Printing legs with painted doilies.

(sort of fishnet stockings?)

Cutting flowers.

Handsewing things that I'm not used to.

Been making some fluffy ears too,

cutting the long faux fur inside a plastic bag 

- otherwise it just gets everywhere!

Waiting to get stuffed.

Some are for pressies, some are not!

Lots to do to get back into it after the holidays,

what are you making??x

2011

Surreal. That is what I think I would call this year for us.

Starting over twice, not knowing where we would end up. 

The 'makes' I've shared here (on what has essentially become a craft blog),

have helped me get through alot of tough times thats for sure!

I have met some beautiful bloggers who are SO amazing and supportive,

challenging me to push the boundaries and have a go at things I wouldn't have otherwise.

This sounds a bit corny, but I am hoping for peace for us in 2012.

Just a bit please! Enough of the big decisions and dramas.

I just want to plod along and evolve.

See you next year you guys!!

xxxJennie.

My Creative Space - sentimental siblings

1. The redhead eldest - you can't quite see the freckles on her nose!

2. Always a grin and loves purple.

3. Loves pink! 

4. A tomboy, loved her teddy blanket as a baby.

5. Loves his rugby and spiderman!

I couldn't get these dolls out of my head,

and have been working on them constantly for the last week.

I'm nervous about sending them off altogether now -

will be relieved when they get to their home safely!xx

More creative spaces here.