stitching up a treat: part two

GG's embroidery is coming along in leaps and bounds.  The space that I have left to embroider has shrunk very rapidly.  I challenged myself to add another motif- and perhaps on the tail end of making a felt cupcake, I decided to embroider a cupcake on felt.  This time I decided to keep it simple and not spend time embroidering a detailed fill.  My only concern is that the icing looks a little like pink poop (GG will probably pick up on this and find it hilarious). I also added some Trendy Triangles.  Because triangles are the new Diagonal Lines (I was using diagonal lines a lot as fillers on E's embroidery.  Very circa 2005) .  But really, it was nice working with a simple graphic element for a change- sometimes I get embroidery envy of those who can do simple but artfully composed work.  But most of all I liked working with the bright colours- I made a beeline for a clean bright turquoise, mustard yellow, coral pink and purpley blue.
At the moment I working on the fill for the sky, gradually increasing the intensity of the colour so that it is a decent shade of sky-blue.  I 'm wanting to tie up some loose ends and make sure that I have some of the bigger components completed before I move onto my next major motif- Fly the Border Collie, which will take up the majority of the space left on my fabric.  It will also take some thought in terms of composition and will challenge my (minimal) dog-drawing skills.  

Readers- I need your help..!  I added this rainbow thread butterfly at the beginning of the year, trying to replicate the success I had with the one on E's embroidery.  However this one has come out looking a little fugly and messy, so I think that it needs a little TLC to help realise its full potential.  So I'm open to suggestions as to how I can improve it.  At the moment my thoughts are to whip-stitch around the teardrop bits in single-colour thread, add more metallic thread to the lower wing, and to add a French Knot eye.  Hopefully that would work somehow...


Hope that you are having a wonderful weekend!

stitching up a treat

Sometimes, you just need to craft something simple.  Sometime ago, I had brought felt donut and cupcake magnet kits from Daiso, the Japanese two-dollar shop.  Now my love of Daiso and its craft kits has been well documented, but has not stepped into kawaii territory- until now.

These two kits are ridiculously simple, quick and cute- talk about instant craft gratification!  My favourite has to be the chocolate-iced donut- simply because it is so donut-y.  And they look fab on the fridge! Cupcake cross stitch via Stitch'd Ink (also instant craft-gratification..!)
Hope that you have a lovely weekend.

Lucky Penny October (and some news)

Hello there!  Just a quick wee post to say that Lucky Penny is on next Tuesday!!  I'm going to be bringing a fine selection of crafty things to give away to the Lucky Penny-ers (uhhh.. something like- wool, origami paper, buttons, perhaps some fabrics and other interesting things).


Why, you ask, are you giving away your craft supplies?


I'm going to be moving to Melbourne at the end of October- there have been changes with my work, and I've now accepted a job as a designer (yay! But same-same but different).  So this will probably be my last Lucky Penny (unless I take it with me to Melbourne and hit the craft circuit there)  Perhaps I could become a Brown Owl and hang out at Meet Me At Mikes? I'm lucky that Melbourne is such a creative city, but I must say that I am kind of fearing the 40 degree heat that the summer brings...  But seriously, I think it could take me a good few months to even feel remotely settled there, you know, get used the changes with the job, find a new house (and decorate...I think Ikea is going to be making some money from me), and in between that really try and make some new friends. My brain at the moment is really ticking overtime- there is an incredible amount of things that I need to achieve before I board that plane, and connecting with the people who matter most is high up there (as is selling may car...) I remember my jewellery teacher once saying to me that I was nomadic as I seemed to change my address at least once a year.  Now I think he's right as this is the third time I've moved this year.  So I'm hoping that this blog can be a little outlet as I move into another chapter in my life
Anyway enough for now!  Catch you on Tuesday!

helping out

I'm putting my craft to use by making a softie for Christchurch kids. Thanks to Leonie from Kiwi At Heart I have found a fantastic and cheerful way to help the people of earthquake struck Christchurch- and signed up straightaway. I'm not quite sure of the design or even what it will be made of yet...possibly a doll or a teddy- classics but easy to understand and relate to. This weekend I will be a-crafting- updates to follow. So, my question is- would you like to help?

Lucky Penny- Back for 2011

Just a quick note to say that Lucky Penny Crafty Club is back for 2011. Next catch up: Tuesday 1st February- details on flyer above. Would be great to see you there!

Lucky Penny May!

For the crafty-inclined of you, the next Lucky Penny Crafty Club is so so soon! Next Tuesday 4th May, from 7.30pm at Mezze Bar, Durham Lane, Auckland. See you there!

ALSO... those of you who know me personally.. as I have been promising-there are indeed photos from my very very recent trip to JAPAN which will make an appearance on this blog... once I have sifted through 1000+ of them (whew!) I'll also be bringing some of my gorgeous new Japanese craft and fashion mags to Lucky Penny for a show-and-tell. Yay!

new motifs

Well, its been a little while since I have last posted here. And a little while since I finished working on these motifs, so I think I'm well overdue for a little show and tell...

I at longlong last finished the hot air balloon in the corner (complete with French Knot clouds) which I remember starting about 2007 or 2008. It took me a ridiculously long time to work on. Ok. There was admittedly alot of stop/start stitching and 'put down' time, all simply beacuse all that tiny tiny stitching on the balloon itself was driving me nuts. A labour of love (and an exercise in patience) you might say. Am I pleased with the result? Sure am.

Boo! Next on the list is the ghostie. My niece, who I am making this for, doesn't mind 'the scaries', so I decided to add a ghost. Glow in the dark of course. I couldn't resist checking it out in the dark after working on a section. This time I got an opportunity to work with lovely variegated blue thread which I have been trying to find a home for. Perfect place. A little more aware of the time when working on this motif, I decided to fill in the body of the ghostie with a squiggly couched texture.

So whats next? A ballerina dancing across the middle of the fabric. So pink, pink and more pink. And a candy garden. Of course.

Lucky Penny November!

Wow, its very nearly November! And that means on the first Tuesday of the month its Lucky Penny Day! Lucky Penny is a monthly craft-friendly social event run by the lovely Heleen (Ruby in the Dust) and me! The next event is on the 3rd November, 7.30pm onwards at mezze Bar, Durham Lane in Auckland. There you go, just like the poster above.

catch you there!

thank you

Just a little note... Thank you to all the people who have brought violet&may over the last year of craft-fairs (especially Kraftbomb). I'm going to take a little holiday from 'commercial crafting' (as I like to call it) for a while.

But don't fret! I will still be making things! At the moment I have a handful of projects on the go-go so I will try and try to post them as I finish them :)

Also, soon soon (tomorrow) is Lucky Penny Crafty Club! Please come along to Mezze bar (I will point out that we will be sitting at the couches at the back of the bar.

p.s. please approach knitting socks with extreme caution. More about that later.

making up the rules

A couple of days ago, Heleen and I hosted the first Lucky Penny Crafty Club. It was great to be able to host a gathering of crafters (or so to speak). It is nice to make up the rules (ok there arent any rules, but I just like saying that).

I'm in a little bit of project overload, so I've decided to list, just for the sake of listing:

• Bridesmaid dress x1- my sister is getting married soon, and I'm a bridesmaid. For lack of anything suitable to wear, I've decided to make a dress. Simple and stylish is all that is needed.
• Gift for aforementioned wedding- a gift that will have to be kept a secret at the moment. But when complete (and post wedding) I shall show you.
• Borders on the blanket- my endless project, a luxe yet homespun looking (bed-size, not knee-size) patchy blanket; presently on hold as my wool supply has run out.
• The new jewellery project- thankfully I can only work on this in class time. I'm making a hair-comb with a large turquoise stone set into it. Very mermaid-y.
• The scarf from bad wool- a multicoloured scarf from a kind of yucky acrylic wool. Knitting for the sake of knitting...
• Additional extras- a barely started painting, new things for craft fairs, and I've been wanting to make a matryoscka doll softie (but think I will leave that for Lucky Penny time)

...Is that all???

introducing...Piggilina

Still in 'catch up' mode, here are some pictures of a softie that I have been itching to show you since about December.  I normally don't make softies, you see.  But with my little niece's 4th birthday coming up (ok- been and gone now!) this was a perfect excuse to try something new... and as this little girl thinks that little piggies are very cute, Piggilina (as I called her) was born.  

I was trying the 'quirky' soft toy think, but somhow it ended up having an Auntie spin to it.  I especially like the bow on her tail!  This softie was a hit with Miss G :)  Who knows- I could make more softies in the future!

new year, new sewing

I think that there has been a bit of a delayed response with my blogging this year (so far).  It kind of goes like this.. do some craft/sewing/see something inspiring. Think about blogging about it.  Then watch the time slip by... 

So now I am seizing the moment, and finally blogging about something (if only about a week too late!)  I had been hoarding some luscious Liberty 'Mim' fabric for some time, and have finally turned it into something worthwhile: version 3.0 of the 'ever versatile top'- this time a ray of sunshine!  This time I had accessorised with some very cute little cross-stitch buttons from the lovely Heleen at Ruby In The Dust- which I had purchased at a craft fair earlier and just happened to be a perfect match colour-wise!

all stitch'd up

I do like tattoos, even though I must confess that I don't own any (some combination of my Libran indecisiveness and slight fear of needles)!  So I brought a Stitch'd Ink design at Kraftbomb a few months ago and have finally finished the design.  Somewhere along the lines I forgot that cross stitch is very addictive- I'm sure thats because you don't really have to think much while working on them (that happened once or twice and I ended up forgetting to do a row or two! Oops!).  I did add the word 'Auntie' an old-school tattoo font which was a bit of a challenge- especially the 'A' which has all sorts of odd angles.  I chose to add the word 'Auntie' as I've been an auntie since I was 6 (most of my life) and I thought this would be a great way to make it some kind of badge. I do like the charm and irony of a piece like this.  I will get it framed eventually- most likely in a type of frame that is at odds with the design.  

I've also been working on a little painting- I'll post that when it's done!

notes from the craft fair

new necklaces

suzy-lee collars

button collars

Today was kraftbomb day, and it went really well.  There was a really positive atmosphere with this craft fair- lots of friendly people, neat crafts and live music which really added to the atmosphere.  I had some new collars to show (they were not very photogenic... I am a terrible photographer, and the ones I really wanted to show you turned out blurry.  Oops.)  I also added some necklaces with a bow shape- an idea to use up left over fabric and to try something new.  I left feeling really positive about the whole craft thing.  Sometimes I think its so nice to be able to participate in something like that.

Another piece of news-news that I've been neglecting to mention is that my collars have recently been listed on Toggle, a website that sells New Zealand craft, which is quite special.  So even if you can't make to the craft fairs they will be online (yay!).

Its a long weekend in New Zealand, which is nice.  It is so relaxing to have an extra day off- I plan to spend it finishing off reading Sense and Sensibilty (Jane Austen of course!) which is surprisingly good.  And I will dip into my Liberty stash and make myself yet another smocky top from my super-easy and useful pattern....  Perhaps I will show you the results in the next post.

little collars

These little peter pan collars are ridiculously cute.  A sort of a mix of something that references jewellery and clothing all at the same time.  And did I mention that they were cute? And ric-rac is now the best thing since sliced bread- I can't believe that I haven't used it before in my crafting...

new scarf

A new scarf is always a good thing. Especially when you made it yourself.

pincushion swap?

Ah after my 'no taking on projects' rant in my last post, I've been bitten by an impulse (everything seems to be impulsive these says) to do a pincushion swap. I love pincushions, and the fact that theyre small but perfectly formed (as well as helpful and tidy. perfect housewife in a craft). Is anyone keen? Leave a comment if you are and we can organise from there!

Bye!

new flat (yay)

Another post with no pictures! And this is supposed to be a craft design blog...

On the flat-hunting front. Much of a source of drama and amusement flat hunting has been, but now I have a flat to move into. Very good. It means that I can play interior designer for as long as I can keep my room tidy-ish, which I suspect wont be for long. Its not too far away from where I used to live, so I am quite familar with the area. It also means that I don't have to pull out into hideous traffic if I'm driving to work. The flat is with a couple and a cat (a hunter I hear), and seems laid back, my room is pale blue and sunny, which is great. My room in my last flat was quite large, but dark, which made it feel ever so lonely, even though I loved having lots of space. Bring on the cozy flat I say!

On the craft front. I'm in a work-in-progress mess. Seriously, I keep convincing myself that I will finish a project soon, but then go and somehow make it more complicated than it needs to be, probably so that I can keep on working on it. Number of works in progress: 4. Number of finished pieces: 0.
I have warned myself not to take on any more embroidery related pieces, even though I want do some crafty Christmas presents. Not having a set postal address held me back ffrom participating in the Christmas Ornament Swap, which I'm in a weird way, kind of grateful for, as I'm sure I would have had too many crafts and not much time...

On the jewellery front. The neverending cuff is still neverending. Uh- oh. And I only have 2 classes left in my term at the jewellery school. This is quite concerning for myself and my tutor (I think he is wanting some closure.) simply because I cannot see myself finishing my piece by the end of the year. I spent last night tidying up the 'butterfly wing' pieces of the cuff, but there is so much more work to be done (more cutting, more filing, sanding, buffing, soldering, polishing....). It really makes you respect jewellery as an artform. I'm watching the graduating fulltime students work on their masterpieces- amazing, but I am hoping that they don't get too strung out about it, like I did over my collection when I was at uni. I'll take a photo of the neverending cuff at the end of the term to show my (slow) progress...

On the auntie front. Only 2 more days of being a live in auntie! I will miss my little nieces when I move out, as they have been so lovely to their old auntie :)

top five friday...craft junkie-ism

After reading SadieandLance's post on Craft Junkies, I suspect that I am a craft junkie and quite possibly a fabric-holic (I am convinced that they are of the same ilk). So what would define a craft junkie? That is my question. So I have come up with a few things that would probably help define a craft junkie of sorts...


5. The 'I can't keep still' thing. On the whole, I'm sure that crafters are probably a very patient bunch- crafts do have a tendency to take up a lot of time and effort. I like the irony of the 'I can't sit still' thing- a crafter patiently sitting still but being very busy with craft at the same time. This is where the fidgety 'I have no craft' withdrawl symptom comes into play... I'm not sure if I can 'sit still' in earnest now that I am firmly entrenched in the knitty-knit.

4. The 'I haven't tried this craft yet' thing. New crafts= new crafting addictions. Simple.

3. The 'I just saw this fabric/yarn/thread' thing. The start of a new project, when something just happens to have your name written all over it, and you're not quite sure what it will be but it looks good anyway! This is a very important factor for fabric-holics! Buying fabric just because it looks nice, without having a clue what you will use it for! (This probably explains why I have a decent sized pile of Liberty fabric that I haven't used yet....)

2. The 'middle of the project new idea' thing. You know, when you are in the middle of a project and you get the Next Big Idea and suddenly it seems that your current project isn't so hot anymore. Restlessness I say.

1. The 'I will just add one more detail' thing. Thats bad. Baaaaaad! You know what I mean... This is when a small project turns into a big one. Take my blanket for example- it started off with 9 squares, grew into 25 squares (to actually make it blanket-sized) and now it is not only 25 squares and with several borders... and now I am contemplating making one of the borders up with a cable pattern... Somehow I always end up making more work for myself! But seriously, I think that it is this mentality can make the difference between an average project and a beautiful one.

Anyhow I must run. It is Friday and Project Runway will be on tonight! And I will do a smidgen, just a smidgen- of work on my embroidery, just because looks a little neglected :)

the craft guilts

Do you ever get the craft guilts? You know, when you have not one, but several unfinished craft projects hanging around your home saying "Hey, you haven't finished me! Don't you abandon me for a shiny new project". I most certainlty have. I think its a little compounded by the fact that I have a list on the sidebar of this blog reminding me of what I have not yet finished. And I have that 'crazy new idea' problem (OK so perhaps crazy new ideas arent really a problem at all- usually they are a good thing) that shunts the 'not-so-urgent' projects down the list.

Here are the top offenders:

1. Scalloped neckline top. Yes, all I have to do is stitch the facing, and belt loops on. Is it really that hard?? No- then why havent I finished it yet?? I think it has almost become my weekly joke when leaving work on Friday "I'm going to finish that top this week- no, seriously, I will!"

2. Painting with lines and trees. I think this is more a matter of being inspired to paint. I worked on it for quite a while, but lately, paintings not happening. I even have a space in the living room all set out for it, but of course I won't display the painting til its finished.

3. Embroidery for my niece. Now this is a bit of an exception to the rule of craft guilts. I abandoned working on this when I took up knitting, but I actually think that I am procrastinating on purpose, just so that I can prolong the process a little more. I have already been carrying this embroidery around for a good four years- so I guess a few extra months won't hurt. I am one and a bit motifs away from finishing this piece (note the unfinished dog that looks like it is standing on the red bird's head), and I think it will be a bit sad when I finish, so at the moment, I am happy to give it a rest over the winter months.

And the irony is that I probably could have finished that top instead of posting about it!