My Creative Space - Hexagons

I've been enjoying this lovely weather. Considering it is still meant to be Winter here, it is so lovely and warm. I can't wait until Spring is here for real.



Today, whilst looking for something else (which I still didn't find), I found my little hexagon kit from retromummy from last year's Sew It Together.



So I've been sitting here, by the open door, enjoying the warm, fresh breeze and stitching some hexagons.

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Before Sew It Together

I just want to go back a couple of weeks to some things that I did, but never blogged in the mad lead up to Sew It Together. The first thing was the gifts I made for Karen, who was lovely enough to allow me to stay at her house for the SIT weekend.

I made Karen a spec case using some of the Let's Enjoy Britain fabric I bought from the Pepperberry stand at the stitches and craft show. I also made Karen a matching journal cover (with visual diary inside) using some linen, and some Let's Enjoy Britain fabric. I used this tutorial to make the journal cover. My mum also got one of these for Mother's Day. The fabric was perfect for fussy cutting Ferris wheels, Beef Eaters, buses and cups of tea.

I also set the SIT weekend as a deadline for myself, to complete the puff purse I had been planning on making, to match my Teardrop purse. I'm so pleased I did, it's so nice to have a matching set. The Laura Gunn fabric is so beautiful. I really want some of her Poppies range too.

I made the Teardrop purse (the bigger one in the photo) at Nikki's class back in November and December. During the class, Nikki helped me to add a base to the bottom of the bag, and how to some additional structure.

I used some of what I learned in Nikki's class to add additional structure to the puff purse as well.

Sew It Together - Cass' Sample Swap

I was lucky enough to participate in Cass' sample swap during the Saturday Crafting Session at Sew It Together. Just for joining in, Cass gave us all little gifts! Actually, everyone got the moleskin notebooks, even those who didn't join in the swap, how generous is that? Cass must have been very busy stitching those together. We also got lovely pencils and a pendant in a cute envelope that Cass made out of vintage books.

I made these six purses to be swapped for other items.

And this is what I received in return...

A felted fabric flower from Susan of It's the Things that Make You Go Mmmm

A Tissue Case made by Patch Andi  Perfect for this time of year. Did anyone who went to Sew It Together not come home with a cold?

Scrap Basket from Bronwyn of Whippet Good  (that blog name makes me want to sing and dance). I really like the paper doll fabric on the basket.

A pair of Anti-bags (the bags you carry when you do not wish to carry a bag) from Susie of Yarn Planner  - I love the Ikea fabric! The bags are the right size for your mobile phone or iPod and your credit card or some money, so you can carry them when out and about, without having to take your whole hand-bag. You can just clip them onto a belt-loop and away you go!

This really cute needle-case, with perfectly stitched patchwork star on the front, from Bianca of Bianca Jae Makes Stuff. I have already put mine to use - it might be a bit easier to keep away from the kids than a pincushion.

And this lovely fabric covered journal from Renae of Pink Fish, Blue Fish. Renae was kind enough to include some extra fabric and a zipper so we can make a coin purse, as well as some lovely hand cream. I love this Ink & Spindle fabric, so I am really happy with this gift.

I feel really spoilt with all these lovely gifts. It was really nice to meet all the people who made them too. Back with more later...

Sew It Together - Shopping Trip

Image of Fabric being purchased - Amitie

When I signed up for Sew It Together, I signed up for the whole experience - this included the shopping trip. I caught the train to Melbourne and arrived just over an hour before we were due to meet the bus. After a bit of lunch I went back to wait at Citigate Hotel for the rest of the shoppers.

It was Trash that I first approached. I don't even remember what she was doing (knitting? sewing?) but she looked suitably crafty, so I went and said hi and introduced myself. It wasn't long before we were joined by several others and then off on the bus we went. We were all handed a lovely SIT bag with free gifts from the Oz Material Girls.

Image of Fabric being purchased - Amitie

Our first stop was Amitie, where Corrie joined the group (she was staying nearby) and the shopping began. I managed to grab some lovely fabric (at a special discount, just for us!) and then had some lovely afternoon tea that was put on by the ladies at Amitie before jumping on the bus and comparing purchases.

 Fabric purchased from Amitie

Patchwork on Central Park

Our next stop was Patchwork on Central Park, where more fabric was purchased and I picked up some bargain Echino!

Fabric purchased from Patchwork on Central Park

 There was a fabric quiz on the bus, and I won this lovely prize, kindly donated by the Oz Material Girls. 

After a trek across the city, we finally arrived at our last stop; Ink & Spindle. I brought home some lovely hand printed fabric from there.

Ink & Spindle - Entrance

Hand Printed fabric, purchased from Ink & Spindle

to be continued...

My Creative Space - Still Knitting...

Almost finished Noah's Jumper. The ball of wool is looking very small, hoping there's enough...

Using Chantell's interchangeable needles that she so kindly loaned me at Sew It Together. Thanks very much Channy, I am totally hooked, I've even already ordered my own wooden set, since I cant use the metal ones long term with my nickel allergy.

Also using some stitch markers that I made myself on Monday night. I think the crimps I used were a little large for the job, but you live and learn. I somehow managed to lose the set that I purchased from Suzanne. I am not sure if I somehow left them on the train (lost property says no) or if the shiny things have been snaffled by the "fairies".

I promise I will be back soon to blog about Sew It Together. It was such an overwhelming experience, I am finding it difficult to put into words - well, less than a million words...


For more creative spaces, visit Kirsty at Kootooyoo.

Sew It Together Badge Swap

I received my Sew It Together badge from the swap yesterday. Isn't it lovely? It was all wrapped up and tied with a bow with a couple of Columbines in there as well. I really should do that when I send swaps, it would give me a good excuse to buy bags of lollies, ha-ha-ha! Thanks Jo - I LOVE IT!

My recipient, Sue , emailed me last night to let me know that she received hers yesterday as well. Here it is all complete with Sculpey letter buttons. They were actually pretty tricky to sew onto a completed badge.

My Creative Space

It's been a while since I played with this stuff. I used it to finish off my badge for the Sew It Together name badge swap. I hope my recipient likes it. We managed to post it this morning without destroying the entire post office.

I will do a proper reveal with the name after it's been received.


For more creative spaces, visit Kirsty at Kootoyoo.

My Creative Space

I am working on the name badge swap for Sew It Together.

I finally have some text that is readable, but the badge needs to be no more than 9cm in any direction (hey, did it occur to anyone that name badges can be 3 dimensional, meaning your badge could stick out 9cms from the bearer's chest, tee-hee!). I think I have found a solution, hopefully it works.

But wait! There is no name on the badge! That's because it is a secret.... shhh... more will be revealed in the near future.

Visit Kirsty to see more Creative Spaces.