Completely (t)riveting

I had the fortune of going to Bendigo today. Along with half of Melbourne it would seem.

It's hard to imagine having a burning desire for a trivet. Which, as it happens. I do. It must be the hallmark of affluenza.

Then again, those folks in their adobe huts are probably completely sorted on this front - and are tsk-tsking as we speak.

Given the theme of this weeks crafting exercises (and the other bird projects I had on hand too naff to share) I thought I'd make myself a trivet.

















Indeed isn't this what every good host finds themselves doing at 10 pm the night before they have special guests coming for dinner?

But there WILL be hot dishes - brimming with hot food.

So I need something to put them on.

















I started drawing bird patterns that might be suitable - but everything was becoming samey. So I tried something a little more modernist rather than cutsey.

I'm not sure it works.

But then again it will be hidden by smouldering (messy) food. It may not even survive it's debut aesthetically intact.

In my 'night before crafting' after a long day I also discovered a few things about industrial grade wool felt:

It is REALLY hard to cut. Hence the plethora of laser cut stuff out there.

You can't dry felt stuff to it. Broke several needles, literally hammering this one home.

You can't hand sew through it. Unless you have needles made of diamond tipped titanium and an index finger of STEEL. But you can bob around the surface and perform some semblance of embroidery.

For a moment it looked like it was going to be awesome - but now I'm just tired and wondering what the hell I am doing still at the computer.

Perhaps it will look better in the morning.

Niwatori hai!

Let me keep this short. I am too tired and grumpy for words.






















I don't actually own any Japanese craft books. But if I did, this is how I imagine they would interpret a log cabin hen.

Lots of yummy linen in subtle, neutral shades. Wooden buttons. Contrasting thread. Recycled kimono silk.

















In this case, scaled up from a pin cushion size, to something large enough to hold the door open.

1.5 kg of wheat in this baby - that's one hungry chicken.

















Enough pretty, cutesy craft here.

New rule. In our house you have to be useful.

As self appointed law maker - new rule does not apply to me. Something to do with absolute sovereignty, as I recall.

The littlest bird

The family tree has been updated.

















No schmancy Louis Ghost chair this time. Just my hard rubbish kitchen chair.























The only chair in the house not flocked with cat hair.

Now excuse me while I go to the supermarket. Like Mikes, I don't think there is anything "Grand" about a football match.

I try to avoid supermarkets on the weekends - I am hoping it is a ghost town.

Just me and the hum of fridges and the flicker of dodgy neon. I might even sing along with the muzak.

Fishy Fish... still a work in progress

I had a brain wave about these guys that originally were supposed to be a cushion cover...

Such fiddly little bits that are only machine stitched on - no match for cats, dogs, kiddlies or a washing machine for that matter.

















Why not instead a wall hanging - and a good excuse to use some of my kimono fabric scraps which are wasting away in the cupboard?






















And quite frankly I'm sick of having to move it every time I want to use my sewing machine (its home for the past year has been draped over the machine cover as it is the only place I can keep it flat without the cats nesting on it).

I finally finished the top stitching and blocked it together with some like minded panels. It still needs at the very least a larger piece above - something tonally similar to the linen - but with a bit of a pattern perhaps?






















I'm not convinced that this is its final incarnation (and definitely not its final destination). I have only tacked it all together and not even straightened or finished the sides - but at least it's no longer sitting on the machine.























The eagle eyed will also spot my Mirabella softie WIP. I feel Claire's pain.

Warm Fuzzy

A little project that I've had on the back burner for a while (no pun intended). Finished and appreciated...

















I'm not sure why I've decided to make the ugliest part of our lounge room a feature - but perhaps it's a vain attempt at deflection?

I made my own corded binding (properly this time). I now understand why there are special sewing machine feet to do this. Trying to hide the stitch line on the bind is really tricky. I even used a single sided zipper foot to get as close as possible but the seam is still not close enough when turned right side out.

Oh well, it is going to get covered in cat hair and pup-crust soon enough so I should just bite my tongue (but before I do, if the dog does destroy it, I think the gingham would look better cut on the bias)

















Though I hardly expect you to form an opinion as to the cushion's aesthetic value - as these are quite possibly the worst photos I've ever taken. That's the catch with seeking constant improvement - it demands constant diligence. I hereby hang up my perfectionist mantle and give you "barely adequate". I can live without the ulcers for now.


Inspired by this wee guy. Apologies but I have no idea where this photo is from. I assume by the kawaii perfection of the shot it's from a Japanese craft tome.

Kris Kringle

What do you give a woman who has everything?

I don't actually know, so in the absence of a great idea I made her a pillow.

I suspect history is about to repeat. Crafty things as presents echoes of my maternal grandmothers penchant for "china painting". Actually very sweet and well intended. For the first 10 years. Then it started to be a bit wearisome. All things considered though, I have never suffered the indignantly of being short of a bud vase or lacking a small decorative plate. And with my surfeit of doilies and crocheted hankies, I have never known a decorating crisis nor an unladylike attack of the sniffles.


I was actually quite chuffed with my magpies - until I realised my understudies were of the northern hemisphere variety and it was too late to change (Yay last minute crafting).

Now that I've realised, I can't seem to notice anything other than that at the very least their beaks should be white. Aargh. Perhaps I'll sneak into her house one day and make some ninja style modifications.

This was also my first attempt at binding. I forgot to get cord (one trip to Spotlight on Christmas eve was more than enough for me). So I used some wool yarn instead. Here's hoping it doesn't get put through the machine on hot. It turned out pretty well I think - I only had to unpick once when I forgot to put the binding on before the invisible zip. Yes I AM a professional.

Its hard to see in the photo, but the birds are actually a deep navy - which really pops against the natural linen colour (without being as severe as black would have been). The "glint" is of course my favourite acid yellow. The binding, which I really wish I'd taken a shot of, is a nice indigo and cream fabric reminiscent of the Eames dot pattern. And yes, it was the perfect excuse to lash out on some yummy Japanese linen. Even though I block fused the applique, it still distorted. There really is a lot of give in the weave of this fabric. But that is the nature of linen, which if it weren't for the pin stripe, none would be any the wiser.

Slowly taking shape

Craft vs Art

And this is what every gal should tell herself daily...

This has actually been finished for a couple of weeks - but between work and a computer with a dodgy power supply, I really haven't been able to do much updating.

I've another reason for not posting this earlier... but it is a confession of sorts.

This cushion was supposed to be a birthday present for someone very nice way back in July. Definitely a high caliber fox at that. Unfortunately after lots of quality time spent together sewing and what not - the thought of actually parting with my little friend is, well kind of difficult.

I'll freely admit greedy thoughts of "well her birthday was quite a while ago..." and "she wouldn't even know..." are often mused in moments of weakness. Not very charitable of me is it?

How do other crafters do it?

Which brings me to my next issue. I sort of promised Jms that I would set up an Etsy shop by his birthday. Yes well that was a week ago and still nada - but that's beside the point. The point is that I have all these little designs that I have been (v.v.v. slowly) working on with the intention of selling them. But I am finding it really problematic - because I can't seem to bear to part with any of them!

I love them, have dreamt about them, deliberated and slowly nurtured them into life - what if, god forbid, no-one loves them as much as me?

My only clue to the answer to this conundrum is that this passion I feel for these little projects suggests something actually quite profound. I have turned my hand to many things in my life. Always searching for that "thing" that puts a fire in my belly. Crafting is something I have always dabbled with - but in my heart of hearts did not ever credit it as great art. Aesthetic consumption perhaps. And in my darkest moments when my critical eye is appalled at the footprint I am leaving on this earth, I think how could I possibly justify the creation of more stuff that no-one actually needs?

But that passion - that care and indefinable imprint of yourself that is imparted - does that not make it art? And Art I can justify. Art breathes life into a stale mind. Art can change minds. And if you can change enough minds - you can change the world.

So if my craft invokes a deep emotional response in me (even if it is just soft furnishings) I'm inclined to believe that it has intrinsic value, that others too may appreciate.

Granpa's couch lives on

Lucky me scored the Monday before Cup day off as well - so Ive been able to spend my 4 day weekend getting some big jobs done - such as recovering the couch (excuse the blurry shot but our house is delightfully Art Deco but very dark on the sunniest of days). The new foam was a bit of an expense - but soo comfurtables. I've used linen because its got such a nice hand feel and sheen that seems to be fairly resistant to cat hair - but I fear it may not be sturdy enough to cope with snuffling dogs.

Fortunately it was very cheap (from one of my favourite fabric haunts) so if it doesn't cope it won't be the death of me. I saw some lush Japanese linen that was divine from my local fabric shop, but at $55 p/m it was a little too lux for my budget.

Oh Hai!

It seems I have finally emerged from my creative hibernation - with a record 3 projects completed this weekend!

Firstly - the finishing of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Admittedly not strictly my project per se - but as fellow gentle readers shall attest, it has been a commitment spanning several years. In many respects, as I had enjoyed the story so much, I was not looking forward to the final installment - the end of a fantastical journey filled with real tears and laughter. Not to mention nights cuddled up with my best beloved hanging off his every word. Yes I am the luckiest 32 yr old alive to still be read aloud to - he even does voices. But it is, or was, a privilege reserved only for the Potter series. No more arguments about pronunciation - cries of that's not Hagrid's voice - and the once surreal experience of discovering a small bat flying about the house during a particularly chilling chapter.

But without spoiling a thing for those who have not yet read - I am actually somewhat relieved now that it is over. Too many sleepless nights spent worrying about the emotional and physical wellbeing of a fictional teenage boy.

As a side note: the subsequent hysteria and caterwauling associated with the harm of actual people I know is a force to be reckoned with. And a warning to all vets: I am without doubt the most inept and appallingly behaved pet owner you could ever wish to deal with. Fortunately my brother is a vet, so you may be spared the indignity. Besides, years of abuse as my younger sibling has numbed him to all pain.

I digress. So the Potter saga is over - and while I may miss the thrill of the unknown ending, I am perfectly content in its conclusion and any pangs of longing I have for the exquisite world of Hogwart's can be instantaneously quenched by the opening of a book. Just as Narnia, Middle Earth and other such places will always exist on my bookshelf waiting to tempt an idle afternoon.

Second on my list of accomplishments is I have FINALLY put the binding on my quilt. Hurrah. Now I can rankle over what I wish I did differently and inevitably start collecting fabric for the next one. The sun even came out momentarily for a picture. Excuse the overly verdant garden but I also had to take a picture of my new sneakers. Not quite ruby slippers but just as magical (hey - they can put a smile on my face instantly - and I have been known to sing songs about them) I wonder if that's how it started for Imeda. First purple now silver. I have forewarned jms that this may become a problem. For him.

And finally the third project to have its eyes dotted and nose stitched - indeed the little face heading this post. Sometime this week M & J's new bub a.k.a. 'cashew nut' shall be making an appearance - so Aunty Cato had to extractus digitus and make a softie suitable for a lil 'un.






















Possibly a little too "if Jimi Hendrix made plush toys" yet for some reason this fabric always spoke to me of giraffes gone wild. Hopefully an ideal size for tiny grasping hands and a wee face ripe for sucking on. Partly "Splendid Toy Book" with a large shout out to julie giraffe, a treasured gift from Miss Red. And check out her sweet hiney.

Quick... look like you've been busy

Yay ! Only one more sleeps till jms gets home (assuming he's on the plane). Anyways - no cake this time but don't you think every good boy deserves bunting?

WIP update: I still haven't managed to bind my quilt that I picked up nearly 3 weeks ago - but this is slowly turning into this. Nevermind that it is supposed to be a birthday present for Gem (the party was only 2 weeks ago). Quite frankly its been too cold to sew (well my sewing machine doesn't fit under the doona I've taken to wearing around the house). So there. Hey - I made bunting!

Paperweights

Do you think this is a sign I'm not using my workroom enough?

Family Tree - Completed and in situ

Family Tree WIP

This is an idea I had for a cushion cover some time back and am just getting around to. Continuing with my obsession with birds (can you blame me? its such a simple and elegant silhouette) I had an idea where I had a perfect excuse to use their motif but actually put the little buggers to work...

I fashioned my own tree design which was transfered to fused fabric and machine stitched to a linen backing. And now for the birds - one for each member of the family (obviously there's room for more babies!). The cushion is for Bronald, Ferg and Imi, with whom I'll be visiting in Syd soon. My last visit there was a flurry of activity and new house decorating - in which I introduced B to the joys of "acid yellow" (border colour anyone?).

Truly an addictive palette - it is fresh, has the wow factor and excitement of canary yellow - but is ever so slightly in the 'cool' spectrum, thus is charmingly soothing and relaxing. A welcome addition to any home. Part gift, part "I promise this colour will be OK..." And as a thankyou to F for putting up with our decorating maelstrom - I've used the beautiful italian cotton from one of his old shirts for the birds.

WIP - Midnight quilting