Kelly

More buttons

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The rest of the hand printed linen buttons are listed and available to buy now.

I couldn’t resist putting these quirky ones in 🙂

If you like what you see, pop over to my Etsy shop for more photos and details.

Thanks for visiting and a happy and blessed weekend to you all!

Melbourne Aquarium

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My Dad very kindly gifted us a family pass to the aquarium and we went along this week.

These little guys are so cute!

We did go when it first opened about 10 years ago and we were really impressed with how much it’s improved.

Aren’t jellyfish the most majestic creatures?

I really recommend a visit if you haven’t already, there is so much to see and the huge glass room and tunnel are such a highlight. Some of the rays were absolutely massive and it’s a wonderful experience to watch them floating overhead.

Hand printed buttons

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I have a whole range of linen buttons hand printed with our original carved lino designs.

I’ll be listing a bunch of them in my Etsy shop over the next couple of days.

These are available now 🙂

And these are too.

They come in a set of three and you’re really only limited to your imagination when using them (if you’re like me you collect buttons mostly just to look at!)

The post is cheap too 😉

You can check them out here.

While I’m here I’d like to welcome all who are new to my blog and thank you so very much for stopping by. If you stop by regularly but have never said hi, please do, I love to know who I’m talking to and it means I can visit you too 🙂

Embroidered house print

by Kelly 5 Comments

I’ve had this little print on calico for ages and I’m not sure why it took me so long to have a go, I guess I haven’t really embroidered anything pre – printed before, so it seemed daunting.

I’ve been unwell the past couple of days and was looking for a project I could do in bed, so it seemed a perfect time to try this.

I’ve since decided that this is actually my dream house and I really should be living somewhere similar. Ah, well – one can dream, can’t one?

I didn’t plan and I just used what I had on hand. Some pretty silk ribbon, a little silk thread and plenty of good old fashioned DMC 🙂

I love how it turned out and I think I’ll be looking for more pre printed panels, or if I get time I could attempt to draw my own from scratch, I’ve always had a real thing for drawing beautiful homes.

Now it just needs a nice frame, I’m thinking white and shabby?

Oriental brick purse handbag

by Kelly 2 Comments

Yes, I’ve named this bag the Oriental brick purse handbag which sounds a bit nuts but there is a reason! Firstly, I’m really bad with naming things. Pets (the cat is named “Kitty”, the chickens are “the chooks”) or bags, or other inanimate objects – I’m just poor with names.

Secondly, this bag was designed to fit my purse, which I’ve dubbed “the brick” due to it’s immense size. It seems the day I went shopping for a new purse after the old one died, the shops were only selling huge ones, so I lucked out. And the bright red and black print is the oriental print from the print studio.

So, the purse fits perfectly with a little room leftover for a couple of tissues, a prayer book, keys or some other small essentials. The design is fairly basic with a magnetic closure and no pockets and a long strap to wear across the body, which is just how I wanted it.

I’m learning a lot about the design and construction of bags and of course the best way to learn is by doing!

Husband had a new lino design to try out, so I got him to print it onto a lovely little piece of linen I had and made it up into a pincushion. I love the way it looks! Simple, rustic, classy!

Can you believe he drew this design and then actually carved it out of a piece of lino, he just amazes me with what he can do with some lino and carving tools!

Spring in the garden

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I couldn’t resist getting out in the garden with the camera in between rain showers this morning.

When Spring arrives I feel it really is my favourite season.

Then when it comes to Autumn I say the same. I guess I can’t decide.

Husband was out planting seeds yesterday when it was very warm and windy and the timing turned out perfectly with the cool and showery day today.

Can’t you just smell that orange blossom?

I hope you’re having a wonderful day, whatever the season in your part of the world may be.

From the print studio

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Some experiments that turned out pretty well!

Hand dyed homespun with husband’s lino prints. Looks kinda oriental don’t you think? I like this one so much I’m going to make myself a bag with it 🙂

Hand dyed cotton lawn with linocut prints. Pretty.

Not sure I like black prints on the blue here, but it was an experiment after all!

I finally finished this UFO. I did the Maisy in wool felt and embroidery over a year ago to go with the quilt and hadn’t gotten around to making it up into a cushion.

It always feels great to finish something you started.

My littlest girl loves having a matching cushion for her quilt!

It was easy to do too – just traced the picture from a Maisy picturebook, cut out all the separate pieces and traced them on to wool felt. Things like the stripes on the pants, whiskers and bicycle spokes were embroidered.

Clothes sewing!

by Kelly 1 Comment

For husband, a Jalie Men’s top with 2 sleeve option. Really easy to make with really good result. I used black Stella and for the contrast sleeve stripey Hilco, both from Crafty Mamas.

For me, a Diane Kimono dress from Serendipity Studio. I purchased the pattern from Earthgirl Fabrics.

This was sort of a test one – I used inexpensive broadcloth which has turned out a little stiff, but altogether I’m fairly happy with the dress and look forward to making the next one out of a lighter fabric.

You’ll have to excuse my makeupless face 🙂

You can’t see the finer details of the dress here but it has a drawstring waist and crossover bodice. I had some sizing issues (Medium bust, small waist, extra large hips!) so my next one will go down a size in the bodice, the skirt size is just how I like it.

One of the main reasons I took up sewing was to make and repair clothes for my family, so it’s great when I actually have the time (and the fabric!) to do so, it’s really so very satisfying 🙂

Gossamer Dreams tonight!

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Gossamer Dreams opens tonight 8pm but you can head over and preview everything that will be available right now!

A little advice – if you see something you like, be prepared to be there just before 8pm so you’re ready when it opens. A lot of my items sold in the first 10 minutes last time I was a guest so you have to be quick!

Happy shopping and thanks for your support 🙂

A birthday outfit and some more sneakies…

by Kelly 3 Comments

My first girl turns 7 today (whoa, where did that time go?!)

I can’t tell you how difficult it is to make a surprise outfit for someone who is always home when I am, but I managed and it’s beautiful and a perfect fit 🙂

For the dress I used one of my fast becoming favourite patterns – Mareen from Cinderella Zwergen mode. A beautifully easy pattern that is simple in design and showcases special fabrics really well. Oh, and if you like the woodland fabric, it’s Lillestoff available here.

And for the Gossamer Dreams stocking here are some more sneak peeks of my items.

Gossamer Dreams opens on Saturday at 8pm so be sure to mark it on your calendar, there is just so much to choose from this month!