Kelly

A successful barter and a whinge!

Remember my post about bartering? Here is what I received in the mail today, thank you Gilly, what a welcome parcel! I don’t own many crafting books, so you’ve just doubled my collection. I just love surprises!

Now for the whinge. I picked up my sewing machine yesterday after it jammed and had to wait a week whilst it was (apparently) repaired. Naturally, I was very eager to use it yesterday, but what with h.schooling starting back today I had a lot to organise. Anyway…… I managed to steal a few moments earlier to work on a skirt, and, lo and behold – it’s still jammed!!
This is the point where I had to stem my natural inclination to run to the phone to ask the repairer if there had been a misunderstanding, as in – I give you $80, you give me fixed machine. Yes I appreciate your dusting my machine, after all it was a bit dusty, but I actually wanted to use it not just look at it. Ok, Ok, now I’m getting snitchy, but surely not without justification?!

On a lighter note, our first day back at h.school after the hols’ went brilliantly despite a toddler with a tummy upset and it has generally been a very good day.

Off to the sewing centre I go…………

WAHM ideas

by Kelly 7 Comments

I know many of you who read my blog are stay at home mums, as I am. For the record, I haven’t been able to find a way of making a regular income from home even after trying for 10 years! I’ve tried selling books, second hand clothes, I’ve even advertised in the local paper to do ironing with a total success rate of 0!! I’ve been able to sell a few craft items here and there for the equivalent of slave wages – not very sustainable. I wish it was as simple as following your passions and “what you’re good at”. However, I haven’t given up and I’m more determined than ever to earn money without having to compromise my family by seeking work outside the home.

1. Sell your crafts

2. Online shop

3. Clothing alterations

4. Market stall

5. Childcare (Family day care in your own home)

6. Freelance services (bookeeping, financial services, design etc)

7. Employer arrangement to work from home

8. Write ebooks

sites to check out:

www.workathomemums.com.au

www.wahm.com

www.wahm-ideas.com

www.wahmbizsuccess.com

Maybe this will be your year? (and hopefully mine!)

An empty space (sniffle..)

by Kelly 3 Comments

X marks the spot on my work table which is the home of my faithful Janome. As you can see, nobody is home today, nor tomorrow, not the next day either. In fact, this space will be empty for a whole week! A week of listless glances in this direction as I wander past. A week of concocting projects I can cut out in readiness for her return.
Perhaps it’s a good thing she jammed and is “in the shop” (in the middle of a doll order I might add!) Perhaps I might finally catch up on all those assignments I owe my tutor, perhaps I’ll clean out those cupboards that need it.
I don’t think I realised how integral the sewing machine has become to my life, what a great release it is to be able to sit and sew. The lady at the sewing centre said “Oh well, you can have a rest from it for this week” to which I replied “It is my rest!!”

Buy secondhand!

by Kelly Leave a Comment

One of my goals for this year is to save money by always looking for a second hand alternative before buying new. Not only will this save me money, but can often mean better quality in the age of the “made in China” sticker. I also think in this throwaway society we waste far too much, and I don’t want to contribute to that.

Throughout the year I’m going to keep tabs here on how much I’ve saved on items that I’ve bought second hand. Here is the most recent purchase – a used television (no I haven’t relented on my views of TV, it’s for a new Xbox, not for watching! )

1. Television –

Second hand price $170

New price – Couldn’t find an exact price but it would have to be at least $270, more like $300.

Saving – $100

For the record, I looked at used xbox ‘s but the price was no different, so decided to buy new.

Next purchase – bunk beds………

Total savings tally for 2010 – $100

Dyed skirt from scratch and a beautiful artwork

by Kelly 6 Comments

As I mentioned in another post, someone had skirt envy after seeing her sister’s old skirt makeover.

This time I made up the skirt as I went along. I started with white cotton lawn, made 3 tiers and an elasticated waistband.

The first dye bath was pink, then, while the skirt was still damp I dipped the bottom hem in yellow to get the graduated orange blending into the pink. The effect I was after was something like a sunset.

It’s a little more mottled than I would have liked and next time I’ll make the colours stronger, but it’s all good experience and plenty of fun.

My husband thinks I should make these to sell.

A while ago I won talented Israeli artist Ayelet’s giveaway and received this print of one of her artworks yesterday. It’s just gorgeous, she has a wonderful style. She’s also selling embroidery patterns of her artworks now, head over to her Etsy shop for a look.

Thank you Ayelet, I love it!

It started with one…

by Kelly 6 Comments

It always starts with one. One little hand sewn wool felt bear. “Oh, how cute!” says happy child as said bear is whisked away for a game. Sure enough, in a relatively short period of time, another little face appears beside me. “Mum, bear – make?” She may have a limited vocabulary but she knows what she wants! Once again, said bear is whisked away.
Then the bears need “friends” to play with.
Then Mum opens her big mouth and suggests that, given there are now 3 bears a game of Goldilocks could be an option.
“But Mum, we don’t have a Goldilocks!” they chime with shining eyes.

It always starts with one……

Skirt recon

by Kelly 9 Comments

We were given this skirt, it was a size 10, a bit grotty and stained and, well, you can see, not in the best condition. However, “G” could see it’s potential and “wanted it!”

First I cut out the dodgy old zip and seam and made an new, zipless side seam. I also cut off the original waistband and made a casing for elastic.

Next came the fun part – dyeing!

It was first dyed in a light turqoise colour and hung out to dry. Then I attempted graduation dyeing with a darker blue by dipping just the bottom hem for 10 minutes or so, wringing it out and wrapping in plastic overnight. Washed out again, hung out to dry and…….

Voila! A brand new skirt with a marvellous twirl factor!

Guess who else wants one now?

Is bartering dead?

by Kelly 6 Comments

I’m about to find out. I’ve offered this doll for barter over at the Crafty Mamas forum. I’ve been thinking for some time about the differences between city and country living, and this is one of them. It’s not called bartering in the country though – it’s just what you do. For example:

Mrs. Randell has a glut of apricots this year, she gives you a box of them and you give her a basket of fresh vegetables from your garden.

You have excess eggs from your chooks so you ask the Robertsons if they want any. They do, and they have just made a batch of strawberry jam from their strawberry garden so you become the happy recipient of a couple of jars.

Things are really different here in the city. I find it hard to trust people and to take their word. I don’t ask people for help because that’s just not what you do here. And bartering? Well, that’s just non existent here, whether you call it bartering or not.
I’d love to barter more because, to me, it’s not all about making a sale. It’s about sharing something of yourself and what you have with others and receiving the same in return.
I’ll let you know how my attempt turns out!

Hooray! Some sewing to show you!

by Kelly 9 Comments

Not one top finished, but two! I started with the Miss Madeline dress pattern for the top half then altered the bottom half (winged it, basically!) This one had to be “green and purple – my favourite colours!”

This one is the Miss Madeline pattern again, only shortened to make a long top instead of a dress. I prettied it up with some hand applique and embroidery.

A close up of the applique and embroidery. Both of the tops are made from Stella knit fabric which I purchased from Crafty Mamas.

I love making clothes for my girls, I find bought tops are cut way too short for little girls these days and pants are cut too low. I want my girls to look stylish but modest.

A lovely book

by Kelly 5 Comments

(Image from amazon.com)

I borrowed this book from the library and am really impressed. The story is arranged and written nicely, but it’s the visual impact that I love. (It may have something to do with the fact that Goldilocks is a doll!)

The doll was made by R. John Wright out of felt. I’ve read about this technique before but haven’t seen one that is so beautiful.
The set for the book was entirely handbuilt in miniature. Looking at it makes me want to start making tiny things!

If you haven’t seen this book before, it’s well worth a look, my girls in particular are very taken with it.