handmade from the pages of a magazine . . .

Greetings all,
Running early & carefree this morning, i almost left a face print on the glass door of the Post Office as i vigorously attempted to push it open, not seeing the "sorry we're closed" sign on said door at 9.05a.m.  Hmmm . . . i wasted some time at the bakery & newsagency before attempting the Post Office again.  So glad i did as i treated myself to the Inside Out magazine Christmas issue.  I really want to nail a good handmade Christmas wreath for the front door this year, voila, inspiration (read: styles i can totally copy).

 the beautiful cover didn't disappoint

 ahhh, whimiscal version of an advent calendar

 pretty garlands, i'm working on my own style

 & the wreaths!!

Did you read the words on that first page "if you make your own decorations they have soul & meaning & can become family treasures" . . . lovely sentiment.  I've been making these fabric penny wheels with a silver jingle bell for Shop Handmade & markets, tie to a tree with red & white twine.  Even my handsome soldier muttered "are you making these for our tree too??"  He likes!!  & yes, i will, plus birds of course!!

 I've not answered many magazine shoot call outs this year, kind of busy without a husband for 9 months so just not a priority.  But when Shop 4 Kids was doing a handmade child feature, i couldn't resist.  So i'm sending some bird bunting & a mix match baby wrap, lined with Tshirt jersey for a pram blanket.

As a mathematician & spatial person, i find it unnatural to piece patchwork together that isn't lined up precisely & completely orderly, planned, um . . . perfect, so this was a little experiment into a direction i'd like to try over Summer for next Autumn's quilts . . . it was liberating!!
Ok, after making this wrap last night (machine pieced with hand stitched edges) i got an order for a robot one at Shop Handmade today!!  So finishing that one off right now.  Love Posie

i love the earth & other confessions . . .

Greetings all,
As i prepare for Handmade Market this Saturday, i'm finding hand stitching is a very relaxing way to end the day.  I'm using 'odd' hair clips to hold my jersey & fleece baby wraps together while i bind the edges with pretty embroidery thread.  First day of Winter here in Canberra, it was glorious, sunshine, warm, delightful, but baby's still need their wraps!!  Here's one for the boys, Robot March with blue spots on the reverse.

Now, i promise i love the earth & i'm anti plastic when i can be (don't mess with my Tupperware obsession though) . . . my children don't use plastic bags at school, they have small lunch boxes, i'm a saint.  But when it comes to selling fabric products which can spoil with dust/ dirt/ storage/ grubby fingers at a market, i have to use cello bags.  In order to not waste the plastic, i use different sizes for different things & check out the variety available!!

While i'm making confessions about my business practises . . . i also use child labour!!  Just for the record, this particular child just loves to be near me & she didn't have to do this, or line them up so neatly, she's just orderly. 

& this boy chose to sleep inside his doona cover for some strange reason last night!!  Ok ok, i make my children sleep on the floor & lease out their beds for extra cash, alright!!

This puppy is our guard dog, he sleeps in the hall way at night in Winter & gets to wear an Alpaca overcoat for luxe - no animals are harmed in protecting our family, he lives better than we do!! 
Finally, this donkey has proven quite handy at delivering messages.  Our 3rd daughter is finding it very hard to cope without Daddy.  She doesn't like to draw attention to herself & i feel, this was her indirect way of communicating her emotions.  She tucked this note in donkey's peg mouth, looked at me, tears welled up in her eyes & we hugged for an hour, bless her.  Handsome Soldier called tonight after a long absense from communication & we had a lot of catching up to do, from explaining why there is a new starter motor in the car & my finger crisis to confirming we have all toilets flushing again & the girls came home from camp.  Exciting stuff!!  Love Posie