Quest for the perfect tea cosy.

If you had to list the criteria for the perfect tea cosy what would be included?

Here is a pattern from Spin.Off magaizne, to help get your creative thoughts flowing. The yellow one above is from Hindolbittern's photos and the Christmas pudding is from Plum Pudding's photostream.

Please help us with our quest by leaving your recommendations, links, patterns etc in the comments section...
must have an exposed handle for easy pouring,
must include a pom-pom...
oh, there's so much to consider... and I do love a list.

getting about

While getting about on Flickr I came across this set of Kaffe Fassett Quilt images from the Toronto Textile Museum 2005 created by tsaiware.

The Bootie rampage continues.... you can see my two new additions here.

while we're on the topic...

Miss Woolly's lovely friend, Michelle, sent in this link for local designer Emilie Clare. She has a wonderful story about treasures left to her by her nana, Olive. Emilie Clare's studio is in Melbourne where she sits rugged up in bright red ugg boots and sorts out wool, buttons and yarn. Her website is gorgeous and she also has an Etsy Shop for you to peruse or it you like a bit of live interaction pop down to one of her stockists; Pussy Cat Black, Mill&Mia, Kids in Berlin...or if you happen to be in Townsville (carl?) Blue Bell.

Looking for Buttons?

Repot Depot is having a button sale. all buttons are 20% off till this Friday the 29th of December. Check out their wonderful fabrics while you're there too.

Bootie Rampage

(sorry the images aren't fantastic, it's a little embarrassing considering the high quality images displayed elsewhere...I'm blaming the camera)

I seem to be on a Bootie making rampage at the moment. Possibly because three of my friends have popped out babies in the last few weeks (is it my imagination or is the baby bootie list getting longer by the day, births must definitely be up?). Thanks to this pattern by Heather Baily Emilia and Oliver now have very warm toes. I have another three or is it five pairs to make and a pair to pop in the post today, they are off to NZ.
You can also take a look at some of the other Bootie designs here at the Bitty Bootie Flickr Group.
Oh wow, I've only just seen this tutorial, also by Heather. Yo-Yo's here I come.

The sidebar just magically appeared. Now that is a relief. To be honest I had almost given up on ever seeing it by our side again. What a great day ....and I'm still in my PJ's.

Too cute! I just receieved this photo from Polly in London. It's a photo of Emilia sporting her Bootie. Now I'm really hooked on these things (the Bootie's.... Mum don't get too excited).

New Friends

Miss Woolly made a new friend today and boy is she a Crafty Lady. Mirre lives in Baarn, The Netherlands. Take a look at her blog here and Flickr. No doubt you'll be as inspired as we were by the magnitude of Mirre's wonderful creations.

The Ultimate Cubby House

Take a look at these cool Cubby Houses made by Free Spirit Spheres. They are fully decked out inside and built using concepts borrowed heavily from sailboat construction and rigging practices. The wooden spheres are built much like a cedar strip canoe or kayak.

Anyone for tea and cake?

A new take on an old theme... you can purchase these from Donna Wilson's lovely site here. Make sure you check out the furnishing section too.

The Royal Melbourne Show

Eliza and I took a trip to The Royal Melbourne Show on Friday afternoon. It's years since I've been to the show and as soon as I stepped off the train, I remembered why.

My faith was restored once we entered the Arts & Craft Pavillion! Eliza had won 3rd Prize for two of her needlepoint entries...unfortunately we only have one to show you here (please note the Bon Jovi x-stitch directly above. He was definitly one of our highlights).

Lovely Lace.



Look at this delightful fellow who proudly displayed a first prize certificate.

One little 7 year old boy won first prize in the Sponge Cake and Zucchini Cake categories. How impressive is that (imagine how proud his grandmother must be)! And now for...the Christmas cake winners.




Then is was back out into the maddening crowds to tackle the Show Bag Pavillion. There were prams and people, ten deep. It was quite overwhelming indeed.

The Black Apple

How cute is this beautiful doll. This is the work of The Black Apple which you can find here at her Etsy Shop or at her blog here. She also paints lovely little pieces sold on etsy too. This is 'Neko and the Fox' and it can be yours (or mine, depending who gets to it first...) for the low price of $13US. Bargin!

Never enough hours

This Two Little Banshees Blog is by Western Australian mum, Kate. She has twin daughters (hence the name) and an etsy shop full of treasures, including this Roo. You can see more of Kate's wonderful creation on her Flickr page.

Disappearing Sidebar...?

To all of those who have been accessing this page on a PC our agologies go out for the disappearance of our sidebar. For people familiar with our blog you'll notice the profile links and other fun bits like Flickr have magically disappeared from view.
If you're accessing from a Mac you'll have absolutely no idea what I'm talking about. Eliza and I have had some very strange phone/email conversations.....I think Eliza (on her Mac) thought I was going crazy... until we had one of the computer boffins at school take a look.

We are still miffed, as is the boffin (thank you Ant), on what we can do to remedy this situation. Html coding isn't the most straightforward of things to get your head around. In the meantime, please bare with us and if you would like one of our links or archives...you'll have to scroll right down to the bottom of the page where our sidebar has temporarily located itself.

We'll keep you updated on our adventures with decoding HTML and reinstating our sidebar to it's rightful location.

Flower Power

Using the clever Joybucket's Flower Hair Pin Tutorial I managed to selvedge this old top. They are so easy and fun to make. I've gone a little flower mad.

oh that reminds me, I better get off to the post office and send Emilia & Oliver's gooodies. I'll post pictures on these once they have arrived.

another gocco

First Anna and now Julie Knoblock. I too would like a gocco.
Julie is an Australian illustrator and crafter. Take a look here at her work.

The belt post...

Apparently the link didn't work so here is the correct one
http://creativelittledaisy.typepad.com/creative_little_daisy/tutorials/index.html
Copy and paste it into your browser window and I'm hoping it will work... Let me know if otherwise. x

Matthew Williamson

These designs are from the new Matthew Williamson collection. I love the colours and the patterns on the textiles.


Especially this dress. It's making me think about making some patchwork cushions...Now if only I can find the colours..I really like the little bit of black to break it all up.

How to make a cloth belt

Here is a great little tutorial on how to make a super cloth belt for a summer frock - as found on Creative Little Daisy. Have Fun!

It's Show Time!

IM SO EXCITED!!

I've just been to the Royal Melbourne Show Grounds to hand in my needlepoint entries! I'm going to volunteer next year if I have to. Everyone HAS to go to the Show this year as they have just spent millions on renovations and the place looks fantastic.

It was such fun going into the Arts and Craft Pavillion and handing my pieces over and seeing all the other entries. When I was there there were some ladies handing in their fruit cakes, quilts and even one very talented gentleman who had crocheted the most astonishingly lovely christening gown.

I have a bit of family history with my Grandmother winning first prize in the pastel drawing section when she was 12 and my Grandfather with first prize for weaving in his 30's. So we'll see how it all goes!

Oh my goodness - I'm contemplating becoming a member!

P.S. Don't forget the Woodchop Competition... How good is the Woodchop Competition!!... So Excited!

For the love of ceramics.

These delicate bowls are by Ceramic Artist, Keiko Matsui who is currently studying in Australia at the National Art School, East Sydney. Keiko's work (along with Fiona Fiscock, Vipoo Srivilasa, Nicole Lister.... to name a few) was part of the 'Collecting Eclectic' 15 Major Ceramic Artists, held at All Handmade Gallery (oh dear, take a look at their online shop ...I'd like 2 of those, 4 of those & 10 of these...please).

If you're as keen on Japanese Ceramics as I am, then take a look at the E-Yakimono blog, he too also has a fab online store.

ps. How fantstic is Fiona's Fig Cassoulet!

Sabyasachi

So I was contemplating how a crafty lady would dress... and working on the idea that she was a little bit of a funky, mysterious librarian... I decided she may well be seen around town sporting the clothes of Calcutta-based Sabyasachi (rhymes with Versace) Mukherjee! I thought this attire was apt as it was inspired by a collection of painted teapots the designer spied at a friend's house!

a new find....

I came across an article in Country Style, while standing in the queue at Safeway today, on Chris Mulhearn. He continues our theme on found objects. Apparenly 'His work is recycling to die for'. I didn't get time to read the article but by the fast flick I did he makes fantastic pieces out of cricket balls? Correct me if I'm wrong. If anyone has any additional information on Chris I'd love to hear it....maybe I should buy the mag, now there's an idea.

A new life for Found Objects.

Inspired by an article I read in art & Australia on Rosalie Gascoigne...I somehow came across this company re-found objects. I know you wouldn't generally consider these Nana-found-objects to be in line with Gascoigne's work however take the links and you'll be pleasantly surprised. re-found objects take rescued items and make them beautiful, much in the same way Gascoigne did.
I personally, can never get enough of a nana object.

Cardboard Design

I'm not even going to begin to describe how this super cardboard furniture fit's into my apartment therapy fantasy life!

Vipoo Srivilasa

Vipoo's ceramics are like a flamboyant fairytale unfolding before your very eyes. I had the good fortune of meeting him during my volunteer days at Craft Victoria and he is just as delightful as his work.
Sorry, I don't have any images for you but please take a look at Vipoo's website, you wont be disappointed. Vipoo has an exhibtion coming up at uber gallery, which opens on the 12th September - 22 October. I know I'll be there to check it out.

KimonoYES & Ah! Kimono

We haven't had a post on anything Japanese for ....oh, about 4 days.
So, to quench Miss Woolly's insatiable thirst for all things Japanese... here goes.

KimonoYES is an Australian company, based in ACT, who sell Antique Japanese Fabric perfect for the quilting enthusiast out there. You can buy bundled lots or single pieces, along with obi's, tassels and a set of haori himo.

or.. why not join the Fabric & More Club at Ah! Kimono. Each month or quarter (you select) they'll send you a package of vintage fabrics to the value of either $36 or $20.
What a perfect combination, a package in the mail that would contain Japanese fabric. It's almost too good to be true (or is that just me?).

Jonathan Adler

Jonathan Adler Utopia man and woman vases.


Jonathan Adler Happy Tapestry. Hand hooked dense pile wool tapestry.

I just came across Jonathan Adler's online store and must confess to being quite entertained by his "About" page.

Bisazza

These chairs were designed by Particia Urquiola for the Ideal House as part of the 2005 Cologne International Furniture Fair.

Patricia is also a designer for Bisazza, who's website I AM NOW OBSESSED WITH. I particularly love the Hotel una Vittoria reception in Firenze, by Fabio Novembre.
I am now thinking of making my own with this Mosaic Delux software.

The World of Interiors...and ballet slippers!

I found these great lamps, thanks to the help of one of my favorite magazines, on Russell Callow's site - Period clocks and Interiors




along with these ballet flats at French Sole. Take a look at the full range. who'd have thought it possible, quilted ones too.