66 Stitches

New Shoes & new friends

2008-07-25T15:18:00.005+10:00

We just spent the last 3 days in Sydney checking out accomodation.......... without a lot of success but I did have some success with these lovely new shoes!

They're so soft. I feel like I'm walking around in a pair of ballet slippers.

Belinda from Tutti Fruiti has very kindly invited me to tag along to their blog meet night, once I move up to Sydney. Thanks Belinda!

We're on the move

2008-07-14T03:36:00.010+10:00

Ziya's first outing to the Galleon, St Kilda, aged 6 days.

We're packing up family and heading to Sydney for 6 months. I've always imagined I would live in Sydney at some stage in my life but not right now and not as quickly as it's manifested. The Big Fella has opened an office in Surry Hills and needs to be up there for a few months to get everything on track. So me and the Little Fella will be hitting the streets of Sydney, in Ziya's new 3 wheeler, discovering all the crafty-ness on offer.

Hollabee has a great post on Sydney shopping from a recent trip. There are plenty of places I've never been, so it'll be fun to discover these.

RUDOLF Clothing for individuals run courses in tailoring and they are based in Surry Hillls, how perfect.

Here are some other helpful links I found in the wee hours of the morning, while in a prefeed, sleepless haze.
Material Obsession in Hunters Hills (wherever that is?).
Sydney Quilt supplies
Art supply stores directory
Tessuti blog

Oh, just for a laugh, take a look at this fantastic photo by Catalia over at Flickr.

Hooded Sleeping bag

2008-07-11T21:19:00.006+10:00

Here's a photo of the little fella in his new sleeping bag, knitted by his Grammy. It's perfect for winter walks and he looks so huggable (although, somewhat stunned) in it.
The pattern is available for free here at Garn Studio.

Worms

2008-07-10T12:59:00.007+10:00

I love this little apple beanie knitted for Ziya by his Great Aunty Judy (who, mind you, is in her 90's!). The worm is just priceless. I can't wait until it fits him.

This is my swap partner for the Online Baby Shower, Rebbeca from Bekka

Things to make you go....ohhhhh

2008-07-08T12:05:00.005+10:00

I've decided to start a regular Tuesday post titled "Things to make you go...ohhhhh"
That way I can bookmark all the beautiful things I come across on my travels and list them for you each Tuesday.

Here's a little list I started while having my hair coloured this morning. Cheers to Paige the travelling hairdresser now I can surf the net, rock the baby and have my hair coloured all at the same time. Bliss.

* Geninne's new Mexican hideaway.

* Mina Perhonen's 2008 Summer/Spring Collection

* All the Japanese loveliness over at good-ness

* Emma Cassi's gorgeous house.

Lotta Prints

2008-07-07T17:11:00.005+10:00

Thanks to a post I came across over at Betty Ninja, I discovered Lotta Jansdotter's latests book. It's called Lotta Prints ......and I ordered myself a copy today.
It was released in the USA in March and covers all sorts of printing processes from stencils, rubber stamps to potato prints. It covers techniques for beginners (like me) through to the more advanced (like me..in 6 months time, lets hope). I love the simplicity of Lotta's work and have been wanting to do some fabric printing of my own, so who better to guide me?!

Now, the hard part, I just have to sit tight and wait for it to arrive.

DaWanda

2008-06-30T16:37:00.011+10:00

I came across this new(ish?) site, DaWanda Products With love, via the latest Selvedge newsletter. DaWanda, like Etsy, is the place for unique and individual products and people. I haven't had much time to scout around but I'm very impressed at what I did find in the Paper Goods section ....... I just bought this.

The Toy Society

2008-06-27T11:30:00.006+10:00

The Toy Society June 2008 drop: Gertrude St, Melbourne.

I'm in love with this whole notion of The Toy Society, started by Melbourne lass, Bianca. The aim is to spread love through the streets using toys.
If you're lucky enough to come across one...all you need to do, is give it a good home.
How brilliant is that! There are patterns available over at the blog and everyone is welcome to get involved. I'm quite into the idea of spreading the love around my neighborhood......... with toys.

online baby shower

2008-06-24T14:02:00.004+10:00

I know I'm a little baby mad at the moment but I seem to be in good company here in blog land. I've just signed up for this swap organised by Hey Bubbles. What a great idea.

hello again!

2008-06-23T12:18:00.009+10:00

Hello again. I'm slowly starting to get some more me time back into my day.....even if it is with a baby strapped to my chest, snoring his little head off.

I'm craving a creative project and dream of quilt designs while doing the 4am feed, all of which I'm taking as a good sign that my creative mojo is starting to return.
Inspired by so many of the gorgeous gifts little Z.J. received (I'm still blown away by everyone's generosity...thank you, thank you) I'm ready to tackle some crafting again. I've been trawling through my copy of Vogue Living (thanks to my gifted subscription, gotta love magazine subscriptions arriving in the post!)looking for further inspiration and........ in a rather round about way I discovered PingMag MAKE. It's an online Japanese Mag dedicated to interviewing Japanese craftsmen, engineers, entrepreneurs, and inventors in rural areas. A new interview is updated weekly. It's totally inspiring.

Miss Woolly made this lovely little school house for Z.J. I love everything about it, the school bell, skipping girl and teacher writing on the blackboard...but I think my favorite thing is the stitching on the roof. Clever Lady!

and the above name plaque lovingly x-stitched by Greta, in Italy, hangs permanently on his bedroom door. The best presents ever!

Early arrival

2008-05-05T23:20:00.004+10:00

Apologies for temporarily dropping out of blogsistence but we had an early arrival. Lovely little Z.J. was born on Wednesday 23rd April and he has turned our lives upside down. We're now slowly starting to slip into some sort of routine (as unreliable as a babies routine may be) and find our feet as new parents. Wow, those first two weeks are something else! What a wild ride it is. Thankfully, I have to say, all the sleepless nights and complete time decay from tight feeding regimes slide away when you look into that sweet face. He makes our hearts melt and we are just so happy to welcome him into our lives.

Today's Etsy Favorites.

2008-04-18T20:51:00.004+10:00

Borrowed Spoons Tea Towel, by Skinny Laminx.

Two cute hippos Jamil & Jamila by Strawberries & Cream (Minori Design).

Camilla Engman

2008-04-16T20:31:00.005+10:00

I purchased these Camilla Engman prints for the nursery. They arrived from Sweeden in record time. Thank you.

Now I'm in love with Camilla's ceramics and the work of Carol Hummel (who I stumbled across thanks to Camilla's beautiful blog).

Now I'm off to discover more from these two...oh, and read the latest Living Creatively Issue before turning in for the night. Sleep well xox

Busy, busy...nesting.

2008-04-10T15:16:00.009+10:00

I picked up my re-upholstered chair today and couldn't wait to get it inside but I had to patiently wait for the LF to get home and lift it out of the car. I'd almost hatched a plan with Sheridan (my pregnant neighbour) to help with the lifting (she's due next week). Then we realised how much trouble we'd be in once our beloved husbands found out. I love it. Thank you to yhe lovely boys at Martel Upholstery, in Camberwell, for doing such a wonderful job. Take a look at the before and after shot here.

My discovery of the day has been a new Japanese shop in the Glen Eira Village called Muku (the webiste is still under construction but they are situated next to the Miriam Bereson store/office on Glen Eira Road). They import organic baby clothes and accessories from Japan that are to die for. The whole experience is a treat, make sure you pop in and say hello if you're passing.

Patchwork on Central Park have just received a new shipment of Japanses fabrics in store (not yet listed on the website but will be by the end of the week). It's quite lucky I didn't have enough time to stop in on my way back from the upholsterers this morning or my wallet would have been even lighter for sure.

Then, there was morning tea at Galleon, a trip to The Good Guys, a walk to the beach with the dog, grocery shopping and now I'm about to put my feet up, relax and work on my cross stitch.
What a day (only 3 weeks to go!).

**written yseterday...I had problems with uploading it to blogger. darn.

to the bottom of my pencil case

2008-04-03T22:13:00.004+11:00

These gorgeous pencils arrived in the post today, from London, for the bump.
They are an early 'arrival' present from Jo & Fish. Thank you both from 'the bottom of my pencil case' (I can't stop singing that Beautiful South song!!...not that I mind, it always makes me smile).
The pencils already have their place in the nursery and no doubt bump will love them even more than we do, if that's possible.
I can't believe you're so organised Jo, you put me to shame. Thank you. We are so looking forward to seeing you. xoxoxoxoxox

All grown up.

2008-03-25T16:55:00.008+11:00

We spent Easter up in the Strathbogie Ranges with the LF's family, which was very relaxing. We took a leisurely drive to the Ruffy Produce Store for breakfast on Sunday. One of my favorite places to visit when I'm in that part of the world. There is something quite magical about the store....the food, the artwork, the setting and the fact that Ruffy is such a tiny town but the Produce Store is always buzzing.

Above is a wee chair the LF's mum gave us while we were up at the farm. It's been lovingly made from oak and the LF used to park his little bottom on it when he was a tot.

Below is a photo of one happy dog up on the farm. Chewie just loved it up there....

and it wasn't so long ago that Chewie looked like this.

Grow suits

2008-03-19T15:52:00.006+11:00

My friend, Lisa, gave me a whole lot of 2nd hand white bonds grow suits that her kids no longer need and....... this is what became of them with a few fabric scraps and my beloved Heat & Bond fusable webbing. I love that stuff.

ooohh ahh, aprons in my etsy store

2008-03-17T15:18:00.004+11:00

Here's a little sneak peek at one of the aprons I uploaded to my esty store today. I'll be adding more soon. xox

Easter Inspiration

2008-03-17T10:43:00.005+11:00

Take a look at this for an inspirational Easter Egg idea from The Long Thread. So cute. They involve absolutely no calories and....they're totally handmade. Ellen even provides instructions on how to make your very own.

I've been wondering around over at The long Thread for a while this morning and am now stuck on Ellen's Etsy favorites. I fear I could be there for some time but what better way to spend another hot 37 degree day.

I'm fried.

2008-03-14T15:22:00.008+11:00

The heat has got to me.

All my Friday intentions of getting down to the Stitches and Craft Show & Magnolia Square, Brighton, have melted away with the heat (sorry Eliza!).

All I want to do is dive into a cool blue sea.
I think it's a combination of the 40 degree day and being 33 wks pregnant...

Right now Antartica looks very appealing
(as would this lovely Kim Hargraves
Ice Blue Nan Jacket .....if I were in Antartica!).

Bootie

2008-03-11T17:01:00.017+11:00

The Little Fella bought our bump these booties on the weekend. They are hand made in New Zealand and available from Belki in Rathdowne St, North Carlton (Or directly from NZ here). Possibly, not too P.C. but very, very cute.

The little cardigan I mentioned in the previous entry arrived in the post today and it's even sweeter than it looks in the photo. It's brown, not grey and has lovely flecks running through the wool. Yay, for another successful etsy purchase.

Below is a photo of Miss Woolly's lovely wall hangings, in the nursery.

I couldn't resist

2008-03-05T08:52:00.006+11:00

I bought this gorgeous little hand knitted top yesterday on Etsy from Galloping Daisies. All of their items are fibre grown and harvested in NZ, made with handspun yarns and are handknitted....who could resist that!

Then, I went on to buy 4 pair of these fantastic Knotty Legs -Leggings for baby or toddler. Knotty Baby Wear are closing their shop (temporarily, while they move) and are offering free shipping on all of their orders until 17th March. So be quick. They are also responsible for those fabulous crochet cowboy boots, which unfortunately, have all sold out. So be quick.

Small

2008-03-04T11:20:00.006+11:00

The new edition of Small Magazine is now available online. It's full of beautiful things, such as these amazing illustrations by Catherine Campbell (a fellow Melbournian). Who, incidently, also has a very inviting etsy store here.

I came across the work of Amy Walsh in this edition too and have fallen in love with her delicate illustrations. Please take a look at them. I promise they'll delight. They're available through her Wonder Cabinet etsy store.

RAAK

2008-03-03T18:46:00.007+11:00

Take a look at this gorgeous Japanese store, Raak, with the most incredible range of textiles. You can check out a slide show their range here.

I particularly like this one below.

Thank you to ah_yi for the link.

enfant terrible

2008-02-28T17:12:00.005+11:00

I came across enfant terrible today, a site 'dreamt up in style and sustainability'.
Check out these gorgeous slippers by Pia Wallen and the i golfini della nonna range...a partnership run by two Italian sisters, with a womens co-operative in Bolivia, by way of Los Angeles (confused? Me too but their range really is gorgeous). This hand knitted world globe has to be my favorite.