Wink Designs

Fleecy

I've made some patchwork scarves for the shop. 

The ones I made last winter were quite simple and I wanted to do something a little different this time around.  So I appliqued the little birdies and flowers onto the linen panels after doing the patch-worky bit.

Also, the scarves are special because they're lined with 100% organic cotton fleece from the Michael Miller organics range.  I got some last winter from equilter - a quick check looks like it's still in stock.  Fabric.com also has 100% organic fleece (in other colours as well) at a much cheaper price (but not from the MM range).  Theirs is called "sweatshirt fleece" but I'm guessing it's the same thing.

 

The fleece is incredibly soft and warm - highly recommended for sensitive kiddy skin.  Actually, for any skin - I think I'm off to make one for myself....

Festive, fabulous, fun....

What can you say about cushions & bunting?  Nothing much except that they are festive, fabulous & fun to make.  These are the last of the Matryoshka cushions that will roll off the Wink production line (can't find that little Russian doll print fabric anymore - let me know if any of you have a secret source?!) teamed with some bunting made from Prints Charming and other coordinating fabrics:

 

And some bunting for the boys:

Giving and receiving

Despite the rain, random breath testing units, parking police and other authorities waiting to pounce on Christmas revellers in the local area, a lovely dinner was had by some Sydney blogging girls on Wednesday night. (I even ate the dessert, which was considered brave by the others due to its, lets just say, "unique" consistency....).  Amy, Bettina, Kristen, Melinda, Belinda and myself enjoyed several hours of lovely food and crafty chat followed by an exchange of gorgeous Christmassy gifts.

 

I was the recipient of a beautifully made Emmeline Apron from Amy.  It has a Christmas theme on one side and on the other a lovely springy flower applique.  The apron alone would have been totally fabulous but, to put the icing on the cake, Amy threw in some lovely fabric and trim (in particular, the gorgeous Moda scissor print I had been lusting after).  I've included some detail shots but you can see a better snap of the apron in its full glory here.

 

 

On the subject of giving, I've decided this year that considering the amount that I spend annually on fabric I can certainly afford to give to someone else who could do with a bit of help.  Here are a few community development style artisan and crafter related projects that I've found via this link:

CARE Australia Manual Sewing Machine Purchase and Training

OXFAM Sewing Training

World Vision Australia Art Supplies for Indigenous Communities

 

I'll be choosing one of these and hope you might consider doing the same!!

Silver lamé superhero

First, thank you so much for all the lovely blog birthday wishes.  Keep them coming (if you feel so inclined) and I will make a draw for the little giveaway in my next post.

Back to business.  There is a golden rule of parenting that says you should never make open ended offers to children.  Instead give just two or three options at most.  Well I broke that rule when I asked Cee Cee what she would like to be for Halloween and she answered "A rainbow coloured superhero.  And the rainbow has to sparkle...".  Of course.

Where was I supposed to find rainbow fabric that sparkled at short notice?  Just not possible unfortunately.  But good old Spotlight came to the rescue with some rainbow cotton and for the sparkle we improvised with silver lamé applique on the back.  I started to make my own version of a superhero cape and then, after getting stuck on how to do the neck part, Puking Pastilles (gotta love that name!) came to the rescue with her tutorial which I found via Google.  The top part is just like an oversized bib turned around to the front.

 

And of course, we had to have a little matching cape for Cee Cee's beloved Souris (translation: souris = French for mouse):

  

The superhero in action:

   

And traumatising younger members of the family after trick-or-treat induced sugar overload:

 

 

Cute and cuter

As space is at a premium around here I recently took to rearranging my fabric stash.  When it comes to storing fabric, I fall squarely into the "themes" rather than "colourways" camp, i.e. retro, floral, abstract, etc. (you get the idea......).

Once I'd made a little pile of "cute Japanese novelty fabrics" I got no further because I decided they were so damn cute I just had to make something out of them there and then.

So work began:

 

And soon enough a little stack of pouches and gift card sets came into being.  They're in the shop.  So much for spring cleaning......

Beijing baby

Here is Miss Wink (I think it was Bianca who coined that name and it might stick as her blog name!) gettting into the Olympic spirit dressed in her China Doll t-shirt and little Madam Mao style socks.  I'm not sure but think she's punching her fist in the air to spur on Grant Hackett in the 1500m.

Last time I appliqued some t-shirts I cleverly forgot to post photos of the finished product before giving them away as gifts.  Anyway, the way I do these is essentially the old tried and tested method.  That is, some Heat n' Bond Lite applied to the back of the applique patch, then fuse the patch to the t-shirt and finish with a small and tight zig-zag stitch around the perimeter of the patch.  Voila!

Continuing the Chinese theme, I just have to show you my new "Dumpling Dynasty" sewing kit which recently arrived from Lark.  It's very cute and as such will become a permanent member of the Wink Designs "Props Department".  It is, however, useful as well with fully functional cotton reels, pins, needles and a really neat and sharp little pair of scissors!  You can see a little more of the contents on the Lark site.

It was exciting to win (non-swimming) medals yesterday in the hurdles and cycling - go Aussies!