I have a little sale going in my shop this week. Everything has been reduced to $20 or less.
That includes aprons and bunting (were $29):
Cushion covers (were between $25 and $34):
Art totes (were $32):
Girl's denim and dots skirt (was $27):
No need to enter a code, it has all been marked down in the listing prices. There are some cute last minute gifts amongst the stock and packages should arrive in Australia before Christmas. Express Post can be arranged by request.
I've been meaning to post a picture of the "baby apron" made for little Kitty and sent to her mum Ingrid with those very prettily packaged bags of handmade goodies last week.
Miss Wink has been enjoying wearing hers and I thought Kitty may also like one for when she's a wee bit bigger. I know Ingrid, like me, loves that roses fabric with the blue background. We've both used it before but neither of us is sure what it's called or who makes it. A couple of you have also asked me about it.If any clever reader knows a bit more, please spill the beans?! I've also submitted a search on the Sewn fabric finder so hopefully something will turn up.
Hope you are all having a superb Monday.....
Some gorgeous Japanese fabrics were used for these aprons which I've just finished making. The first is a girly pink and brown print where kitchen motifs are mixed with frolicking deer, squirrels, butterflies and elephants balancing on balls (nothing strange about that!).
This was the result of my little Monday make-fest yesterday with some more items for the Tuttifruiti/Wink Mathilda's stall. Some little aprons in fun retro classic prints (perfect for Easter baking):
And these little Moleskin notebooks were just begging to be "Matryoshka-ed":
That's all for now, back to the old sewing machine mistress(!).
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
World Vision Australia Art Supplies for Indigenous Communities
I'll be choosing one of these and hope you might consider doing the same!!
My little blog "baby" has turned 1 this month and we're celebrating over here at the Wink house with some cake and a nice cup of tea......
I wanted to use more of the fabric that appears in my first post to make something representing 1 year. The result is this linen and patchwork baby apron which was lots of fun to make and which I'll put aside for when my real baby (Miss Wink) has her 1st birthday. (Not sure about the red topstitching - I probably should have left "well enough" alone??)
A big warm and fuzzy thank-you to everyone who has commented or just read along over the past year. So...., drop in on this post to say hi and I'll draw a name next week to win the little notebooks and set of cards shown below.
(Confession: the notebooks are not an original idea. They're inspired by the lovely Claudine ((Hi Claudine!)) who made a very similar one - which currently travels with me in my handbag - for one of our blogmeet swaps.)
The rain and killer traffic dampened the mood a bit on the way to the show. Once there, though, the magnificent reception from the Living Creatively girls and the awesome visual display more than made up for it. Seriously, I could have moved in and lived there!
I was only there for one day and sadly I didn't get any shots of my Wink Designs display as Miss Wink came along for the ride with all her baby paraphenalia and I couldn't carry lots of extra stuff. So, alas, my heavy SLR didn't make it! I can show you some shots, though, of things I bought from other crafters and what I've made from some patterns also bought at the show (it's so good to do some "just for fun" sewing).
This is my "Little Italy" apron made from an Audrey & Maude pattern - the "Classic Apron Mix". It was wonderful to meet the gorgeous Cathy & Louise who are the faces behind Audrey & Maude. Their patterns are all fabulous and it was very hard to choose. The fabric is some Japanese cotton with the cutest little Italian motifs which I jumped on when I saw it in Leslie's shop. This one will be a gift for my niece who we'll be visiting soon.
Next are some cute critters made from Kristen's Bunny Pattern with some lovely creamy wool felt from Winterwood (also purchased at the show) and some pink & blue bunny fabric from my stash. These will be gifts for some sweet little babies.
Plus - a great way to involve little ones who are too young to sew in the softie making process: make an extra copy of the pattern for them to colour in and cut out. This is my 4 year old's lovely work.
Last but not least are a few delicious goodies from Belinda's stall. Her display was just beautiful and her workmanship nothing short of superb.
Can't wait for next year's show - it should be amazing.
Can you tell I've been doing a spot of cooking from Donna Hay recently? Yes, and also the stylist in me likes the way her colours coordinate with these new cherry and aqua prints I've been using to make up some aprons.
In fact, this is a sneak peek of some stock I'm trying(!) to make up for the Stitches and Craft Show. I'll be there on Friday 22 August on the Living Creatively stand with a gaggle of other bloggers and indie crafters. (Thank you to Living Creatively, also, for featuring some Wink Designs projects on their fabulous site......). Hope to see you at the show!
I'm using a borrowed title for today's kitchen-themed post and I thought that one was a better fit than "Hell's Kitchen" or "Kitchen Nightmares" which we've lately become accustomed to courtesy of the somewhat over-exposed (but OK, I admit it, quite addictive!) Mr Ramsay....
I've been tweaking my kiddies apron design for some time and have finally settled on one that I'm happy with. Nothing groundbreaking - just a simple cafe-style apron that has nice lines and works really well with two coordinating fabrics. These ones are in the shop.
It's a bit late for the Week of Vintage Australiana over at Meet me at Mikes but here are a few vintage and "vintage reproduction" kitchen items found today in my local op shop. (Note: when weight is listed in kilograms, it aint vintage!')
And finally a couple of favourite cooking sites for both little and big chefs:
Kinder Kaboodle which has a great kid's sushi recipe which we've made many a lunch time (the site is actually a lovely online children's shop); and
My all time favourite which has a compilation from mags like "Delicious", "Good Taste" and "Vogue Entertaining" amongst others. It spoils for choice and you can always find something to make with what you've got in the cupboard/fridge (unless that's only beer and chocolate - but maybe even then....!).
To Mums: Have a happy Mother's Day on Sunday. I've ordered pancakes for breakfast. Here's what I'm hoping they'll look like!
I bring you an international theme today... A new little apron made from Alexander Henry fabric adorned with the cute faces of children from around the globe. I also made a series of 4 gift tags from the fabric remnants. Perfect for wearing to cook up that bolognese, moussaka, cous-cous or (insert international dish of your choice....). I've popped it in the shop.
On matters multi-cultural, be sure to head over to the lovely Sew Mama Sew Blog during November for their "Handmade Holidays" month. You'll be treated to wonderful offerings from crafty bloggers near and far who'll be sharing their how-tos and tutorials to help make your Christmas a handmade and happy one...
Coincidentally, given today's post, "Handmade Holidays" kicks off with some fabulous Apron tutorials. Enjoy!