Shakedown, the week that was!

One of the highlights for me, in all the end of year procedures, has been receiving Little P's work books and art.

The above story is one on my favourites from her work book.

A little story about Freddy and Minnie, who eat too much spaghetti, which makes Minnie sick.

Very cute hat she's drawn on Minnie.

Just lately she's been saying she'd like to be a Milliner when she grows up, and has been making hats of all descriptions!

In love with her elephant painting, crayon and water colour, herself riding on top.

She's had such a brilliant start to her schooling, blessed with a teacher who really understands and appreciates her, she's kind to her students, and accepts difference in people readily.

Her Kindy teacher has enriched her life, and nurtured her natural love of learning.

We've been very lucky.

On the home front ......

Some gorgeous vintage orange and pink (my favourite combo) from the Oppy today.

Relaxing in the garden with a 'Judy Moody' book! lots of days like this ahead over the next month or so!

A week in early December.....

Christmas tree up, only half filled it this year, as we're driving North for the big day.

Little P turned 6

Cleaned my lady-cave, cause cleanliness is next to craftiness!

Big D turned 42!

Made a couple of summer frocks for me.

End of year dance concert.

Looking resplendent with ballet bun!

Made 'To Look Crafty'

There's something on my mind today. And it's big, oh yes it is. I've noticed the hand-made trend gathering momentum over the past few years, which is great, when it is really hand-made.

Now, there's a company here in Sydney fronted by 2 women who are directly copying hand-made kids clothes and softies, having them mass produced in factories (ie. sweat shops) and flogging them off with a huge mark up. Big dollars, zero creative input.

This company has set up a blog with a cutsie name, and are even doing hand-made markets, so they are setting up directly beside all the crafters who put their heart and soul into their work. They have deals with big stores though, and one of the women owns a few kids shops here in Sydney. Unethical businesses like these are not uncommon I'm sure, but I really feel for the genuine makers, these people are being blown out of the water by the 'big guns' not only by them getting a strong hold in the market, but by ripping of their work and creativity. Now I don't have any objection to people having stuff 'made out' when it's their own designs, but having other peoples ideas mass produced is a whole new ball game.

Just because it has a 'hand-made' aesthetic doesn't mean it is, it's a case of buyer beware, if you like the hand-made look, then BUY genuine hand-made items. You can run a business and have ethics, just look at Pip from 'Meet Me at Mikes' what she doesn't know about craft, isn't worth knowing. And she supports the hand-made community by producing books, and pointing out amazingly clever people on her blog. As a person who creates and makes things, I'm becoming cagey about showing them off on my blog, I hate the idea of people getting hold of my ideas and producing them without any regard for how they are actually being made. Simply, if it's mass produced in a sweat shop, it isn't 'one-off' or unique.

On a positive, there are lots of great hand-maidens out there, and if you are looking for genuine hand-made gifts or clothes for little one's this Christmas, here's a few to be going on with:

Grandy and Baa - amazing applique pinni's

Bad Skirt - beautiful soft toys

Loz and Dinny - gorgeous girl's dresses

Dorothy Bills - yummy, cushions, quilts and bags

Rivetkitty - great softies and kids clothes

Beccasaurus - clothes, quilts etc

And of course there's always Mikes, a great place to start if you are new to hand-made.

Edit!! Oh my, I can't believe I forgot to add Curlypops above! One of my favourite ever bags was hand made by this clever crafter!

It's Almost Summer

It's starting to get balmy in Sydney, and as the mercury climbs, the countdown till Christmas starts in earnest. Things have been really busy around here, hence the lack of blogging. I'm going to start making some decorations for the tree soon, and end of year gifts, so more posts are on the way ... soon...

Too Cool For Pool

A recent find at the Oppy, not one but two 1960's Paris Cafe prints.

I haven't cleaned them up yet, but will do and hang them as soon as I can find

an appropriate spot on a wall. I'm just a little bit in love with these prints,

any excuse to bring more kitch into the house!

Big D likes them, cause he's a big old Francophile,

so I didn't get the face, or the ambivalence with these,

thumbs up, wee wee!

'The Pool Dress'

This is my latest summer dress for little people.

Made with soft terry toweling and vintage voile print.

I made this one with terry that I had left over from my softies making

days, ergo the pink. I'm going to buy some other colours, thinking light aqua,

yellow and maybe a watermelon would be groovin. Fun and easy to make, perfect for throwing on

after a dip at the pool or a splash at the beach.

And a baby set, (singlet, dress, bloomers)

made for a friend whose little girl will be here

in a matter of weeks!

Halloween 09

Chocolate and devil horns.

Some of the group. (Big D as 'Meat Bomb, the deranged wrestler)! Meat Bomb make me laugh and laugh! Morticia.

Summer dress

My latest design for summer, (tucked into knickers! But at least model is wearing some!) Belt is held on with a button sewn at the back, button hole through the centre of belt - - works well, and no belt hoops needed.