The Girl Who Dreamed of Aliens

That's what Little P called this painting.

My words are thin on the ground,

my mind a bit muddled.

I'll be back in full swing soon, whatever full swing is.

And Sew it Goes.....

A little baby set for a girlfriend's newest arrival, I found this fabric at the markets yonks ago, there wasn't much of it, just enough for a pair of bloomers and a softie. I'm sure this little softie is inspired by the movie 'Ponyo"!!

We've been a might bit busy of late. And when we are home the words 'Mum, Muuuum, Mum, Mum, Mum, Mum Mum, Muuuum, Muuuuuuuuuuuuum, Mum, Mum, Mum' permiate every corner of the house, oh the joy......

School goes back in a week and a bit, Little P starting Year 1, looking forward to the routine, but will have to set an alarm, as we've been indulging in some pretty delightful sleep-ins round here!

Busyness as usual

Happy new year!

We survived Christmas .... took a road trip up to stay with my brother and his family, they live in Nambour, Sunshine Coast, Qld. Was fantastic, we are becoming very adept at packing the car and taking off, and we all love driving along the wide open road, with a fun destination at the end of the journey. Travel is often motivated by people, and I was really keen to meet my youngest nephew, who is 2.5 years old! So the long trip was well worth it. Miss P was never out of the pool, even in the rain, which was an every day occurrence, whilst still being very hot!

On the way back, we stayed at South West Rocks, beautiful beaches, but the rain followed us, and it piddled down for 2 days!

Home now ... school hols in earnest. Coffee, craft, playdates ..... pajamas till 10am this morning! I'm a good moocher .... one of my greatest skills .... just can't get Little P to appreciate the fine art of doing nothing much, maybe one day ....

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...