checking my list, ticking it twice....

Oh my, the look on miss Tully's face this morning when I told her I was really one of Santa's elves and was very busy making toys for little boys and girls! Priceless really. I think she actually believed me. Well how could she not with the many piles of softies in progress around the house.



Seriously, my house has little piles of softies, santa sacks and brooches in various stages of completion everywhere! Everywhere that is that little Miss Sage my wonderful little helper can't reach them.



With only a couple of weeks until the jelly bean market and then another 6 weeks until chrissy, my plate is feeling rather full. Add on house hunting, inspections by prospective buyers, tandem feeding and the general shenanigans of school and kindy, well my plate is pretty much overflowing. Bahhh, well it's all good really, cause I enjoy it in a weird sort of frazzled kinda way. It's not really that bad, cause I can see the light and am very much looking forward to it. I had such fun at the last market and am very much looking forward to the next one on November 27, Warrnambool show grounds if you're local.



So for now its all systems go...interspersed with some crazy dancing to the latest soundtrack in the house, Justine Clarke, and lots and lots of time snuggling on the couch feeding my sweet little Sage and Otis. Who as it happens, will be 4 weeks old on the weekend! 4 weeks! wow!



I know, he's beautiful! yep I made him. Pretty pleased about that

Norman Gnome the softie

It seems like ages since I've been trying to come up with a new little softie for boys. I wanted to make something small in size and thus more suitable for a little baby, and something that really appealed to me. Don't get me wrong, I love the montie monsters, but I wanted something sweet and ,well, the montie's just aren't sweet.

Like all good ideas, this one came to me at about 2.30am as I lay there with a bubba (the one on the inside) belting the crap out of me. Of course, one of my favourite images for little boys tee's!!! Norman Gnome!



I've used this image on quite a few tee's and actually have some little gnome hats appliqued on tee's waiting for painting. I knew he would be perfect, so I waited patiently until Lach took the small people out for the arvo and then with an idea in my head just how he would come together I set to work. And work he did...yipee! My first prototype was it! He's quite different to the original sketch but still super sweet and will be definitely greeting the bub in tum if it's a boy. The big boy doesn't like him though *raspberry* he wants a gigantic car softie instead. Norman Gnome just doens't cut the mustard for Master 4.

Anyway, I like him and am a bit excited about him so I sat down last night once all the kids were tucked in bed and cut out a whole heap more. I would really love to make some with the ruler fabric though, anyone know where to find some? Oh and I might even finish off those tee's too.

Besides sweet little gmomes, I've also been busy making a choir of angels. Some of these will be going up over at my store on made it, while the others will be heading off to the next jellybeans market in Warrnambool. The next market is at the end of November, so whilst I do have quite a bit of time up my sleeve, I will be greeting a new little person into our family and moving house beforehand, so may not have all that much time to sew. Maybe...but then again maybe I'll have heaps! Wishful thinking right?



I am working away through my list though and have a few gorgeous pixies cut out along with a trillion babushka's and some great fabrics waiting to be made up into aliens. Oh and then there's the santa sacks. Sketches are all done for these, I just need to squeeze in some time to make them. And super excitement is the 5kg of new eco filling I'm waiting to arrive on my doorstep which will make most of my softies nearly 100% natural fibres (I use polyester thread and the aliens have minky tums).




So much making to do which I am very enthused about, such a shame I have such a massive load of newborn clothing and nappies to try and wash and dry along with the mountain that accumulate in the rest of the families wash baskets. Hmmm I wonder if I could hire a maid?

tick

I was ticking off softies at a pretty good rate, that is until today. Yay for the weekend and Lachie taking the little people off for fun outings, but Monday came around way too quickly and today I achieved zilch. Mind you I do have a sick little clingy bubba who has hampered me dramatically and a little school girl who has forgotten how to entertain herself. Today involved paper mache and mural creation and one little eye sewn on a softie. oh well.... I did get two more pixie's and one little alien whole and complete on the weekend so that's pretty good.



And for Anna and her beautiful little babe, Bonnie, some babushka's to peruse:) I must admit to singing away to Kate Bush classics as I make these litte ones.

busy fingers

Man it's been cold! So cold in fact, I thought it was going to snow the other day rather than rain. brrrrrr! So what's been keeping me busy? Well still getting ready for the market I've been going on about for ages. I really want to have lots of stock, so that's what I'm doing.

The last few days I've been working on pixies which i haven't done much of lately. In fact, i think i've only made one this year! After working on polly dolly's they seem so small! Weird really as I've always thought them to be a good size but maybe they could be a tad bigger.

I have this little miss just about finished sans wings, and a few more waiting for some stuffing. All are unnamed as I'm a bit lost for names at the moment which is definitely a reflection on the inability to find a suitable name for bubba in tum. Nothing! I have nothing!

What I do have however is quite a few polly dolly's, unnamed of course!



Some aliens, unnamed but waiting patiently for a few more friends.



And a basket full of monties.



See, busy fingers. And quite showing it too, i might have to brave the chill and head out to purchase some Burts bee's banana and almond hand cream that I've been promising myself. yum factor!

a babble of babushka's

I'm not really sure what you call a group of babushka's, but I can sort of imagine these little ladies chattering away in a group like a bunch of Mum's outside school at pick up time. I don't think there really is a word for a group of babushka's, is there? Anyway, this little bunch is destined for a market in Warrnambool in a bit over a month. I know I've blogged about it already, but just in case you don't know about it and you're from the area go and check it out, I think it's gonna be swell.

The market has been the perfect inspiration for me, I'm churning out new designs and new softies all over the place. I designed these little misses to cater for those not willing to spend toooo much. I know some would still consider them maybe a bit exy (I'm planning on selling them for $25) but hey I don't think I really need to justify the time, fabric and love put into every one of these. It is a handmade stall after all, so I'm hoping the crowd it attracts are appreciative of original handmade designs.

So, as I was saying before the mini rant, I'm churning out new designs all over the place. In fact I'm just about to draft up another! I'm planning on a little one-eyed monster. Tully has been singing the purple people eater song, and whilst the little dude I have in my head won't be wearing short shorts, he will have ummmm one eye!

Once the market is over and I drag home the many softies that haven't sold, I will be listing them over on a new store over at made it. Tikki has closed down her ozebaby store where I have been fortunate to sell stuff for the last few years and for which I am very grateful (thanks tik). You can still purchase tik's knitting patterns over at Ravelry and from my market stall (she may even pop a few of her milo vests on there too!)and I hear she will be opening up a new store some time soonish;) But I have to admit I'm a little bit excited about opening my own store and it seems perfect to launch with lots of stock, so I back to work churning out pixies, polly dolly's, aliens, babushka's and little one eyed monsters and who knows, maybe even painting a tee or two!

An alien named Crystal

Tully has a brand new friend, she's an alien. She found her in her bed mid last week and now sleeps with her nightly, eats most meals with her, takes her to the shops and has even had to spot clean her a few times. All her other pixie and poly dolly friends have been abandoned to spend their days at the end of her bed or the floor, whilst her new friend whom she has christened Crystal has the prestigious spot at the head of her bed.



She tells me she's her favourite! The best I have ever made!!! Well, who would have guessed. Crystal was really just another prototype and I decided to make her a girl for Tully. Apparently, I should have put a flower in her hand but thats ok, as most days Crystal is bejewelled with many stunning knecklaces. In fact, Crystal is so loved that another order has been put in for one for her birthday! Mighty praise indeed!!

babushka

Just a short post to share a couple of new little friends in our house. I have another headcold, blergh, and am fuzzy and full of yucky stuff so will make this a short one.

It doesn't stop me from sewing though, no siree. Over the weekend I finished off the little babushka I posted about last, and guess what she worked! Not only that but I love her and have proceeded to cut out a gazillion more. It's a babushka family here, well it will be soon!



The little man in the house was very happy to find a little frind in his bed when he woke Sunday morning. I finally got the little alien dude together for Asher. He's not quite there, the arms need altering and the shape of his tummy and legs...but nearly, nearly there.

creative space

Feeling the need for a new softie design, I always revert to my sketches from long ago. This morning I decided I needed some smaller softies to sell at the upcoming market and after a quick flick through some old sketches I came across this little babushka. I also found this piccie of her on a little tee I sold eons ago, I wonder if it's still in a little girls wardrobe.



I think she is going to be quite a simple little miss to come together, well I hope she is! I'm still having trouble with the little alien I started weeks ago, much to Asher's dismay.

I still need to come up with some boys focused softies, who knows what I'm going to find in the sketchpad tomorrow.

More creative spaces can be found over here

bunnies

Today was a day for bunnies. Hunting for them,eating them and even cuddling them. It all started at 6am, how very uncivilised, and it has been going all day. Apparently we need to look out for those long ears and keep searching the yard just in case easter bunny came back and snuck some more eggs in somewhere.



For the little one who is much too small to indulge in chocolate I made a sweet little moppy bunny. The pattern is from More Softies and is by Carly from Nest Studio. I love her and Sage does too, well she smiled and waved her arms at her alot so I'm taking that as a like.

Hope everyone had a lovely Easter and got lots of scrummy yummy chocolate:)



We're moving house in a couple of days so I'll see you all after the big move *waves*

show haul

What a crazy weekend! Phew I'm still buggered and it's the middle of the week already!! So why was it so crazy? Well we've been a visiting over in Victoria, attending weddings, having exciting rides on the ferry and hanging at the stitches and craft show:D(Myself, Sage, Tikki and Toby) Awesomeness + :D and the aquarium (the rest of the gang)

Firstly, it was Sage's first big journey and she travelled beautifully, yay! It's a bit squishy in the back seat now with three carseats but my wonderful cherubs all travelled beautifully. It helps that the big two are ever so excited about the destination! Lily's !!! Oh the excitement ...and we're heading back again this weekend for the little princesses 4th birthday. Excitement ++ :D

The wedding was one reason for the journey. Tully loved it and ohhhed and ahhhed at the bride, Asher found the toy box of cars and was entertained all evening and Sage, well Sage slept and cuddled as she does:D

Bright and early the next morning I was supposed to be up and ready ..but I was running late and made tik wait in anticipation of the show for over an hour (sorry again tik)But the wait was so worth it:D Upon entering we headed straight for the Indie section and spent the next couple of hours there. Mixtape, Dear Fi, Ric rac, Kristen Doran, Ink and Spindle, One red Robin, One girl and twiglet and Winterwood toys...and many others.... gosh talk about a bunch of awesome talent. I spent up big but could have purchased so much more! The rest of the show was so - so. If it wasn't for Amitie and Kelani I wouldn't have spent a cent in the main area. I had hoped pear tree yarn would have some awesome gradient dyed wool so I could attempt a tikki rainbow dress but alas, lucky for the purse. So here's my haul...



Ace little peg bear Nakasi from One Red Robin (Sage's teddy from Nana and Pa, thanks Nan and Pa)and wooden girl brooch kit, tin soldier and winter nest panels from Kristen Doran, tea set pattern from ric rac and little hair brooch kit from felt cuisine.



And then there's the fabric! Mixed pack from Ink and Spindle (Lara cameron aceness), a bit of Auntie Cookie, a variety of fat quarters and some wonderful rainbow dyed wool felt from Winterwood Toys. Most of the fabric is destined to be made into pixies. Tik and I have been discussing a very cool stocking, keep watch for more details over the next few weeks. I must warn you though that stockings from me may be a bit slow for a while. Things are a little bit slower with Sage (today she's hanging out in my awesome mei tai Leah made me, wonder if I can sew with her attached to my front ??) and we also have a pretty crazy social calendar AND are due to move yet again! I know we only just moved here nearly 6 months ago but our lease is finishing up and we wanted to move so Tully would be zoned to the school we want to send her to. Thankfully we only had to look at one house, it was ace and we got it. So as I was saying things maybe a bit sporadic for a bit:D

Ohhh and I nearly forgot the last awesome purchase. Chook leaf shoes for Tully. Perfectly prnincessY!

polly dollie version 1

Finished off Polly Dollie just in time for Tully to take off to bed last night, so off she danced. Apparently she has dancer's legs and is already much loved by my little miss. I'm planning on tweaking the pattern a bit as she's not quite there but is still very close. The next version I've been told will be for Lily, as "Lily doesn't have one".

valentine oobee

Check out this sweet little Valentine Oobee that arrived in my mailbox today. Soooo Super sweet. I was lucky to get a custom one from the very clever Leslie from one girl I came across a post on her blog offering custom Valentine Oobee's and since bub is due Valentine's Day thought it would be the perfect gift from the kids. Well actually I lie, the bub's due the day before but Valentine's Day sounds so much nicer than friday 13th. Not that bub is likely to arrive on either of those days, but how could I go past an oobee! It is delightfully soft and cuddly. His name is Casanova and is made from a beautiful wool blend. I love him sooo:D



He's already hanging out in the hammock waiting for a bub to join him. The hammock has been set up from the day we got it, the kids had to put it up the moment it was delivered. Thankfully Tik was here with her hammock so I could check out that it looked right. The change table has been moved into our room as well with a bunch of gorgeous naps waiting for a bub. The two shelves aren't all bub's though. The basher boy is still tting. He's getting there, just slower than I had hoped.



Yesterday the postie delivered this book which I had posted about (yes, the postie has been making regular deliveries of late). It is a beautiful beautiful book! I had hoped that it would touch a little bit on where bub really comes from, although my kids do know. The ilustrations are amazing.

This one is my fav.



How sweet is that! Talk about a very baby orientated post! Well it is on my mind at the moment, although I am in no hurry for bub to come. I'm enjoying being pregnant. I'm not too huge and bub is nice and low and "YAY" has gone anterior again. I'm on a couple of homeopathic brews to hopefully encourage an arrival before the medical profession decides it really has been long enough. I'm still walking into town and up and down lots of hills (which is all this town is made from..hills!!)and of course crafting. Here's my latest baby in the works. I've been thinking about this little dollie for a while now. She's from some pics I drew ages ago and will hopefully turn out just as I envisage her. Well nah that ain't gonna happen, I hope she just turns out close to what I imagine. Just sneak peeks for the moment.

scarlett

Little scarlett here will be going up in the shop this arvo. She's sweet and sports a bit of a different hair do, the classic bob.

Thought I'd also share a pic of Asher in his new owl tee. Tully loves it that Asher has a tee "like hers". I love this green on him:D Don't forget toleave a message below if you would like a similar one for your own little one.




And lastly, Tully's photo for the day. There has been about 50 of them (20 of the bathroom plug) but this one I especially love.

lonely little pixie

This little pixie has been sitting up in the shop all by herself for the last few days. She's a good little lass and is very patiently waiting for a couple of friends to join her before I pop her up for "buy now". Hopefully they'll all be ready to leave the nest by weekend.

on my desk....wednesday

Yay for Spring!!!! Spring has arrived and so has a lovely change in the weather. Just a couple of degrees warmer but 17 is so much nicer than 14! And blue skies! It's been a while since we've seen them. The rain has been wonderful and we certainly need more for the poor old rivers around here but my god it's so nice to have a little bit of dry weather to catch up on washing and go for walks without lugging all the wet weather gear along jic. On the first day of Spring Tully jumped out of bed expecting to see heaps of beautiful flowers and butterflies flitting everywhere in our yard. Poor little thing didn't know what was going on.

Along with the warmer weather has seen a bit of renewed ethusiasm and energy to "make" on my part. So today I have two desks to share.

This one is my desk in the warm lounge. Here is where I work away on pixies and do a bit of sketching in the evening and when it's really chilly. Hopefully these pixies will be making an appearnce in the shop some time soon along with some more tee's. It has been ages since I put anything up! Oh and can you see the little cherub sticking her head in the side of the shot. Funny little one...



And this is the other desk in the study/playroom. I've been doing a bit more sewing of little skirts and planning summer dresses and pants for the kidlets. A good friend had a beautiful little girl recently so I have also been scheming up some pressies for the dear little Bonnie along with a bit of painting for long overdue trades.



Busy busy desks....

pixie perfect!

I often have this little phrase running around in my head. "pixie perfect" with a little american sort of twang to it. It's from Tully's little tinkerbell camera and I swear the bloody thing drives me a bit bananas sometimes. Whoever invented noisy toys needs to have a child continuoulsy pressing the buttons on one all day and see the effect. Mind you I did buy the bloody thing so am certainly responsible.

It has been quite some time since I last posted some pics of something I made. That's because it's taken me so long to achieve much these days. No morning sickness or anything just lots of getting around with kindy drop-offs and pick-ups and a bit of snoozing when the kids are and I would normally be working. Nanna naps have become a daily activity of late. Thanks so much for all the lovely well wishes for our very exciting news. I've already bought the new bub a little fitted nappy and tully keeps talking about all the little dresses we need to buy it.

I must apologise for the very disjointed flow of this post. Fuzzy brain today... So the pixies below. Well they're promised for pixies that will be zooming off to their new owners hopefully tomorrow if the rain abaits enough for me to get to the PO with them. The rain doesn't stop me getting around at all. Yesterday we braved the downpour in wet weather gear for kindy drop-offs and it was actually really lovely to be out in it. But I can't be taking little pixies out in the chilly rain.



Another reason for the quiet over hear in blogland is this is number 200 post and I really, really wanted to be doing a giveaway custom pixie or tee but have found myself just way too snowed under so promise to do a giveaway sometime between here and post 250. Cool?

Mr. Percival

Well Mr.Percival is all done and up in the shop I'm very happy with how he's turned out and hopefully someone else will be too:D

I've also got a few pixies waiting their turn for a bit of attention. They will be up before the weeks end. We're off across the border for a brief catch up with family and friends and to celebrate the big 4 for the Tullster so I've got to sell, sell, sell to help pay for the crazy costs of petrol (and my planned visit's into many country oppie's along the way). At least the rain is bucketing down and we are housebound so I am being quite efficient today and my list of things to finish before Thursday is getting shorter!

more matryoshka's

It's funny how things creep up on you. I don't really know how but I have a bit of a "thing" for making matryoshka's at the moment. I've been painting quite a few of them on tops and now I've made a little soft one for Tully for her birthday. I found the pattern in a great op shop score, "How to make soft toys and dolls" by Sunset Books. It's been on my "to do" list for a while. I love how the dolls sit in little pockets and have a similar idea to the original matryoshka doll.

Tully got a set of Matryoshka dolls for Christmas and she is still really intrigued by them and so I hope she loves this doll too. Although, it has pretty stiff competition in a hideous plastic Sleeping Beauty princess that sings when you press a button on her back. Gosh could they be any more different? Tully loved the hideous plastic thing and requested it for her birthday. I really tried to turn her against it but no, she loves it. Oh well, I love the matryoshka's....

a pixie for Mirabel

One little pixie all ready to head off to mikes for softies for Mirabel. If you haven't heard of this fantastic charity click on the badge in the sidebar to go and see some absolutley fabulous softies that have also been donated and find out what it's all about. I really love the thought that this little pixie is heading off to bring a little magic into a little person's life who really needs it.

friday archives

It's been a while since I played. Well it's actually been a while since I blogged. No real good excuses, just no camera as Lach took it away with him and for some reason my pics on the hard drive couldn't be found. I am sooooooo uncomputer savvy it's not funny. So hopeless in fact am I that I can't even figure out how to pop the Friday archives badge on my page. shesh....

Anyway today's archived sketch is a conte drawing from when I did my teacher's diploma. We had a wonderful lecturer who allowed the art students to create visual images for assignments rather than write them. This sketch was about the different ways students take in knowledge. I'm sure there must have been some sort of written component to the piece but it's long gone now.



This is a little chick who is hanging out on my desk waiting patiently for some stuffing for her legs. Gee I hate it when you run out so close to the finish line. She's a special custom for a little unborn princess. I don't usually take on customs but I couldn't say no to this request. There are also a few more lasses and one lad hanging out waiting for their turn at some attention. That's if the little squirt who likes to accost me every time he sees me sitting down and demands "juice" allows me .