Ok Party people ENOUGH time for photos!

SORRY SORRY!

I was in morning and all that Jazz... My favorite coffee shop closed it's doors (very suddenly). It opened 26 years ago and with me being born and bread in the same one horse town (26 years ago) my family has been going to this ICON of coffee for as long as I've been alive.

... I go every week (often 3-4 times) and I know all the staff by name and yeah. My wedding anniversary this year (number 1) was celebrated there.. alas Caddies Coffee is no more.

I walked in and said "Hay Vicki what's doin?" The day I found out and she started talking and then we were both crying! Sad I know but I am sad. Or I was sad. Now it is no more. And I am moving on to....

.....CRAFT FAIR PHOTOS!!

This is the two silk scarfs. Mine is the very blue one and Mum's was very (very) tightly wraped so therefor came out quite white.

This is a progression of photos:

First me tring to think where I've got ok light to get a photo of the detil of my tyeing.

Second the dog deciding 1- I'm allowed on the bed. 2- I want my Mummy's attenshion.

Third is the dog being "punished" for getting in the way of the camera.

LOL - He is so sulking in that photo!

Next We have details of Mum's Scarf and also a sneaky one of my Husband who has longer arms then anyone else!

Ok now some photos of the heat  reactive fun stuff...

So Fun fun fun!

Next what I've been up to latley!

patching Patching always Patching!

Xoxo Melanie.

I think I can feel my feet!

I love craft fairs.. 
 
Little old ladies pottering around. They make a heavy metal concert seam like a walk in the park. My toes have been run over my shins have been bashed and my skull knocked around all the while I'm going "Excuse me!" "Sorry!" and being completely ignored by the evil old bats OOPS! SORRY! Lovely old ladies...

No there is always a few in the crowd who are just not nice. Most people were happy just to be there and there were no major riots or anything of that ilk. But I did stay out of the scrap booking stands for a reason.. those girls just SCARE me!

I learnt allot and most of it not form the paid classes and talks put on by the craft fair. Me personally I'm a chatter... I just get in and start asking questions. Sometimes I get the most AMAZING answers!

I can also understand after a few days with so many people looking and asking people get fed up with Questions. But wow it's my age working agenst me sometimes... several times I was asked "how old are you 19?" Anddd as flattering as that is at 25 very soon to be a year older then that it is somewhat annoying to be informed of things go "yes yes but that wasn't my question to start with I asked for the harder stuff."

I know I'm WINGING I'LL STOP... It's just a little bit frustrating being ignored or underestimated for two days straight ...  And the food sucked as always.

Please note:In honor of the no photo rule that was everywhere this post will have no photos...

However this is GOING TO BE A SEROUS REVIEW>>>


On the second day I got a good 2hrs with the quilts and the Australian winner was just AMAZING. It was by Kay Haerland and it was just so incredible... I can't explain it it was 3D and FANTASTIC and beautiful and OH WOW and then I got to meet her personally and she chatted to Mum and I for like umm an hour and when we said we would miss her talk on her quilt she said to come back after our classes and she would give us a private chat ...

WHICH I DID and she talked for another hour about ALL her quilts (there were five at the Bernina stand) and then walked us down to the display and talked about the winning one and WOW she just TALKED and CHATTED and EXPLAINED and was so giving and so amazing she made up for sore feet and all the rest. One of the most inspiring moments of my life... If I could do HALF of what she dose I would be so happy.

And I said I was going to photograph your work but I didn't want to annoy you and she LAUGHED and said to photograph ANYTHING because she wanted to inspire me and then I said I might put it up on my blog and she LAUGHED and said she would love that ... I am a FAN!

Go and look it's worth it. But her quilts lose so much. If you ever get the chance to see them DO in real life you would think there alive!


MORE REVIEWING >>>


So things I see and do...


Day one - 

The Talks: These were generally crap. I was disappointed with most of it. HOWEVER I only saw about six and one was really good. The Australian Country Quilts Stand talk on Photos on fabric for Dummies was all marketing BUT was very informative and Kathleen answered all my questions and actually LISTENED to what I asked.

The Stands: Oh my OH MY can I spend $$$$$$ NOT that I did but there was some COOL stuff! Mum got Spot fabric (as in the iconic childerns book Spot the dog). We both also got some great GADGETS!

The Bernina T-Bag: AKA: take two nice T-shirts and make a bag. GREAT idea. Really quick and really fun. We got there at 9.20am and they only had one ticket left and we both went "awww NUTS!" and they went "... wellll if you share a machine and pay for two kits." So we got it done. Will post photos asap!

Day two- 

The Quilts: i got about 30min on Thursday to see them... I know so I then spent a good two hours with them Friday as I said and WOW...  All that talent! I'm a big fan of the 'art quilts" but I also LOVE the traditionalist one's. I aim one day to get that good!

Classes: Unique Stitching Studio with Cecile Whatman 


Indigo dyed Shibori Silk Wrap- fun but not very informative for me who knew allot about Shibori already. However Cecile talked allot and had great knowledge of the topic. Her indigo dye product was great and a great lesson for anyone who wants to indigo dye at home. HOWEVER it was tie dying with indigo dye. HOWEVER I got a great scarf out of it which I wore to the North Coast National yesterday.

I really enjoyed Cecile's general knowldge of all things Shibori and dyeing she knew alot anyone who get's to do a class with her is very luckie!

Mixed Media Artist Trading Cards - Something I've heard allot about and done nothing with. I am going to do something with the mess I made! The Lutradur was so fun and I already LOVE Angelina Fiber! So it was fun to put two and two together and add a heat gun and = holes.

However we walked away with allot of 'bits' and nothing completed. It was due to time restrictions but I already have HOW MANY half done things I thought I was going home with something finished. Well sorta finished. I spent allot of time chatting with our instructor and that was great she was a lovely person.

So OVERALL!

Go and have a look at Kay's stuff!!

And a craft fair is a craft fair I got over the whole DON'T TAKE PHOTOS... I get it copy right and all that but MAN! I want the photo so I better remember WHY I want to BUY your pattern there is just so much going on. It has taken me the better part of an afternoon to identify the web sites and patterns I'm thinking of getting... and the photos are CRAP!

I know I'm not going to steal there idea. I don't know about YOU thuough! 

I know people who have started up market stalls here in my home town. Moved the stall to Brisbane and taken soft toys they bought here at the markets and directly copied the toy and are now selling them as there own product. I'm a trained pattern maker I get it really I do. BUT DAM I like showing you party people the things I liked... Oh well you will just have to wait for some much shorter posts with photos (Mum has stolen ALL the stuff we did to show her evil monsters ... students)

 XOXO Melanie.

The last 24hrs have been busy...

OH WOW!! So much can happen in one day!! It's been a ripper all good things to! I thought taking time of for the craft fair was very NAUGHTY! HOWEVER... Now I deserve it!!

So lets rewind the tape to yesterday 5pm-ish. I was just finishing my book cover. I'm pretty happy with it in the end. However after ducking to Office Supplies shop for a hard back note book (a long and involved task which I got a good deal and started the mammoth task of recognizing all my paper work)...

We got home and Hubby and I let the wild dogs out of the car ... who promptly sniffed out the invading large rat ... Or very small very old sad looking dog... about the size of a 2kg bag of flower the little Foxie (black and white spots ... going gray) was swiftly rescuded rom the evil duo who wanted to see if he was tasty... I think?

Poor thing was a little bit lost. So 2hrs of door knocks and "excuse me do you know this dog?" Got me nowhere. No vet would take him, no ranger and the council person I rang on the after hours number said "Drive him off to another street and let him go"... Really!!?? An old TINY dog who was very friendly and sweet. Who could get eaten by our evil resident fox (5chickens and counting) OR hit by a car, or DIE AND THE OWNERS NEVER KNOW WHERE HE WENT?!  Me the Queen of dog loving was told to let him go. At night. In the rain.... YEAH RIGHT!!

So any guesses where he spent the night? ... Happily asleep in the bath tub out of Demon dog range...

First I let him sit out side for a wile to see if he would wander off home... Nope and it was getting dark...

So after taking him to the vet this morning I got some news around 12.. He belongs to an elderly couple who have both had long term stays in hospital and probably wont be coming home again. The son who was feeding him came over and my husband sent him to the right vet. And he is a beloved pet and very old (15ish)

The MOREL of this story is.

1. Put a collar on your dog. He had none.

2. GET THEM MICROCHIPD. Only that the neighbors told this guy I'd knocked on the door looking for a dog owner the day before did this dog go home. He was on his way to the pound because he had NO form of identification!

3. Our council has a SHIT policy for dealing with stray/lost dogs.




So that's why photos of me FINISHED project are late..


So a few quick snaps and off to BRIS-VAGAS!! For  CRAFT FAIR HEAVEN!

These are the materials...

These photos show you how it goes together... as you can see it's all satin stitch...

This is that construction error I was talking about ... as you can see spray glue and me not such HOT friends at this time. DUMB mistake... Me and my incipience...

And finally the FINISHED product... Love the beading on the front hiding  the glue area on the front... SO AM I HAPPY! YES I AM... It's been a run around with the dog and work, long days and it was hot with 2 wedding dresses to press up and everything else, Mum's home and wants to see me ect. However were done. Time for some inspiring Net Surfing and a new project ... Or an old one. Will let you know ASAP... I'm feeling napkins and place mats and as seen here... On Whip it up. Or maybe some art as seen here at Man Made

But you'll all have to wait and see!

xoxo Melanie.

It's Sunday Bloody Sunday an there's two things I forgot...

Some days I wish it was Sunday everyday!  Late starts and breakfast in bed with the Husband and puppy dogs... HEAVEN! This week however I am wishing away my days till I get to Wednesday!

All those hardcore party people like me who live somewhere near Brisbane know whats on?!?!? THE  BRISBANE CRAFT & QUILT FAIR!!

My Mum and I are OFF! Were staying over night have booked (and printed) tickets and are doing at least two classes!! Were doing Shibori & Indigo Dyed Silk Wrap and Mixed Media Artist Trading Cards.Were also going to the modern art gallery to see: Threads: Contemporary Textiles & the Social Fabric. Sounds fun hay! + Max Brenner + shopping + Christmas decorations going into all the shops = Happy me!


.... SO EXCITED!!

And now you must understand the problem at hand. Two new techniques and two new projects opening up the way to more and more craft addiction!! So as I said it's time to name and shame...

Shall we have a look at a SMALL pile of projects I am yet to complete?!

First:

A knee rug/blanket inspire by one that came into work (I'm a dry cleaner) it was two layers of very thin wool stitched with a running stitch in Red, Orange, Yellow and Brown. I got some cotton blanketing (light green) and measured out 2inch stripes and used Purple, Blue, Green and Gray as my colour plate.

 I used a long running stitch in stranded cotton and just went up the stripes each stripe is a different shade. No two colours are the same.

 Bust as you can see I still haven't quite got it all finished up. The Husband and I have both been using it over winter... But alas not finished yet!

Second:

We have a button bag & Buttons ... I'm just getting nowhere with. I thought I'd love this and it would make a great craft bag...

Love the fabric, love the buttons (got millions to pick from) But just goes nowhere!

Third:

Now where getting to the good ones... A full sized King bed Quilt as you can see is in varous stages of construction... at least I'm working on this SSSLLLLLOOOOWWWLY it's moving forward!

As you can see spilling out of the storage bag and in something of a mess I tided it up so you can see where it's going...

First cut out about a million triangles and peace together and then slash into 2inch strips invert and restitch. Then sew into pairs for the final block....

There is about 120 to do and I'm at about 60 to go ... stalled out however...


Forth:

Next we have some of my more unique and creative endeavors....

A machine felted wrap that I just don't know if it's finished... I have had this going for about a year and I'm just not convinced it's done.

You can see I am some what indecisive about colour as well... why use one when you can use them all?

Fifth: 

Yes there is more! Silk painting. I cut out of an old uni project that I dabbled in and then machine stitched one piece ... Now what the hell do I do with it?!?! Pretty but no idea what it's meant to be!

This is the (once) bag panel that I have no idea what to do with.

And this is the larger piece with random circle stitching. It's much bigger then the first bit but not the right dimensions for a book cover (original idea) and NOW I have now idea!

Sixth:

Oh yes MORE!

Don't you hate it when you put in that much work (times two because I did one exactly the same for mum to use) and it just doesn't work!?!  This ugly little bag was created at a quilting group I went to for a short time. I got half the directions before turning up (found that out later) and the whole project was a shirmosel!

 It's almost finished ... just needs handles BUT i HATE it...  the zips are great but your bag isn't very big and as I didn't know It was going to unfold from a bag to a "baby blanket" thing I used plane white on the back ... and red thread to quilt it... I then had to cover the corners because they turn down ect ect ect it goes ON AND ON. I just got over it and I still doesn't have handles ...

 Oh and it's such a waste because Mum hates hers two and we both really like the piece of quilting I did... so what are we to do?!

Seventh:

And thankfully second last for today...

This one is another bit-sa ... It's called Reverse Applique and a lady named Pat Skains taught my Mum and I the technique. It's all the panels for a bag. You lay up backing (aqua) wadding three layers (at least) of fabric blue sheer on top, purple poly cotton slub fabric next and white snake skin satin  under that. You then stitch a pattern mines a shatter effect and then cut back parts to show the colours underneath. I however also corded a number of stitching lines in textural yarns and embroidery flosses. And then you are meant to do machine embroidery (free) on many of the shapes that are cut or uncut ... which I am yet to do.  

 The part I think I like most is the backing where you see all the stitching i used one colour on the bobbin to get this effect and I plan to bind all the seam rather then line the bag so you can see all this on the inside.

The question is will any of it ever get done. This project is about two years old now and I'm only just planning the way I'll do the embroidery...

Eighth:

And last

I have something that is almost done!!

A book cover... Sounds DULL but it's another Mum project she gave me the idea and I couldn't resist this is a Liz Scobie another local textiles artist who is amazing!! This is a work shop Mum did (I tried to get in but it was full)  and it's call a jewled book cover with machine stitching and embellishment.

It's not mine so I'm not telling you how I did it... I will tell you how to construct to book cover part on request because it's one of the best techniques I've seen so far!

AS I said it's almost done ... only a small construction accident with the spray glue is holding it up At The Moment.

 This is the middle section

ABOVE is the bottom section and BELOW is the top section. I'me pretty happy with  this little project ... except for the construction accident!

 Now here is my PROMISE This week I will post you photos of the finished product... and hopefully updates on all the other things going on in the Sewing Room Of Doom!


xoxo Melanie.

were going to do it this time...

Ok so I really am going to do this. I have a schedule. And I'm going to talk about what I'm good at.

Being a craft addict.

It's true and so many of us are here and we do it day in day out so here we go.

Confessions of a craft addict episode one: 

Step one: Admit I have a problem.

Well I have a whole room full of this little problem.  Sewing, Quilting,  Machine embroidery, Textiles, Hand embroidery, Knitting, Scrap booking ... ALL OF IT! I have a PROBLEM!

Step two: Document the problem... 

Welcome to the Craft room of doom.

My sewing center and general crafting area... my desk. And chair, covered in work clothing.

The other half's computer (which I'm currently using) and the cupborad in the corner that stores all things inappropriate for my 2 year old niece. Who LOVES Mel and her room!

In the middle we have Junk Storage ... or where I keep my cutting board and a beautiful photo taken by my sister in law... Fishing trawler at sunset.

And the last hideous place the storage boxes of S**T for craft... where my paycheck goes to DIE! There is a little bit of everything in here. Dies, paints, inks, fabric, and threads (two boxes) and so so much more!

And finally two of the three beasts I share the room with. Dex valiantly trying to stop me getting in an Cujo keeping the floor warm by my chair. (Husband was playing golf during the photo session!)

So as you can see I have a craft room and a craft problem ... the Problem is this


Step three: Now face the TRUE problem....

I am creative and talented ... SO my mother says but as everyone knows... I have approximately 1000000 half finished things to do.

Now you know the Where tomorrow (after a good nights sleep) we tackle the what and we aim to see if it is actually possible to FINISH SOMETHING I START!!!

xoxo Melanie.