kwoozy

Snoozing

2008-09-03T18:53:00.003+10:00

Unfortunately, doubt I will be blogging much.

Snoozing till Nov :)

Buzy

2008-06-14T14:43:00.003+10:00

Off the crafty.
Have not been checking the craft side - blogo-sphere, email, etc related stuff.
So apologies for slow and non-existent replies.

Too busy to make/create stuff, so nothing to blog about.
Most times tired of the blogging as well (it's getting b-o-r-i-n-g! Need to try other stuff maybe)
Work work work.
Things to plan, things to organise.
Moving soon. Saying good bye to inner city life. Sigh.
No more house hunting - yay!
Thinking if I should change hobbies (so much fabric/etc/etc accumulated in such a short time. Regrets hit you when you need to move)
Blah blah blah ...

Back in mid-July, maybe.

Take care,
k

The unfinished objects report

2008-04-08T19:21:00.007+10:00

Whoa, it's April - so much for finishing projects. I was/am a little too gung-ho with the knittery and had a bout of RSI-strains and have been (and should be) off the needles. In the mean time, the projects have grown. Thought I should document them to keep track. Here goes:

1) Crochet scarf (from ISBN978-4-277-17217-2): 4/20 or 24

2) Hexagon blanket (from ISBN978-4-415-10365-5): 9/85 Manage to achieve gauge so will aim for the total of 85 as in the book.

3) Ripple lap blanket: 7/70

4) Shawl/Wrap to be (Leaf and Acorn): Might be a little ambitious but it's for an occasion, so one needs to be ambitious.

5) Experimental raglan something: Got bored following patterns (you know me) so found some guides to do a custom something, so we will see.

6) Sidewinders: 1/4 of ONE sock

---------
2) and 3) I was initially aiming for a row and a hexagon a day - but currently about 3 weeks off "schedule", but who's counting?

4) Went to check something on the weekend and was around the area - so got more yarn from Pear Tree. It's meant for an occasion so I thought I would get better yarn for it. Except ... I got other yarn (for a jumper perhaps) from them as well. So there goes the spare "craft" money budget (not that I have not bought anything for a while now. Yarn addiction to cure fabric addiction ?) I intended to do the shawl in two colours (ground stitch in one and the leaf motif in another) but bleh.. I can't figure it out from the text. I tried to graph it but who am I kidding with my beginners knowledge.

A few reasons seems to be prolonging my knittery/crochet spell - expensive yarn (it's a waste to not use them right ? Don't remind me of my Japanese fabric stash from last year), and they are all going to be something useful for me (unlike softies - fun creative experiments, certainly less boring and the 3D-ism is a good challenge but what am I going to do with all of them?)

One down

2008-03-25T20:23:00.008+11:00

Well, I hope the Easter break was good for you. I got some stuff done and didn't get other stuff done. I practically stayed away from the computer. Still no sewing or feltyness, but I managed to start and finished this scarf. The secret is big needles and chunky yarn (from Pear Tree). Feels like a long time since I finished something so yay! Need to check how to do blocking.

Speaking of not finishing ... I have another owl to stitch - I managed to get a spot at Brown Owls last week. I was sitting near Jhoanna and Anna Laura. Nice to meet them again. And Brooke showed me how to cable cast on (I have my own dodgy method of long tail cast on).

And another yay for a 4 day work week.

Seven

2008-03-17T20:31:00.001+11:00

[Yarn "remnants" from Pear Tree. Lovely natural colours. Purchased at a steal from the show]

Since we are on a roll with the memes ... Chalk and cheese tagged me sometime ago for 7 things. Here goes:

1. I was one of the last among my peers to get a mobile phone.

2. Rabbit > dog > cat. Medium to big smart dogs > pretty dumb dogs.

3. Yet to get my driver's.

4. It took me 5 hours to knit about 2000 stitches (including frogging) for the sock the other day.

5. This Easter message made me laugh.

6. Got another rent increase today. I thought we were going to be evicted, so I guess it is a good bad news. Sort of. But I hope we get a place soon.

7. Saw this on Chalk and Cheese's list: I like Okonomiyaki too.

I am not tagging anyone but feel free to play along in you like.

This is ...

2008-03-17T20:18:00.002+11:00

... my creation -> Bunny part No. XYZ.

Well the show was fun - lots of chatting and listening. I finally met Angela (also other lovely people) and remembered to play along. Better late then never.

Thanks to Betty the Geek for yesterday's installment.

Look out for the bunnies!

2008-03-11T22:15:00.005+11:00

[Made me laugh! Lime mug = happy, via Ikea]

It's all quite late-ish (got the confirmation email few days ago, wouldn't change even if I knew earlier except maybe more parts to bring haha) - I will be a volunteer at the Living Creatively stand at Stitches 08. My slot is the last one on Sunday 16th March from about 1 to 5. The plan is for me to bring a few softies and stitch some softies (maybe more feltyness than softies) there. I don't have much stuff around so am going to grab what I have - most likely some experimental bunny parts and whatever else I can make. If anyone's going on Sunday, look out for the bunnies and come say hi.

Good mail, more on the needles

2008-03-09T12:16:00.004+11:00

I guess I am still playing with needles - mainly because it can be done in short spans of time. I need bigger spans of time for softies. Been slack with the blog because I am slow and my WIPs and multiple frogging aren't too interesting to blog. Anyway, I finally got the knitting/crochet books from Yesasia (ordered two months ago! Some things were out of stock and I had to wait and wait).

A little disappointed with the one on the left - nice pics but a lot of them are very simple (i.e. I can make without buying a book). Japanese books in general are better matches to my way of "craft making" - I hate wordy instructions/following patterns.
These Japanese knitting/crochet books certainly do not disappoint with the diagrams - I find them so much easier to follow as I can see the "big picture" which makes it all the more doable for me.

One of the projects I want to make is the blanket on the right book. I ordered some Bendigo wool (gotta love online shopping) and they arrived on Friday. I got the wrong ply for the white - have re-ordered so need to wait. Can't wait to start this one.

My knitting is certainly way crappier than my crochet. After frogging and restarting and frogging a few projects over the week (the Endpaper mitts, the socks, the vest, etc), I started this last night. The motif is from the middle book - original in pink (yucks). I have thicker wool so the diameter is much larger. I am only making 5 of the 6 rounds in the motif since it is already quite large. I got it right the first time - no frogging. Bugger knitting.

Anyway, it's the long weekend which means bigger chunks of time so hopefully some softie experimenting in the arvo and tomorrow.

Finished

2008-03-09T11:35:00.002+11:00

Today! It's not very like the real thing. The specimen's quite dead by now, also my lack of skill.

Untitled

2008-03-02T13:37:00.007+11:00

Haven't really been able to craft - time is one thing, but more so the lack of motivation to do anything. This might seem strange but it feels good to be disconnected for a while - I have not been browsing Flickr/read any craft blogs since pretty much the last post. Work is the usual - I have two days to finish off something and then I will be offsite elsewhere for a while.

The weather is getting cold now (YAY!) - I am not feeling too good but I hope I don't get any worse else I will have less that 2 days to finish off the work.

The knittery is going alright by my standards.You can see 3 finished gloves (2 of them Fetching and the other a mindless knit based on Dashing). I can't seem to start on their matching pairs. Anyhow, don't you think they look like trees? (I put them around some jam jars for the picture).

My knittery steam is running out. But not before I have bought too much yarn - green ones are for a vest, stripey one is another fingerless glove, the dark blue/gray is glove #2 to match middle Fetching, and the blue is a start on the Endpaper Mitts).
Knitting isn't very "creative" for me. It's good for non-thinking days. Truth is I spend more time on Ravelry oogling at projects and collecting yarn (I love sock yarn!) than I do knitting.
I still think plush making is the thing for me but I can't seem to create at the moment. There are lots of ideas but unable to actually make them. Need to slowly get back into the groove!

This month, I think I should concentrate on getting the knittery finished (or mostly finished) and making stuff for me :) Besides, my sister and I both agree we need some bags. So, Etsy is going to snooze (it doesn't stay up much huh?)

Anyway, I am also trying to indulge in other interests besides the crafty. I am taking a drawing class - going to paint this in the arvo. I need to draw something before the next class too.

It's enough to make you go arrggh!

2008-02-11T21:48:00.000+11:00

Don't like to talk about work but today makes me want to rant.
I was almost cruising to the finish line when huzzah! Some unexpectedness at the so very last minute - I guesstimate that I will have to change 90+ instances in various files. And then it will have to be reviewed again. Not pleasant. Better to know now than when it's too late sure. But still! And the annoying thing is, I feel there must be some simple solution. Oh creative gods or other beings can you please strike me down with some less tedious solution soon?

So ... I am going to blog down for the next couple weeks.

But guess what? I mentioned the under-prepared thing ? Well, I signed up for Poppytalk 's Spring market way back in December but didn't quite remember did I?. Kwoozy is here. I don't have much there. Hahah. I could have pull out but then it's the Bunny Market you know. So one must try. So I guess I will have to update on and off. Check Flickr or Etsy but the blog will be down (unless I need to rant).

End of mini-rant.
And send the spare brain cells this way.

Toothy

2008-02-10T11:55:00.000+11:00

For this

A tooth with heart is one that doesn't cause you pain.
In lieu of recent experiences, I couldn't help but make this instead of a normal heart :)

{About Thursday - it was special because the Year of the Rat began and I wanted to do a giveaway but am obviously late now - so a little while more. We pigged out last night here. I just realise I sign up for something and I am way under prepared so gotta run and make and do some stuff. }

Maple

2008-02-05T22:06:00.000+11:00

Just a very very wee update to the Etsy shop - it's about being consistent, right?

This is Maple. See the scarf? Yup, looks like the crochet-yness is still going.

{Having some lack of brain cell moments lately so will spare you :p Any spare cells, send them this way! Anyway Thursday is a special day so might be back then. Definitely better updates next Monday}

Fabric vs yarn

2008-01-28T10:37:00.000+11:00

This round - fabric won.

The knitting business is making me develop a yarn addiction. And then I have been spending a lot of time here [Eunny is such a genius and so obviously love her craft! Very inspiring. ] If this is the 'new' face (to me anyway) of knitting, then I want in! I also found these yarn sites: Handpainted Yarn (they ship to Australia!) and Scandinavian Knitting Design (like the Garnstudio Fabel ones).

Anyway, someone "sympathetic" to my teeth woes offered to buy me some craft supplies. Sadly, my knitting skills is still horrendous and spending on good yarn is still not a good idea, so ...

I wish I can say I found the fabric. But I didn't. I bought it off the bolt. A$18/m from Jobs Warehouse in the city - in retrospect I think I should have bargained. Going to be ambitious and attempt to make clothing from this ONE DAY!

Yes, this is a round-a-bout way to say I got more fabric.

From the long ear lab

2008-01-28T10:20:00.000+11:00

Something that's been going on for a while. Me thinks it is about time to stop - let's hope some make the cut.

Trying to simplify!

Working for my teeth, new addiction

2008-01-20T23:32:00.000+11:00

A boring piece of news: Had to visit the dentist - something got infected. Not too painful - just need to be on antibiotics (I am numbed to dentist visits). Another tooth is dying (oh what can I do - I have structurally bad/soft teeth) - need root canal soon and possibly a crown on an old root canal. $$$$. Need to search for insurance. I am working for my teeth, working for my teeth, working for my teeth ...

Something more interesting (to me at least): Bought some basic yarn and knitting needles. Then went and bought more after tooth incident - surely that is understandable? Two balls of very lovely and expensive (maybe not if you are a pro-knitter) sock yarns. And ordered 3 books (2 crochet + 1 knitting) from Yesasia. Yup, it's getting serious (or not). I am hooked on Ravelry - a big part of the "renewed" interest is due to this.

Wishing for colder weather

2008-01-14T22:23:00.000+11:00

For the past few years, whenever it gets cold, I always think I need some fingerless gloves and a mini blanket. Maybe it's the new year, hot weather or whatever - I am doing something BEFORE it gets cold. Actually, I currently have a yarn addiction.
For the past couple weeks or so, these have been my projects:

--> Dashing
First time with DPNs and cables, had to rework like a million times but I think I get the hang of it now.

--> Ripple blanket
Ripple pattern is Soft Waves from 200 Ripple [pattern spied via Amazon Reader :)] To call it a blanket is immature - I just hope when I have had enough it will be magically at least lap size.

--> Random patchwork-maybe-quilted lap blanket
Didn't like equal sized squares - quick but no fun. Decided on some varying width of strips. Then doing this slowly by cutting random size pieces of fabric of those widths every few days - quite fun! I might just skip the quilting part and sew a big thick something at the back.

Very surprising that I have am doing these since I usually turn tail at crochet/knit/quilting. Heck, I even sign up for Ravelry. I think it helps that I am doing 3 at once so it doesn't get boring. I have been doing a lot of thinking and as such am finding them rather therapeutic - no need to think, just make make make. They can be my big projects for this year (and beyond haha). Something I can do "consistently" too, eh?

Balance and consistency

2008-01-09T19:39:00.000+11:00

Been busy at work and too mentally drained to blog much.

Anyway, seeing it's the new year, I have being thinking somewhat. I don't believe in resolutions - todo list or project plans probably work better for me. Two words as a guide this year: balance and consistency.

Balance - between the crafty and other stuff.
Because creating/crafting is something I have absolute control of and hence can be passionate about, I tend to do it at the expense of other more important stuff. It's like I can't stop once I start. And I can't start once I stop. At times I wasn't sleeping enough and then I got sick a fair bit. Also a lot of weekends were spent entirely on craftyness - op-shopping, getting stuff to shop, buying supplies, create create create - that I didn't do much about the house hunting or spend time with people (and rabbit).
And etc etc etc. So I am going to cut down especially with the traipsing around town on the weekend part. At least until I have made some progress with the house hunting.
Also need to cut down on computer time - already do that at work so I should go do stuff instead at home.

Consistency - with creating and making stuff. I have too many ideas and I try do to everything when I am in the 'zone'. When I am not in the zone I do nothing.It's just not possible. Maybe less at a time but more consistent if you know what I mean. So rather than a crash and burn approach, I would like to be more consistent with making stuff and updates to Etsy. Also for the blog and real shops - I wish I can get some wholesale orders because then there's money upfront and less of the traipsing around. I think I need to try to create everyday - be it a few stitches or a full blown softie. Consistency also with cleaning (this is a tough one), saving money, etc etc.

Gee, I have rambled on. I can't put it very well - seems to sound more convincing and less cliche in my head.

Hmm ... how about you? Do you have something to work towards to this year?

Deux

2008-01-01T10:11:00.000+11:00

The weather's been too hot (and is still too hot) to do anything else but sit in the house.
Please meet no. 2 - Kuro / Mr Black - and they wish you a very happy new year!

And I would also like to wish everyone a happy new year. May it be full of craftyness, fun-ness, feltyness, creatures with long ears and creatures with big eyes :)

Dc, dc, dc

2007-12-30T10:52:00.000+11:00

Two days of not very interesting anime marathon later ...

This is Blue! First amigurumi and new patron softie of Kwoozy's craft room. It's made up as I go with reference to the Amineko for help with the circular-ness. So I guess, Blue is an Amiusagi. Imagine a troop of these guys at the front of the door guarding the craft room from the real Usagi! Ooh! But I doubt the crochet-yness will last much longer. Still, I feel like more yarn is required.

Never did think playing with a dull hook can be so addictive. It's been at least 7 years since I last crochet-ed and at least another 7 years before that one. It's the 7 year crochet itch perhaps. Haha. Previous crochet-yness has always been circular doilees (mum had those so very country English crochety books) which never lay flat, simple bags and bottle cozies. They were soooo boring but make a few of these and I don't think you will ever forget how to crochet. I think I can see why this ami stuff is addictive - all you need are lots of DCs (OK it's probably SC, I don't care much for terminology), and simple increase/decrease stitches and you are on your way to some cuteness.

This was my trial circular-ness - with some leftover yarn from ages ago. The guy just mentioned the trial one looks like a puffer fish. So it's name is now Fugu. Maybe I can make a few of these and put them on a plate.

Thinking elephants is not enough

2007-12-28T11:38:00.000+11:00

I am thinking elephants. Just thinking is not enough so I have got nothing to show here. I thought I could go back to making stuff but the truth is I just feel like lazing around.

Anyway, I got some goodies for me. The floral fabrics are some designer Alannah Hill remnants. The rest from Spotty. Got some yarn too because I am thinking crochet. The most exciting thing here is I got a Toyota sewing machine foot and it fits in my Brother machine! Spotty got a pack of Toyota patchwork feet - when I can, I will get them because I am also thinking quilty-ness. But enough prezzies for me for now.

Sometimes thinking elephants gets you lucky at the op shop! But the price is not so lucky. Got it anyway because how many times do you find elephants when you are thinking elephants?

And found this barkcloth. All my finds seems to be mustard-y/yellow-y/orange-y. Why, on why! Can we have some BLUE please?

Hey, this is post #202. Wow, how time flies. How very suprising that this blogging + making stuff thing lasted so long. This needs a giveaway. Next week me thinks - see how the craft mojo goes.

Sale on

2007-12-28T11:25:00.000+11:00

As part of the Poppytalk Handmade Market, Kwoozy@etsy is having a sale till 3 Jan.

Just to let you know :)

Happy happy merry merry

2007-12-25T08:54:00.000+11:00

[The anti-pink gang]

Happy happy merry merry! I would like to wish you a Merry Xmas if you celebrate and Happy Holidays if you don't. Here's to good times ahead in the new year!

[It's a quiet time for me but still I am glad for the break. I am looking forward to creating and making stuff since hobby time is going to be a premium now. For some weird reason, I have the urge to crochet and make some quilt like thing. Also a time to reflect and plan for the new year. Once the pay comes in, I am going to get me some prezzies. Whee!]

A win

2007-12-25T08:48:00.000+11:00

It's been a tiring and broke-like few weeks - and I don't even have Xmas to prepare for.

Anyway, this was a couple of weeks now (thanks to Bootac for the screen capture) and maybe this is not worth blogging about ...
- but I was so very excited when I was told about it. I take my wins when I can :)
The Mimigas were on Decor8's Etsy Finds some weeks ago.

Expensive stupidity

2007-12-16T09:06:00.001+11:00

Ahhh ... of all times to get myself lock out of the house, I had to do it when the guy is away. Feeling like a fine specimen of stupidity.

The locksmith came and $180 of my money said goodbye.

Sheesh.

And I am owing the guy half the vet fees + rent too.

Double sheesh.

My first pay check (the new place pays end of the month, how I wish it was fortnightly) cannot come quick enough!

PS - Thank for you all the advice about the postal service too!

Limited Edition Owls

2007-12-11T22:20:00.000+11:00

This blog started with a troop of owls. These owls are very special to me as they were the beginnings of my creative exploits and making them got me through some frustrating times. I think the owls have a style and character of their own and I hope you think so too. Normally, I make them to give away. So far, I have sold about 10-15 of the normal ones via a market and Mikes. But I have decided that since many people are making similar owls, I will come up with limited edition(s ?) ones for sale here. You bet I have lots of ideas for them ;) [You can tell from my Flickr and this blog too, can't you?]

Each special edition will not be more than 25. Unsold limited edition owls will most likely stay with me (troop leader and owl PM wannabe: Artic) or my sister (troop leader: Artec). Hehehe ...

If you do adopt a Kwoozy owl, I do hope you will join me in my Owl Project Part 2 in 2008. (Btw, you will not need a Kwoozy owl for that project).

The first edition is the holiday edition and available via the other blog.

Proceeds are going to a good rabbit :)

Note: They are based on traditional Japanese otedamas.

On another note: We have one more (hopefully) vet session to go for the W overhaul! Ahh ...

Not happy, Aus Post!

2007-12-11T20:00:00.001+11:00

Today I went to post a Mimiga to Europe. I measured it - it was 20 mm thick but the lady says it has to fit FREELY through the slot and since it's not paper anyway. So this means really 15 mm I suppose. So from a letter which cost $2, I had to send it as a parcel which costs me $10!

GRRR!

So, I have now added a dollar or two more to the postage. I think if I am a buyer, I would be annoyed to see it increased a lot so I am absorbing most of it for now. I hope it's reasonable. Any opinion? Hoping that maybe there is a kind PO somewhere near for potential future sales (but then again it's probably not worth the transport cost to go to such a PO) and it will balance out. Sigh and GRRR!

Another market

2007-12-11T07:25:00.000+11:00

Morning! Kwoozy is at Poppytalk Handmade's December market.

Kwoozy is here.

Will do the limited edition owls this evening.
Normal blogging should resume next week :)

Save Artic!

2007-12-03T19:23:00.000+11:00

Here :)

W needs an overhaul

2007-11-30T21:59:00.000+11:00

W needs an overhaul.

Will be back when we will be back.
Flickr should be updated more often. Etsy - ongoing and we will see.

Thank you for reading all this while. It's been a great break!
Catch ya :)

What I did at 10 am today

2007-11-29T10:32:00.000+11:00

Head + cup + trim held together by a peg = squirrel!
Sometimes I do weird stuff before coffee. This guy made me laugh so much I had to share.

I like window sills.
Back with the Mimigas later.

Wow! Something with no felt nor bunnies

2007-11-28T12:05:00.000+11:00

[Introducing my stress test team - O1 and OX. They may recruit more members soon.]

... and it's big and practical. Up now here. You can also view the standard and boring product-like shot on Etsy. Don't want the blog to turn catalogue-y now that I am trying to give Etsy a go once in a while.

I have also a few more Mimigas to list which I will do over the next few days. This is about the "waiting for the right sunlight + clearing and wiping my small white Ikea table clean + avoid capturing my background junk" that I can take today. Yes, I am that bad at photos.

I am considering putting some stuff on the other blog as well because it is easier than the slowish next-next-next and pic-by-pic-upload on Etsy. Also, I don't think there is anymore interest in the Japanese fabrics now. There's no point really now that we have this lovely shop selling direct from Japan - which is the way it should be and I am rather excited to see someone finally doing it! Woo hoo! About time, I say. Hehe, I think she's been there some time actually - I only bothered to go link clicking a few days ago.

I think I might go make some softies now.

A snag

2007-11-27T13:59:00.000+11:00

[Last last bunny. Couldn't help it! Made another one yesterday.]

This is too funny not to resurface and report. The collaboration has hit a snag. My collaborator's prototype got eaten and mine look like a hideous dinosaur. A few people has got wind of the collaboration. At the rate we are going (it's not that hard, there's too much laughing on my end and I am sure it's the same on the other), it's probably going to be outed before we finish. But let's hope not. I need to put this aside for the moment, O secret colloborator!

Submerging

2007-11-25T10:20:00.000+11:00

[Click to see bigger]

The blog's going to go quiet again until the end of the week (it's going to go very quiet in a week's time so we might as well go out with a bang).

Hoping to finish off the collaboration. Also making stuff for another Etsy update around the end of the week. I will just list them as I finish during the week, much easier that doing it big bang. I think I might need to go into more practical stuff like bags or something to attract some buyers - or faster to make softies that can be offered at a cheaper price. I am trying to work through as much ideas/doodles as I can as well.

Finally I have hooked up my cheapo scanner. Exciting huh? Just took me like 6 months. Anyway, something in the picture will give you a hint to the collaboration :) Make a guess!

In the picture, you can also see the doodle version of the capital-H-bunny is more menacing-looking. You can spy the small-h-bunny if you are keen (these are so going to be part of the update - remember the faster/cheaper softies?).

See? I am SOOO organised. I have a sketch book! Except, I doodle more on these free postcards (btw, they are great for felt food making). I love them - they are top quality doodle material. I am going to cut up the doodling and stick them in the book.

What else? Oh, I think we need a new computer. This one is grunting very loudly. I hope it doesn't die that quickly.

Press

2007-11-25T10:16:00.000+11:00

Kwoozy was on Cuteable this week! Thank you Cuteable.

Last bunny

2007-11-23T12:07:00.000+11:00

.. for Mirabel.

Meant to be doing something else. There's a collaboration going on (a hint later). Anyway, I didn't have much stuffing left - something I thought I would never run out of. So made this small H-bunny.

Need to get more stuffing. I think I might get a cold too with the sudden temperature change but anyway, stuffing first.

43

2007-11-21T20:32:00.000+11:00

Arrived today. I now officially have more spools than trims.
A mini-lesson not to be click-happy on Ebay :)

What I did at 6 am today

2007-11-20T09:04:00.000+11:00

Okay ... it looks like a flat head squirrel. Maybe more potential to be a lamb or dog. Hmmm... I need coffee now.

Message from the owls

2007-11-19T13:08:00.000+11:00

Poor Artic. He failed in his PM quest and now has to spruik Kwoozy. And to add insult to injury, he has been cloned! His clone is called Artac (as selected by his new owl slave), who will be living the high life (quite literally) with Joyce soon. Artac would like a red umbrella and is an Amazing Race enthusiast [Watch this and you will know why].

[Background is a lovely Echino 'sample' fabric - got it from Japan (heheh .. there's also the not-enough-for-sale fabric pile, you know). So cool - its combines a few of her designs and I do reckon it is better combined.]

Speaking of The Owl Project - I have a new idea for 2008. This time I think I have figured out a way where anyone can join and I don't have to make the owls. As you probably know, I will have to be back at work very soon, and I guess I need a side project to entertain myself. Please stay tuned ...

[Select your troop, Joyce!]

Nah, didn't make this today. Left over from the market. Must have spare owls at all times :)

And I uploaded some Japan owl photos onto Flickr too. You didn't think I would bring the bribes along without sneaking some photos, did you? You can see in the photos a blue owl as well - I guess that is "Pre-Artac" (Joyce was one of the person I meant to bribe, but unfortunately didn't get to meet).

Looting the bay

2007-11-18T09:58:00.000+11:00

Back from the drive to the bay. Made some stops at op shops (found a list here). Very lucky haul. Here goes:

When I saw these wine corks, I went "ARGH!". That's because a few days ago, I saw this and in a lemming moment went and made a costly bid on Ebay for a big lot of wooden spools (still on the way). When all I need are wine corks (smack!). Just 50 cents. My vintage trims (no, these are not from the op-shops) looks happy on them - they can do a mushroom thingy line up later.

Nah, not really going to start collecting vintage ceramics. They will make great craft containers - but perhaps we should use them for food.

The all important crafty pile - wool jumpers for felting, fabric remnants, pillowcases, etc etc. I admit that some are not really my style but I got them anyway.

Cost of the entire loot: less than $50. Whee!

The other three

2007-11-16T08:56:00.000+11:00

Mike and Mirabel for Mirabel.
The name Mirabel just screams girly for a softie (apologies to any real life Mirabels if case this offends) - so there you go. Outfit inspired by a girl in blue-and-mustard spring racing finery I saw in the city.
The last minute felty cat is ... Mini-Mike.

[Huh? What do you mean W got all the carrots?]
["I am a bunny, as yet I have no name"]
The first one that I am keeping.

Okie, off on a break. Yay!

Ze update

2007-11-15T10:07:00.000+11:00

WARNING: This is a long post ...

I made it! I have updated the Etsy shop.
This is what I have to show:

They are Blue, Mika and Walnut (I like him best). They are big - about 21". What do you think? The girls are a tad girly, no?

They take a lot of work and I can say that the most important thing about softie engineering is the head. Body + four limbs is pretty straight forward, construction wise.

These are refinements on the big bunny. I wanted a more "anotomically" correct face, if you will - rabbits have "jut-out" cheeks. But the heads turn out rather girly - so I thought I will go ahead with girls. Walnut was meant to be Mustard - but his body turn out too girly. So I have to make another body and he then becomes Walnut.
Hehe ... oh well, all's good now.

I made 3 more bunnies but they are not for sale. Two are for the appeal and I usually keep the first of every softie I make. I will show them later.

The scarves - one, two, three, four

I thought I will skip the book covers plan. Figured a way to use some of my vintage trims. These are based on kokeshi and babushka dolls (obviously) - I don't care for either of the original versions because they are rather girly - but I thought bunny ones would be cool. I am calling them Mimigas (Mimi means ears in Japanese, and the name is from this game). I am going to show a couple to Pip. If they pass the test, you might see some over at Mikes. Maybe I can have big Mimiga-like plush too. Hmm ...

This is how I am feeling now ... exhausted. It's been some 14 hours days but it has been fun. There have been rants at times of course (thank you Anna!).
I think I might do another update in a week or so (still thinking).

I am off to Mikes in the arvo and taking a break over the weekend.

Alright, let's hope they interest some buyers :)

PS - Is it just me, or is the listing process on Etsy some pain-in-the-posterior?

A break from some mad crafting

2007-11-13T11:24:00.000+11:00

Under one hour :)
[Not the mushroom thingies - those were made some time ago. Funky orange one is going out in a swap]

Something new for me to stare at! Whee!
The new king of the pile - formerly of Pip's bathroom at Mikes Richmond (THANK YOU).

If I stare at it long enough - there might be plushies :) Initial "plan" estimate comes to about 20+ tiny pieces for exact replication - so a little daunted with it. Although this guy was about about 20 (but bigger) pieces too so we will get there.

Yes, the new shelves is now an easy photo spot.
Alright, re-surfacing on Thursday.

New digs

2007-11-07T10:25:00.000+11:00

I went to Ikea yesterday - Cup Day is a good time to go - not many people. I bought some new shelves. Debated some time whether to buy it because the workmanship is at best shoddy!

While I don't expect solid teak from Ikea particularly for the price I am willing to pay, the quality control seems to have been overseen by rabbits. Most of the wood is "splintered" or look like they have been chewed (Needless to say, the rabbit was extremely excited to see all these new "teeth-polishing" equipment). So I stood there trying to select the best ones. Anyway, I have put it up and am pretty happy with the new space. Got the guy to help me clear some stuff. So there seems to be more space now. I am very excited - part of the shelves will be a display for my softie/felt food experiments. Actually, because it is cheap, I now have all these ideas to drill and hang hooks/curtain wires into the frame. Whether the frame can take it is another thing altogether.

I got these too. $12 per meter. And 150cm width too. Now THAT is what fabric prices should be like. While their furniture is shoddier than you think*, you have to give Ikea credit for their fabrics.

You can see some softie legs in the picture. You can guess what they are. They were created days ago but not ready to be shown. Got some internal dilemma to resolved - you see I think they turn out a tad too girly.

Ooh and did you notice how time flies ? Only a few more weeks left to my long break. I should do something more proactive with the handmade side. So, I am going to aim for a big (i.e. more then 10 items) Etsy update on Nov 15. And more stuff for the new Mikes too. Mostly new stuff only. Softies, maybe book covers (although they are not very popular here)** and if I can clear all the woolen for more scarves and hoping our friends up north will buy them. If I stick to it maybe I can do another update at the end of the month.

*[Aside: These Ikea ones look good: Alex, Granemo, Vika]

**[Aside: Was just mentioning to someone that all these Japanese zakka-like stuff looks very good - but they are not very practical. Everything has a fabric cover - would be a big pain to wash all]

So, will take a blog break until the update.

This time I finished, tea

2007-11-05T12:10:00.001+11:00

Well, I guess I am slower to blog about this - needed to make some stuff first this morning. This time I intend to finish, so I only did some "free-hand" embroidery on some woolen scraps. I have sewn them up into pincushions. Brooke found a cool bunny pouch and gave it to me! Whee! The bunnies *might* just turn into plush form if I stare at them long enough.

After stitching these 2 scraps, I got bored! So I went to bug Brooke with her teabag making. She mentioned something about sausage dogs. I had to give it a go this morning. And VOILA, I present to you Moca tea! Heheh...

Drink Moca tea for the Moca effect!
This is for you Brooke :)

[If you need a pattern, the tea bag can be found in this book or similar food stuff in one of the Japanese ones - not sure which, you can check on Flickr or here]

Too easy

2007-11-03T10:39:00.000+11:00

Otto. No need to draft, no need to plan. Zoom goes the machine. Easiest thing to make ever - took me 30 minutes.

For Softies for Mirabel. Hey, if you are thinking of making one and don't have the time, consider making bugs! Too easy really.

New Japanese fabrics

2007-11-01T10:17:00.000+11:00

They are up. I really bought a lot. Bleh. Looking back, I must have been rather stressed out and really needed a holiday. It's like going to Vic Mart when you need only 1 lemon and 1 onion and 1 blah, but you buy a lot of each anyway because you feel bad for stuffing up the queue for your very miniscule order. Alright, bad analogy. Plus the thought that it's only so often one gets to go to Japan. Something like that. No more fabric for me for the whole year. See here if interested. Again, apologies for the site - too many pictures; loading might be slow.

I think these are the best (good inspiration for any fabric + pattern people as well):

Folksy girls
Kitchen
Mushroom squares
Flower pots
Cats - this one is good inspiration for cat stuffies.

Bunnies for Mirabel

2007-11-01T09:15:00.000+11:00

Well, finally something crafty to show. This is a bunny - modified from cat and enlarged - from ISBN483476348X. It is for the Softies for Mirabel appeal. I dropped him off on Stitchy Night (He had the joint honour of being softie #1 with Kirsty's). He is wonky. His limbs are rather tiny despite the enlargement - rather frustrating for my fingers - I tried all sorts of fabric and gave up and just made it straight rather than the original curve versions. I didn't name him but I think he should be called Wonky.

After my finger misadventures with tiny stuffies, I decided a big one is required. After some days drafting with lots of failure, I have this. In the end the easiest way was to work with previous successes - it's an upsized Woobernate. I call it Big Bunny #1. Going to hang a tag that says "My Name is ...." so I don't have to think of a name.

I think my next ones for the appeal may be Gastro bugs (thanks for the suggestion Pip, I burst out laughing). I reckon some caffeine will enable me to visualise them.

It's here

2007-10-30T11:57:00.001+11:00

Remember I said I send a big box of fabrics home? They are here! So quick! Hmm..should have sent a box of books home too. Once I sort them, there will be more over here on Thursday :)

Stitchy night #3

2007-10-29T17:56:00.000+11:00

Went to Stitchy night #3 yesterday (inspite of a nasty gastro bug since Friday night, priorities my dears :) ). My owls made an appearance in the local paper some time ago. Pip saved me a copy and she also gave me a lovely "funny bunnies" book (thank you Pip) The book makes me laugh! Made another embroidery that I can't finish. The stitchy regulars were there, Kirsty , Brooke, Liss, and a few not so regulars. Met Judy again. Lots of people at this one. Lara was there too, so I got my pre-order of her Brown Birch linen. Yay!

Yippee!

2007-10-26T16:14:00.000+10:00

He is Humperdink! What a cool name. This piggy is handmade from a glove by Jess of Teddy Bear Wednesday. I met Jess before and she is totally crazy about teddy bears (she makes ami bears, so patient!). I am hoping she will have some ami-bunnies one day. Before then, I have Humperdink. Anyway, her stitching is just superb!

Got job :) A treat for moi! [via Mikes]

A lot of talking today

2007-10-25T16:27:00.000+10:00

Two more - #8 (Woonee) and #9 (Woolee or the other way around). I am running out of Woo-X names. Any suggestions? These two are now at My Poppet. Cintia, who runs the lovely shop left a comment here some time ago that she would like some bunnies. So I pop by today and I had a long and lovely chat with her. Cintia (and her mum) collects vintage fabrics and sews all sorts of kid stuff for the shop. She also told me of blue-tip needles that work better with thick fabric. Yay! Since I am still on a break, I seem to go into shops and hang round for a while - you wonder if I am part of the decoration. Haha. Thank you Cintia for helping me waste a couple of hours and hence save me from going to Spotlight to get more stuff :)

This morning, I also met Grace of Pollipop. A nice girl who is really passionate about dolls. Another long and lovely chat! Thank you Grace and I hope you come to Stitchy Night one day!

Thank you for all the 20% off support. I knew someone would understand :) Kirsty, I will go and whip out the sewing machine tonight ...

What 20% off can do to you

2007-10-23T14:16:00.000+10:00

Was only meant to be the scissors. Ahem ... need job soon. Got some cushion inserts too although I don't need them. I don't know what to make next and yet I want to make everything if you know what I mean.

Japanese fabrics for sale

2007-10-22T11:56:00.000+10:00

Put them on another blog. Check here if anyone's interested. Thanks!

Apologies ahead for the less than user-friendly / primitive way of selling. It's only a very small lot. And setting up one of those e-stuff would have taken me too long :(

I like the donkeys best!

Oh yeah, and none of them are Cosmo-tex :)

Not sure if I should go to Spotlight today. Hmm..

I really shouldn't have

2007-10-19T17:06:00.000+10:00

Ooh! Got these a couple days ago (you can only spring clean for so long...) I really shouldn't have considering my over-splurge in Japan. But oh well, it's not everyday you find a 100% wool jumper (yay! I can finally try felting - if it works it will be a bunny), and a Sheridan to add to the collection. And the folksy table cloth.

In the pictures above is the latest Clover thingy bought in Japan - plastic template for 8 bag patterns, smart! And I got the Clover punch needle thingy from Cleggs today (kicking myself for not buying it when in Japan). I have been skeptical about punch needle because I know from experience the stitch would not last. And this Japanese book shows you how it is done - stick something at the back! Ahh... now I see.

This page is the whole reason I bought the book! No patterns but it's not that hard, surely.

Alright, off to hopefully make lots of stuff by Sunday. And hoping it will be good for Mikes :)

Crafty photos from Japan

2007-10-15T10:05:00.000+10:00

Here are highlights. I took a lot of photos in Kyoto and hardly any in Tokyo (well since for the latter we were mostly inside retail spaces)

Minature wood models At Tokyu Hands. Would have bought it but I didn't think it will go through customs.

Silkworm cocoon crafts

Lots of chirimen crafts.

The original ones! Smaller than the ones I made. They just glue everything on. I am slightly more paranoid with mine - I glue and sew on the eyes and blanket stitch the bottom. I guess that's the difference when you mass produce in China for tourism.

Fabrics. Managed to sneak a few photos from a shop.

How cool are these Decole bath scrubs?

Everything is on Flickr here.

Fabric delay

2007-10-15T09:27:00.000+10:00

I hope there are people still interested. The Japanese fabrics will be uploaded for sale next Monday.

Still cleaning! You must think I live in a big place - it's not! Just taking my own sweet time. But I do want to get it done before the guy is back. And then the hardest part will be the de-cluttering of the craft area (to keep/throw/giveaway/buy more storage ? - will probably take me another week at least). There are a lot of things I have to do besides cleaning but I think I am still in holiday mood.

I will need to forage for food (i.e. go to the market) today. Sigh.

If you are in Melbourne, Mikes2 is opening tomorrow. Be there! I am sure I will meet lots of crafty people there.

And I have some pictures from the Japanese trip (crafty only for now) in the next post.

Back, some unpleasantness to deal with

2007-10-12T14:06:00.000+10:00

Yes, I am back in Melbourne. The last days in Japan, I found a few more second hand books and added more fabric (Yuzawaya@Kamata) to the haul. After Japan, I headed off to the hometown. Also spent a few days in Singapore because I fly into and out from there. Most of the books are with my mum now because I couldn't fit them all on the way back.

One thing I didn't mention: midway though my Japan trip, I started collecting caps from the PET bottles. I have always wanted to make those tiny mushroom (or other) pincushions that I keep seeing in Jap books scans@Flickr so now I have a good haul of raw materials :)

[Only crafty things achieved while away - made with the Monster]

As always it was good to be home and also the stay in Singapore. Unreliable family computer meant that I was disconnected for the whole time - and that is what you need on a holiday! Anyway some of the Jap books were clothes making (with pattern pieces) ones. My mum used to take dressmaking classes a long time ago so I thought I will give it a go since I have a consultant on hand. So these are my first tops ever (won't be wearing them out). Left-most is made with a piece of fabric from the 100Yen shop (I love this print, no more left at the shop), and right-most from a piece bought at Yuzawaya. It's the simplest pattern but I find dressmaking rather frustrating - so many hem to bind + everything needs to be so exact. Ugh! Guess I won't be making clothes. They were sewn with the Monster that ate my finger when I was young (mum's old Singer sewing machine).

[Isn't this amazing? They should print in on fabric too.]

Now that I am back in Melbourne, I have to deal with some unpleasantness first before I go back into crafting mode and make tiny mushrooms.Need to do my tax (ugh!) and spring clean the place - this will take a few days (Ugh! Ugh!). Then all my craft stuff - I really need to figure a better way to organise everything and clear up more space. And then sort the Jap fabric (I may have a small lot for sale on Monday if anyone is interested, the rest of my haul is coming much much later). There are other things to think about career-wise as well. I think I will post some craft related Jap pics in the mean time - doubt anyone is interested in my spring cleaning activities.

I heart second hand books!

2007-09-21T22:07:00.000+10:00

Hello people, only a few minutes of internet left, just back online to tell you about second hand book shops. I got 11 books today for about 50 plus bucks. Good deal! Not very recent publications but oh so good for my wallet - best among them were volumes 1 and 2 of the embroidery idees series, 1 cotton paint. Special thanks to the guy for ringing me to tell me where to find the shops.

I know there are people (Judy + Belinda} coming soon. These are the places if you are interested:

- Jimbocho station for the Kanda book town - you will have to see your luck! I can't read Jap but I spotted some Ondori books while walking around, then I snoop around and voila! Idees vol 1 and 2. I went to the wrong station yesterday (Kanda station}, so thanks again to guy.
- There is a Book Off - second hand book chain - just around Iidabashi station.
This is the one I went to. There is another near Oimachi. There are heaps around but these are the ones that seem to be closed to train stations and will be easy to find if you can't read or speak much Jap - like me.

It's still very very hot here!

Besides that I have been to Harajuku and Kiddyland - not my place sorry, Harajuku feels like another Orchard Road in Singapore - in fact we were bored (not fond of shopping streets us} that the next day we actually went to walk around a temple . Hee hee. Till next time.

Oopsy...

2007-09-19T09:18:00.000+10:00

Konnichiwa! This is our 3rd day in Tokyo. I have been to Nippori and briefly to Shinjuku. We are spending a lot of time popping in and out of the subway - rabbit warrens I call them. Incidentally, I can now recite the words they use on the train/subway annoucement system.

You might notice the oopsy. Well, my stuff buying budget is almost depleted - perhaps we need to visit temples and gardens again for the rest of the trip haha. I underestimated how much fabric weighs and bought too much at Nippori. Ahem. I had to ship most of it home. Gulp. It is a lot for just me so maybe if by any chance you are looking for some fabric and can wait perhaps you can kindly offload some from me later ...? I can still fit perhaps 4-5m more in the luggage {I only have a single person's luggage quote sigh] - but I am not going back till perhaps the end of the trip. Evil evil place. Hahah - nah it's great but I need to buy other stuff.

And then it was Shinjuku. Arrived there quite late and meant to look for Odakyu {nice cheap food after 7 pm suggested by the guy's mum] but I got a bit disoriented from the JR station so didn't manage to find it. Some other time - I will take the Tokyo metro next time. I popped into Tokyu Hands - but did not manage to see any Gocco kit - which is another thing I hope to get. Popped into Kino too and bought 3 books {only 3 cash is depleting hehe} - 2 of the embroidery idees and a felted food one. I find that I am past most of the bag and felt ones - I think the mags/inspiration types are more appealing to me now {I mean now many bag tutorial diagrams do you need ? And felt stuff aren't that hard to figure out} Will have to swing past Shinjuku again.

Now, I have to move to another hotel. We decided to walk the 2-3 stops rather than taking the subway {it's not that far plus stairs are really bad for my grandmother}.
And then we will head to Akiba (yay} since it's not too had to get to from the new hotel.

PS - you will notice all the non-matching brackets in this post - I still can't figure the keyboard. Next time I blog will likely to be when I have left Japan. Judy , if you are reading - have a safe trip!

The keyboard is weird

2007-09-16T17:20:00.001+10:00

Hello! The keyboard is weird and I have a few minutes left of the internet. Today is a rest day for us in Kyoto. At this point in time, (not sure about my grandma) but I am very tired of temples! This week I have been to Ohara (not recommended on your first trip to Kyoto as there are other better temples), Arashiyama (supposedly the place to go in October - when we went the foliage is still very green), Nara + Horyuji, Miyajima (it's a beautiful island and scenic scenery but it's not so hmmm... how to put it - I mean we have the Great Ocean Road, Mornington, etc, so...). Anyway, I am looking forward to head off to Tokyo tomorrow.

I went to Hiroshima as well. After all the temples, I was even looking forward to see the A-dome (was against visiting before I left). We skipped the Peace Museum - as I imagine it would be too depressing. While walking around the Hiroshima city center, I bumped into Kiddy-land (small, not impressed - just your typical Asian type of store, need to see the main store in Harajuku) and Tokyu-Hands (smaller than the Shinjuku one).

Crafty wise, there are lots of chirimen-related stuff around in Kyoto - the Chirimen Museum is a must visit - they have 2 outlets in Kyoto city and one in Arashiyama. But the most amazing crafty thing I have seen was a little shop in Arashiyama (on the way from the station towards the Togetsukyo bridge) which makes stuff from silkworm cocoons. Truly amazing! I have snapped a few owls around town too. I reckon Japan is the land of owl based souvenirs - they are everywhere. Bunnies too. Be careful though - some I have seen back in Victoria Market (perhaps they are copies made in China?). There is also a craft supply + fabric store in level B1F of the Kyoto Tower - did not buy, only had a look (last year I bought my crafty stuff here, but now I know better) - they have so many different coloured craft felt (100% wool and 80% ones) here!

Oh yeah, and it is extremely hot here! It was 34 degrees yesterday. Today feels about the same too. I can't stand hot weather! Thank god for cheap clothing from Uniqlo (didn't have enough cool clothes) and cold drinks from the many vending machines around.

Alrighty, will blog next time from Tokyo.

And finally ...

2007-09-09T15:33:00.000+10:00

Firstly, thank you very much for all your kind birthday wishes :) Now, I am older but not much wiser.

I will be heading off tonight and I am mostly set. Nice and cheap food - beware!
Trip-wise - The highlight (besides all the food) will be this island.
Crafty-wise - I hope to find some cool stuff. I will not buy any of those elephant, hedgehog or fairytale fabric. I actually like the elephant and certain hedgehogs ones but don't you think they are overkill and boring by now? And I do not much like the fairytale ones.

The picture shows you my pre-travel crafting and my sweet revenge on zippers (I made a zippered bag some time ago and I had to re-pick millions of times).
Yes, that's how I spent the week :) I needed a bag but did not want to spend $, so after 2 broken needles, this was it. Even put in an inner zipper pocket. Whoa!
And the rest are just zipper-ed pouches (the quicker version - there are exposed edges inside but nice corners). Of course I don't need that many, but why stop when the little buggers want to cooperate?

Alrighty, take care all. I will still blog and check the mail when I can. If you see me after, try not to laugh if I have "grown", yeah? Hehe.

+1

2007-09-07T10:54:00.000+10:00

= 27
An excuse for cake :)

Bribes

2007-09-05T13:29:00.000+10:00

... for family and friends when I head to my hometown, so you know, I don't have to sleep on the roadside(*) ...

(*) Only my number-one-loyal-non-paying-customer will be that evil. The rest of the people are great folks.

Not sure if I will bring them all as I need space for Japan goodies too. It turn out to be a good thing that they didn't sell at the market, or I will not have enough bribes now. Hehe. The rest are at Mikes.

WIP

2007-09-05T13:26:00.000+10:00

Just some doodle fun.
I doubt I can finish before I go.

Thanks for all your comments and advice on market day too! Very much appreciated :)

The Market

2007-09-02T13:43:00.000+10:00

Well, the market is over and done. Big thanks to Pip for dropping by.
I didn't sell a lot - made just enough to cover the rental fees plus a bit but I am happy. I had some bags, owls, pins, birdies, 3 book covers, 3 Woozylets, a big elephant and some mini pears on the table.

The bunnies and owls seem quite popular with kids, to my surprise (the guy says this is proof I am a big kid). A number of kids found it amusing to re-arrange and name the owls :) These didn't translate into sales, but is was interesting to see them so fascinated by the owls. A sweet girl asked whether I teach people how to sew and that made my day to think that someone would want to learn stitching from me (I think if my mum read this she would be choking on her coffee).

My sales were mostly owls. Towards the end of the day, a lady came and bought the grey bunny plush. This also made my day because the plush is my own thing and it's great when people buy your thing. The owls are great and although I gave them poppy eyes - really they are a traditional Japanese pattern and credit should go to the Japanese guy/girl who created the pattern centuries ago. None of the other stuff sold. I am keeping a bag for myself and my number one loyal non-paying customer (i.e. my sister) just ordered half of the lot. And I am putting some of the other stuff at Mikes (thank you Pip).

The negative part: It is really tiring preparing for a market. The day itself is not, but the days before staying late stitching are. So, enough of stitchiness from me for a while.

All in all, I am glad I did it. Another thing off my list of things to try :) It's an enjoyable experience and I learn a lot. I have to say the people there are really great and helpful. The regulars there told me it's the sort of market where you need to be there for the long term. So I might try again next time. So if you are crafty and happen to think about trying a market - take it easy and go for it!

The exchange

2007-09-02T13:02:00.000+10:00

Market's done and I am back. Anyhow, Thursday was another fabulous stitchy night at Mikes - which was also the venue for the secret sausage dog bunny exchange. And here I am proud to present to you my new sausage dog, lovingly made by Brooke. Brooke says her name is Barbara and I am nicknaming her MocaThree (you can see the original Moca on Brooke's blog). She is lovely (by the way, this Barbara is lovely too!). Thank you very much Brooke!

On the night, Kirsty (welcome to blogland!) brought a fabulous embroidery book by Ike Rosen. I chose the owl pattern from the book as my embroidery task. Kirsty is also sending me an enlarged scan of the owl pattern! Thank you Kirsty. And I got another fabulous pear.

Psst ...

2007-08-30T13:35:00.000+10:00

The sausage dog bunny exchange is happening tonight!

I am distracted.

Long nose creature

2007-08-30T09:31:00.000+10:00

He gobbled up all my stuffing!

We're hiring!

2007-08-29T12:00:00.000+10:00

Tired of sitting in front of the computer and getting RSI in your job? Want to take time to stop and look at bunnies ?

A great opportunity awaits one lucky candidate for the position of RABBIT MASSEUR.

Selection criteria:
- no allergies to rabbits
- understand rabbit hints as to when massages are necessary
- ability to negotiate massage times with rabbit
- must not resort to food treats to cancel a massage session
- inter-species communication skills
- prior experience with rabbits will be view favourably but it is not compulsory, on-the-job training will be provided

Benefits of the position:
- finger exercise (say goodbye to RSI)
- close up view of rabbit acrobatics
- experience the joy of rabbit dances
- rabbit kisses

HURRY! Apply now!

I am off work from Monday. Woo hoo! Still busy making things for Saturday - going slower than I would like. But the rabbit is busy trying to get my attention! I got slightly annoyed and wrote the above up. Rabbit is an independent one and hardly a "sticky" one (that's why we adopted him). Maybe I have ignored rabbit for too long. I reckon rabbit is feeling itchy because his new coat is growing. Fine, 10 minutes of rubs and I am back to my crafting.

Snow, Japan ahoy, busy busy

2007-08-20T20:55:00.000+10:00

We went to the snow on the weekend - just a short trip. Finally seen snow. Didn't ski, but I reckon it's not quite for me (haha ... sports is just not my thing). I am glad we spent more time around the country towns (only a few op-shops openned, I got some nice material, most were so-so and bought to justify our drive there).

On Japan, I am set to go! Got the flights and accommodation. The Kyoto part is mostly planned. The Tokyo bits - I reckon I am just going to follow some of self-guided tours on Tourism Tokyo. Look, they even have an itinerary for Nippori - the textile wholesale place if you haven't heard of it.

On the work front, my employer says the contract will be terminated before I leave, so I guess I will have to ring them up or look elsewhere when my 3 months is up. I am a born worrier but it looks like I will be packed with stuff to do on the handmade side until I leave. So think about it later - it's an opportunity to do other stuff!

It's going to be busy busy for me - Plush You to send, make bunny for swap (next week!), make stuff for market stall which is not going too well because I got side-tracked making bags (1/9 at Rose St), a possible submission dateline that I am hoping to meet, learn basic Jap + print out maps, more trip planning, etc, etc. But it's OK, I will have time to do nothing after my month away. For now, we work :)

The loot

2007-08-14T18:52:00.000+10:00

Dominos, and boo

2007-08-13T21:23:00.000+10:00

Hey, long time no post (again!). Well ... I have somewhat of a plan now (thank you people for all the encouraging comments). Looks like only Japan and some days visiting my family on the way back. The Japan part is all hanging on a thin line - kinda like dominos, if something moves everything will fall apart. You see, since I did not plan ahead most of the accommodation and flights are fairly booked out. After heaps of emailing, reservation attempts and shuffling dates around, I think the accommodation part is alright now. But I do not have an air ticket. Supposedly it's school holidays time too. I would like my grandma to join me for Japan so we are trying to get matching flights too. It's all rather ... "exhilarating". Really. But my advice is: PLAN AHEAD!

And boo! Recently a company person met up with me. Basically, they do not have a policy for people who have not worked long to take long leave (then why say it is OK in the first instance?). I get the hint. It's not ... unexpected, I guess. If push come to shove, hmmm hmmm hmmm ... I am burnout. But I do not have a plan B. Well, we will see. No point to freak out (OK I am slightly, but writing this helps).

Anyway, back to some crafty news: I score various vintage/thrifted fabrics again on the weekend (cheap retail therapy). Was a fairly huge lot. Spend the rest of the weekend washing them (after some bad experiences since I now diligently pre-wash all fabrics new or not).

The luckyness of being non important

2007-08-07T18:50:00.000+10:00

Yay I am back - thank you for the kind comments in the previous post - and guess what? Having felt burnout for a while now, I finally took the risk and requested for 3 months of unpaid leave starting next month. It's risky as I am fairly new to the company and I was giving rather little advance notice (and perhaps could be out of a job when I am back). But I just gotta do it - before we consider getting a place (we didn't get it) and saddle myself with mortgages and what not. AND it got approved. Woo hoo! It's good to be a non-important person (probably not so good later on).

What am I going to do? Travel for a while (most likely Japan - I would so like to interview a crafty person there hmm...), some cheap place in Asia, take the train to country towns in Victoria, experiment with some ideas, try to sell some of my crafts so I am not totally incomeless during the time ?, comtemplate, do nothing, sleep. Maybe dye my hair some purplish hue.

And to prove that things happen while you are sick: I got a date at Rose St Market in Sept so I will have to make some stuff. Not sure what - too many ideas, not enough 3D skills, not enough action.

PS: Meg, Sarah and Fiona - will be posting off your PIF tomorrow. It's not much but I hope you will enjoy it :)

This blog is on sick leave

2007-08-04T10:51:00.000+10:00

... feeling crap - down with the flu/cold/what not (this year has not been so good for me).

And the lucky numbers are ...

2007-07-28T16:39:00.000+10:00

6, 7 and 2 (no comment #4 as Steph commented twice) for my PIF giveaway. Thank you everyone for playing. So Sarah, Fiona and Meg you will be receiving something soon! If you can email me with your mailing details that will be sweet.

PS - I got some ideas for some new stuff - so I may be able to make them this weekend.

Pay It Forward giveaway

2007-07-24T22:31:00.001+10:00

I have finished book #7. And my lips are sealed. So I am ready to go back into crafting (and sleeping).

A few days ago, I was replying to The Shopping Sherpa here and I thought I will play along too:

I will send a handmade gift to the ~~first~~random 3 people who leave a comment on my blog requesting to join this Pay It Forward exchange, if you so wish.

I don’t know what that gift will be yet and you may not receive it tomorrow or next week, but you will receive it within 365 days, that is my promise!

The only thing ~~you have~~if you like to do in return is pay it forward by making the same promise on your blog.

I hope it's alright if I modify it a little - any random 3 if more than 3 comments (because... I am never lucky enough to be early, except on your blog Shopping Sherpa). And you don't have to extend it if you don't want to (it's a good idea though).

And ... I will make you something + send it off by end of August. Not sure what the items will be but rest assure that they will not be pears and hopefully not felt food. I will try to make something practical that you can use. But you should know that making practical things can be a little hit-and-miss for me. So if looking at my past crafting history doesn't scare you, then do comment away ...

Comments close the next time I blog, I guess. So roughly end of the work week ? (on the proviso I get at least 3 comments of course).

Pears, meetup, marathon reading

2007-07-23T20:03:00.000+10:00

Now they look like pears! Pip kindly gave me some pear pieces when I drop by Mikes on Friday. I added a few wool scraps and other pieces and VOILA!

Also found out last Friday night that there was an Etsy meet up on Saturday organised by Anna. Met some talented people there and I can proudly report that I am the least organised of all - 2 pears + 0 cards + no idea what my shop is supposed to sell :) Ahh ... the benefit of crafting for fun. I can just imagine the work required to market your Etsy store, handle postage, etc etc. But I did talk a lot more this time. I also met our fabric maestro, Lara and subsequently sneak in another vote for her My Little Town fabric.

I then went to Borders to get a copy of the you-know-what book - got caught in the hype. I got book #6 as well because I haven't read it yet. I find book #6 rather wafflish - 700+ pages to come to the point that a main character dies (of course he is not really dead). I should have listened to my sister who told me the last 100 pages is sufficient. Currently midway though #7 and the pace is faster. So over the weekend, I have slept very late doing the books marathon. 1000+ pages so far. Yeah I am slow.

Alright back to reading ...

Our ears are crossed

2007-07-19T22:06:00.000+10:00

We are keeping our fingers and ears crossed! For a new place. Ahh ... I can't stand the wait. We should know by next week.

PS- Thank you for comments about the fabric! Woo hoo I am not nuts! hehe ...

My pumpkin pear

2007-07-17T22:14:00.000+10:00

Looks more like a pumpkin :) I traced the shape from the one I got from Pip. Can't trace I suppose. Made from wool scraps (yes from the scarfs), snips of thrifted knit fabric + vintage trim (from grandma).

And that's another piece of thrifted fabric under the pear.

The splurge

2007-07-17T21:55:00.001+10:00

Sorry, it's more fabric while things are in progress ...
Hey, I bought about $80+ worth of vintage and thrifted fabric from various places on the weekend - Mikes, various op shops spotted while driving around, both Hunter Gatherer, Savers Dandenong.

They range from tiny pieces suitable only for patchwork to a huge 9 meters remnant (no it's 9 m, yes but it's 9 m, nah, yes!, no, ooh!, why not? $40).

Table cloths, pillow cases, fabric remnants, even a pure wool skirt. Some good, some not so good. Some clearly vintage, some clearly not. And a basket too! Went a little nuts I guess.

Embroidery night

2007-07-14T22:28:00.000+10:00

[I was out today - yup, more vintage fabrics - but I need to tell you about last night first... ]

So yesterday was embroidery night at Meet Me at Mikes. I stayed till midnight last night. Yup, as you can expect - Pip was a brutal task master and we were not allowed home until we finished. Her assistant, Brooke, would have set her sausage dogs onto us if we dared escape.

No really, Pip and Brooke are the loveliest people you would ever meet. I knew it was going to be a fab night when on entering the shop I saw a dozen lovely BIG pears on the 'work' table. Tea towels were the order of the day. We get to choose our own patterns to transfer onto the towels. Mine as you can see in the picture comes from this Japanese embroidery book (hehe ... and it is subsequently now on my wishlist). Pip also made us a little embroidery guide booklet.

I didn't talk much I am afraid. I know I can be talky on the blog but in real life I am pretty much the "don't-know-what-to-say" type. Next time I should make it a point to talk to everyone :) Some talented crafty bloggers were there too: Belinda of TuttiFruiti (cushions), Jhoanna of One Red Robin (big owl plush and other dolls) , Dana of Market Baby (baby clothes).
Judy (~~I am not sure if she has a blog~~) of Craftaroo (thanks Judy!) who was sitting beside me and recently moved back from Sydney tells me that there is nothing like this in Sydney. So there you go, Melbourne 1 - Sydney 0. Yay!

And you know what? At the end of the night, we got to take a pear home. This is so brilliant - it's reigniting my creative juices. Big and juicy to stick pins into. I love this pear! Actually, I was kinda hoping someone would forget to bring theirs home so I can get another :) Yeah, you bet I am making more.

Needless to say, I am going for more Embroidery nights. Oh yeah, as you can spy in the first picture, I bought a bundle of vintage fabric. Ha!

Let's recap:

- Embroidery night fee: $15 (to cover cost only)
- Craft books for embroidery patterns: $0
- Vintage fabric bundle for future crafting: $20
- Reigniting my creative juices: $0
- Taking home a lovely big pear: $0

And saving the best for last:
- Meeting people who understand why you need to buy more fabric and Japanese books that you don't understand (ok that's not quite true, we understand the diagrams) ? : priceless

Thank you very much for a great night, Mikes!

PS: A tip for you if you are visiting Mikes: Find an excuse to visit their bathroom :)

PPS: I better clarify this lest you thing they have some big tooth monster over at Mikes: My rabbit gave his teeth of approval to the golden book page on the paper bag. Heheh ...

Two more

2007-07-13T15:43:00.000+10:00

Been working hard during the week. These two just completed. In case you are wondering why I am blogging at this time of day, well, I took today off. (I have decided that spreading out my annual leave is a much better way to go than hoarding them up for the elusive big holiday).

I will bring these to Mikes tonight. There are 3 or 4 more in progress - the felt detailing are completed but the final sewing still to do. I may just fit one more by tonight to Mikes but there are other things to make. (The others are likely to be finished off tomorrow morning and dropping them later at Curious).

You see, tonight is Embroidery Night and I did say I was going to bring some felt food. It's now 4pm and I have to leave the house by 7pm - so better go make some now. I shall stick with simple cakes and bread. Maybe pics tomorrow.

It's going to be a great night.

Also, I notice some new comments. Thanks! Will reply in the comments/or on your blog later.

Last but not quite

2007-07-09T22:36:00.000+10:00

Dropped these two off at Meet Me at Mikes last Saturday. There are still 3 more penguins scarves, I think, at Curious Eidolon. The scarves seem to be doing well at Mikes. Plus all the bunny ones at Curious were gone - OK OK so there were only two. I am stoked anyway!

I was going to say that these two are the last of the scarves. But today, I got an order for a couple more bunny scarves from Curious's customers! Hehe ... big thank you to people who like bunny scarves! So today at work, I have a grin on my face and annoying people did not seem so annoying. I wasn't even sure they would sell when I begin but I am glad I tried. And thank you to Mikes and Curious Eidolon for having them too ;)

More vintage fabrics

2007-07-09T22:16:00.000+10:00

Well, so I make some things but I did not come up with anything new. Some people were driving me nuts at work too. I have been avoiding blogging in the week as I know I would just rant on. I have calm down since then ;) There was also a minor scare with the rabbit - somehow he bit himself and was slightly bleeding. He is fine now.

So for the lack of something better to blog about ...

In between doing some necessary but boring stuff (errands, buying veg for rabbit, house hunting, buy more veg for rabbit), I manage to score a few more fabrics last weekend.

This I consider my best vintage score although I dislike pink. I had to buy it for the pattern. It's not really pink right? This was rather expensive (for vintage) about $9 a meter, but I reckon it's worth it for the pattern. If you are in Melbourne, I got this from Hunter Gatherer in Fitzroy. First time in there too, gee did not even know they sell fabric.

Not sure that this is vintage as it was a bit more pricey than the others. It's a piece of sample fabric - had a sticker on it with "Hoad" - I presume that's the shop where it used to be.

These sheets and pillowcase via Savers, Brunswick.

[Voice of Yoda] Hoarder, you have become.

The creative side is snoozing

2007-07-02T21:50:00.000+10:00

My creative cells are snoozing and lazy. I can't come up with new stuff. There are a few plush-able doodles but I can't seem to figure the 3d part out. With me, the creative part usually begins with a doodle but current doodling are crappier than usual (lines and circles and figure 8s). Even for "to-be"s that have been decided on like the coasters and the book covers, I am unable to finish them off.

[Pictures via Sadaharu Aoki]

For felt food, I have been looking at Sadaharu Aoki for inspiration. Felt cakes should be a known science to me but the light bulb is not switched on.

I got all my screen-printing supplies too. I am all set but nothing print-able comes to mind! Maybe I should print the stuff I printed in class. Someone make me a pattern please ...

Speaking of which these two uber-talented (I am borrowing this term from Meshell) people design such wonderful patterns: Lara at Kirin and Patapri. Lately I am beginning to tire of seeing the same Japanese fabrics (you know the ones - the owl, the hedgehog, blah blah) everywhere in the craft world - so what these ladies are doing is really inspiring. I am truly in awe! Not to mention Lara is a Melbournian so that can only mean good things in terms of postage (I reckon I need her house fabric whenever it's coming out). Alright, I am sure you know them already. I am way slow in these sort of things.

Anyway, back to my crafty rut, I need to make felt birdies as Modishoppe would like more. This is good because then I don't have to think as the how-to-make part is already figured out.

Also, I am putting my Etsy shop to snooze too.

Alright enough rambling, back to the birds.

The other two for Plush You

2007-07-02T21:37:00.000+10:00

Tree-hugger bunny. Because... trees need hugs too ?

Found the pics of my other two submission to Plush You 2007.

These two I would say are prototypes. Not quite "polished" - was rushing to meet the submission dateline.

Vintage joy

2007-06-27T22:16:00.000+10:00

And on Sunday: I was lucky to get these vintage fabric (unused remnants!) and retro/vintage cushion covers too (alright something good came out of the leaky-pipe day). No idea why I need them though. I am turning into a hoarder I am afraid.

Baskets

2007-06-27T22:03:00.000+10:00

Love them :)

Arrgh!

2007-06-24T10:09:00.000+10:00

This is so annoying - it's Sunday morning and we were woken up by a plumber knocking on the door who promptly inform us that there is a pipe burst in the block. A couple units were totally flooded. Ours is dry at the moment. So we won't have cold water for a few days. This on top of the leaky roof that the agents have done nothing about. Argghh! We really need to move.

I was going to make some stuff or play with my new toys today. I got everything I wanted yesterday - screen printing supplies (via Neil Wallace Printmaking, got big discounts for the ink too. It happens they have a sale on so hit this place soon if you are looking for art stuff), colour printer and 2 baskets (big one I wanted plus a tiny one) from the Op Shop. Yay for that! But no mood to make things now. I reckon I should go out instead - I need some light bulbs and black fabric for the screen printing anyway. Boo for a leaky block. Bigger boos for crappy agents!

I have also signed up for Embroidery Night at Meet Me at Mikes on 13th July. I am going to bring some felt food and see if we get a few felt converts! Haha ... So this can only mean more felt food to come on this blog too :)

More "to-be"s

2007-06-21T23:38:00.000+10:00

Oh well, didn't have time to sew any screen-printed stuff up (cranking up a few more scarfs - need to use up more of the wool before winter is over). So will just post these "things-to-be"s.

Yeah, more doodles. The bunny was from a free clip art - I screen-printed more of them in the class but only this one turn out.

The trees are notebook covers to be.
The bunny ? No idea yet.

Screenprinted doodle #1

2007-06-19T19:36:00.000+10:00

Coasters-to-be.

And if you look up, I have a temporary header image for the next few weeks. I do like the owl one but I thought I should show you what wintry days we have now.

CSS, screenprinting, pattern of not getting stuff

2007-06-17T22:11:00.000+10:00

I am CSS overloaded. As mentioned previously, I want to update the header and blog template. I was going to customise this one but am no where different from where I started. Front end stuff can be such a pain in the posterior! Anyway, I will continue posting and update it bit by bit rather than big bang.

Anyway, the most interesting thing that happen during the week was I went for a screenprinting class. I have been tossing about whether to take a class or not since there are tons of screenprinting tutorials online. Well I am glad I did - sometimes you just need people to instruct you. I drew some doodles (rabbit, owl, tree ... the usual Kwoozy suspects) straight onto the transparencies for my prints. They turn out quite nice - much better than my "original" paper doodles or even if had I used the standard felt + thread. I will post pics once I have make them into stuff. It's really great fun! I went to Eskersleys today to get supplies but they ran out of the small screen :(

So I went to Officeworks instead and finally bought myself a colour printer/scanner. But they were out of stock. I have to collect it in a couple of weeks. We see a pattern here don't we ?

Then I went to an Op Shop (the one opposite Sacred Heart - because it was open on Sunday). Now, I am not very lucky at Op Shops (or perhaps I don't go often). So I was very excited to see a basket in the front window. The basket said "BUY ME!". However, there was no price on it, so girl could not sell it to me. I have to wait for the manager to price it, which for me means next weekend.

Oh well, it was a little disappointing to buy stuff and not being able to bring stuff home. I suppose all this just means I have lots of goodies coming. Hee hee.

I did it!

2007-06-11T22:17:00.001+10:00

Hey, it's been busy busy. But finally Kwoozy is now on Etsy. Yay! Not many things, just a few scarves but check it out! Hope to update with some plush and a few more scarves (see how they go) soon.

Also, Jena from Modish informed me that my felt birds got a mentioned on Rare Bird Finds. Thank you!
And.. Woobernate was a short order cook on Softie Central. Hee hee.

I am going to attempt changing my blog layout and header. So might not post for a while or you may notice weird stuff.

Muk the bunny hugger tree

2007-06-03T10:02:00.000+10:00

Hello, this is Muk. He is a bunny hugger tree!
Because ... bunnies need hugs too.

I handstitched a mini-tree for this pic too :) With felt (of course).

Muk may be available via Etsy next week (depending on how much time I have this weekend). Look out for it if interested.

Yay! Something I have known since last week but I didn't post because the computer was wonky and I could not find the pics. BIG NEWS - Schmancy like us. (thank you! It is an honour) Muk has been accepted to PlushYou 2007. Woo hoo!

Will post the other 2 submissions once I find the pics.

It's June.

2007-06-03T09:45:00.000+10:00

I cannot believe it's already June. Happy Winter and Happy Summer! How time flies, how I have procastinated on certain things. I never did tell you ... but I still haven't found a place to move yet (although this is not within my control), didn't do nothing about learning another language Jap/French/whatever (I shall rectify this in a few months ... by *cough* buying more 'Jap course material' of the crafting kind), and I didn't do much about setting shop.

But this, this is June! June is the time for doing and stop thinking. Yeah!
Alright, going to give Etsy a go next week ...(or the next or, ahh when I have stuff ) It's cold, I should stay at home and make things, right? Yeah! Slow progress though ...

Ze plan is for a 5-8 scarves, and a bunny and maybe a tree (see next post). We shall see.

Tagged ...

2007-05-30T19:34:00.000+10:00

So I was recently tagged by Elizabeth (Crafts of Destiny (thanks E!)
This one is for 7 random things about myself, and then tag 7 other people. My list:

I dislike cooking. I am very thankful that I live in an age where there exists GWC(*)s

I am left-handed but I don't hold the pen in the "normal" hooked wrist left-hander position. I hold it exactly like how a rightie would, but the position is mirrored.I mention this because once a right-handed teacher tried to teach me to hold it the "normal" leftie way. (Some people are weird)

I cannot stand the smell of lavender.

The first book I read was when I was about 3 or 4 years old. The first page of the book had "Peter" in big letters, and the next page had "Jane". No prizes for what's on the third page - "Peter and Jane".

Hot weather makes me cranky.

I put a lot of pepper on 'pepper-able' food. I eat chips with pepper for example.

I hardly watch TV. During my uni days, I easily lived for 2 years without one. But I don't think I can live without a computer :) Anyway, current TV is limited to Inspector Rex, The Eagle and occasionally NCIS.

I now tagged the bloggers I know and recent commenters (no pressure guys):
Buzzing Head (Barbara)
Malinmaskros (Malin)
Kumiko's blog
Walking Contradiction (Joyce)
Cats & quilts (Sabine)
Three Buttons
Annalaura

Will you play along ? :)

(*) Guys Who Cooks

Winter is here

2007-05-27T15:03:00.000+10:00

And my last post for today! It's getting really cold here now. In fact I was home most of this week due to a nasty cold. I am not the only one - lots of people are down with it too. Not fully 100% yet but at least I got my mental faculties back and I am well enough to go out now. But I do love winter and certainly it is inspiring my most recent handmade things (the scarves were made two days ago in fact).

Here they are (this is going to sound like a broken record but yeah I dropped them off at Meet Me at Mikes yesterday too)
[click to view bigger too]

Birds + tree in winter - a bag with two sides. (The sweet polka dot blue is Jap linen via Grandma too - she rocks!)

L: Winter tree
R: Bunny walking in winter
--- Woolen scarves

Did I mentioned that I like "bald" (i.e. leave-less) trees? Heheh ...
Made the tree one first and then the bunny bug bit so I had to make a bunny one too. I think I will make a few more which are variations of these. Although I usually don't wear scarves (too stuffy), I reckon I should keep a bunny one :)

Show me the bunnies !

2007-05-27T14:34:00.000+10:00

My sister jokes that I should make a life size bunny plush so she doesn't kidnap my real one and bring it home. Hehe.. well I did attempt to - I know the real one his ears are 8 cm in height and he is about 35 cm in length but that was as far as I got to measuring him. So I was not successful. But then I thought I could make some that are the same length from my doodles. And I did.

So here goes me starting a serie of one of a kind bunny plush. I am calling them Woozylets. They will have felt details and funky butts. Here are the ones I have made (click to see bigger):

This is Woonix. He has already been adopted. Woo hoo!

This is Woomiya and Wootzi. I just dropped them at Meet Me At Mikes yesterday. So hopefully someone will take care of them soon.

And their behind pics.

Felt Food Sunday #18

2007-05-27T14:12:00.000+10:00

Alright beware! I am going to do a big # of posts today now that my comp is mostly working. Hehe... let's do it in chronological order then.
First up is this:

FFS #18: Mum's handmade biscuit.

I meant to post this on Mother's day actually. My mum, she likes to bake biscuits and she makes them real good :) She don't make them often. Growing up, one of my tasks when she makes them was to pack them up into tins (the best job ever because it goes like this - one in the tin, one in my mouth). Unfortunately, I do not have her skill nor interest in baking. However, I can make felt versions of them, hehe. So here are some of her "famous" ones among the family - almond biscuit (it looks slightly burnt because I do not have felt of the right colour), london almond cookie (a real one would sit inside a black paper cup) and pineapple tart. Ok my mum is not really famous for her pineapple tarts but she has this thing with mastering the art of jam tart making.

I better put a disclaimer: The real ones look much better than my felt approximations!

Also: I am going to make FFS once a month now because I am running out of ideas and I would like to make other stuff with felt.