Sunday, December 19, 2010

Flower Sugar Fabric

I have so much that I want to show you, but alas this has to be quick as I need to get back to the sewing machine (sewing Christmas presents has turned me into a bit of a monster!). While I'm onto the sewing thing, I have to share these delish fabrics with you...


Enough said. What are you waiting for??? Get over there and have a look!
retromummy

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Stamped Wrapping Paper

I promised you a little look when we finally had some wrapping paper. 

Set up



Impromptu art smock


The finished stamps



Jellyfish's first attempt at stamping




Some more designs



The crinkles in the paper in the last few pics were per favour of Jellyfish, who thought it would be fun to play with the paper while Mummy was changing Little Clam's pants. :{ (Just gives it more of a "handmade" look, now doesn't it!)

 I just used acrylic paint and since I didn't have any sponge to put it on, I just used a piece of the foam sheeting that we cut the stamps out of to put the paint on, and a big roll of brown paper from Art Riot.


Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Take up the challenge...

So today I got a challenge from Jenn.

"...post challenge...if you choose to accept it...go to your camera, pick it up and then walk 50 paces from wherever your camera is...in any direction. When you get to 50 paces, stop. Wherever you are (provided it isn't in the middle of a road, or somewhere else dangerous...take a photo, "artsy" or otherwise and upload it as a post with or without commentary."

I walked to the top of the driveway - 29 steps - and turned right. This is what I found...


Shell Ginger leaf



 Plucky little ant


Back to the centre of the driveway, and turn left... 
(becuase I couldn't make up my mind which way to go!)

A random rusty thumbtack in a tree.

And while I am talking about out and about, I thought I would show you what I  found on Sunday while I was sweeping out the front  - this little lady was on the lounge room windowsill...
(Photos courtesy of Mr. Kelp)



If you would like to participate in the 50 paces photo challenge, leave a link to your blog post in the comments :) I can't wait to see what the rest of you come up with!

Monday, December 13, 2010

Conquering the Machine!

Any of you who have been following along for some time now will know that I have a phobia about sewing machines. And that I want to conquer this phobia. The scariness of it all partly stems from using my mum's sewing machine in primary school, having the cotton knot up around the bobbin, and being told not to do any sewing "for a while...". Twenty one years later, and here I am in trepidation of the beast. Problem is, I love fabric. Lots and lots of lovely fabric. I would be happy rolling around in great swathes of yummy colours and textures! :)

Well... I have news!


First I sewed not only on the sewing machine - but the over locker too! AND I sewed in my very first zip. The finished product is not perfect... but, I think it's cool, and I am feeling very pleased with myself. :) I also managed to sew a mostly straight line or two.  I'd show you more, but I am gifting it for Christmas, and I don't want the person to see too much.

And the WINNER is...

Thank you for all your great suggestions! I now understand why people do the random.org thing... it can be really hard choosing who the winner is. Actually, I wished I had made lots of cards so that I could send some to everyone who was interested!

To choose the suggestion I liked the best, I copied just the parts of your comments that contained the suggestions for future projects onto a separate document (minus your names), and started picking out the bits I liked.

And the winner of the vintage Imperial wallpaper note cards is...
Jenn of JennySunshine, Online who said
"I love all of your posts, I can't pick just one! You are so incredibly creative!!!! Challenge - mix two mediums. For i.e. Do something knit as well as crochet in the same project, or combine paint and cross stitch, clay and yarn...something like that. Also, make it "Seaweed and Raine" themed...like blue and green or under the sea, etc. I also second the sewing machine challenge!"

Thanks Jenn, Make sure you leave a comment with your current details so I can get the note cards to you. :)


Thanks again to everyone who joined in, and took the time to leave a comment. I love you input!!! :)

Sunday, December 12, 2010

SAN Fireworks 2010

Well tonight was the Sydney Adventist Hospital's Carols and fireworks. Both of my babies slept right through the whole thing - which was pretty amazing! I tried to figure out the settings for fireworks on my camera - but it was dark - that should teach me to be better prepared in future (... think I might say that next time as well?). The shots were either too early, or too late, which is a bummer. I did take some video - so the fireworks weren't totally wasted :)
Enjoy!





I think I enjoyed this years lot better than the one previous... I know lots of people say that, but looking back on some of last year's photos (which were very nice, don't get me wrong!), I just really like the colour and shape combinations this year.

Also tonight, I sewed my very first zipper in - which was a tremulous moment for me! I will show  you more when I get the project finished :)

Oh, and thanks to everyone who entered the giveaway... I will blog on that later with a winner. You have been very patient with me.
Good night!


Thursday, December 2, 2010

Note Card Giveaway

For some time now I have been meaning to do a giveaway.
Just because I like to give gifts.
When I started blogging I wasn't really interested in
gaining followers. 
It was just for me to express what was going on for me creatively. 
Then after a little while I realised that there were people who were actually INTERESTED in what I was doing.
(Jaw dropping moment).
So in honour of the 14 who don't mind being subject to whatever is going on in my head, 
a giveaway...


Remember these vintage wall papers?
I have turned some of them into note cards.






To be eligible to be gifted with a set of 4 of these note cards, leave a comment telling which one of my posts to date you have enjoyed the most, and then make a suggestion of what you think I should tackle creatively in the future. This is not a "game of chance". I will read all your entries, and the suggestion which appeals to me the most for one of my next projects will be sent four vintage wall paper note cards. (Please realise that it might take me a while for me to get to the project!!! :) ). Comments close December 9.

I look forward to reading your suggestions! 
(No, really. I love reading your comments! It's good to know what other's are thinking.)
Happy thoughts! :)

More stamping... for Jellyfish

Just a little preparation today for Jellyfish to get stamping for Christmas.


I wondered about getting all traditional and getting him to stamp with potatoes, but decided against having a toddler with blackened hands. So here I am cutting out some foam shapes a la Belinda.


 Jellyfish wanted to try his hand at some photography too - so that is his picture of the glue... (or his Christmas tower blocks! Seriously, he was taking photos of the wood blocks, the foam and the hole punch kit... so I figure it was the glue he was looking at.) Not bad for a three year old huh?


I will show how it all turns out when the paint is dry :)
And don't forget to stop by tomorrow for something a little special!
For more creative fancies, pop over to Koo.