It finally feels like Winter

Happy Halloween

The last week has been blissful in terms of temperature, I've even been wearing long sleeves which has been exciting. In a complete roundabout I've returned to sewing, its been months and the last thing I sewed was probably a hem. It's a good thing to have had a break as I have a renewed enthusiasm and I'm excited to make new things. Here's a couple I've been working on, although if you follow my instagram you'll have seen some of these behind the scenes shots. I'll be taking part in a few show in November including Patchwork Show on Nov 2nd in Long Beach and Nov 30th in Santa Ana as well as Maker's Arcade in San Diego on Nov 22.

Sample fox new design

I made this guy in a flurry of enthusiasm, literally drew onto the fabric and cut it out, not really thinking about how I would make it again without a pattern. I don't really want to unpick it apart so we'll have to see if the pattern I made is close enough.

Look at all the owls, I have banned myself from buying any fabric till I get through the mountains of wool that I have collected. I have mini wool mountains of felted sweaters and dismantled clothing everywhere, it looks bad but it always does when I'm busy.

Here's a felted sweater purse with appliqued bear.

Fox and Bear

Mr & Mrs Nighty Night Owls

November's Blog Update

Blimey, there are just not enough hours in the day anymore for all the crafting that needs to be done. In case you were thinking I was sitting back and resting up, oh I can dream... January will be my vacation time.

Xmas at Crafted

Mega Owl the biggest Owl I've ever made.

Custom mobile

So, I was commissioned to create a baby mobile a while back and I was so happy when it was finally finished. The logistics of creating the structure itself and balancing the components took a really long time and tested my problem solving abilities to the max. I was really happy with the end result and despite it taking a lot longer than I had initially thought, am excited to perhaps make this a future store offering. I'm already working on a Forest type theme. It's good to have things that push you but it was a big relief to finish and be satisfied with the end result.

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Ok, so since the bats I finished my Christmas Card collections, after a hiccup at the printers they are finally ready. Here's a few, all themed around Peas, I had to have a pun and this one came to me in September or October and I've been excited ever since.

A Christmas Pea of course

More Peas

Penguin

Bird

Stop by and say hello Dec 3rd to 11th

There's a new exciting place that's just opened www.creativeoutletstudios.com and I will be teaching some workshops this month including upcycled stocking, wooly bird and printing workshop and there are lots more fun things too. The owners are lovely and just so much fun stuff to learn. Oh and lastly I'll be doing a pop up shop at the OC Mart Mix with It's me Mary Taking over one whole shop ! Back to sewing there's only one week to go eek.

It was 7am and about 100 degrees and unbeknownst to me I was supposed to bring wintery clothing hence the slightly odd outfit.

And lastly, see this is what happens when I blog once a month it turns into a very long round up. Got some nice press !

Thumbs and Roses

Pardon the pun but I've been trying to think of catchier blog titles. After an action packed Easter weekend, it has dawned on me that I have 2 weeks left till UNIQUE LA. Maybe I'm panicking prematurely but it seems that not a minute goes by without a needle in my hand. Of late I have become obsessed with felted flowers and if I continue at the current rate of output will have a veritable garden of brooches and hairclips. In my quest for more colours I stumbled upon the holy grail of wool, a ginormous Ralph Lauren black woolen cape, several yards of smooth fabric. The possibilities are numerous, it can be used for the penguins as well as many flower brooches. There was also a nice XXL cashmere jumper that got the hot water treatment, I love the feel of cashmere so soft and what luck finding the largest size! My husband voluntarily came with me and held my bag while I rummaged through, he had no desire to try to differentiate between acrylic and wool. Still I felt pressured into speeding my usually leisurely pace which probably wasn't a bad thing as I managed to get a load of washing done when we got home.

 

Daffodils and improvised vase. I did have a fancier one I just preferred this one more.

 My sweet windswept nieces and their custom flower headbands. 

Here's one I made Earlier - Owletto

Owletto is the newest of the animal series that I'm currently producing very slowly. Owletto is made from wool felt and embellished with machine embroidery and vintage buttons. He will be going on sale shortly in my Etsy shop. At last some inventory!!