whatkatydid

My First Yudu in 18 months!

2011-08-06T22:34:00.004+10:00

I did a spot of Yudu'ing today. It took me 1 hour and a half to dig it out from under the loft bed in the spare room from behind the golf clubs and boxes. But now it is taking pride and place again on the dining table - where it should be!

I made my little boy Max a very cool T-Shirt - simple but i think it looks super cool. I just used the template method - not a properly exposed screen. I just cut out the letters from some sticker and stuck it on the back of the screen. So it's a genuine "One-Off" design!
You can see here the sticker stuck on the reverse of the screen IMPORTANT NOTE: when you do it this way you need to reverse the design (yep i forgot the first time and had to recut it! It's be a while!)
I put on the paint - i did it long ways. And there you go! When he wakes up tomorrow morning i will whack it on him and take another photo!

And here is apicture of Max today at the beach for good measure - damn i make good babies!

He looks very pensive. There is a word of the day for ya!

Patterns for Toddlers

2011-07-22T22:15:00.011+10:00

Here is a bunch of great easy tutorials and patterns for toddlers and little kiddies.

The Pillowcase Dress Tutorial at Freshly Picked.

Tutu Pattern at Chic 'n Joy. Big Butt Baby Pants (perfect for Max) from Made by Rae.

Here is a great collection of all the ones for boys over at Sew Mamma Sew.
Including Easy Kids Pants at Rookie Moms.

One of the best tutorials i have seen is for a little girls dress made from a buttoned mens shirt - there are a few around but here are the best i have seen

On Craftster. Very cute with frilly sleeves and buttons down the back.

At Made. Love the buttons down the front.

And this post here on Craftster even has the pants made form the sleeves.

So get sewing everyone!

One Year On

2011-07-22T22:03:00.003+10:00

It's been a year since the birth of my beautiful boy Max. It has gone so fast and been amazing to watch something we created grow up so quickly. Look at him!

We are so lucky. He has had no problems whatsoever. He is a extremely happy kid, if i keep him feed and well rested he is just happy all the time. He giggles at everything and makes everyone around him smile. Such a beautiful, gentle nature. I am hoping to get crafting again so - i can feel the bug coming back! I get emails about my Yudu and it makes me want to screen print Max some shirts! Stay Tuned!

Meet My New Arrival!

2010-08-14T14:42:00.011+10:00

At 3am in the morning on the 6^th of July (3 weeks and 3 days before i was due to have my little bundle of joy) i woke from a dream about the TV show Masterchef. It involve a mixing a bowl of liquid that kept spilling over the edge, and i woke with a start with an urge to go the the toilet, i rang to the toilet and felt a rush of liquid and looked down and saw a trickle of water running down my let.

“Troy, i think my waters just broke!”

“What, are you sure?”

After seeing the state of my undies, he was sure!

After calling the hospital who said not to hurry in, i got some work organised that i had been doing and put a few final things in my bag. I has spent the last 2 days furiously cleaning (and crying when my husband wouldn’t help me – i must have seemed like a nut job!) and packing my hospital bag, i remember thinking to myself “i am having my baby this weekend” even though it was not due for weeks, strange!

I was feeling excited, but scared. Was the bub to early – would there be problems? I thought back to all the times during my pregnancy i wished it would come early, thinking i can’t possibly get any BIGGER! I had already put on 20 kilos and received looks of surprise and horror when i told people i still had 4 weeks to go. Had i wished my baby out to early? Did i walk and clean to much the precious days? Had i done something to cause this? Is everything going to be okay? As well as “Thank god i left week the previous work, at least i got 1 weeks off, instead of the month i was suppose to have!”

Troy and i travelled to the hospital at 5am, i got nervous when he decided to take a whole new, untried route to the hospital but he drove calmly and slowly (unusual for my husband).

We arrived at the Maternity ward and was taken to the birthing suite, it had a lounge area with a couch and TV, a multi-adjustable bed in another area with a TV and large shower. I was put on a monitor watching foetal movement and the baby’s heart rate. I weight for my Obstetrician who luckily was on call that day, she arrived at 8am and suggested that i get induced, she said most people’s whose waters brake before contractions don’t go into natural labour.

So at 9.50am i was put in the Oxytocin. Contractions started slowly over the next two hours, from a “period pain” like cramp that developed into excruciating painful contractions. I used gas, which totally whacked me out at the start. Troy laughed at me because i was talking funny. I remember having to turn the radio of because the sounds were vibrating in my head.

At around 1pm i was checked and i had only become 4cm dilated and was at the end of my pain threshold. The “epidural” word came up, i was hoping to avoid this, and try pethidine but we were worried about how the pethidine would after a premature baby, would it make it hard for it to breath? I was told it is normally 1cm an hour so i still had 5-6 hours to go, i said “give me the epidural!” The relief was quick and for the first time in 3 hours i relaxed and smiled. The contraction pain was gone but i still felt pressure and discomfort during each contraction which over time got worse and worse. I could still lift my legs up! I had expected to be completely numb from the waist down.

The pressure got worse and worse and the need to push came.

Sitting my hands behind my thighs and my legs in the air i pushed and pushed and pushed.

I felt like my pelvis was being ripped apart, i screamed in pain after each push. I was fully dilated and it was time for bubs to come.

But he didn’t.

My obstetrician came in and pushed and pushed again and still nothing. After 1hour of pushing i was tired and exhausted and in excruciating pain constantly.

“I can’t do it again”

“Just breathe and relax” – “you can do it Hon”

But Bubs was just not coming out – forceps were tried, which felt like i was being ripped apart

Still no luck.

Next suction, and after what felt like 10 contractions and what felt like someone trying to pull my spine out through my vagina we had success.

“Do you want to touch it’s head?’

I reached down and feel a slimy, boney ball. That was my baby!

After another push his upper body was pulled out. I could see it’s little body, all white and slimy, it’s curled up arms and screwed up face under the bright lights. It’s legs were still inside me, and i used every last bit of energy i had (which had actually run out about 2 hours ago) and with a final contraction and push it was out. At last a feeling of relief from pain and a little bundle of arms and legs were placed on my chest.

Poor bub and his big forcep mark on his face

”Have you looked what it is?”

I glimpsed down, the umbilical cord was tangled up in its legs but i didn’t see any ‘bits’.

“I think it’s a girl”

The cord moved out of the way.

“Are you sure?”

“It’s a boy! Hi Max!”

A boy my husband and i had created, that i carried around in my belly for 36 weeks and 3 days, that had kicked me in the middle of the night & performed side stretches that made me jump, had turned my boobs into saggy moosh bags and my belly into a taut uncomfortable ball.

He was out of my belly and lying on my chest, with as little screwed up face covered in gunk.

Born at 6.25pm on the 5^th of July
3.310kgs
37cm Head Circumference
47cm Long

His breathing was short grunts, he was taken by the nurses and checked over and it was decided that he needed to be taken to the Special Care Nursery and check over and put in a humidicrib to get his breathing right. Troy went along and i was left on the bed, alone, with my placenta sitting in a tray close by. I didn’t feel alone, scared or annoyed that everyone had left me, i just felt relief and shock.

I rang my best friends, Brett and Bron and don’t really remember what i said just that i was so happy.

Troy came back with all good news, i just had to weigh for the epidural to wear off so i could go and see him at the nursery.

After a shower i was wheeled to see Max. He was in a humidi-crib with tubes and sensors everywhere. He was o cute and sweet with his bruised and battered head from the delivery. His chubby cheeks, little cried that remind me of lamb and his constant hiccups. His little eyes slowly opening to gaze into mine for the first time.

His sore head from the suction

Over the next few days as he woke up more i started feeding him and replacing his tube feeds, by the Thursday i was getting 5/5 marks for his feeds and they took the tubes out, he was on the road to coming home on Saturday but he stared getting yellow – VERY yellow so he had to go under some UV lamps for 24 hours, with little covers over his eyes to help get the jaundice under control.

Everytime i had to leave him in the nursery and go back to my room i cried. It was amazing how much love i had already for my little man, it ached inside to be away from him. I was told when i was pregnant that having a child is like having a piece of your soul outside your body – in your child. This description scared me, like i would be losing a part of myself, but all i feel is full of love and this overwhelming urge to protect my son. I joke with Troy that i am a tiger and he is my cub !

I am daunted by my new job as mother, worried i am going to make mistakes, that i won’t know what to do, but i know i am going to do the best i possibly can and i couldn’t love anybody as much as i love Max and Troy right now.

I am the luckiest woman in the world.

He looks drunk after i feed him :-)

This was 6 weeks ago! How the time has flown, my little man is growing ferociously, he is getting so heavy. I feel like i have spent the last 6 weeks sleeping, breastfeeding and trying to get to slept. Everything is going well just spending my time looking after Max. He is a good baby, doesn't cry heaps, sleeps lots. I can't wait for when he smiles, (he only smiles in his sleep at the moment) i love dressing him up and taking photos of him.

The thankyou card photo i got printed out

These are my two favourite outfits.

Puppy Feet

Polar Bears

and Stripes

Anyways - just thought i would share my joy with you all, i am sure in the near future i will have spare time again to craft but at the moment i am crafting a baby!

Something Looks Fishy!

2010-06-14T09:30:00.000+10:00

The first item i purchased to start decorating the baby room was a plain Nappy Stacker from Spotlight for $5.

I took my trip to Spotlight and did my usual baby brain shop of aimlessly wandering around, with no plan to what i am actually doing and ending up at the checkout with a basket full of stuff i don't actually need, but managed to end up with some felt and some fabric that reminded me of The Rainbow Fishes shimmery scales.

I traced around The Rainbow Fish from the book i am using as inspiration and created this fish.

I really like the scales, kind of a Japanese feel to them i reckon! I also stitched some reedy/seaweed stuff on the sides too.

Next was more fish to use around the room, i think these will go on the curtains. (the next mission!)

and some little fish too..

So as you can see i am getting some creativity back into my life for the first time since we moved houses in November, it feels great, and i am sure it will give me plenty to do when i finish work in two weeks. My husband is getting flashbacls to previous crafty spurts when the whole house was covered in fabric and crap.

So next is the curtains, i am thinking a blockout curtain in the window frame and a translucent one over the top with my fishes sewn on..... another trip to Spotlight!!! (this time i am making a list!)

The Story So Far....

2010-06-13T21:25:00.005+10:00

I am 33 weeks pregnant - the baby is due on the 29th of July and i have started being creative again!

It started with painting the nursery. Back is this post i had considered having an underwater theme based on the book The Rainbow Fish.

In my brain i had the concept of being underwater and have the water line above my head, and having this waterline as kind of a border around the top of the room. The colours of blue, teal and purple. So after stealing loads of colour samples from Bunnings (though the amount of money i have spent there in the last 3 months i should have shares in Bunnings) i came up with this colour scheme.

Ice Pack Quarter (bottom left) for the main walls, Lagoona Teal (bottom middle) for the wave, or water line and Spritzig Quarter (bottom right) as the sky above the water line.

As usual what i have in my head and actually executing the idea are two different things, and, as usual, i forget that i am carrying around one hell of a baby belly (i will get to that later - it is HUMONGOUS!). So i had Husband's help with the main wall bit but did the roof, waves and sky all by my self (mostly while he was playing Playstation or making baked goods like scones for me - my pregnancy craving).

So here it is. I am very happy with it and the colour are so peaceful. My wave in 2 parts are a little spaz but i am so happy with it.

The room is still in a bit of a shambles, we haven't decided whether to have the cot in our room, as recommended by the SIDS people (sudden infant death syndrome) for the first few months or to put in straight in the baby room (any advice from anyone is appreciated!!). so we haven't put it up yet.

The change table in the picture above was bought cheap on ebay and i sanded it back and painted it myself, i love it! but i gave up on doing the same with a 2nd hand cot i bought and purchased another on from Ikea. (after a Keno win!).

So... next is to decorate!

Calling All Mums and Dads!

2010-03-19T15:51:00.005+11:00

All you Mummys and Daddys out there - i would love to here your thoughts on:

Baby's Items/Products You Couldn't Live Without?

Prams - What Prams are Best/Worst?

Best Piece of Baby Advice.

Would love to hear your thoughts!

Peanut Update

2010-03-19T13:53:00.005+11:00

I'm 20 Weeks Now! Any this is my beautiful baby, Peanut.

Everything is 100% normal (as normal as someone like my Husband and I can produce). We have chosen not to find out what sex the baby is, which i have found is a nightmare when shopping for things - the only choices i have are green and yellow! - oh well - i will have to start sewing again.

During the 20 week scan i had a very shy baby - hands and arms in front of the face during the whole thing.

Sorry - no photos! What a cute little hand!

My camera has decided to stop working but i have sanded and painted the change table and the next mission is the cot - once they are done i am going to start making some bedding etc.

I am feeling really good - except for the extra 7 kilos i am lugging around which i swear is mostly in my gigantic boobs, the ultrasound lady pleasantly reminded me that the baby still has to get 10 times bigger than it is right now - holy crap - i feel so taut and stretched already!

Other than searching for the ultimate pram (is there one?) and waiting, waiting and waiting i haven't been up to much. I plan to sew and making things but never get around to it - instead i am organising my craft room still after our move last November.

This is me and my protruding belly at 18 weeks (Yes i was only 18 weeks, no i am not having twins) as my Friend Jo's little girl, Neve said - you are going to have a very big baby!

And this is a random - but very impressive Bromeliad flower just just sprouted in 2 days in my garden, it is the length of my arm!
Well that's it for today- i know my craft blog has gone to the dogs but i haven't given up hope - hopefully you won't either!

Making the Baby Bedding

2010-02-16T17:50:00.003+11:00

I have made a start at working out my Rainbow Fish design for the baby room. I will be applique/quilting a few things for around the room.

I have traced over the design in Adobe Illustrator, so i can work out the parts and break them up. The colours only represent the different parts - i will be using teals, purples, and blues.

These are all the parts organised by fabric colour that i need to cut out - the grey will be a metallic fabric. The others will different shades of a batik fabric, like in this post with under the sea fabric choices.

I can just scale them up in illustrator and print out my pattern to any size i need....

Off to the baby doctor this afternoon so i will have more pictures of peanut! I am 16 weeks and 4 days now - getting close to half way -- whoot whoot!

The Gold Coast - Beaches and Cane Toads

2010-02-07T15:00:00.001+11:00

Welcome all you Blogtrotters! Blog-Trotting is a blog that highlights a different city in Amercia and the World everyday through other people blogs and today (or tomorrow depending which country you are in) is the day for..

The Gold Coast, Queensland Australia
The Gold Coast is a relatively new city compared to all others in Australia, it was established under the name "The Gold Coast" in 1958 as a major tourist destination. Back then the population was around 50,00, today it is nearly 500,000. The tourists flock to the Gold Coast for some of the best beaches in the world, the night light of Surfers Paradise and the great shopping. I live in a suburb called Coombabah, the word is Aboriginal for "Home of Turtles". It is just north of Surfers Paradise, the most popular suburb of The Gold Coast. We moved here last November because my husband is building the new Gold Coast Hospital at Labrador (yes.... thats the name of a suburb!) This is his building sight, 6kms from home.

This is my little piece of paradise - my lovely home! We moved in last November, it has beautiful bromeliad and palm tree gardens, so relaxing.

This is is indoor/outdoor kitchen dining room. The weather here is beautiful most of the year, sub-tropical is the official term, so we just cook out dinner on the BBQ and eat outside (covered in Mozzie (mosquito) Spray!) most nights.
This is my husband filling up our big fish pond at the front of our house. Our garden looks like a jungle!

Surrounding Areas...

Surfers Paradise About 15 minutes from my house is Surfers Paradise, the main suburb of The Gold Coast, with the tallest building called Q1. Close by is Cavill Mall great for shopping and drinking, pristine patrolled beaches. There is even a beach dedicated to dogs at a place called The Spit, my dog Bella goes bananas when we go there... This is picture of one part of the beach called Main Beach.

Photo From Beau Mitchell.

Events

Surfers Paradise also hosts Schoolies Week each year. Every year all the kids who finish high school each year come to Surfers Paradise on The Gold Coast to celebrate end of exams and get completely blotto (shitfaced)

It is absolute choas each year - lots of drunken teenagers but lots of fun. The young kids that have finished school are called Schoolies and any older people that show up trying to pick up young drunk teenagers and join in are called Toolies. There is often a lot of fighting and drug arrests but it is usually the Toolies that get arrested.

There parents must be proud. Photo from Gold Coast.com.au .

Other than awesome beaches, shopping and drunk teeenages, The Gold Coast also is...

Places to Visit
The Gold Coast has the Lion's share of Australia's Theme Parks including..

Sea World - My husband and I swam with the dolphins at Seaworld, they are also polar bears, you can even swim with sharks, they have rides to.

Dreamworld - all the cartoon characters etc. great for kids and has kick-ass rides. I patted a tiger cub there once!

Photo from Christian Bowman.

and Wet'n'Wild - a massive water park with some really full-on water rides.

Photo from Hub Pages.

I can't talk about The Gold Coast with our introducing you to on of our pesky residents...

The Residents

People .. Capital of Cosmetic Surgery
The Gold Coast has a variety of residents, from bogans (see below) to breast enlarged botox beauties (i'm an not included in this demographic!), retirees to unemployed surfers, with a strong New Zealander population as well.

Photo from Gold Coast.com.au

Pests.. The Cane Toad... Photo of a Bogan (Australian term used to describe members of society that are a combination of what the Yanks call Rednecks, Jocks and Trailer Park Trash) with a giant Cane Toad From Here.

The Cane Toads were introduced into Queensland in 1935 in an attempt to stop French’s Cane Beetle and the Greyback Cane Beetle from destroying sugar cane crops in North Queensland. They have since spread across the top of Australia and South to as far as Port Macquarie, killing indigenous species of frogs. They are poisonous, so we have to be careful that our dog doesn't try and eat them coz she would die... :-( Some people have been said to boil them up and drink the juice that comes out of them to get off their chops... don't know about that!

They are considered a pest that kill our native species so we go cane toad hunting in the garden at night, they love our moist garden and our two ponds. My husband and I stab them with knifes and then put them in the freezer! Even after i stab them they still hop around - freaky things. Luckly ours are alot smaller than the one in the photo above!

Thankfully we still have lots of Green Tree frogs in our garden too, they hide in the bamboo, up and away from where the Cane Toads roam.

The Good Frog! - a green tree frog in our garden. So there is a little bit about our little piece of paradise, here on The Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia. I hope you enjoyed it - leave me a message with what part of the world you are from!

Pop over to Blog Trotting everyday to find out about another part of our huge world!

Time to Pull My Finger Out

2010-02-04T12:39:00.008+11:00

I need to pull my finger out ... from where you ask - i choose to say in is stuck in my ear - not my rear.

I need to start sewing again - i need to start making baby stuff.

I did a post a while ago here when i was looking for some projects to make for a friend who was having a baby. Now I am the one having a baby!

So i want to try this one here at This Momma Makes Stuff. I have some old shirts to give it a crack on. We aren't finding out the sex of the baby so maybe i can start making things in both styles and just giveaway the ones i don't end up needing!

This Momma Makes Stuff also has a pattern for a fabric high chair - perfect for when you are visiting friends.

Grosgrain has a very simple way to change any pair of pants into maternity pants, that i am in dire need of !!

There is also TONNES of patterns here at Make for Baby.

oooo... what should i start with??

Do you have any patterns that you found useful?

Cool Business Cards and Business Card Holders

2010-01-28T11:12:00.008+11:00

Just flipping through some stuff at work and found these really cool - crafty designer related business cards and some funky business card holders.

Harlow Media - also has a good blog about What Your Business Card Says About You

Card Observer featured this card - describes alot of us crafty people!

Sewing Business Cards

Alot of cool ideas on Jungus including this one from Butterlabel.com

Poopy Clutch - awesome instructions for different versions and sizes of this simple business card holder and clutch.

Schlossers Designs - also has a very cte pattern for a fabric bowl in her shop

Tamdoll Business Card Holder - simple and quick, embellish anyway you like!

Peanut in the Placenta

2010-01-20T16:39:00.003+11:00

We had our 12 week scan today and everything is a-okay! Yipeee!

This is Peanut in the standard ultrasound i had on Tuesday at my doctors office. Looks like a full baby now, not just a little Peanut! It is 6.6cm long!

This is Peanut from todays high-res 3D 12 week scan at the ultrasound clinic. Just hanging around in my placenta! Amazing! Peanut is very active, squirming around. I have been told i have an anterior placenta - so Peanut has the placenta sack a different way then most (thats me - a little bit different) but thats perfectly fine, it just may mean i don't feel kicking till a little bit later, but i can already feel some little flutters!

Everything is 100 % normal, fingers crossed it stays that way for the next 6 months..

Under the Sea Softies

2010-01-16T12:00:00.001+11:00

Whale Softie
Small Dream Factory

Stingray Softie
ShiShi Girl Blog

Fish Baby Cuddle Toy
Small Dream Factory

and lastly 2 great patterns from Futuregirl pointed out to me by Liam's Mum at Solomn Sewing. What a lovely lady!

Sasha the Seahorse
So sweet - love the beading

and Supercute Sea Creature Patterns

Under the Sea Fabrics

2010-01-15T12:50:00.006+11:00

A few different fabrics i could use to create an underwater nursery.

The Quilters Store
Great range of Balli Batik fabric in lovely see colours

OzQuilts
Artisan Batiks 12 Fat Quarter Bundle :Seven Seas

Found on Ebay at Charm Cottage Quilts
Michael Miller Fabric

Found on Ebay at Buttercup Farm Quilters
Hoffman Hand Painted Bali Batik Fabric

Under the Sea

2010-01-15T11:24:00.005+11:00

Would love everyone's help with fabrics!

I am now planning an underwater themed nursery, based on a book i have called "The Rainbow Fish" by Marcus Pfister. It is such a beautiful book with holographic foiling on the fish scales...

There are also a series of books now in the series.

There are also prints at Art.com.

But i looking for the crafty side of things, So i am going to do some wall painting but i am looking for some soft toy patterns, i have found this one by Melly and Me.

Under the Sea Softie Pattern by Melly and Me
Available at Belsizesquare.

But i need to find some fabrics (like the watercolour style of the book paintings), to make all my nursery stuff (am i just wishful thinking that i am going to find time?) and maybe some more patterns for softies etc. If you know of any let me know!

I have a week off next week so hopefully i am going to crack out the sewing machine for the first time in the new house!

On the Bub front - i am now 12 weeks!! Yippeee! I have the big 12 week scan and a OBGYN appointments next week so i get to see Peanut (our nickname!) 2 times next week! Will post some photos!

Meet Peanut!

2009-12-23T14:15:00.005+11:00

Hi Everyone, Just an update on my new life on the Gold coast in Queensland (Sounds good doesn't it!) Lots of sun and heat, we are loving our new troical paradise house. We have frogs in the bamboo and so many different types of bromeliads. I will take photos in my Christmas holidays and give you a proper update!

My little baby that is growing inside me is slowly getting bigger and my belly shape has changed, i have a little raised bit down low, how exciting! I haven't had actual morning sickness, just a feeling of nausea and wanting to chuck a fair bit if i don't eat bland food but as yet no vomit! Very luckly! It is amazing that i got to see it when i was only 8 weeks, and it's heart was beating away... i can't wait till i know everything is okay at the 12 week scan and i can settle in to being pregnant - it feels a little foreign at the moment and i get sad and worried a bit.

I am finding it hard trying to work out what food i can and can't eat now, i love soft cheese and seafood so much and only being able to eat freshly cooked seafood is hard, i also miss smoked salmon....oooo i love it! On pizzas and in pasta... oh well - atleast i am keeping my baby safe!

We have decided not to find out the sex of the baby and keep it a surprise for us... so i am looking for a generic baby room theme without yellow! I have almost decided on Tropical Rainforest, with all the animals and tropical plant decals on the walls and lush dark greens, i think it will look awesome! What do you think?

I have a two weeks at home in January that i am really looking forward to! I can get my craft room sorted and finally unpack properly (i know we are terrible! The new Playstation we just bought is not helping our unpacking either!). Hopefully i can also actually make something and do a post about it! I haven't given up completely! Have a Merry Christmas everyone and stay safe!

I'm growing a baby here!

2009-12-09T17:59:00.004+11:00

Yep! I'm pregnant ( knocked up, up the duff, sperminated, preggers, wearing my apron high, expecting, in the family way) I'm only 6 weeks and i know it's early but i'm very excited and had to share!

Now every time i am hungry and i NEED food, i say to my husband "I'm growing a baby here, cook me some food!" I think it is already wearing thin!

Just stopped by to give you the new and let you know i am alive...we have just moved house and get the internet connected tomorrow, waaahhoooo.. i also have a new job, so it's been quite hectic! i will be back online soon with photos of my crafty room in progress, my new house and maybe my baby bump (when it stops looking like i have just had too much lunch!)

Stay tuned!!

Christmas Crafty Ideas

2009-12-06T08:30:00.000+11:00

The time is coming! So i did a bit of a search to get some Christmas Inspiration happening. Here are two Christmas tutorials to get you on your way.

Stitched Christmas Cards at Craft Blog

Christmas Wreath by Holly at Charmed Life

Elephant Trek

2009-11-11T17:21:00.003+11:00

I have a new decal available in my Made It Shop. Inspired by my trips to Thailand and my rides on the elephants, so calm and quite.
There is also a tree decal coming which can be put together with the elephants, or used separately.

Beautiful!

A Few Finds

2009-11-06T14:43:00.008+11:00

Here are a few inspirations and tutorials to start your weekend...

Quilted Wallet Tutorial over at Darnkat
A great site with heaps of very funky bags etc..

Blow at Life
Beautiful paintings and drawings, i love this one with a goldfish. I wish i could draw!

Whirl It Lampshade at Pickles

How to make a Fabric Bowl at Imagine Fabric

Upcycled Childrens Wallet with Zip at Balancing Everything

Inspirational Craft Spaces at Threadbanger this one is Megan's Craft Room at Apartment Therapy.. Can't wait to decorate my craft room!!

Chickadee

2009-11-02T17:00:00.002+11:00

Just one cute little Chickadee purse today... I can't remember where i got the fabric from! But it is super cute anyway!

Cloud Trees

2009-11-01T19:43:00.006+11:00

Life has been flying past - counting down the days till we move into our new home, and my new craft room.

A dog de-sexing, a weekend in Sydney, a weekend in Melbourne, getting my ovaries ready for making babies.....there has a lot going on but I did find time to make something finally this weekend!

I present the Cloud Tree Clutch.

I designed the repetitive tree pattern, then cut them out of vinyl and burnt a screen for my Yudu.

Design Laid Out on the Yudu Ready for Exposure

This is the screen just after i have burnt it, before washing out the un-exposed emulsion. You can just see the light green areas.

The Burnt Screen

I screen printed some white cloud trees on grey cotton drill, i love the diagonal textured weave of drill fabric.

I then cut out my pieces, along with a screen printed logo on my pocket, and cut out my own pattern, just a rectangle with rounded off corners. I used a pair of old jeans for the lining, denim is good for lining because it creates some weight without having to use interfacing which i find a bit stiff sometimes.

The Inside Pocket

I am very happy with it and will put putting it in my overly neglected Made It Shop this week.

Things i am looking forward to in our new house...

My Very own craft room when i can contain my mess (containment, is this just wishful thinking?)
Having a happy sunfilled wall with a some funky hooks to hang bags on and take photos.
My lush tropical garden view from my sewing machine.

Only 25 days to go!

A Little Bit of Wisdom

2009-10-12T13:38:00.002+11:00

If you have a problem without a solution,
it is a fact to be accepted over time.

I have realised overtime not every problem we come across in our lives has a solution. Sometimes its better to move on and just accept it as the way it is going be to be and put your energy into the things in life you can change.

I hope everybody had a lovely weekend!

Another Great Nicole Mallalieu Design Pattern!

2009-10-07T19:17:00.005+11:00

Recently I bought the Day Bag pattern from Nicole Mallalieu Design in Melbourne, and can 100% recommend it to anybody.

As usual her patterns are very clear and thorough, with helpful pictures. It is like taking your own bag making lesson at home. LOVE IT!

I used fabric i bought back from my trip to Thailand earlier in the year. The fabric has a beautiful turquoise and blues and areas that have borders of flowers, so i tried to lay it out and cut it to use these borders as best as possible.

I am even trying for the first time a zipper gusset... i have confidence that i will be able to do it as it is clerarly explained in the pattern so fingers crossed!

I am making two bags... this is the first one... it even has a magnetic clasp! My first ever! Nicoles Patterns give me so much confidence!

I will have the second ready in a few days to pop back to have a look soon..

Hope you have having a happy day!

My Big News

2009-10-02T16:08:00.003+10:00

drumroll please..... we have bought a house!!

The contracts are signed, we move in on the 26th of November. Whoop Whoop!!

It is so beautiful, bought by the previous owners and renovated into a tropical Bali inspired oasis.... Check it out! This is our back deck, kitchen and garden.

Our kitchen, though we have none of the funky statues and stuff yet...

Yep... that's a spa bath!!
The bathroom...which reminds us of the bathroom of our hotel on our honeymoon.

And most importantly - the room i am going to turn into my craft room!! So imagine this room with some magenta colours, bright Asian silks and a cherry blossom wall decal, a sewing machine and lots of storage. It has sliding door out to the back deck, how cool!
So there is my big news, hopefully the finance will go through smoothly and we'll be sipping cocktails in our spa at the end of November...

So in the coming weeks you might see a bit of Bali inspired interior and exterior decorating posts... stay tuned!

Meet Petunia the Pig!

2009-09-29T20:51:00.003+10:00

After some total brain meltdowns - i was able to finish Petunia the Pig, a pattern by Melly and Me. I am a very visual person and found it a little hard not have pictures to go by for a lot of the steps, i like the "Patterns for Dummies" style, you might say! But the pattern and resulting pig are well worth it!

Look... a flat pig... and a full pig! Love the skirt! This little piggy is off to The Haby Goddess to be donated to Softies for Mirabel. She is made with fabric my lovely American friend, Heather at "This is the Day...".

Check out other very cute Melly and Me Patterns here at their blog, they have the coolest monkey!

A Lovely Little Nook

2009-09-29T20:14:00.004+10:00

Calling all Brisbanites!!, Support indie designers and visit Nook, in West End! (Bring your wallets as you'll want to buy everything in the shop!)

At 19 Browning Street it is a must if you love handmade items made with love from Brisbane Designers and Aboard. Included the very talented Brissie screen printers Red Seed Studio and Thea and Sami.

We visited Nook with Brown Owls on Sunday, and there were so many cute purse, wallets and bags. There is also Hand printed fabrics, a few homewares, very funky brooches, hand printed scarves, and lots of very sweet cards including cards from Able and Game ( which i have bought in the past) including this card for my lovely Mummy!
I have some big news too! I will post in the next few days once all the contracts are signed.... stay tuned :-)

Bye Bye JS-Kit

2009-09-20T21:50:00.002+10:00

JS-Kit - All you have given me is grief, you don't like me visiting my friends and leaving them comments, you make it hard for them to leave me comments..... it's time to go our separate ways...

Blogger Comments - I'm sorry that I palmed you off for a new flashy model, I realise that you are a reliable, trust worthy friend, please forgive me!

After several people letting me know they have troubles with my comments and me not being able to visit you guys after you leave me lovely messages i have reverted back to good old faithful blogger comments - hopefully it will be easier for everyone..!!

Back to Bag Making

2009-09-19T10:18:00.000+10:00

I just purchased this pattern from Nicole M Design. The Day Bag.

The Day Bag Variations

It has so many variations, i am looking forward to getting it as her patterns always have new lessons for bag making - and they are so descriptive.

I bought it to make a bag for the Bag-a-Holic swap over at Made By Petchy.

So to my loyal readers - i haven't sewn anything much lately, a little obsessed with my Yudu and screen printing, and coming up with a cool fabric design but stick in there - it's coming soon!

The first Yudu item in my shop

2009-09-18T14:24:00.004+10:00

Just thought i would show you the first Yudu Screen Printed Item i have uploaded to my shop. I amde it about a 2 months ago and as usual wanted to keep in myself! But i keep it all wrapped up and now have decided to upload it to my Made It Shop.

Here is what i wrote about it - does it sound daggy?, i know it is really important how you word your item descriptions but i am new to it! Any feedback would be much appreciated!

Design Side

Screen Printed Design

For sale is this small Tote bag hand screenprinted and sewn in Brisbane Queensland. This bag is the perfect size to throw a purse and mobile into to pop down the shops.

The screen printed design is of a Japanese inspired flower, the Lotus Lilly. I designed and hand screen-printed the design onto Japanese fabric and used this as a feature panel.

Inside the Bag - Screen Printed Logo

One side features the Lotus Lilly, the other is plain Japanese fabric with a hand covered button and ribbon loop.

Japanese Patterned Side

Inside is a small pocket, perfect for your mobile phone with a hand screen printed label, Diddles Design, which features a small Fairy Wren.

Materials - Cotton Drill, Japanese Fabric, Screen Printing

Width Bottom - 21cm
Width Top - 21cm
Height - 17cm
Base Wdith - 3cm
Strap Length - 80cm

So what do you think?? This bag can be found here.

Petunia the Pig

2009-09-18T09:47:00.005+10:00

Lovely Jodie from The Haby Goddess, offered to giveaway some patterns and materials from her shop to people wanting to make Toys for the Softies for Mirabel 2009 Appeal, find out about The Mirabel Foundation here, helping kids affected by Parental Substance Abuse.

Petunia the Pig Pattern (Image from Haby Goddess)

I got picked to make Petunia the Pig by Melly and Me, how exciting... She is going to be soooo cute. Love the Skirt. Now to decide what fabric i am going to use.

You have to agree there is nothing better than knowing something that you put your hard work and love into is going to someone who will appreciate it.

Check of the Haby Goddess today - she is an Aussie business using Aussie Dollars, which we love! She has a range of patterns, fabrics and haberdashery products.

Check out this super cute twill tape.

Have a happy day !

Kookaburra Sits Wall Decal

2009-09-11T16:25:00.007+10:00

I had an order for a super large Kookaburra Sits Wall Decal. She has an awkwardly shaped stairwell that she couldn't find any art she like to fit so she got me to design a tree branch with some native birds to fit in the space. I thought i would show you guys some pictures of the process...

The Design

I buy the vinyl in big rolls, which come in 600mm or 1200mm wide. I use a top quality vinyl, Avery, in removable matt, this job is in brown - My Favourite Colour!

The Mimaki Vinyl Cutter

I create the files which needs to be all outlines, and send it to the cutter. I load the roll on vinyl on and CUT! Even though i have been doing this a while i always get nervous when it is cutting.. so i cross my fingers and watch it the whole time like hawk!

Once the vinyl is cut i roll it out onto a table and then "Weed" out the areas that i don't need, leave the beautiful design...I love watching it slowly be revealed as i weed the parts out.

Weeding out the vinyl

And then all that is left is my kookaburra design, because it so big it is 3 parts, with 5mm overlap.

What i have left to do it place a layer of "Application Tape" over the top, this attached to the vinyl only and not the backing paper. So when you go to apply the decal you peel off the backing paper, and place it on your wall, give it a good rubbing (we all like a good rubbing) and then slowly peel the backing paper back on itself, leaving you one kick arse wall decal!

Hopefully when the lady installs it she will send me some photo so i can show you.

And there ends my lesson in creating a wall decal....hope you are having a lovely day.

For those of you interested i had a complete shocker at the driving range last night, complete schmozzle, hope i will get my shit together on Sunday! Otherwise i will embarrass my husband infront of all his work mates! Heheheh!

My Creative Space

2009-09-10T17:49:00.004+10:00

Not much in my creative space this week, just one finished little zipper pouch i have named "Flutter By".

I started them back here a while ago now by screenprinting on my butterfly, then i stitched in some little "Flying Lines" in black.

I also screen printed a little logo on the inside.

Very happy!, what next?? Off to the driving range.... yes! I have taken up golf! How odd! Well, i am thirty after all!

Check out lots of other creative peeps over at Kootoyoo.

Little Lady Cushion and Yudu Supplies

2009-09-09T20:10:00.006+10:00

It's my beautiful Step-Daugther's birthday today, she is turning 7. I made this for her last night to send down to her. She lives in a different state so i don't get to see her on her birthday but i hope she likes it....

I hand cut a stencil out of sticker and whacked it on my Yudu (here is go again with my Yuduing, it's BACK ON) and sewed her a cushion. I did it really quick, about 2 hours all up, including drying time for the stencil.
I have 4 new emulsion sheets (above) and another Mesh Screen in the mail !, i bit the bullet and ordered them directly from the States from Dharmatrading.com. So it will be interesting to see what state they are in when they get here.... stay tuned!

I'm Back with Bad Side Burns

2009-09-09T19:32:00.007+10:00

The party was AWESOME! Check out my sideburns! It's been a while since i have posted but i am back and crafting... but first... the party report.

My 1970s curtains i put up and my orange lamp i found at the Op Shop made our BBQ area look like a swinging 70's lounge room, along with the Shesha pipe that was purely ornamental of course! (Puppy hiding bottom right corner)
Everyone dressed up, very cool, we even had a black painted Bob Marley!

My Husband - Jimi Hendrix and Martin - Bob Marley

My lovely Sister-in-Law and I (Lamp and Shesha pipe in the background)
All the ladies (and my husband with a wig that makes him look like a lady), and as usual, my friend Jo doing inappropriate hand gestures. Jo the Blog Critic, showed up with a Nana Maskouri and a Kamahl Album and one sweet Kaftan
Bry and my Brother, Josh

It was heaps of fun and everybody had a fun time, three kegs of home brew were drunk so somebody should have been having a good time. Later in the evening everybody swapped wigs.... and moustaches... I was up til 8am the next day, all part of a 4 day bender, now that i am thirty and getting my womb ready for babies, those days are all behind me now so i definitely got it out of my system!

Next step, my husband and I are going to buy a house and get pregnant... whoot whoot!!

So back to crafting i am, lots of ideas, now to get started! Thanks for being patient while i had a bit of a break!

Catch ya soon!

2009-08-24T10:41:00.003+10:00

Due to my nufty husband accidentally getting our internet cut off and my impending 1970's party on the weekend i am going to have a week off from Blogland (being replaced with homebrew beer) so...

My Creative Space - Happy Blogaversary to ME!!!

2009-08-18T20:28:00.006+10:00

It's my blogaversary today! (round of applause) Thankyou, Thankyou!

I would like to thank my Husband for putting up with me sitting on the computer for endless hours each week. Most inportantly i would like to thank all the lovely bloggers who follow my blog and my erratic crafty behaviour. I get a little excited everytime i log into my email and have wonderful comments. You guys keep me going even if i don't have any mojo :-)

I been back into the Yudu Screen Printing Machine the last couple of days. Below is a row of butterflies, flying across fabric that has been cut out to make some little zipper purses. (oooo nice new ironing board cover to there :-)

I also screenprinted a logo for inside each purse.

I tried using felt to print on too, i am going to trim around it and punch a hole to make a little swing tag.

I received my 10 Dollar Drawing today. All the way from Portland Oregon. I first heard about this on Grey Grid Paper, a fellow Brown Owls' blog and thought it was too good to be true, your own person drawing for just $10 US. I requested a Willy Wagtail, but they don't have those in America! How sad for them :-( So I sent her an image to use as a reference, she has done such a beautiful job.

Hop over to 10 Dollar Drawings for your own one, you can pick anything!

After you hop there, pop pver to Kootoyoo for other creative spaces! Wishing you a happy creative day :-)

My Creative Space - Getting my Mojo Back

2009-08-13T08:20:00.001+10:00

Not much going on here, just trying to get my Creative Mojo back. I had the pieces ready for a zipper pouch ready for a little while and they had been staring at me saying "Please Sew Me!" for a while now... in an effort to get my groove on i finally sewed it tonight, i did it a bit rushed, but it is for my neice which is coming up from Melbourne for my party in 2 weeks (2 weeks eeeckkk!!) and she will love it.

I had screen printed my Bee Girl Design on some fabric scraps but didn't leave enough room at the top so the girl is a bit chopped off, but it was just an experiment...

Also i found this old skool pattern at the op shop. $1.50. BARGAIN! Look at those cute hippos!

For more creative inspiration pop over to Kootoyoo... her weekly Creative Space is what keeps me going each week, thanks so much!!

Creative Queenslanders

2009-08-12T17:34:00.008+10:00

In an effort to get my Mojo back i am cruising around the internet, looking at other Queenslander creative peeps to get some inspiration.

Monsoons and Mangoes - A friend of a friend, she makes the coolest clothes out of the funkiest fabric. This paisley Kaftan made it to the front page of Esty!

Momoko - Exclusive Japanese products hand made on the Sunshine Coast.

Such gorgeous designs using Japanese fabrics. This top my style! I first saw this design at the Eumundi Markets.

3 GIRLS and a goat - "I like to use a range of materials including new and recycled papers, new and vintage fabrics and buttons, rubber stamping, machine stitching, and screen and lino printing to create multi- layered paper goods."
Beautiful handmade gift cards , I love this one. It features embossing hand stamping and stitching.
Little Mary Moo - Quality hand made bags and purses made predominatly from hand screenprinted fabrics. Look at this cool bag made from Pippi Joe Fabric.

Ogekko - "Children's clothes (and some for their mums) inspired by my love of colour and traditional, ethnic and natural fabrics."

A cute pinafore style dres out of cordouroy.

So there you go... feeling a little bit more inspired! On the road to getting my mojo back!!

Oh Mojo, Oh Mojo, where for art thou Mojo?

2009-08-12T17:27:00.002+10:00

Has anyone see One Crafting Mojo....? Likes to keep me up at nights thinking of new projects, enjoys making me coming home from work to create purses,. bags and clothes..wastes countless $$$ on fabric and screenprinting machines i just had to have...

It's gon!e, over the next week i am going to make an effort to find it, coz i miss creating, i miss blogging and especially i miss all the lovely comments when i do make something! So instead i am off to look at a whole bunch of other creative people to get some inspiration...stay tuned...

My Creative Space - One Finished Dress

2009-08-05T20:41:00.004+10:00

Okay, i know i haven't been blogging much lately and i am sorry to the one person that got bored and stopped following me... but i have finished one dress!! Do i look like i am from the 1970's? I cut my head out coz , well... i didn't want to do my hair or makeup. also... we aren't alcoholics, we have just been stockpiling beer for the party/nuclear winter.
I'm very happy with my buttons too... and my finishing is the best i have ever done, topstitching all even, seams matching up, quite professional. The puffy sleeves and white cuffs are super funky. All i have left is the top button above the zip and the hem. see the cheeky little puppy down the bottom, well she is looking guilty coz she just ate out Jenga set.
What's in your creative space - pop over to Kootoyoo and check out the other creative ladies for some inspiration.

A Yudu Tea Towel

2009-08-03T08:00:00.001+10:00

We have ugly tea towels, quite like Amy at Badskirt... so i decided to make my own!
I bought some cotton/linen blend fabric and pulled out a sketch i made at work of a gum nut tree branch.

I hand cut the design out of a removable self adhesive vinyl scrap i took home (flogged) from work.

Stuck this design to the back of a blank Yudu Screen, i liked how the light shone through onto the fabric just before i was about to print...

and Da Da! One very cool red screenprinted Tea Towel, I made two, now I just need to hem the edges. The design is very rough and quick, but i am very happy with my first prototype.

Birthday Party Dress Preview

2009-08-02T17:53:00.003+10:00

I'm back after a relaxing blog free week!

Needed a bit of time to relax my brain and have a crafting break. Husband mentioned that i dont sit with him and watch TV anymore coz i am constantly flittering around, doing this and doing that.... so i took some time to just ...be. (mind you just sitting and doing nothing nearly drove me insane, i took me 2 days top be able to just relax and not think about my next project!)

But today....Sunday i needed to CREATE! So here is a preview of my funky dress for my 1970's Dress Up Birthday Party in 3 weeks...

What a funky white collar!! The patterni am using was made in the 1970s the and instructions where extremely vague.... i had some moments where i wanted to give up, but i stuck with it and it looks very funky indeed!

Only a few things left to do, attached the skirt, put in a zip and add some big buttons to the front. It also has little puffy sleevs with a contrasting cuff. I need some knee high white boots now i reckon!

We have started stocking piling alcohol and we also have 3 kegs of home brewed beer, my god, it is going to be a big one......

My Creative Space - a Creative Mess!

2009-07-22T22:30:00.003+10:00

Paints in a variety of colours, a rubber spatula for scraping up left over ink, a squegee for printing and some scraps of vinyl for taping over different areas on my screen.

I am testing some things on my Yudu, like printing onto wood, it is a Kaiser Craft wooden coaster, i covered with some plain white paint, let it dry...

and then printed on it with my Yudu... (for more info on this process click here)

Da Da! How cool is that! It's just a test but it would be awesome to have a placemat, table runner and coaster set wouldn't it!

Here is a sneaky peeky of the screen i am going to burn on the weekend. I am going to try some tea towels, and some repetitive patterns.

For more Yudu'ing click here for my past posts on my new machine.

Completely unrelated...One funky 1970's Vintage Table Cloth for my 1970's party, bought on Ebay. Nearly one month to my party!

Hop over to Kootoyoo for more great creative spaces, they are always very inspirations so you should check a few out to get your creative juices flowing..

2 Haiku Bags... Tick!!

2009-07-21T21:33:00.003+10:00

My First wish for my new craft room when we buy our new house is a lovely wall with a very cool hanger on it to take photos of the stuff I make (that is after a proper camera!) But in the meantime this Singapore Liquor cabinet of my Parents-in-law will do!!

I named these"Haiku Bags". One is off to a special blogger....and the other may make it into my shop over the weekend! I am really happy with them. I had been dreaming for ages about being able to screenprint my own designs and make bags out of them... i am a step closer!! Next i want to print my own fabric patterns.

What have you been creating?

Funky Curtains

2009-07-20T21:02:00.004+10:00

When i was younger i thought the curtains in our loungeroom were pretty cool, i loved looking at the patterns and colours, maybe it is where my love of brown came from!! We have these curtains and a orange velvet couch - My Mum's taste was very funky!

Now they are mine.... all mine... (insert evil laugh like the witch from Wizard of Oz)

I am going to hang them up on a curtian rail for my 1970s party, just over a month away... extremely excited! It's nearly time to start my dress.

I have found the right fabric, Erin McMorris's Floral Swirl. I got some in my swap from Rachel at Two Windmills and it was perfect - talk about luck!! Thanks Rachel!

Faith in Swaps Again!!

2009-07-20T08:54:00.001+10:00

I had two swaps in a row that i didn't get anything back, or even a comment from my recievers, so i kinda gave up on them a bit, but then the Polka Dot Swap came held by Polka Dot Daze. I had to join in....
I got my package this week, look at these beautiful goodies. My partner was Rachel from Two Windmills, whose blog i love reading ,she has a beautiful header too, you should see her Creative Space from last week, the coolest set of drawers.. In my beautiful package was a beautifully hand stitched handmade doll, a polka dot egg holder, some beautiful fabric all tied with polka ribbon, how sweet. So much time spent on it... i am so thankful.
I love the fabric, the birds are so cool! I really love the blue white and lime funky pattern too - i would love to make my 1970's dress out of this, Rachel where did you get it!!?? Thankyou so much Rachel !! I love everything, and yours is on the way this week :-) Happy Days :-)

Old Jeans = New Creation

2009-07-19T19:32:00.006+10:00

A new creation! I have found a way to use my Lotus Prints i printed with my Yudu Screen Printer. I took an old pair of jeans and cut out my pieces, i made up the pattern myself! I cut out the lining with one of the back pockets on it to use as a bag pocket, why sew one when one is there already!....

I printed my label on the pocket with the Yudu, i love how i can print on uneven surfaces, it had no troubles with the pocket seams sticking out.
And then i sewed my bag.... this is the lining.

and the exterior..

and one finished Lotus Bag!!
I am very happy for my first one, there are a few things i might change or add in the future, maybe a wider bottom, maybe some larger versions, maybe some pleats on one version.
I am also making two in black with a Japanese print panel which i have then printed the lotus image over the top.

The fabric has gold detailing and the black ink doesn't cover it as well as the fabric design so it shows through a bit which i really like.

I also printed my label on the inside pocket too. Stay tuned for the finished bag...

So there you go Jo, some sewing for you (she was getting sick of all the Yudu posts, hope i haven't bored you too!!)

My Creative Space - My Yudu Dining Table

2009-07-16T08:01:00.000+10:00

I'm elbow deep in Yudu!! For more information on my new purchase see the last few posts on my blog. or pop over to the Yudu website (i should be sponsored!!) I have been trying some other colours and designs out, tonight it was the Lotus Lilly design in pink printed on light pink fabric. The design came out nice and crisp.

I am going to use some panels to create a little bag or purse. I also tried out the white ink on black fabric. It worke dout pretty well, i used two passes to get the ink nice and thick. I want to use this as a swing tag.

I also did some final stitching on my white T-Shirt i printed on the weekend. I also added some fabric over her face to add some more colour...

Pop over to Kootoyoo for some more creative spaces! Happy Creative Space Thursday... i hope you have a fruitful day :-)

Bee Girl with a Butterfly Kite

2009-07-13T08:00:00.001+10:00

After my successful screen printing test i though it was time print a T-Shirt. I just bought some plain Bonds shirts from Target, a grey one for me and a pink one for my Step-Daughter, to make some matching T-Shirts.

I taped off the area on my screen that i wanted to use, Bee Girl. And put some ink on. (it looks messy cause i just scrapped the ink from the spatula after my test.)

Flooded the screen (Full description in my previous post)

And Printed!
I waited for bee girl to dry while i took the dog for a walk, then did the same for her "butterfly Kite"

I then added some red stitches with embroidery thread, tied a knot and left the ends of the threads to dangle free. How cute!! I love it when you finally get to see the idea you have had in your head for soooo long actually created.

For Matilda's smaller shirt, it didn't fit on the T-Shirt Platen provided with the machine so i had to use a bit of enginuity. I got a hard plastic chopping board (unused!) and sprayed it with some spray adhesive and pulled the shirt over it to create a nice smooth hard surface to spread the shirt out on.

I taped this down to the bed of the machine to stop it from moving, and printed.

It worked perfectly! For Matilda's shirt i stitched on a thin ribbon with the sewing machine as the kite cord. Very sweet.

Two finished matching T-Shirts!!, i cut my head out of the photo as I hadn't done my hair and put make-up on and there was waaayyy too much photoshopping to fix that up.

I also printed another white shirt, there maybe a giveaway coming up!! Stay Tuned!! I hope everyone had a wonderful Sunday. What did you get up to?

Finally! Some Printing!

2009-07-12T20:58:00.004+10:00

Today I finally got some time to print some STUFF!! I will take you through the steps.

In my previous post i showed you the screen i had prepared by attaching the emulsion sheet and exposing it to light. I thought i test the screen by printing all the designs on calico - to check that there were no little holes or gaps in the emulsion.

First I taped around the edges of the screen, the emulsions doesn't go all the way to the edges so ink would go through the screen . I used some adhesive vinyl scraps from the bin at my work, it is suggested in the manual and the forums to use cheap packing tape, once this is wet it comes of nice and easy and doesn't leave sticky residue on your screen.

Screen with the edges taped

Next i placed a long caterpillar of Yudu ink across the top of the screen. Making sure it runs the full width of the designs you want to print.

Ink applied to screen

Next i use my Yudu squeegee that came with the machine (just like a plastic spatula) too "flood" the screen. You do this with the screen AWAY from the fabric. This pushed the ink into the screen. You flood the full length of the screen, you dont have to press to hard, justrevenly along the full length of the design.

Flooding the screen

Next the push the screen down onto your fabric, then i lean my belly down on the bottom edge of the machine (not shown here coz i was in my pj's!) and PRINT!! Just pull the squeegee down the full length of the screen firmly with your squeegee at a slight angle, evenly along the full length again. This pushes the ink in the screen from the flooding procedure onto your fabric.

Printing the design

Then lift the screen up and Daa Daaaaa!! A beautiful crisp printed design.... very happy!

The printed design

So there you go, my first print. I am very happy with the quality of the print. It is very crisp and defined and sooooo simple. It isn't mess at all, just the washing the screen after, so i can do it on my dining table without risk of creating a massive mess.

So now i am happy with my designs and can't see any problems i am going to print some T-Shirts... Stay Tuned!

Myrtle the Turtle

2009-07-12T10:05:00.006+10:00

The reason i haven't been able to get elbow deep into my new Yudu obsession is the fact that both my Parents, My Mother-in-Law AND my Step-Daughter are staying with us at the moment.

As always, i made Matilda a toy (see others here). This time is was Myrtle the Turtle from this months Sew Hip Magazine, you can sew their Myrtle the Turtle at the bottom right corner.

I have to say, the pattern was not the best - the main problem was the head gusset. It just didn't fit! Usually i would think it was because i am retarded, but even my Mum, the sewing legend said it was wrong. So after a few heads looking like ET the Extresstrial, we decided to alter it, and got it looking a bit less alien.

It features a heart drawn by Matilda, and Screen printed using the hand-cut stencil method on my Yudu. Myrtle has a little b0nnet with some flowers attached, and stars for eyes.

One Happy Daugther :-) Mission Accomplished.

Off to screen print some shirts!!

My First Screen!!

2009-07-10T17:22:00.005+10:00

Breif overview of the Yudu

Success!! My first screen burnt with my new Yudu Machine. Look at those nice crispy burnt in designs !! Happy Camper!!

I have burnt in multiple designs and will just tape off the sections i am going to use, saving space. My first attempt of adhereing the emulsion sheet to the silk screen failed dismally, ending with drippy emulsion..boooo!!

1st Mistake - Over wetting the screen and relying on the drying drawer inside the machine and the "8 Minutes Only" instruction on the info sheet.

I read up on www.yuduforums.com on some tips, the best being - just use a hair dryer to dry the emulsion on the screen - it took around 3 -4 minutes and it was perfect.

Below is the black designs taped to the bed of the Yudu, ready to have the screen with the emulsion sheet placed over the top.

I placed some Washi tape around the edges to make sure i didn't put anything outisde of the area available on the emulsion sheet.

You then place the silkscreen with the emulsion sheet over the top and press the "Sun" button (i haven't shown photos of this as i was worried about the flash affecting the emulsion sheet.) This just turns the lamps on underneath for the perfect time to expose my screen. (it;s kind of like a big scanner)

You then just pull the screen out and wash out the emulsion from the areas that were covered up by the black designs. Leaving the beautiful screen at the start of my post... joy!

Now it's printing time :-)

If you want to know more about the Yudu go to What You Do.

A Light at the end of the tunnel!!

2009-07-07T22:28:00.003+10:00

I am almost finished my Belle Dress !! Check it out...

All i have left is the hems, it's not my finest work but i am sure a certain little lady is going to love it - and that is the most important thing!!

I have my first Yudu screen in the Yudu drying tray at the moment getting it's emulsion dried on at this very moment!! Eccckkk!! Exciting. Hopefully i will have a burnt screen ready to show you tomorrow, i am having some troubles though... keep your fingers crossed for me!

Art History - Charles and Ray Eames

2009-07-06T23:25:00.004+10:00

Post 1 - Marimekko
Post 2 - Charles Rennie Macintosh
Post 3 - Lucienne Day

Charles and Ray Eames

"Design is the appropriate combination of materials in order to solve a problem."

Charles Eames (1907-1978) and his Wife, Ray (1912-1988) , formed a partner ship after their marriage in 1941 and always shared credit for their design projects, The Eames studio designed not only furniture but also the machinery and production methods needed to manufacture it.

Bench/Base for Storage Units Charles Eames and Eero Saarinen - Image from MOMA Website

Rocking Armchair Model RAR Charles Eames and Ray Eames - Image from MOMA Website.

Postage Stamps released in America showcasing all their work.

A range of wall decals using Eames Designs, available from Blik.

Class Dismissed!!

The next few Art History posts will be all about fabric designers of the past, any suggestions or requests welcome!

What to Yudu First

2009-07-05T21:54:00.005+10:00

I had a wonderful day at the markets today helping out Ellie from Red Seed Studio at the Young Designers Markets at South Bank Brisbane...very inspiring!! I will do a post about some talented Brissie designers tomorrow, i just wanted to post about the designs i am working on for my first Yudu screen.

A design based on a water lillie/lotus flower

I am cutting out shapes from black vinyl and sticking it to a clear plastic sheet - like you would use for an overhead projector. The black areas will block out light and create the design in the emulsion.

A variation of Bee Girl and her pet butterfly

Bits and pieces

I am going to do multiple designs on the one screen and just tape off the design that i want to print to save emulsion and screen space.. So i think i will be ready to burn my first screen tomorrow. Not hurrying coz i want to get it right! Exciting!

Yudu? I DO!!!

2009-07-05T09:00:00.000+10:00

Totally spur of the moment i found a Yudu machine in the scrapbooking shop down the road!! They haven't even started selling them in Australia yet!! A lady had won one from America and had decided to sell it, box unopened with ALOT of extras, and i happened to walk into the shop to ask to go on the waiting list for own and they had one sitting there in the shop.. jaw drops ... i made a quick obligatory phone call to the husband, and then bought it!

Did you know that you could screen print on....Wood, Canvas that is already stretched (the lid is expanable to you can put bulky objects in) leather, like belts, Album covers, glass.

Image from WhatYududo.com

This bookshelf was made by screen printing the wood panels before putting it together!

So i have been surfing around the blogs to find some good Yudu advice and i have found some pearlers, the best one is Erin Bassett from CreativitE. She has videos and lots of tutorials with advice on the best way to get good results, apparently the Emulsion step is one of the hardest. This tutorial on burning the emulsion is awesome.
Her she has even used the Yudu to screen print on wood.

So guess what i am up to today??!! I am going to make my first screen and give it a crack!! Hope you have a wonderful Sunday.

Badskirt - Great Giveaway

2009-07-05T00:19:00.005+10:00

Recently Amy, from Badskirt, went on a fabric buying jaunt to Japan, i won a giveaway she held just before for a little pack of Japanese goodness, including washi tape, fabric and trim, a sweet little mushroom stamp and a cute notepad.

Check out Amy's Badskirt Shop to own your own piece of Mary Poppin Pig and some Russian Maytroyska Trim.

On other news, i have made a MAJOR PURCHASE.... more info tomorrow.

My Creative Space

2009-07-02T06:00:00.001+10:00

This week on My Creative Space is...
One finished Bodice top for my Belle Dress. Looks wonky in the photo but it is looking very lovely - all that is left is the gather the THREE skirts and attached them to the bodice and then hem them all - goodness gracious!

Photos of leaves for a commissioned wall decal - a WHOLE tree! 3 metres high! Can't wait to see it finished and installed...

I have never paid so much attention to the beautiful shapes and silhouettes of tress before...

Having a low creativeness week, so maybe next week i will have more to offer, i think i just go around and suck up everybody elses creativeness at Kootoyoo's Creative Space. You should too!

Pay It Forward

2009-07-01T21:44:00.003+10:00

I have entered a Pay It Forward over at Crafty Rie's blog - so here is the deal...

Image From 36evi on FLickr

I am entering into the following contract with the first 5 people who comment on this post and then commit to do the same on their blog. Just read below and if you feel up to the task copy the following into your blog and leave me a comment. I am willing to post overseas (I am in Australia, but remember you must commit on your blog to do the same to others).

1. I make no guarantees that you will like what I make. Whatcha get is whatcha get.
2. What I create will be just for you, with love.
3. It’ll be done this year (2009).
4. I will not give you any clue what it’s going to be. It will be something made in the real world and not something cyber. It may be weird or beautiful. Or it may be monstrous and annoying. Heck, I might bake something for you and mail it to you. Who knows? Not you, that’s for sure!
5. I reserve the right to do something strange.
6. In return, all you need to do is post this text on your blog and make 5 things for the first 5 to respond to your blog post.
7. Send your mailing address - after I contact you.

Everyone is welcome. I will however, make an effort to do something that you like based on what I see on your blog, BUT there are no guarantees.

So that's that!!

Sooooo anybody keen! I'm quite excited about this!

Follow My Followers

2009-07-01T10:00:00.000+10:00

Welcome to Follow My Followers! Where i feature the talented people that follow my blog.
Week One
Week Two
Week Three
Week Four

Polka Dot Daze - check out this "Stacked Coins Quilt" she is making. Love the colours. and this Matryoshka doll water bottle holder, so sweet!

Chunky Chooky - a new follower with some very cool toys in her shop - so creepy and cute!!

And how is this for a very first cross stitch...

Additional Jesus - completely in envy of her sewing table - how cool is it?

And a beautiful Favorite Things Prairie Girl dress .

That's all,, my blogging hours are going to be dramatically reduced from now on, as i used to do it at work alot, and i got caught (DOBBED IN!!), bummer!! But i will still try to keep up my Follow the Followers and Art History.... But maybe soon i will have heaps of time on my hands and not have to worry about work....if you know what i mean.... ( I AM GOING TO QUIT!!) Have a great day!

A Few Hard Days

2009-06-30T22:00:00.000+10:00

Workplacing bullying is extremely crappy - so to the person in question - YOU SUCK!! Being mean to a lady doesn't make you a bigger man!! YOU HAVE A SMALL PENIS!!

Anybody need a graphic designer with 10 years experience in the Brisbane and Gold Coast Area??

But on a lighter note... i have been cutting out the satin for the top layer of the Mother of all Dresses. Deadline in the 10th of July when Disney on Ice is on.

Lovely Ladies - Lovely Packages

2009-06-30T18:53:00.003+10:00

Firstly, Curlypops, i received my beautiful apron!! Check it out!

Perfect for my orange and brown themed 1970s party. Thanks Curly Pops! She also popped in some early 1970s recipes cards as inspiration for party food - the Crown Roast of Frankenfurters is a cracked up! Pop over here for your own apron made from a teatowel...

The lovely puss card is from my next completely surprise parcel i received.
From lovely Tinnie girl, look at that beautiful Butterfly Fabric!! and the vintage buttons!! Gorgeous aren't they? She is selling her last bunch of Tinnies (metal conatiners full of vintage goodness) over here at the moment so don't miss out.
What bunch of generous ladies :-) After a few hard days when i needed a cheer up, they came at the perfect time. The generousity of the blogging community always catches me by surprise :-)

Kids Draw the Darndest Things

2009-06-26T20:16:00.003+10:00

Drawn By My Friend Jo's Son...

Yes... that says "I love Mum, You Are Not Fat"

That is some funny shit......

Just sitting around drinking some beer and watching Michael Jackson videos... so just beat it....

My Creative Space - Too Many Projects again!

2009-06-25T04:52:00.000+10:00

I offered to create a little dress for a little girl called Neve, who likes to dance to 80's music with her mum and dress up like Belle, from Beauty and Beast.

She is going to Disney on Ice in less that 2 weeks and i started cutting out the pieces - current count is 18!! GEZZZZ!!! And i haven't even cut out the Taffetta yet, they didn't have any at Lincraft, and they call themselves a fabric shop.. wtf?
This is the flouncy collar and lining of the bodice. I am using pattern B4320 by Butterick this is were i am at... lining, overskirt, and little gathered thingy for over the shoulders....The overskirt below will be gathered up in sections with the canary yellow taffeta showing through the bottom.

I want it to look like this in the end, but not plasticky.
I also have some vintage pattern goodness, care of ebay - Simplicity 5562 from 1973. The paper used for the pattern pieces is better quality than the type used today and the printing on it nice and big - must be before they became cheapskates and started using thinner tissue paper.. Some pouches made with Ink and Spindle Fabric. A finished Mod Podged box with a little pouch for a friend in Melbourne. Annd lastly, some hand screenprinted panels, this is step one in a 2 colour design.

Tomorrow will be the flowers. I used the vinyl cutter at work to cut my design out of removable vinyl and stuck it on the back on my screen. The result is a very precisely cut stencil that creates nice clean esges. You can only use it until you rinse your screen though so i got 3 prints out, only one PERFECT one though.. so if after i put the flowers on the perfect one is still perfect - i might se if i can sell it. It would be perfect for the flap of a messenger bag or stretched over a frame...

Hop over to Kootoyoo, the lovely lady that hosts My Creative Space each week for some more Creative Goodness.

Also.. yes i am posting this at 4:50am in the morning.. i cant sleep!
Also also... Transformers 2 kicks arse!! Go see it!!

Kookaburra Sits In The Old Gum Tree

2009-06-24T16:02:00.000+10:00

Hi There Peeps! I just finished a new wall decal. It is a silhouette of a Eucalyptus Tree with a Kookaburra reasting in the branches. For all your non-Aussies out there .. the Tasmanian Blue Gum, Southern Blue Gum or Blue Gum, (Eucalyptus globulus) is an evergreen tree, one of the most widely cultivated trees native to Australia. More at Wikipedia...

This decal is off to my Made It Shop and will be in a 560mm wide x 380mm size. Beautiful!

Next i am going to work on some of the animals everyone said they liked in my Decal giveaway i had for Sew Mamma Sew... i think first some butterflies, cats and owls may be on the cards.

Also another idea i have is decals for laptops. Who wants a boring laptop when they could have one like this!!

Art History - Lucienne Day

2009-06-24T11:47:00.007+10:00

Post 1 - Marimekko
Post 2 - Charles Rennie Macintosh

This Art History post features Lucienne Day - a designer suggested by A Little Birdie Told Me.

Lucienne Day
Born in 1917 in England and was one of the more significant Britich Textile Desiners in the post-scond world war period. She was married to famous funiture designer Robin Day and became a famous design couple and were compared to Charles and Ray Eames, Amercian desingers for the same period.

Robin and Lucienne Day. Image from Design Museum.

Sequoia - Image from Classic Texiles.
Sunrise - Image from Classic Texiles. (I love this - i need it for my party!

Larch - Image from Classic Texiles.
Her most famous design "Calyx" Image from The SillyBooDilly.

There are range of cushions avilable at Spirografica.

That's it for Art History today - Class dismissed!!

Next Art History will be on Charles and Ray Eames... off to find out some info and cool designs!
Any suggestions for future Art History are welcome :-)

Follow My Followers!

2009-06-23T16:05:00.012+10:00

Week One
Week Two
Week Three

This week on Follow My Followers are my newest followers...and some oldie but goodie followers! Grey Grid Paper We have a newbie to the blog scene!! She is a fellow Brown Owl member. The image is a gift she made for a friend... very interesting isn't it! Reminds me of Salvidor Dali for some reason. Green is the New Black You have to look at the Crazy Crayons tutorial here - also she is having a Crayon Drive -- so pop on over if you are interested.
Craft Floozy I love her blog header - it reminds me of the 1920's - my favourite old time era. She has a tutorial for these super cute felt magnets here, She also has great jewellery tutorials. She has heaps so take a look!

Histoiredesoie From the Sunshine Coast in Sunny Queensland, Sadrine makes the most wonderful hats and sells them at the markets - check out her shop here. This one is called Fred, and is made out of Felted Merino cross wool - how cozy would your head be with that on!

rosaechocolat
Makes sweet fabric collages, half in portuguese and half in English it is a very interesting blog to have a look at. This little face is very sweet. have a look at her Flickr group here too.

3 Sheets
I love this blog - she not only features interesting artists but creates the most beautiful art and screen printing herself. She is having Crochet week this week and there are some very intresting combinations of nature and crochet here.

Southern Knitwit
Check out these Tatted Earrings, how cool! Rachel creates lots of different craft things on her blog. Like Earring Boxes, and Tatted Earrings.
The Handmade Expo
A Crafting Extravaganza they had in Ipswich! They have one on THIS WEEKEND.. so go and take a look for more information.

That's it for this week... Support Your Followers i say!!!

Super Cool Apron - Super Cool Party

2009-06-23T14:21:00.004+10:00

Check out the Coolest Apron Curly Pops has made me after i popped her a comment telling her how cool one of the tea towels she had found was - i am going to wear it at my 70s Birthday party!

This is the invitation I made for it... do you like? I like the line "Fondue Supplied". mmmm... large vat of melted cheese...delicious...

I am going to wear this dress in one of these combinations.
Brown Polka Dots with Orange Collar
Orange Polka Dots with Brown Collar

Party Party Party!!

I have been making a blog with 1970s stuff on it for my guests. Shes Turning 30. Down the side i have a list of the Best Songs From the 70s. As i was only born in the 1970s i dont have a very good idea and have just been looking on the net - so any suggestions would be great..!! Leave me a comment with your favourites...

What are your favourite songs of the 1970s?

What can i do for you??

2009-06-19T15:30:00.000+10:00

Have you been thinking about getting your business name OUT THERE? Getting some quality business cards, creating a banner for your market stall or maybe just putting a sticker for advertising your business nameand web address on your car?

I can help you!!
I Can Do Business Cards and Brochures
Whether you have an exsisting logo or you need one designed for you, i can help!
I Can Do All Types of Signage - Banners - Corflute Signage - Clear or coloured Acrylic - Vinyl Banners
Whether it is little sign to pin up at a market, a banner to hang from a wall, an acrylic sign to put up in yur shop, I Can Do It! Just let me know what you are looking for and i wil give you a price.

I Can Do A-Frames
A good way to direct your customers at a market or stick out the front of your shop when you are open.
I Can Do Car Wraps and Decals
Why not use your car as mobile advertising. If you want to advertise your business on your car - I can help you, from simple stickers on your door to covering your WHOLE car with a design, i can do it!
I Can Do Canvas Prints and Stretching
I can organise your photos or artwork printed onto canvas and stretched onto a frame.

I Can Do Wall Decals and Stickers
I can do permanent or semi permanent - one colour or full colour - as big as a WALL or as small as a magnet.

I Can Print and Cover Strange Things
Like Doors - Glass - Acrylic - Floor Mats - or WHOLE WALLS - Just ask !

So there you go! Let me know if i can help you out! All produced in Brisbane Queensland. Just email me or leave me a comment and i will get intouch.

Sexy 70s

2009-06-19T10:49:00.004+10:00

SIMPLICITY PATTERN No. 5562
"Young Contemporary Fashion"
Issue Year 1973

So i am turning 30th in August and i am having a 1970s party, i just bought this pattern on Ebay to make my costume, very funky! I think i am going to go with a contrasting colour for the little sleeve caps and the big collar.

Now i need to find the right type of fabric.I have two options - look for original vintage fabric to use - or find a new fabric with a 70s style to it.

I would love your opinions and help! Places to find vintage fabrics online, new fabric designs with a vintage feel, a place to find kick arse cool big buttons for the front - any ideas?

My Creative Space - I GIVE UP!!

2009-06-17T20:45:00.007+10:00

This week, as usual i have a range of projects happening.

After two more attempts at making a purse with a PVC Plastic overlay, i have HAD ENOUGH! It annoys me coz i can't get it looking nice when it is all turned out. So after 3 needles breaking from hitting a zip ( i always get scared they are going to flick up and impale me in the eye) and constant resewing, i have admitted defeat and moved on.

A little Stamp Maths....

A bit of Japaneesey goodness, that are going to be turned out into more pendants, i have sold all but two left in my shop, originally i made around 30, mainly through friends, but they are still sales i say!

And lastly, an introduction to my Lucky Kitty, i bought her in Singapore last year. She helps keep the good luck on my sewing table, maybe that is why i haven't been impaled in the eye with a broken sewing needle yet?

Have a happy day everyone and go to Kootoyoo for more My Creative Spaces.

(God i can't wait to get a proper camera)

EXTRA EXTRA - i forgot to add in a pickie of my Finished Worlds Coolest Skirt, my post is here..

Some Sewing Goodness

2009-06-17T12:22:00.006+10:00

Getting back to sewing after all my jewellery posts! Here is a little list of some cool tutorials.

How to Make a Gathered Jersey Skirt - from Altered Cloth
You could make this with Thea an Sami Organic Jersey!

Noriko Handbag Pattern from Lazy Girl Designs - very cool indeed - very Japaneesey

Some Recycled Slippers from Old Blankets from Sew Green

A HUGH list of cool tutorials down the right hand sife of the Making It Fun Blog - a must see. Including a very comfy looking Bean Bag Chair.

A cool car organiser from the May Fly.

Get Sewing!!

Tutorial - Crocheting a Wire Beaded Bracelet - Part Two

2009-06-16T20:19:00.005+10:00

Click here for Part One

At the end of Part One we had completed the length of our crocheted bracelet. In this part we are going to complete the bracelet by attaching the clasp.

Take one of your free wire ends, hold you clasp in the middle of one end and start weaving! Just loop the wire through one of the holes of the clasp and then through the end of the wire bracelet - it is better to push the wire through and trap a few strands of the bracelet rather than just one. This will make the bracelet stronger.

Work your way along the end of the bracelet weaving through the loop in the clasp and through your bracelet, make sure you pick up each end as well if your clasp is smaller than the width, like mine, to help taper the ends in.

When you have finished, with about 10mm left, pick a bead that is close and stick the end of the wire through the bead, a pair of needle nose pliers may help if you hands are a bit cold like mine! Pull the wire through to the other side of the bead and clip off the remaining wire close to the bead.
Now just slip the bead over the exposed end so it doesn't poke you later.

Now, do the same for the other end.
And Da Daaaa! One Finished Crocheted Wire Bracelet!

I hope my first crocheting tutorial is not to confusing and if you make one yourself, pop me an email on whatkatydiddesign (AT) gmail.com, i would love to see it!

The bracelet is have made for this tutorial is now in my shop! I used some glass beads, bohemian crystal beads, Swaroski crystal beads and Rose Quartz. Rose Quartz is good for healing a broken heart and bring you some love :-)