softies for mirabel : handmade toy drive

I made this wonky sunshine for this years Softies For Mirabel drive. I've already shared him on my Facebook page and Instagram feed so I've included extra behind the scenes shots here just for you. The secret embroidered text on his reverse reads, Let your light shine bright.

I thought I'd share him here as a reminder to get your softie in on time if you're making one, the deadline is this coming weekend. All of the details are over on Pip's blog here.

If you're familiar with Pip from Meet Me at Mike's you probably already know about Softies For Mirabel. For those that don't know, Softies For Mirabel is an annual handmade toy drive that Pip helps co-ordinate for the Mirabel Foundation. All of the toys made head off in time for Christmas to live with kids affected by parental substance abuse. This year the toys will be on display in the CAE InfoShop, 44 Degraves Street Melbourne. There's also a meet up planned for the makers on December 7th between 2pm to 4pm which you can read about here. 

If you're on Instagram search #softiesformirabel if you'd like to take a look at all the amazing softies everyone has been making.

new boys in town

Speaking of Craft Victoria (see previous post).... or is it now just Craft?! I should probably know. I need to pay more attention. Ooops! Back to where I began... speaking of Craft, in addition to working on the previously mentioned custom-order (back in October) I also made five new boy characters for Craft's shop. These guys are similar in size to the Bow Tie Boy's I've made in the past but have a different look. I enjoyed working on them a lot and look forward to making more. 

Like my other characters they're one-of-a-kind with hand-embroidered faces and details and are made from new and quality vintage materials. I'm currently making new girl characters too and hopefully a couple of other personalities (if I get time) for this weekend's market. I look forward to sharing them with you!

needle work

This morning we are setting up, Needle Work / Needle Play ready for tonight's opening. If you are coming, see you there! In the meantime above are work-in-progress pics of my pieces. 

Happy Friday x

design depot

Last Thursday was my Think it! Draw it! Stitch it! workshop at Harvest as part of Design Depot. I can happily say, I survived and had a wonderful day with everyone who attended. Lots of amazing little creatures were made — zombies, owls, crazed rabbits, bandit bunnies, penguins, baseballs to name a few. Unfortunately I didn't get photos of them all, I just didn't have the chance. Maybe keep an eye on the Harvest blog for extra snaps, thanks to Jess. Actually I'd like to send a big thanks to Jess, from Harvest, for all of your help on the day. You're awesome! Hopefully amongst the chaos some imaginations were sparked and hand stitching skills learned. I know the day taught me a thing or two and for me, to keep learning equals a good thing.

Happy Easter Sunday folks! 

I hope you are enjoying some relaxing, hot cross bun eating times with family and friends.

x

design depot @ harvest

There is an interview with me over on the Harvest Textiles blog today if you would like to see, head on over! Only 18 more days until Design Depot starts. Which means Easter is not far too!

two bow-ties are better than one

Given today is Valentine's Day I thought it would be fitting to share with you, my very first Bow Tie Girl! I think she is a sweetie. She was a special request for a matching girl to go with one of the boys in my shop. So cute! They are both still on their way to their new home in Taipei where I have no doubt they will love their new lives together.

With this Bow Tie Boy gone there is now only one remaining in my store and I'm not sure I will be making any more for now. At least not in this style. But I do have some new things bubbling away which I also can't wait to share.

Have a wonderful day and Happy Valentine's Day peoples! 

childhood treasures - part III

A white rabbit and a bonnet wearing rag doll. I had forgotten about these two. Both are over 50 years old and were handmade by my great grandmother for my mum when she was a little girl. Considering their age and two generations of love, only the white rabbit had a hole in it's shoulder. I have since mended this and if you follow me on Facebook you may have already spotted the rabbit hanging out with my puppet and Mr Buttcrack! I wonder what my great nan would have thought of this trio?!

childhood treasures - part II

Does anyone remember Popples?! "Pop, pop, Popples!"

I do, however I couldn't remember any of their names. After a little Google searching I rediscovered that this particular purple Popple is called, Pretty Bit Popple. 'Bit'?

Apparently she's, "a tad bit shy as well as a tad bit pretty. She likes to write poems and always talks in rhyme! She is also the Popple expert on manners and etiquette. She, Potato Chip, and Putter make-up the smallest sized Popple trio."

And she is on Facebook! 

mr tickle

Mr Tickle is on his way to Meet Me at Mikes for Softies for Mirabel 2011.

Mr Tickle likes vegimite, dirt and swinging from trees. Although he is a monster he is actually really friendly and loves to make new friends. He has a little bit of monster attitude but mostly he is just messing about. Good luck on your new adventure Mr Tickle.

Check out more softies over here.

ta-da!

Ok so those of you who guessed a bike in my last post were so close. It was a unicycle! And without further ado please let me introduce you to, Christian the Unicyclist and Ivan the Strongman.

These two circus characters were a special custom request that came after my window display at Craft Victoria. This particular person asked so nicely that I couldn't resist plus I know that they will be joining a few more of the cast from the display. How nice will that be?!

hello

More in progress. This guy and the one below should be finished this weekend. I will show you more once they are done. I hope you are having a fun and creative week. What are you working on at the moment?

blokes and boys

Above are some recently new Bearded Blokes and Bow Tie Boys listed in my Etsy store. I am also busy working on a couple of commission items. I always feel a bit more pressure or a bit more anxious about the outcome when creating for someone's specific request. I think it could be the fear of disappointment and not meeting their expectation. How about you? Do you find it easier or harder to create for someone else's idea? Have you ever had to deal with a disjointed customer?

the cast

 Hello I am Ringmaster Vladimir.
When I am not preforming as Ringmaster I enjoy training mice
in the art of acrobatics.
And eating warm blueberry pie. 

 Hello we are Maisie and Daisie. 
We have really different taste in music and movies 
but we both love strawberry flavoured milkshakes
and black cat lollies.

 Hello I am Esmeralda The Psychic.
I love thinking about the future but some days I find myself
dreaming of the past. Like when I was five and
I had a pet lizard named Spider.

 Hello I am Fire Breather Frederico.
When preforming I like to imagine I am in Antarctica.
This helps me stay cool plus I really like polar bears.

 Hello I am Dolores The Bearded Sheila.
To my surprise, one day while caring for my beard
I found the tiniest of blue eggs nesting inside. 
Blue happens to also be my most favourite colour.

 Hello I am Bruce The Monkey.
When I am not preforming I love to bake
banana muffins  for my friends.
I also enjoy catching butterflies.

 Hello I am Kimtortion.
Once I travelled all around the world - for free. 
I hid in a suitcase.

 Hello I am Spencer.
My twin sister, Caitlin is always getting me in trouble. She always starts it!
Even though she can be a pain sometime she is a pretty cool sister.

 

Hello I am Caitlin.
Did you know that I am one minute older than my brother Spencer?
This means I am smarter. Although sometimes he knows things
I don’t. Like, how to skim rocks.

Hello I am Egor The Amazing Strongman.
When I was younger I was the smallest kid in my class but no one believes me.
I love sailing the high seas and eating pickled onions.