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Ok so enough about me this week. Given today is the last day of November I thought it would be a great idea to shout-out to a few of my favourite November finds. With bucket loads of awesome stuff out there I always find these list hard to narrow down so today I am going to keep it local — Australian. Enjoy.

1. This way, That way, tote // Gemma Patford 
2. Joy aromatherapy scent // Alchemy
3. iPhone cover // Belinda Kemp
4. Dress // A Part Of Me
5. Coin purse // Esther Sandler
6. Octopus brooch // So Little Time Co.
7. Rose Crown headpiece // K is for Kani

tis' the season

Another peak at what I've been making for the Craft Hatch market this weekend. Christmas ornaments! I'm loving these funny little characters and think they would cheer-up even the grinchiest tree. I might just have to make some for myself!

If you want to see more I've posted the occasional pic to my Handmade Romance, Facebook and Instagram feeds too.
 

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!

getting ready to hatch

Happy Monday morning! I hope you're weekend was super neat. We had lovely warm weather here in Melbourne — a sign of things to come. As we head into the last week of November, like the warmer weather, Christmas is inevitably just around the corner. Melbourne's many, many markets are in full-swing, offering heaps of amazing Christmas shopping ideas plus an abundance of opportunities to support local independent businesses, designers and crafters.

If you're yet to get started on your Christmas shopping, finding those last few stocking fillers or wanting to reward yourself for getting through another year Jess and I will be sharing a stand at this coming Saturday's Craft Hatch market so why not stop by and say hi! We'd LOVE to meet you! I'll be selling limited-edition new items only, along side Jess's incredible completely hand-stitched bears and friends. Plus there are many other amazing makers in the line-up. I think Jess and I will have to take turns manning our stand so we can check-out it all out. 

Craft Hatch — £1000 Bend, Saturday 1 December, 11am - 4pm. Hope to see you there!

N.B. If you're searching for a Bearded Bloke brooch or little boy sofites head to the Craft shop on Flinders Lane or my online store as I will not be selling them at this market. I will however be participating in Bend and Snap on Sunday 16 December where the Bearded Blokes and boy softies will make an appearance.

i and the others

There are so many things on my to-blog-list that I never get around to posting half of them. Life happens, time passes, things get old and forgotten before I get the chance. Ashamedly the work of a dear friend has been on said list for some time so before the list gets the better of me again, let me share with you some of her delicate illustrations. I and The Others is her creative alias, she's a little shy about being on a first name basis however luckily for us, I and The Others opened an online store earlier this year where the above originals and other prints are available to purchase. A lady of many talents she illustrates, practices graphic design and instals her own large scale street art — be sure to check out her blog for more. Oh and here's a sweet video of her installing a window paste-up.

sunday snippets

Among domestic bliss duties (in case you thought it was all crafting good times around here) Sunday included great coffee, stitching a variety of cats in hats for Craft Hatch, listening to episodes of The Conversation, watching The Walking Dead, a quick chat on the phone to mum plus a balcony bbq and beers. An awesome end to a lovely weekend. What about you, how did you spend your Sunday afternoon? 

two new faces and learning to trust

During October while I was quiet on my blog a few crafty projects were happening offline. One I'm sharing today was a custom-order for a brother and sister duo, commissioned by their lovely mum — an amazingly talented, crafty-maker. Um... no pressure there right?!! The brief was to create soft characters in the likeness of the siblings. These characters would become their Christmas gifts. And while I felt extremely honoured to be given the opportunity to create hand made gifts for two kids this Christmas, I also felt the hideous additional expectations I seem to bestow upon myself with all custom-orders. Is it enough? Had I captured their likeness enough? Would their mum think so? I mean, it's their mum right? She knows her kids!! And this was one clever crafty mum! Yikes! 

Taking a deep breath (or three) I hit send on the final email that included images and immediately thought; What if I don't hear back? What if their mum doesn't know what to say because she thinks they are hideous? What if...? What if...? What if my mind would shut the F*&^ up?! That would be sweet! 

Within minutes my phone rang and it was their mum, so full of gratitude and warmth. She loved each character. Her joyous call was the best damn call I think I've received! I know I need to learn to trust my creative instinct and myself a whole lot more. Self-doubt is so unkind. Perhaps that's my goal for 2013. If you have any tips on how-to rock your creative confidence and believe in yourself, do share!

Pressures and expectations aside, while creating these two I felt a whole lot of joy and I wondered about the adventures they'll be having with their new friends. Would they meet other friends? Would they live on a bed, on a shelf, in a basket? How might they spend Christmas? Would they be given names and what might those names be? So much to wonder, yet one thing I know for sure is that I feel like the one who's been given a Christmas gift.

print : weave : make

Weeks ago while admiring the splendorous creations in at Craft Victoria on Flinders Lane here in Melbourne, I spotted the above 'PRINT WEAVE MAKE' brochure. Thrilled when I held one that it still contained it's fresh ink aroma! Does anyone else love that smell? It could be a graphic designer thing. Anyway I digress. How about that type?! 

Quickly scanning the brochure I couldn't find a credit so I bought one home for closer inspection/admiration. It has since come to light that local type genius, Luke Lucas was involved (of course!). To read how it transpired and to view a magnificently detailed version visit Luke's site here. There is also a short interview with Luke regarding the brochure here.

Cover aside, details within reveal a wonderful series of Open Days held over three consecutive Saturdays in November. The first PRINT Open Day has passed however two still remain. This weekend's WEAVE Open Day is at Australian Tapestry Workshop. For further details visit here and here.