Crafting

I have been very busy Crafting since I have got back from France...

Even been selling my work at the Peregian Markets on a fortnightly basis. I love the markets it give me so much more motivation to create more, I get ideas from the people I talk to and the things I see..And its rewarding to be there, doing what I Love!

I have been making many ornamental pieces, wall hangings and weavings.

This is going to be my next challenge, a huge 1meter Ojo de Dios Weaving!

Bird Wings!

I have been finding all sorts of inspiration ever since I discovered Pintrest and have been able to make heaps of things with the weekly Craft Night get together!
So here is yet another item I have made for Tullula; Bird Wings!
I used up scraps of material I knew I would end up using some day to made the so called "feathers"...
It has been a super easy, super fun project to make, and I must make a Tutorial for anyone interested (with patterns of course)!!!

3 little birds!

these little Birds are one of my newest creations!

My little Messenger Birds...

I mount them on drift wood that I find at the beach and have just a few little Red Seed Beads to add some colour and off they are set free to send their messages to the world, new homes!!!

I don't actually write the message...Its too personal I think who knows where these little birds are going?

I just love them!










Some have 3 little Birds, and some have two!!

Here is a close up of the Messenger Bird!

I am starting to also make a collection where one of the Birds is in a little shelter!

The shelter is a sort of nut that comes from Africa (that I bought at the Eumundi Markets) and I cut open into quarters! I had a lot of cleaning to do on the inside but they are clean and create a great shelter for my Little Messenger Birds!

New Ojo!

The new Ojo I finally got all finished and got a photo of in day light! I say this because every time I thought of taking its photo it was too late and night time thus not good enough light!

I really am happy with the colours of this one, and I have started to make them with thicker dowel, as I was having too many of them breack on me!
Like the big 1m one I was about to finish and it broke, to disappointing to let that happen to many times!

I have also started to make some even smaller ones, about 20cm in diameter, and they are actually going to be some sort of Dream Catcher!
I am about to finish the 1st one...Will have to remember to get photo done!

I did try to organise a workshop at my local Library, but I did not get any responses to that did not work for me! I would really like to teach poeple how to make these so will try to organise another workshop sometime! I have sold 2 D.I.Y kits and have been happy to hear that the instructions were clear and materials were enough!

 

What colour should I do next?

 

Crafting Projects!

So this is the way I operate most of the time...
I prepare a whole lot of things to make and then it sits there for days even weeks; until I get a day or an afternoon free and the sewing machine comes out!
Then It just seems to all come together and makes me feel like I have gotten a whole lot done in that one session. Trust me its a great feeling!
So this week I have been in preparing mode, as hopefully our "Crafting by Night" group will start to become more regular once more.
As I tend to get a bit board with one thing, and there is so many thing I want to do, well I kinds have 10 things on the go!!
Some will be fast, and others real slow!

So here is what I am up too:

1. Sandwich wrapper/mat! (might me a new market item, on trial).
2. Long pants and shorts for Tullula.
3. baby balls to finish for the market.
4. Floral top for Tullula.
5. Small snack size bags for the market.
6. Hat for Tullula that needs adjustments as I originally made it too small!
7. Felt fruit for Tullula to play with. Going to take me a LOOOOG time!!!
8. Trying to tie die some sarongs for work, to be used as table covers!!!
9. Got to get some more material at Spotlight for top in number 4.
10. Projects to come, a dress and a skirt for Tullula!

So wieh me luck and I will show and tell how I go with these projects!

Owl's n'Things!

I have been selling a few Owl necklaces at the Markets, so it was time to make some more!

I then got this idea of making them into a somewhat "Modern" version, with x-tra bits, on long necklaces, with a feather and colour!

I LOVE colour...

I have made two and have a 3rd one on the way, but here is a little preview and I think this will mark the re-opening of my Etsy Shop!

{BIG} Ojo de Dios

I am in the process of making a "Big" - Ojo De Dios- Its about a meter in diameter, and I tell you its a challenge!
First of all because there are 3 levels and so far I have only worked 2 levels. Then the size of it makes it hard to actually weave. My arms are stretched out wide and I am quite dangerous to be around, not to mention that my arms get very tired when I am doing it! Then the size of it, means that I am going to have to make so many more colour combination and patterns as well!
I  want to finish it by this Sunday, as I want it to be my feature item on my market shall, and actually there is a lady that already want to see it!

Renovations!

We had found a paid of wooden chairs on the side of the road once, and naturally we picked them up!
They were indeed in a bad state, the top all split and broken...after using them like that for a while, I decided I should try and fix them myself!
My dad used to always say that one is served best by ones self!


So I set out to Bunnings (my local hardware shop) and got some plywood, some paint samples and really that was all I needed as Stephen being a carpenter there is heaps of tool at my disposal!!


So after cutting out the seat using the worn out old one as a template, nailing it into place and sanding the whole chair as best I could, as I was not able to find the sander I had to do it by hand!!!
Oh do I love sanding, NOT!


Tullula sat watching me; waiting for the part she knew was coming...Painting!


I stripped her of her cloths, (didn't want too much paint all over the cloths) and we started to paint!!


We did have to get a few coats on to cover it up properly!


I had cut out a "snow flake" out of cardboard and used it as a template to create a design on the chair!


I had to do some touch up free hand and really I think in the future I would  do a whole lot of different ones to find one that really beautiful but oh well I was eager to get it done and exited of doing it!


I love the result!!


Since Stephen fixed up the 2nd little chairs and has made a table as well for Tullula!


I am happy she finally has her own table and chairs to play at in her little room!

Quilt {step 5}

I have finished putting all the strips together. I did have to add some on either side as it was not quit long enough (I think I already said that)...So We had a debate as to what colour I should have on the back and edges and Yellow has won! So I got some Batting (I had no idea what I had to get or am sure about my purchase) but its done now and I can start putting it all together! 

Sleep Tight/Awake Doll { DIY }

A friend lent me a really cool book "Made to Play!" and inside it there a tons of things I really want to make for and with Tullula!
So as today Stephen is at work and we are home I thought lets start with a little project, making sure he was leaving me the Jigsaw behind (I am taking a liking to the Jigsaw lately)!
So we made this little doll, I did add some awake eye's on the other side, so she can be either asleep or awake! 

You will need:

• Piece of plywood. 80mm wide.
• Some cotton material  of your choice for the bedding.
• Some paint or permanent markers.
• sandpaper
• jigsaw or hand saw.
• sewing machine or sewing needles.

Step One: Cut out the Doll template and transfer that onto the plywood.

 

Step Two: Get ready to cut out the doll; I used a Jigsaw!

 Step Three: The job I hate the most; Sanding! 

                      I used a grit 80, and a lot of elbow grease to smooth

                      off all the edges of the doll.

                

Once that's done, 

basically the doll is done and its time to make the bedding!

 I had a very enthusiastic helper!

Sewing:      

•  1- Sew 3 of the edges of both materials front facing each other.
• 2- This is how it looks once sewn, turn it all inside out so that the right side of the material is now in the outside!
• 3/4- Pin over the remaining edge, so it creates a lip and sew it down.
• 5- then fold over the blanket leaving a backing, so it creates a pocket for the doll to slip into. Sew all the edges to get a nice finish.

• OPTIONS : You can all a ribbon as to create a strap so it can be carried around like a little bag / You can add a little pillow for the doll and hold it in place with Velcro or a stud!

 The last thing to do it paint/draw the face...

One side asleep and on the other side awake!

Ojo de Dios

I kinds struggle at times to sit and do nothing,  especially when I watch TV, as I really don't like ok HATE commercials, and we all know that half of what e ever show we are watching we are watching just as much ads!!
Some night I run in and out on the room, as soon as the ads come on I do something else and then come back to my show, but it gets exhausting and the truth is that I end up missing some of the show as well!
So lately I have started to make some Ojo de Dios!
A while ago a saw this Tutorial on esty, and on one of our camping trips I made my first Ojo!

Since I have gotten hooked and its great for my madness for colour and ability to work with thread and knots!!!
So I started by making a collection of small one's, they are about 40cm wide!

Quilt {stage 2}

So I have now started to piece my quilt together.
After realise that I had cut all the strips 5inches wide and not 5cm like I was supposed too as well as really needing two more colours in the whole combination. For colours blending as well as extra length the the whole!
Really I am still unsure that I have it right, but I am trying!!!! 
I now have 12 blocks of each 10 strips of coulours sewn together, I have started each one with the next colours in the sequence, thats what the book I got from the Library says I have to do to get the pattern I want! Next I shall have to iron and cut strips of 5cm again!!!
Cant wait for next Thursday Craft Night!!!

Quilt...

I have been meeting up with some girl friends every thursday night for a "Craft Night"...We all know that when a bunch of lady's get together one of the main reasons is to have a good chat!
We all sit there around the table, sipping on tea and doing what ever little project we have going, shairing tips and books!
Its fun!
We mostly go to Ana's House as her husband goes away 5 weeks at a time for work and she has had her second child and the baby is still little!

I have been working on a crochet dress,  but in good old style I have started another project. My very first Quilt! Its for our bed on in the bus. I got a book form the Library and am going to to a "trip around the world" pattern.

I shall share my progress as I go along!

What do you think of the colours??

A new Beginning!

I have been back home for a week now!
Its amazing how fast time goes by...One week! It does not feel like it!

I have always been creative, is it due to my star sign, Aquarius and the arty side we can have?
Or just my character or my dad that got me to make jewellery at the age of 12 "to keep me busy" as he put it!
Well what ever it was, ever since then I have been busy with my hands! At 12 I used to make things with shells, sea urchins...When I look back at what I did then, I realise how basic and very rustic everything was, but the fact that a little girl made it all got the sales up!
When we were in Colombia, a lady bought the whole lot off of me, display board and all my stock!
How funny!
Then when we got to Panama, I used to sit next to a Peruvian (the begging of my relations with the Latin community) man called Vino, and we would sell our things just off the jetty where the Ferry from Panama City would arrive. Full of tourists coming to spend their weekend on Taboga Island!
Vino was a nice man, and again being so young (I was getting closer to 14 then)  made him take me under his wings and he taught me how to do wire work...make bracelets...I never really continued the wire work, but got deep into Brazilian bracelets! They were in style then!
Then we continued our trip to the Pacific, and I started to work with sharks teeth, and coconut fibre and weaving! My craftsmanship was clearly getting better and I had a whole range of techniques under my belt!
But we kept on moving, and Hong Kong along and I got fascinated with beads, colour!
By the time I was 18 and left home I did not want to make anything any more...I guess I was going though some sort of refusal...trying to find myself.

Yet reality is that I need to be making things, I need to be creative.
I love to sit there and make create, it well and truly is my form of meditation!

So today I start anew.
I have set myself up in Tullula's room. Got my working desk and a sewing table, that way I can leave it there and not worry about packing up, and can sit there when ever I have the desire to do so!
Tullula does not play in her room, and the other option was to move her cot into our room, but decided to give this way a try first!!!

So, what will I be making?
I am going to continue doing the macramé jewellery, but I am also going to do some sewing! Cloths to be more specific as well as some accessories...But first I have to trial the things I have drawn out and make sure its fits properly! I hope to get back to doing markets!

For now its all very exiting and feels like a new beginning!

"Ojo de Dios"

Not long ago, I found a tutorial on Etsy, on how to make a "Ojo de Dios"!
Now I have never seem one before, nor had I even heard of the thing!
But it was Bright, it was colourful and it was something I had never made/done before!
So it was fast added on my ever so long, "To Do List".

Now for some History about the Ojo de Dios- Gods Eye in Sanish!: (ifo taken from good old wikipedia!)

A God's eye is a yarn weaving and a Huichol spiritual object. The Ojo de Dios or God's eye is a ritual tool, magical object, and cultural symbol evoking the weaving motif and its spiritual associations. For the Huichol peoples of western Mexico, the God's Eye is symbolic of the power of seeing and understanding that which is unknown and unknowable, The Mystery. The four points represent the elemental prosessus earth, fire, air and water. The Ojo de Dios, or God's Eye, is a simple or complex weaving made across two or more sticks and is thought to have originated with the Huichol Indians of Jalisco, Mexico. The Huichol call their God's eyes Sikuli, which means "the power to see and understand things unknown." When a child is born, the central eye is woven by the father, then one eye is added for every year of the child's life until the child reaches the age of five. Original Huichol Crosses are extremely rare to come by. There are many that are being made for the tourist market, but they do not carry the same traditional and spiritual significance. So on our last camping trip I had all I need to try to make my first one! It took me a lot longer than expected to get it started, as this Tutorial I has did not really explain in full detail how to weave, nor how to really start!! By the end of the day I had it going!   It took me a while to get it all done, with many unwinding as really I had no clue about how to create designs and how to make it all work for me! But I am happy with the end result, and guess what I have now loads more wool, and am going to make a few more while on Holidays! Under the sun in Fiji!!! Let me know if you think you might want a Tutorial! Just comment below!!

 

Paris..In a Skirt

Here in the Southern Hemisphere Winter can Finally be felt in the Air!
Well It is a bit strange to say such a thing, as really where I live, Just North of Brisbane in all reality its not cold, but then one adapts and summer is so warm so then a little chill in the air feels like "BRRRR, its Cold"...It still brings a smile to my face thought to see poeple complain at how cold it is and here they are walking around in their "flip flops"....
yet, its that time of the year when we pull out the warmer cloths, bathing suits don't go too far, but surfing is done with a wet suit!!!
I don't mind it, its nice o pull out those cloths I used to wear in Paris, a change is always good!
I found a skirt I had made, and I just Love it that I had to share it with you all!!!

I Knitted it all on circular needles and just did the design as I went along!
I am not too sure how long it took me to make, but I tell you it was not fast!!! I have lined the skirt with cotton and it has an elastic band at the top...
Now the best part is that  made it on the Bus, in the Metro on my way to and from work, or where where I was going!
It was great, and many comments were made along the way by strangers. Amazed to see a young girl knitting away!
I look at it today and I can see myself one day in particular, sitting on the bus and knitting, glancing out of the window now and again, at the beautiful city that was going past!
How wonderful memories can be, and it all come back to me thanks to a Skirt I made in Paris!!



Do you have something special you have made somewhere you once lived? Do drop me a note and Ill post your photo!!

TuesDay Tullula

I have made those shorts, and I got her dressed and on the balcony I said, come on show me your shorts (after a few atemps to take some photo's that is), and finally she did, pose for me!!!
Too cute.

Silver Work -Earings

So, here is a paire of earings I have been working on for a while! I have been working on so many different projects that it has taken me a while to finish these! But here they are all done!! And Im very Happy with them!!!
They are not your ordinary earings, but Im sure a lot of peeple dont want the ordinary things anymore!
So Im gonna make some more, and put them up in my Etsy shop!!!
So stay Tuned!

Le Jour A Papa!

Father's Day.

I guess until Tullula is old enough to celebrate it alone with her father, it is my duty to make that day happen for him. Yet, I'm very grateful that Tullula is getting to an age where she is cooperating, and it was really easy to actually make something for him this year!

At first I was just going to buy some nice t-shirt, as he is in desperate need of t-shirts, the one he has are starting to look like what the African wear, holes all over, one wonders how its still holding together!

I am very proud of him, using his things till there literally fall off his back...

So I went to a surf shop (as he is a surfer), looking for something cool for him...But all the shirts had BOLD BIG Brand LOGO written across the front of them all! No way....That's just not us...Then I was shocked at the price of a T-Shirt; $50!!! Double no Way!!! 

Not going to spend half of a weeks worth of food on a single T-Shirt, only for it to have a Brand Name on it, and probably made in the same factory as the dollar shirt!!!!

So, i did just that, got one at the cheap shop, for $6 and once we got home, this is what we did!!!!

 

I realy thought I had some sort of textile paint, but it was no where to be found, so I just used a permanent marker!
I hope it will hold, and that he will enjoy his T-Shirt...
I wrote on there, "you are ours" and the year!


P.S: the note book was to put underneath where I was writing, just in case it was to go though!