Friday, July 29, 2011

Words of wisdom

"In the business world, everyone is paid in two coins:  cash and experience.  Take the experience first; the cash will come later."  Harold Geneen  

Thursday, July 28, 2011

Off to be Crafty ...

I'm so excited about the next couple of days.

Tomorrow night, I'm picking up three gorgeous friends from the airport - two from Queensland and one from South Australia. All fellow, Facebook business owners. We then head into the city to meet up with more of our lovely Sewing Sisterhood friends. I'm just so excited to see these girls and meet some that I have know virtually!

Then we are all going together to the Craft and Quilt Fair. I go every year but this year will be so much more special, sharing with these girls. Planning to do a few workshops together too.
Thanks to Toni from Make it Perfect, I even have a free ticket to go - you know what that means? More to spend!!

The lovely couple of days is topped off by a girls night out for dinner! How divine!

So dear husband and owlets.... see you in a couple of days!

Enjoy 
Jane x

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Hoo are you



I'm playing along and answering a few questions from Night Owl Crafting. If you want to join in - head to her blog or click on the button to the side.   

1. Have you ever attended a professional sports game?
Heaps! And international readers will laugh at the Australia 'feel' to this answer. I've been to lots of cricket games, my favourite being the Boxing Day test between Australia and England in 2005 with my husband. I've seen Canada play against Wales in the Rugby World Cup when it was in Australia in 2003. Oh and my very first AFL (or Aussie Rules or Australian Football League) was with a Welsh man who taught me all the rules to this bizarre game based on the Rugby Union Games! I was also very lucky to attend the Sydney Olympics in 2000. Saw hockey, swimming, table tennis (which was awesome!) and a few other things.
 
2. Have you ever been to a concert and if so which one was your ultimate favorite performance?
Lots! I think my first was Fleetwood Mac when I was 10! I've seen Phil Collins (amazing!) with my parents. I so didn't want to go but he was really incredible. I've seen Dixie Chicks in Sydney and lots of others. Probably my favourite was Kylie (Minogue) a few years ago. She is an amazing performer.  Most of these are prior to having my two owlets!
 
3. Have you ever been to Disneyland or Disney World?
Yes I've been to Disneyland - twice! Once when I was 10 and again when I was 17 (and my sister was 10). I love it. I don't think you are ever too old to see Disneyland.
4. What is your favorite theme park?
I'm not really a theme park kinda girl and we certainly don't have them like they do in America. I love going to the Melbourne Zoo, does that count? Movieworld or Seaworld on the Gold Coast in Queensland are pretty good. Haven't been for years.
5. Do you have a favorite vacation spot?
My young family love going camping and we recently went again to Barwon Heads. It isn't far from Melbourne and has great facilities for kids. As soon as the weather warms up again, we'll be back for another visit.

Barwon Heads Caravan Park

 Hope you enjoyed learning a little more about me!


Jane x

Distance

I live in Melbourne and most I my family live in northern New South Wales or south east Queensland. I love living in Melbourne. I love the cold (as does my Canadian husband!), the food and the culture. But there are times when living so far from family gets me down.

I had two of my aunts stay with me last weekend (one from Sydney, one from Brisbane) and it was just so much fun. One of my aunts is quite a talented seamstress and talked me through a pattern I'm about to tackle - the Make it Perfect A+ skirt. This will be my first sewing project for me, since I was about 14 and doing home economics at school!

A+ Skirt
I'm not sure why I am worried, I make so many other things - how hard can it be! Well I'm even more confident now with all the tips and tricks my aunty taught me on the weekend. Simple things really but having someone take you through - matching the grain, measuring to ensure it is straight, shaping it to fit me (and my bum!) - makes a difference. All to ensure that I have the perfect skirt in the end. So thank you Aunty Trish, I'm so grateful.

The next day, I took my other Aunty to Rathdowne Fabrics and Remnants in Brunswick. Who has been watching Project Runway on Foxtel (love!)? I have lived in Melbourne for 10 years - why have I not been there until now? I had so much fun and found some great fabrics and remnants. This is certainly one place I will return to.

So yes the distance is an issue but I make it count when I do see my family!

Enjoy
Jane x

Monday, July 25, 2011

'Design me an owl' competition winner

and the winner is ......

Nicole from Ellabella Prints gorgeous green and purple owls (my favourite colours). I just think these two are so adorable and can't wait to see what else she can come up with. Nicole wins a $50 voucher to spend at Lil Pip.

Thank you to all who entered, it honestly wasn't an easy decision. They were all just so cute and so different! Your little thank you gifts will be on there way this week.

Jane x

Sunday, July 24, 2011

Words of wisdom

For my husband ...

"A budget tells us what we can't afford, but it doesn't keep us from buying it." William Feather


Saturday, July 23, 2011

Scrappy Doll Journey Begins

I'm part of an amazing and inspiring group of women called The Sewing Sisterhood. We had a crazy idea to all contribute a square of fabric and make something from it. And so 'Scrappy Doll' was created.

The amazingly talented Belinda from Little Sew & Sews collected all the fabric and made this beautiful doll from a Dolls and Daydreams pattern (check out Sarah's blog post from today - she is thrilled about it).

Can you spot which fabric was mine?
She is currently traveling around Western Australia before coming (by plane!) to Melbourne to visit me. I can't wait to meet her, take lots of crazy photos and blog about her in a couple of weeks. She will then head to Queensland, back through New South Wales, Victoria (again!) and to South Australia.

Scrappy Doll
 

Finally, she will be auctioned off for charity in December with a story of her journey. So exciting.

Follow her journey on The Sewing Sisterhood blog.  


Jane x

Thursday, July 21, 2011

More handmade purchases

I'm not sure these will last until Christmas. Certainly not the "DJs" (day jammies). My 4yo owlet needs them right now. He seems to be growing in front of my eyes are the moment!

Space DJs from LA Craft

 How could I resist this hootilicious outfit?

Owl pinny from LA Craft
Jane x

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Fabric choice

Amy Butler Daisy Bouquet in Gray and Pink 
What do you think? Will this work for my Junebug dress? I'm not sure I will be able to keep up but hope to cut some out tonight and sew on Friday (non-working day), although I will be entertaining my two aunts over the weekend so probably will be talking and eating more than stitching and sewing.

I realised when I was searching my stash.... I need more!

Jane x

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Junebug dress sew-along

Junebug Dress


How adorable is this little dress? A friend told me about this sew-along at Craftiness is not optional and I'm so (sew!!) lucky that my little girl is exactly a size 2/3 or will be by summer. So I've printed my pattern and I'm off home tonight to decide which of my fabrics I'm willing to cut..... or perhaps I need something new!

Who will join me on this sew-along? I've added a button to the side -->
Enjoy
Jane x

Friday, July 15, 2011

Handmade Christmas Adventure 2011

Daisy Chain brooch bag from Shelli Morse Design


How gorgeous is this reversible bag with a removable brooch? I bought this at Easter time with the intention of putting it away for Miss Owlet for Christmas. I know, I know - that is ridiculously organised but I also wanted to hide it from Mr Owl and when questioned, I could respond 'oh this old thing, I've had it for ages' LOL

I adore the creations from Shelli and had the pleasure of meeting her a few months ago as she lives in my home town. The irony of doing business and forming friendships online and then finding out she lives around the corner from my family. It was wonderful meeting Shelli and finally putting a face to this gorgeous girl.
Outside or maybe inside?

Thursday, July 14, 2011

"Design me an owl" Competition

Oh I'm so loving seeing all the owl designs - it will be so hard to make a decision. I hope I get some help ;)

Today's entry is from Nicole from Ellabella Prints. These two little love birds (can I say that?) match my logo beautifully, don't you think.




Details of the competition are here

Submissions are due tomorrow, Friday 15 July by 5pm.

Whoo whose excited?


Enjoy
Jane x








 

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Self-taught crochet

So remember I was teaching myself to crochet thanks to YouTube - here? I thought I would share my progress with you. 

Like any typical crafter, I seriously don't need to learn something new (note many, many unfinished projects laying around!). However, on a whim I decided to teach myself to crochet with the help of YouTube. I started with advice from Aunt Esther ;)


I then moved onto a wonderful step by step (real time) video tutorial from Teresa. Art of Crochet by Teresa - Crochet Traditional Granny Square 5 Rounds

I'm really interested in learning some more stitches, maybe a few when it comes to finishing off my blankets.

So here is a picture of my squares last night. I did 5 rounds but have decided to go back and add two rounds of the cream to a) make them bigger and b) form a border of cream between each of the square. I've laid out the pink and green one (for Miss 2) and it looks great. Need to do a few more of the blue and brown one (for Mr 4) but happy with how it is coming together. Will probably end up being a 5x5 square and I'll add a couple of rounds all the way around the outside to tie it together and make it a bit bigger. Basically, I'm just making it up as I go.

So what do you think? Not bad for someone who knew nothing just a couple of weeks ago right?

Enjoy
Jane x

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Handmade Christmas Adventure 2011

Last year I tried really hard to make or buy as much handmade as I could for our family. Hard task considering I had a then 4 year old boy and an almost 2 year old girl. I have decided to do it again this year. Starting now and hopefully making more myself this year (really ran out of time last year!). You can see what I bought last year here.

So Master owlet will be 5 in October (so birthday and Christmas to consider). He is completely into Lego and Star Wars (heavily influenced by his friends considering he has never actually watched it). He heads off to 'big' school next year, I'll probably be buying a few practical things for him.

Little Miss owlet will be 3 in February (again Christmas and a birthday to buy for). She loves Dora, her babies and everything pink! I'm hoping to buy an old dolls house to 'renovate' for her birthday. I missed out on one on eBay by just this much on the weekend (arghhh).

I've already bought a couple of things which I'll put away.
Luggage bag tags from Skip Chasey

   
Tutu from Verri Charmed

Ruffle Tilly skirt from LA Crafts

Of course then there is nephews, parents and other random people as well. Hard? Yes but not impossible.

I do have the blankets I'm currently crocheting but that will be no surprise as the kids are eagerly watching me do the granny squares each day (I'll update with photos soon). We are planning the big bed move for Miss 2 around Christmas and I have plans for a quilt for her - not very exciting though, right?

So any suggestions for gift will be greatly appreciated and follow my journey on the handmade Christmas adventure!


Enjoy
Jane x

Friday, July 8, 2011

"Design me an owl" Competition

Another entry in our owl character competition comes from Karin from Fiive who actually isn't a graphic designer - just entered for a bit of fun. How lovely! Karin has a lovely page with her crochet and knit creations. Yet again, I'm inspired! Thank you so much for taking part Karin x

Thursday, July 7, 2011

Looking to Spring!

I know it seems crazy that we are right in the middle of winter and I'm already thinking of spring and summer! Don't get me wrong, winter is actually my favourite time of the year. I do in fact, love the cold. I love dressing up in my boots, long overcoat and scarves. I'm also rather partial to a good hat or beanie and own quite a few. My latest purchase was two owl 'bee-neez' for my lovely owlets from Itty Bitty Bee-Neez and one regular one for me (I'm not sure I'm young enough to carrying off wearing an owl on my head).




I digress.


I'm already thinking ahead, planning, plotting and designing (in my head!) what I want to make for spring and summer. It will feature lots of owls, of course! I'm thinking of bringing back some old favourites and I certainly have plans for lots of new goodies!

Some hints perhaps?

Alexander Henry - Hoot and Loot

Hoo's in the Forest in blue

Hoo's in the Forest in pink
Enjoy

Jane








Wednesday, July 6, 2011

"Design me an owl " Competition

The next submission comes from the very talented Gina from GRD

I love how unique these owls are and the colours are amazing. Thank you so much Gina (and her beautiful daughter who helped choose the colours). They are so cool!


Just be-hoot-iful!




Monday, July 4, 2011

"Design me an owl " Competition

The first entry is in and I'm just thrilled! Lucy from inky designs a little family of owls called the Boohoots! Meet Papa, Mama and baby Boohoot. Aren't they just adorable (do you think using my favourite colour for the baby was on purpose!).

Thank you Lucy and I can't wait to see what everyone else designs!
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