Mon*star as promised

Just some quick pics of new stock arrived today. Please contact me if you need size or price info.

Keep warm, it's getting chilly...

And the winner is...

Congratulations Crafty, I'll be putting together a pack for you over the weekend...now to decide what a can bare to part with...
So many great comments and suggestions. To make the draw fair, I had a random customer pick a winner ( I didn't want to subconsciously influence the result!)

Funnily enough I had an e-mail from mum this morning from half way around the world,saying (and I quote) "don't even think about selling any of the fabrics!!!" Yes, with 3 exclamation marks. She must be panicking. Don't worry mum, I'll wait till you get back before anything happens. Is it just me or does anyone else get told off from several time zones away?

Have a great long weekend,

Cheers Cinti

Closed on ANZAC day

Sorry forgot to mention that the shop will be closed on Friday for ANZAC day. But don't worry, it will re-open Saturday (normal hours).

Owls are nocturnal...

...apparently. You may see these little guys in the window if you walk past at night.

Thanks for all of your comments in regards to my BIG fabric sale. Some great suggestions from everyone. I will be drawing the winner tomorrow, so you still have till midnight tonight to leave a comment if you want it be in the draw.
So far most people like the idea of a after hours sale in the shop with maybe some leftover fabrics on offer online for interstate customers. Sounds pretty good. The pack suggestion is great, but i am a bit hesitant to cut up fabrics just for the sake of it. Maybe if i have any small pieces left after the sale they can go in packs, we'll see. I will chat to mum when she returns from her trip. The end of May is looking good, I'll keep you posted.

Babushka love...

It's Babushka central around here at the moment! But what's not to love? My fascination with these little nesting dolls started as a little girl, we would visit a friend of my mother's who had a really big one with lots and lots of little nestling dolls inside, the smallest one was just a wee little thing the size of a pea. Kept me entertained for hours. I never had one of my own until my travels in Russia and eastern Europe a few years ago, the choices were endless but I was 'allowed' to bring home 2 or 3 as souvenirs. They sit on my dressing table now (and could use a good dust!) just waiting for some more companions. I have to resist taking home the little girls that keep me company at the store because I must learn to share...

These girls are little rattles made from vintage fabrics and tea towels. They are $18 each and would make a very special present for a baby girl, I just love them.

Projects and Giveaways.. yay!

Just a little sneak peek of one of my many weekend projects, this one is not for sale yet, maybe for the new summer range...see what else I got up to at Poppet in the post.

I have come to the conclusion that I have been very greedy in my fabric collecting and will probably never get round to using all of the huge stash that mum and I have accumulated. As you can see below our 'studio' is groaning with the weight of floor to ceiling fabric. I have been considering having an occasional clear out sale at the shop, say maybe on a Saturday afternoon twice or three times a year. Would anyone come? Would you like me to share? What prices are fair and reasonable? Mum is not very keen, but she's overseas at the moment so doesn't get a say, hehe!

Give me your thoughts and I will give away to one lucky reader a heap (or at least as much as will fit into an Aussie Post 3kg bag!) of lovely vintage fabrics from my collection. I don't know what yet, but they will all be special.

So tell me what you think, de-lurk, leave a comment and some contact details and you could be a winner. Sorry I can only post within Australia but feel free to leave a comment if you are overseas you never know I may loose my head and send you something as well!

Giveaway closes on the 23rd of April - you have one week to give me some ideas.

Also...

I am looking for a sewer/dressmaker/seamstress to help me make some clothing for the shop. Ideally with some pattern making experience (I don't ask for much do I?)I am running out of hours in the day and would greatly appreciate a hand. If anyone is interested please contact me so we can chat.

Tutorial no.1 - Felt Block rattle

Finally, that tutorial I've been promising to post for ages... How to make a Felt Block Rattle.

Easy to make with materials you probably have lying about the house.

Materials:

6 felt squares 8cmx8cm (4inx4in) (I make my own felt from old woolen blankets or knit wear, but purchased felt is ok as well. It should be fairly thick to help block hold its shape)

Stuffing, poly fill or wool fleece

embroidery thread

for rattle - bell and a small container to put bell inside

sticky tape

step 1 - Making the rattle

It took me a while to find an adequate way to make a nice chiming sound inside the block. If you use the bell on its own, the stuffing will muffle the ring.

I found if you put the bell inside a little plastic container, it will jingle about freely and make a lovely sound.

I have included a couple of examples of appropriate containers, they need to be small enough to fit inside block comfortably:

-Little plastic Easter eggs (from spotlight around Easter time)

-Glove containers, from packs of hair dye

-Film canisters are also good

You may also be able to buy ready made rattle inserts from craft stores, but i am yet to find any!

put bell inside container and seal up securely with sticky tape Step 2 - Sewing the sides together
Align the edges of 2 squares and using embroidery thread blanket stitch tightly together.
Here is a video showing how to blanket stitch

Remember when stitching the pieces together they need to fold up to the shape of a cube. It may be easier to lay the squares out first to get an idea of how the shape will come together Stitch together the remaining sides, leaving one side open for stuffing
Step 3 - Stuffing
You will want to stuff the block about half way and then add the rattle.
Make sure the corners are stuffed firmly to help hold the shape of the block. The centre of the block needs to still be a bit squishy. Try not to over stuff as your block will end up looking like a ball. Also you want the rattle to be snuggled in the center of the filling so you can't feel it too much.

Step 4 - finishing
Finish by stitching shut the opening. Your block rattle is ready for playing with.

I hope you have lots of fun with this little project...

Question?

Lots of people have been asking me if the items in pictures on my blog are for sale. The answer is a resounding yes! If anything catches your eye, please feel free to contact me. I am always happy to post or put items on hold. I don't really stock large quantities of any one item and often customers are disappointed when they miss out. Remember I'm only a phone call or mouse click away :)

I thought it was time for a new window display...

and get a load of these pants...one of a kind, size 3, vintage fabric if you were wondering...

Exhausted...

I'm totally exhausted from re-arranging the shop. Running out of room and needed to make a place for these, and these, and these.

Wedding Crasher!

I had one of those action packed weekends where every second is accounted for...being at the shop is a pleasant break from all the running around!Apart from restoring a couple of old ladders (which have been one of those gonna do projects for months), going to a great football match, spending hours walking around Jeff's shed looking at km's of toys, I went to a total strangers wedding! A last minute 'plus one' was needed and since I lived 50m from the venue I pulled the short straw. I felt like a total wedding crasher, all glammed up, drinking nice wine and chatting to the rest of the table like I knew who was who. Might take it up semi-professionally (when I don't feel like cooking).

Have just updated Poppet in the Post with some Monstar boys longsleeve tops.

STOP PRESS...

I just spoke to Fiona from Monstar, she tells me she has a few of these ruffle pants left for those of you that missed out. There are a few available in sizes 0 through to size 6 and are $49 a pair.
I had an overwhelming response to these and they are currently sold out in the shop. If you are interested in a pair please contact me ASAP as supplies are limited and she has already moved onto the next production in denim (ie. there will be no more!)
I will put in a special order for those of you who are interested.

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And now onto less pressing matters. The missing half of the Nanoou shipment from Denmark arrived this week and I was pleasantly surprised when I unpacked these little guys, (my memory is poor at the best of times and I'd totally forgotten I'd ordered them). Red velour, how luxurious, they look like the warmest pants ever. I wish they came in my size, perfect for snuggling on the couch on a chilly autumn day.

Cuteness...

The Japanese seem to have the cuteness market cornered. Are these piggy bum pants for babies not the cutest thing ever? The froggy ones have sold like hot cakes, I'll pop them both on Poppet in the Post this week so you cyber shoppers out there don't miss out.Now back to my never ending 'to do' list...