Retro Shorts are here...

Busy, busy, sewing, sewing these fun, bright and colourful retro fabric shorts. Perfect for spring/summer, they are a 3/4 length clam digger style. Nice and roomy means you get a couple of seasons out of them (they'll just be a little shorter!)
Most have been made from original Sheridan fabric samples from the 70's, imagine having curtains in these?
Lots more designs available in assorted sizes, get in quick to get your pick...available here.

Holidays...

Emma is on a little holiday at her Nan and Pop's place in the country. I'm sure she will enjoy the cows, chickens and sheep on the farm as well as their undivided attention, as much as I'll enjoy the peace and quiet. So I've got lots of 'To do's' on my list, but seem to be whittling away the hours just enjoying the luxury of not being on call.
Did manage to photograph this bunting I made months ago and pop it online. Maybe I should work on the pattern tomorrow, like I promised.

Sunshine...

Some glimpses of sunshine breaking through today...I was nearly blinded when it hit my cosy yellow blanket...Spring, I've missed you.

Sunday morning treat...

Just thought you may like to see Nathalie Lete's window painting today. It was a real treat to watch, she even came to speak to us at the end. I think I scared her away with my blubbering adulation, lol! (please excuse camera phone photos)
Also met the amazing Christina of Jam Fancy via long time My Poppet customer relle.

Had some French toast for brunch (thought I'd keep the French theme going) and enjoyed Emma and the lovely spring sunshine.

What did you get upto?

Nathalie Lete...

Image credit

Tomorrow, Nathalie Lete will be painting a shop window just down the road from my place. I will wander down there to watch her in action...will you be there too?

Sunday 26th September

Time: 10.00am - 1.00pm

Malvern Blue Illusion boutique

113 Glenferrie Rd

Malvern, VIC 3144

More info on other locations here

Animation Friday ♫ If you're happy and you know it...

...clap your hands.
Emma will dance at the drop of a hat, especially when I sing ♫If you're happy and you know it♫
Go on, sing along ♫

Here are some simple instructions on how to make moving pictures...Go on have a play, I can't wait to see what you come up with, you've got all week. Post it to your blog and link here so we can all see. Remember to link back to this post so your other readers can join in to. Feel free to grab a little button for your sidebar.
xx Cintia

DIY...

Spent the day making this vintage floral bunting for a kit that will soon be for sale in the shop. So easy, all the fabric will come pre-cut, your job is just sewing it together. Looks so pretty in Emma's room...I bet you can't wait to make your own.

Sneak Peek...

Emma's room is nearly ready for a big reveal...just a few finishing touches, and then just have to wait for a sunny day for some decent light.

How To: Fabric Covered Letters

I finally had a chance to make these fabric covered letters for Emma's door. It was really easy, here are the instructions:
1. Materials - fabric scraps, Wooden letters (from a craft shop), Glue stick (suitable for wood and fabric), small sharp scissors or clippers, double sided tape
2. Smear glue generously onto wrong side of fabric, place letter front down onto fabric
3. Turn over and smooth fabric firmly over letter. Allow glue to dry
4. With sharp scissors or clippers, cut fabric away from edge of wooden letter
Apply double sided tape to back of letter and it's ready to stick to your door

Handy Hints:
Try and let glue dry as long as possible to avoid glue getting your cutting blades sticky.
I found that clippers worked better for me because the sharp tips helped get into tight spots.
Choose light weight tightly woven fabric to make cutting easier and reduce fraying.
Alcohol based hand sanitiser is good at getting sticky glue residue off cutting blades.

Have a go at making your own covered letters, would love to see them. Post a link in the comments or a picture up on the facebook page

Quilting...

Long ongoing project now finished, see more pictures of my quilt on MADE OF CLOTH...

Spring Skirts...

I feel like making some more 'Custom made skirts' now that the weather is fining up. Available here.

Hello Etsy...

If you hadn't already noticed, I've opened an Etsy shop. Probably about 5 years to late, but hey, I've never been an early adopter. Some things available there are on Poppet in the Post, other things may be exclusive to Etsy, just depends on my mood.
If Etsy is your thing, go and check it out, tell me what you think, I'd really appreciate your feedback.
I'm not expecting to be over whelmed with sales, as shipping from Australia to overseas is relatively expensive, but hopefully people will like what they see and pop over to read the blog.

Animation Friday - Twirl

Couldn't resist animating these pretty pictures from Chalk n Cheese's new summer range...reminded me of when mum used to make dresses for me as a girl, the design brief was always Twirly with a capital T!

Here are some simple instructions on how to make moving pictures...Go on have a play, I can't wait to see what you come up with, you've got all week. Post it to your blog and link here so we can all see. Remember to link back to this post so your other readers can join in to. Feel free to grab a little button for your sidebar.
xx Cintia

Chalk n Cheese - Spring Summer 2010

New season Chalk n Cheese has arrived. Get in early for your pick of sizes. I'm offering newsletter subscribers 25% off Chalk n Cheese full priced stock, sign up now to find out how.

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I'll be sending the newsletter out shortly...In the meantime pop over to the shop to check out the new stock

Making stuff...

Whilst doing some Spring cleaning last week, I found the supplies for various project 'ideas' that never found the time to come together. So yesterday whilst Emma was napping, I fired up the glue gun and made these cute little brooches...there are 4 colours to choose from and a steal at only $8.50. Get yours here.

There are a few other cute brooches coming soon...

Thanks everyone for your supportive comments re: the car kuffufle on Sunday. It's still at the mechanics but let's hope I get it back soon. I've managed to book in a couple of extra markets for all of you that are itching to see me in person...

Tow Market, Tow Market...

...and half way there, chug, chug, rattle rattle rattle, conk! Mr RACV called a tow truck, and so here is my fully laden car piggy backing a ride home.
Sorry I missed you if you made the trip out to Woodend...but I hope you enjoyed yourself all the same.

To make it up to you (because the whole ordeal was a bit anticlimactic and disappointing), feel free to use the discount code SUGARANDSPICE to get an extra 10% OFF all online purchases this week. Go on, it will cheer me up ☺

Animation Friday - A tough week

It's been a long tough week at my place. Emma has been unwell with Hand, Foot and Mouth Virus and my back is shot! There is a back log of jobs that need doing, so please forgive my slap dash animation.

I'm sure you can do better...
Here are some simple instructions on how to make moving pictures...Go on have a play, I can't wait to see what you come up with, you've got all week. Post it to your blog and link here so we can all see. Remember to link back to this post so your other readers can join in to. Feel free to grab a little button for your sidebar.
xx Cintia

Good enough to eat...

My felting needles have been busy, I had fun making these delicious little treats even though they were a bit time consuming and I stabbed myself several times. Apparently macarons are the 'new' cupcake, so felt macarons must be the ultimate in play food 'darhling'!

I'm making them to order if you so desire...get your no calorie sweet treats here.

Sugar & Spice market...

Due to a serendipitous turn of events, I'll be a stall holder at the lovely Sugar & Spice market at Woodend this Sunday 12th Sept. Am looking forward to day trip, why don't you plan a day trip too?

Guest Blogging...

I've written my first ever guest blog post, it's over at Hello Owl. Pop over and have a read...

Flea Market Find - Lederhosen

I couldn't walk past these adorable pair of child size Lederhosen when I saw them, they brought back fantastic memories of my travels through Austria and Germany (I'm silly happy just thinking back). I thought that they would look cute on Emma, but it was pointed out to me that she already gets mistaken for a boy a little too often. Now they are for sale on Poppet in the Post, until then they will adorn my lounge room...
Check out some more flea market finds over at Her Library Adventures...

Animation Friday...and the world keeps turning...

We all have to share this planet we live on...lets play nice...

Here are some simple instructions on how to make moving pictures...Go on have a play, I can't wait to see what you come up with, you've got all week. Post it to your blog and link here so we can all see. Remember to link back to this post so your other readers can join in to. Feel free to grab a little button for your sidebar. xx Cintia

Crochet Flower tutorial...

I thought I might have a go at writing an easy pattern before I tackle writing the crochet pattern for this bunting. I've never been able to follow coded pattens very well (I prefer pictorial ones) so when I totally messed up one I was following for a flower, I just made up an easier version myself.
I hope it's easy enough to follow. Please leave a comment if you've made it with a little pattern review. If there is a problem let me know so I can fix it.

I'm assuming you know how to do these basic crochet stitches (there are heaps of good how-to videos on Youtube). I used 8ply wool (yellow and lilac) 5ply (blue) - i had these lying around, you can use any ply as long as the hook sort of matches.
Size 4.00 hook
stitches (UK/AUS):
chain ch
slip stitch ss
double crochet dc
treble tr

I have pictured step by step to make it easier for you (and me) to understand.
1. ch 8, join with ss to form a ring
2. ch 1, dc 15 into ring
3. change colour join with ss to first dc4. ch 1, dc into same as last ss, *(ch 3 skip next 2 , dc 1) repeat from * (4 times), ch 3 ss to first dc
5. ch 1 ( the next stitches are worked into the ch 3 space) *(dc 1, tr 3, dc 1, ch), repeat from * endng round with ss into first dc
6. fasten off all yarns
7. If you want to add another ring of petals dc into the initial (yellow) dc ring one stitch over from the first row in step 4. continue like step 4.
8. you can see the reverse in this image the blue dc are next to the lilac dc all the way around.
9. continue as for step 5 & 6.

I hope that makes sense...I will be posting more craft tutorials whenever I get some time, I'm happy to take suggestions for thing you may like to see.
Have fun,
Cinti

Kawaii = Cute

If you don't think these fans are super cute, there must be something wrong with you!