Meet Hettie...

I'd love to introduce you to Hettie, a beautiful Blythe doll that will be my special house guest for a while. Hettie normally lives with Narelle and her 30+ Blythe sisters, I'll let Hettie explain...

"I was so excited when Narelle told me I was going on holidays at Miss Cinti's house, as much as I like my sisters, it can get pretty crowded at home. Cinti came to pick me up yesterday and picked out some sweet outfits for my stay. We hadn't planned on it being so warm today, so the lovely Miss Cinti decided to make a sweet halter neck romper and matching towel so I could enjoy the sunshine. What do you think? I love it, it's so comfy!
Can't wait to see what fun she has planned for the rest of my stay..."
So I think I will really enjoy making Hettie some new outfits, although sewing for a teeny body is so much harder than making regular sized clothes (especially when using stretch terry jersey!).
So Blythe loving ladies, if you have any hints or tips that make sewing for these sassy dollies easier, I'd love to hear them.
x
Miss Cinti

The week that was...

Did you miss me? I do apologise for leaving such a long gap in between posts, it just feels like this week sort of slipped by.
I must admit I have been feeling a little flat, a bit listless and sort of couch potato-ish, so any bursts of energy I've had have not been spent blogging but in the following fashion:

I present to you the Week that Was...in very vague chronological order

Thanks to my sister's veggie patch I now know how to cook giant squash and zucchini in 101 different ways...If I don't eat squash ever again it will be too soon...Although zucchini 'au gratin' was not too bad, Bechamel sauce makes everything tasty!
Those of you with toddlers can appreciate that keeping the house in any sort of order is no mean feat. This is what happened when I had a shower, you can imagine what the rest of the house ends up like when my back is turned...my days are a constant losing battle of cleaning and tidying.

Thanks to this crazy rain we've been having and the generally coolish summer temps. my recently planted veggie patch is going a bit mad. I've been tending it lovingly, watering, picking leaves and staking unruly plants. My basil and lettuce are thriving, the tomatoes have plenty of flowers and my only disappointment is the dill that seems to be rotting away. Over watering perhaps? Advice appreciated on this one.


I've also been packing lots of orders, making macarons and some new items for the shop. I had a lovely customer from New Zealand request I put together a selection of fabrics for her, the remnants of which inspired this little fabric charm/scrap pack in a truly pretty colour combination.


New bibs from vintage towels (available next week)
And finally some Super Stylin' fun with Emma, thanks to some amazing Korean clothes that I ordered online and a few items picked up on tuesday at the GAP sale.


So that was my week...how did it compare to yours?

Felt Macarons in Nine New Flavours...

There are now 9 deliciously tasty flavours available in my Needle Felted Macarons. I've been busy dying batches of wool, pricking my fingers with sharp felting needles and wrestling these pretty pretend treats out of Emma's vice like grip...
So now I present to you:
Vanilla, Tangerine, Raspberry, Plum, Lavender, Blueberry, Mint, Creme Brulee & Lemon

I know you want them all, how could you not?

Happy stairs...

This really made me smile today...


Via my friend Jacquie on facebook

Hooray!

My sister dropped off this gorgeous artwork she painted for Emma's room today. It has been in the pipeline since before Emma was born (sort of her new baby present), I made sure it was finished before she has her baby in a few weeks, because we all know that everything stops when a new baby arrives!
Emma will have a little cousin to boss around and I'll be an auntie, I'm getting quite excited...
I also got her to take some shots of Emma and I, we were singing "If you're happy and you know it shout Hooray!"

Fabrics Galore...

Ok the wait is over! I have come to terms with the fact that I need to cut down my sizable fabric collection, so this year I'll be popping up some of the really nice ones for sale on Poppet in the Post. There is a new dedicated fabric category for all you fabric fiends lurking about. Can't wait to see what you make with it.
I'll try to load up at least a couple of fabrics per week, so stop by regularly to see new...

Needle Felting Basics...

Some of you may be curious as to how I make my needle felted products in the shop.
I have put together a very basic guide to getting started for those of you that may want to give it a try or just as a little insight.
The basic materials you will need include:
Felting needles - These needles are made from hardened steel and have little barbs on them that tangle up the wool fibres as you poke your wool to felt it together.

Foam pad - This is a work surface that will absorb needle stabs an stop your needle from breaking (and stop you from stabbing yourself).

Wool roving/top - Available in many colours and qualities. Wool fleece that has been washed and carded (brushed). You can dye your own as well as buying it pre dyed. Dying instructions here.
All are available at crafting store such as Spotlight

Technique:
You are essentially trying to bond the loose wool fibres together to make a solid felted shape by poking/stabbing it repeatedly with the felting needle. You can create different shapes by wrapping the wool roving into balls, cylinders and cones and then working it with the needle.
The more you needle the wool, the more compact and firm the wool shape will be.

Here is a small example of how i have used a few shapes to create a little sausage dog...

Please feel free to leave questions in the comments and I will try to cover them in another more detailed tutorial...

Thanks Pilgrim!

I wrote a small guest post on my friend Pilgrim's blog Draw!Pilgrim. It's about some of my textile collection, check it out here...
If you have come over from Pilgrim's blog, Welcome! I hope you enjoy your stay and feel free to stop by often.
xx Cinti

Queensland Flood Relief Appeal...

I don't need to tell you how terrible the floods in QLD have been to families and businesses affected. We've been seeing distressing images on our TV screens almost 24hrs a day, often those of us far away feel powerless to help.
Lots of fabulous bloggers and crafty businesses are doing there little bit, and I want to help too. Apart from making a cash donation on my family's behalf to the Premiers Disaster Relief Appeal, I'll also be donating proceeds from the sales in my Cinti does Vintage Etsy shop this Saturday & Sunday.
So if something catches your eye, feel no guilt in your purchase, as the money is going to a good cause.
You can donate money here, or if you can't afford a monetary donation, consider donating some blood to the Red Cross Blood bank in your area.

Every little bit helps...have fun shopping!

My Home: Kitchen Wall

I'm hoping that 2011 will be the year I finally make this house we live in, a home that reflects my style and personality. We moved in only 4 weeks before Emma was born, with a store to run and then a new baby, you can imagine decorating was not high on the priority list. Now that the bricks and mortar store is closed, and Emma and I have found our little groove, I'm ready to put some thought and energy into organising and really enjoying my home.

So every so often I'll share some photos, and then collate them on the House Tour Page. I hope you enjoy watching my progress...


Whilst Emma is on holiday at her Nan and Pop's for the week, I've been clearing surfaces and have been inspired to decorate one of the walls in my kitchen/dining area.

All of the items apart from the orange owl are thrifted/vintage. The owl is by Pirdy was purchased from LittleShopOf in Carnegie.

How To: Button Magnets

A very quick and easy project or organise all those artworks and receipts accumulated over the school holidays, and keep the fridge looking pretty at the same time.

You will need:
Super strong magnets (available from craft stores)
Assorted buttons (flat backs, not shank style)
Hot glue gun and glue sticks
paper to protect your work surface

How to:
If you are not familiar with the use of a hot glue gun, there are simple instructions here.
Lay some paper down to protect your work surface.
Ready your materials.
Make one button magnet at a time
Once your glue is warm, squeeze a blob the size of half a pea onto the magnet. Promptly place your button onto the glue topped magnet. Some glue may squeeze through the holes in buttons.
Hold for 5-10 seconds.
Set aside to cool/set

No photos because juggling a camera and glue gun at the same time is a little tricky.

Warnings: Hot glue can burn, keep it off your skin. This project is not suitable for unsupervised children. Both magnets and buttons can be a choking hazard for young children.