Needle felting Workshop - the roundup...

It was lots of fun last night at the secret* needle felting workshop that I taught at Windsor Deli. Running a workshop wasn't anything I'd considered doing until Kat twisted my arm to share my knowledge with some of the Southside Brown Owls Chapter.
Everyone got their own needle and pads, but only after a needle handling safety talk. I didn't want any major injuries, an fortunately the novelty Simpsons band-aids only needed to be used on one unlucky finger! *(Secret only because it was not openly advertised)
So the idea was to teach some basic techniques all whilst each making a macaron. The ladies did a brilliant job as you can see by the beautiful finished pieces above. As a little bonus, and because the students were eager for knowledge, we all had a go at making some tiny toadstools. Aren't they adorable?
I think most of the ladies are hooked. I packed up some wool roving packs for them to get creative at home with their new found skills. Can't wait to see what they make...

Thanks ladies for an entertaining and relatively injury free night
x Cinti

I may consider running another class if their is enough interest. if it's something that you might be interested in, why not sign up to the mailing list so I can keep you up to date with any news on the subject:

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Inspired by colours that PoP!

I'll be teaching two Needle Felting Workshop at Do Re Me in a couple of weeks, so I created this felted cuff as one of the examples of what I'll be teaching you to create. As mentioned in Tuesday's post, it was heavily inspired by the illustrations in the 123 book, but as I added the black borders, the beautiful stained glass ceiling by Leonard French at the NGV came to mind.
Do you see a resemblance?

NGV images via: walking Melbourne
I like how the colours PoP, and it keeps your wrist toasty and warm too. This class will be teaching surface needle felting so you will be able to make whatever design takes your fancy with your new found skills if stained glass isn't to your taste.
You can also learn how to make a Molecule brooch in another class I am running.

Disclaimer - It's obvious that I am super vain because I've airbrushed my spotty/wrinkly hands, but I had to fess up or I wouldn't have been able to sleep tonight. hehe! Yellow nails on the other hand are real, Mr Man doesn't like them, he thinks they make my nails look jaundiced.

Brian Wildsmith 123 - Triangle inspiration

This book was an amazing find whilst op-shopping with Miss Pilgrim a few weeks ago - I must say it was the find of the day. Published in 1965, this beautifully illustrated book by Brian Wildsmith is in mint condition, but what really blows me away are the colours and shapes! Emma loves the 'silly' cat on the cover with the triangle head. Recently we've seen a revival of triangles in the art/craft/design community, and I must say, for a book that was published 45 years ago, these illustrations are looking super duper 'on trend'. Emma is really into counting at the moment, she will happily count objects into the teens. I'm blown away by how quickly she is grasping concepts like numbers and shapes. Colours how ever, not her strong point. I can see we will both enjoy this book for a long time. How lovely is this hot air balloon?

I can't wait to share a project with you later on this week that was inspired by some of these beautiful illustrations...watch this space.

Hush, Hush!

I've finally finished my 'top secret, can't say anything or I'll have to kill you' project. As you can see it's very technical as it involves fancy rulers and such. I don't know why it has taken me so long to actually get it done, I took procrastination to the next level on this one!
Can't say who or what it's for, but you can probably make out what it is...but keep it under your hat *eyes dart around* it's very hush, hush!

I ♥ U this much...Japan

Even though I don't consider myself an Artist, or even a designer, when the call came out for donated artworks for this exhibition and charity auction, I was compelled to create something meaningful and hopefully beautiful?
I don't even need to mention how awful the situation in Japan is, it's all been said...and of course monetary donations are desperately required, but there is something visceral about creating an object with your own hands.
Title: I ♥ U this much
Mini quilt with original photograph and embroidery.

This is Emma's doll which was once her Aunts/Uncles and Grandmothers before her, she sleeps with it every night, kisses it incessantly and calls it her little baby. Every handstitch contains a little bit of optimism.
I hope it makes someone happy and raises a few extra dollars for the Red Cross.

Talkn' Retro ♥

Today I went to spotlight and bought way too much stuff. Supplies I will eventually use, but probably not in the near future...admittedly I had buyers remorse.

So I've decided that the only way to take the edge off the guilt is to create. I sat down this afternoon and made a quilt. It's a simple design because I wanted the fabrics to speak for themselves - They speak RETRO!

Beautiful bold graphics in autumnal colour combos with quite the Scandinavian feel. I'm very pleased with the result. It's available in the shop if retro is your thang!

So tonight I will start a crochet blanket with the stash of yarn I have laying about and maybe I'll go to bed guilt free...

Edit: Just thought I should mention these fabrics are not from Spotlight but from my ever growing vintage fabric stash.

Lots and lots of bunting...

Look what I've spent my last 3 weekends making, 25m of it. I even roped Mr Man into helping me turn the 125 flags inside out, he was not impressed! But you should be. If you want some of this vintage flaggy goodness, you will have to go get it from Bec at Little shop of. I'll be dropping it off tomorrow and you can buy it by the metre ($15/m).

Don't go asking me to make any more for you for a little while, I can't be flagged!

Product Inspiration - Molecule Brooch

Have you seen my new range of Molecule Brooches in the shop? They are 'for the ladies!'
Inspired one January evening after practising taking Bokeh style shots of my Christmas lights. The fuzzy pastel colours reminded me of the fuzzy textured wool I'd just acquired and dyed.

The name 'Molecule' came about because they reminded me of the little atomic models I mucked about with during chemistry labs at college. I wonder what ever happened to my little grey box of plastic molecules?