- losers weepers
I really like the artwork for the Sydney 2010 The Finders Keepers. Definitely take a look at the website of the artist Madeleine Stamer. I missed last years Brisbane event and I’m so looking forward to our time to come around again.
My posts have been pretty sparse these past couple of days I know and I haven’t had a chance for any knitting – I have a work contract for a few weeks that sees me having to actually get dressed and leave the house rather than sit at my own desk all day. It’s pretty enjoyable work so it’s worth the sacrifice of having to change out of pyjamas in the morning and not being able to say blog in the middle of the day or take a knitting/lunch break :)
- making things
I had some success a couple of years ago with an experimental knit covered bangle (top picture), so I’ve decided to see if I can recreate the positive results… more than once, and maybe sell them. The only issue is that every knitter and their dog is now making what I’ve seen called Swatch Bracelets, but I have many ideas for styles and patterns so I will see what I can create anyway :)
- climbing elephant
I knit Elijah for a friend who often jokes about wanting a baby elephant as a pet… she’s also a climber so I added a little climbing harness haha :)
He worked out well but his head became unfortunately squashed after he made his way to the bottom of a bag while travelling…
- hobbyists
That Hobby Looks Like a Lot of Work
Interesting article on the successes and pit-falls of turning your hobby into a business. The focus is on women who have quit their day jobs and used etsy to sell their art. This is something I have been considering for some time, I set up a new etsy account which you can see is completely bare and spoke to a number or artists/craftists who sell their wares by combining multiple online shopfronts and markets around the state. I think the best advice I received was to just put something out there, and then keep going.
For me, 2010 is the time to see what I can do :)
- cards with a difference
bright bulbs & merry flakes bamboo christmas cards purchased from
I found these christmas cards in Biome yesterday and it’s a pretty sure bet we’ll be heading back in to pick up more. The designs are very sweet and printed on eco-friendly sustainably harvested bamboo, this was my idea for new business cards for myself for quite a while but the company I was going to have make them didn’t have bamboo quite this thin. They are made in the USA thought… so a lot of the friendliness to the environment is probably cancelled out by however they got into the country, but still a great design and idea.
The first card just made me smile, I think I’ll give it to a friend who has been joking lately that she’s “just a ray of fucking sunshine” :D I know it’s not a sun :) but it’s such a sweetly happy sunshiney card that it will make her laugh, also she’ll appreciate the differentness of the card.
It’s when presented with situations like these I wish I had the opportunity to take more hand lettering and typography subjects while studying, I’m not too bad but my styles are limited. Last year I took an illustration and fine drawing class externally, so this be the year of photography and hand lettering classes :)
- paper foldables
Paper Foldables. Papercraft Toys by Bryan.
Oh the things that will entertain me… lots of fun though :)
- loja de estar
abat-jour papel [5] by rie elise larsen
Pretty paper lampshade found on loja de estar, I love the pattern combined with the ribbon tie. The choice for hanging or table top lamp structure is really helpful, I’ve found that’s an option not usually available and one that I usually wish for :)
- tattoo lady edith & her man percy
Tattoo Lady Edith and Tattoo Man Percy VIA
I love these guys! Just another find that is putting me in the mood to make things…
- little gifts
Custom Little Bird with Initial Monogram from MelissaSue
I spotted these fantastic little custom monogramed felt birds just as I’ve been looking at patterns for little toys and gifts I want to make people. These are very cute, I especially love the button chosen for the eyes… Actually I especially love everything about these little guys. I’m going to knit and crochet my gifts though, and there’ll be felting and possibly some sewing, I’ve already started but can’t give anything away just in case :) Also I’ve left it late this year again, time might fight me on this one and everyone will receive gifts from me in April!
Birdie Decoration crochet pattern from Attic24
One pattern I’ll be tacking and I can give a sneak peak of are these little crochet birds that I found through the blog of my friend Kelly, I have some customisations in mind and I have a feeling they won’t make it out of my place haha