Coat hangers in a fig tree

Cheers, Paula.

Paula's Projects

I guess I'm not the only one with too many projects on the go. It's like a drug - that heady rush I get when I start something new. I love finishing stuff, but it's the process I really love. The imagining, the starting, the re-working. The trouble is, each project stirs up more creative ideas. 

So what am I working on at the moment?

1. Stripy wool blanket

2. Covered coat hangers

3. Flower motif string bag

4. Beaded necklace

5. Orange ribbon yarn placemats.

6. Tapestry crochet bag

The last is my favourite. When I was visiting my sister in Ireland last year, she took me to our favourite wool store, The Yarn Room . The lovely Irene Lundgaard had on display there a most beautiful crochet bag.

Well, when I got home, I showed the photo to a friend. My friend messaged me the next day - "can't stop thinking about the bag, would you like to both make one?" So we set ourselves a challenge. To make a bag, using Irene's as inspiration, during the summer school holidays. And we would unveil them at the start of the school year.  Here it is so far...

Oh, and by the way, those are just my crochet projects.  That's not counting the knitting and the sewing and the quilting and...

Cheers, Paula.

Rainy Days are Creative Days at my Home.

I woke up to the rain this morning and decided that it was a stay at home indoors kind of day.  Just the kind of day that I can spend making something new.  So here are my projects for today.

First were some new covered buttons. 

I purchased a book called "Doodle Stitching" by Aimee Ray last year and fell in love. But never got around to trying any embroidery from the book. Today was the day. I purchased some linen/cotton fabric just for these buttons. And pulled out the embroidery cotton that was my mums. These were my first attempt and I think they look pretty good.

Next project was an iphone cover for someone special.  This was a little project kit which came with a new magazine I recently found and love - "Mollie Makes".  I am a little disapointed with the finish of the top right hand corner, but I guess it makes the cover look 'rustic'. 

Anyway, the rain has stopped now and the sun is shining and it is time to get the kids outside.

xoxo
Nicola

Tea cups, milk jugs and late night shopping

Who would have thought the little sleepy town where I grew up is now home to at least four antique / vintage shops? 

Along with little art studios, cafes, and a playground that puts our neighbourhood park to shame. I couldn't resist this pretty trio and milk jug.

You might notice, in the background of the previous photos are some skeins of yarn. The end result of a late-night eBay shopping spree.

A bundle of scrumptious merino, silk, alpaca and cashmere.

Cheers, Paula.

My First Post.....Ever!!!

Some people start with small dreams and get bigger.  We had to rein our dream in!!! 

It started late one night when we were both a bit over tired and silly.  What if we opened our own shop???  It would be fantastic and we could sell everything we make and it would have soft cosy couches to read craft books and knit and crochet, and we could drink cups of tea and we could teach people our crafts (which when listed was quite a few) and and and....... 

We had so many ideas and both went to sleep with dreams of our business venture (adventure!!!). 

After lots of discussion and husbands who said "you will never make any money from this" and "it will never work", we decided that we should start small and get bigger.

 Maybe we could have a market stall and sell our work and drink cups of tea!!!!   We had so many ideas and just not enough time to make them ALL a reality.

So here we are, writing a blog (when we have time) and trying to start our dream business. It may be small now, but it can only get bigger!!!

Make (we make)  Believe (believe in dreams)

xoxo
Nicola

Grey Bunny

I've finished my first original soft toy pattern. 

Meet Grey Bunny.

He's crocheted from soft squishy Eki Riva 100% baby alpaca yarn. I decided to make him in a "teddy bear" style, so his arms and legs are jointed with thread.

And he has a cute little bunny tail.

Grey Bunny is a gift for my friend's brand new baby girl, Evie. But I think I'll work on the pattern a bit more, and maybe give the legs more shape.

Cheers, Paula.