Crafting retreat weekend

On the weekend I was lucky to head off to a crafting weekend with girls from TheSewing Sisterhood. 

I joined (from the photo above from left to right):

• Amy from Ladybugs and Daisychains
• Leigh from Sakurako with her gorgeous baby Emma 
• Mel from Handmade by 3 Little B's
• Rebecca from Baby Chilli and The Chilli Tree
• Karen from Apple Seed  
• Bridie from Little Magnolia Buttons
• Mia from Mac and Mia
• Melissa from Bugle Bums
• Me - up the back! from Lil Pip 
• Jodie from Three Little Chickens

We stayed at The White House in Healesville which allowed us lots of beds and plenty of space to craft (we set up two tables in one living space for sewing and still had the comfort of the loungeroom for stitching and tea breaks).

I wasn't there Friday so I can't tell you what they got up to but I know by the time I arrived on Saturday a little quilting had occurred (I hope to update you more on that later - it is kinda a post on it's own!).

We all decided on certain things we wanted to learn throughout the weekend and it was all so low key and stress free. Plenty of time for chatting, tea and coffee drinking and you should have seen the baked goodies that came - oh boy!!

First there was shirring lessons from Mel and Mia - learning how to do it and make little dresses. It is certainly something I would like to try soon as I really thought it was much harder than it looks!

Mia and Mel helping Jodie

Here is Emma modelling the dress that Leigh made. Seriously this little girl was an angel all weekend and was happily handed around to whichever 'aunty' was free and available for as many hugs and snuggles that she could withstand.

Emma modelling her mummy's shirred dress

We were all sent a little fabric to make a token gift to swap (I blogged mine yesterday). It was so fantastic to see everyone's interpretation of the fabric.

Our swap gifts (I was lucky to get the TSS heat bag in the middle)

I bought along some 'stitchery' patterns for us to do a little hand embroidery and taught a few basic stitches. It was lovely to see Bridie finish her little elephant for her soon to be born baby boys nursery (just 4 weeks away!). The free pattern is here. I better finish mine to share with you.

Bridie's cute little elephant stitchery

Amy shared some techniques for creating a zippered pouch. Since I already have made them, I thought I would make a zip clutch from Michelle's patterns (affiliate link). This pattern is no longer available but lots of AMAZING bags, clutches and purses to choose from. Thanks so much Amy for the tips on the zipper. I will absolutely be fusing them down in the future - much better finish!

My little zip clutch - future teacher gift!

After a late night on Saturday night we were up and out early and headed to Giant Steps/Innocent Bystander for brunch on Sunday morning. It was here that Leigh taught us how to sew with hexies (or hexagon quilting). I'm TOTALLY addicted now so expect to see them popping up everywhere.  

A little hand stitching with hexies

A very very busy weekend but so much fun. Thank you girls. Can't wait for the next one.

Meet the Maker - LA Crafts

Amanda is the lovely face behind LA Crafts. She has some absolutely gorgeous designs.

Tell us a little about yourself? 

I am 28,live in rural SA on a vineyard with my husband and daughter, Sophie!

Other than sewing, what do you do? 

Hmm, Sewing is my hobby, my business and my life, I LOVE it , so I dont do too much other than that.  In summer we spend a fair bit of time at the local lake with the speed boat.

Where do you get your inspiration? 

Most of my inspiration comes from my or my daughter's needs, if I find I am missing something, I make it.

What does sewing, crafting and handmade mean to you? 

To me, it is a creative outlet to let all my stresses go, not that I have many. An afternoon of sewing is like a Massage/Facial for me.

Who is your favourite fabric or pattern designer?

My favourite designer is Michael Miller, it is very kid friendly and I always seem to find more than enough to fill my fabric addiction.

Who has been your greatest influence? 

I have a few influences, my mum and 2 aunts have always been into something crafty, so I guess it was passed down to me, although I only took a big interest after my daughter was born, which is when I started sewing.  Another influence is my Dad, who has great business sense and I seem to have picked up on that.

Where would you like to be in five years?

I would love to be in a NEW Custom Built house with a whole Sewing Wing LOL, I'm talking wall to ceiling storage, enough room for all my sewing machines (Yes I have a few) and a cutting table, business wise I would love to be popular enough to keep busy and hopefully be a mum to another beautiful child.

What handmade possession do you love most? 

My most treasured handmade possession is a dress made for my daughter made by my aunt, who sadly passed away last year.  It is too small but it will stay with me for the rest of my life.

Meet the Maker - Sakurako, Kat & Bee, Minkie Baby

This week we are introducing you to the extremely talented Leigh. I have admired Leigh's creativity and high quality work for a number of years, have a look at her work and you'll see why!

Tell us a little about yourself?

I’m Leigh, married to Elliot and mother of two boys, Oliver is 4.5 and Henry is almost 2. Our third child is due in November.  I make quilts – mostly baby/children’s quilts – under my Sakurako brand and I also make beaded jewellery and other accessories which I sell with my sister Karah under the Kat & Bee brand.

Other than sewing, what do you do?

I’m trained in fine art – printmaking, and have exhibited, but its very difficult to work with acid etching, oil based inks and turps with small children underfoot which is why I now focus on other creative endeavours.  I also enjoy baking, general crafts and the odd stamping/cardmaking social night with friends. I run Minkie Baby selling cloth nappies of my own design. I used to sew these myself but couldn’t keep up with demand so they are now manufactured offshore.

Where do you get your inspiration?

I’m a very visual person so pin a lot of images and blog posts of quilts I like on Pinterest – either design wise or fabric wise. When planning out a quilt I often start a new Pinterest board and pin fabrics I think will co-ordinate in order to see them together. My style is quite modern – I use a lot of white (and if I don’t use white then I will use another solid), I like my quilt designs to be simple/not fussy, and I really don’t do batiks, blenders or ditzy florals. I like to let the fabric designs shine and I feel that quite often the individual fabrics are lost with traditional fussy quilting styles.

What does sewing, crafting and handmade mean to you?

For me it’s very much a creative outlet. I make things because I enjoy making them, and I like to use fabrics I find aesthetically pleasing. I get a great deal of satisfaction out of making high quality items by hand.

Who is your favourite fabric or pattern designer?

I buy a lot of Riley Blake, for children especially they have a lot of lovely fabrics which aren’t twee or washed out. I follow Elizabeth Hartman’s blog (Oh Frannson!) and have her books, her guide to quilting is an excellent resource.

Who has been your greatest influence?

Probably my mother, and both my grandmothers. Mum sewed a lot when we were young, and made a lot of our clothing. She’s had a crack at almost any craft you can think of. She also makes quilts (though she gets me to stipple them for her!).  My Omi could sew and crochet and my Nana enjoyed knitting. So I grew up surrounded by women who created and crafted.

Where would you like to be in five years?

In a bigger house with an organised creative space! (I’m just about to lose my study/sewing room so #3 has somewhere to sleep). I’d like for Minkie Baby nappies to be stocked by other retailers, and I’d like for Sakurako to be plugging along. I’m happy for Sakurako to stay at hobby-level – the enjoyment I get from it I suspect would be greatly diminished if I had to work to tight deadlines or be entirely dictated by the customer. I do plan on introducing semi-custom slots once #3 is out of the newborn phase and things have settled down – by that I mean that I liaise with the customer to design and create a quilt which both they and I are pleased with aesthetically. But we will see how we go.

What handmade possession do you love most?

Well… I’m quite proud of the single bed quilt I made for Oliver, which he adores. But in terms of things made by others, I have a crocheted baby shawl from when I was very small which is very carefully packed away. I also have a little cardigan knitted by my Nana which both boys have worn, its quite special because my aunty kept it aside after Nana passed away for when I had children of my own.

I have a beautiful necklace and handbag I got give in last years TSS Kris Kringle which I love and use all the time. 

Meet the Maker - M's Cute Bottoms and M's Cute Creations

I usually post these Meet the Maker posts on Thursdays so I am a couple of days late posting this. There is, however, no time like the present to introduce the lovely Michelle. Michelle is the face behind a gorgeous nappy business - M's Cute Bottoms as well as M's Cute Creations.

Tell us a little about yourself?

My name is Michelle and I am a mother of 2 bouncing boys, Cody (4.5) and Aiden (2). I enjoy making, and, from a young age have always been creating something. The first pattern I ever made was the Burke's Backyard Signature Bear. Since then I have progressed from to making my own patterns, I'm very proud of my very own nappy pattern.

Other than sewing, what do you do?

Other then my sewing, I am a full time teacher. I have only just come back to the field of teaching, after taking a lot of time off with my children. My partner owns his own cabinet making business, which is very busy. So between school and the kids commitments there isn't a lot of time for just me. M's label is where I am able to create and have some 'me' time.

Where do you get your inspiration?

I get my inspiration from my children, to be able to make them lovely things. I also love being able to make things for family and friends and see their delight when they receive a handmade item. At the moment I'm loving expanding my range to include toilet training products. My youngest is about to transition from nappies to toilet training and wants to be like his big brother and wear undies, well we all know how that can be. So I made some pull up nappies that he considers undies and they hold in those accidents, but allows him to take them off if he remembers. 

As a mother of 2 boys, I don't get the opportunity to make pretty girly things, but with M's I have an excuse.

What does sewing, crafting and handmade mean to you?

It means love, the time and energy that goes into each and every item. It shows the love and dedication people have to their craft.

Who is your favourite fabric or pattern designer?

My all time favourite fabric collection is the All Stars collection by Riley Blake. I was very upset when they stopped producing it, but am happy to see that he has realised a new version, yeah for more stars. It is very hard to find nice fabric for boys, so when I do I grab it.

Who has been your greatest influence?

This is a hard question and really I don't know if I have an answer. My Mum was always making things especially when my sister was born (12 years younger). I would see her making up lovely clothes for her, so I suppose it sparked from there. But it wasn't until I had kids of my own that I really started to create.

Where would you like to be in five years?

I would love to see my M's label being well known. I love seeing my creations on children and the pride that parents have. I would love to only being teaching part time, so I can focus more on the M's label.

What handmade possession do you love most?

Last year the Sewing Sisters ran a secret Santa, where we were all given a person and their likes in fabric, from which we had to make them something. I received a beautiful handbag (what girl has too many handbags) which was made by one of our sisters. It is something that I treasure and know that is was defiantly made with LOVE. Another handmade item would be my son's quilt, as a young baby we were constantly fighting breathing difficulties. During one of our stays at hospital we received a wonderful quilt that was handmade and donated. It is something that he is able to treasure and has pride of place on his bed.

Meet the Maker - My Obsession Designs

It's time to meet the gorgeous Tracey from My Obsession Designs. This lovely lady makes beautiful things (I especially love her mini messenger bags!). Tracey's I Can for Cancer campaign ends tonight, so head on over to her page to help her raise some funds for the Cancer Council in memory of her mum.

Tell us a little about yourself?

My name is Tracey and I am a mum to 4 children - Xavier 5 1/2, Riley 4, Amelia 2 1/2 and Caleb 13mths and wife to Leif.  I have enjoyed crafting from an early age - thanks to my Mum who was always sewing, knitting or doing something crafty with her hands.  I absolutely love being a stay at home mum to my babies (most days! :D )

Other than sewing, what do you do?

My life currently revolves around my family.  I volunteer in my son's prep class room 4 days a week for about an hour each time, take the other 3 kids to swimming lessons every week.  My husband and I are soccer parents in the soccer season.  We love to catch up with friends and family regularly and when time permits get a bit of camping happening for a nice tree change!

Where do you get your inspiration?

Inspiration comes from everywhere.  I love to create items that people will use everyday.  My kids inspire me to create items that they love to play with (my Mini Messenger bags are often dragged along on an "adventure" in our house!).  Crafting has been passed down in my family for generations.  I am inspired that one day I will be able to pass that down to my daughter

 What does sewing, crafting and handmade mean to you?

Sewing, crafting and handmade = LOVE.  My mum used to make our clothes as a kid, always made with love and care.  Recently she passed away after a hard fight with cancer.  The most treasured items I now own are quilts made by her for us (my family), each with a message on the back "those who sleep under a quilt sleep under a blanket of love).  Handmade items are personal and tell a story.

Who is your favourite fabric or pattern designer?

I don't really have a favourite fabric or pattern designer.  I just really love fun, bright, colourful fabrics!  Whenever I need to buy fabric, it's always hard to choose which ones to get this time around!

Who has been your greatest influence?

My Mum, without a doubt has been my greatest influence in the crafting world.  I grew up sitting on or under her sewing table, picking up pins off the floor, sewing buttons onto scraps of fabric.  Mum was never without a crafting project.  If she was watching TV or in the passenger seat of the car there was always knitting or crocheting in her hands.

Where would you like to be in five years?

Happy, with my family - because at the end of the day, family is all that matters :D

What handmade possession do you love most?

I have a few treasured handmade possessions.  The first is a hope chest that my Grandfather crafted from timber for me.  He passed away from cancer in 2001, so that is his legacy to me.  The second is quilt that Mum hand pieced and quilted for me for my 21st birthday.  It contains fabric from a dress she had as a girl as well as fabrics used over the years to make me and by brothers and step sisters clothes.  The third is a quilt Mum made for me and my husband for our wedding gift.  (there are many other hand knitted blankets in our house that Mum made for us that are also treasured).  Mum's quilts are her legacy to us.  My 3 eldest children have one each 

and Mum and I were working on one for my youngest child when she passed away.

Meet the Maker - Little Magnolia Button

Tell us a little about yourself?

My name is Bridie and I’m a mum to one year old Imogen and wife to Dave. I love creating things and learning new crafty skills. I’ve done a fair bit of traveling (especially to places that have a beach!!) and look forward to doing a lot more in the future!

Other than sewing, what do you do?

 I’m currently on maternity leave from a job where I get to work with children who have experienced trauma. It’s a challenging job but one that I really love. I’m also studying a diploma of Education, so I’m very busy between looking after (or should I say playing with!) Imogen, studying and making things for Little Magnolia Button.

Where do you get your inspiration?

I started Little Magnolia Button when Imogen came along because I love buying fabric and making things for her. I also love trying new patterns out on her.

But I also tend to find inspiration all around me. At the moment I am working on raising money for SIDS and KIDS Victoria in memory of my lovely friends Sofia and Richard’s baby boy, Laurence, who was born still last year and their friend Tess’s baby Elizabeth who died at birth 2 years ago. Tess and Sofia and Richard’s strength and courage has been such a great inspiration to me.

I’ve been thinking a lot about where I want to travel to next, using this as inspiration I will be working on a line of items using Michael Miller’s Out to Sea fabric.

There really is inspiration and beauty everywhere!

  

 What does sewing, crafting and handmade mean to you?

 Sewing and crafting is a relaxing experience for me. I love the process of starting with a ball of wool or some fabric and completely changing it into something else. Handmade also means love to me, every handmade thing is made with someone’s time and effort simply because creating brings the maker happiness and hopefully it brings the owner the same happiness!

Who is your favourite fabric or pattern designer?

I love a lot of Amy Butler’s fabrics because they are so full of life but I also find it hard to go past Riley Blake and Michael Miller fabrics. At the moment I particularly love ‘Songbird’ and ‘Out to Sea’.

Who has been your greatest influence?

 Like so many others, crafting and sewing is in my family. My mum taught me a lot about sewing when I was younger and my Aunty Joan is incredibly creative and full of brilliant ideas. My lovely friend Bernie at Tea for Evie is also a great influence, as even though we have very different styles I just love her work and love that her gentle and creative nature comes through all of her products!

Where would you like to be in five years?

To be completely honest I don’t know! Hopefully life is full of wonderful adventures and wherever I am and whatever I am doing in 5 years time it will be creative, bring happiness and be shared with the people I love. 

What handmade possession do you love most?

I’m lucky enough to have known my great-grandmother who we called ‘Little Nanna’ (for those of you who know me, would you believe she was actually shorter than me?!). Little Nanna made each of her great grandchildren a crocheted blanket. I love mine and made sure that I made a crocheted blanket for Imogen when she was born.

The other thing I love is my ‘Mrs Rabbit’ soft toy that my mum made me when I was a baby. I recently searched and searched until I could find the same Mrs Rabbit fabric so that I could make one for Imogen too! As you can probably tell, I love that crafting brings families together and is passed down the generations!

(Photos by Clare Metcalf photography - http://claremetcalf.com.au/)