While the kids are away.....

Mum will play.

With the end of school holidays comes the beginning of new adventures on the home front. It's time once more to spend my 5 hours wisely between drop off and pick up.

The sound of silence is blissful and I once more have space to think, create and do.

Don't get me wrong, having the wee ones around is fab. But it most definitely is not an environment I can selfishly withdraw in to my study.
So I end up having two weeks of my brain going in to overload storing ideas, so that come schools return I can quickly roll out lots of new ideas.

I tend to become somewhat autistic when creating. I don't notice the weather, the time or my hunger levels.... I just sit and let creativity take over. So it's an activity best done alone so no-one feels neglected, left out or hungry....whilst I disappear into my own.

Yesterday I begun, with getting out the clay.

I felt like I was back in primary school, rolling coils and squashing balls. I had heaps of polymer clay bought ages ago just waiting for time to sit and play.

Lots of exploring shapes and color. I quite adore the look of hand sculpted beads with their organic form. No two can be the same.

I decided to work on simple designs for some jewellery, something you could wear with anything.

First I formed shapes, made impressions and baked.

Then I drilled, sanded and grouped.


Next was a bit of gluing and wire bending to create a sea of colorful of clay creations.


Such fun.

I'll be back on Wednesday to show you some felted rings I've been working on too.

Time for a cuppa....

It's time for a cuppa,

Mr.Finn in his apron, helping me bake today.

cause against all odds, I finally finished my new pinnies for the shop.

I really wanted a plain denim pinnie just to throw over your basic pants and body tee, but once i got cutting and I couldn't resist adding some frou frou...
That's what we'd call garnish when i used to work with dad in the R.S.L kitchens...
Don't send that meal out without frou frou he'd say.

How could I send out a new frock without the frou frou too....

I sometimes think I can do conservative pieces, But I really can't. It's just not me.

So here's the new pinnie ready for the shop tomorrow, complete with contrast buttons and floral pocket detail.

Perfect with a plain body tee for warmth and even better with your fave red cardi.

I'm lovin' it.

Oh and by saying against all odds I meant, needle snapped, buttons not available and machine threatened to cark it on me.....

But all is well that ends well.

Amen to that.

What's the theme for July....

If you're lost for motivation this month but still want to craft, jump on board for this months design challenge and see what you come up with.

1: Angus the handknit scottie by: Lulahoops
2: Violet e-pattern by: Bit of whimsyprims
3: Victorian lady bunny by: The runny bunny

The theme for July is no: 21

'Our furry friends'

1: Planes, trains and automobiles

2: Turning Japanese
3: Weird science
4: Birds of fancy
5: Music and dance
6:Graffiti
7:Wild west
8: Fantastic Flora
9: food, glorius food................. (why didn't I think of that!)
10: Seeing circles
11: It's hip to be a square. (imagine the interpretations...cubism art, square shaped teddy bears, the 1950's dag)
12: Steam punk
13: Technological14: European travels15: The great vacation
16:I see red, I see red, I see red....(or whatever color we choose this month)
more...
17: Space....the final frontier.
18: Circus
19:Romance
20:The animal kingdom
21:Our furry friends
22:Disco
23:Outer space
24:Rumba
25:Bubblegum
26: Australiana
27: Indigenous Australia

You can sketch a koala, craft a cat, quilt a puppy or bead a rabbit!
The choice is yours, and of course every one is welcome to join in.

If the theme this month doesn't tickle your fancy or you've just got to much goin' on...don't fret. The challenges are just a place for you to visit once in a while if you need a little distraction.
Make sure you send me pics of your completed projects, so I can share them with everyone.

Speaking of sharing, here's a completed challenge piece for the 'Indigenous Australia' theme. This was done by 'handmade happiness' a challenger from abroad. Pop over and say hi'.

Nothing to show you for July yet,which I'm sorta happy about. It means every one's got there mojo on and are full swing in their own lives, creating, crafting and living.

I plan to do something for the outer space theme a little later though, cause it's such a fun theme to explore, maybe when the school holidays are over.

Till next time...craft on!
Jay xx

Gettin' in to the groove again...

I'm getting quicker.... I think! At the whole have an idea, cut it out then make it, thing.
It's funny how when you sit down to sew after a spell you've sort of need to get you're groove on again. But once you do, you get into the flow and there's no stoppin yah.

Today I finished my flamingo skirts and matching tops ready for the shop tomorrow. They turned out so nice.
I decided to ditch the guipure trim and just go with a twin stitch in the white. Makes it not so dressy...a bit more of a wear any wear outfit.

I was soooo tempted to add red or teal buttons on the top cause it was coming across all a bit too conservative, but I'm glad I didn't cause now the splash of color can be the customers choice.
One could wear it with a striking red coat, a funky teal cardi or chunky green beads.
I like that idea.

It's my favourite Finki ensemble so far.
Yay!

Sail away....

Not one to be miserable about the rain and cold outside, I've taken advantage of the need to be indoors by putting pedal to the metal and sewing up a whole new batch of goodies for the shop....

My latest screen printed skirt... Sail away ships.

Red, Black and white....my favourites.

New boat neck tees' to co-ordinate with the latest skirts

and restock of denim and black peekaboo vests.

It's taken me ages to sew all the key pieces, just to complete two whole outfits.

But the hard work has paid off, cause I can stand back and look at them all on a rack and be really proud of how they go together so well to create some really funky plus size gear.

Modelled here with a cool scarf made by MIM at Olive Grove.

Next on the cutting board are some fabulous flamingo's....

A new screen printed skirt that's a hipster a-line, knee length design.

I've taken my size range in ever so slightly, so it's a better fit and I've reduced the flare in these ones so they aren't as flappy on the girls with less hips....
I screened a fresh white print on a heavy weight stretch black cotton and I'll probably team it with this geometric guipure trim.

There's a matching black/white stripe tee I'm making up to go with it too. Yay!

whrrrr......cut....cut...brrrrr....back to work!

This is the end.......

The end of markets for me.

It's been a blast. Almost 2 years on the scene, but the time has come to say goodbye.
I have loved meeting new friends, discovering great new talent, having many opportunities come my way that I would have never have had happen if it weren't for doing craft markets. But....
I have hated the late nights, the early mornings and the long days.Most of all, I have hated having to depend so much on family and friends to take care of my kids so I could hang all my hopes on a wing and a prayer that I'd be bringing home the bacon.

Fortunately I did, and I'm forever grateful that I had the opportunity to get myself out there and grow as a crafter. My time marketing has been invaluable and if you have the fantastic network of peeps that I have had to make this all possible I highly recommend that everyone starts there career at markets.There is no quicker or more affordable way to evolve in what you do, to ready yourself for the next step.
Lucky for me I have taken the next step and entered the retail world with Finki. I'm lovin it. Every day is a challenge and I'm always thinking of the next ten things I wanna do. It's full on. Which is another reason I have to give up markets.
There is just not enough hours in the day to fulfill all my commitments. I'm usually the queen of over committing. Writing and re writing lists, prioritizing and reprioritizing my life.

But this time, something had to give.So for the last time ever, I have a market stall this Saturday .

Sisters Market
Brunswick town hall
Sydney rd, Brunswick
10 -4pm.

I'd love for you to come along and say hi and goodbye...

I'll have:

All new glass pendants adorned with 100% finki designs...no more scrapbook papers here!Lots of new story book baskets, pen holders and bill books.

Fabulous new colors in birds and bobbies.

A whole new range of tea towel and retro fabric stools.

and lastly but not leastly check out my new threads down at the shop. My first screen printed skirt......

and 'lovely leggings. All in sizes 12 -20.

I won't be bringing the clothes to the market. It's not the best place to be trying on stuff and they have no eftpos, but they'll all be down at the shop 'Olive Grove' 159 Sydney rd, Brunswick. Which is only 2 blocks down the road and does have fitting rooms and eftpos.

Hope you can make it for a sticky beak.
Jay xx

The design theme for June.....

Time to pick a new theme for the monthly design challenge.
If you haven't joined in yet, it's never too late. Every is welcome and all you have to do is be inspired by the theme, interpret it your own in any crafty genre and share your pics with me, so all can see.

Without further ado....lets random select away...
The number for June is:

Number 23
Which is........................

1: Planes, trains and automobiles
2: Turning Japanese
3: Weird science
4: Birds of fancy
5: Music and dance
6:Graffiti
7:Wild west
8: Fantastic Flora
9: food, glorius food................. (why didn't I think of that!)
10: Seeing circles
11: It's hip to be a square. (imagine the interpretations...cubism art, square shaped teddy bears, the 1950's dag)
12: Steam punk
13: Technological14: European travels
15: The great vacation
16:I see red, I see red, I see red....(or whatever color we choose this month)
more...
17: Space....the final frontier.
18: Circus
19:Romance
20:The animal kingdom
21:Our furry friends
22:Disco
23:Outer space
24:Rumba
25:Bubblegum
26: Australiana
27: Indigenous Australia

Ooooohhh the possibilities, cowboys in space, rocketship teddies, celestial earrings.

Retro rocket onesie by: retro bub

The only limits are you imagination.
Have fun.
Jay xx

Another month over.....

Well it has come to the end of Autumn and the end of another monthly design challenge.

My piece inspired by the Indigenous Australia theme is still a work in progress, so I'll be back soon with photos of the end result.
I decided my little shadow box of dolls from around the country did not have Australia represented, so my months craft is in the shape of an indigenous Australian doll....a finished piece to come soon, I promise.

Luckily for me, other crafters out there are more organized with there time and were able to come up some great results for this months challenge.

Sarah- jo from Ideyspidey whipped up this fabulous mamu tunic and dilly bag for her little one using a pretty piece of Indigenous fabric aptly named dancing flowers.

Nina Lise of Mrs. moen the not so secret life of a quilter, has put on her thinking cap, done a bit of research (cause she's not Australian or in Australia) and come up with this fab fish quilt....what a star.

The text translates as “There is hope in a hanging (fishing) line”.

Sue over at Diva jools has also done wonders interpreting the theme and come up with this fabulous necklace.


Sue always puts so much thought into the process involved in making each piece, so I thought I'd share it with you to.

"The sheild is made from copper that has been bashed about and heavily patinaed . To that I have added a piece of ceramic - that was once a vase until it met its fate under my trusty hammer! I have shaped and drilled it then topped it with a wooden disc and bead that has been riveted together. I decided to hang that from a bit of twig I found on a walk during my last holiday away and I wrapped the whole lot with copper wires that have been heated and treated! The pendant has been strung on a necklace that is made up of seeds, ceramic discs and fish bones. The most interesting part of the whole necklace is the seeds. They are called ininti seeds. These are seeds from the bat’s wing coral tree (grey corkwood,Erythrina vespertilio ), which grows in the Northern Territory of Australia. They are prepared by burning a hole through the centre - usually with a hot piece of wire but in earlier times the Aboriginal peoples used a stick to burn the hole. I find them very beautiful - imagine how much patience is needed to make a hole in them?! I was aiming for a necklace that had an outback feel with a modern look"

Thanks to everyone who joined in and don't forget if yours is still a W.I.P like mine, keep going and show me when you're done.

One last pic to show you.

Karen over at House of Wilson has finished a piece inspired by the April theme "music and dance"

She has made this funky cushion for her expecting friend to help her get comfy at night. She happens to be a music teacher but not to leave out the expecting father, she has used a backing fabric of dragons that he would love too.

Back later to select the new theme for June.

What's been keeping me so busy.......

I've been so crazy busy lately, that I have sadly neglected updating you all about the interesting things happening in Finki land.

We've officially moved in and unpacked every last box.

Finally got the Internet back up and running.

Started renting a new studio at Olive Grove so I could reclaim the dining room as a place that one might have friends over to eat in.....

and most exciting of all, with the help of little sis ........'Finki' has spread it's wings in to the world of fashion and started making clothes....

Not just any clothes.

Funky, spunky, retro and bright delights, strictly for the plus size gal.

Why plus size? Well to state the obvious ( but some of you, may not have met me) I'm a plus size gal.

I have been a size 20 for as long as I can remember. So rather than fight the continual fight of one day being skinny, I decided to make all the clothes I've ever wanted to wear, but haven't been able to as the mainstream fashion world stops at size 16.

The Finki fashion label goes from size 12- 20, but it is a plus size 12-20. So think more like the sizing you would find at My Size, City Chic or Autograph....not Supre' and the likes....

So far we have a funky knee length A-line skirts, that..... get this......sit on your hips, not all the way up to your ribs!

Then there's the most flattering top/vest you'll ever wear. It covers the fadubadahs, the love handles and all, whilst having a shaped body and peeka boo back. So it's sensible and sassy all at once. Perfect for layering with a bright 3/4 body tee in winter or singlet in summer.

Also on the rack is our first pinnie.
Who could resist, spots, ric rac and big red buttons.

Everything pictured is available in store now at 'Olive Grove studios' 159 Sydney rd, Brunswick, Vic.

Next on the cutting table is some body tee's, cardi's and dresses.....

Not to mention my first screen is good to go, so I'll have some screen printed clothes with 100% original Finki designs coming up real soon.

So, so exciting.

I'm just loving it all and my wardrobe is excited to see some color at last.....

I'll be back soon, to update you more on the house, the studio and life in general.

Jayxx

Mays design challenge..........

Aussie, Aussie, Aussie.........oi, oi, oi.
Lds and gentlemen, grab your souvenir tea towels, whip out your nations pride, get the didgeridoo fired up and pop the billy on to boil cause the design theme for May is no: 27.......1: Planes, trains and automobiles
2: Turning Japanese
3: Weird science
4: Birds of fancy
5: Music and dance
6:Graffiti7:Wild west
8: Fantastic Flora
9: food, glorious food................. (why didn't I think of that!)
10: Seeing circles
11: It's hip to be a square. (imagine the interpretations...cubism art, square shaped teddy bears, the 1950's dag)
12: Steam punk
13: Technological
14: European travels15: The great vacation
16:I see red, I see red, I see red....(or whatever color we choose this month)
more...
17: Space....the final frontier.
18: Circus
19:Romance
20:The animal kingdom
21:Our furry friends
22:Disco
23:Outer space
24:Rumba
25:Bubblegum
26: Australiana
27: Indigenous Australia

What could you explore for this one well, firstly a definition.
Indigenous: Originating and living or occurring naturally in an area or environment.
So....we haven't specified people, place, mineral, animal or plant for this, just that it be something that originated or occurs naturally in Australia, so you may choose to celebrate the people, the songs, the dream time or represent the flora, fauna and wildlife. Choice is yours.

I can think of a few fab tea towels I have that would make great stools, or pillows but that wouldn't be stretching myself at all. Been there, done that. So I'll be doing a little research on this one to come up with something more challenging.
Don't forget, the rules are pretty loose.....just be inspired by each theme and create whatever your heart desires. Jewellery, art, clothes, sculpture, photography or even a meal......if it's your original design from your two hands, then it definitely meets the challenge.

If you haven't joined in on the 'monthly design challenge' before, of course you are welcome to start now. This is not a yearly challenge. Just a monthly one. So if Feb inspired you, but March didn't that's quite alright by me. Just jump on board when the goings good and when you finish your project make sure to send me a link to your blog post or pics so I can show n' tell your work on here for all the other challengers to see.

For some inspiration this month check these out:

Rainbow serpent by: Maiawalli Art

Kanga love print by: Crowbiz
Australian map paper bird by : Cotton bird designs
Budgie crotchet pattern by: Crotchetroo
wildflowers zip pouch by: Paisley pathways
Kakadu soap w' native essential oils by: Inner Earth Soaps
Australian wildflower greeting cards by: Kathryn Jewkes
Screen printed Kookaburra bag by :Mim
Nerys ceramic necklace by :Hannahfaerie

I feel like dancin'........

This months music and dance theme for the design challenge seemingly presented as an easy one, but alas........ I have once again failed to meet the deadline.

Seems I'm reverting back to my old school habits of taking on project after project and having 10 on the go....but none of them completed to be handed in.
So I promise to play catch up and share them as I finish and really I'm just proving to all who have yet to take part, that I really truly mean it when I say.....These design themes are to inspire you and maybe lead you in a direction you may have not explored. So if you find inspiration and finish a little something, whether it be within the month or months later, please still share it with us.
Motivation and inspiration has this wonderful snowball effect and even if you think your collage, craft or design is not dynamic and mind blowing enough to share...I bet...... I absolutely bet that you have not given yourself enough credit for what your hands can produce.

Just knowing others are out there finding inspiration each month definitely challenges me to keep my mojo going and even though life has been so hectic of late, your emails remind me to see ones own crafty goodness in everything you do.

I love that.

I love that everyone has there own flavour added to each theme and end up creating such different things.
So without further ado here are some more inspiring works for this month 'music and dance' theme and some new additions for previous months design themes:

Isis over at Isis made took some brilliant photo's of circley type shapes around the house to fulfill the challenge for February's seeing circles challenge.
(I've just thrown them all together in a collage here, so pop on over to her blog to see the real deal)

The talented Betty Jo over at Lino Forest whipped up this nordic looking windmill brooch for the March 'European Travels' design theme.

Laura from Lily and me made these cute skirts as gifts for the party goers at her daughters 4th birthday instead of giving out lolly bags....what a great idea.
This fit's in perfect with the April design theme 'music and dance' as those little girls sure did dance to loud music thanks to Laura's crafty genius.



Nina lise over at Mrs.Moen has captured pure elegance and grace in this beautiful quilt. Choosing Swan Lake as her motivation for this months 'music and dance theme'.

and mini Idey Spidey here, is modelling her new ballet wrap made by the creator of cute......Sarah-Jo over at Idey spidey.

Thanks so much for joining in Ladies. Keep emailing me pics or links to your blogposts of your great creations for each months challenge so I can share them with everyone.

Back later today to draw this months new theme.
Jay xx