Friday, July 23, 2010

Lots of newbies instore....

At work we end up only having to do a shift in the shop every 9 days or so.

It's easy to think of the time in between as a holiday, where I could lounge all day sipping chai and baking cakes.
Alas....that would not bring home the bacon and that would bore me, no end....so the time between shifts is all go. At present I am quite enjoying the fashion designer thing. I'm definitely filling up my wardrobe and it seems that there are a few lovely ladies out there who are enjoying it too.
For each sale I make, I'm right back out there in another fabric store buying up for the next best thing.
It's becoming quite an addiction. Buy, make, sell, buy...make...buy...make...ok so the equation there is a bit wrong, but very me.
I always spend more then I make.....did i mention I'm a shopaholic!

Anyways, enough with the jibber jabber.
Let me show you what I made this week.

Firstly my new tunic.
Made up in an amazing vintage inspired jersey print.

I adore a cowl neck, but find as a bigger girl that they make me look bigger....sooo I put pen to paper and drafted the perfect cowl neck for people like me. It's quite an open neckline, fitted through the body and flared at the hip.


It can be worn as a dress for those gals with fabulous legs, or it can be worn over pants....


You could layer it over your fave body tee for warmth....

and spunk it up even more with a vest or wrap cardi.
(modeled here with beautiful jeans by Starashan and a fab vest by Ena designs, our newest member at the shop)

I'm wrapt with the way the pattern turned out, so I'll be making this a 'Finki' staple and will have new colors to show you soon.

Next I went with warmth and some winter hues.
I'm trying my hardest to not have a range that depends on black or dark colors at all, but I couldn't resist the rich autumn hues in this beautiful wool blend.

I contemplated just making one for me, as I've always wanted a skirt like this, but never found one in my size. Then I think, seeing as how I'm cutting one up to make for me, I may as well cut up a few for the shop.

And whats a girl to wear it with! I can't just put a new skirt in with no top to match. so I whipped up a few classic black body tee's with little burgundy/wood grain buttons to complete the outfit.

Lovin it'.

Oh and after much thought and many special requests I have started to make my range from a size 10.
The tops go from a 10 - 20, the tunics start at size 8-10 and go to a 20 and the skirts are still beginning at a 12 till I grade the pattern smaller.

But If you ever see something you like in the shop that's not in your size, just let me know and I'm sure I can whip something up quick smart.

Thursday, July 22, 2010

A special day...

I've had a big circle on my calender all month, waiting for this day to arrive.... cause today....... in a little inner northern cafe, there is one fine lady who has lit a fire in our hearts and invited us to be a part of her journey.
Watching her grow through art, finding herself and learning to take chances, has been inspirational.

There is no other place I'd rather be tonight than in a room full of her wonderful creations.

If you'd like to be a part of making history for one crafty gal, come celebrate the beginning of this fantastic journey at Cathy Kirwan's first exhibition.
Well known in our bloggy world as Tinniegirl

I always think it's clever to buy art at artists early exhibitions before these talented peeps become uber famous. Something that will only grow in value and more so something that will fill your home with character, style and a little piece of heart.
The info....


See you all tonight...

Monday, July 19, 2010

Something new....

I've been a busy bee working away on a new pattern for my next addition the shop. Something versatile, practical and a little bit fun.

Back soon to introduce the the new 'Finki' tunic.

Thursday, July 15, 2010

Fuzzy wuzzy finger hugz...

Finally finished my new felt rings.

They are luck a big ol' fuzzy hug for your finger. So warm and squishy to wear.

I made a lot of the clay buttons that adorn them ......

and used the odd vintage button too, just for fun.

Popped them in the shop yesterday, with all my clay creations.

Now back to the machines to work on some new tunics, in lots of exciting prints......

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Clay finale'

The last pieces for my clay range are these fab little studs.

I hadn't quite finished painting them yesterday to show ye'all, but they are all done and dusted and delivered in to the shop today.

They were created by making impressions into the clay, then painting them in a slightly darker shade to show up the relief. Quite simple and elegant, but colorful and fun too.

Lovin' them...

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

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.

Thursday, July 8, 2010

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.

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

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