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

It's a wrap....

A wrap around obi belt that is......

Some more Japanese inspired craft for this months design challenge, this time from the lovely Isis over at Isis Made.

She has taken this gorgeous fabric found in her stash and whipped up a smashing little obi...

Just adore the fabric.

If you've been inspired to make something for this months theme, but feel you won't have it done by end of Jan...fear not....no one will fail by not meeting the deadline....carry on crafting and send me your pics when done.

Feb will just mark the beginning of the new theme...not the ending of the old one.
Jay xx

The Ethical clothing challenge...................

Inspired by Jennie's commitment to the ethical clothing challenge, I have decided it's high time I put a little 'E' for effort into the choices I make with how I dress.

Of course there are the usual choices to be made when buying clothes, like can I afford it, does it fit, will I get the wear out of it....

But I have never included thoughts like, is it ethical, fair trade, handmade or organic.

Having spent over a year doing markets, I'm confident to say that I can buy handmade accessories and home wares to fill my home. (and I do...)
But....I cannot say the same about clothes. Sure there are clothes makers out there, but not for plus size. So as much as I'd like to support handmade in the clothes department, I haven't been able to find many, that do a size 20.

Seems as though I might have to be the one who does the making. Which is o.k Just makes me all the more determined to get a clothing range happening for us bigger girls that is hand made local and fabulous.

Of course that's just a pipe dream ...... one day.

For now, I can indeed follow a few rules pertaining to the ethical clothing pledge to get myself sorted for a year of ethical fashion.

So, created by Isis over at Isis Made, is the Ethical clothing pledge.
I plan to follow the pledge for at least a year. If all goes well...it may continue on.

The basic rules are:

I pledge to only wear clothing that is one or more of the following:
1. Pre-loved
2. Handmade (preferably by me)
3. Reconstructed
4. Made with ethical / environmentally friendly materials
5. Made by a company with strong ethical policy & workers' rights

To add to the challenge, I'm going to try my bestest to make colored clothes...GASP! (mum will be so proud!)
I have just ended up a job with a plus size company that whilst fabulous in design, have filled my wardrobe with black, black and more black clothing. Whilst classic and timeless indeed, I do crave the bohemian and Moroccan prints i see and adore Amy Butler and Joel Dewberry fabrics.

So I will also pledge to fill my wardrobe with color....

My concern like many when taking this challenge is what to do about undies. Lucky Isis has got that one figured out too.
Firstly a few ethical makers who do under wear and a great tutorial on making your own. Very funky indeed!

So I'm exciting to become reacquainted with the old sewing machine. It will help fulfill my 2010 resolution to make more time to sew for me and will also start the process of teaching me to take the time and think a bit more about the choices I make when shopping.

Oh, oh, oh....I almost forgot.
I already made my first non black thing today.

It's hot hot hot in Melbourne today and I just wanted something colorful, light weight, and summery to wear. So instead of rushing to the shops for a quick fix I turned to my fabric stash and made a new top with some batik I had.

Not a great photo, but I had to document the beginning of a great pledge.

I'll be back tomorrow to draw the first theme for my monthly design challenge, so don't forget to send through any ideas that you'd like to be included.