Printing...

On the print table today...

Jay x

It's not a scarf...

So today, I roused up some yarn I had lying around the house, grabbed the nearest crochet stick and committed to making something that was not a scarf.

Perfect time to start a challenge, what with being 11 degrees and pouring outside.
I headed to the newly joined, Ravelry site and searched beginners beanie.

It's a size 2-3 and I mostly followed the pattern except for adding a few rows of double crochet, which occurred purely out of my wish to get it done quicker.

 Although I quite like the effect.

I tried the finished hat on Mstr.Finn and found it to be to high in the crown, but then thought it was probably more about it being a bit tight and not big enough to pull down any further to fill the crown, hence my decision that it's a size 2-3.

Knowing it didn't quite fit my little one, I decided to add a flower and make it for a little girl instead.

I'm quite happy with my first attempt at crocheting something that was not a scarf, but will try to find a beanie that is more shaped on top rather then a square pulled in.

Tomorrow's mission.
Jay x

Something about this weather...

There is just something about this weather that makes we want be snug as a bug

 under a rug on the couch, knitting.

Image via here

Knitting or crocheting. 

I tend to be o.k at scarves or granny squares, but have never attempted clothing. 

So this winter, muchly inspired by Jennie's awesome efforts as a beginner, 

I think I shall challenge myself to knit a cardi and a beanie. 

Image and pattern via here

Of course it will be for someone represented in the infant category, or possibly a dolly...

have to realistic about my skills and patience on that one. 

The smaller the better.

Wish me luck.

Jay xx

Grand sale...

Big crafty sale happening down at the Grove tomorrow.

I've managed to hit the fabric shelves and have a BIG clean-out. So sad to see some go, but it has to be done. 

My home will breathe a sigh of relief for having a bit more free space.

I managed to rustle up...

Little pieces perfect for applique or fabric buttons,

Bigger pieces and by the meter for garments and bigger projects...

Test screen prints, great for applique' ...

 

and boxes a plenty of fabric. Vintage, jersey, craft and more...

Sale is one day only, including fabric from Polly Pratt, Starashan and the other designers down at Olive Grove too. So do pop down and grab yourself a bargain.

Jay xx

 

My boyfriends back....

Hey now, hey now...

After a week and a half of solo parenting,

 my man has returned from a trip with his mum,

 to gloriously warm Bali.

Twas his first overseas trip so he was mighty pleased to be having a break away

 from our cold winter for a little while.

After the initial shock of realizing that I had to get out of my pajamas each day to make sure the kids got where they needed to before the bell, we settled into some sort of routine. I learnt I could deal with spiders, change the light bulbs, take the rubbish out, dress and feed the children too.

All the single mumma's ...hats off to you. It's hard yakka doing it all on your own.

He had a delightful time away and managed to fill two memory cards with photo's. 

So nice to see him reignite his passion with photography. 

Of course it would seem the obligatory snap of man in skirt was had...

 along with many...

 many......

 and even more...

 pics of the wildlife.

I was just so glad to have him back. 

 Although the food lasted longer and the house stayed cleaner...hmmm 

 Nah 13 plus years together, I think it must be love!

Jay xx

Know someone crafty ...

Know someone crafty or are you a maker yourself? 

We are now taking expressions of interest from our handmade community, 

to sell your goodies at the shop I am a part of, Olive Grove Studios. 

'Open space rental' is a new incentive we have created to promote local artist/designers whereby you rent a space to display your goods in store. No working behind the counter or boring meetings, just a new home for your wares.  A perfect arrangement for those of you possibly to far away to work shifts, or who work a day job and craft by night.

Prices are comparable or less then having a market stall and for that your goodies are on display 7 days a week in our Fab little shop on a bustling Melbourne shopping strip.

For more info just drop us a line at olivegrovestudios@gmail.com

Jay xx

Gettin' stitchy with it ...

The weekend saw us visiting our new 'Masters' store for a family fun day. Now we don't usually visit hardware stores for family fun, no...
A member of our family works there and before their official opening, they had a little silent opening just for family and friends to have a sticky beak.
It's huge and clean and orderly and will definitely give OTHER big hardware stores in the area some major competition. The lighting dept, ornamental garden area and wallpaper section were all very exciting to my crafty heart.

But this isn't an advertisement for the new hardware store on the block, 

rather a beginning to how this triptych of hearts came to be.

The course I'm doing called for us to bring an element of a place that helps us dream... into our home. Having quite a small home, that is overly cluttered with the products of my craft addiction i wasn't entirely sure where I could fit an ocean! Calm water, expanse of sand, nothing but nature...

So I parked the idea and figured something would present itself soon enough. And sure enough whilst shopping on family fun day...Go Masters...I found this set of 3 canvas prints. Ocean, sand, pebbles, hearts. Depicts all the things I wanted it to. My only hesitation was the lack of color. So I decided to add a splash of red by stitching a few elements on each canvas.

Now when I look at them I sense wide open spaces,

 my feet in the sand and my heart in craft.

 A little corner to dream in.

Perfect.

Jay. x

Things that make you smile ...

I'm doing a fun little e-course at present and today's mission was

 to go for a walk and take pics of things that make you smile.

Thought I'd share them with you too.

Making wishes...

Holding hands...

Hearts in nature...

 

Plant devouring house ...

 

Natures confetti ...

Our Broccoli doin' the right thing in the veggie patch

 by growing up big and strong.

Guess there is lots of things to smile about, when you go looking for them.

Jay xx

A little ray of sunshine...

A little ray of sunshine has entered my world in the way of some amazing new art for my bedroom.

This adorable custom piece was made by none other,

 then the lovely Cathy aka Tinniegirl.

It was delivered last week to my messy, disorganized and somewhat chaotic home and I just couldn't bare to put it up amidst the shambles. So it was perched upon a chair and waited so patiently for the perfect time to find a home.

In its waiting place was a big old petition. A Gothic/religious piece, very dark and ominous.
Not at all the sort of look I try to create these days, more a relic of the past.
So I was happy to move it on, which paved the way for my new artwork to bring life back into the room.

 Once the painting was up, I dug out my lanterns that were tucked away, waiting for a place to go. They were a present from kizzy that I got over a year ago and hadn't made time to hang yet. Together, they really change the space. I don't know if a painting can change the size of a room, but I'm sure it is bigger now.
More then anything, I think its about having something so bright and fun and freeing in my room that makes it feel bigger.

Each time I walk in I can't help but smile 

and each time I look at the painting I see something new.

It has such depth, joy and good energy and is such a perfect pick of colors, shapes and words to represent me. How lucky am I to know such a talented artist who was able to take a blank canvas, think what I might like on it and create something so spot on.

Gosh I loves it and how it has transformed my bedroom.
Cathy ... you is amazing xx.

Jay x

A little bit of magic...

A little out of my element, o.k 'A LOT'...
but spurred on by the amazing gardens up at my Mums,
we decided to spend these school holidays doing something a little different.

It started with some seedlings,

And a little help from some friends,

A good sprinkle of magic here and there...

and the necessary fire pit for toasting marshmallows.

A bit of paving beside the cubby for the cars to park,


Top of the list those ones were ...

and there you have it.

Our remodeled back yard

complete with veggie patches

that might even grow something we could eat one day!

Jay xx

Still here....

Has been a while, I know. But I is still makin' stuff,

New art canvas's

still hanging with the family,Little one turned 4 and big one started high school.

and majorly dealing with my health after an annoying little diagnosis of C.F.S and I.B.S shaking my world and making me focus on a life without my few true loves. Wheat, dairy and sugar...
Wish me luck, cause it aint gunna be easy to say goodbye to those babies.

A fun little painting I did while hanging' with the kids one weekend.

I'm sick of being sick and tired all the time, so something had to give and the idea of going a day without ending in sheer exhaustion or pain is an idea that makes it worthwhile.

Will keep you posted on my progress and know that any and all advice is welcome.
Very early days for me and somewhat drowning a little in the thought of how to tackle changing my 37 years of daily bread eating habits...
Jay xx