Crafty Projects No 1 Headbands

Katherine is desperate to learn to sew and wants to hang out in my studio so I have been looking for simple projects we can work on together. She's too little to actually use a sewing machine but she likes sitting on my knee and watching me sew!

First up for 2010 is a head scarf from the Lena Jansdotter "Simple Sewing for Baby" book. I got some great fabric in the form of two pairs of curtains in a local charity shop a while back. One pair has been turned through 180 degrees and new header tape attached to fit Katherine's room. (thanks mum!).

The other was too faded to use as curtains so I cut this up to make some headbands. The pattern is very simple and is either for a dribbler bib thing or a girl's headband. I did though have to cut Katherine's pattern again as the pattern in the book is definitely toddler sized. Or maybe my daughter has an extra large head?

We put Sarah's on her head and she seemed quite happy with it. I think though when I make more dribblers I will use some velcro rather than tying it around her neck. Faster on and off then!

Gorillas in the mist

Took the little lady to london zoo as an easter treat and it rained all day! Some of the animal didn't seem to mind including the meerkats who had a tiny baby with them.

The Gorillas though contune to depress me everytime I see them. Despite the 'no flash photography' and 'don't bang the glass' signs people - adults and children just rush up to the glass, bang on it, shout and take photos with a bright flash!

I find it very sad. The male gorilla died before christmas and I think the females are really missing him. Or am I just projecting human values onto them? I don't know.

I'm not sure these beautiful creatures are really suitable for a zoo to be gawped at. It's no wonder they don't breed.

There's a series of gorilla portraits on one of the walls in the visitor bit and they all look so different. Most were rescued as babies and have suffered trauma after their parents were killed for bushmeat or for their hands.

I sadly think that by the time the little lady has grown up there will only be gorillas and many other animals left in zoo and not in the wild where they belong.

It's very sad.

Bloggers Block?

Is there such a thing?

I certainly haven't had the inclination to write anything for a long time! I've found online selling so time consuming too. Why do etsy, folksy, MISI, Trunkt etc all require different photo sizes, file sizes etc etc etc! It's driven me mad.

However I am much more motivated now after an online break where I have been concentrating on new designs and just doing some sewing projects for the hell of it!

On the home front too there will be a new littlechook arriving early June and I must say the first and second trimesters were pretty hard going with constant morning, noon and night sickness.

My little lady is very excited at the thought of having a baby sister. When my sister was born I used to try to sell her outside our local shop while my mum was shopping. Hope history doesn't repeat itself but then times have changed and there's no leaving the little 'uns outside now while you shop!

Hello Battenberg

The lovely hello battenburg was at the East London Craft Guerilla on Saturday and she has got the most gorgeous collection of handmade toys, badges, baby pixie hats and bib/burp sets. She uses vintage fabrics and simple shapes to make really beautiful things. www.hellobattenberg.etsy.com

I love the birdy with its button eyes and so does the little lady. I also love her pixie style hats and I need to measure the little lady's head so I can do a custom order. It's always dangerous when I've got a wee bit of money in my paypal account!

Another etsy sale today to Australia! I sometimes wonder if my mum distributed some flyers or business cards before they left Melbourne....

Craft Friendly Southern Illinois

I was featured on Kat Eyez blog yesterday! http://craftfriendlyso-il.blogspot.com/ She found me on flickr and featured my tea towels, vintage fabric cushions and cards and used the pictures from the Brixton Craft Market on her blog.

I had a look at her lovely blog and flickr pics and found that she is pretty crafty herself and produces lovely applique work on baby clothes, baby booties, bags, coasters etc etc. This is one busy lady! Her items are beautiful and she chooses some fantastic fabrics to work with.

I love the way the internet connects all us crafters, artists and designers.

Stylish T Shirts for curvy girls

Thankfully the heat press is fully functioning so I cracked on with making a couple of baby tees today. The organic cotton tshirts worked really well and they feel so lovely and soft.

I also noticed a while back on the etsy forums that lots of etsy ladies were saying how they couldn't find any tshirts to fit them. They were looking for the type of cool, funky prints that many etsy sellers have in their shops but they weren't keen on the usual American Apparel fit. Presonally I find AA really teeny tiny even the XL size! The cut is not particularily generous for a proper bosom....

So I've been trying to source wholesale 'plus size' (I hate that term) tshirts but it's been really hard to find anything half decent. I have been shocked though at the negativity towards so called 'larger' (e.g. normal!) sizes even from companies selling plus size clothing. ("our cuddlier customers" as one put it).

So I'm trying to create something stylish, fun and beautiful for us curvy girls. I used some flock shapes today as I think the deer and birds work well and I just love stars!