Have you been to Healesville lately? Not only can you pick up some fab local produce but there are two fantastic micro-breweries up there........White Rabbit and Giant Steps offering great food, music and beer
And it's not far from Healesville Sanctuary
Sharon
It's some time since I posted my latest Creative Space, but today I have something to share. You can see my pincushion and felted christmas card I made into a needle book.
I am making Cherry Blossoms and Maple Leaf Handstitched Treasures and have decided to make them in a Christmas fabric, Thats the japanese cotton in the foreground.
For more wonderful spaces check out Kirsty
Sharon
The CAE have launched their Urban Summer programme. Lots to do from Book Binding, Screen Printing and Photography courses plus lots of patternmaking and sewing classes;
Check it out, there are some summer schools too
Sharon
I have been checking out BurdaStyle's free patterns
I had chosen the skirt pattern Kaisa. It's one of Nikkishell's favourite, she's made 3. I found it very easy to download and piece together and used the multi-size options to make it for the right size. But then once I started following the pattern instructions my joy turned to disappointment. I had to re-read and then read again to understand the instructions. The instructions were all written with the tinniest of visuals to try and understand. The hardest part was the piecing together of the yoke and facings. At one point I wished I had bought a pattern and not gone for the free option - you know what they say "you only get what you pay for". I took it to the BurdaStyle Club that I go to at Tessuti and the girls urged me to keep on going.
So I have perservered and worked on it slowly so I dont make any mistakes. So I am showing you work in progress. I have basted the side seams ready for a fitting on my neice before I can go any further. I have put in a trouser zip and the outer panel which has been lined with Japanese cotton will have 6 buttonholes. This panel will make the pockets and you can see the side yokes in the same Japanese cotton.
So to be done are the facings on the waistband/yolk, then the buttonholes and heming. Phew. Now that I have made it once it would be alot easier but don't think I would recommend this, however it does look very good in the flesh so I am looking forward to doing the fitting and seeing what my neice thinks. Stay tuned
Sharon
I celebrated a special birthday of one of my BF's on the weekend. We have known each other over 30 years and even though I have travelled far and wide we have kept the friendship going. I made her a silver freshwater pearl bracelet and popped it in a Cherry Blossom. She loved it.
The table was set
Flowers for the occasion - Water Lillies and Lillies
and the menu included my favourite Raspberry, Ricotta and Almond Tart
Delicious
Sharon
I know it feels more like Summer at the moment but today I did a wonderful class at Kimono House to make this beautiful Cherry Blossom Handstitched Spring Treasure............I wonder what treasure I will keep in it?
And these other treasures are now on my list..........perfect to hold a small gift or maybe some jewellery. I am thinking of putting some lavendar in mine and keeping it with my lingerie.
Have a great weekend and enjoy the milder weather
Sharon
At last I have finished my first baby quilt. Soon to be on its way to London for my nephew's baby. A Koka square in the middle, backed with an orange fabric and acqua binding and hand quilted with an orange Perle 8 thread.
I downloaded this Speedy Baby Quilt pattern from Quilttaffy
Sharon
There are some wonderful November markets happening and I am keen to get some early present buying done.
The wonderful Matilda's Market is on Sunday Nov 22nd at Hawthorn Town Hall. This Saturday the 14th sees Craft Hatch at the City library and the Maribyrnong Makers Market in Seddon.
Enjoy the hot weather. I am off to a very crafty afternoon with Tinniegirl
Sharon
I bought this beautiful Italian cotton fabric from Tessuti with plans to make a skirt. I haven't found a pattern yet, but I am looking around.
Any pattern suggestions gratefully accepted
Sharon
Although not alot of crafting going on in my space I have had some time to restring some beads I was given.
Black seed beads, amber, glass and pearls threaded with a sterling silver clasp. A long opera length allowing me to double up or use as a single strand. Great for summer
Sharon
