snowflakes in summer

Well it's almost December and I thought I'd finally use some of my stiffened doilies to make another Christmas decoration. 

They kind of remind me of snowflakes and I'm keen to do a wreath with them.  I do think the white theme is very stylish, but unfortunately with three children there is no chance of stylish for some time.

Coupons

The best things by far that I've helped create are my kids and I don't like getting too cutsie-pie but I thought I'd share these funny little 'coupons' my daughter gave me yesterday.

The one in the middle is supposed to be a massage.  I would also like to see coupons for 'one free hang up your towel', or 'one free pack away my toys' as well.  Can you think of any you'd like to receive?

Plenty of Space.

Wedding anniversaries, relatives over from England, moving into a new home, getting back from holidays, about to go on holidays.  Well it was a quieter night last night and these are some of the reasons, but it was still soooo nice to get away ourselves, even if it was only for two hours.

We still had a very productive night.  Even Wendy came along with her newly broken foot!

Fiona finally got to print her striking 'leaf' and her art deco inspired designs.

For someone who hasn't done lino printing since about 1984??? WOW. They were pretty perfect.

James came along to enjoy the food, and tell us about the Newcastle Art Bazaar where you will get to see the handmade jewellery by his partner,

Clare Weeks.

Caree had a very productive night.  She worked on an owl softie, carved out two linos, then printed them both onto a t-shirt, and worked on her Christmas decorations.  I wish I had taken a photo of her t-shirt printing because it looked great.

I managed to do a bit more hemming of my tea towels on the sewing machine (yes, we even bring along a sewing machine!).

So another enjoyable night, and the best part is sharing what you're doing with others - and solving the problems of the world.

Brown Owls at Nords Wharf

Have you checked out what other Brown Owls are doing?  Skip over and have a look at all of the other amazing folk out there getting together and making. You'll even be able to see what we've been doing at the Nords Wharf chapter.  Or, you could come along tonight and see for yourself.

Nords Wharf Brown Owls is on tonight at

Nords Wharf Community Hall

Marine Pde, Nords Wharf, 7-9pm. 

All you need to bring is a gold coin donation, but if you'd like to bring your own art and craft, great, if not we have plenty of materials, inspiration & activities to get you going.

Oh, and a cuppa  & slice of course.

tea towels

Who loves washing up!  Yah!  Nope, not me, but I thought I'd like to make some handcrafted tea towels to practice my screenprinting.

First I began with a stencil design I found via Kristen at domestifluff.

Then I bought a nice thick white single bed sheet from my local Salvos store, which I cut up, using an old tea towel as a template.

 And then I screen printed the kitchen utensil design using red ink.

Ta, daaa! 

I varied the amount of times I printed the image on to the tea towels, just to vary it a bit. Some have one set of cutlery, others four.

After a night of drying I then heat set the ink using my iron. 

I then hemmed each side. 

I am going to wash one just to make sure the ink doesn't come off. 

Who knows, perhaps they might make a nice Christmas gift?

And just a reminder . . .

we'd love to see all you arty and crafty

types this coming Tuesday night 23rd November. 

The Nords Wharf Brown Owls meeting is on again. It's from 7-9pm, at Nords Wharf Community Hall. 

Cost is a gold coin donation and we have plenty of materials (& chat) 

to get you started, or byoc.

When you wish upon a star.

Hmmm . . . what if it's a wonky star?

Yes, this one is a little wonky and I thought twice about putting it up here but hey that's what handmade is all about. Also made me think about how we all feel just after Christmas - a little over stuffed and a bit wonky.

I did like the way that it matched the map of Australia in the background. Maybe I should do some Christmas bunting that says 'Oi, Oi, Oi', instead of 'Ho, Ho, Ho'?

Christmas bunting.

It certainly was more like summer weather this weekend. Yesterday I spent the day inside in the airconditioning and decided to make some bunting for the season about to hit us.

I used some vintage materials in shades of greens and reds, sewed them on my old Janome, with the right sides out, gave them a bit of a rough up on the sides to achieve the tattered look, and then used felt for the 'Ho, Ho, Ho.'

Looks like I'm well and truly getting into the spirit of Christmas (I'll update that in a month!).  It is always great to have an occasion to make things for.

Another good night.

Last night was the fourth Brown Owls meeting at the Nords Wharf Community Hall.  We welcomed another new member - Kate and she's started on her creative journey.  So many people say "I'm not very creative . . ." and by the end of the evening they've produced something lovely. 

Caree brought along all of the business cards that she collected from the Everleigh Artisian Markets on Sunday, for inspiration.

Donna lino printed her Babushka (we all love saying that word) on to material, which she is then going to sew together and stuff.

Wendy brought along her amazing quilt which she had just finished.  It was truly beautiful and we all appreciated getting a close look at it.

The rest of us sewed, printed, talked, sewed, had a cuppa and even ate a chocolate macadamia, (or two) that Gaye generously donated.  Yum!

As you can see, not too many chocolates left!

And then a card.

Well, another busy but great weekend. A mix of weather, great to see.  Mine began with my son's 4th birthday on Friday evening, a visit to the RSPCA on Saturday (to look for a dog), nippers on Sunday morning and then off to Bunnings to help out at the preschool fundraising bbq.  I'm amazed at how many people love bbq sauce?

Anyway I still managed to get a little bit done.

After experimenting with the Christmas decorations, I thought I'd try sewing the lino printed bird onto paper that I handmade a few years ago.

I also did this one, just using fabric and the sewing machine. 

I'm hoping to make some more cards like this at the Brown Owls. It's been great to see people becoming excited (yes it's true!) about the Brown Owls and doing projects at home, or asking me what we'll be doing next?  That's exactly what we are hoping to achieve. 

Well, I hope you've had a great weekend too.  Can't wait to Tuesday night (9th November) for the next Brown Owls meeting, 7-9pm, Nords Wharf Hall.  See you there.

Christmas bird.

It's beginning to feel alot like Christmas . . . well not really, but it's creeping up and I thought I'd have a go at making some Christmas decorations.  Not the sequined, styrene foam balls type, but lino printed 'vintage' fabric (or should I say vinnies fabric).

I began with a drawing on lino.

Then I carved out the areas I wanted to stay white.

I then printed onto fabric, sewed two sides together, added a ribbon for hanging, and stuffed it!

  

Might be a nice activity at our next Brown Owls meeting?  A great way to combine printmaking and craft.

Did I mention the Brown Owls?

Well the next meeting is . . . 

Tuesday 9th November, 7-9pm

at Nords Wharf Community Hall.

Why not come along & make a unique Christmas gift?

There will be more lino, more fabrics, more inspiration

and lots more time to create!