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!

Little Lady

Meet Ruby, she's been a 'ufo' (unfinished object) for about 2 years now,

and I finally finished her. 

I begun to make Ruby when I worked at the Steiner School and this was an inservice activity that all of the staff spent the day doing.  It was great as we all got to sit around talking and sewing. A good way to get to know your colleagues and it sure beats the usual staff training days that teachers are subjected to!

Anyway, she was nude and hairless so I made her an outfit and gave her a hair do. It's interesting though that Hamish isn't very fond of her? Maybe it's the hair colour?

Miss B Goes Soft!

As I mentioned earlier we've jumped on the softie bandwagon and we have been using our cuddly old chenille to make some soft creatures. 

This is one that Miss Beatie designed and made all by herself! 

She has called her Cupcake and I'm very proud of the way her sewing skills have improved in the last month (I didn't even have to thread any needles).  Cupcake is a little rough if you look too closely but hey - aren't we all!

Hoot the Third

Another great Brown Owls meeting last night in Nords Wharf Hall. It was a beautiful night and we spent the evening with lots of lovely people who were keen to learn and share. Each meeting is growing and growing.

This week we did lino printing.  Everyone was supplied with a small piece

of lino, a carving tool and away they went.

 

We had some great results printing on paper and fabric.

And of course there was time to stop, sit and chat (without interruptions!).

I'm sure we will be doing more lino at the next meeting. We'll keep bringing all of our materials with the hope of inspiring new and old members when they come.

I had a great night as it was so nice teaching lino printing to a group of people who were so keen to learn!

Next Meeting: Tuesday 9th November,

7-9pm, Nords Wharf Hall.

Just a Reminder.

BROWN OWLS
Yes just a friendly reminder - if you're up for some 'me time' why not come along this evening to Nords Wharf Hall, Marine Parade, Nords Wharf and do something creative with your fellow crafters in a Brown Owls meeting. 

Nothing sinister, just art, craft, a cuppa and a slice, and a chat.  Let's get a great network happening in our local area so we can share our ideas and experience, and make some new friends.

I wish.

Wallpaper printing?

Yes I thought I'd share a bit of 'I wish I could do that'.  I came across this printmaking workshop at the harvest textiles website the other day and had a bit of daydream about being there. I loved the patterns and the size of the works. 

Once again it's great to see someone making a living out of something creative!  One day.

Frazzled Fairy?

Told you there would be more 'friends' appearing over the next week or so.  This is one I made last night - yes an exciting Saturday night in for me! 

This is a fairy which I modelled off James' drawing (see below). I liked the simplicity of the face and thought it would suit the softie style. She looks a little disgruntled to me?  Apparently she is called Annabelle.

Miss Beatie is almost finished her monster.  I'm loving the rainy Sunday!

Going Soft.

I know it's strange but until yesterday I hadn't made a softie doll.  This is Paula, who I felt needed to be made after reading about the Softies for Mirabel challenge. 

I have made a softie before when I worked at the Central Coast Rudolf Steiner School.  I did a unit with the wonderfully creative year 10 students where they printed their lino prints onto fabric, then used that fabric and others to produce an organic shape which was then turned into a softie.  It was an introductory fibre art exercise as later in the year they were making a wearable art piece to enter into the Wave exhibition at Shearwater Steiner School at Mullimbimby on the north coast of NSW. 

My students made some great outfits out of recycled materials including a dress out of rubber thongs, another out of old film negatives and seatbelts.  Just wish I'd taken photos of them.

So anyway this is Paula and I don't know if she'll be leaving Nords Wharf as Hamish has taken a bit of a shine to her!

I expect you'll be seeing more little creatures over the next week or so as Miss Beatie has already started 'designing' hers.

And finally just a reminder

Brown Owls is on again!

This Tuesday the 26th October

at the Nords Wharf Community hall, 7-9pm. 

I'll be doing a lino print demo and I'll have a few pieces of lino for you to try carving to see if you like it! 

Or you can bring along some art/craft work that you've been working on.

We always have plenty of inspirational materials and activities to get you started as well.

All it costs is a gold coin to cover the cost of the hall. 

Tea & coffee and nibbles provided.

See you there.

Like a drug?

Do you love art & craft books?  I always like to buy them for inspiration, and of course steal some ideas!

Today I was at Borders with my two small boys looking for a present for my husband's birthday - and of course I was in the craft section when a friendly shop assistant came up to me and commented on her love of craft books.  I agreed that I too loved them and pointed out the ones I owned.  She then said that to her they were like "crack cocaine".  Hmmm??. . .well it just shows how addictive this whole caper can become.

Tops

Way back in July was when I first tried my hand at screenprinting.  Since then this material has been sitting in my material box just waiting to be used for some creative purpose.

So this afternoon after a day at the beach I was itching to do something creative and thought it was about time to get the sewing machine out.  I'm not the world's best seamstress but I really wanted to make something using my hand printed material. 

So I tried my hand at making this top for Miss Beatie.  It took me approximately an hour and a half, but I felt pretty pleased with myself as I didn't have to unpick anything! 

And as you can see Miss Beatie was pretty pleased with it too.

It's Official!

I emailed the wonderful Pip Lincolne from Meet me at Mikes to tell her about our chapter of the Brown Owls and she invited me to contribute on their blog.

So yep it's official! We're now part of a craft community that networks all around the world.

Go to the Brown Owls blog and you will not only see info on the Nords Wharf Brown Owls, but others in Australia and overseas.