Taking a little break

You may have noticed this poor blog has been very quiet recently. Unfortunately I just haven't had the time to maintain it - maintaining 3 blogs and two websites, plus sewing my little heart out AND being a mum, wife, daughter, friend...doesn't leave much time.
We have a big trip planned, when I return I'll see how I go, but in the meantime, if there is anyone out there in the crafty blog world, familiar with Blogger, who would like to help form a little team of helpers to maintain it, I'd be ever so grateful, please contact me!

Cheerio for now,

Visit The Handmade Expo this week and help the appeal

The Handmade Expo is donating 30c from every paying adult on our Saturday 14th March expo (Ipswich Showgrounds, 8am-2pm) to the Red Cross for the Vic Bushfire Appeal. We will also be taking donations on the day (we get between 1000 & 2000 people through).
If you are anywhere in South East Queensland, please attend and help them raise as much as possible.

An update...
Handmade Help now has 44 awesome items up for grabs on etsy and ebay, there are some GREAT things there, seriously, check them out!

Here's a teaser...for more details please visit Handmade Help.

TikiBoo Kids Dress

Knitwish Policeman Doll

Hot Fudge Bag

Willow and Moo Skirt

Handmade Help for Bushfire appeal

Crafters all over are banding together to help with the Redcross bushfire appeal.

Please visit Handmade Help to see the current auction listings, or to see how you can help.



You can get the code for the banner from Silly Gilly's blog, if you'd like to add it to yours and help spread the word.

A Valentine Giveaway

Jo from Lovestamp is giving away a stunning personalised necklace. All you need to do to be in the chance to win is leave a comment telling her the most fabulous, terrible, awful or genius thing you ever got as a gift on Valentines Day!
Be quick, it ends TONIGHT!



It is a simply and elegant Sterling Silver circle hand stamped with the word LOVE, then a beautiful Swarovski crystal in Ruby is added along with one of my brand new cream freshwater pearls. Also a tiny little heart tag finishes it off, with the intials of your loved ones on it. All strung from a 16" Sterling Silver bead chain.

See her blog: Jogirl's Journey

Your favourite Markets?

I've started a page listing some upcoming markets. Is your favourite featured? If not, please let me know so I can add it! To Market, To Market ...see the little blue box to the left? That's the link. I'll try and keep it updated!

Introducing...Wink Designs

Name: Marina Roussel

Store name/label: Wink Designs

Where to buy: www.winkhandmade.etsy.com

Located: Sydney

I've been designing and making children's gifts (aprons, art totes, cushions, soft toys and stationery) for about 3 years (casually) and 18 months (in earnest!).



Inspiration: I was first inspired when I discovered the wonderful world of quilting fabrics and started to experiment with colours and patterns to make things for my eldest daughter. My 2 gorgeous girls now inspire me on a daily basis.



When not creating I look after my family, read (especially craft books and magazines!), cook, enjoy the lovely outdoors around Sydney's parks and beaches and, as we love to travel, try to get away on the odd holiday.

First item sold: A linen cushion with Russian Doll (Matryoshka) applique. They're still my most popular item today.



Favourite item created: A red, white and blue tote bag with French inspired fabrics, trims and vintage buttons.

You can also see Marina's fabulous blog here: Tips and tales from the studio

And the winner is...

Krissy of KAM. Congratulations!

Giveaway ends this evening

Just a quick reminder that the draw for the giveaway of the sew baby pattern is this evening...let's make it about 5pm Brisbane time.

SEE HERE FOR DETAILS

Introducing...Twinkle Star Art

Store name/label: Twinkle Star Art

Where to buy: www.twinklestarart.etsy.com

Where are you located? Brisbane, Australia

How long have you been drawing and designing? I have been drawing since a small child and a professional graphic designer for 15 years after graduating from the Queensland College of Art.

What inspired you to get started? My Father inspired me to draw when I was little, he is a very talented artist. He was a screen printer and sign writer by trade and also illustrated comic strips for The Australian.

What do you do when you’re not creating? I'm a mother of three small children which keeps me very busy during daylight hours. I love spending time with my family and friends. (I probably should pay more attention to the dreaded housework.)

Do you remember the first item you sold? Yes - my Woolly Mammoth Dream limited edition art print. I sold it to a lady in the United States.


What is your favourite item you have created? My Paris Collection. It's hanging on my daughter's bedroom wall. I think it's really playful, featuring a little girl wearing her mother's oversized shoes which just happen to match her pet poodle.


The item that has most meaning to me is my Kissing Frogs illustration as this was the very first artwork I completed for my Twinkle Star Art shop.


Thank you Amanda! (I've had Amanda's artwork bookmarked for ages, I simply can't decide which I like the best, they are just gorgeous!)

My Top Five...

Dolls! Soft, sweet ragdolls, what better toy for a little girl?

Summer Nights Nightie Case from Miss Muggins


Jell Gurl Reeba from Jellibat


One of a kind handmade doll by Blossombird


Kimiko from Pearl Dragon


Cupcake softie doll from Wallflower

TikiBoo Giveaway closes in less than an hour

*Shameless Plug Alert*

It's not too late to be in the draw for the TikiBoo Kids personalised bag giveaway - the more entries, the more bags to be given away, so spread the word!

http://tikiboo.wordpress.com/



*Note - I don't often make shameless plugs for my own goodies on this blog, but I'm really having fun making these and want some roadtesters!

Introducing...Little Diva

Name: Christine

Store name/label: Little Diva

Where to buy: www.marketsonline.com.au/littlediva and www.littledivacrafts.etsy.com

Where are you located? Brisbane, Australia

How long have you been designing & making your children's wares and accessories? approx 12 months

What inspired you to get started? A book called "Softies" got me started making toys and then I created my own Softies design and the ball started rolling from there.

What do you do when you’re not creating? I look after my three young children and try to keep the household in order !!

Do you remember the first item you sold? Yes - it was one of my softies.

What is your favorite item you have created? the Diva Dresses - particularly the one in Amy Butlers' French Wallpaper in Duck Egg fabric (it is just the most divine pattern)




Thanks Christine!

*Don't forget, we're still running our pattern giveaway until Feb 16th.
*TikiBoo Kids library bag giveaway closes this Friday.

Another giveaway!

In addition to the SewBaby pattern giveaway, we have another giveaway running on the TikiBoo Kids blog! You could win a cute personalised daycare Sheet bag/Library book bag.

Giveaway - a great way to start the year!

Let's start off the new year with a little giveaway!

Up for grabs is this SewBaby pattern - Quick & Comfy Dresses. It's multisized from 6 months to 4 years, and has the dress and bloomer patterns. They claim this pattern is super easy to make, and it doesn't need any buttonholes or zips!


All you need to do to be in the draw is leave a comment on any post AND add my blog to your blogroll! Easy. The draw will be in two weeks - Friday 16th Jan.

(If anyone else is running a giveaway they'd like listed here, let me know!)