Eight Good Things

1. Making custom orders for birthday gifts

2. An up to date 'Project Life' album - I love seeing our weeks come together like this

3. Cheeky workshop assistants

4. Brown paper packages tied up with string - la da de da dah

5. Tea and knitting - always always a good thing

6. My gorgeous print by the talented Kylie Hunt of Paravent - and her equally beautiful packaging

7. Learning new skills and making the first part of my table displays for Finders Keepers - my first ever attempt at wood work and I loved it

8. Gathering and foraging in the side streets and on the footpaths on our daily wanderings

What are your Eight Good Things today, or this past week?

Leave a comment or make a post and let me know! It's a lovely way to take a step back from a busy day and notice the little things - the little moments you might otherwise over look, and savor them.

The Sentimentalist & Paravent

It is with great pleasure I introduce to you today, the lovely Fiona of The Sentimentalist and wonderful Kylie of Paravent, both of whom have given a piece of their gorgeous work to the Handmade Christmas Giveaway. These two talented designers and makers work so beautifully with print making, paper, fabric and stitching in new and interesting ways. I'm quite sure there is no end to their talents!

The Sentimentalist range of work by Gold Coast artist Fiona Watson includes artworks and accessories reflecting a love for all things time worn and treasured and the people and memories connected to them. Miniature stitched hoop brooches, lasercut brooches and limited edition hand cut and printed linoprints collectively tell stories from earlier times, with the use of modern manufacturing techniques in some instances for a twist. “I love nostalgia, the beauty and history of old objects and thinking about the people and stories connected to them. A lot of my work brings back happy memories for my customers”.

Her mini stitched hoop brooches are the result of wanting to combine a traditional craft with more modern imagery. The contrast of a beautifully fancy frame and tiny embroidery stitches with a Polaroid camera or Rubik’s cube for example makes for a fun accessory to wear. People who lived through the era have fond memories, and younger customers love them due to the renewed interest in everything retro.

All of the work is proudly handmade in Fiona’s home and with a wide range of lovingly made unique pieces; you’re sure to find something perfect for you and your home.

Shop: http://thesentimentalist.bigcartel.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheSentimentalist.17

Instagram: @woodysurfcar

Paravent is a surface patterning and textile studio of hand screen printing, block printing, crochet and embroidery.  I've always been fascinated with textiles of all forms and love experimenting with many different mediums. So, in my shops you will find an ever-changing assortment of handmade goodies in either yarn, floss, fabric or paper and just about everything is a one-off piece crafted by hand. 

Blog: http://paraventdesign.blogspot.com.au/

Shop: http://paravent.bigcartel.com/

https://www.etsy.com/shop/Paravent

Instagram: @paravent

Made By Hand - Link Up

'Made By Hand' is a weekly creative show and tell, with an aim to foster community, conversation and inspiration.

My aim is to craft a life of homemade, home grown happiness. 

So, what are you creating right now? Join in by leaving a link below.

1. 'Wherever I Roam' Picture Jasper Pendant

2. Flower Gum cut out on the reverse

3. New Fresh water pearl versions of 'Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow'

4. Playing with beads and updating the shop

5. 'Satisfied Mind' earrings

6. 'Something in the Way' Spinel Earrings

7. An amazing lino stamp version of my 'One for the pot' piece, hand carved and gifted by the wonderful Kylie. Looking rather lovely stamped on to my white gift bags.

8. Keeping it real - stock take, tagging, writing descriptions and making lists, while Dave took the children to the in-laws for dinner

This week has been all about the jewellery, with a few rows of knitting now and again. I felt like I hadn't achieved too much creatively until I looked back at my photographs. Then I was reminded of the flurry of finishing, photographing, editing, uploading, sorting, list making, organising and stamping - how fantastic is my stamp?! 

Once I am on top of the jewellery stock for the market, I am looking forward to starting on a little crochet project for myself - Alexandra Mackenzie's Granny Square tea cosy. I'm a bad crafter and a bad tea lover, for I do not currently own a tea cosy! 

So, lovely readers, what have you been making of late?

PS. As one of my sponsors this month, Ellen from Alexandra Mackenzie is also offering my readers a 20% discount off all her patterns. Enter the code CHRISTINA20 at checkout. Valid until the 29th September.

Stitch. Read. Covet. Blog.

I'm running a little late today after a late night last night, early morning soccer-mothering and a day spent with my family. Today though I am celebrate bloggers and the insight, skills and inspiration they have to offer.

Stitch: Oh my. I just love these stitched rope baskets. They have made their way to the top of my to make list. So many possibilities. Yet another wonderful the read thread tutorial. The paper patchwork art and coil bowls are also fantastic. This entire blog is a visual feast and a constant surprise.

Read: If, like myself, you are interested in simple living, a move towards self sufficiency, making your own laundry liquid and growing your own vegetables, Rhonda Hetzel's book will long be a valuable reference in your library. Written with a gentle, Grandmotherly tone, Rhonda imparts her wisdom in an inspiring and achievable way. My Stitch. Read. Covet. Blog. series would hardly be complete if I did not include this volume. Rhonda's blog is also a beacon of simple living advice and inspiration.

Covet: Two of my long time favourite bloggers, Paravent and Belinda Marshall, are currently on the other side of the world, undertaking Camilla Engman's ACE Camp. What's not to covet about six days in a studio learning with a wonderful artist, in Gothenburg, Sweeden?! After contributing to Belinda's successful Pozzible campaign, I am closely following the instagram feeds of both these lovely ladies and living vicariously though them. Though I am not at point in my life where I could hop on a plane and undertake such an experience, it is a joy to have them share their travels with us. To find out more check out their blogs and follow their instagram feeds - @paravent and @belindajmarshall

Blog: Many crafters would need no introduction to Yardage Design, or the lovely Nic, designer and print maker behind the label. I've admired (and been purchasing from) Nic for a few years now. There is nothing quite like hand printed linen! This week I was fortunate enough to meet her in person, at Thea and Sami's morning tea. It reminded me again of all the wonderful things that blogging has brought in to my life. Nicole's blog and instagram feed (@yardagedesign) are creative journals of her work, loves and travels, and will have you itching to try your hand at screen printing, have you dusting off your sewing machine, or investing in a macro lens.

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So dear readers, what have you been stitching, reading, coveting or blog-loving lately? Leave a comment below so we can share in the goodness.

My Creative Space

Three years ago I left a comment about a brooch on a blog post (the last brooch). A post I found through My Creative Space. I inquired about the price. Kylie wasn't yet selling her beautiful wares, but she wanted me to have it anyway. And I still have it. Cohen was just a baby then. I remember nervously going to my first mother's group wearing that brooch for a bit of added confidence. I met one of my very good friends for the first time that day. She recalled a couple of years later that she had first noticed me because of my brooch.

A few months ago, Kylie saw a hot water bottle cozy I'd made and commissioned one for herself. It was a lovely compliment. I have been knitting away here and there and was pleased to stitch the buttons on yesterday. Just in time for Kylie's arrival home from a working/holiday to London, Berlin and Paris. I sifted though a tin of op-shopped buttons until I uncovered these. An old pair of metal Eiffel Tower buttons. They seemed just the thing. 

It seemed apt to post the finished cozy here too, in My Creative Space.

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More Creative Spaces here.

Ravelry.

Surprise Packages

A cold is doing it's second round of our household presently. Cohen's spirits remain high, though I have been feeling rather miserable and poor Emerson is comforted only by being held. Everywhere there are tissues. The weather is overcast and rainy. Making for quiet, pyjama clad days indeed.

Yesterday the postman left a brown box on my door step. Inside the kraft paper there was most certainly a book, though which book I could not say. I only knew that Kylie mentioned she'd sent me a gift. I wiped a nose, settled a baby, made a cup of tea and extracted the contents with anticipation. I was not disappointed. I have long admired Kylie's taste and sense of style. Though strangers in real life, we have been reading each others blogs the past three years. She has chosen for me perfectly.

'Labour of Love: Knitting patterns for treasured girls,' by Danish knitwear designer Vibe Sondergaard is full of special knitting patterns. The following three are among my favourites. Sweet, feminine and not too childish, each knit would surely be a treasure.

Thank you Kylie! I am looking forward to knitting something for you in return.