moopy & me

Sock monkey

Month of softies

I has so much fun making this months monkey...It is so nice to once in a while do a project that only takes an hour to make with half your concentration (the other half was used supervising moopy, who stuffed him).. The monkey has told us he would like some accessories now, maybe I will add some button eyes and a buttoned vest, but I thought I had better post him up naked incase I miss the deadline.

The children's exhibition was a roaring success...the parents appeared to enjoy themselves, there were no nibbles and wine left so thats a good sign. It was really lovely looking at the expressions of pride on the kids faces when they walked in and saw their work displayed. I have decided to create a webpage for the kids rather than the photo album that exsists here...so I will no doubt link to it when I'm done.

In other crafting news I have finally made some screen printed bookplates....that will be sold at Readings and the Swap Shop (I will print them up in some fun colours first though) here is a sneak peak.

Schnappi

I had suspected it for many years now..that one day my Oma would be in the know about the latest dance tunes before me. Please forgive us Aussies, we are extremely behind the times when it comes to the Schnappi craze... never the less it has arrived and Moopy just goes nuts when I put the CD on. My mother excitedly bought it for her the other day, I think hoping she was in some way introducing her grandaughter to our German heritage (my Mum and family moved to Australia from Germany in the early 1960's).

Here is a photo of my favourite person in the world (who passed away 4 years ago) Opa, he is to the left as you can see and Chris is to the right ... I should say my other favourite person! I think he was very brave to travel such vast distances with his young family and settle in little Adelaide...I can't begin to imagine the culture shock they experienced and the hard work they did for which my brother and I try not to take for granted now.

My hat goes off to Laurie over at Liquidpaper... I tried to make some pins with fimo and found it to be the most frustrating craft I have tried yet. I can hear you all gasping already... they just kept falling off... I think my fingers are too big?

Now to something that did work out quite well... my new design for the art classes identity, applied to the kids t-shirts. They will be getting a t-shirt on Sunday as a thank you from me, at their exhibition, where all the family and friends get a chance to come and see what they have been doing....I am frantic trying to get everything ready...but also really excited to see it all come together.

I am putting a few spare singlets & tops in the swap shop for any little kids out there who fit into size 00 & 1... they come in green, pink and blue.... I would have picked other fun colours but I asked the girls in my classes what their favourite colour was and 40% said blue and 60% said pink...mmm

And lastly here is a quick update on Moopy's hand me down doll "Linda" the My Child. She was embarrassingly naked last time I showed her... now she has new jeans (Moopy's fave piece of fashion), a new scarf and has been seen parading around in the little beeny that is in the swap shop.

Cheers :)

A big thank you to all those who made me feel welcomed back from my little break. I have been sewing like the wind and have many new fun things to add to the swap shop ...if I don't get back to you with an email of these pics..its not because I don't love you but because I have no system yet of who I say hi to... I just pop over and say hi and then get lost in the land of blog. So please have a look at what I am about to post up in the shop and feel free to email or comment when something tickles your fancy.

I have come to the realisation that I won't be posting as often during these months where my hands (or rather the one which holds the mouse...does anyone else get 'mousehand'?) freeze off out here in the back room .... um I mean studio. The studio is so very uninviting, I think I have to hire a laptop just for winter....

I knew I was on a winner when I planned this swap stuff... check out some goodies I got from Pimienta Negra, Italy and Creature comforts, California!! I have been spoilt rotten...Thank you ...well, I have been doing my best to share with Moopy too.

A crocheted purse and collar... perfect for the winter freeze!

The cutest floppy bunny! and lollies, buttons, stickers....the list is endless.

I recently bought a sticker machine... pretty much one of the most exciting days of my life...and anyone who has been unfortunate enough to sit through my sticker presentation (starting from 1986) will understand my glee. So here are some fun stickers I have been making out of vintage and retro children's books. It was quite difficult to cut up some of the books, thinking someone else might treasure them and I had mangled them up with the scissors.

More pouches...

More bookmarks...

More kittens...

And here is un update on Moopy, she still only allows me to put her hair up for 2 minutes... so I had to be quick! I think she looks just like her dad....the look of innocense... it appears butter wouldn't melt in their mouths.. but that's their only defence mechanism.. I surely would have throttled them long ago if not for those innocent eyes.

I just have to pop over to the markets and then pick up moopy from CC and then I will put new stuff in the swap shop...

*Sigh*

I am taking a big deep breath as the busy, busy, busy period has almost come to an end. I think this has been the longest time between posts in the history of blogging....I hope you all have not given up on me as I have an enormous bunch of crafty things to share. Not only was it the end of Nest Studio art classes' first term and Chris' mid year exams but Moopy and I got violently ill right when we needed our energy most.... I am happy to report that we are all well now and I hope to never see the inside of an emergency ward again....

So on a much brighter note, the swap shop is going so fabulously well, I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who visited and has been swapping their awesome stuff. Also I am sorry if I haven't contacted some people yet ......I am right onto it ...thanks for your patience, I will be adding new fun things shortly.

I really don't know where to begin so I will jusy post up a whole bunch a rather random photos of things I having been making and things people are swapping and....things I am about to make, like this free standing wool basket. I picked up the frame from a cheapy shop and imediately ripped the hideous fabric off and am now replacing it with some Amy Butler fabric that Chris got me for christmas (the first time I have had a chance to use the funky shrinky dink pins)

Here is a heap of kittens heading for Melbourne tomorrow.... some extras that are very similar are going into the swap shop if any one is interested?

These bookmarks are also headed for Readings in Melbourne.

I made this prototype pouch for all my kimono fabric pieces.. this pouch was given to my Oma for her 83rd birthday a few weeks ago (Hillary may recognise the fabric!! thanks).

These are some cute little paperclips I have been making (ala Martha Stewart) to send off in swap packages.

Fimo buttons that are going into the swap shop.

And finally the best pic of all.... mail! Thanks to those who have been sending such fun things!

I am sure there is a whole heap more but I will save some for later....
Keep safe and well!