Gumnut babies....

Ok, don't panic - this blog isn't going to become all baby talk.  But I had to share this beautiful beanie my mum knitted for Pikelette.  She taught herself to circular knit (is that what it's called?) to do this which makes it even more impressive.  It reminds me of the gumnut babies, Snugglepot & Cuddlepie, by May Gibbs.  I'm sure Australians know what I'm talking about.  How scary were those Banksia Men?!

 

Introducing Pikelette....

Ok, so I may have failed to mention up until now the biggest project I've worked on since the inception of the sunday project.  Of course, she's more of a personal collaboration between me and Mr Stink than a crafty pursuit!  My photoshopping skills are pretty lame, but as Mr Stink is currently working in France (I know!!) I figured he might like to know his girls are thinking of him and waiting for him to return home - which we really hope is before Pikelette's arrival!!

Postcard for Jesse....

Ok, so I shouldn't post this yet as it's still on the way to Jesse, but hey, maybe she won't look at my blog while it's in transit?  Fingers crossed.

So Jesse printed a heap of postcards and invited anyone to do a swap.  I love the rocket postcard she printed and sent to me, and as I still hadn't got around to making one for her, I decided to make something in response to her design.  I used similar coloured card (packaging from some tomatoes) and traced the main veins of her rocket print.  Then I recreated the print by making little holes in some thick paper and stitching the paper to the card at random places around the edge.  Ta-dah!

Before + after....

Well this has been a long time coming.  I started this chair project almost 2 years ago and finally it's finished.  Keep in mind that I moved countries during that time, and had to take the chair apart to get the wooden frame in boxes for shipping, and the metal seat was checked in as luggage on the plane.  Not sure that was the most sensible approach, but anyhoo....

The image is of Pania of the Reef and I screen printed it using freezer paper.  You can see some posts (and photos) on the progress here and here.  I still think I could've done a better job with the print, mainly if I'd had some helping hands and a bigger screen.  Having said that, I'm pretty harsh on myself and the general opinion of those who see it in person is that it rocks.  I did all the sewing at the upholstery course I was doing at the time.

I didn't get a before shot before I started sanding back the wooden frame, but this should give you an idea what it looked like when I found it on the side of the road.  The wood was much darker and coated in some sort of lacquer that had gone yellow and started to chip. I hate sanding but this piece was small enough that I stuck it out (unlike our dining table which Mr Stink took over restoring after it broke me - maybe that's a before and after for another time).

I hope you like it!