Paper Blanket....

Those of you who've been along for the sunday project ride since way back when, will know that I used to contribute to the Blanket Magazine blog, which was lots of fun.  For those of you who don't know, Blanket is an online magazine which was first released in December 2006.  The lovely editor, Bec Brown, has now finally seen her dream of a printed magazine come to fruition.  Exciting times!  I've just ordered my copy and can't wait to get my hands on it.  You can get more information and order your copy here (limited edition of 500 so don't dilly-dally).

Good intent....

Some time ago I posted a music video by Melbourne singer Kimbra (here it is).  Now I know this blog isn't about music, but I just love her songs and her clips are so cool.  So here's her new one.  Enjoy.  :)

Hello everyone....

Anyone out there these days?....  I'm just popping in to say hello.  You'll all be pleased to know I've been busy designing this and that, hatching plans, scratching my chin.  Eventually I'll have something to share with you!  In the meantime, Coco is growing up damn fast and keeping me on my toes.  It turns out she's allergic to sleep.  And to growing hair.  :)

Me and Margaret....

Quite some time ago I took these photos for a blue themed photography project.  They're all taken in the town of Margaret River, in the south west corner of the country.  The Margaret River region is known for it's wines and that's why we're here (Mr Stink is a winemaker).  While we're still settling in (after what was a snap decision to move here!), so far we're enjoying the change that moving from the big smoke to a town of less than 5000 brings.  I feel creativity brewing....

For Japan....

Hello everyone.  Just a quick post to let you know about a fund raising venture that Diem Chau is hosting.  You may remember that I've written about Diem's amazing work before - her embroidered plates and carved crayons are amazing.

Now you have a chance of winning one of 2 family portraits (of up to 3 crayons) by buying a $10 raffle ticket, with all money being donated to the Japanese Red Cross.  For all the details head on over to her blog.

Why, hello there....

I don't know who to credit, sorry!

Gosh, how time flies!  I can't believe how little Coco was in my last post!  She's about to outgrow that cute yellow outfit.  Oh it's true - they grow up so fast!  She's entertaining us with lots of smiles and 'talking' these days, and I don't remember life without her.  I really can not recommend motherhood highly enough.  :)

But let's be honest, I've been so busy staring at Coco that I've neglected the sunday project.  I won't make apologies because they would be insincere.  But I will share some exciting news, possibly a tad prematurely.  It looks like we're swapping this city life for the country and I couldn't be more excited!  I'm hopeful that it will fuel some creativity and that I can sneak a bit of time to work on some ideas that are brewing.  Stay tuned!  But don't hold your breath - these things take time.  Especially when it's me.  :)

Welcome Coco Evie....

We've been keeping her to ourselves for the past couple of weeks, but here she is!  Little Coco was 2.79kg (that's 6lb. 2oz.) and is an angel.  Her first angelic accomplishment was a perfect delivery - all over and done with in 2 (very intense but drug-free) hours.  And you know what?  The sleep deprivation isn't as bad as I was expecting.  Yet....

Hello + goodbye....

Little Me - Somewhere in Europe - October 1977

It seems I've been retreating from the world wide web (and people in the real world) as Pikelette's arrival draws closer.  I thought I should make amends by saying hello to you all.  Hello.  :)

And also goodbye.  With only 1 week until the estimated arrival (though of course she will have her own idea about when the time is right) there are no guarantees as to when I'll be back.  I hear these newborns are somewhat time consuming.

So thank you to you all for visiting over the past few years.  Special thanks for your comments which remind me that I'm not just writing to myself.  And an even bigger thanks to those of you I've never met in person but feel like I have, thanks to the wonder of this funny little internet and the friendships it sprouts.

I'll miss you!  But I'll be back.  Sometime.  :)  xo

Meet Bill....

You'd think he'd have cheered up after some lovely comments on an earlier post, but no.  It's not his style.

I found Bill in an op-shop (thrift store, for the Americans reading) about 18 years ago (Holy shiznit!  I can't believe it's that long!).  Sure, I was way too old for teddy bears, but look at him!  I thought he looked so sad that I couldn't bear to leave him there (hehe, pun intended).  

Of course, he doesn't really look like he's cheered up over they years.  I'm hoping he perks up when Pikelette comes along.  Maybe he's been waiting all these years for a little girl of his own (and if that doesn't work, I'm tempted to stitch a happier face on him).

Have a great weekend!

Hang....

And then there was bunting....

I'm quite sure it's illegal to decorate a nursery these days and not include bunting.  And who am I to rock the boat?!  I've made a couple of metres and have cut enough to make twice as much again.  It's great to get back on the sewing machine - it's been a while!

Sew some more....

Turn + press....

Sew....

Cut....

Settle Down....

Ok, it's not often (or ever) that I talk about music at the sunday project, but I am loving this song by Melbourne lady Kimbra.  And the video is pretty sweet too.  Plus, I dance kind of like Kimbra, and get a lot of laughs from my friends for it, so it's nice to see someone else pull it off (though with slightly more finesse and a kick-arse dress).

Enjoy and have a great weekend!

Kimbra - Settle Down from Forum5 Recordings on Vimeo.

Nesting?....

Well no, I don't think I am nesting yet, but I am trying to get some things done around the house before Pikelette arrives.  One area in which we're lacking is bedroom storage, so I was super happy to find this fantastic dresser on ebay recently.  It needed a bit of a clean up, so I followed these brilliant instructions from The Brick House (also seen on design*sponge) and I think it's come up a treat.  Not having the same American products as recommended, I instead used a regular household cleaner (suitable for wood), delicious orange oil, and then some furniture wax.

Hmm, this photo makes me realise how stark the bedroom is without any art on the walls.  Plus, I need to make proper curtains (and stop putting up with some fabric stapled up!).

And yes, that is a bear on the bed.  Don't judge me!

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!