tiny happy

The kids have been showing interest in using the sewing machine lately- K is all about making clothes for her teddy (Pinky) and little gifts for her friends. A on the other hand has his eye on historical costume sewing. We haven't really gotten around to that yet.

But over the weekend Keira and I set aside a bit of time to make things. My machine has a way to sew without the foot pedal and an ability to go very slowly, which is great for the little ones. She can do straight seams, turn corners, pin and cut, and come up with drawn designs for the projects before getting started. (I think she has the most fun with this part.)

From an old cotton curtain, we made the following items: a cape for Pinky with ribbon ties, a handkerchief to take to school, a 'secret diary wrap' (kind of like a bag that ties with ribbons to keep the diary extra secret), and a zipped case for Pinky's alternative outfits, all of them capes.

Thank you for your comments on yesterday's post! I drew a winner and it was Christina in Australia. Let my know your address, C.

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I thought these large brown envelopes would come in handy when I saw them at the supermarket, and since then I've started using them for wrapping gifts.

It's a pretty quick and dirty wrapping idea: take a big manila envelope, stamp all over it (I used hand-carved stamps) in coloured ink, punch a hole and tie some string (or use washi tape to secure the contents). No cutting, measuring, sellotaping, etc.

I intend to make a big stack of these to keep in the cupboard using different stamps and inks. That would be really organised of me.

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There's this song: FLOCK OF HEARTS that I've loved for a long time. Recently I discovered this video made by artist Sarah-Jane Parton- it's beautiful, and filmed in my local part of Wellington. You might like it too.

I have a new little job, contributing craft ideas to this classic magazine each month. It's exciting for many reasons, most of all because I've been reading this magazine for what feels like my whole life. Mum would buy it sometimes, and it's a cafe and waiting room standard. In 2008, my work was featured as an 'artist's showcase', which was a big break for me. So the magazine holds a special place in my heart.

The issue with my first project has just arrived in the letterbox- I designed 'confetti pillowcases' that you can make as a wedding gift. Or just if you like colourful bedding. The magazine also featured my book in the review column, and my favourite blogs in the 'online life' column. The editor has given me an extra copy and I thought I would offer it up as a quick giveaway here. Would you like a designy, crafty, gardeny read with your morning coffee? If so, just leave a comment below and I'll draw a winner tomorrow.

I decided today needed cheering up so walked down to the local florist and bought a bunch of freesias for the kitchen table. The first freesias of the year. And today's pattern was inspired by their yellow cheerfulness and those baby freesia pods patiently waiting to open. I love them very much.

Stash Books have made a new page on their site for my book- you can see it here. They've also made a pinterest page for it- and this blog post– where you can enter a giveaway for a free copy (non-US winners will receive the e-book version.)

Enjoy your weekend.

This year's HANDMADE festival is shaping up to a be a good one. It's on Queen's Birthday weekend (June 1-2) and I'll be teaching some workshops including a new class, Best Ever Baby Pants, which is a project from my book. Just bring along some stretch fabric and your scissors, and we should be able to get a couple of pairs finished, I reckon. Your could even recycle some tshirts to make the smallest size, if you don't have time to browse in the fabric shop.

Each person will receive a copy of my multi-sized pattern (newborn to one year) to take home and make more pairs. And HANDMADE classes are always fun and filled with interesting people- hooray for communal crafting! I'll also have a stack of fresh books at my class in case you want to buy one.

You can check out all the details for the class here– (scroll down a bit), including location, time, booking, materials, etc. I'd love to see you there.

Lyndy Young of Stitchbird Fabrics, Kilbirnie, Wellington

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Welcome to part 2 of 'My Wellington' – today I'm visiting my friend Lyndy Young of Stitchbird Fabrics in Kilbirnie, Wellington- one of my all-time favourite places to find craft supplies and get inspired.

Stitchbird existed exclusively online until this time last year- exactly one year ago, in fact. Happy birthday, Stitchbird shop! Now you can see and touch all the colourful textile goodness in person and have a chat with Lyndy herself.

Kilbirnie has some shopping gems, and this is one of them for sure. Lyndy says she likes being based in the suburb because of its characters, colour and accessibility to the Wellington CBD. She hopes to introduce some crafting kits (to inspire busy people to get creative) and classes (to enhance a sense of creative community and fun) in this second year of the store. 

Stitchbird specialises in beautiful Japanese fabrics and craft supplies. But there's more than that- you can find all the craft supplies your heart desires here, and some handmade products, too. You can also order custom homewares (such as lightshades) covered in your choice of fabric.

Here are some photos I snapped at Stitchbird one bright Saturday morning.

Stitchbird Fabrics, Kilbirnie Shopping Plaza, Wellington 6022.

I wanted to acknowledge the passing of Kathreen Ricketson and her husband last week. I was devastated to read the news stories about their tragic accident on a beach in Australia. It was only last month that we emailed about her upcoming edition of Action Pack magazine (for curious kids and their families that K was somehow managing to compile while on her year-long family adventure.)

Her ideas, creative energy and commitment to making really great, inspiring work for our crafting community will always be remembered and appreciated. Whip Up was the first craft blog I discovered, and right when I was starting Tiny Happy she featured my work and encouraged me to keep going. 

Kathreen and Rob leave two beautiful children- O and O. An education fund has been started for them- you can find out how to donate to it here.

Thank you, Kathreen, for being so awesome. We'll miss you.

Over the school holidays Keira and I got into making stationery (she's a keen letter-writer and is always on the lookout for nice paper and envelopes, stickers and labels.)

We spent one rainy morning making our own and now I have a pleasing stack of small envelopes, ready for wrapping Very Small Gifts. 

A few were made from an old Noa Noa catalogue I couldn't bear to throw away, some from art prints in an old calendar, and others from quilter's grid paper. I also cut up some pages from an old sketchbook lurking in the bottom of a drawer. K made some with brown parcel paper and stamped the fronts with white ink. 

I thought I'd include my template here, in case you have a letter-writer in your house:

1. Choose some papers for your envelopes. Some ideas include:

– old maps/atlas pages or enclopedias destined for the recycling bin

– old and tattered children's books

– magazine pages or old calendar pictures

– wrapping paper, kraft paper or pages from an exercise book (I like grid paper)

– scan and print favourite fabric pieces onto paper

2. Print out the template, trace around then cut and fold.

3. Use a glue stick to adhere the edges together, as marked.

Use them to hold secret notes or small gifts. Or make a whole stationery set, complete with labels and tied with string, as a gift in itself.

Thanks for your nice comments on my last post. I'm excited to share the book's arrival with you all. And really appreciate the warm welcome you're giving it.