loving the light

I was very sad to see the end of Echino Bird Song (there is still a little bit left of the pink and purple in store).  But then Etsuko Furuya comes up with another wonderful design like Wish.  Here is a close up of one aspect of this print in the pink.

Like Bird Song this fabric has a panel like design and here it is in the green.

And you can do some really amazing things with it like complementary lightshades, here in the black.

 

So while it is sad to say goodbye to old favourites it is nice to know there are new fabrics just waiting to become new favourites.

I think I could be a stalker....

There are some fabric designers whose work I absolutely love and I could be in danger of becoming a stalker.  One such designer is Lotta Jansdotter.  I love the simplicity and cleanness of her designs, they always appear so effortless.  When I found out she had produced a range of fabrics with Wyndham I was the first in Australasia to place an order.  And the first shipment drop has been received, other fabrics in her line are expected over the coming weeks.

And the reality lives up to all my expectations...

The fabric has also popped up in various patterns and I love this Go Anywhere Bag from Noodlehead.

I am also hoping that I may be able to reveal some big news soon, it is part of the reason why I have not been blogging as much - in addition to my new interest - Pinterest.

Sunday was Sewing Day

At last some sewing for me!

I am not usually that big on sewing clothes for myself - I am always hypercritical of the result and what looks good on the pattern and in my head does not always end up looking great on the bod.

But I have been wanting to make this since I first saw the pattern and fabric.

The Shearwater in Nani Iro Fuccra Ivory.

And no I didn't suddenly get lovely legs like the model on the pattern but I was pleased with the result and can see this pattern being something I would make again.

Before I talk about the pattern - I would just like to say the marks in the photo are not from a dirty wall or mirror but an old mirror in the bathroom - I do sometimes do housework!

The pattern went together well.  I would make the placket slightly shorter (maybe an inch) there is slightly more cleavage than I would want showing in this top.

Also I would recommend you take your time with the bias binding on the neckline and buy a bias tape maker.  I rushed mine because I could see the finish in sight and I could have done a better job.

The Nani Iro is a double gauze and is beautiful to wear and washes like a dream.  I have used it before for a top for Miss M and it looks as good as when it was made :).  The trick is to iron it before you sew as it can move on you when cutting.  Plus if you make a mistake it is a pig to unpick, not that I would know :0).

I hope you had a great weekend.

The Handmade Tickets are on Sale

The tickets to Handmade 2012 are on sale.  Handmade is a festival of all things Handmade held in Wellington over the weekend of the 2-3 June.  It includes Masterclasses, Lectures and Workshops across a range of the Handmade genre.

I was approached last year to see if I would take a workshop and chickened out.  This year I am feeling the fear and doing it anyway.

The workshop I am running is called Appliqued and Embellished Wall Art and more details can be found here on the Handmade website

I don't know what my biggest fear is - that no one will sign up to do the workshop, or that people will!  Breathe deep - homework, homework, homework.

winners of the ribbon giveaway

Thank you to everyone who entered the ribbon giveaway.  Both my kids like drawing the names of the winners out of a hat - so no random number generators here!

The winners are Mimi from Canada and Gill from the UK.  

And for some inspiration as to what to do with a little ribbon Willow & Moo has  a great tutorial for ribbon bracelets.

What a great idea for party favours or gifts.

and modelling today we have...

Lots of Ric Rac 

Velvet ribbons...

Pom Pom Girls

And lots more ribbons

And speaking of ribbons I will draw the winners of the ribbon giveaway tomorrow.

They are all in store now.  Time for a glass of wine to celebrate the new arrivals. (Any excuse!)