Carrion marionette

Itty Bitty Crochet

2011-07-18T10:48:00.002+10:00

Check out this awesome little guy from Suami on Etsy.

Adorbs!

When I see him smile

2010-04-13T20:46:00.004+10:00

This is the kind of thing I do to pass time lately. It's very relaxing! One of my latest embroidery pieces is on the bottom of some ultra comfy trousers I dug up from last summer:

Inspired by (actually a close version of the art): coldfusion on Deviantart (all credit to the artist for the awesome design!)

Flying Hippo denim skirt embellishment

2010-04-13T20:22:00.004+10:00

I thought it would be nice to personalise some of the clothes I recently bought while op shopping. The short denim skirt I found I embroidered with my own drawing of a hippo with wings. I think he's adorable!

The colour of the hippo doesn't stand out too much on the denim, which I like. It's kind of understated but groovy if you notice it :)

Wow.

2010-04-13T19:25:00.003+10:00

I can't believe it's actually been this long since I last made a post! Grizzy is my inspiration to begin blogging again - we'll see how long it lasts.

I have plenty of things to talk about! There are several really amazing things that have happened since I last posted.

I now work at the Save the Tasmanian Devil Program.

I also now work with the Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Service - Ranger Bindi :D

As part of my great fortune of working for Parks I have been working at Maria Island National Park (and hope to go back in the near future, wish me luck).

I might tell more about my adventures if I feel motivated enough!

Most of this new work is exciting for me because it's a chance to make a difference in the world. The Save the Tasmanian Devil Program is self explanatory. My Ranger position is as a "Discovery Ranger" - or also as first contact for people visiting maria Island National Park. These positions mean that I get to talk to people - lots of people - and in the process of making their visit to the Park or their participation in a summer activity more enjoyable I can inspire a real connection to the places people visit. Can you imagine the flow on effect this can have? I hope that people are inspired to help, protect and generally look after our wild places and wildlife. Even if it's only within their own backyard, it's a start!! :)

The Brezel Backerei

2009-09-17T09:28:00.003+10:00

I just started working at a German bakery in Sandy Bay. Its really yummy, so if you're nearby, come have a taste! The brezels are fantastic! The danishes are also pretty awesome! Its a family owned and run bakery, and they're lovely people. Come and say hello :)

Moss milkshake

2009-09-09T15:18:00.006+10:00

I recently found an awesome little recipe that I'd like to share. Its called the moss milkshake and its a great idea for starting a moss garden or eco graffiti! The artist who has made the technique more widely known is Anna Garforth who has her work showing here.

There are various recipes and techniques all over the net but all are different versions of basically the same thing. My recommendation would be to use several moss species from your backyard or surrounding ares - like the ones that grow between pavers or concrete - at least one of them should like the place you want them to grow and do well. Keep the area moist, but not wet (you'll wash it away otherwise).

Some recipes are:

Moss milkshake 1

Moss milkshake 2

I am yet to give it a go myself, but its high on my to do list!

YTS roadshow

2009-08-10T20:34:00.007+10:00

Last week I volunteered as part of the Young Tassie Scientists roadshow and it was so much fun! I hope the kiddies had as much fun when we visited to tell them all about our science as we did bringing it to them.

My profile is here, along with the other scientists.

It's part of National science week and the idea is that we take science to the students to get them thinking about science careers and hopefully introduce them to different sciences that they were not aware of - and basically demonstrate that its fun and not all lab coats and hard work! It was great getting hands on about mosses and how awesome they are with the students.

I finished the week with a romantic mini holiday with Andy in the Tamar Valley. Playing mini-golf in a half submerged course was heaps of fun and going to my first footy match was fantastic! I did the whole pie-beer-footy thing and it was so simple it was gooooood!

Bryophyte sporophytes!

2009-07-22T19:45:00.004+10:00

Aren't they fantastic?! So cute and perfect with their dewy droplets. This moss is called Polytrichum juniperinum and it's pretty common in the wet forests of Tassie, though not common on logs in older forests. I mainly see it on the ground or on rocks. It's almost like a miniature forest in itself :)

The art of Ursulav

2009-07-22T18:24:00.004+10:00

Ursulav is one of my favourite artists to watch on Deviantart. The hybrid creatures are so much fun, and there are so many other interesting pieces too, for example I particularly like St. Snailius :)

Pet moss #2

2009-07-07T19:57:00.007+10:00

I found mini moss terrariums - so mini they're pendants! This is so awesome! An absolute must-make-have for my list of projects. I would buy one...but somehow I don't think I would get away with importing organic jewellery into Tassie, not that I even want to do that to our amazing environment! You can find this and more at WarmCountryMeadows.

I have been reading up on how to make terrariums, and I am suprised how much stuff people put in for the moss to grow on. Mine will be minus a few unsightly layers of dirt methinks. Mosses by their very nature have the ability to grow on substrates that have virtually no nutrients. That's why they can be found on rocks and in pavement in urban areas. They do looove water though. That's why they can be found in abundance in forests, especially rainforests and old forests. Keep them moist (but don't drown them) and you pretty much can't go wrong - plus, mosses are plants that can tolerate dessication. They can dry out and very happily stay that way for aages, and the next time they get wet they're all happy again.

That's why terrariums are such a neat idea, they only need to be sealed so that they retain water. Great for kids because they will rarely just die. They don't really even need regular sunlight. For example - I have had a small snap lock bag of moss in my fridge at home for about 4 months. Its still alive and well, and I haven't taken it out or given it any more water. It helps that the cold slows the metabolism (which is why its in the fridge - something I learnt about storing samples at uni), but I imagine it would also be doing well without being in the fridge! I also keep a sample of every moss in my study in a fold of paper in a cupboard. Nothing fancy. They've been that way for about a year now, but still, whenever I want to check a sample I just let it sit in water for a few minutes and its like I just collected it from the forest :) cool huh?!

Ok, ok, you may not share my fascination, but you have to admit - they're clever!

T-shirt reconstruction - Asteroids dress!

2009-07-02T22:02:00.003+10:00

I finally finished it! Yeah, its a crappy quality photo (my camera was flat and we used a phone instead) and I look funny (I am pulling a bit of a face because I was trying to instruct Andy on taking photos) but you can see the dress. Its an ok second try at a reconstruction, and my technique has definately improved. Plus - it an asteroids dress! Awesome! Next up - Transformers! Any tips or ideas or constructive criticism would be very much appreciated!

My newest must-make-have! Spats!

2009-06-25T10:09:00.007+10:00

Last night I was veggin out in front of the telly and browsing around at pretty fashion-type things on the nets when I came across some loovely thigh high boots. All I could think was wow I'd really like a pair of those but hey! Who can afford them? Not me. Soon after there was a picture of another pair of crazy boots - but they weren't boots. They were spats! I had a moment of revelation when I realised I can make spats that look a bit like boots - and there's comething about them that I think makes them much better than any ordinary pair of boots.

The rest of my night was spent searching for tutorials and patterns and I found a few that I might make and borrow ideas from and come up with a version of my own.

Here's some pictures of their diversity -

These above pair you can see more versions of here, even some gorgeous red ones.

These ones are by MAIDE who crafts some stunning victorian spats

These are more like what I'm going to try and make that I found here by Posso the Spat.

My true favourites are these ones by Minniekin.

I think lately they've become fashionable again because of the Steampunk thing (a craze I just don't understand. Its fun and can be fancy but where did it come from?!).

There are patterns and tutorials all over the place. Nice one on Thank you for not being perky with a tutorial for the same pattern at The Indigo Phial. Also, a great tutorial on how to make a pattern from scratch so that they are knee high and fit just right by Steampunkfashion and they look amazing!

Now I just have to finish my thesis and earn some money before making some of my own. Phew! This could take months!

Ok, back to writing...

Heads up about a heads up - Hobart arty+crafty exhibition!

2009-06-11T14:33:00.004+10:00

Little Snoring posted some info about an exhibition coming up here. It includes some local crafts and designs that I really really like - some of them by my cousin's girlfriend (Cat-Rabbit) and some by a really funny (and eccentric) guy I went to college with, and they're both extremely talented so I am definately going to check it out.

Here's a critter from Cat-Rabbit:

My next purchase will be...a book!

2009-06-11T14:27:00.005+10:00

I saw this book at The market Hobart last weekend and thought it looked interesting. After checking out what its about I have decided to purchase it at the next market I find it in :) I'm a bit of a tassie nature enthusiast with a particular love of bryophytes so I should find a it a very interesting read.
On the book's website it describes it as
"Below Tree Level, a melancholy journey into wilderness. A dark, surreal story shaded with green, it is a murky contribution to Tasmanian nature writing."
You can find it here.

Edit: Andy bought it for me! He saw this post and has purchased it. Isn't that adorable?! They're really efficient too, cos I'm getting it today! How cool is that? Its such an awesome suprise and I get it sooner and its so awesome. I can't wait! <3 <3 <3

Next Market: Mothers Market

2009-06-10T21:20:00.005+10:00

The Mothers Market is the next market in Hobart as far as I can tell. I haven't been to one yet, and I can't wait to check it out! I'm sure I can dig up a bit of spending money by then :)

There is another market in Launceston called the Civic Homespun Market and you can get the info here if you're interested. I would be keen to go but can't make the drive. If anyone knows of markets I might be interested in and missing please let me know!

I have found the craft community online in Tassie a bit difficult to find and I've only just found these markets through very convoluted link trailing among any local crafters I can find.

I am keen to be part of this community, but I'm not sure how I'd go because my crafting is very erratic and all these people seem so organised and so talented! I did however pick up a registration form from The market Hobart so that I can participate sometime in the future. How exciting!

I don't mind if noone buys my stuff, I expect it would be a steep learning curve at least to begin with. Its about the making, the expression and the sharing!

Here's hoping...

The market Hobart

2009-06-10T20:57:00.003+10:00

Last Sunday I went to the market Hobart, the Tasmanian craft market I talked about a few posts back, and it was amazing! I had so much fun browsing all the fantastic goodies that were for sale, and I tbought a couple of very small pieces that I really liked. I could have bought the whole lot just to support the brilliant local crafters, but alas, I am a poor student (unfortunately I am currently unemployed too and it sucks bigtime)! I bought a pair of cute studs in a fabulous red colour from That Vintage and an adorable little ring from inner+child who blogs here and who you can buy from on this Australian site.

The colour isn't quite right in this photo and it doesn't do the jewellery justice! I love them and wearing them out already! Looks like I'll just have to buy more at the next market.

I have recently discovered that there are quite a few local craft markets that I've been missing out on, but not anymore! I will try and post the dates and venues when I found out which one is next.

My favourite hoodie

2009-06-05T21:33:00.003+10:00

I have already worn it out and had to mend the seams a few times! It fits so nicely. The sleeves are nice and long, and its long (though could be a little longer - next time) around my hips so I don't get a cold draft like most jumpers that you buy that are too short! I don't know why I disn't post it earlier. I made it while I was between houses before Andy and I got out morgage which probably had something to do with it. I have leftover material too, I just don't know what to make out of it. Ideas?

Ninja stars tutorial

2009-06-05T21:26:00.003+10:00

I made a tutorial! I thought it would be fun to whip up something silly that one day, maybe, might be fun for someone to make! Plus - ninjas rule!!!!!!!!

Come to the market!

2009-06-04T09:51:00.003+10:00

Come and see the new market in Hobart - its all Tasmnian cute and useful crafts and goodies. I know I'm going to want to buy EVERYTHING! My head will be overflowing with inspiration. I would one day love to have a stall, to sell some of my crafts and ideas (doesn't everyone want to make money doing what they love?!). Someone might want to team up with me to make all kinds of things to share and sell. One day.

Check out my new socks!

2009-06-03T19:32:00.003+10:00

I was playing around one evening (procrastinating) with an image of me in my new socks and boots. I prettified it with pink and stars! Fun!

A fun place for creative fashion

2009-06-03T19:07:00.006+10:00

I recently stumbled upon a great site called Polyvore where you can make up images or collages of outfits that you like by putting together an image in their 'set' builder. All the resources are there as soon as you sign up and when you find or see something you like you simply add it to your 'collection' to use in your own 'sets'. You can even import public images from elsewhere on the internet as you browse. Every image links back to where it came from and if its from a fashion catalogue it comes up with the price too, which means browsing sets can also lead you to new and interesting fashion sites and shopping opportunities! Many people put together creative sets and interior design sets too, instead of fashion sets. Here's one I created:

its from a screenshot because you can't save the images - they're full of copyright stuff. Everything in this image you can find links for in my set on the Polyvore webpage.

Come join me and let's see what you create! If you do, comment this post letting me know and I'll come and have a look :)

Crochet panda birthday present

2009-05-01T09:14:00.006+10:00

Last night I finished Hayden's birthday present - its a roly poly panda! It was very quick to make and he looks ok considering he has only got plain black buttons for eyes.
The pattern is from Lion Brand and the pattern is called Pablo Panda (look him up using search, plus you will need a free Lion brand login).
I modified the pattern to have slightly larger arms and legs, a slightly longer body below the black stripe, and I simplified the ears somewhat too.

I think I'll let Hayden name him :)

Patience...

2009-04-30T17:00:00.002+10:00

I am 31 days from the completion of my thesis (hopefully - I might yet be allowed an extension) and the stress is really wearing me down. I would love to get back to crafting and baking and sewing and blogging but I am very much in a different mindset. Its all I can do to finish a crochet Panda for mate's birthday tomorrow :S

Trying times...but what doesn't kill you makes you stronger...or something like that.

I'll bbs ~

Christmas holiday and cooking fun!

2009-01-15T10:06:00.009+11:00

This will be a quick post.

This christmas I was busy cooking christmas presents - my faves are the window biscuits but I also made some yummy peppermint coconut ice trees too. I was not happy with how minty they were. I put in at least 5x the amount of peppermint essence as the recipe suggested, but they still faded in flavour soon after they were finished :( I'll figure it out next time. I am hoping that combining the mix with some crushed XXXX mints will help them be nice and minty.

I also went to a Faerie Party recently - we all had to go as something magical/mythical from a garden. Andy went as a tree, and I went as a faerie. It was fun making my own wings. Maybe I'll post them later :) These are the yummy toadstool cupcakes I made:

This is Andy and I all dressed up!

My sister's little troublemaker

2008-12-11T15:38:00.002+11:00

Being claimed

2008-12-11T15:36:00.002+11:00

Just a little something I made

2008-12-10T09:39:00.004+11:00

I am making a few things here and there leading up to christmas. Most of them I think I'll end up giving away as presents. This stocking I made the other night looks much better in real life, but its the best photo I can get (stupid camera died).

It was fun to make and really easy. When I get my camera back I will try to remember to post the little pattern I made and make up my first little tutorial if anyone is interested. Its a bit of a no brainer really - two pieces of white felt. A piece of red. Sew the snowflake on first then use blanket stitch to finish by joining the two sides of the stocking and the red top together at the same time. Not very difficult - but a very cute decoration!

Oh Dear and Oh yes!

2008-12-03T08:34:00.008+11:00

I have some bad news. Its terrible actually. My poor camera got sick. I've been making lots of yummy things but I can't take any pictures to show you! My camera randomly started vibrating like a phone in the middle of setting up a shot. Yes, like a phone when it rings, but constantly - go figure! Hopefully the dudes at the camera hospital can fix it :)

Its really annoying not having it this week because I'm going camping at Coles Bay in my lovely home, Tasmania. Its beautiful but I haven't been there since I was a lot younger. It rains every time I go (and its supposed to rain this time) but that's half the fun, right?! Boozin on the beach with some of my best mates (and of course Andrew <3).

This is the beautiful Wineglass Bay beach:

Photo by Jason Matthews (visitor shots from here).

Meanwhile I have a lot of work to get back to at Uni. Saving forest biodiversity is a full time job for me!

WooHoo!

2008-11-24T09:51:00.004+11:00

Yay! I'm getting a kitchen mixer! No more shitty $10 hand held electric mixer that flicks out half the cake mix for me anymore! It has 6 settings - but it goes from super fast to super dooper really fast! One day Andrew asked if i was switching it on and using the settings backwards...I think he forgot who he was talking to. 1. noone's that stupid 2. I'm definately not that stupid and 3. I don't even think its possible.

This is my new toy:

Ok, so its not mine yet - its a xmas present - but its sooo close!

I spent so much time looking at which is the better mixer (within my price range) that I can now pick out the names of mixers in movies and such. Andrew is a little weirded out, but he knows me. When I do something - I do it properly. The only downsides to this mixer is perhaps its weight - but to me that's a bonus because I have an excuse to leave it on the bench permanently ;) - and that its not so good at beating just one or two eggwhites. But that's what the shitty $10 one is good at - so I'm all set! And since when do you beat only one eggwhite anyway?! If you're gonna make a pavlova its gotta be huge - which means at least 6...and even then you'll be lucky it lasts more than 5 minutes in our house!

I was hoping to get it before xmas so I can make xmas presents with it, but oh well, I will have to steal mum's old reliable for that. Hmmm...must be careful. It could be a scam to give me the old one and for her to keep the new one...mum's can be tricky!

Watch this space for yummy things to come :)

CRCF Annual Science Meeting

2008-11-09T14:09:00.002+11:00

I am part of this fabulous research centre that brings industry and researchers together and I've been away networking :D It is an absolute highlight of my student year!

I will post a few bits and pieces later because I'm still recovering! It was a long week but endlessly useful and I was dissappointed that its my last meeting for the term of my Masters. Maybe when I do a PhD I'll be able to join them again.

There's nothing like being part of something that is sooo useful and has such broad applications!

Ultimately I'm saying: Don't let anyone tell you that Forestry as an industry doesn't care!

(Don't quote me on all this though - I'm a student. If you'd like to know more look up the website and talk to Prue, Vern or Gordon - they're all fantastic people!).

Caramel bikkies :D

2008-10-16T11:12:00.004+11:00

I commandeered mum's "The Australian Women's Weekly Biscuits book" for a while (that's where I got the recipe for the freckle bikkies from too) and made Andy some yummy caramel biscuits. They're basically a super simple gingernut recipe with hard caramels melted onto them half way through cooking. Easy! But they look great...

I liked watching the caramel melt. They stayed a bit chewy so if you have false teeth - beware! Andy's nan had a hard time!

New things I've been making!

2008-10-16T10:43:00.009+11:00

I've been crocheting myself some little toys and things lately. The cupcake was for mum and I made a little jellyfish for my sister, it has a really cute face too. Smiley jellyfish are awesome!

Also, a tawashi for the kitchen :) I am going to try and make the tawashi bigger because it was difficult to hold onto in the sink. Also, I found another really great idea which was to crochet lengths of tulle in with the wool to turn it into a scourer.

They are based on patterns I found, but I altered them a little. With the jellyfish in my first attempt I missed a few replications of a row which made it a much stumpier body, but I like it anyway - but that also meant that I needed to work the frill onto him a little lower than the pattern described for him to look any good. So I made the frill based not on the pattern, but on the brain slug ruffle.

Also, the brin slug pupil is just a pin at the moment, but I don't think I'll change it because (like Andy said) it means he can look in different directions :) I just won't be letting any kids hold it anytime soon...

So if you like them and are after the pattterns:

The brain slug is here

The cupcake is here

The jellyfish is here

and the tawashi is here

Next on my list is to finish the sackboy I started for Andy, and to try out a cute (the only nice one I could find) tea cosy pattern I found. Oh, and I want to make him a magnetic katamari too. I am also working on a shrug and an afghan of my own design. I'm trying to design a few squares of my own to go in it. I am thinking...a picture of a bat and moon that crosses over 3 or 4 squares, a corset tie square and a few pocket squares.

Anyway...we'll see!

My very own little herb garden...

2008-10-06T14:50:00.006+11:00

...in a teacup!

I have been eyeing off these planters for aaages. We found them at a plant sale last week and Andy bought it for me, along with some chives, thyme and oregano! I think it looks awesome!

Its great to be able to do whatever I want in my own space again! I haven't had the mind for sewing lately, but there's plenty of time for that once we get settled.

More charms

2008-10-06T14:47:00.004+11:00

A ghost, happy cloud and strawberry!

I like the strawberry best :)

I'm making more. Maybe a skull and a star next...and a flower.

I am also thinking I need some coasters, so maybe I'll make some of those too. I am getting over the charm thing now, and I feel like moving onto something else, which is so like me! One minute I'm feeling all inspired by an idea, and he next I want to make something completely new and different. The great thing is that I CAN just leave it for a while and come back to it! I have been making a crochet shrug for about 6 months now. I've gone back to it 5-6 times already. I still like it and want to finish it, but I often want to do somehting else more than I want to crochet!

I am starting to come up with projects that I can easily stop and come back to whenever. I am plotting a crochet granny square rug that will also use up all my scrap wool...

It takes time...

2008-09-30T14:33:00.002+10:00

I haven't been posting because I've been moving house! Yays! My new house with my awesome man is awesome and its gonna be awesome living there from now on....awesome.

I have made more little charms I just haven't posted them because a) I've been too busy moving to take photos b) I'm too lazy to take photos when I'm not busy and c) I don't have the internetz anymore so even if I had photos I couldn't post them until I got to uni anyway...and there I'm supposed to be studying!

I've been seeing heaps of inspiring stuff lately. I particularly like the Geek Crafts site I found. Some of the stuff looks like heaps of fun to make! A sketchy Laptop cover, tshirt stencils, Mario Bros. quilts...

I can't wait until I'm all set up in my new house where I can craft away the hours...

Clay is always fun!

2008-09-30T11:29:00.005+10:00

I am gonna make some clay and make myself some little friends! or something...ooh! I had an idea. Not gonna share yet tho, cos I'll probably fail miserably!

We'll see...

Anyways, the recipe for this stuff is here: Instructables

Pet moss!

2008-09-22T16:06:00.005+10:00

Moss in a jar (terrariums)! Awesome! I could keep all my favourites from my study inside! I doubt I can buy these ones because of strict laws on what you can import to Tassie, but they're such a neat idea!

The jars are fab too! Made by mavis.

What I'm working on now...

2008-09-22T15:01:00.005+10:00

I'm currently working on some little felt charms that I hope (if all goes to plan) will be interchangeable between accessory bases. As in - a choker base, a hair clip base, a hair band base, a phone charm base, a necklace base, a ring base, a brooch base etc...

If I have a choker with a nice rose on it what if I want to wear it as a badge tomorrow? Or as a mismatched earring tonight? They're versatile and they're all mine! Mwahahahahaha!

I'll hopefully be selling some soon. I need a store first...and enough to sell. But if you like them watch this space! Or let me know, make a request and I'll sew some just for you! I am thinking for a preliminary price for 3 standard charms and two bases = $18. That's a nice price considering the other stuff that's out there. Postage extra :D

They've all got cardboard in them for sturdiness and I hand sew them all! No glue.

As I make more I'll post more pictures.

If you like the idea at least - leave a comment and tell me what you think :) Feedback FTW!

Finally finished!

2008-09-19T10:51:00.004+10:00

Introducing my purple people eater!

He's made mostly of felt and was great fun to make!

His eye comes out too!

><

2008-09-15T16:32:00.003+10:00

Awww, look at the widdle cutie!

Absolutely gorgeous.

2008-09-14T16:52:00.002+10:00

Need I say more?

Photo of disthymya at Deviantart.

My first tshirt dress!

2008-09-14T13:07:00.008+10:00

Ok, so what do you think?
Its made out of one of Andys old shirts that didn't fit him anymore. I cut the pattern based on an old Hello Kitty nightie I love, and cut up a second black shirt for the straps and the ruffle a the bottom. It took me an afternoon to finish, but I had to figure out what kind of stretch stitches were good as I went along, so it could have been fairly quick to make. Its really comfy and for once I have a dress that fits me just right and I don't feel like I'm gonna flash ppl every five seconds!

I was completely inspired by Whatthecraft.com and kinda followed the tutorials there, though you pretty much can't go wrong if you use someting that fits you as a base pattern and know how to gather the ruffle.

I also recently got Photoshop back thanks to Matty, which is awesome! (He's my new best friend! :D) Which is why I kinda went overkill with adding the background...but it was fun! The background is by dazzle-textures at Deviantart.

Wearydrearies

2008-09-12T16:45:00.006+10:00

Another deviant who inspires me is wearydrearies who does some amazing dresses. I love the colours she uses, and the extra cute touches like bows or hearts. Each one is made a little different and they're always interesting to look at because of things like the layering and lace. I love that every design is complete with stockings and armwarmers that are just as fun and ragged looking as the dresses. For something a little different she's definately worth a look :)

This is a great DIY clothes site!

2008-09-10T11:15:00.008+10:00

I have just discovered this site called WhatTheCraft.com. Its got heaps of ideas and tutorials for customizing your clothes and reusing your old shirts. Things like halter tops, circle skirts, combination dresses and the many variations thereof.

I can't wait to get stuck into Andy's old tees!

I am always admiring the shirts that you can buy for guys. They always have much better illustrations and designs on them, and I have always wanted to buy them for myself but couldn't figure out how to make them more than just a baggy top!

This site also has a huge list of other DIY craft and clothes links, though most of them don't include any tutorials, just loads of inspiration :)

Time to get out the scissors...

WTF mate?

2008-09-10T11:11:00.004+10:00

I have no idea where these came from (I got them in a random email), but they're very...er...interesting. Some people have waaay too much time on their hands.

My first petticoat! Yays!

2008-09-07T23:22:00.003+10:00

I had lots of tulle floating around from an impulse buy (3m of tulle an impulse buy?!) a while back and decided to finally make it into a petticoat. Here's my finished result:Well, its finished for now. I might add an extra layer of tulle around the second layer, to make it extra poofy, and when the mood takes me and I want a change I'll add some pretty coloured lace around the edges. Mostly I'm putting it off becuase I would need metres and metres of lace, and I just can't afford that right now! Buying a house is expensive business...

I have another photo in a different light. I jazzed it up with some red ribbon and I think it could look cute even without a skirt over the top. Not that Andy would ever let me out of the house! maybe I could wear it just for him.

Next time I'll be using a lighter mesh/tulle fabric, because I think a petticoat needs that extra bounce!

Now I just need to find/make a skirt to go over it...or several!

What's been keeping me up all night?

2008-09-06T12:19:00.006+10:00

No, its not always Andy. Sometimes I read...or both :P

Anyways,

I have been reading books by Laurell K Hamilton in the Anita Blake Vampire Hunter series. They're good books. Not the best I've read but way up there on my list of fun books to read. IMO noone can outclass Anne Rice for Vampire books, but I am open to new ideas if anyone has any suggesions.

Its got vampires and werewolves and necromancy and love and sex. A good simple mix, but later in the series it starts to be all about sex. It fits the plot, but I get tired of reading through the scenes to get to the real story! I'm thinking "ok, I get it, she needs it all the time or ppl will die, but maybe a little overkill?".

I guess that's what the people want. Lotsa sex!

Birthday cake

2008-09-05T11:53:00.005+10:00

My mum, sister and I made this train cake for my sister's birthday. We both had it when we were really young, and we both did it again for our 18th/21st. Its one of those Women's Weekly designs - the cake decorating book that everyone has.

It was heaps of fun to make and the icing is soo yummy!

Another of my favourite skirt designs.

2008-09-05T11:35:00.001+10:00

Gathering like this is another one of my favourite design elements.

Another one from Deviantart. Its by Larifari.

So many ideas, so little time!

Its all her fault!

2008-09-05T11:04:00.003+10:00

I have recently fallen back into an obsession of mine that I thought I had overcome. Its bad for study - I just don't want to do anything else!

Sewing and creating little works of art that are uniquely my own. Some of the things I want to create are probably not going to be appreciated by most people. I mean - who wears miniskirts with a bright petticoat in the middle of a Tasmania

n winter?! And they're not perticularly suited to my line of work. I spend much of my year wandering around out in the wilderness sitting around in the leaf litter and avoiding leeches. Its like I'm leading a double life!

Recently I was reading this blog http://kathleencrowley.blogspot.com/ and came across a very appropriate little quote...

Wear whatever you want.

Wear it whenever you want.

Love what you wear.

...just maybe if i have my way, I will.

and its all her fault...

...I saw this photo and the corset she designed and I was hooked again! Its by two truths at deviantart and her name is Rachael. Her design is gorgeous!

Inspiration

2008-09-05T10:22:00.001+10:00

When I look for inspiration I go to www.deviantart.com where drawings, photos, fashion and design mingle and there is an endless stream of amazing art. However my mood changes or wherever my obsessions take me I can always find something to stir my creative soul!

I am not sure if the artists will like me referencing their work in my blog. I make no claim over their awesomeness and will always reference and link back to their site. If anyone has any problems, just say so, and I will desist!

Yummm

2008-09-04T13:19:00.001+10:00

It was my partner Andy's birthday recently and I was ordering him a big combined family present (Chumby http://www.chumby.com/ which he loves, btw) but wanted to give him something more personal. His favourite lollies are freckles, and he loves me to make sweets for him. So what is a girl to do but make yummy fudgey freckle bikkies!

They look great, and were so much fun to make!

In the beginning...

2008-09-03T23:36:00.005+10:00

This is just a bit of an experiment.

Somewhere to put my ideas, thoughts, creations and inspirations.