My Creative Space & Blogtoberfest

 I'm slightly late and disorganised today - the busy week has caught up with me!

In my creative space is my Pin Up Your Doodle submission that I began working on yesterday. I was colouring it in a public space yesterday and someone asked me why the tulips weren't yellow?

Most of this weeks creativity has been dedicated to lots of drawing, and then lots of photoshopping. I'll have new designs for cards, and for fabrics on the way very very soon, which I'm super excited about.

I was printing test cards lastnight when my magenta cartridge ran out (whodathunkit)... so the first mission for today is to buy more ink.

Pop on over to visit Kirsty to play along this week.

In other SUPER EXCITING news..... it's Blogtoberfest Eve!

Make sure that you pop on over and visit this post at Tinniegirl to sign up and play along for the month.

This year I have a separate Blogtoberfest page dedicated to all the giveaways on offer. Just follow the simple instructions to add your giveaway to the list - of course, if there are any problems, just email me: mscurlypops (at) gmail (dot) com

Flaming Dodo

After receiving my digitally printed fabric from Spoonflower a couple of weeks ago, I decided to have a play around with a repeating pattern.

This is the first test swatch for Flaming Dodo (as my drawing looks somewhat like a cross between a Flamingo and a Dodo).

Now that I'm happy with the repeat, I can start fiddling with background colours..... and I also have some brand new drawings on the horizon which I think will make fabulous fabric. I'm just waiting for some more test swatches to arrive in a linen / cotton blend before I order myself some yardage. How exciting!

Zip It

I've made quite a few zippered pouches now, so I think I've finally gotten over my fear of sewing them.
In fact, I think they're even at the stage where they look pretty good (if I do say so myself)!

You may be wondering why on earth these pouches are so long?

They're a custom order for a lady who travels a lot. She wanted some nice padded pouches to protect her GHD Hair Straighteners in her luggage.

Thank goodness for my supply (or should that be hoard) of op-shopped zippers. I actually had dress length zippers in the stash which were perfect matched with the fabrics that she chose.

The title of this post has just reminded me of the video that I saw on Rage Friday night....

The Grand Finale

The Garden Gate

So this is the final piece that I'm exhibiting at Home is Where the Craft Is

The Garden Gate

I've combined my love of creating flowers, with a little bit of crazy stitching....

The Garden Gate

....to form a sculpture of sorts.

* Beautiful photos courtesy of Cathie

I just couldn't help myself

I was trying to save these until next week, but I just can't resist blogging them!

I had my original illustrations printed onto fabric....

.....and now I've turned the printed fabric into Flex Frame iPhone / Gadget Pouches.

These little pouches have a nice soft layer of wadding for protection and also include a nifty rear pocket to stash your earphones (or whatever else you may like to stash)!

Both designs are available in the CurlyPops Shop right now.

But wait, there's still more

 Nesting

For those who can't make it in person to Home is Where the Craft Is, I'm revealing some more pieces today. The grand finale reveal will take place tomorrow.

Lollipop Florets

If you do decide to go along for a visit today (161 Albion St, Brunswick) between 12PM and 5PM, there'll be a little pop-up market in the backyard to peruse as well.

The Lawn

Oh, and there'll also be cupcakes!

Opening Night

 Hi-Rise

What a night!

Hi-Rise and Lo-Rise

There was a wonderful crowd of happy people who came along to check out the crafty goodness on opening night.  A huge thankyou to all my crafty friends who came along.

Lo-Rise

I'm so happy that I was able to join in this with group exhibition. Cate has done a wonderful job of bringing together a whole range of different artists and crafters. Cate's house works brilliantly as a temporary gallery space.

If you're out and about in the Brunswick area, you should definitely pop in for a visit. The house is open every day between 12PM and 5PM for the next two weeks at 161 Albion St (enter from the rear yard).

*Beautiful photos courtesy of Cathie

And on with the show!

The day has finally arrived - Home is Where the Craft Is officially opens tonight.

My group of pieces form The Container Garden.

My original containment idea sort of metamorphosed when my containers suddenly started filling with flowers.

It's the ultimate no maintenance water free garden.

I hope that you can come along for a look over the next couple of weeks if you happen to be in Melbourne.

I'll be sharing more of my exhibition pieces during the week.

A big thankyou for the beautiful photos must go to the very talented Cathie, who came to help me set up earlier in the week.

My Creative Space

I think Kirsty's still on holidays this week, but I'm still playing my creative space anyway..... mainly because I wanted to show off the fact that I actually cleaned my workbench!

I spotted the plastic container idea over at Kimono Reincarnate last week. Melanie has all of hers nicely labelled, but I haven't managed to get that far just yet.

The great thing is that they're see through (so you can actually see whats in them), and they stack nicely, and I only paid around $15 for 50 containers and lids from Lombards.

Now, lets see if I can keep it this way..... wishful thinking?

Pin Up Your Doodle

I just saw this fantastic little project over on CLOG (the Craft Victoria Blog).

From CLOG:

Pin Up Your Doodle invites you to submit doodles, illustrations and sketches. These works will be exhibited and auctioned at ACCA (Melbourne) and Sydney (venue TBC) this November... in other words now's your chance to say you've shown work at ACCA

I'm definitely joining in!

Another Gadgetty Prototype

This is something that I've been working on in the background for a little while now.

It's a new larger sized gadget pouch using the 115mm flex frame for the opening..
(I've just noticed that my hands look really old.... hmmm must remember to moisturise).

It even has a nifty little extra pocket at the front (as suggested by Tinniegirl). I don't call her the ideas woman for nothing you know!

I'll have lots of these ready to go for upcoming markets and they'll also be available very soon in The CurlyPops Shop.

A little sneaky peek

I'm terrible with surprises.... so I just couldn't resist giving everyone a little sneaky peek, before I pack everything and ship it over to Cate's in readiness for Friday night.

Tune into Triple RRR thismorning at 10.30 AM (edtit) 11.15 AM to hear Cate discussing the exhibition - live streaming here.

A special delivery

Photo completely unedited to give accurate representation of colour

I arrived home on Thursday to find a little package in my postbox.

I'd ordered a couple of test fat quarters from Spoonflower a little while back, using my designs. I haven't actually had time to do anything with them just yet..... but I have plans. I always have plans!

Saturday - Busy Day

I have big plans today - my little sister is coming for a visit to give me a hand in finishing off all of my exhibiton items.

My little brother delivered the last piece of the puzzle yesterday afternoon (pictured above). He doesn't seem to understand or share in my artistic vision..... and can't seem to work out what I wanted it for.

I promise that all will be revealed very very soon!

Animation Friday - Impromptu Shoot

I had a little visitor last week.
This is what happened when I asked him to stand still in front of the wall so that I could take a photo......

Join in Animation Friday at My Poppet.

Marking Time

Two Years

My Creative Space

I don't even know where to begin with my creative space today....


After the market last weekend, and working on bits and pieces for the upcoming exhibition, my house is strewn with remnants of various completed, and work in progress projects.

Add in the normal chaos of my life, with the comings and goings each day, and appointments and tasks, and constantly dragging things around the house, and dealing with Houdini Dog and Bastard Cat (who woke me up at least three times lastnight).... and I feel like I'm either in the middle of a cyclone, or living in some sort of alternate universe!

My task for today is to try to sort out some of this mess before I have to employ Peter Walsh and his clean up crew.

I really think that they should resurrect that old show Your Life on the Lawn with Lissanne Oliver. I'd be a perfect candidate!

The home of (hopefully much nicer and cleaner) creative spaces....

Watcha Wearin' Wednesday

It's not quite warm enough to be wearing it just yet, but look what arrived in the mail yesterday.

I was the lucky winner of Jennie's giveaway, and she made this beautiful top in my size, with my choice of fabric.  I think it must be the very first custom made top that I've ever owned, which is very exciting indeed.

I think Jennie may just be psychic..... she also included some very cute dinosaur fabric, and sewing machine needles. I've been breaking quite a few lately while sewing with wire so they were just perfect!

Frances has taken over modelling duties for me thismorning. She's a very obliging stand-in model.

Of course, if you also love this top, you can pop down to Olive Grove Studios and buy one of your very own.

Speaking of giveaways, I also won some beautiful vintage sheet fat quarters from Susan which she bought along to NCB last week.

Thanks so much Jennie and Susan!

I heart... submission

This is my completed submission for the I Heart ... Zine that I was working on a couple of weeks ago.

I've had to replenish my supply of fineliner pens in Pink, Orange and Red..... hmmmm, I wonder why that would be?

Home is Where the Craft Is

This week (amongst my normal activities), I'm devoting my time to finishing off my pieces for the Fringe Festival Exhibition - Home Is Where The Craft Is.

For those who wanted a sneaky peek of what I've been working on...... one of my pieces is featured on the exhibition postcard, which I'm super chuffed about!

I still have lots and lots of work to do - I've made a list and I've checked it twice. I have plenty of coffee, chocolate, and red cordial on hand to provide the perfect balance of caffeine, sugar, and artificial food colouring to keep me going.

Better get to it then!

Time for Dessert?

I had a bit of a craving for some yummy dessert after dinner tonight.

I made this chocolate pudding a couple of weeks ago after seeing ot over at Pip's, and it was a huge success, so I made it again.

....and the best bit is..... that I don't have to share with anyone!

Marketeering in Buninyong

My stall

'Twas a lovely little day out in the country today at the Buninyong Makers Market.
The crowds were rushing in early, so I only managed to snap a couple of quick photos immediately after we'd set up for the day.

The town hall is absolutely beautiful, and had a lovely vibe all day. There was a steady stream of customers, and it was great to have a chat and a laugh with everyone.

Tinniegirls Stall

There were FREE chocolate cupcakes on the way in (which were truly delicious), and then as soon as we arrived we happened to meet a lovely girl from the coffee shop across the road who was taking coffee orders, and delivering them back to the market (can you believe it)!

Then to make it even more unbelievable, she just so happened to be Trudi and Nikki's sister. Talk about a small world!

It was lovely to catch up with Jodie (without that nasty cough thank goodness), and Annie, and I finally got to meet Kathryn too, which was lovely.

A huge thankyou to my crafty partner-in-crime (who I think I should be maybe re-naming my arty partner-in-crime), and my sister (who sarcastically calls herself the 'donkey'), for lugging all my bits and bobs, and trolleys, and boxes and whatsits, because I certainly wouldn't be out and about marketeering without all of that help.

Pretty Flamingo

I'm on the home stretch of the market preparations..... it's amazing what you can get done in a couple of days at short notice!

My brand new cards are all printed and  packed and ready to go.

Come along and visit me at the Buninyong Makers Market tomorrow from 10AM - 2 PM to check them out in person.

Just in case you can't make it tomorrow, I've popped these three designs into The CurlyPops Shop!

My Creative Space

It's all about action stations and market preparations today.
This pile of pouches needs flex frames to be added.

This pile still needs sewing.

At least the brooches are all packed and ready to go......

Oh, and I still need to finish printing and packing my new cards..... and then I'm off to the Northern Craft Bonanza tonight. It's been quite a while between drinks, so I'm really looking forward to it!

The home of My Creative Space.