Monday, April 30, 2012

The 'Make It In May' Skirt Sew-Along



It's time for a Make It In May Skirt Sew-Along crafty peeps!

Here are the rules (should you choose to accept them):

  1. Sign up on the dotted line below
  2. Choose your favourite skirt pattern
  3. Pick a fantabulous fabric
  4. Sew Sew Sew
  5. Blog it and show it off
I'm making myself a winter version of the You Sew Girl A-Line Skirt using some gorgeous dark grey wool suiting that I picked up at the last Spotty sale. I'm hoping that I'll also have time to make at least one of the Lisette Skirts too (fingers crossed)!

I've been using some of my newly learned photoshop skills on the button - feel free to add it to your blog and link it to this post!

You can just right click and save the button above (it's 200px wide) or copy and paste the html code below


<a href="http://www.curlypops.blogspot.com.au/2012/04/make-it-in-may-skirt-sew-along.html"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7063/7127652389_f0a392cd72_o.png">

Lets go!

Sunday, April 29, 2012

Sunday Snippets - the Birthdaypalooza Edition




Just wanted to thank everyone for all the lovely birthday messages (sorry I haven't been able to respond to them all) and all of my family and friends for making birthdaypalooza so special. You guys rock!

Playing Sunday Snippets with Tinniegirl...

Birthdaypalooza


It's my birthday today. I still feel like I'm 25, except I'm quite sure that I'm most definitely not 25.

Here's an old photo I found from my 5th Birthday.... (I know that because I counted the candles)


.... and here's the exact same tablecloth on my dining table 33 years later (I'm sure you can do the math)!

It has quite a few holes (hence the strategically placed centrepiece).

I can't believe my mum held onto it for so long. She gave it to me as it was holey and she thought I might like to cut it up for crafting. But I think I might just keep it for birthdays instead.



So far, birthdaypalooza has consisted of clothes shopping, op shopping, coffee drinking and lots and lots of talking and eating.

I'm only half way through my plans.... still lots more fun to go!

Friday, April 27, 2012

Random Friday


The first photoshop class was fabulous yesterday. It's been so long since I've been anywhere near a classroom, but it's really re-inforced to me that I'm most definitely a teacher/classroom/textbook type of learner.

The bonus bit - I finally met Cintia from My Poppet as we're both doing the course (thank goodness she tweeted about it or I may have missed out)!


The festival of birthday begins today with watching the Preppie in a class performance at school assembly, and then we have the sisterlyopshoppingpalooza (I'm sure that's a real word), and lunch at my favourite cafe (sorry pulmonary rehab, but I'm ditching you today)!

 Photo courtesy Copper Patch

Abbe needs some help answering some Craft Retreat questions here.


I'm testing out my newly learned vector drawing skills on the May Skirt Sew Along button. I'm hoping that it looks like a skirt in a wintery type fabric?

Anyway, check out the blog on Monday to sign up for the Sew Along. You can make any skirt that your heart desires for the challenge, but if you're thinking about making a You Sew Girl A-Line Skirt, the pattern is available here.

Happy Random Friday!

Thursday, April 26, 2012

My Creative Space


I'm heading off to begin a Photoshop Course today and I'm super excited.... so excited in fact that I decided at 5.30PM yesterday that I must have a new pencilcase (somewhat like the first day of school).

I searched through the stash and found this little sample swatch of my SuperPops fabric from way back when.


It just so happened to be the perfect width to make a little front facing zipper pouch to fit all of my favourite fineliner pens.

 Wish me luck!


More Creative Spaces

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

The ambitions of a Preppie



I was on school pick up duty yesterday. I only live about 500m from school, but it takes me about 15 minutes to walk there and another 15 minutes to walk back.

So I picked up Moo from his classroom, and for the entire 15 minute walk home he told me everything that he would like me to make for him. He didn't even stop and draw breath. He truly believes that I can make anything and everything. It's so darn sweet!

We had about an hour before he had to go home. He desperately wanted me to make him a Dinosaur Pillow Pet. I desperately wanted to play Jenga.


We compromised and decided to draw a sketch of a dinosaur that we could make into a mini softie.


We used Crayola fabric markers on calico. Super simple and extremely quick!


I think he loves him.

Monday, April 23, 2012

A quilty replica


It's birthday season around these parts, so time to get cracking on some handmade gifts.

First up is a little dolly quilt / sleeping bag and matching pillow for Lily. I made one the same for her older sister many moons ago.


Every time I make something that even remotely resembles a quilt, I always joke about how you have to cut the fabric up into teeny little pieces just so you can sew it all back together again....... but seriously, I do love a simple patchwork quilt top!


Luckily Bec popped in for a visit just in time to do the heavy lifting (ie. retrieving the massively heavy snap press from the garage)

There are three snaps on each side to convert it into a sleeping bag.


I think dolly looks quite comfortable.


But, the proof is in the playing... and one of my little weekend visitors just couldn't resist!

Sunday, April 22, 2012

Sunday Snippets... via Instagram


Favourite PJ's


'Twas so lovely to meet Michelle for a Baconpalooza brunch (finally after all these years) and pop in to see Liz

Found out that my old house is back on the market.... if only I could transplant my old kitchen into my new place. Oh, and I'd really like my kitchen tap back. It took me ages to choose it!


Birthday brunch for B-Fab Brianna


After school fun with Moo


A pressie from B-Fab...


... and these gorgeous cups too!


Arena is up to season 4 now... which means that sadly, there's not much more left


Loved seeing my goodies on the Gleaners Inc stall at the Finders Keepers Market! Bumped into soooo many familiar crafty faces (which was brilliant)...


...and finally met Melanie from Kimono Reincarnate too!

Happy Sunday


Playing Sunday Snippets with Tinniegirl...

Thursday, April 19, 2012

The Finders Keepers Market



Hay Ho! It's time for the Finders Keepers Market again.

This year it's being held in a brand new venue at The Royal Exhibiton Buildings in Carlton on Friday night, and all day Saturday.

Head along to the Betty Jo / Gleaners Inc stall to find yourself some lovely handmade CurlyPops goodies.

I'll see you there!

My Creative Space



Normally, I hardly ever sew anything by hand, but this week, I haven't even switched the machine on.

Today's little stitchy task is to close up this little dolls pillow.



Now that I have my new towelrail attached to my cutting bench, I'm desperately hoping that I can keep the top surface nice and clean and clutter free.... or maybe I'm just dreaming.

More creative spaces.

PS - I really should have mentioned that I made the pink floral purse using a You Sew Girl 150mm Purse Frame Pattern!

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

River Studios Open Day and Sale


There are some hidden gems in the Western Suburbs of Melbourne and River Studios is definitely one of them.

Their upcoming Open Day is the perfect opportunity to check out this wonderful run down heritage building which has been converted into Artist Studios by the City of Melbourne.

Not only can you visit the building, but the artists will also have works for sale on the day.

Pop on over to Leonie's New Views Clues and Reviews Blog for more info.

Details are as follows:

Saturday May 5th - 11AM - 4PM
41-59 Sims St, West Melbourne
Melways 2T A10

Please park opposite the ivory building with the cactus garden, against the mesh covered wire fence. (Don't park on the building side, or you will get us into trouble). 

Monday, April 16, 2012

My B-Fabulous Quilt

It's Brianna's Birthday today, and a perfect time to show off her magnificent lap quilt!



A little while ago, she hosted a fabric giveaway on her blog featuring fabrics from the Kate Spain Terrain collection. I had my fingers and toes and everything crossed as I desperately wanted to win (I mean seriously... all those pinks and oranges were screaming my name).


Well, imagine my delight when I found out that I was the lucky winner!

But what was even better about this particular giveaway is that B-Fab was well aware of my penchant for procrastination, and my lack of skill and motivation in the quilting department.

So, instead of just giving my the fabric, she transformed it into this absolutely beautiful lap quilt.

I love it (who wouldn't)???

I'm saving this one.... (not for the pool room), but I'm putting it away with my hospital suitcase, so that I'll have something soft and snuggly and comforting when the time comes.

Thankyou so much Brianna. I hope you have a super fabulous birthday!!!

Sunday, April 15, 2012

Sunday Snippets... via Instagram



Channelling my inner Where's Wally


New woven nametags in the mail



Shining a little light


Re-jigging the layout



Sun Sea Sand



Indulgence



Pretty washing up


Adding something new to the collection


All finished off with a serving of Baconpalooza!

Sunday Snippets via Tinniegirl