...and the Postman delivers new fabric!

I was supposed to go to work today, but I'm so glad I didn't, because I would have missed the Postie!

I almost did miss him as I had the music blaring and didn't hear the knock at the door.

Thank goodness for Mr Limpy Houdini dog and his incessant barking!

These two are now in the shop!

When inspiration hits

Inspiration. Mojo. Whatever you call it.

When it hits you just have to go with it...

Still playing with designs - new things are on the way!

When Inspiration Strikes

You just never know when the next brilliant idea or inspiration might appear.

I was brunching with Cathy in a nice little cafe one day when I spotted this lovely metal screen.

I have a bit of a fencespotting thing going on over on instagram (which also includes metal screens in cafes). I really like looking at the patterns and the shapes.  I'm particularly fond of the 50's 60's and 70's type era.

These have all been added to my inspiration folder for future reference.

I was particularly smitten by the cafe screen so I got to work designing a repeatable pattern.

Which I then had printed up as fabric.

I decided that I wanted to make myself another Wiksten Tank, so I chose a cotton voile basecloth.
Although you can't really tell from this photo, the cotton voile is really sheer, so I have to wear a singlet undeneath.

You can just see a little peak on the right armhole from this photo (and it's a little washed out), but I used a really bright red binding for the armholes and neckline. It worked perfectly with the red in the print.

Thankyou Cafe Screen - I think this might be my new favourite top!

A Rainbow Satchel

Cate commented a few weeks ago that my Somewhere Over the Rainbow bib design would look great on a satchel.... and so the wheels were set in motion on this latest creation.

I tweaked the design a little and had it printed in a larger format.

I decided to instagram the process as I was making it so that Cate could see the bag coming together.

If there wasn't enough rainbow colour on the outside, then just open the flap!

I hope she likes it!

My Creative Space

It's been a little bit Random Acts of Crafting around here lately...

There's been a bit of production lining of Shop stock
 

Some custom designed Santa Sacks...

...and a custom design WIP Satchel Bag

Still lots to do!

More creative spaces

My Creative Space

I've been doing some contract work at my old day job this week, so there's been little time (or energy left) for crafting.

But, when I arrived home Monday arvo, there was a very important package of fabric sitting on my front doorstep, that urged me to head straight for the sewing machine.

After playing around with word games, I strung it all together with some nice stripey binding.

Now it's winging it's way to the land of Middlemost and will be on display at the Sydney Finders Keepers Market.

I hope it attracts lots of customers to Janine's beautiful handmade wares!


*apologies for the photo quality - had to take early evening snaps and get it straight in the post!

More creative spaces

PS - if you like this bunting, then you may also like my rainbow bunting

#Reverb12

Kat from I Saw You Dancing emailed me a couple of weeks ago to ask if I would be interested in making a blog button for #Reverb12

Of course, I jumped at the chance to test out the design skills that I've been working hard on developing and improving over the past year.

I didn't actually know anything about the background of #Reverb or what it was all about, so I asked if she could give me a quick explanation.

Kat told me.....  

• Reverb is all about spending a moment each day in December, thinking about the year that has past and looking forward to the year ahead. The prompts range from the deep & meaningful to the everyday i.e. everything from "What did you let go of this year?" to "What was the best movie you saw?"

 I sat and stared at a blank computer screen listening to the cogs spinning in my brain when it hit me....       a series of translucent stacked circles and cogs woud illustrate the overlapping of thoughts and ideas reflecting back, and looking forward.

I've signed up to play along. I may not respond to all of the prompts (December is always an extremely busy month), but it'll be good to read the daily prompt and reflect with my own thoughts anyway.

Thankyou Kat!

Proud Moment

I spent yesterday afternoon packing fabric for the upcoming Polly Pratt Pop-Up Shop this Saturday.

As I haven't been selling at any markets, I usually only cut fabric to a specific size as orders come in from the shop.

When I stood back and looked from afar, I have to admit to having a bit of a proud moment.

Fingers crossed the shoppers like them!


PS - this is post number 2000!!!

Getting my bibs in a row.

Literally, not metaphorically...

I thought it was high time that I designed my very own unique range of bibs.

After some experimentation with basecloths (I would have dearly loved to have them printed onto a linen blend, but it just wasn't practical), I chose to go with a plain 100% cotton.

This is the first time that I've layered my hand drawn illustrations onto the top of a digitally designed pattern (rather than just a plain background), and I love the effect that it gives.

These are the first five designs in the bib range. I'm really hoping that the mums will love having something completely unique for their bubbas. Oh, and of course, they make perfect gifts for baby showers and birth pressies (hint hint)...

They're in the shop!

My Creative Space

Night time iPhone photo is the best I could do this week!

So this is what I've been up to creatively this week. Snuggling up in bed at night with my sketchbook, drawing patterns, and thinking about fabric. I'm ever so slightly obsessed with it at the moment.

If only I was successful enough to keep funding more designs, I'd be ever so happy.

'Til then, I'll keep dreaming...

More creative spaces....

Mocking Up

I've been playing around in photoshop again over the weekend. It's actually quite fun (especially when I turn my study into a little hotbox on a freezing cold day). 'Tis quite cosy in there...

Anyhow... I've been thinking about what I would like my website to look like (when I actually HAVE a website that is).

It's just going to be a simple front page. I don't want any detail here, as the buttons will lead you on to the detail.


For me, as a user, the best websites are very clear, concise, easy to read, and easy to navigate. But, I also really want it to be something that I've designed myself. There's a sense of satisfaction that comes with it being your own work.

Anyway, this is just my first mock-up. I'd love to know what you think, and what your opinions are on the best types of websites.