Blogtoberfest Day 15: My Creative Space & The Mookah Challenge

I'm not going to be home to create anything today, but this is next on my list.... and currently sitting on my kitchen bench.

The lovely Mookah ladies have issued SuperPops with a challenge which must be completed by the end of Blogtoberfest. We're halfway there already, and I haven't come up with a definitive idea of what I'm going to do.

I need to take this extremely well felted jumper.......

- from Mookah

"it was a mens XL 100% wool cream cable knit jumper - you know the sort I mean. Anyway, we weren't thinking and put it in with a red jumper, so you guessed it, it's now a baby pink coloured jumper. Worse than that though, it shrunk just a little more than desired, and would probably now fit a 4 year old child."

.....and transform it into something wonderful.

Wish me luck!

Creativity abounds at the home of My Creative Space


PS - If you're stuck for Blogtoberfest ideas, just check out the list on Amy's sidebar, and today you can also head on over to Chunky Chooky for help. Cath has a post chock full of ideas for everyone!

Blogtoberfest Day 14 - SuperPops the Second

The entries are flying in...

Here we have the next entry in the SuperPops Challenge from Nikki's wee girl. Do you see my SuperPops mask and my very happy smile?

This is so much fun!

Blogtoberfest Day 14: The First SuperPops Entry

Courtesy of Emjies

Faster than a speeding bullet, Melissa from Emjies has already completed her entry in the SuperPops Challenge....

I feel like an ethereal warrior woman now!

Head on over to Melissa's post here to read more about her wonderful entry.

Blogtoberfest Day 13: Moo Moo's new Throne

I was heading home one day last week and I popped into Vinnies at Altona on the way. I found this fabulous kids cane chair for a whole $5! I knew that Moo Moo would love it, and it was the perfect size for him.

Bargain - definitely
Comfortable - maybe not

So on Sunday, I whipped up a quick padded seat cushion.

I used the leftovers of the Moo Cow print from Nikki, and some upholstery remnants for the front and back, and I sandwiched a really thick fleecy remnant in the middle for cushioning.
The ties are just leftover bits of bias binding that have been laying around in the stash.

Moo was supposed to be having an afternoon nap, so the twins tested it out - first up was Zane

Then one sock Noah

Until a cheeky little monkey who was supposed to be asleep suddenly appeared...

I think he likes it!

Blogtoberfest Day 12: The SuperPops Challenge

Since the Loz and Dinny Challenge, SuperPops seems to have taken on a life of her own, and so she now desperately needs your help!

Your challenge Dear Blogtoberfesters, is to use any medium that you prefer to create a character, cartoon, caricature, comic strip, softie, drawing, sketch, painting, collage, plasticine/playdough figure, etc of SuperPops.

This challenge is all about having a bit of fun and trying something new. You can even get the kiddies involved.

The rules of the challenge are:

• Sign up below if you would like to play along.
• You have until 12.PM (Melbourne time) on the 31st October to complete the challenge.
• On the 31st October, take photos of your stunning creation and post them on your own blog.
• Once posted - head back over to my 31st October post (where you will find Mr Linky), and copy and paste your link so that I know you're finished.
• So that there is no bias involved, I will get my nephews to choose their favourite entry.

This is my effort - black fineliner and texta on sketchbook paper

The winner will receive:

• Glory
• Praise
• Chocolate
• A CurlyPops Flower Brooch in a colour of your choice
• Fabric and some other crafty bits and bobs

If you would like to add the marvellous SuperPops Challenge button courtesy of the lovely Tania from Myrtle and Eunice, here is the code:

<a href="http://curlypops.blogspot.com/"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ9kmwwvI9lMDvg7uHJKCIQenMsziBq9QhHXHE73pRRERahQsnIJ7AFWsrCy-wZaIodwrkmHi8uA_6biLluJm852B220GJz3zATfX2anJbVJnR8K4hYsNYV6n2lT2IlEl2q4iQYW3IfzA/s400/SuperPops_Small.JPG"/></a>



Thanks to Gemma for the challenge inspiration!

Blogtoberfest Day 11: The Market Wrap

Photo courtesy of Cathie from Melbourne Epicure

It was such a wonderful day for the very first Northside Makers Market....

Photo courtesy of Cathie from Melbourne Epicure

Sunshine and 19 degrees...

Photo courtesy of Cathie from Melbourne Epicure

Lots of happy customers and stallholders.....


Lots of bloggy and non-bloggy visitors popping in to say hello.....

Crafty partners in crime to spend the day with....

Belt by Polly Pratt - Bill Books by Finki - Zippered Pouch (for my nephews birthday) by Konstant Kaos

..... and of course MARKET LOOT!

Blogtoberfest Day 10: Whoops! We now have a winner

I got a bit carried away by the market preparations and completely forgot to draw the winner of my giveaway lastnight...... so without further ado, the winner is:

Number 50 - Linda from Two Pink Possums

Now this is actually quite fateful because when I spotted that book at the oppy, I immediately thought that Linda would love it..... spooky!

Thanks so much to everyone for playing along - make sure you check all of the new giveaways on my sidebar and come back on Monday for my next giveaway.

Now I'm off to read the 61 blog posts that have popped up in my google reader since I left for the market thismorning.

Blogtoberfest Day 10: One is the loneliest number

One lonely little placemat found at the oppy....

Is now a sweet little handbag.

Blogtoberfest Day 9: The Creative Jar Interview

Birtskag - Decorative Belt made using this tutorial - thanks Nikki

Jodi from The Creative Jar has posted a CurlyPops interview on her blog today - if you'd like to learn more about little ol' me, make sure you head on over to check it out.

While you're there, check out the sweet ladies.... such lovely colours - this one is my favourite!

Thanks Jodi

Northside Makers Market this Saturday

Yippee! One more sleep until the very first Northside Makers Market.

I've made my list, I've checked it twice, have you been naughty 'cos I've been nice (at least I'm pretty sure I've been nice).

The three lovely ladies have done a fabulous job to get it all up and running, and the weather forecast is sunshine and 19 degrees.

Now I just need to pack the car and get some sleep tonight (while dreaming of the sausage sizzle and the red velvet cupcakes...mmmm).

Blogtoberfest Day 8: Just Call Me Delvene

Image link

Of course, you could also call me Victoria, Alyce, Jo, Nicky, Karina or Livinia..... but Delvene was always my favourite. Sorry overseas readers, this will make absolutely no sense to you, but I'm talking about an Aussie TV Game Show.

I've slightly re-arranged the Blogtoberfest Giveaway Loot List on my sidebar (just there at the top left side).

As giveaways end, I'm moving them to the bottom. As new ones are listed, they'll be at the very top for the day, and then move into date order. Hopefully then everyone can find their way around blogland and enter to win lots of fabulous crafty prizes.

Now I'm off to dream about spiral perms and teased fringes......... I'll be back tomorrow to draw the winner of my very own giveaway.

Blogtoberfest Day 8: My Creative Space

Although I do usually create something each and every day at CurlyPops HQ, today I'm taking the day off.

Instead, I'm attending an appointment where I get to sit in a nice comfy armchair, read a book, and listen to some groovy tunes..... If I'm nice, someone might even make me a cup of tea and bring me a sandwich while I'm there (not including any salad of course).

I'm also taking a notebook to sketch some new ideas, and write some lists.... I'm having terrible problems remembering things lately.

Of course, if you'd like to see some lovely people who are actually creating something today, then make sure to head on over and say hi to Kirsty and join in the fun (and make sure to check out the cool corner bookmark tute - I need one of those today)!

Blogtoberfest Day 7: I've been Finkified

I've been roadtesting one of Jay's new and fabulous Finki creations for the last week and a half.

It's the Finki Bill Book.... that cover makes me chuckle every time I take it out of my handbag.

Even though I'm a bargain hunter (some may say tightwad), I still seem to be able to spend a lot of money. If I'm bored, I usually head to the op shops, or to a cafe for lunch.
I've tried to rein in my spending on many previous occasions by listing it all on a spreadsheet, but inevitably, after a couple of days, I forget to update it and the whole plan gets thrown out the window......

.... which is why I love this simple little book that I can throw in my handbag. Each time I spend money, it only takes me 30 seconds to grab my little blue bill book and write it down. I'm absolutely amazed, but it has stopped me making random unnecessary purchases at least twice in the last week (because I knew I'd have to write it down and justify it to myself later).

After only a week and a half, I can already see that there's a distinct pattern to my spending - Groceries, Op Shopping, Maccas Drive-Thru, and Australia Post!

I'm going to buy myself another one this Saturday at the Northside Makers Market so that I can have two separate books - one for personal spending and one for business spending. It'll make it so much easier for me when it comes along to sorting out my business stuff at tax time.

My bank account says thankyou Jay.

Newsflash 2 - Georgie Love

Well I thought my week couldn't possibly get any better.....
But, you can now find my flower brooches over at Georgie Love....

I think I need a Bex and a good lie down after all the excitement!

Blogtoberfest Day 6: Frocktober

Channelling James Bond

I haven't had a chance to show off the fabulous vintage dresses that I scored at the Talbot Market a couple of weeks ago, so Amy's Frocktober theme for today was the perfect opportunity.

I made a date - me, the self-timer on the camera, and the blank wall in the spare room. I probably should have invited a hairdresser......

....and a stylist with an iron

This colour does nothing for my pale skin.... not a keeper

Aha! But this one is my favourite..... the perfect SuperPops dress!

As Liesl commented:

Faster than a speeding overlocker.
More powerful than a craft hammer.
Able to leap tall stashes in a single bound.
Look! Up in the sky!
It's a bird. It's a plane. It's SuperPops!


Don't try this at home folks.... you may topple over.

Newsflash - Handmade Heaven

I have very exciting news today.

I've decided to take my first foray into retail, and I've sent a big box full of goodies up to Liesa at Handmade Heaven.

If you'd like a CurlyPops Handbag, Flower Brooch or Crochet Brooch, you can now just drop into the shop and pick one up!

While you're there, you can also check out the amazing handmade goodness from lots and lots of other super talented crafters..... how I wish I could jet up to QLD and check it out.

Handmade Heaven

SHOP #11, The Old Flour Mill

231 Brisbane St, Ipswich

Ph: 0422 87 6154

email: handmadeheaven@optusnet.com.au

Blogtoberfest Day 5: I love my Granny

I received a HUGE suprise when I dropped into Tinniegirls house last week.

This beautiful pure wool granny blanket (which I wasn't expecting to be finished until next winter), was all packed up, ready and waiting to come back to my house!

It seems that she'd kept it a big secret that she was still toiling away in the background, sewing in all of those yarn ends. I can only imagine the number of hours that went into creating it.

The colours are magnificent. Just what my loungeroom needs to add some much personality and warmth.

I just couldn't stop taking photos of it hanging in the sunshine...

Thankyou so much Cathy, I love love love my new granny!

Blogtoberfest Day 4: Pimping the Great Outdoors

The sun was actually shining in Melbourne yesterday, so I took the opportunity to have a bit of a clean up and a re-organisation of my indoor and outdoor space.

I finally stuck my gorgeous What Katy Did Wall Decal on my glass sliding door (which took a whole 5 minutes - super simple).

This is the view from my kitchen sink, out the sliding door into my little outdoor alcove. I'm hoping that the decal will sort of distract my attention from the neighbours back door and clothesline.

If you look really closely, you'll also notice that I've managed to grow some weeds out there too - they're nearly the same height as the outdoor table.

This is the view with the sheer curtain pulled across.

My Sis and BIL delivered my firescreen last week too. Now I'm just waiting on getting a nice big piece of Blueboard (which I'm going to paint red), to attach to the brickwork, and then I'm going to hang the screen on the red blueboard.

I'm hoping it will look spectacular - and given the fact that the flowers are corrugated iron, at least I can't kill them.

Blogtoberfest Day 3: Kiddie Craft

I had some friends pop in for a visit thisafternoon and the kiddies were very excited and wanted to make something as soon as they walked in the door.

I promised that I'd put a photo on the blog.

Purple felt flower brooch by Sian
Blue felt flower brooch by Jack

I gave them both some extra supplies to take home so that they could make a doily brooch each.

What fun!

Blogtoberfest Day 3: Waste Not Want Not

I have to confess.... I definitely have the hoarding gene.

I keep every bit of useable scrap that I possibly can - I have containers and shoeboxes and baskets full of various bits and pieces that I've collected.

So what to do with the little scrappy bits of jumper that I cut off to enlarge the armholes of my felted vest (see those bits that were constricting the bloodflow to my arms)?

They're now lovely turquoise felted wool brooches (with a little bit of crazy stitching thrown in for good measure).

Blogtoberfest Day 2: Tips and a Giveaway

Crikey! What an amazing response to Blogtoberfest this year. I'm super excited about the number of bloggers who have signed up to play along. I'm going to try to get around to visit everyone by the end of the month.

Firslty, I need your help dear Blogtoberfesters....

Just to make things easier with the Giveaway Loot List, please use the following tips:

• Post your giveaway on your blog - be sure to include an end date
• Email me the link to your post and include the end date - mscurlypops (at) gmail (dot) com
• Please specify somewhere within your post whether you are happy to post overseas or not (it gets expensive with heavy items).
  
• I will endeavour to update the list twice a day - unless I get hit by a giant stein full of cold beer.

Now to the fun stuff - I'm going to have a giveaway each Friday of Blogtoberfest. There are no rules to my giveaway. If you'd like to win the prize just leave me a comment (Pick Me will do).


I will draw the winner at 8.30 PM Melbourne time next Thursday night 8th Blogtober.

You can win this lovely vintage embroidery book which has lots of stitching tips and techniques, projects, and patterns. I seem to keep collecting embroidery books but I never embroider anything so I think I should share them with someone who will actually use them.

I'll also include some vintage fat quarters and some chocolate.

I'll post this to anywhere in the world so Happy Blogtoberfesting!

Blogtoberfest Day 1: My Creative Space

In my creative space today:

It's a brooch making frenzy - there's various bits and pieces in all different stages of production all over my work bench. It's a little bit dreary thismorning so I had to use the flash...
I'm adding some new Spring colours for a bit of cheeriness.

I found the buttons on the plate on the left at the oppy last week - a big bag for $1.50 so I was quite pleased.

Also in my creative space, is this wonderful prize that I won last week. Cathie from Melbourne Epicure sent me this lovely little girls apron with a rolling pin and cookie cutters - look how cute the cutters are: there's a mumma, papa, little miss and little mister.

These are heading for my handmade christmas basket. I've been collecting little bits and pieces all year so that when the time arrives, hopefully I won't be in a mad rush trying to make things for everyone!

Cathie also sent me some gorgeous doilies for my brooches, and some delicious homemade chocolate freckle hearts which I forgot to take a photo of before they magically disappeared (ok, I ate them.... I was hungry).

Now I'm off to check out all of the Blogtoberfesters!