Sew Sweet :: Nursery Tales (Part 3)

Nicky has gone into serious nesting mode... and apparently this means scrubbing everything within an inch of its being. So I have been given the task of posting about our 2 day crafty challenge. As you can't predict when the bub will arrive everything seems to be urgent... we dropped all other tasks (sorry business) to make this nursery crafty centerpiece before the little one's arrival! And boy did we have a lot of fun- forgot how fun it is to craft with a friend.



We used inspiration from everywhere... Nicky really wanted to feature a tree. It was all about the tree. After searching on the web and books the inspiration was right on her desk calendar... the fabric for the trunk is some thrifted tweedy wool. We adhered it to some Ikea linen with Visofix - an amazing fusible web. I had never heard of this iron on product before, but it is safe to say I am in love. Oh, the instant gratification! No sewing required!



The little critters were inspired by shoes, the amazing felt book and from prints on fabric...

Once we had attached everything to the background linen it was staple gunned to a board of Caneite (I think this is called Homasote in other countries). Caneite is another great discovery, light weight and can be used as a bulletin board. It can be a bit fibrous though and it was a real challenge trying to find a hook that would stay in, so it could be hung on the wall. I think this is a trial and error thing. I want to make another hanging crafty work but this time I might talk to hardware store peeps about the best way! Hope the little bubba likes it! T

Sweet Inspiration :: Nursery tales (Part 2)

I have been bitten by the international on-line shopping bug. I'm loving the anticipation of receiving a package from the other side of the world. Can I use little bubba as an excuse for this behaviour? Well....too late, I have. And so some new additions have been made to the nursery including this lovely boxart collage of a spotty baby giraffe by artist Kate George. I purchased it from the gorgeous Papa Stour...a treasure trove of beautiful things designed and made by Scottish artists. Sweet.

Whilst shopping for Tiff's pincushion on Maminka (see previous post)...I couldn't resist these little handpainted boy & girl ornaments. I think they're meant to be Christmas ornaments, but they're too sweet to put away for the rest of the year!

And finally....this package of yummy fabrics arrived from Reprodepot this morning. Some cutie Japanese hedgehog fabric which we've spied in Tokyo before...and some lovely Westfalenstoffe fabric from Germany:

Tiff has mentioned her fear of online shopping...but I am trying to convince her otherwise! I keep telling her it's totally safe and it's so easy to click on "Add to shopping cart". Ok, who am I kidding...maybe it's a little TOO easy once you start! N

Sew Sweet :: Home Sweet Home

I am home... and it is so nice... I mean't to write a post about going away. I had plans to make a travel wallet out of some scumptious fabric I have tucked away. But of course I never got around to it, time spend up and suddenly it was time to run for the gate to jump on the plane... yes we really did have to run.

We went to London, Amsterdam, Paris, London, Tokyo and then onto home. Lots of washing to do... dog walking to make up with my loyal buddy and goodies to unwrap! The 3 above are my new favourite mug... it is super cute and broke down my "no breakables" resolve! My boy always knew I was going to crumble! Harrods teabags... if you love tea, it is hard to go past this slightly luxurious leaf for flavour. Lenotre sweets... Paris goodies, yum, yum!

I am not sure why fabric makes my heart beat with joy... and my muscles strain from carrying this lot! But I couldn't help it! Here are the additions to my stash!


The grey and white canvas makes me sooooo smiliey! I bought it because I wanted an Orla Keily tote with similar fabric but I couldn't sling it over my shoulder with ease. I giggled when I read "Sally" was up to the same tote envy... so hopefully you will be seeing my version soon!


Cutie goodness... hopefully I will be making some things for Nicky's baby. Her belly is getting bigger and bigger so I feel my time is running out... as the little bub might be swimming for the gate soon! T