The exhibition was to feature the crafty skills of Adelaide's Yarn Bombers and their take on the modern tea cosy. I invited two lady friends who I knew would appreciate a display of handmade wooly sweaters for teapots to wear on cold evenings.

My Favourite "Pineapple Frenzy"

Adorable - Sold with the teapot too!

"Itsy bitsy, teeny weeny..."

"Lamington" by my friend Kate

Magazine Gallery "Folk Art Fanfare" Event

To our delight we were also treated to a selection of cocktails (Gin or Pimm's), served in more cutely dressed teapots! Teapots teapots everywhere! Unfortunately the little sweater I fell for, "Pineapple Frenzy" was already sold when we arrived. Brilliant event idea though, through and through. Bravo!
 
Magazine Gallery
Clubhouse Lane
(Just off Hindley Street) Adelaide
(08) 8212 3773 

Toodle-pip!

I found this clock in an op shop and instantly thought,  "Hmmm, I could make a quirky terrarium out of you!"

Step One - Pull the clock apart so you are left with only the base and glass dome.

Step Two - To clean up the base, I used black spray paint.  Depending on your decor choose any colour!

Step Three - Give the base a coat of paint in a well ventilated area and leave to dry.

Step Four - Gather a small amount of artificial moss to cover the base.

Step Five - Once the paint has dried pile the artificial moss on top of the base.

Step Six - Choose a miniature to sit on top of the moss.

Step Seven - Position the miniature in the center of the base.

Step Eight - Wash the glass dome and sit on top of the base.

And there you have it, a Quirky Terrarium! You can buy bases and the glass domes new but they can be a bit pricey, so keep a look out for some old clocks in your local op shop.

Here's what you will need:
1. Glass dome and base - maybe from an old clock (mine cost $7.99 from an op shop)
2. Artificial moss (I bought mine from ebay for $5 + postage)
3. Spray paint any colour
4. Cute critter to live in your terrarium

Toodle-pip!

(Cute hoop artwork by Gretel Girl)

Introducing my limited edition "K2 Scarf" designed and handmade by 'me'!

The K2 Scarf is inspired by the swanky style of the mid-twentieth century with an added modern twist... a reversible design!

The new range features Adelaide designed fabrics from Surface Art Textile Design. Each scarf is delivered beautifully packaged in a square gift box, and also includes the extremely cute 'how to tie' instruction flyer! I found the K2 Scarf model on one of my vintage sewing patterns!

No cookie cutters here... each scarf is made in a limited run, be quick so you don't miss out!

To my delight I found this cute old ladder in the last hard rubbish collection, someone's trash and now my treasure.

I originally grabbed it thinking it would be useful for product displays at a market or in my studio window. Then after catching up with an old school friend recently I worked out a new use for it...

I already own an authentic bus blind from Auckland that hangs in my kitchen so I just had to have one of these matching tea towels especially considering they feature the main towns of the Barossa Valley! Thanks for my tea towel Cherie!

It's been a sewing frenzy in my house. This is my second attempt at sewing a dress using an old 1960s McCalls sewing pattern (see first attempt here). I am so happy we are having some hotter days this week because my new dress is so cool and comfy. I even included a pocket on the front for my iPhone! I bought the fabric at an op shop and absolutely loving it with my yellow vintage wallpaper brooch from Delilah devine.

I bought this cutsie dress pattern dated 1967 for 50c from an op shop last year and have been meaning to try sewing this. I hadn't sewn a dress before, so thought this looked like a simple pattern to try ... after all the packaging does say "McCall's Time Saving Quickie Pattern!"

Today was 42 degrees so it was a good option to stay indoors in my air conditioned lounge and give this a go! I got started at about 1.00pm and finished it at about 11.00pm. The instructions weren't very clear and I had to unpick a seam and re-do one part, but eventually I got there!

The fabric I used was also an op shop find for about $2. Brand new, never been used retro fabric. So here is my first attempt. Not too bad in the photos, a bit rough around the edges if you look closely. I decided to add a tie belt for a slight variation. Might end up using it as the neck tie to lengthen it so I can tie a bow in the front!

I'm pretty chuffed with the result. I think I might wear it tomorrow! Just need a nice brooch to go with it now.

I discovered the talented Helen Hedding through Facebook and instantly fell in love with her beautiful up-cycled softies made from retro fabrics, second-hand jumpers and clothes.

A bit about Helen
I have been sewing and recycling for as long as I can remember. I had a fabulous Mum who would let me cut up old clothes to make things out of, so I have always eyed off second hand clothing as fabric. I worked in a textile agency in the late '90's and started collecting all the (once abandoned) fabric samples and made them into handbags. When I had my daughter the need for hand bags was superseded and toys took over.

I now use a combination of saved fabric samples and recycled clothes found in thrift shops for a majority of my works. When I start a new project I don't go shopping I just use what I already have stashed in my studio. Re-using and using up old clothes and fabrics gives a certain character to my toys and also ensures that each toy is nearly always a one off original.

If you are wondering what to do with those old mags lying around then here's an idea. Melissa Gable from Austin Texas creates these wonderful paper collage/compositions using imagery from retro mags. Absolutely love it. A great inspiration!
See more at One Creative Girl Blog