A map table to show us the way

On Pinterest I saw this very cute side table that had a map glued to the top of it. The Pin guided me over to Primitive & Proper's blog post tutorial. Seeing I still had many maps left over, I thought I would give it ago. 

So the key ingredients needed were

1 Table

Mod Podge ($20.00 - Riot & Art)

Brushes of some kind

1 Map

Scissors

Cloth to wipe table

After cleaning the table, I brushed Mod Podge all over the table, then placed the map on top of the table. Smoothed it out as much as I could.  

Next I cut around the table, but left 2 cm of map hanging over the edge. Then proceeded to cut the paper so it would be easy to glue, fold and tuck under the table. 

Next step was to paste another layer of Mod Podge on the map to give it some protection.  It took less than 15 minutes to dry seeing I was doing project outside. Then some more layers of the Mod Podge for extract protection. 

All done! An old table made lovely and interesting again.  

Blogtoberfest Day 26 Open Studio & Pop - Up Shop Event

Need something to do tomorrow!  Well why not pop over to the Open Studio at The Polly Pratt Open Studio & Pop-Up Shop Event in Brunswick, Victoria.  There is a tram that goes by. So take your purse, you may get some Christmas presents!

Blogtoberfest Day 21 Craft Day

Yesterday as you know I visited two markets, but also afterwards I had a craft day with some friends.  We get together now and then and have a whole day totally devoted to our craft projects and catching up on girl talk, bliss.  It is always nice to just relax chat and craft without the daily interruptions of life occurring.

One of the ladies was sketching. I was sitting and crocheting, thus I'm looking down.  I didn't realise how staying still can actually be tiring, meaning, one doesn't realise how much you move when sitting down. Check out the sketches that Trudi did on the day, click here.  Also check out Margret's post on the day, click here

70 Years of American Craft Magazine

This is pretty cool. American Craft Magazine is celebrating 70 years of craft and their magazine.

Click here to view the site. At the bottom of the page, click the decade that you most want to see.

Made By Hand

Tonight on Channel 31 at 8.30pm will be the 1st episode of a new series, Made by Hand. Featuring reports on artists, crafters and designers in Melbourne. Check out the web site to view the trailer.

Making It Handmade - MIFF

Yesterday Margaret and I had the pleasure of attending the premier of 'Making it Handmade'. The doco was featured at the Melbourne International Film Festival.

The 60 minute doco covered the craft movement in Melbourne, illustrating this topic by focusing on a selection of high profile Melbourne craft women. We got to see how, why and where they craft and what they felt about the craft movement and how it has currently gone into mainstream media, like adverts, magazines (ie: Notebook and Realiving). Also discussing how politics and female sexuality can be interwined into craft. There was also the discussion of Etsy and other internet based craft oline sale sites.

60 Min. was way too short to cover the vast subject of craft. Seeing the movie was filmed around a year ago, I would be interested to see a follow up. Even the shear amount of craft markets in Melbourne, and now around Australia, is showing how capitalism maybe taking over creativity. One could mention that the small token craft market that you may see at a church hall is being dwarfed by the big serial craft markets like Magnolia Square and Finders Keepers.

Overall I really enjoyed the doco. I found it inspiring, educational and even funny /quirky. I wish the makers good fortune and hope there is another film.

Below is a small clip from 'Making it Handmade'

Stitches & Craft Show / My Purchases

Yesterday Fab (Little Cooties) and I ventured out to the Stitches & Craft show at the Caulfield Racecourse. I had visited last years show, so it was going to be interesting to compare. My first impression was, I have seen most of these stall holders at the Paper / Scrapbook show, luckily there were a few new stalls.

The usual stores were there, lace, weaving, knitting, basket making and so on. I must admit I admire the work but I don't have a deep urge to venture into these crafts. It wasn't until we went upstairs to the Incubator that I felt more at home. Up there was the wonderful Michelle (Kids with Crayons) who never fails to make me laugh. Also I finally got the chance to meet Nic (Yardage Design), I must admit I was gushing over her designs, so wonderful to see her products and not on a computer screen! Also wonderful to catch up with Carol from Itchy Bird and yes I purchased another wonderful bird. Also great to catch up with Pepperberry & Co.

Overall I enjoyed visiting the Stitches & Craft show, but I was disappointed. I didn't get the same buzz that I got last year. Was it the venue, was it because I am now familiar with the whole craft scene or was it because it was smaller this year. Answer venue and smaller.

Purchased a few goodies, but the big surprise, I purchased a sewing book! Yes folks I am finally going to move away from the computer and slide in front of my sewing and make items just for me, family and friends. Yes I do have a sewing machine, I know shock horror, amazing. So we will see if the sewing machine agrees with me.

Lovely Items I Purchased

Tea Towel In Frame - Yardage Design


Free-Style Handmade Bags & Skirts
Itchy Bird - Make Your Own Fabric Bird
Birdcage Kit

What I'm Reading Wednesday

Ooo Punky & Me has started a lovely 'What I'm Reading Wednesday' series. So cool. Love discussing books and also have great delight in hearing what are people are reading and why. So here goes my two cents worth.

I picked up Bollywood Crafts: 20 Projects Inspired By Popular Indian Cinema from the local library. A cute and very vibrant coloured book, with an assortment of craft projects accompanied with brief outlines of 10 classic Bollywood films. I am hoping the book will give some inspiration.

Also reading or more like flicking through a non-fiction book about Henry the VIII and his wife's. I'm currently watching Season 2 of 'The Tudors', so I'm brushing up on the history of this fascinating but ruthless man.

My new socks!!!!!!!!!

A dear friend Miss T over at Creative Fidget knitted me these wonderful socks. They are sooooo warm and cuddly. When I first saw her knitting socks, I was just amazed and gobbed smacked that one uses 3 knitting needles. Wowwww!!!!

Go and check out Creative Fidget , Miss T is talented, she can write, knit, crochet, illustrate, paint, weave, computer graphic design. You name it, she can do it!

New Online Store - Miss Milla's

A new online craft store has been launched, Miss Milla's.

The store mainly covers fabric, patterns, craft books etc. Lets hope she ventures into the paper crafts as well. :-) If you sign up on the email list, you will get a chance of winning a Miss Milla's Pack worth $50.00. Thanks Ink & Spindle for the info.

Selling your creations.....

'The Handmade Market Place How to sell your crafts locally, globally and online' this looks like a book to add to the collection.

My Year In Craft - 2009

Northside Makers have asked people to reflect on their 2009 craft year. So here goes.

1. In my twelve months of crafting, my crafty self made all these...

I tackled making windmills (very successful), writing sets, invitations, bookmarks, notebooks, paper covered pencils, lolly bags, gift packaging, gift wrap and shopping lists.

2. If my year was a colour it would be...
I know this isn't a colour, but the best way to describe it would be 'vintage'. Discovering colours from the past has been such a thrill. Would love to surround myself with colours from the 60s, they are old but so new at the same time.

3. This year I spent way too many craft hours...
On prototype stationery of some sort and not showing the end product to the world. Only a select few have seen them. I guess confidence still has to be built up.

4. This year I wish I'd had more craft hours for...
Personal projects. I really want to tackle the craft of crochet. For my business I want to produce more notebooks and start making boxes.

5. My proudest craft moment of the year was...
There are a couple
- Registering Pivotal Xpressions as a business.
- Registering on Etsy and Made It.
- Was having my very first stall at Made in Thornbury. I was terrified and felt soooo amateurish compared to all the other very talented women at the market.

- Making such wonderful and friendly friends in the craft movement.

6. My biggest craft disaster was...
I think the mouse pads are going to haunt me forever. I have had a great response in regard to my crochet themed mouse pad, but I'm still having trouble with glue etc. I'm determined to get them out sometime this year!

7. This year I had stalls at/visited this many markets...
I had stalls at Made In Thornbury, Watsonia Neighbourhood House and Northside Makers
I visited the following markets:- Made In Thornbury, Diamond Creek Craft Market, Sony and Coco, Blackbird Market, Northside, Sisters Market, Black Market, Melbourne Designers and Eltham Market.
I know this isn't a stall, but visiting Lark in Daylesford was also a highlight for me.

8. My most enjoyable market was...
Was the first Northside Makers market. There was such an electric buzz in the air, weather was perfect, everyone had energy within themselves and products.

9. My best handmade purchase/present/swap/acquisition was...
My best purchases would be my London map diary from Rabbit and Duck, pencil cases from Konstant Kaos and cute 60s pattern cards from Stitch-in-Time.

10. After this year I swear I'll never again...
Doubt my ability to create something that other people will like

11. 2010 I'm determined to...
Crochet more and get at least one product into a retail shop. Relax and spend more energy helping the environment.

12. But I'll probably do this instead...
Eat so much more chocolate. :-)

'Lark' ..... I'm here!

Allison and Beky

It's been a long time coming but I and my mum finally got to visit the 'Lark' shop in Daylesford, Victoria. It was the perfect day to do so.

We found the Lark near the MS shop. When I first saw the shop frontage it was a little weird. I have seen the front of the shop so many times on the Internet, seeing it in the flesh, so to speak, was quite weird but also very exciting.

Walking in, there was Allison the shop owner behind the desk. Hesitantly I said hi and introduced myself. Poor thing, she has these complete strangers who know her name and a little a bit about her because of Lark Blog. After formal introductions, it was time to shop!

I was thrilled out of my brain there was the Kamoi Paper washi adhesive tape from Japan that I have been hanging out for. My poor mum just didn't understand why I got so excited about Washi tape, but I'm sure a few of you out there would understand. :-) Also purchased the latest issue of 'Make Your Day World Sweet World'. My mother did her birthday and Christmas shopping at Lark, so she was VERY happy.

The shop is really beautiful, white, clean and fresh. The vibe is homey and I wish Allison and her team all the luck with her new venture. We will be visiting again for sure!!! Thanks Allison for the talk and being so helpful. Thanks also for being in the photo for my blog, I said, it's like meeting a celebrity blogger. :-)

Lark
4a Duke Street, Daylesford
(behind the MS Shop)
(03) 5348 1853

Open 10.30-4.00
Mon, Tue, Thur, Fri, Sat, Sun
(closed Wednesdays)

Weekend Stash

With all the excitement of reporting and recovering from the market, I forgot to mention my weekend stash.

1. Green origami cranes by Tirese. I absolutely adored her display at the market, so pretty and the VERY large cranes were so cool.
2. Alice In Wonderland necklace is designed by the talented Michelle at Mecino.
3. The hand drawn bookmark was produced by a woman. She had no business card at the time.
4. The sleeping mask is by newbie on the block, Piccolamia. I am so always using sleeping masks for my naps.
5. The road sign notebook with crayons I purchased for my son. He loved it so much, he wants to e-mail the lady who made it (which we still need to do). Made by Kazzalblue

Craft & Food at the Royal Melbourne Show

Ventured to the Royal Melbourne Show yesterday with my young son. Of course the majority of the adventure was me watching my son having the time of his life on the rides. Luckily I was able to tempt my son into the art and craft section. I was determined to see Jennie's 'Showgrounds cushion' in the art show. It came second! Yeah we are so proud of our Jennie. :-)

There was also some paper crafts and some fantastic bookbinding examples. And not to mention the food displays!

Northside Makers Wants You!

The new craft kid on the block Northside Makers is now taking memberships. So all the craft people to the north of Melbourne click here to sign up for a membership. I know I will. :-)

Northside Makers Collective

Check out the new cool Northside Makers collective blog.

Don't forget the up-and-coming market on the 10th of October!

Craftig, Craft is Good

There's new blog on the block and it's an excellent resource to check out new craft projects and to share your own projects/blogs to the world.

Kristen Magee is behind this new project, you may know her from her blog Paper Crave, which is one of my favourite blogs. Check out Craftig, I know I will.

Saturday Stash of Paper Goodness

Well the weekend has been and gone, so it's time to show the Saturday stash of goodies I purchased at the Melbourne Paperific Craft Expos 2009

This was my first experience of visiting a Paperific Craft Expo, so I wasn't sure what to expect. Firstly it was much smaller than I expected, that's ok.

The majority of the stalls were for people who scrapbook, which I used to do, but now I have stopped. There were stamps, paper, equipment, containers, ribbons, and much more.

Bought some lovely Japanese paper, I'm amazed there wasn't more at other stalls. Some cool ribbon - skeletons, blossom and assortment of others for only 50cents for 2 meters! Bags, tape and card. Overall the day was fun, but I must chuckle there were a lot of very eager crafty women there and only saw two lonely men looking very lost. :-)