Crafty adventures (and blogging) resumes....

After a whole year off from regular blogging, I am now back!.  I am very happy to be back actually as time away from the blog made me miss a little part of my life that I really enjoy.

At first I struggled with the idea of what I wanted to do with my blog.  What direction I should take it.  Then after some discussion and pondering I decided to just continue as is ::  sharing the things that interest and inspire me -  the things I (and others) are making.   Fun things like these little guys......

So I look forward to sharing lots of crafty creations, photographs, videos, interiors, fashion and travel stories.

♥♥

Whats new at Little Harriet .....

I dropped in on Lizie at Little Harriet to check out the current 50% off Winter Sale as well as replenish some of my birds, dolls and owlies being stocked there.  Here are some pretty things I saw whilst visiting:

I stocked up on some pretty spring fashions, fun vintage jewelry pieces and shoes.  Oh so lovely.
So drop in and visit Lizie.  Not only will it feel like walking into one big girlie closet, but all your senses will be transported with beautiful music, scented candles and a sweet or two......

Little Harriet

Designer Vintage, Shabby Chic Fashion & Decor. All things nice with added sugar and spice

• Shop 3, 176 Parraweena Rd, MIRANDA, NSW, 2228
  (Cnr of Ingara Avenue and Parraweena Road Miranda. )

Owlies in production - March 2011

Sweet vintage upcycled owlie

This month has been a big one for me. Mentally challenging as I ponder what to do with my owlies. Lots of thinking and listening to various points of views about what to do about selling and displaying and sharing my craft with others. Ive appreciated this time and know that no matter what I decide I will always have some very caring, interested (and interesting) friends which makes my heart fill to overflowing! 

The owlies are now more than ever becoming something I am easily creating.  The creative process feels like breathing and I find myself getting lost in every new piece of fabric I find or (very kindly) am given.

This recent batch has had me working with fabrics from Japan, Germany, USA, Chile and France. All of them, were either a piece of clothing, a soft furnishing or a failed print run.  A suit, cushion, business shirt, jumper or curtain.  Together with new materials, stuffing and thread now getting a second life in my owlies.Yay!

cut and sew

Doilies, curtains and fabrics

Once was a cushion and a wool jumper

mini owlies ready for hand sewing and stuffing.

La vida en color......

paper fashions....vintage craftyclaudes c. 2005

I often think of what my life would be like if I had not taken the plunge and started creating the things my heart felt.  Probably not as colourful, exciting or appreciative of what others are doing to enrich this wonderful tapestry called life.   Here are some of the things that have continued to feed the creative flame in this girls heart......

Martino's parents garden comes alive in Spring!

Ride Exhibition - Bikes shown some love by the people.....

CraftyClaudes....loving the old. working on the new.....

Japanese fabric, Chinese Tea, Ecuadorian coffee

Update on owlies

owlies by crafty claudes

It has been a very busy last couple of weeks at owlie central.  I have been cutting out countless pattern pieces and then sewing on the trusty old Singer machine.   I am now ready to start sewing eyes and wings which is best done by hand.  This is one of my favourite parts as hand sewing is something that can be done anytime, anywhere.  This week I will be sewing during my lunch breaks at my day job.  If the weather co-operates It means I can sit at the local park enjoying the spring goodness in the air.  Although the progress on some days does seem a little slow, I am getting better at accepting that this is the process.  Today I wanted to share some of the lovely fabrics I have been using in my creations. Some are gifted (by some lovely and very generous friends) some I have found at the various thrift stores I have been visiting and others I have had for years in my fabric stash .   All are now coming out and being given their chance to shine and show off their pretty colours and patterns. These are going to be some very funky owlies indeed!

cotton and linen fabric - for crafty claudes owlies

Doilies making a comeback (did they ever really leave?)

I spent yesterday scouring a few of my favourite goodwill stores. A perfect day you could say,  hunting for treasures of the wool, cotton and linen kind.   I came across some gorgeous doilies. I had forgotten how delicate and beautiful they could be. 

Here are some projects and various uses for them....

via Apartment Therapy

via craftynest

via sweetpaul

I am using them for some of my vintage owlies......but am tempted to doiley up the apartment now.....so sweet.

Owlies in production....

cutting , sewing and apron wearing a la Martha!

The apartment is filled with owlies  - all in different stages of production.   Eyes over there.....stuffing of wings over here......sewing of bodies by that section.  Its my favourite part of creating, when you can see progress even though to others it may just look like bits and pieces of fabric.  In my heart I can feel the excitement building as these little creatures I so love are coming to life.  They make me smile and when I send them on their way I hope they bring many smiles to others too!