3 Day SALE at Crafty Mamas!!

What are you doing here? Get over to the Crafty Mamas SHOP!!
33.3% off all Farbenmix and Studio tantrum, 20% off all fabric!

Quick- use this link!

Merry Christmas from Crafty Mamas!! :)

Just arrived: Autumn/Winter BIZZKIDS

With some beautiful patterns... in the SHOP now, but I only have a few. The SHOP will not be stocking these in the future, so don't miss out!

SO WHY CAN'T I HAVE BOTH??

't
First up, I have to apologize for having neglected my sewing machines for the past month or so. Study is driving me NUTS. If I am going to continue, I really need to make some serious changes. Like commiting time to study and also to my crafting. Really. Crafting is important to me, and I am not prepared to give it up!
So, I need to get a plan ready for next year.

I managed to finally get an ANNA sewn up on Friday night, but it was not without drama, no. It just about drove me around the bend. I just could not visualize how it all came together. Ever had that happen? The later it got, the worse I got. Here's the end result, in a Batik fabric, modeled by Ms 7 ( my little child of the corn..seriously, she is dreadful of late).

My next sewing project is a few t shirts for dd above. I just can't decide which Ottobre t shirt pattern to choose. See, having all the issues can be a very bad thing! The fabric is washed ready to go, but that's as far as it has got.
I'll be back when I have a finished item to show!

~Craft on!~

down---to---earth

down---to---earth

What a lovely Blog....I stumbled across it today from a Crafty Mamas members Blog. Lovely...

EURO patterns on SALE at Crafty Mamas!

Yep, 25% off all Farbenmix and Studio Tantrum patterns in stock..but only until Sunday!

Take me to the Crafty Mamas SHOP now!

WANT FREEBIES?

You can Make This ( banner at left sidebar!) are offering heaps of free patterns and e-books when you subscribe to their newsletter. Check them out. Super cute stuff!

NEW FABRIC!!!

Just in from HILCO, in Germany... Oililly Fleur.




















and La Zagala in two colourways. Such lovely fabric and the quality..ohh ahh..please save me from this stock. Buy some!! :)





CraftyMamas Online Shop!

SHOP @AMAZON?

Love Amazon like me?

Woo hoo!

Check out the banner to the left!

Did someone say REDONDO???

It seems there is a Redondo craze happening over at . Crafty Mamas . Mamas Who Love to Craft!

Yep, everyone is falling in love with this pattern and whipping it up super quick in lots of different variations! REDONDO ( here CraftyMamas Online Shop!) is a STUDIO tantrum pattern, hailing from California...and imported by moi to Crafty Mamas.
It goes together beautifully, and is much loved by big and little girls alike for its fabbo inbuilt twirl ability. You can make it plain or insert ruffles, etc.

Have a look at some of the variations being posted at the
CraftyMamas ~ View Forum - FARBENMIX & studioTANTRUM
truly amazing!

Here's two I have made for my girls. The green fabric is the divine Ming from my Shop.

MAGAZINES!

Here's what I am flicking through this month...

The new INTERWEAVE knits Fall 2007
Interweave Knits Magazine
This issue has some truly lovely projects, that makes me wish I knitted much better than I do ( and quicker too!) In particular, I love the jacket on the front cover!

THREADS Nov 2007 Threads Magazine
Ohh..some very useful info in here for a Crafty Mama. How to copy your fave pants without pulling them apart! A great article on custom fit surplice top. Some good info on wardrobe planning ( boy do I need that!).


Sew Stylish Fall 2007 Sew Stylish
This has some great info! How to make a pattern larger/smaller, how to create a basic skirt pattern from duct tape( you know how much I love duct tape!). Designer secrets, 12 industry tips, info on fabrics...it truly is a great issue. Get it!



Sew Stylish GIFTS to Make
Now..this is nice, yes, very nice. Some groovy super quick gift ideas in here to make up. I think my fave is the tiny felt pin cushions.

FABRIC! Oillily & La Zagala arriving next week!

Yes, it's true! We have found some Oilily and La Zagala fabric for CM customers!
It arrives next week! Here's a sneak preview of the Oilily...



Totally beautiful! Also back in stock are your fave Farbenmix patterns. And mark in your diaries, our HUGE shipment of Euro summer fabric arrives start of January. There are some amazing fabrics coming~variety to please all.

If you have any requests for fabric or sewing notions please let me know, we are always looking for new and interesting items!

Happy Crafting!

~Lisa ~

OTTOBRE design Summer 2/2005

Pattern #12. I made a lot of these last summer, for my girls. I also used it to make their Christmas dresses. The fabric is the Oli poplin from my SHOP, from the Netherlands. Gorgeous.
Size 116, took 1 metre.

SWAP
Over at CRAFTY MAMAS we are in the sign up stage of our latest SWAP, a hand made TEA TOWEL Swap!

Our last Swap was a ZAKKA swap, and my Swap buddy Violet made me the most amazing table runner and fabric basket... I love them!


SHOP NEWS!

It's official!!! Crafty Mamas is going to be featured in a few up coming issues of Australian STITCHES magazine! How exciting is that?!! :) To celebrate, the site is getting a bit of a makeover..including the SHOP.

We have new fabrics coming from Hilco and Stenzo kids next month...Spring/Summer fabrics, as featured in Ottobre design. Whew..so much happening! Also, a HUGE delivery of Farbenmix and STUDIO tantrum patterns should be here early next week. The last lot sold out very quickly, so don't miss out this time!

Sew-4-Fun: Ottobre

Sew-4-Fun: Ottobre

Have a look at this ladies sewing...so inspiring!

OTTOBRE Sewing, Reading and Cooking!

WHY I LOVE OTTOBRE design...

From Issue 4/2003, Pattern #10, Child's nightie. Another nice quick pattern to sew up of an evening! I love that Ottobre patterns always work!!

WHAT I'VE BEEN READING

Over the past month I have read a few books..shh..I should not have time for reading, I am meant to be studying! My fave this month is the new novel by the author of The Dressmaker, Rosalie Ham. Her new one is Summer at Mount Hope. It is described as being an outback Pride and Prejudice...which I think sums it up very well. I enjoyed it, buy I did not find the characters as interesting as the ones in The Dressmaker. I'm listing it on eBay today.



SOME COOKING!

I have been making a fabbo Fruit bread in the bread maker, and have just posted the recipe over at Crafty Mamas. It is yummo, and lends itself to lots of variation re;fruit.

As it was beastly cold here yesterday, I decided to thaw some lamb chops and cooked up an good old fashioned Irish Stew. This involves layering bbq chops, sliced potatoes and onions in a large pot. Season with parsley, slat and pepper.Cover with about 2 cups of water and let cook gently for about an hour. Divine. Just the ticket for a cold winter evening. I love Irish tucker.

What have you been cooking up?

OTTOBRE Woman Issue 2 & FABRIC !!

I managed to sneak some sewing time on Sunday and made up Pattern #4 from the new Womens Ottobre. I love it! It's the one featured on the cover, except I made it in a charcoal cotton/spandex knit. I think it turned out quite well. I have plans to make more! Sorry about the dodgey pic, it's hard to take a decent pic of yourself! Note: must read instruction book to figure out the timer thingy! I am so impresses with the ladies Otto patterns, (and the kids!) they make such great, easy to wear fashion patterns.
FABRIC COMING to Crafty Mamas SHOP!

Ok, I've told a few...it's now official. Crafty Mamas SHOP will from here on in be stocking very groovy fabric each season from overseas! Yep, the some fabric you and I have drooled over in Ottobre and Bizz Kids...exciting hey??

Our first lot arrives any day now...with lots more coming in for Spring/Summer. You can get a sneak preview in the CraftyMamas Online Shop! Lot's of Poplin Oli flowers...oh, what can we make?!!! I'm thinking skirts and dresses...beautiful.

I tell you, it's very bad...all I want to do is sew. I am getting no housework or study done at all!

SWAP TIME AT CRAFTYMAMAS

At CM we have regular SWAPS, and they are great fun. Yesterday I received my items from my SWAP buddy for the Recycled SWAP. You had to create a craft item using mostly recycled items. Here's what the very clever Witchieg made for me:

1)A lovely white cotton apron with a stencilled Fleur de Ly's/heart print! I am a real apron gal, so I love this. 2) A cute little pin with groovy paper shoes inside! So sweet! My girls have their eyes on this..will have to watch it! 3) And a stunning handbag made from a woollen jumper! She has felted and then blanket stitched the edges, and hand quilted the outside! It is stunning! I love it so!

I HAVE DREAMED OF THIS BOOK

And, now..I have it!!
Amazon Online Reader : New Fix-It-Yourself Manual: How to Repair, Clean, and Maintain Anything and Everything in and Around Your Home

This holy grail of books tells you exactly how to fix stuff around the home! With pictures and diagrams!! From the Kitchen Aid to the fridge to the air con to the whipper snip per...awesome! Small and large appliances, all about tools...I tell ya...I think hubby has been made redundant!!

An essential book for any Crafty Mama!

BIZZKIDS / SUE&BLU...Exclusive!

We have two new pattern mags arriving soon in the Crafty Mamas SHOP. From the Netherlands the super cool BizzKid and the ultra trendy Sue and Blu. Crafty Mamas is the first to stock these cool mags in Australia!

Please email me if you would like to reserve a copy..as stocks wil be limited and they go quick! adminATcraftymamas.net

BizzKids and Sue & Blu pattern mags feauture full patterns...but the instructions are in German. However, if you can sew..who needs the instructions?? :) The designs are stunning, very very chic. Gorgoeus Euro flavoured designs, similar to Oilily. And....ssh...we have some VERY special fabric coming too!!


Here's a sample of Bizz Kids...

And Sue & Blu...

ARE YOU KEPT UP TO DATE???

There's a lot of new stuff happening at www.craftymamas.net

We have heaps of fun Swaps happening and a fabbo comp this month! Come say hello!

We have a wonderful interview with the creator of Kids Craft Weekly!

I have added a Subscribe gadget to the bottom of this Blog..in case you want to sign up for the Crafty Mamas Newsletter.

Crafty Mamas SHOP!

I am sew excited about the new happenings in the Crafty Mamas Shop! We will any day be receiving our first lot of our Farbenmix patterns, along with some very groovy ribbon! Farbenmix patterns are simply divine European patterns from the Netherlands. They are in English however! My current fave is the Paula pants I have been making...

Keep an eye out in the newsletter for arrival dates! I also have a few more surprises up my sleeve for the SHOP http://www.craftymamas.net/shop/
that are guaranteed to please!

Did you know we also accept handmade items for sale?? Contact me for details
adminATcraftymamas.net

IN FABRIC HEAVEN!!!

Yesterday was a v.exciting day! Not only did my order arrive from Sewzannes Fabrics... complete with complimentary fold over elastic...

I also had some great finds at the Op shop, PLUS was given a few lovely pieces of fabric by an ex sewer! Heaven!! At the Oppy. I found some great wool blend fabrics, perfect for winter Ottobre sewing!



I nearly have it all washed up and dried, ready to cut into. See, Fabric HEAVEN! Oh! And the new Ottobre Design mag is due out in two weeks...here's a glimpse..



CRAFTY MAMAS!

CraftyMamas ~ View topic - JULY COMPETITION!!!! Bag of goodies....

July is going to be a fun month over at . Crafty Mamas . Mamas Who Love to Craft! There is a $75.00 Goodie bag from the SHOP up for grabs in the forum, and also a fabbo Theme Challenge of Christmas in July!

Head on over and check them out!

LIKE A GOOD YARN?!!!

It's in STORE now! CraftyMamas Online Shop! The Winter issue of the fabulous Aussie knitting magazine, YARN! Lots of lovely patterns and interesting know how. I think this is my favourite issue to date!

SCULPEY!!!

Oh, how I love Sculpey. Oh how my kids love Sculpey! Such an open ended product! We have been rained in today so we dragged out the Sculpey for a play. My son has to make a board game up school, so being the crafty kid he his, he made all the token out of Sculpey. Clever! I have a few sites I love for Sculpey inspiration...

Fake Food Soaps Soap, but still great ideas!
Sculpey - Projects and Products using Sculpey Polymer Clays!
Deep Fried Kudzu: Sculpey Bagel Roll Sushi Magnets

But for now..I only have two color left. Must buy MORE SCULPEY!

SOME CARD MAKING

These are the cards I made for a Private SWAP at . Crafty Mamas . Mamas Who Love to Craft!
I had a stack of fun making them! They are for my buddy Maneki Nikkou

JUSTINAMARIA

Another good pal is justinamaria Justinamaria makes divine purses and bags, check her out. She also does custom creating or special orders. She made me this awesome black shawl a while back and she kindly added some hair ornaments for my girls.



ECCLES

Another Crafty Mama selling her lovely stuff is Eccles...Unique Jewellery 4 U Her Earring of the Month club is a fabulous idea!! PLUS! This talented mama has a book coming out!!

OTTOBRE WOMAN

As for me...well..I've made another Tee from the first Ottobre Woman issue. This time a long sleeve one. Pattern #2. This fabric was $1 metre at SL. So, the top cost me about $1.50.



I really have to start sewing up some winter woollies for the kids, and this break in between study (5 weeks off!) is just what I need. I have dragged out the Winter Ottobres, and my Enid Gillchrists. Now...to get cracking.

ENID GHILCHRIST SEWING MAGS

ENID GILGHRIST


Ohh..look what I won on eBay the other day...nine glorious Enid Gilchrist sewing mags! They have super easy instructions to show you how to draft the patterns. This women, Enid, was a visionary I tell you!! I can't wait to get stuck into them!

Does anyone know if Enid is still alive? I would love to interview her as a Crafty Mamas Guest.
If anyone reading this has a crafty business and would like to be considered for an interview, let me know!

CLOVER PRODUCTS!!

More exciting news...the CraftyMamas Online Shop! has some gorgeous new books in stock and arriving soon..will be some of the Clover range of felting tools. Wool roving, felting mats, felting needle tools. I can also get other items, if requested.





LONG WEEKEND...AGAIN????

Didn't we just HAVE a long weekend?? Oh well, I guess another is always good! Hoping everyone has a lovely long weekend and the Queen has a great birthday ! ( yes, I know her birthday is actually another date, but it seems fitting to wish her Happy Birthday). So Liz, have a good one!

SLOW MONTH FOR CRAFT MAGS!

It has been a very quiet month craft magazine wise for me! I must be up to date with all the bi monthlies. I thought I would show you what I am reading at the moment.

Weekly New Scientist New Scientist - International News, Ideas, Innovation
We get this every week ( duh) for eldest son. At first I thought it was all geeky science stuff- but over a few days I became addicted. I love it! It's my standard breaky read every morning. Not only is it entertaining and challenging, but I am learning stuff too! Which enables me to be able to keep up a conversation with eldest son re; quantum physics and string theory! Check it out!



This is my latest Japanese craft book to arrive. "Miniature Felt Mascots and Shops". I bought it from an eBay seller Simply Pretty Japanese Beads Books eBay Store About My Store

Can you beleive, this book has mini felt plants to make? Gorgoeus stuff in here.
And it arrived in a week.Thankyou!

One final mag for this month, The Dolls House Magazine. One day I will build beautiful dolls houses, complete with lovely little miniature items...just you wait and see. This mag is full of swoon worthy inspiration.

SOME KITCHEN CRAFT

Although my sewing has been lax, I have been cooking heaps. I'm trying to keep the grocery bill and these kids keep eating the pantry bare!! I have resurrected the bread maker and have been experimenting with recipes. Will post THE best one for everyday bread when I am happy with it.

Of course, keeping the lunch boxes filled is an never ending battle here, which often has me baking late at night for the following day. Last night I made this yummy Ginger Slice CraftyMamas ~ View topic - Ginger Slice! and a Lemon and Poppy seed version of the TWG muffins. I also made a batch of soda crackers from Not Just Beans, but although tasty, they are a bit heavy. Back to the drawing board on the crackers.

And on the fibre side...I am finally up to the neckline of my tank from Big Girl Knits...thank goodness. I had no idea it would take me so long. Perhaps I should stick to smaller project until I lose about 10 dress sizes! Seriously, plus size knitting is a LOT of stitches!!

BLOGGER GUILT SEEPING IN

I have been sadly neglecting my Blog lately, mainly due to being so busy with other things in life. I did manage to get a tee shirt made for me last week. From my fave Ottobre Design Woman, issue 1, Pattern 2. The fabric was a piece I found at the Op Shop a while back. A gorgeous mauve colour, in a cotton spandex knit.I can't remember if the fabric cost me 50 cents or $1, but still cheap either way.

The trickiest part of the tee is the bound neckline, however, we did a Sew along on this a while back on Crafty Mamas CraftyMamas ~ View topic - SEWALONG ~Kids t shirt ( easy peasy).

I think I need a few more tees, possibly stencilled also. I am also having mad thoughts of tie dying a few of the pieces of hemp fabric I have in my stash. Lots to ponder....hemp is so lovely to sew.

YARN MAGAZINE 75% off

It's SALE time at CraftyMamas Online Shop! All YARN magazines are reduced to a crazy $2 a copy! Stocks are limited, so be quick!!

If you have ever wanted to get your hands on some back issues, now is the perfect time!

I need to clear some room in the SHOP cupboard, so they have to go!

OTTOBRE DESIGN 3/2007

It's here! The lovely new edition of Ottobre Design kids. Full of beautiful patterns for girls and groovy patterns for boys! Availabe in the CraftyMamas Online Shop!

MORE FROM OTTOBRE DESIGN 3/2006

Pattern 34. The Tie Jacket.

Made from pink hemp knit, this is such lovely fabric to wear and sew! Very soft and snuggly. I love this little shrug type jacket, and it is so quick to sew up, I will be making up a few more!

PILLOW CASE TO SMOCK TOP!

1 1HOUR PROJECT
This was my 1 hr project today! A very 60's pillow case I picked up at the Oppy a while back, transformed into a smock top for Ms Lil. Easy to whip up without a pattern. I'll post a tutorial on CraftyMamas ~ - Tutorials & Sew-a-longs for it shortly...

And, the new issue of Ottobre Kids is due out this week!!! Woo Hoo!!! Available in the SHOP at Crafty Mamas!