Tokyo Quilt Festival 2008

Movinghands has just posted her new set of photos from the 2008 Tokyo International Quilt Festival with some truely inspirational images.....Such as this one above. Take a look at the entire Fickr set here.
Then, if you're bubbling with enthusiasm, as I always am after looking through Movinghands Flickr sets, take a look through 2006 and 2007

a cupcake with the lot

I couldn't resist posting this recipe from the Cupcake blog; Walnut Cupcakes Topped with Rose White Chocolate Mousse and Baklava.
Is it just me, or does this sound dangerously good?

Apron Time

Here is a little apron I made this afternoon. Inspired by Moving hands blog entry on the Japanese film “Kamome Shokudou”, set in Finland. Head on over to Moving hands where you can watch a snippet of the film on YouTube and also be inspired.

While on my apron investigation I came across these fantastic numbers on etsy today..the first, by City Girl Apron....and these by Pretty Dirty.

I couldn't resist posting a new picture of Chewie, looking.... oh, so sweet!!! Don't you love the head tilt.


I made a little quilt for his bed. I even used the heat bond paper to applique his name on....it was a lot of fun and easier than I'd imagined. The only problem is he keeps peeing on it (I'll post a photo next week once it's pee free)!

Summer frock

I finished off my summer dress this afternoon while Chewie was taking a nap. Sewing proves difficult while he was awake as he wants to be in everything and believes it's a game specifically for him.
I took a pattern off a wrap dress I have for this one...so it's not perfect but perfect for hot summer days (and an expanding belly). It's Restyle Love, made out of 2 old seventies sheets.

New Pooch

Here's a picture of our new pooch, Chewie (Chewbacca). He is an Irish Soft Coated Wheaten. He arrived yesterday in the sweltering conditions...41 degrees with a minimum of 30 overnight....Enough to knock the stuffing out of anyone. So, the poor little thing was all tuckered out but he awoke this morning at 6am full of beans. Welcome Little Chewie, we love you. xox

Stitchin'

Here's an update on my Sampler for the nursery. I'm making it up as I go along taking things out of a wonderful book I found in a second hand book store on Fitzroy St, St Kilda; Samplers by Susan Mayor & Diana Fowle (which you can also find here).

Happy New Year!

'I only have eyes for you' by Elsita available here.


I'm back form my summer break. I spent many lazy days sitting on our balcony lookng out to sea, swimming, eating and generally soaking up the sunshine. There's something to be said for those endless summer days. I do love summers by the sea.

Here are a few things that managed to catch my attention while relaxing this summer:

firstly, Elsita who's work I have posted up above. She has some beautiful things in her etsy store for fantastic prices and an addictive blog too.

the incredible filigree work of Cal Lane, who uses her welding torch to cut baroque patterns into such mundane objects as shovels, Dumpsters and old oil drums.

Small Objects print gocco tutorial and the Flickr Gocco Pool. There are so many inspiring images in here it makes my head spin with possibilities.

and thanks to the watchful eye of Fran over at Mrs Eliot Books (who pointed me in the direction of these talented people) I am now in love with this dress and these amazing stitched pieces by Caroline Hwang.

I hope you've all had a wonderful start to the new year. I certainly have and it's about to get even better. We pick up our new pup on Thursday... I can't wait. xoxo