Do you love Russian Blue cats?

Back in March I uploaded one of my favourite Russian Blue photo's to Soceity6 and created an iPhone cover for myself. The picture was taken looking out of our front door at Nash Street and all three cats were just soaking up the sun. I have an enlarged version hanging in the hall way at home. Tasha had just finished washing Anastasia and Vladdy was doing a nice big stretch. Looking at the picture always brings a nice smile to my face, which is why I guess I used it!

 

$35US not a bad price for a custom case

I must admit that it has worn rather well. It is only now, that it is starting to chip at the edges and I am generally a hard user of technology. The phone cover was printed and delivered quite quickly and I was impressed with the quality of it. I am tempted to upload some more of my gorgeous photo's to this site to see if anyone is interested in my work.

What do you think, should I?

The hubby's iPhone cover is dying a slow death, so it is time again to turn my crafty energies  to re-designing a phone cover for him. Something steampunk I think ..

If you want to buy a copy of the Three Amigos iPhone cover, Society6 have free shipping (http://society6.com/KonstantKaos?promo=126017)  until the 14th of October.

If black and white is not your thing and you like something more colourful, the wonderful Ms Curlypops has some fabulous designs in her shop a well. Check out her Facebook post with the free shipping token.

Happy Blogtoberfest

Yes ... ladies and gentlemen, it is that time of the year again to celebrate your blogness-ness and join us in Blogtoberfest. A month of mind-numbing posts about the most trivial things, but it is fun!

Head on over to I saw you dancing to join up and participate. Curlypops even has her giveaway page operational, so if you have something to give away, go ahead and register on the list.


Get involved!

Are craft retreats the new black?

What I would give for a weekend away, and the prospect of enjoying that weekend with girlfriends and sewing machines makes me giddy (plus a little Colin Firth). There hasn't been a lot going on in terms of crafty stuff at my place. I did do a spot of crochet last night while watching "The Sound of Music" with my daughter, but I yearn for the opportunity to make myself some clothes or finish at least one of the quilts that I am making for my kids. To totally immerse myself in the crafty zone.

Oh to leave the sewing machine set up! via

 

Curlypops blogged about a new craft retreat at Woodend, and I hope that I get a chance soon to enjoy this lovely venue because Cam has also posted pictures of what it looks like (which makes me want to book a weekend NOW!). They have an open day this weekend so that people can go up an check out the venue.

Head on over to "The Retreat Woodend" homepage to see what it is all about and blog about it to be in the running for a free weekend.

Tomorrow heralds the start of Term 3 for me which means back to teaching and back to Uni (part time). The school break didn't give me half a chance of achieving my crafty equilibrium. Still fighting to find a crafty balance in my life, I guess I will just have to take some hand stitching or crochet to work during the lunch breaks.

Loving Lisette

There is one teaching day of the term left and I can't wait for a hot date with my Janome next week (after my uni essay is finished that is).

I had hoped to participate in the Lisette Continental Dress Sew-along that the fabulous Ms Curlypops was hosting, but alas it was too difficult to get a pattern (especially in my size). So I ordered it online ... I won't make the deadline for the Sew-along, but I do like the blouse pattern and I might try that.

My package arrived today from Lisette and what a delightful experience it was opening it up.

I've ordered lots of patterns online, but this package made me smile when I opened it. Rather than just a pattern, it had a lovely little "thank-you" sash that went around everything.

There was also a freebie! A cute little Oliver + s Spool Dog! And the invoice was nicely folded in the back, nice touch!

As you well know, I take issues with retailers with bad customer service who complain about online stores "stealing their customers" and then when they try to go into online shopping they still treat their customers like dirt.

I only expected the pattern, but in return Lisette + Co made me feel so special with the presentation of their product. I am highly be a return customer based on my experience.

When I tried to get this pattern through Spotlight, it was difficult enough trying to get someone to serve me in a timely manner. I gave up after four stores of having to wait around until someone told me that they didn't have the pattern in my size because they refused to help me on the telephone.

I am happy to support bricks and mortar shops, but come on guys ... concentrate on the customer service and we will spend our money with you!

Come and get me patchwork pillow

On the Curlypops blog last week she posed the question about her Pacman inspired design, whether she should be able to sell these craft panels.

It got me thinking about other projects that I have seen around the blogosphere. There are plenty of products that hint at the genre of computer games in the 80's, I am sure that not all of those products pay a fee to the original creators of Pacman or Space Invaders.

So I sat down and sketched out my idea of a patchwork "come and get me" pillow. I have some Pacman inspired fabric that I bought from Fat Quarter shop a while back and I am itching for a small project to start and finish in the one sewing session for Nicholas' room.

I suspect when I create it, it will be a bit more refined and a bit more patchy! I'm going to make it to fit one of the Ikea pillow inserts (feather of course).

What do you think of my "Come and get me" pillow, fair use or break of copyright?

Fringe Festival Home is where the craft is

This afternoon I wandered off with Mum to visit "Home is Where the Craft is" as part of the Melbourne Fringe Festival. Hosted by the wonderful Ms Cate of Polka Dot Rabbit fame.

Given the gastro epidemic that is happening at my house at the moment, I didn't think that I would actually make it to the exhibition. The original plan was to visit Friday afternoon, the last day of my "holidays" .. but I was too busy vomiting.

I love the idea of alternative or radical cross stitch and looked forward to seeing what people came up with.

I like the idea of pushing the boundaries of embroidery using unconventional materials and patterns.

Ms Curlypops had her range of re-crafted crochet objects on display.

Out the back there was Polly Pratt with some of her creations for sale in the pop-up craft market that they held today. She has an online store opening, so keep an eye on her blog.

How was your sunday?

Made n Thornbury Wrap Up

With the roller coaster which was Made n Thornbury followed by Fathers Day, I haven't had a moment to post about my day! The thing that I love about Made n Thornbury is that there is a small collection of stall owners, all of which are women in business (or micro business).

Such a lovely supportive group of chicks in biz. Mrs Beckinsale was there with her Tram Cushions, Curlypops with her lovely brooches and also Felicity or Flickitysplitts with her Cattacus Softies.

New to Konstant Kaos was my coin/key wallets. D ring on the side for hanging off chains, hook to link keys onto and big enough to keep a licence.

I tried some different fabrics and my dracula, frankenstein and computer circuit wallets sold the quickest!

Got to meet some new groovy people. My neighbour was Liz from Loophole Community Centre. They are doing such fun stuff at Loophole, check them out!

My stash for the day included some lovely calling cards from Pivotal Xpressions, brooch from Finki Handmade, teddy brooch from Very Cherry Stew and the doily with scissors screen printed on it from Liz from Loophole.

Come and visit me at Made n Thornbury Market

It has been a busy week teaching, sewing, caring for Tori.

I have been looking forward to this market all week. The Made n Thornbury market is a gorgeous intimate makers market with a great bunch of women who all run micro-businesses.

Hoping that you can make it, even if it is just to say hello. I noticed that a few houses down from the Market will also have organised garage sales on that day, so the street will be buzzing!

There will be plenty of crafty people there including Pivotal Xpressions, Finki, Mrs Beckinsale, Flickettysplits, Cheeky Little Monsters and Curlypops.