Sunday, December 30, 2012

JaM - 2012 a Creative Year

  JaM - a place to gather for just a moment once a week to share what we've been up to.

2012
has been a big year

as far as Studio Workshops go
the busiest

I'm already taking bookings for Term 2 2013
and the REtreat sold out in a week!

 There have been some things I've tried this year 
that I wont do again, like

dye my hair pink
and turn 50

other things have had an enormous impact 
setting the stage for where Sew Outside the Lines™ is headed in the future

the Sustainability Grant will expand my on-line presence in early 2013
and the REcreate Cards are already helping those that can't make it to The Studio to
REinvent their Wardrobes


Now that I'm standing on the outer edge of 2012
about to launch myself into 2013
it's a revelation to look back & realise 
how much has been achieved
and I'd like to thank you for coming along for the ride
I know you're out there 
it's not just my mum reads the blog
there have been some blogging friendships forged this year 
whose comments & support are the icing on the blogging cake

so now if you'd like to hold hands
come for a wander with me down memory lane
while I share some of the highs & lows of the past 12mths....


January


February
Stand ya Ground Skirt - Intuitive Sewing - Piece of Cake

Friday, December 28, 2012

Devil's in the Detail

It's the little things
that make all the difference

my inspiration comes from details
where a button is placed
the way a line of stitching captures your attention
colour combinations 
scrunching, slicing, folding...
watching, looking & listening 
all the time

here are a few details that were created in & around this years workshops


I have a site dedicated to the sewn details created in others projects from around the world.

Thursday, December 27, 2012

Christmas 2012 - In New Frocks

Christmas 2012 was another success

We ate with those loved ones that could join us

Christmas Eve

 and we chatted to those that couldn't

Skyping with cousin Eleanor in Venice

while thanking others for their thoughtful gifts


we played
the same Monopoly game I've been playing since I was 7yrs old...

for 2 days!



while eating more

Pavlova with Raspberry & Pistachio Semifredo

and the girls did it in their new frocks

 frocks that fitted like gloves

and that they liked




Stella volunteered it was the best present she received
it is her all time favourite frock - big coming from a girl that doesn't wear frocks
she especially loves the vintage lace [doily] collar
she wont wear it all the time cos it's for best 
and she can see how it could easily be worn in the cooler months too

they've both asked for more...

phew!

 It's such a simple style 
I can see 2013 being the Year of the Frock.

Monday, December 24, 2012

Better Late than Never

Made a Frock

for Christmas

a bit mumuish  
 
tomorrow it's going to hit 40ÂşC
and with a fridge full of delicious Christmas fare 
 
I plan on being comfortable.
 
 
I also made the girls a Frock each 
can only show you a bit of one
 
cos they're watching.


Whether shared with family or friends
in the company of many or a few
 
I wish everyone
a very Merry Christmas 
and I hope to see you in a few days 
when I'll share photos of the girls frocks
 taken with my new camera
the one that's waiting patiently for me under the tree!
x

Ps. Love you Dan - we'll see you in a week....I'll save you some prawns.
Thanks Claire for the Christmas Bunting - lovely to hear from you.
Regina - your present's on it's way.....to being wrapped.

 
 

Friday, December 21, 2012

And the Winner Is....!

With 35 names in the draw for the REcreate Cards Giveaway

I needed a little help....

 

Congratulations Jackie...

I just need somewhere to send them. x

Thursday, December 20, 2012

A Giveaway - REcreating over the Holidays

Once I hit the Publish button for this post
I'll have reached a Milestone

one more post than I've ever done to date in all the 5yrs I've been blogging

 140 Posts so far this year
cool huh
a milestone
 worth acknowledging celebrating

leave a comment here &/or FB
sharing what you're looking forward to the most over the holidays
and these
could be part of your holiday fun.
 


the giveaway is open to everyone everywhere
 but we've gotta be quick
I'll pick a name late on the 21st (tomorrow)
you might have them in time to pop under the tree
and if not 
Christmas lasts that bit longer.

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

JaM - Sharing Crafty Ideas

  JaM - a place to gather for just a moment once a week to share what we've been up to.

In light of my camera being broken
and not being replaced until Christmas morning
I'm unable to share an in depth tutorial on how to create the Christmas Stars

[not difficult to work out]

so

I've taken the opportunity to have a look at what is already available
by way of natty crafty ideas for the holidays
and found a few that might inspire you too.


If I was a Journaller I'd so be doing this in my spare time

I'd make time

Altered Book

definitely probably not something I'd wear
however a great way to keep girl child away from electronic devices....for a while


Felted Neckline

love these...but bigger

T-Shirt Pom Poms

it's the tactile nature & the ability to combine colours
that I adore more than anything about these
- can see a few of them being created at the REtreat

Crochet Pin Cushion
and in anticipation of the REtreat
over the next few weeks
I'll be some experimenting with different Gluten Free Vegetarian meal choices.

Sweet Potato Pie
 
Have you got any natty crafty foody ideas for whiling away the hours over the holidays...

I'll leave the JaM link up in case you'd like to share.

Monday, December 17, 2012

The Studio Christmas Tea Party

Most of the preparations were done in the days leading up to the first ever

 Studio Christmas Tea Party



like the REcovering & REpainting of chairs


& the REhanging of Bunting.


It was wonderful to witness some

old pals getting REaquainted

Charles in his hew Shirt & Alex in her latest Frock
Inge & Alex

while those that have only seen each other in photos on the Blog mingled


 chatted & snacked


 before we all headed over to the Present Tree



for some serious gift giving



Michelle & Inge
Georgie
Judith
Alex


Bree




Bron
Jeanette
The brief for the 'present givers' was
1 Christmas themed item, 1 sewing related item & 1 handmade item 
[min. 3 items max 5]
 as people arrived they popped their bread & butter sized plate of yummies on the table in the Studio 
their present under the Present Tree
and then chose a number from the Ballot Basket
- the number determining at which point you got to choose your present.

When it came to Jo's turn to wander up & make her selection

Jo
she psycho-analysed each of the presents left on the table
before going with her initial gut feeling & choosing mine


Jo then proceeded to squeal at each of the pattern-wrapped-tied-with-thread-parcels
which I might add did most others while unwrapping theirs


Jo received 4 items in her parcel
and once she discovered the last one was
Bunting


which matched her dress


she decided it was in fact 
a Bunting Belt & one of the other gifts, the Bobbin Holder, a Bracelet

some people can wear anything with style & grace!


Like magic
every gift given was received by the perfect person


Judiths parcel contained 
a hand knitted Collar with crocheted flowers
which I will wear with everything in Winter
and could spell the need to visit Melbourne again.

Me
 The time, effort & love that went into each gift 
was equally matched by the joy each of us felt in the receiving

 

and in keeping with the spirit of giving & sharing
which I feel I have also been on the receiving end of all year with
these wonderful people walking in & out of my life & my Studio
on a regular basis



I had prepared a small lesson in Frippery making


which those that could

did



make Frippery


and at the end of the day
when everyone was gone

 reflecting on the busiest year of my life

I was pleased....


and looking forward to a month off.