What a score!

My lovely flatmate Mel is getting all sorted for her big move back down the South Island and has been a very good girl and vigilantly chucking (or donating to charity should I say) a lot of her clothes and accessories. Before she could even walk out the door I was sifting through her bags to nab any goodies that could be recycled into something new and exciting. I found the coolest old school evening dresses made from a really good quality satin that is going to make a lovely clutch purse (or a few!). But my fave score from her discard pile was this brown genuine leather laptop bag. It is so cool, and I am so stoked she no longer wanted it!!!

 

It needs a bit of a clean up and some polish but this is going to be one stylish accessory! All I need now is a tweed jacket with leather elbow patches and a grandpa hat ;)

Vintage and Sunshine

Today was the last day of the super sales at Spotlight, and I couldn't resist going back to stock up on a few of my fave fabrics that I have picked up over the last couple of weeks, and to also grab a little bit of some new fabrics. Here is a sneak peak at some of the gorgeous vintage and assorted printed fabrics I have acquired over the last 4 or 5 days.

I have an idea on what I would like to do with some of them, but most likely they will be turned into an array of accessories such as headbands, business card wallets, lining for handbags and clutches and reusable bags. I'm looking forward to making lots of goodies, but I think it may have to all be put on hold for a few weeks as I have found a new place to live :) Yay! I am going to be moving in only 3 weeks, and you would not believe the amount of packing I have to do! It is super exciting though, because my new house will have room specifically dedicated to crafting! Extra space is just what I have needed and can see myself becoming much more productive once the new room is all setup and ready to go. I'm also feeling a Spring clean coming up... which is appropriate, seeing as it is infact spring!

Bummed I missed out on going and checking out Kraftbomb this morning, but finding a place to live has become a priority recently (as it would be!). I'll hopefully get along to the Devonport Craft Market next weekend for a squiz.

Just realised I actually will need to pre-wash some of the fabric I am about to sew or else the first time someone washes their double sided red print with white fabric backing, the under side will undoubtedly become pink! Glad I thought of it before I started sewing! Best do a bulk wash of all red things now :)

Chat to you all later x

Thank god for Seam Rippers!

I've had yet another fantastically productive couple of days, and am feeling really good about where things are headed. My initial plan was to work on one project at a time, but as you can tell, I haven't really done that. I've got so many things I want to make, that once I have made one prototype I have the urge to go onto the next. But today I was a good girl! Apart from stopping in at Spotlight on my way home (and getting some bargains!) I managed to stick to my plan and get a heap of headbands done. I've altered their shape slightly, as the first one I did was a bit too wide at the base and stuck out a little bit when you wore it. I'm really happy with the new style :) Due to the time, I have had to put the sewing machine to sleep, as I don't want to iritate my flatmates until the early hours of the morning, so I am just going to spend a bit more time cutting and prepping them ready for assembly in the morning.

I had a bit of a crabby evening on the sewing machine yesterday arvo, because I was working on my sandwich bag and snack bag prototype and the damned thing just wouldn't go together how I wanted it to. My seam ripper got one hell of a work out! I ended up scrapping in my original design, and creating a new more sewing machine friendly one. Once I have completed a collection of headbands, I'll get to work on getting the re-usable bags done.

When I was at Spotlight today I picked up so much fabulous material, but there was one in particular that I love to bits. As I have no doubt mentioned previously, Green is most absolute favourite colour, but I am also very partial to Brown. The material is a lush brown with blue and yellowy green flowers and patterns on it and I am dying to use it as a lining to one of my handbags that are in planning. I am thinking about getting some beige or natural coloured fabric for the exterior of the bag, but haven't completely decided yet. I'm going to try and avoid Spotlight for at least 3 days so that I can use up the materials that I already have. Will see how that plan goes ;)

My fave fabric at the mo!

Another bit of exciting news (for me anyway!) is that my glass bits and pieces arrived for my other pendant range I am doing. I've put them aside for now though whilst I am on a mad sewing buzz and will probably pull them out next week to have a play.

One last little note before I get back to cutting and hopefully sleeping at some point, is that I am very excited to learn about a new craft market that is starting in Bayswater. You can never have too many craft markets so I wish them all the best and hope it is a success, so that they continue them. The market is called Love Handmade and is starting up in November. I'll definitely be getting in an application for that! I'm also going to apply for Kraftbomb and the Devonport Craft Markets in their next open applications so wish me luck :)

Evening all x

Tidying and Sorting Day

Over the last week or so, I had managed to make my office a right disorderly mess! So, today I decided it had to be tidied. I feel so much better now that I have organised my craft stuff, it actually makes me want to get it all out again and start making new things. But I am going to be good and have the afternoon off. I am about to head to the post office to pick up a mystery package that has arrived for me. Okay, so it's hardly a mystery when I am expecting 3 deliveries.... but which one will it be?!? hehe I will be sure to let you all know in the morning.

Last night, well past my bed time I finished another sample of a different style of business card wallet that I am going to be making and selling.

This one is probably going to end up on my keyring, as it's my fave colour and pretty gosh darn cute!

I have cut out a some fabric ready to create a couple of other things, but as the day has completely gotten away from me they will have to wait until tomorrow. I'm off to my course now, so I hope everyone enjoys their afternoon :)

A productive afternoon :)

What better way to spend a windy, grey, miserable day, than to be inside cutting and sewing? I personally can't think of anything better! I am testing out the templates that I have made up, and I am pretty pleased with how they have turned out. There was a few little hiccups incurred that will need to be rectified in the next ones I make, but for a first attempt they're not too shabby.
Of course, the headband is such a basic design it'd be pretty poor of me to stuff that up. So here we have one of the styles of headbands I am going to be making.

This style headband is fairly wide, and is reversible. It has some pretty ribbon to tie it nicely at the back. My initial plan was to sew the ribbon right across the outside of the headband, but I completely forgot that I needed to do that before I stitched the two sides together! My bad. Oh well, I will try that idea out next time.

I saw some neat business card wallets when I was in Melbourne last year and I just had to try making them for myself. You could even use it as a mini wallet for when you go out, with your ATM cards and ID in it.

 

 I also picked up a little bit more fabric on my way home this morning (just couldn't resist stopping at Spotlight!) and when I got home I discovered that it was actually cheaper than I thought. Here I was thinking I was paying about $18 or $20 a metre for fabric, and it actually was only about half that. Score! I am glad that I didn't know that until I got home, or I would have certainly spent more money and time getting more. hehe

Now I am trying to decide on what to make next... so will get back to it, and post another blog soon x

Sunshine and Beach walks

Spring is definitely, by far, my most favourite time of year. I absolutely love the warm sunshine and cool breeze. Today was one of those glorious days!

This morning I managed to find a tyre place that is actually open on a Sunday (Kudos to Archers Tyres in Glenfield!) so I could put my embarrassing yellow space saver, back into its hidden compartment in my boot. I then made my way to Takapuna for a lovely walk down to the beach, along the beach to the cafe at the boat ramp for a coffee, and back again. It's a nice decent walk, and I was able to get a decent dose of Vitamin D along the way. Walking is a great way to think about things. I spent my walk planning out what designs I am going to work on next, and which prototypes I am going to make tomorrow. I've spent the last month or so compiling a list of ideas and designs of things I would like to make, and have had a few suggestions from friends as to what they would like, so I am certainly not short on inspiration at the moment.

This afternoon I made templates and sketches for some headbands, business card wallets, clutches and a few other goodies, so I am keen to start testing them out of my sewing machine tomorrow. I very much doubt I will get all the prototypes made, but I'll give it my best shot!

Yikes, look at the time! I think I need to get some shut eye so I can be bright as a button in the morning for an early productive start. Night all :)

Views, Displays and Pendants!

Good Morning all :) What a lovely, but windy, day it is today. I can hear the ferns and trees that are close to the house, scratching against the walls. It sounds eerie at night time but I quite like the sound during the day. Look at the gorgeous view I am able to look at everyday from one of my office windows.

I am pretty lucky where I am currently living, it's so lovely and peaceful out here. I have to move in a couple of months though, unfortunately, and I just hope that I can get somewhere that is just as nice :) I thought I should try and take some more pictures before we have to move, for memories sake.

This morning when I got up I managed to take a semi-decent pic of my jewellery display. The sun doesn't hit my side of the house early in the day, so it's still not the best photo, but it'll give you an idea as to what it looks like.

As you can see, the display is pretty chockablock with earrings, so a larger one is definitely needed! But nevertheless, I will soon be offering these for sale. Not sure whether or not they will be made to order, or if I'll make a heap up yet or not... but you too, will soon be able to get your hands on one of these beauties ;) hehe

I'm heading out for the afternoon, so my pendants should all be dry and ready for their second coat tomorrow. Getting excited about having them all finished :) For some odd reason though, on a couple of them, the paper has cracked underneath. It looks quite cool, but I'll need to work out why that's happening so it doesn't do it in the future!

Here they are, drying on my desk. I seriously need a bigger desk!

The chores aren't doing themselves this weekend (no matter how hard I wish!) so it's off to do that for a couple of hours before heading out to enjoy the fresh air. Enjoy your Sunday x

Where did the Sunshine go?

I got up this morning with my day all planned out... and it turned out to be just one of "those" days! After the rain started, there was a trip to the vet with a sick pussy cat, then a few hours waiting to pick him up, then a flat tyre on the way home. Then, I also discover that my spare has deflated from a long time of non-use. Typical! AND to top it all off, this all happens at quarter past 4 on a Saturday afternoon, just after all the tyre places have shut up shop for the rest of the weekend. So now I have the joy of driving around with a sexy space saver tyre until Monday morning. Hot! :) hehe Oh, and did I mention that it's also YELLOW!

But kitty cat and car dramas aside, it is the weekend so that's always a plus. I managed to finish my jewellery display last night and I am quite pleased with it. It is, however, no way near big enough for all of my earrings so the next prototype will definitely be upsized. As expected, a few construction glitches came up along the way but all in all it was a successful project. I love it when you design and make something for the first time. It is so rewarding when you see it all come together. It's also very cool when you continue to develop it and have it to compare to once you have perfected your technique! There is a couple of minor things that I am going to alter in the next version, so will let you all know how that goes. I wanted to take some pictures to put up, but the photos tend to come out grainy at night for some reason, so I will wait until I get some daylight tomorrow morning.

But speaking of pictures... I just can't resist posting a picture of my SERIOUSLY retro and awesomely cool sewing machine.

How cute is she? I was the happiest girl in the world when I managed to bag this bargain on Trademe a few months ago. A 1970 Husqvarna! It is the exact same model that I learnt on when I was a young girl, except in way funkier colours. I am pretty certain my Mum still has her machine actually - so we now have matching ones :) There is just something about old, reliable, basic machines. Whilst I admire all the functionality the new machines have, you just can't beat a machine that just does what it is supposed to do... sew!

The other really cool thing about this little baby, is that she has a little table attachment that clips on to give you more control over your work, and her own hardcover that slides over and clips into place. What's best is that the pedal, bobbin box and table all jigsaw together with the machine, under the cover. Too cool for school! Here are some pics to show you exactly what I mean.

I really hate packing her away though. She looks so cute all setup and ready to sew. I am moving house in a couple of months and my one prerequisite of a house is that it has a room big enough for ALL of my design and creating materials to be set up all the time. That way when ever I am in the mood to be creative, it's a matter of going into the room and just getting into it. How cool that would be!

Anyway, I have about 65 pendants prepped and ready to coat, so I am going to get onto that. Hope you are all having a fabulous weekend so far :)

K x

Win your own Babe in the Wood!

One of my favourite blogs, from a fellow creative and super cool chick, has a competition going at the moment. You can check it out here - Bam Bam Creative.

But you'll need to be quick... competition closes on Sunday at 5pm NZ time :)

Goodies to make Goodies!

Well I am back from my shopping trip with lots of new supplies :) It's actually quite an exhausting experience... but I love every minute of it! Here is a little sneak peak at some of the goodies I purchased this afternoon.

Yes, that is indeed a staple gun in the picture! It's (possibly) to help me make my jewellery display. I've measured, cut and sanded my pieces of wood (all by hand!) ready to go and am now trying to work out the logistics of actually assembling it! hehe. I have no doubt that it will be absolutely fabulous when I am finished though ;)

I have also spent a bit of time today working on my collection of wooden pendants. They are coming along really nicely, I am very pleased. The round ones are proving a slight challenge, so I am thinking of investing in a paper punch to aid in making them! I will post some pictures once they are nearer to completion.

Phew, what a busy week it has been. I doubt it will be a restful weekend, as I have so many new goodies that I will want to keep creating! It is going to be a GREAT weekend :)

Bed is a creative thinking place

I love that section of time from the point of opening your eyes in the morning, to the point where you actually get up. I do alot of thinking in that space. This morning I was lying in bed looking at my dismal attempt of making an earring display on the wall (I didn't have the right materials when I made it, so I just botched something together!) and started brainstorming on ways I could improve it. A friend of mine has made some really cool earring displays and he was trying to think of a solution with being able to get them small enough to be able to post. I think I may have just come up with a solution!

I grabbed my notepad which was sitting by my bed (I always keep it handy, you never know when an idea will strike!) and did a little rough sketch of my idea. Had a brief think about how I will put it together and possible problems I may face, and I have now compiled a list of materials needed. I intend on being completely prepared for construction this time!

Supplies shopping is usually a day long affair for me, so I ALWAYS make sure I bring a little list along to ensure I get all of the bits and pieces I need. Of course, there is always truck loads of extras added whilst I am browsing and becoming inspired, but a list is always a good place to start. Don't you hate it when you go and get all (or what you think is all) the bits and pieces you need to make something, get home, start creating, only to discover you have indeed missed a vital component. Frustrating as ever!

On that note, I am just revising my shopping list and am about to head out for the day. I'll be sure to post some piccies on my return xx

A beautiful day for making things

Well my first lot of supplies arrived in the post yesterday afternoon, how exciting! It was a good thing that I had my course to go to last night or else I would have sat up all hours playing with them. Anyway, I got up reasonably early and after checking emails and Facebook (priorities people! hehe) I have now started working on the first of my pendants. I have been wanting to make these for so long now and am really pleased to have had such a creative burst this last couple of months. It has definitely spurred me on to get back into it.

Here is a little picture of my wee workstation (I really need a bigger designing space!).

I have had my selection of gorgeous scrapbooking paper (after my lil shopping spree at NZ Scrapbook last week) just sitting here, waiting to be turned into something. I can tell that my obsession with paper is only going to get worse over the coming months as I start to work on all my different product ranges.

The warm sun beaming through my window is just delightful this morning, so I think I will trim these pendants and then go and make a coffee and soak up some rays. Best make the most of it before the unpredictable kiwi weather decides it's had enough sunshine for the day and becomes overcast.

Hope everyone is having a fabulous day :)

My super cute banner

Just wanted to share with you all, my new banner that I have done for my Etsy shop. I am chuffed with it and hope you like it too.

 

After going through this little process, it has just confirmed to me that graphic design is definitely something I want to study at some point... along with web design, writing and interior design. At the rate I add things to my to do list, I am going to have to live forever :P

And I have a logo!

Yippee! After much playing around with Illustrator (I am getting pretty good at it, if I don't say so myself) I have finally come up with a logo that I am pretty stoked with.


Yes, I know, it's at the top of my blog! But I just wanted to post it here to show you again ;)
I managed to happily incorporate some cute little buttons, because as you will soon learn, I LOVE buttons.

All in all, a great days work I would say. Now I can start to work on some proper branding... a website, prettying up my blog, and ordering some business cards. Exciting stuff.

A coffee would go down a treat right now, chat to you all later x

Introducing... a name!

Yes, I finally decided on a name for my crafty label. It was a big decision and not everyone will like it, but  'Skipapple' is fitting for me. 'Skip' derives from my Aussie heritage (as in a Kangaroo!), and is one of the nicknames that I have been given since arriving in New Zealand. 'Apple' comes from the little South Western Australian town called Donnybrook that I lived in for a long time and made some of the best friends in world there. Not to mention my mum, nanna and brother are living there. It is indeed an apple town :)

So until I come up with a colour scheme (which will definitely incorporate my favourite colour, green) and logo my blog will continue to look a little bare. But bear with me as I prettify it!

Can't wait to share all my thoughts with you x