…We like our bike. It’s made for three. Our Mike sits up in back you see. We like our Mike and this is why, Mike does all the work when the hills get high!

Read “One fish, two fish, red fish, blue fish” to Bubba J tonight and thought “Hey I need one of those!”

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Here’s some of my latest crafty goodness:

So proud! As a self taught- anything I make that is functional and pretty like this dress (with most of the mistakes on the inside so you can’t see!) makes me all chest swelling with pride. It uses Bird and Berry Stripe and Grassy Plains. Both by Kokka and available in the shop.

This one’s a project from Sew Darn Cute by Jenny Ryan- it’s called Snappy Fabric Bracelets. I’ve had terrible trouble applying the snaps though. I got one of those Birch pack from Lincraft with the tool shaped a bit like a set of pliers. Anyway, no matter how careful I was opening and closing the bracelets, the snappers kept separating. Any ideas what I’m doing wrong?

This is one of those rare craft books where I want to make everything in it. The come along once in a while and are just so exciting to own. The pages are full of possibilities. The other one that jumps to mind is Meet me at Mike’s.

Sewing machine cover whipped up one evening. Made it with Cookies by Aunty Cookie (a fabric I could just stare at for hours- these attitude laden bunny girls sit next to me now while I’m sewing. Some tell me I’m doing great, some snigger when I reach for the unpicker.) Hey, my mum was right when she said I’d never be alone again! Only I don’t think she was referring to dolly pictures on fabric. She was referring to the person I had just birthed.

I didn’t realise at the time that she meant it as a threat.

See my pincushion in the foreground? Got it free in Mixtape a while back. Courtesy of Dear Fii. I luv it.

“Eva” by Basic Grey is reminiscent of the French court, a mix of the exotic and the dignified, the gracious and the gallant. Eva is a collection of fanciful flourishes, exotic birds and quaint, finial patterns Gloriously deep, rich jewel tones impart an air nobility to this crowning medley of extravagant designs.

You can find this fabric collection and more in the Belsize Square Fabric store.

I wish I was more organised and managed to ever take some before shots. If I had, this would be much more impressive.

These were little home made chairs that were sitting around my grandparents-in-law’s house. They were originally stained (a very pine-y yellow gloss) and had mustard yellow vinyl covers with these strange high backs. The new upholstery is a Moda Home fabric we sell in the shop, very durable heavy weave. I just love how they turned out (the kids are pretty happy too!)

As weak as it is- I do believe this constitutes an Ikea hack. Some Dulux spray paint in Volcano Orange and I’m very impressed with my glossy little kitchen accessory/ extra chair.

This one I did quite a white back, I just don’t think I ever got around to blogging it. I found the lamp base at Mill Markets in Geelong -oh how I love that place! The shade was a plain white one I bought for $2 (super bargain basement price) from Kmart which I recovered in some yummy Amy Butler Wildflowers fabric from the Daisy Chain range. It now graces the sideboard in my dining room.

It appears that I’m not the only one. The little guy has been painting to his heart’s content and is super keen to practise his newly acquired skill of turning one’s painting into a stamp (where you turn your painting face down and rub the back so that you get a mirror image). Only thing is, he doesn’t always have the paper lined up underneath.

Needless to say we did end up with some lovely reverse paintings directly transfered onto the table top.

Visit the store for more great New Fabric.

 Hot Blossoms in hot hues of pink, orange, aqua and chocolate and sharp shades of black and white. Vibrant, dramatic and fun!

Visit the fabric store for this and many other great new fabric ranges.

Our Fat Quarter Bundles  are a quick and easy way to purchase a co-ordinated selection of fabric.

Apple by Alice Kennedy. Stylised apples, apple trees and quirky owls in a thoroughly seventies palette of browns, greens and red. I’d love to see this one in a toddler pinafore.

Find it now in the fabric store

Scrolls, spots and paisley in grown up muted tones.

Hushabye by Tula Pink. Spring raindrops in the palest of blush and the craziest bunny toile you’ll ever see. This is a perfect range to make something for the spring baby in your life.

Wee one turned three last week. Now not wee so much- maybe more midi. I think I’ll keep working on a new nickname.

We had a lovely party for him on the weekend to celebrate. Bouncy castle, helium balloons, gourmet Greek food as far as the eye could see (courtesy of my mother in law) and a Makka Pakka cake (as requested by the wee one himself) and lovingly- if not skillfully- made by me.

As always, it’s not a proper party without my Nigella cupcakes…

We were so busy with the party we didn’t take many pictures. Luckily a special friend deployed her husband to be our event photographer.

Super sale stash.

Also recently decided that the new Red Letter Days and David Walker Rockets ranges were far too yum to disappear without hacking into them for my own stash. The result?

A cute kinder nap time binkee for my pumpkin…

Tomorrow my wee one turns three- full of attitude, sleeping in a bed and giving up his dummy all by himself.

No more babies.

Sigh.

Part of the Echino Chelsea range by Etsuko Furuya 

Retro style (think Liberty) Hortensia by Kokka

Gorgeous fabric features zebras, deer and birds in shades of chocolate, coral, turquoise and lemon by Etsuko Furuya.

Silhoette scenes from your favourite fairy tales by Kokka

Cotton / linen base featuring forest mushrooms, Barvarian birdies, nordic horses and tulips from Amsterdam, by Kokka

Discounted fabric includes Japanese Kokka and Yuwa, Amy Butler August Fields, American Jane, Moda and many more.

Fabric Sale ends Friday.

We will be offering many of last year’s fabric collections at significant savings (up to 50% off!). These end-of bolt specials are only available in person. You can also shop from our full range of fabric, patterns and books.

So if you live in Melbourne and would like to attend please send me an email to info@belsizesquare.com.au. In your email let me know what day and approximate time you would like to attend so that I can co-ordinate numbers.

Our premises are located in Hawthorn and I will provide detailed directions for those who sign up.

This is an invitation only event and numbers are strictly limited.

Regards,

Katrina

Here is a sample… you can find many more in the fabric store.

Indigo, Pewter and Honey

Charleston V

Aunt Grace Backgrounds

I’m interested to know what people think about these collections. Drop me a comment.

What do you think? The Red Letter Day fabric collection is some of the cutest, most vibrant fabric I’ve seen in a long while. Its perfect for quilting and kids clothing (duck pajamas anyone?).

If you want to see how crafty peeps are using this fabulous fabric range, visit the Red Letter Day flickr pool. There are some amazingly talented people out there!

Lastly there is a FREE pattern using the Red Letter Day Fabric here.

Thanks for showing us Paula and good luck with your operation!!!

The Heather Ross “far, far away” beauties (even better in the flesh) are printed onto double gauze fabric. Lightweight. Wispy. Delightful.

Lots of slightly off the wall Japanese novelties including these piggies:

This echino bird fabric:

And this lovely fabric panel with woodland scene and wild animals:

This is but a taste of what is to come! Excited?

Oh, I’d sew her little frocks and knit her weeny scarves and cardigans and accesorise her with Mod wigs and mini ‘fros.

images originally from Tiny Haus, tibiloo.

I think these photos are so yum, is it weird to get fashion tips from Blythe?

Came across this gorgeous photo this evening on blog.freepeople.com

It’s a Purl Patchwork display showcasing new Liberty prints. I love the subtle gradation of colour, the prints, the use of embroidery hoops (not the first time I’ve seen it done, obviously but it just gets me every time!)

Lovelovelove.