Christmas in July

I know a lot of people think Christmas in July is just another marketing ploy but it's become something very special to me. No matter how long I live in my beloved corner of the Southern Hemisphere my heart will not adapt to Summer = Christmastime.

As soon as a slight chill hits the air my mind goes into holiday mode even if it is May. 

I usually have our Halloween party invitation done and printed by June. 

I hunt out every possible Christmas in July event I can find in the greater Melbourne area. 

Last year was extra important because my Mom was here and I knew I wouldn't

 see her at Christmas. We had the best time together at both CIJ celebrations at the Cuckoo Restaurant and Sovereign Hill (pictures above).

The upside of my insides being confused is I really feel like making Christmas ornaments when it's cold so it sort of kicks off my season with the big Christmas in July sale on Etsy. 

Happy Christmas in July Everyone!!

For The Birds

The only thing I love more than the trees in Australia are the birds (and koalas) who live in them.  No wonder these fine feathered friends have ended up being my inspiration for many ornaments. I've even learned about many a birdy I didn't know through commissions. For example, the bush curlew was lovely grandma's favourite bird so I was contacted about making one. The legs ended up a challenge but I was happy in the end.

Some people Cockatoos as a bit of a pest but I am still thrilled every time I spot a flock! The Cockatoo is the subject of my newest pattern due for release next week in my Etsy store ((To go to my Etsy Shop Here!!).  I had no idea there are so many varieties. There are at least thirteen from what I have read.  I have attempted to capture the beauty of the Galah, Sulpher Crested, Major Mitchell's and Red Tailed Black Cockatoos. Hopefully some of you guys will enjoy making them!!

Labyrinth Theme

80's Fantasy movies were my jam as a kid. Legend, Labyrinth, Neverending Story, Dark Crystal, Willow, all so good. I was so in love with Val Kilmer in Willow (and Real Genius). I cried and cried when he married his co-star from Willow. My little heart broke. Happy to say I've made a full recovery. It sure is fun to meet others who share my love of these movies so when two of my favourite people announced they were reproducing I knew I had to craft some Labyrinth themed goodness.

Their favourite character is is the worm so a felt ornament of said worm was in order.

'ELLO!

Felt Labyrinth Worm

I went searching for a worm doll and came across a pattern for an Amigurumi worm. Well, I have no talent with any kind of crochet but lucky for me I have a cousin who does. I called her up and asked her if could commission this little tidbit. She did a Bang Up Job!!!

You can check out more of her work on Instagram @Jacquirosecreations

Amigurumi Labyrinth Worm

 The Worm may be the future parents' favourite but Ludo is mine. 

I've been wanting to try some "hoop art" so this was the time. I basically made one of my little felt guys but in a hoop. 

Ludo Hoop Art

I hope Jim Henson and David Bowie would approve. 

Stop Motion

         I've always loved stop-motion animation. Everything Bass and Rankin did, I adored! And don't even get me started on Tim Burton. I've watched The Nightmare Before Christmas and the Corpse Bride way too many times to count. Imagine my happiness when I saw there was a lovely little app for the iPhone I could download, Stop Motion Studio. My two new loves have come clashing together into a one minute ten second video on YouTube. Babushka ~ the making of a felt Matryoshka doll.

           My son was also pretty interested in the app and wanted to make a movie of his own. Trying to get him to nail down a plot was a challenge. He wanted his story WAY more elaborate but we finally got it down to rescuing pink lizard from a volcano via rocket-ship.

Good times were had by all!!

The Swallow ~ into my Mother's footsteps

            I remember my mom staying up to all hours of the night working her smocking plates when I was a kid. The majority of our family vacations were centred around a smocking conference where she would be teaching. Her hand work is beautiful and tidy and my kids are so lucky to have her sew for them.  I recently came across a group of her plates online which made me really happy. If you want to check them out here's the link.  Ann Smith Smocking Plates

I didn't inherit my mom's patience or meticulousness so hand work was more or less something I avoided until recently. I've become a bit obsessed with the making of embroidered ornaments. I like figuring out how to put things together and with some constructive criticism from Mom (my first lazy daisies were WAY too big) I've packaged up my first pattern.  I felt like I was kind of following in my Mom's footsteps by putting together sewing instructions.

I love Swallow tattoos and everything they represent so that was the inspiration for this ornament.  It took three or four tries before I ended up with a complete piece I actually liked and many hours of practising stitches with YouTube videos.  I highly recommend HandiWorks Basic Stitches videos if you need to learn or a brush-up on your stitches.

It took me quite a bit to remember how to do the blanket stitch so I watched the videos over and over.   Here's the link HandiWorks

I know things like smocking and embroidery can be intimidating but trust me, if I can do it then you can do it too!

The Swallow is now available for Instant Download in my Etsy Store.

www.elliottsplayground.etsy.com

Make For Good

I am so happy to be involved in the Make For Good campaign this year. 

Etsy Australia is partnering with Plan International to raise funds for an economic development program for young women in Sri Lanka.

"Across Sri Lanka, girls and young women face multiple challenges in securing decent work due to gender inequality and gender based discrimination. Women often have to work in unstable employment with no access to social protection for low pay. Vocational skills are not considered a priority for girls in the North and Eastern provinces which were among the worst affected populations during the country’s civil war. As a result, there are very limited options for young women outside of marriage.

Plan International Australia’s Because I Am A Girl program in the area is focused on improving the economic wellbeing of young women and girls by providing decent employment opportunities and sustainable livelihoods. It’s all about identifying work opportunities in the region and providing youth the training and pathways to job opportunities or self employment and, ultimately, brighter futures.

This year, the program aims to provide skills training for 360 young women in Sri Lanka, as well as entrepreneurship training and seed funding for business start-ups for 100 young women. The effect this will have on the lives of these women is immeasurable, and will create a lasting change not only in their lives, but in their communities."

The theme this year is "Creating Brighter Futures". I have created a special line of plush, felt ornaments using the sun and moon as inspiration.

I've also listed a special value pack of wonderful My First Words ~ Early Learning Tools.

30% of the sales of the products will be donated to the Make For Good campaign.

www.elliottsplayground.etsy.com

If felt ornaments or early learning tools aren't your thing there are loads of other beautiful Australian and New Zealand made items on sale.

Here are some of the editor's picks.

etsy.me/makeforgood

Thanks so much for your support!!

It all started with a hat

I got it in my head I wanted to make LoveBug an elf/woodland bonnet for the Winter Solstice bonfire at the Collingwod Children's farm.  My mom pitched in and added some adorable little embroidery stitches which made the hat SO much cuter!!

In the past, when I have tried to do fiddly hand work it has been nothing short of a disaster. Mom tried to teach me to smock, fail. I had to ventilate a moustache in college. My teacher scowled when I turned it in.  Her scowl was worse when I showed her my beading project. If you want a crazy mask then I'm your girl! Drape a swoopy, crazy bustled skirt, no problem. Sew some delicate piece of beauty then I'm out. I asked my teacher once of stitches could be used on a particular project for decorative purposes. Her response, "Stitches yes. YOUR stitches, no."

So with some trepidation I asked my Mom to show me the blanket and lazy daisy stitch she used on Love Bug's bonnet and a new obsession was born!

I had a hard time remembering how to do the blanket stitch but with the help of many great YouTube videos I've got it down now.  The Christmas ornaments are multiplying and now for sale on Etsy.

www.elliottsplayground.etsy.com

Here's the link to the YouTube HandiWorks channel.  Great instructions for lots of stitches!!