Bunting!!!

This week I completed and posted a custom made bunting to a friend. Isn't it just delightful!?

The request: a bunting to be used to decorate "birthdays, picnics and a bridal shower."  

The key words given: "pretty, slightly quirky, not overly girly, but sort of sophisticated and still funky"  "whimsical" and "eclectic"

The challenge was accepted and so I went about attempting to gather the perfect vintage and up-cycled fabric from here there and everywhere.

Mission accomplished? Well I for one am in love with it and am now in the midst of a bunting making frenzy.

If buntings could talk they would encourage you to pop on a pretty floral dress and laze about on cushions and blankets in your sun-drenched garden, drinking cups of tea and eating small sandwhiches. Which coincidently (if you throw in a glass of wine or two) sounds like the perfect way to spend a sunny Friday afternoon ; )

Happy weekend my lovelies

Ruby Bluebird xx

Books Books Books

Yeeeha! Early birthday presents from my dear mama. Two crafty books by Pip Lincolne...."Meet Me At Mike's" and "Sew La Tea Do"......filled to the brim with sewing, knitting and crochet projects, patterns, instructions, etc.  And also lots of pretty pictures of vintage fabric and bits and bobs. Just delightful!

Pip Lincolne is a Melbourne based crafter, blogger, writer, shopkeeper, author and all round inspiring lady. You can find out more by checking out her lovely blog Meet Me At Mike's. She has two more books on the way (pictured below so you can keep your eyes peeled for them) So I best get cracking on the crafty recipes in her first books....then maybe by christmas I'll be ready for more! ; )

Hooded Scarf

I've finally created some Ruby Bluebird pieces for the lads. After seeing my brightly coloured vintage fabric hooded scarves for the ladies, a friend requested that I make him a couple of "masculine" hooded scarves to keep him snug and warm through the cooler months.

Attempting to make everything using up-cycled or second-hand fabric means that you can't just pop down to your local Spotlight...you have to go HUNTING! So off I went....trawling the op-shops for the perfect "manly" "masculine" materials. The op-shop gods must've been shining their light down on me that day because in the time it takes you to utter "thrifty goodness" I had stumbled across a big piece of thick navy wool blend fabric, a couple of metres of navy/white/red checked cotton and a single cotton doona cover in big blue/grey/black/white checks. Perfecto!  

I ended up making four hooded scarves. Two for my friend, who picked them up bearing gifts....payment for the scarves, as well as bringing me a delicious box of goods from the AMAZING online wholefoods store he owns with his brother, 2BrothersFoods (I suggest you all check it out!)

And that leaves two....which I have popped up for sale on my etsy online store here! A Fathers Day gift perhaps?? Or a "just because" present for the special Mr in your life?? We'll see...

xx

DIYcouture: making DIY easy

Oooooh I just love stumbling across a website that supports the handmade revolution, bucks the concept of "fast fashion" and makes DIY less daunting and more accessible. DIYcouture is a UK based website which does away with scary, complex sewing patterns in favour of booklets filled with easy to read, simple, visual instructions. The philosophy behind it is to encourage  people to get involved in the craft and fun of 3D creation. Each DIYcourture collection consists of 12 classic, staple pieces that can be encorprated into any wardrobe. The latest collection includes a cloak, a jumpsuit, a pleated skirt, a gathered dress, a hoody and more.

Now the only question is....what will I try my hands at first?

Perth: Sunny 19 degrees

 

 

 

 

Perth: Sunny 19 degrees. It is wintry days like these that make my heart sing! It feels like spring has sprung in my back garden today...the flowers are out and the lemon tree is weighed down with an abundance of citrusy goodness. Providing us with the vital ingredient for our much needed hot lemon & honey drinks. Delightful!

My sweetheart, Mr Bodes, is heading off on an adventure early tomorrow morning. A 10 day work trip camping on the Nullabor, near the WA/SA border. The days may be sunny but the nights will be freeeeeezing...so I spent this afternoon sewing him a snuggly new scarf. The outer layer is thick grey "jumper fabric" which I found in an op-shop in Osbourne Park, and the lining is made from an old checked doona cover. Sew them together and voila!....a NEW scarf.

Before sewing the scarf up completely, I embroidered a tiny heart ♥ on the inside of the lining...a little something from me for him to take on his travels x