shop update - pin cushions

Im trying to get into market mode again. These were almost a sellout last sunday

 so im making more of course. Plus they are fun to do. Someone purchased one for their baby's bassinet! I told her it was a pin cushion but she didnt care. How peculiar.

This red riding hood one above is the same size and style as Kates.

This folksie one is almost twice the size.

They'll be in my other shop today at some time.

Ive done an almost tidy up, the dog has been with us to the beach and now im going to get stuck into that pile of boys knits ive been working at.

my creative space

I made this hoodie a while ago and I wear it alot, so I need to make more.

 I started with a plain crew neck granny knit

because the colours are always a vintagey look and a stripey ribbed jumper that you see everywhere.

I cut off the neck ribbing as it was too chunky and sliced a split in the neck for an opening.

Added a toggle and edged the split with some of the second ribbed jumper.

The sleeves had stripes on too so I used them on the cuff after cutting off the existing ones.

I made a couple of front pockets from the ribbing as well.

I sliced off the bottom bulky ribbing.

The base hem of the ribbed jumper was great for the hem as it was self hemmed therefore I didnt need to double it over, adding back the bulk I had just removed.

The front and back across the chest had nice stripes and this is what became my hood.

It didnt take long to do once I had what I call my 'formula'. It will be easy converting similar jumpers now.

Ive been working on some more pin-cushions and here are the latest.

Ill be checking out what everyone else is up to over at Kirsty's as soon as ive done the school thing.

more behind the scenes

An image from a childrens book I have in my studio. I find its inspiring me to stay in the right feel and era of my clothes, so I dont find myself straying towards the modern.

Surrounding myself with images helps immensely.

Sneak peek at the pin-cushions for my giveaway which started coming together last night.

Some little harem pants for boys. These have a little tree embroidery on them.

Perfect for Little Tree Kids.

These are boys too, with chicken scratch (thanks to WillyWagtail for telling me what its called)embroidered pockets

and leaf print binding im loving for spring/summer.

Im planning to have sizes from 1 to 10 in both boys and girls. Whatever I dont have completed on the day is in production and is soon to be in the shop.

Giveaway here.

my creative space

This week saw me having a good clearing ready for winter in my creative space. Boy did it need it. Ive had school uniform tears and sleeping bag rips, t-shirt resizings, not to mention some important Etsy orders.

The quilts are gone from the end of the table and im going to have only one in my studio at a time as they are doing my head in. And before you all sigh with disappointment, Mali's is the first one allowed to enter my new, clear space. Im still working on it and should have something inspiring to show you by the end of next week.

I have hung this on the end wall finally.

This is how I store my washing powder and the idea for using an old, beautiful but sadly, chipped cup to dispense powder was taken from a Cath Kidston book (without wanting to sound tossy). Again, the things I need to use everyday must be purposeful but gorgeous. My mum brought me up using velvet soap like the father in 'My Big Fat Greek Wedding' used windex. This oversized cake/block is from a shop on sydney road. Its huge. I almost need two hands to wield it.

Birds eye view. The tins are full of buttons, curtain fixtures, zips, buckles, hook and eyes, embroidery threads, labels, sewing feet I have no idea how to use, etc.

 The three piles you see are paramount to how I 'work'. Currently here is my winter mending and upcycling for my family as the seasons have just turned icy.

The first on the left is overlocking waiting nearest the overlocker. The middle is 'to be cut out'.

The right hand pile is for straight stitching and is usually ordered in cotton colours.

More importantly, I have some things to show you.

This is the pin cushion I made for Gail @ GladyandFlo for my giveaway.

 I managed to 'fussy-cut' the base. My first ever foray into this highly esteemed way of patching.

Something I played with today are some feathers I bought from Darn Cheap Fabrics. These are for a head piece for my sons bride-to-be in a couple of weeks. I have no idea what im doing and must have stared at them for half an hour before deciding to do nothing until I feel more confident.

Check out Kootoyoo for true inspiration!

Thanks Kirsty for being a lovely generous hostess.

100th blog post pin-cushion giveaway!

Hey! Everyone who feels like they just must have one more pin-cushion, Im having a giveaway to celebrate my getting to 100, mostly useless, silly ideas that are yet to come to fruition, never really helpful but might have made you laugh, sometimes to become Etsyed, things mostly on the backburner here at Textured Leaf Central.
 If you liked this one that I made for Kates Pin-Cushion Swap then just leave a comment for me to read while Im taking a break and am off to renovate my mums house for the next week. Ill announce the winner next Monday!

P.S If you have a favourite colour Id like to know.