getting my craft on...

I really feel like I'm getting my craft on again. These past few weeks have seen me crafting in such a flurry of excitement that dishes have been left to pile precariously upon the bench. Thank goodness for the husband who saved them from an imminent tumble (clearly trying to earn points after two weeks in the shed working on the racecar aaaand three days at winton racing), he's a good sort he is. 

If you've been following me on instagram, you would've seen some evidence of this crafting flurry. My time is yet to stretch long enough to take decent photos of my creations and getting the kidlets to stand still is a whole other issue, not to mention a self portrait!

I've been slowly drawing vintage trucks again too and have had some digitally printed onto a gorgeous linen/cotton to have a play with. I thought they would make great craft panels to be used in a cushion or quilt, or a sweet simple softie. 

I've listed them in the shop, if you'd like one. There's four of each character available.

I can't wait to sew something for the boys, still trying to decide what though. I also ordered some interlock with a combined design of all three to sew a couple of tees. Just have to build up the nerve to cut into it. Oh, the fear of mistake is high!

Have you been getting your craft on lately?

Joining up with the crafty gang over here.

spotty pirate-y pantaloons...

I've been busting to get back into the making of things other than babies and cakes.
So when I saw this tutorial by the lovely Sophie of Cirque Du Bebe, I jumped in.
When I say jumped in... I actually mean belly flopped in!
My eyes glanced quickly over the tutorial... yep, mm hmm, I see... looks easy enough... and then I went ahead and completely and utterly winged it. Who has time for details when you're juggling kidlets? Let alone measuring the kidlet!
Looking back over the tutorial now, I see how I could have made things a lot easier for myself. But I like to think of myself as a "hands on learner". 

I found both materials at the oppy, these pants probably cost me approximately 33c.
Bargain. 

Huckle calls them his spotty pirate pants. 
Perfect attire for jumping on the bed, don't you know.

You know what else? 
I quite fancy a pair for myself!
Do you fancy them... for your kidlet or yourself?
They're easy to whip up... and even easier if you follow the instructions too, I'm sure.

I'm so tempted to join in on the kcwc. Maybe I'll manage one piece a week rather than one piece a day.

sidenote: it is pretty much impossible to capture a toddler in focus using a manual focus lens

something I'm working on...

My sister is getting married to her beau this coming June. I'm most delighted to be designing their invites for them. The brief was "whimsical garden picnic" as they're having a newlyweds picnic the day after they get married. 

I can't wait to celebrate with them, they're such a fun couple. 

I'm on the bunting committee too. May there be metres and metres of buntingy goodness strung about Newfarm Park! Mum is cooking the feast and baking the cake. There's even talk of a dessert buffet! Doesn't that sound wonderful?

There's a lot to do before then of course, so I'll try not to get ahead of myself dreaming about desserts. 

Weekend tomorrow! Today is my day of preparing for the weekend uptown. Washing, baking and writing the long list of "to do's" so this pregnant lady doesn't forget anything. I think the ever growing belly is putting pressure on my brain space and hogging the memory section.
Have a great weekend! May you remember all that you need! 

the big boy quilt...

With the big move (to the big bed) underway, means a big boy quilt is needed. I gave myself the strict instructions of using fabric from the stash and I'm pleased to say that I succeeded, for the top at least. I do need to buy batting and possibly some material for binding too. 

Huckle love's it and gives it great big huggly hugs every time he sees it. I think it's a success, just wait til he sees how huggly it is when it's complete with wool batting!

The dear Samuel risked a rather precarious outdoor table so I could get a full shot. Thank you dear husband for your assistance.

I probably should have given it an iron before photographing it. But time is of the essence when there's a small person stomping through your fabric stash.

Joining in over here.

my creative space...

I'm a little bit chuffed to say... I finished a quilt. Sure it's teeny tiny, but still it is a quilt and it is finished! Ok, perhaps I am a little too excited.

I've named it "The Happy Farmer" and it's waiting patiently to be be joined by two more teeny quilts. And then... when I get around to it, they'll be heading to the shop.

At just a wee 55cm x 60cm, it's the perfect size to pop over a wee baby in the pram or capsule. 

It's been lovingly (ie: wonkily) handquilted and features a variety of vintage and new fabrics. The cute farm fabric was brought back from Paris by my sweet sister.

The days have been slow around these parts. We're storing our energy for another hectic weekend ahead. There's a house to inspect, scrap metal to be collected, furniture to be delivered... a big long rattling list really, that I'm trying not to think about too much.
Today is all about the home. We've rearranged Huckle's room to include a big bed (that he will hopefully soon sleep in), bread is in the oven and washing is swishing away in the machine. Aaah, domestic bliss (humour me here). 
Now for a cup of tea.


What's afoot in your neck of the woods today?
Craftiness? Domesticity? Shenanigans?
Whatever it is... enjoy it.

Joining this group of crafty foxes.

new pieces...

We've been busy little beavers these past few weeks. Slowly moving into our new showroom space, building furniture and sourcing vintage items to be sold as well. 

There are two new pieces ready for sale, the Birmingham Side Table (an ode to the city's part in the Industrial Revolution) and the Ipanema Dining Set (named for it's beachy personality). Full details and more photos can be viewed on the Ironwood and Eaglesmith web page.

The showroom is coming along nicely. We're hoping to have it all up and running for April.  Exciting?  Yes! Scary? Double Yes! We'll be open to the public on weekends at this stage, the opening hours will most likely be 10am to 3pm both days. For the moment there will be our furniture plus an assortment of vintage industrial goodness to peruse, as well as the custom postie bikes of Post Modern Motorcycles. 

We're looking to source some crafted items too down the track. If you know of anyone making wares that would suit the vintage industrial vibe, please let me know. For that's my next little project.

I think a little launch party is in order too. Although, I might put that idea on the back-burner for a while. Can't go getting ahead of myself now, can I? Let's focus on opening first.

So that's it from me today. I'm all tuckered out from too many hours in front of Tom(puter) and chasing a weary Huckle this way and that.
I hope your monday has been just as fruitful.

saturday...

I was up early and off to Gleadall St Market to shop for the week ahead. I do love this little market. The nut man is lovely, you can buy bread from bakeries all over town and there's nothing like constantly being run into by a Nonna and her trolley (although, I think that happens at every market).

The rest of the morning was spent collecting bits and bobs from here and there for the studio and home.

The afternoon had a slower pace. While it rained outside, the boys entertained themselves building a block city. There's an awesome collection of old blocks at the warehouse (thanks AJ for not being able to part with them). While the boys played, I photographed the new Ironwood and Eaglesmith pieces to list on the website this week.

Saturday night Samuel went to see Ryan Adams. We couldn't organise a sitter in time, so I had to pass in the free ticket. A bit disapointed, but next time we will be more organised. Never mind, time was not wasted and I completed another seven rows on the ripple blanket (fueled by chocolate). These blankets are serious long-haul projects! Lucky I only make one per baby, huh.

And that was Saturday...

a new look...

I've been feeling a little wiped out today. Sore and tired. So while procrastinating about all of the jobs that need doing this afternoon, I gave my blog a face lift instead. A totally rational and excusable (ahem) way to spend an afternoon. 

I used a little design I've been playing around with lately. I like it. It's fresh and airy.

What are your thoughts? Do you think it's fresh and airy too? Or is it a little cool and empty?

lately...

There's a lot going on up here on the hill. Life feels very busy and we may be chasing our tails for a little while yet. I've rescued my crafting mojo from the brink of extinction (two odd months in Qld) and I'm feeling quite well and balanced now that it's back.

It also helps that Huckle can keep himself entertained while I sew in the studio. He has a little fenced yard that is attached to the studio, where he can dig in the sandbox and explore. I leave the door open and he pops in to see me and bring me some sand. He's quite content to do this for an hour or so, which is fantastic.

With all this time to sew, I've finally finished the giant strawberry I started so long ago. It's a Purl Bee free pattern, found over here. I lost my pattern piece for the top, so I winged it with a bit of felt. It's cushy and cuddly, but no you can't eat it. Sorry.

I've also finished the top of the Parisian Garden teeny quilt. Now I must finish this and the Autumn Squirrel top and get them in the shop.

We've been slowly making our way through the birthday cheese, with sneaky cheese plates for lunch or after tea. So good. I am a crazy cheese lady. I love it.

We've been spending the weekends uptown in our new Ironwood and Eaglesmith Headquarters. More on this in another post, I promise.

And while the bump grows bigger, so too does the ripple blankie. I'll be sure to post a proper bump photo this week (for the likes of my mama and Melly).

Is it busy where you are? 
Have you been making and eating and living the good life? 
I sure hope so.
Have a lovely week!

what we've been up to...

It feels like the past few days have all rolled into one big blur. But as I looked through my phone pics, it appears that we've done quite a lot! I do like documenting the little parts of our days. It makes them feel not so blurry and gives them a little more importance. Does that make sense? 

This is what we've been up to ...

Friday I attended Jess's opening at Outre Gallery. So many gorgeous bears! I could have taken every one of them home. There were lots of red dots too. Hooray for red dots.

Saturday Huckle and I picked up his new (old) chairs from a lovely ebay seller. We got them for an absolute steal. Aren't they super cute. Needless to say, he loves them (as do I) and has been rearranging them in his little space constantly since we brought them home. All he needs now is Dada to build him a lovely little table.

We also started moving into our new Ironwood and Eaglesmith headquarters! So very exciting. We'll be sharing this warehouse space in Richmond with a friend and hope to be open for business soon. We plan on being open on weekends for furniture viewing and hopefully we'll branch out into some other exciting things as well. I'll keep you updated for an opening date.

On the drive home we stopped off at Tooradin for dinner in the park. We all went tramping through the sticky mud searching for crabs. Huckle was a little more adventurous than I and ended up with mud all over his sneakers. They're nice and clean now.

Sunday was spent lounging about. Huckle watched a spot of Totoro...

whilst Mama hooked away at the ripple blankie for number two. Two years ago I was doing the same for Huckle. You can see his ripple blankie way back here (How good are blogs for archiving!).

Samuel was back in the studio on Monday. There's two new pieces that are almost finished. They should be ready to hitch a ride uptown on Saturday. I fall in love with every new piece, one day our house will be full of our furniture. First up will be my lovely big dining table.

Huckle and I spent Monday playing in the sandbox, we took Samuel some morning tea and lunch, I squeezed in a spot of sewing and we did some chores. 

Today between cleaning and a drive into town, I managed to steal some more time in the studio. I finished the Autumn Squirrel quilt top and started playing around with a backing and binding. 

But before I got very far, I started on the next quilt top! I think I'll call this one the Parisian Garden quilt. Said with your best french accent, of course. Hee hee.

So tell me. What have you been up to these past few days?


I know that Tania has been making and baking. I would have loved to have been in her kitchen this past weekend!
Cathy opened her first solo exhibition. Congratulations Cathy!
And Dee gave birth to a most gorgeous little boy! So, so sweet.

my creative space...

Today has been a crazy busy day, but we still managed to squeeze in a few moments of craftiness. Straight after brekkie this morning we did a spot of potato stamping. I carved the potatoes yesterday, but we ran out of time to play with them. They aged a little overnight and the shapes weren't as crisp as intended. But lots of fun nonetheless. Huckle thoroughly enjoyed the messiness of it all and soon had paint up his arms, on his face and in his hair.

I couldn't help but do a bit of stamping too. My paint stayed on the potato and the page, I don't like getting dirty.

I snuck in a bit of sewing this afternoon too. I think I was in the studio for about half an hour and managed to get a good start on another teeny quilt. I am yet to finish the other one I started, but all in good time I say. You can't rush these things, can you.

I hope you're fitting in a spot of craftiness too. It keeps me sane. How about you?
We're off uptown tomorrow. I'm off to Jess's opening, maybe I'll see you there.


Joining in at our creative spaces.

a quilt for Clover...

I recently finished this quilt, if you follow me on Instagram you may have seen a sneak peek or two. It was a custom order for a friend of ours, who is gifting it to her sweet niece Clover. I am so pleased she was happy with how it turned out. 

Trying to keep it a little muted, my inspiration was the gorgeous Liberty floral which I paired with the more modern designs. The backing is a vintage sheet from the stash and the binding is old stock from spotlight. I really wanted it to have that handmade, heirloom appeal, so I hand quilted along both sides of the seams and hand stitched the binding too. A lot of hours and love have gone into this quilt. I hope it will be treasured forever.

There's a few teeny quilts in the line up, so they're next on the list. I'm having a lot of fun picking the fabric combinations.

I hope you have a lovely weekend ahead of you.

Ironwood and Eaglesmith...

There's been a little change in the air and we've decided to re-brand our furniture. Our new name is Ironwood and Eaglesmith and there's some secret squirrel developments on the horizon, which we're a little excited about too. I'll let you know as they begin to unfold. 
But for now, here's our latest piece to be added to the website, the Jacksonville Side Table. We're also very happy to see our "sold" page growing in numbers, with the sale of our Butcher's Block Coffee Table last week.
Slowly, but surely we're progressing forward doing something that we both love - creating unique pieces of furniture. And best of all, we get together from our home studio. It's hard work, but it feels right and that's enough to keep us pushing on.
I'd love to hear from anyone else that runs their own business from home. How you make it work and how you got through the initial start-up period.
There's an awful lot to catch up on since I last posted. So I'm collating a flurry of posts to get myself all up to date. Got to keep the family happy. x

feeling a little quilty...

My DSLR is giving me grief at the moment, so I've been capturing life on my iphone using Instagram. You can find me at kittyspeer, or over here on Webstagram. Are you on Instagram? Leave me a comment if you are, so I can find you.

I've been sneaking out to the studio a few nights a week for a little sewing therapy. I'm currently quilting away at a few different projects. The first being a sweet custom order for a friends niece. I pinned it all up last night and started quilting only to run into some walking foot issues. I think I need to loosen the foot tension a bit, as there's a lot of puckering happening. I'm on the mad hunt for one of my three quick-un-picks to undo it and start again. 

Meanwhile, I've got this little lovely on the go. I've called it the happy farmer. It's only teeny at 60cm x 70cm, but that's perfect for the carseat or pram. The farm fabric was a gift my sister brought back from Paris, the cherries and red gingham are both vintage, the rest are a mix of new brights. I'm debating whether to keep it or sell it... I'll keep you posted.

Forever one step ahead of myself, I've got two more bundles ready to go. Both of these will most likely become teeny quilts too. Both of these bundles are all recent fabrics, but I do like the vintage feel they create when together.

I particularly like this one below.

I'm off to stitch some more. Have a delightful evening, whatever you're up to.

a most handsome sideboard...

Our latest piece is this most handsome sideboard & it's ready to find a lovely new home.

Thank you all for your encouragement to shoot it outside. We didn't quite make it out into the paddock (it is a heavy fellow), but we did manage to get it overlooking the Farmer Mick's paddock.

As well as consulting with the whole process, I had my own little part to do. Can you tell what it was? Do you see that gorgeous vintage wallpaper lining the drawers? I love putting individual touches on things, you know that no one else will own a piece like it. 

Pop over to the S & K website to see more.

Happy Monday!