A special ‘shabby’ apron, sneak peek and other goings on!

I thought you might like to see a (relatively) recent finish?

Before I left the branches of the Gum Trees, us girls had arranged an apron swap for Christmas. You can see the bright and cheery (and very ‘me’) apron that Vicki made for me, here.

My swap partner was Fee – and she really is a shabby girl at heart! She’s always repurposing furniture and finding vintage goodies at flea markets… and she’s no stranger to a pot of white furniture paint!!

This is the gorgeous shabby chic apron I made for her!

I designed the actual apron with long wide ties and a flower-pot-shaped-pocket - but the standout is obviously the painting design!

I can not take credit for this (although I wish I could!) as the design is the amalgamation of two painting patterns by the talented Kerryanne English of Woodberry Designs! The Victorian boot design is my all-time-favourite and it is Christmas themed, but I wanted to use the same design with roses so that Fee could use the apron all year-round. The roses were the second design of Kerryanne’s, featured in Handmade magazine a year or two ago. Mine look nothing like the original – try as I might! LOL!

Here’s a close-up. Although it’s difficult to see, I used a bit of crystalina sparkle on the finished roses… and the buttons are sewn on, not painted.

I think it’s the prettiest project I’ve ever made, although Rosie’s nappy stacker came close! :-)

I’m working on a new design at the moment – fancy a sneak peek?

Mysterious? This project has been designed for a special friend, I hope to finish it next week, while I also work on some special sewing kits for THIS good cause…

The Gum Tree Designers are collecting sewing kits to give to those affected by the flood disasters in Queensland and NSW. Just click on the button above to see if you’d like to help – you don’t have to be a sewer – there are other ways of donating – whether it be purchasing needles and threads, or donating money for postage costs.

I am going to make up a few kits and was going to use fabric already in my stash, until I headed to my local craft store yesterday and picked up this fabric at half the usual price…

It is called ‘Stitches’ by Lynette Anderson Designs for Henry Glass Fabrics. I thought it was PURRfect (sorry couldn’t resist!) for making up sewing kits… will show you more as I progress!

On the subject of Flood Relief – I have put a list of favourite auctions and raffles in my side bars and will no doubt keep adding… the more exposure the better!

If you haven’t done so already – I am raffling my recently published travel caddy, and also auctioning a complete set of the ‘Springtime’ BOM designed by the Gum Tree Designers… I think it retails for around $160… so you never know your luck – you could grab a real bargain! Details at the top of my right-hand side bar – or just head here and here!

*Please feel free to use the pictures/blog buttons of my auction/raffle to post on your blog*

Until next time – enjoy the sweet fragrance of those shabby roses!

Hugs! Vikki xo :-)

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A bit more eye candy and an ode to 2010

As promised, I’m back again with more eye candy for you, and this post is overflowing in shabby goodness - so set your peripheral vision to soft focus! :-)

I was so very blessed to have won an amazing giveaway just before Christmas, from the lovely Linda over at Lilly Cottage. My parcel arrived on Xmas Eve so I placed it under the tree to open on ‘the big day’. When I did so, my mouth dropped open and out spilled a multitude of Oohs and Aahhs. Check out this beautiful bunting… even more gorgeous-er in real life!

It is currently hanging in DD’s bedroom because she has the prettiest room in the house. But I’ve advised her it’s only a loan until I get my very own pretty craft space and then it’s game over!!

Here’s a close-up of the delicate vintage doilies and silk ribbon…

The bunting was the giveaway prize that Linda offered after doing a guest post over at the Shabby Art Boutique (for Kerryanne’s Simply Christmas). But that was not all that Linda gifted me; and I felt completely humbled that this lovely lady, who I have never communicated with before, added other hand-made goodness (and a beautiful glitzy key ring) in to the mix for someone she did not know. Isn’t that beautiful? I’m so glad I saved the parcel for Christmas Day because it really did hold the true spirit of Christmas! Thank you SO much Linda! :-)

Tiny little sequins, dyed lace and beads – and the scent of lavender – sheer delight!

I also received these beautiful hand made lovelies from two my very dear friends over in the gum trees, Jenny and Joy. I’m sure you can guess the style of each designer – they have gorgeous distinctive signatures don’t you think?!!! :-) Love em’ to bits! Thank you so much, girls! x

There is one more pressie to show you but I’m holding off on that one because it is so apt for me at the moment that it’s uncanny! I’ll save it for another post! {{Thank you Judith!}}

Last but not least, I received this beautifully-sweet hand-painted gift box from my dear friend Kerryanne, as a thank you for participating in Simply Christmas. Kerry – it was my absolute pleasure - but thank you so much for this gorgeous treat! :-)

The pretty box was beautifully wrapped and overflowing with minty-chocolate lollies, which have since been placed in the sweet jar for midnight snacks when my DS and I stay up late to watch comedy DVDs!

Talking of which… I’ve finished my sewing for this evening and will no doubt embark on my final ‘Midnight DVD stint’ for 2010! Where has it gone?!!!

My Ode to 2010

Thank you for a year of ‘firsts’,

Kinder, High School, and a wedding rehearsed!

After 10 years – Mrs Collumbine – I’m Legit…

My rellies visited – we enjoyed every bit!

My first published designs, my first pattern sold…

My first AQM was a joy to behold.

Gorgeous new friends, and old friendships that thrive

Creativity, bubbling, and welling inside!

Thank you 2010, you have taught me new things

but now I yearn for what 2011 brings… :-)

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!!!!

Hugs, Vikki xoxoxo

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Christmas show and tell!

Have you been following along with ‘Simply Christmas’?

Kerryanne, over at Shabby Art Boutique has been spoiling us with ideas, tutorials, guest posts and giveaways… and in addition I have welcomed the motivation and gentle prompts to get my Christmas planning organised!

My ‘wrapping station’ is set and ready to go! I have wrapping paper, tags, ribbons and bubble wrap enclosed – the baubles are just for eye-candy at this stage, reminding me of my colour palette for this year’s decorating!

I picked up the basket really cheaply at IKEA, and have a separate box (pictured lower left) to store cellotape, pens and bows – all the things my daughter would love to get her crafty little hands on, if they were on visual display! Ha ha! There are methods to my madness! :-)

I purchased these fabrics a few months ago – again, in the blue and red colour palette – to create some table decorations in the form of napkins, runners, bon bons etc. I should have bought some plain fabrics too – but will visit my local patchwork store to match up the hues.

The range is called 12 Days of Christmas, by Kate Spain for Moda. But I’m sure if you are a fabric junkie like me, then you would already have recognised it!

Would you like to see a Christmas finish?!!! I’m absolutely rapt with this one!

The stitchery on this cute little cushion was designed by the gorgeous, enthusiastic, and talented lady known as Cyndi of Stitch Stitch Stitch Bee Tree Designs. Isn’t it gorgeous? I love Cyndi’s work! Always, there is humour!

The stitchery is just one of 16 snowman-themed blocks forming a delightful quilt aptly named, Snowballs. I am a very lucky girl because Cyndi gifted me a few of her patterns after winning my giveaway back in May. She won the giveaway – and then was gifting me! But that is the type of generous gal she is – always giving. She has some delightful downloads on her blog and is always thinking up new ideas and sharing…

Thank you Cyndi! Although this year I hadn’t the time to make the full quilt – I couldn’t resist stitching this married snow couple in memory of my marriage to Mr SUDs this year – so I added the date and made it in to a little cushion to put on our bed! x

But – there is more!

I put the embroidery needle aside for a few days and took up my paint brushes.

What started as this…

(can you guess how many times I dipped the paint brush into my tea to clean its bristles?! LOL)

Evolved in to this…

Yep – it’s the Christmas Planner designed by the lovely, aforementioned Kerryanne English. I’m taking her online class (which you can view at the top of my right hand side bar) and it’s FANTASTIC!

This isn’t the finished piece, still lots to do, but do you notice how miffed the penguins look? Me-wonders if maybe Rudolph ate all the cookies before they found the empty plate?!! (Or maybe they would just like their beaks? – Ed) A quick email to Kerry to ask, “How do you get your penguins eyes so cute?” and a few brush strokes later (plucking the offending eyebrows!) and I am much happier with the result…

Not finished by a long shot – but getting there! Do you notice how Santa’s hat is shaded and highlighted, compared to the last photograph, for example? It all comes together.

How are you doing with your Christmas planning?

Till next time – hugs to all!

Vikki x :-)

PS: I dipped my paint brush into my tea twice.

PPS: Picked up my daughter from kinder with a big green stripe down one side of my face! Ha ha!

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Fireworks and Christmas capers!

WHOOOO – HOOOO!

There were fireworks the weekend before last! :-)

When I saw my favourite soccer team - Melbourne Victory -play against Sydney FC at the Etihad Stadium! Winning the game was consequential because the most exciting part of the evening happened prior to the match itself. My DS participated in the pre-match entertainment!!

Along with 50 other kids from various soccer clubs, Aaron waved a national flag to honour Melbourne’s multi-cultural diversity. Fifty one kids – and fifty one countries. Aaron waved the Guatemalan flag…

Here he is… Hi Aaron!!!

Of course, I had to get a photo of the Union Jack, too!! :-)

While the kids walked around the stadium, drummers drummed and dancers danced for the 17,000 people in the audience. What a great experience. :-)

Now changing the subject completely… are you noticing all the Christmas decorations that are popping up in the shopping centres? Love it! I’m making a couple of special Chrissy ornaments at the moment and will have more on that to show soon.

I’ve also enrolled in Kerryanne’s e-course for making a Christmas Planner…

Isn’t it gorgeous? Even if you haven’t painted before, Kerryanne has some great video tutorials on how to do the various techniques to achieve great results with this project (which also includes gorgeously decorated dividers for the inside of the planner). Kerry’s a fantastic teacher too – I know from experience because I was fortunate enough to have “real life” lessons with her before she made the sea-change to New South Wales. Her video tutorials make you feel like she is in the same room with you… the only difference is – she doesn’t giggle at your jokes!

Oh – and I just had to share this!! Check out the Christmas labels I just ordered…

I also purchased return address labels too – aren’t they cute?! You can add each member of your family and the software takes you through all the different design stages to get the right face shape, hair colour, eyes, decorations etc… If you’d like to design your own bespoke labels, just check out this link!

More to show soon… the SUDs’ hands have been a-busy!!!

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