Antique finds

It’s been a busy ole’ week in the SUDs household, but I found a capsule of time sufficient enough to take photographs of the recent vintage finds that I had the good fortune to make. (smile)

First up is this vintage spool that I discovered on my visit to Frances Pilley in Fitzroy, I chatted about it in my last post.  I have been coveting these kind of spools for a very long time but until now, they were just too expensive to justify.  The price in the shop ranged between $15-$25 per spool dependant on size, which I thought was pretty good!  One of the smallest spools came home with me, big enough for my purposes.

Next up are these cute finds from my local antique shop (which is, more often than not either cheaper or offering the same rates as my favourite Op shop!) Doileys, a china tea-cup, and a cast Iron office ‘stand’ – I presume it was for storing inking stamps.  I’m not sure… do you know?  It now sits on my sewing desk.

I really loved this doiley with its delicate satin-stitched flowers.  Do you ever wonder what – in 30 years time - will be the most sought after hand-made items from our generation?

I’ve had this little Peter Pan toy sewing machine for a while now, but thought it would be a good time to share!  It is missing a few of its parts, but I still love it.  My little collection of antique and vintage toy sewing machines grows gradually, I have 19 all together.  Some are made of Iron, most of metal, and one of plastic.  Would you be interested in seeing them all?  I’ve been thinking for a while that I should write a blog post with a brief on each of them.  Do you collect any sewing memorabilia?

 

The last item I have to show you is this dilapidated old window.  It has taken me 12 months to find one that I liked, was inexpensive and not too big!  I had originally planned to get a window without glass and just use the weathered frame as a feature piece.  But I came across this find and thought I’d remove the cracked panes and keep the feature glass which is still in good condition.  It needs some bracing to make it safe, but after that I’m not sure where I’m going to display it!  It may end up in the garden if our side-board remains too ‘busy’!!  I’m running out of space in my home.  Does that sound familiar?!

On the home-front, I’ve spent some time crafting with my sweet young Rosie, and will show you more on that next time, she’s such a creative little soul!  I have been stitching too… lots and lots of stitching! 

What have you been up to?

Warm wishes! Vikki xo

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A day out in Fitzroy, Melbourne

In my last post I mentioned about a really fun day I had out in Melbourne!  Well, at last I’ve updated all my photos and gathered my links together to share with you – because if you’re ever in the area there are some GREAT places to go!

The day started out with Wendy, Joy and I meeting up in the foyer of our hotel, waiting for any takers for a day out in Fitzroy.  Call ourselves Billy-no-mates but no-one else turned up – so undeterred - off we went!

We braved the trams… (being the only Melbournian of the three I wasn’t any the wiser for how to board or ‘pay’ for the journey)… but we made it.  We may have been shouted at by a passing motorist… but we made it!

Here I am with Wendy… all very excited about our pending adventures!

We were headed for Rose Street Market, but needed to take a long walk down Brunswick Street to get there.  We were all gagging for coffee!  Know the feeling?  Joy and I had to lure Wendy away from one rather dodgy-looking watering hole… bless her, our naive Wendy didn’t notice the shady characters hanging around as she was so intent on getting a decent brew (coffee not beer!!!).

We found our way in to the cutest and warmest and most vintage-y-est little cafe called Argos loves Company.  If you look in the above photo you will see silverware and an Art Deco window displayed artfully in the background.  The food was AMAZING and when we saw everyone else's plates full of the most wonderful delicacies, we wished we’d ordered lunch rather than opting for just sweet treats. 

But when the sweet treats arrived we oohed and aahed over the china plates so much we momentarily forgot anything else… except for the coffee of course, one never forgets about the coffee! (wink)

Okay, so there are a few things I love more than coffee… and right up there with family and friends is… dogs!  I adore dogs!  I am a crazy-dog-person.  So much so that when I developed pug-love, I just had to ask the owner if I could have a photo!  This adorable little pooch was sat outside our cafe… and his owner kindly fed him some ham off her plate so I could get a good photo – it was win-win for me and the Pug, but his owner was sadly at a loss for ham to go with her eggs!

I can tell you, there were some seriously CUTE dogs on the streets of Fitzroy… but so that Wendy and Joy didn’t disown me for being completely crazy, I refrained myself from asking for any further pics! 

Talking of pics, between the three of us girls, we took A LOT!  There was so many interesting things to see, like the children’s park behind Wendy… that had the cutest Matroyshka sculptures!

And then there were the shops we came across… check out this Lion in the window of Mark Denver Vintage & Industrial:

It’s made out of wood that’s been combed from beaches.  We took a look inside the store.  There were quite a few stuffed animal heads on the walls… a giraffe of all things!  I’m not really into taxidermy, but it was an unusual sight.  I LOVED the vintage globes on display everywhere…

We took our time, enjoying the ambience and the sights, and eventually got to the Artists Market…

Wendy and Joy were admiring the jewellery, while I was admiring…

… the chairs!

There were lots of lovely stalls and some delightful people to chat to.  After browsing around (and feeling quite hot with the sunny weather), we decided it was time for lunch, so went to the accompanying cafe, and promptly took a selfie.

After enjoying our food and people-watching, we headed out of the market and in to a couple of other quaint shops.  This is one store that we all fell in love with…

It is called Frances Pilley and is full of, as the business card puts it: “Exceptional products chosen for their quality, beauty, uniqueness and luxury”.  And that’s exactly what was inside!

Laces and textiles, wooden spools and buttons, mannequins and Victorian clothing, old feed-sacks, chairs and just so much “stuff” that you just wished you could take home with you!

I made one purchase – I’ll show you next time!

Heading through the streets we saw some amazing graffiti-art.  Wendy has many more photos on her blog that you can see here.

If you look closely at the building facing you in the above picture, there is a gigantean Cupie doll just sat there on the front!  I love the sky… it really has so much character doesn’t it, with those fluffy clouds?

One thing that really did steal my heart however, was this scooter.  Isn’t it divine? (Should I be calling it something like a moped or a Vespa?!)

As they say, all good things must come to an end.  (Don’t you hate it when “they” say that?!!)

Our feet were aching, our joints were sore from walking… and we all agreed that we felt at peace having enjoyed the most amazing day out. 

Waiting at the tram stop for our journey back to the hotel looked like this:

My gorgeous companions won’t be seeing Melbourne for a while, but as for me, I don’t plan to go back to Fitzroy any time soon.  The memories created with these two girls are precious and I don’t want to taint them by attempting to repeat the journey.  Does that sound weird?!

However, if the Pug asks me out to join him for a coffee and some ham… how could I resist?!

Till next time!

Vikki xoxoxoxoxo

 

Stop Press: I have been advised that Joy is the naive one – it was Wendy pushing Joy away from the dodgy cafe!  Oops, I have a weak memory!  (But it’s ok Wendy, although you’re not as naive as our cheeky friend, you are indeed very sweet! x)

 

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My latest project… it’s sew useful!

How do you like to purchase patterns?  Do you prefer the paper variety or do you like the ease and speed of downloading a PDF?  If the answer to your question is the latter… where do you store your printouts? 

If you are looking for a cute and inspirational storage system… maybe my latest design, the “My Sweet PDFs” album, is just the thing for you. 

I released this design at the Let’s get Stitched event last Sunday.  The project involves a small amount of piecing and applique, together with plenty of embroidery and cross-stitch for embellishment.  The two A4 covers are constructed out of firm cardboard, and there are full instructions and step-by-step tutorials for inserting the eyelets.

I really love scrapbook albums, and although I don’t work with paper crafts myself, I wanted to recreate that kind of look with the album rings and ribbons.  But I think the pom-pom trim is my favourite – I love the stuff!  I found this most amazing colour, a pastel turqoise/sea green hue, in my local Spotlight.  It coordinates beautifully with my Tilda fabric, too!

The back cover is very simple:

… and the inside pages… I attached some hanky linen for writing notes on… notes that i need to refer to regularly like the stitch length on my sewing machine for getting a perfect quarter-of-an-inch seam allowance, for example. (I am yet to write those notes!)

I have a downloadable PDF pattern for sale in my shop, here. But for you paper-pattern lovers (of which I am one!), there are also paper versions available in my shop here.

So, I’m interested to know… do you go to many stitching/workshop events??  Are you hoping to go to one in the future?  Or do you belong to a regular stitching group filled with close friends?

I try to catch up with crafty friends as much as I can, but we find it difficult juggling work, studies and family life so it’s not as regular as any of us would like… and I usually only catch up with one friend at a time.  But the stitching event last Sunday really opened my eyes to catching up with like-minded ladies on a more regular basis.  It was just great looking at everyone’s hand-made projects, their sewing bags, pin-cushions and mug-rugs!  It was like one big show and tell!  It’s always so much more fun to see these gorgeous creations in real life isn’t it?  Photos really don’t do justice, even when those photos are amazing… you wish you could actually fondle the creations in your very own hands!!  But of course, it’s not the creations that make the occasion, but the ladies themselves… I know I’ve said it before, but honestly, you couldn’t have wished for a more lovely bunch of souls to connect with.  I truly felt humbled to share some time with them. 

Another thing that was so sweet about having the whole weekend away (such a rarity for me!) was that my family was so very pleased to see me when I returned!  You’d have thought I’d been away for a month!! 

I had only been gone a day when I returned back home with Jenny, so we could spend some quality time together, and so that Jen could meet my family and see where I live.  Kayla, our pooch, went ballistic!  She didn’t know whether to jump up, roll over or lick… so she attempted all three at once, it was hilarious!

She is a bit more composed in this photo! One of the things she loves as much as her Mum (and her new Auntie Jen!) is a ride in the car… she gets as excited over the word ‘Car’ as she does over the word “Walkies’!  Bless her!

Jenny and I shared a fabulous day together even though we were both so tired from our 3am bedtime a few hours before-hand!! I’d longed for so long to be able to make her a cup of tea and chat in my sewing space… it was like a dream come true (except I didn’t end up making the tea, the gorgeous Mr SUDs made us coffee!  Love him!)  This is my fave photo of Jenny and I together, taken in the hotel shortly before I said my goodbyes to all the girls…

I’ve borrowed the pic from Jenny… she has a fantastic camera… and she gives fantastic cuddles! 

I’ll be back with some more memories of my weekend away… a day out in Fitzroy with two other gorgeous gals… I’ve got some links to share for some interesting vintage and quirky shops! 

It’s past midnight as I write this… the house is quiet and Kayla is at my feet… I think we’ll have a quick cuddle and then I’ll head off upstairs for some shut-eye.

Whether it’s night or day for you right now… sweet dreams my friend!

Vikki xoxo

 

 

 

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Let’s get Stitched 2014

My feet haven’t touched the ground since I got home from the most amazing weekend I’ve had in a very long time… the Let’s get Stitched event in Melbourne!

See those happy faces?  I enjoyed their smiles from Thursday through to Sunday while the majority of us stayed at Rydges in Preston.  We had days out on Friday and Saturday before commencing our stitching day on the Sunday.  Why haven’t I mentioned it before?  Because I was one of two ‘mystery’ designers and had to keep the secret all to myself… it was hard, I can tell you!!

I was not the only ‘mystery’ to be revealed on the day (that sounds so much more glamorous than intended!), sweet Marilyn Duncan was the second mystery designer, and then who popped out from behind the curtain?  Rosalie Quinlan!  There was a lot of excitement and squealing in the room!  I borrowed this next photo from Jenny (thanks Jen! x)

From left to right:  The organisers and founders of Lets get Stitched, Dawn, Joy, Vicki and Fee.  Following on is Marilyn, Jenny, me and Rosalie.

I’ve known the majority of these ladies for several years, from our days together in Among the Gum Trees and through blogging… we have chatted on the phone and sent each other gifts… but this was the first time we had all met up at the same time in person!  I was so elated to finally meet a very dear friend of mine, Jenny,and to share a room with her and one of the sweetest gals you could ever hope to meet, Wendy!  We got on like a house on fire and chatted to the wee hours of the morning while sharing cups of tea and witty anecdotes.  Sheesh it was FUN!

Our first selfie together, me, Jenny and Wendy!

I have borrowed these next photos from Jenny as well… they are pics of all the lovely ladies who attended the stitching day.  They travelled the length and breadth of the country… and a couple even made it across the pond from New Zealand (they have the cutest accents!!!)

This was both my first stitching event and my first teaching event… and I was blown away by the kindness, generosity and friendship offered by the wonderful women who attended.  There was a lot of love and support in that room!  I have come away with many more friends and a bigger heart… thank you to ALL of you ladies for making it so special! x

I have some more photos to share of the weekend and of the project I designed for those attending… in the meantime I’m still waiting for my feet to touch the ground!

I hope you have a wonderful weekend, and take the opportunity to create some precious memories!

Till next time! Vikki xo

 

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Nibbles…in all shapes and forms!

In the wee hours of this morning, I spent some time in a balmy lounge room with a cup of Earl Grey tea in one hand, and a pencil in the other.

Just a rough sketch of a cute little mouse snuggled on a pillow below a blankie, cuddling its miniature teddy.  A new stitchery design?  I’ve had mice on the brain.  In fact, last night I felt like a very proud grandparent, babysitting Miss Rosie’s new pet… in typical Mum Mode, I was listening out all night, making sure it’s tiny frame didn’t escape between the bars, ensuring no harm would come.  Let’s just say, I needed a third cup of coffee this morning!!

Miss Rose soooo wanted a pet of her own.  I kept hamsters when I was a young kid and loved them.  But it was a surprise to discover that Australia is a hamster-free-zone.  They’re not allowed to be imported, and therefore illegal in this country.  The cute little fur-balls would adapt so well to the Aussie environment that government officials deemed they could breed in plague proportions.  Better safe than sorry.

Do your children, or grandchildren have their own pets?  I think it’s good for older children to have a bit of responsibility under supervision, and by having pets in the home you can teach kindness by example.  I love animals!

Okay, so Nibbles isn’t the only one nibbling at the moment… I’ve been on a healthy-eating drive this past few weeks.  I was terrible for skipping lunch and grabbing pre-packaged snacks in the afternoon to keep me going.  By tea-time I was so tired.  I didn’t take any responsibility for how many calories I was consuming, so with needing to lose weight for health reasons, I decided that a realistic and steady goal would be to aim for a 1 kilo weight loss each week. 

I keep track of my calories with a free I-Phone/on-line app called My Fitness Pal.  Too easy!  You can even scan the labels on pre-packaged foods, or create your own regular food lists, it’s so easy to use.  It also works out your daily nutritional food values, and factors in exercise when you specify. 

By making a few small changes I’m seeing the benefits already.  I no longer skip lunch, choosing wholegrain bread with a small sprinkling of cheese and salad, no spread.  Chocolate is not something I’m craving, which is fantastic!  And it’s amazing what a small weight loss (2kilos!) can do psychologically – I feel positively svelte!  Yet of course, I am not… but I feel so good in myself – not for losing the weight – but for looking after myself.  Does that make sense?!  Of course it is inevitable that I will fall off the ladder from time to time, but when I do, ‘tomorrow’ is always a new day… one step at a time!  We are too hard on ourselves, are we not?!

The kids went back to school at the tail end of last week, and as much as I miss them, it’s good to have a routine again.  Miss Rose has had a fair bit of time off with medical issues, and that will continue to be the case until we get to the bottom of the problem.  But she’s a bright happy little soul, and is beginning to comprehend that it’s still important for Mummy to ‘work’ during the day.  I love the new phases that childhood plays out, the conversations become more diverse and dynamic, and there’s always plenty of comedy material for a good chuckle with hubby after she’s tucked up in bed at night!

Ahh… it feels like a lazy Sunday and I could chat for hours… It has been so hot again these past few days, but a cool change is on the horizon for Tuesday, I hope.  Heat is not conducive to production!!  But when it is too hot to do housework or step in to a non-air-conditioned-studio, there is always plenty of time for sketching up new ideas, and one can never have too many of those!

Until next time sweet friends, either keep cool or keep warm!  Don’t forget to be as kind to yourself as you are to others – it’s much easier to kick some goals if you do!!

Catch you soon!  Big hugs! Vikki xo

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