Friday Friends - DUSTy Divas - Tractorgirl

Happy Friday everyone! It's nearly time for Summer Street Fair, you can check out the facebook page here to see all the details - photos of lovely things that the Summer Street Fair Elves have been busy making, plus opening times and dates. The Summer Street Fair opening night is next Thursday night (29th November 2012) and Maddabling would love to see you there! Buy handmade this festive season, give a gift made with love. 

This week I am thrilled to share with you another wonderful maker, DUSTy Diva and Australian Artist - meet Julie from Tractorgirl.

Julie quite simply makes lovely things. From Homewares to unique jewellery, there is no end to her talents. Here are some favourite things that I found while snooping around the Tractorgirl store. 

This cushion/pillow,"Bohemian Byzantine" in vintage cotton prints looks a tad too comfortable don't you think? Perfect for lazy summer days..

Simple but truly elegant, I am loving this Flower brooch in gold, anodised aluminium and sterling silver

and last but not least, for the crafty folk out there, a perfect gift in the form of a PDF Tutorial for this gorgeous Fleur de lis cushion cover.

Dear readers, time to make yourselves comfortable, perhaps put your feet up with a nice cup of tea and enjoy The Terrific Tale of Tractorgirl. See you all again soon - have a fab weekend everyone xo 

The  Terrific  Tale  of  Tractorgirl

My partner and I live on a farm, with cereal cropping and sheep, near Wagga Wagga, NSW. We moved here about 17 years ago and love it, despite the hardships that come with unreliable weather and variable income. We have three small children (8, and twins 6). It’s a great adventure for them, they love going and checking the stock and crops with their dad, and it’s nice having so much space for them to run around in.

So why tractorgirl? – because I can drive a tractor, of course!

I make homewares and accessories from vintage and upcycled fabrics. You will at times also find some precious metal items in my shop - I studied jewellery and silversmithing at Uni, and I love it. However, with small children around, it has been difficult to do, so I sew.

I always try to be gentle on the earth, and use upcycled components somewhere in all my pieces. For me, upcycling refers to fabrics that are remnants from old projects and other sources, and from clothing, homewares and remnants found in op shops. This saves it from going to landfill, and besides, some things are too beautiful to throw out!

My aesthetic loves are texture, pattern, and colour, and I think this shows in my work. I’m a bit of a bower-bird, so anything and everything is a possible source of inspiration. I’m always inspired by the beauty in the everyday, and especially in the forms and the way of nature. Also, because of my Fine Arts background, I have a large aesthetic resource to draw on - for instance, I use classic motifs from various time frames and cultures for some of my designs.

Right from when I was little, I have always felt compelled to make something somehow, and it didn’t seem to matter too much what type of medium – drawing, textiles, then linocuts, and metal.  

I have been selling things now and then ever since I finished Uni, but have always had a ‘proper’ job to provide my main income. Now, however, I’m a stay-at-home mother, and consequently I have become much more involved in selling my work. Lately though, a large chunk of my time has been devoted to my blog http://tractorgirl.com.au. In it you’ll find all the things that I love – contemporary craft, surface design, photography, books, and food.

I originally started the blog simply as a way to share the things I like, but it is growing into more than that – I see it as a bridge between Fine Arts-driven craft and design, and everyday beautiful things that we all use and appreciate. I intend to build it up to become a useful resource for both formal and informal students of art and design - I trained as a teacher in that field and taught for several years at Uni and in high school, and I guess I can’t help myself. I can see all the benefits that art and design can bring, and just have to share!

Readers do you want more ? Here is how you can connect with Tractorgirl!

Follow the Tractorgirl blog here: http://tractorgirl.com.au

Buy lovely things from the shop: http://tractorgirl.com.au/shoppe

and on Etsy:  http://www.etsy.com/shop/tractorgirl

Become a fan on Facebook here: http://www.facebook.com/tractorgirlmakes

Peace on Earth - Wednesday Wishes

Maddabling has one wish for Christmas - Peace On Earth. 

This wish is the inspiration for todays' Wednesday Wishes blogpost. 

 I hope you enjoy these lovely finds xo

CHRISTMAS DOVE Peace on Earth CARD by AlexAndBixby

Peace on Earth Miniature Holiday Boxes by clayscenes

Christmas Banner - Peace on Earth - Vintage Inspired by FernEllaDesigns

Handmade polymer clay pears peace on earth, white by SkyeArt

Eco-friendly Christmas Gift Tags, Peace on Earth,

Upcycled Map Trees, set of 12 by NobleEarth

Friday Friends - Local Artist - Sherrees Stitches from the Heart

Happy Friday lovely Maddabling Blog Readers. I hope you are all happy and well. Maddabling is flat stick at the moment, getting final preparation completed for the upcoming Summer Street Fair which will be bigger, better and longer than ever this year. The Summer Street Fair is at a NEW venue, and is open from: Thursday 29/11/2012 to Sunday 2/12/2012 - for the venue and opening times, you can check out all the details here: http://www.facebook.com/SummerStreetFair 

or join the event page here: http://www.facebook.com/events/168891376588402/

This week I have a truly inspirational Guest Blogger and local Artist - meet Sherree from Sherrees Stitches from the Heart. Sherree makes the sweetest things, I will share a few with you now. 

How lovely are these baby blankets and small nursery hangers which have removable waterproof insert for ease of laundering...

Burp Cloths which are extra long and thick.. covers breast for modesty, and down to the shoulder blade at the back; made from flannel with a toweling backing... 

and ever practical Hanging towels - suitable for kitchen, bathroom, laundry, fishing too - finished towel size 30cm x 40cm and there are many colours available.

Now dear readers, time for me to hand you over to my Guest Blogger, to enjoy the inspirational Story of Sherrees Stitches from the Heart. Take care everyone, see you all again soon xo 

The Story of Sherrees Stitches from the Heart 

My name is Sherree.  My little hobby "Sherrees Stitches from the Heart" came about as a way to keep myself occupied and from going bonkers.  Due to a couple of accidents I find myself unable to compete in mainstream employment.  I am also an unpaid carer, oncall24/7, for my parents. I have always had a creative streak, the first exploration was as a hairdresser.  I have both worked for other salons, managing some, and also had my own business back in the 80's. Throughout my teens and early 20's I did a lot of sewing - making clothes for myself and experimenting with some furnishings. 

After my car accident when I was 40 I was unable to continue along this line and decided to try counted cross stitch, making a lot of little pieces - some of which I still have that need to be made into an end product. Unfortunately this is not a medium that is appreciated anymore these days. I also made some larger pieces as a customer request, that were framed for presents. These were picture size...50cm x 40cm.

In 2009 I had the second of my accidents - this one affecting my right arm (yes, I am right hand dominant), and spent almost 2 years in a brace and sling.  This accident affected the fine motor skills, effectively ending my cross stitching and knitting days. I turned again to my trusty sewing machine and also started attending Clothing and Textile classes at the local TAFE to enhance and fine tune my knowledge and skills.  I am still attending these, it is fun and a great social interaction.

While I enjoy making the odd thing for myself I get more satisfaction making for others.  I love seeing the enjoyment on someones face when they find that little something they have been looking for.  This is what lead to the creation of Sherrees Stitches from the Heart.  The naming came about because I do not charge much about cost... every item is "made with love and from the heart".

My main medium is cotton.  It is a natural fibre and durable, comes in many forms and is very versatile. I pride myself on being 95% sustainable.  Most left over bits are either used by myself or passed on to others who can use them.  I prefer not to give plastic bags to the customer, instead opting for brown paper bags.

All pieces I make are my favourites for many different reasons, as each is different from the other. I love getting asked to make something not on my stall.  I always say "if I can find it I can make it".  The worst part about that is that everyone want to "copy" your idea.  My goods are always functional to the end user, able to be washed at home (no drycleaning), and made in a smoke free and pet free environment.

http://www.facebook.com/SherreesStitchesFromTheHeart was set up a short while back, with the aim of getting enough exposure and online orders to reduce the numbers of markets I am attending.  This is very telling on the residual problems I have from my accidents.  I am also a member of the Albany Buy sell and swap (babies and kids), Albany Buy and Sell, and Buy and Sell Albany.

My drive and passion to create is only limited by my imagination - and that is sometimes very vivid.  Other than what is on my webpage I also have walker caddies, glasses cases, makeup/toiletry bags (all sizes), tablet-ipad sleeves, fabric yoyo clowns, drawstring totes for travelling. As a seasonal sideline I also have pickles, jams, chutneys.

Peppermint Twist - Wednesday Wishes

Fresh and minty, I hope you enjoy these Peppermint Twist inspired Wednesday Wishes xo

Big Cocktail Ring Glass - bold oversize handmade adjustable ring - 

CANDY CANE - 1.75 inch by StudioLeanne

Big ART PRINT - Princess Peppermint 12x12 by artbyjaz 

Candy Cane Soap - Handmade Cold Process by innerearthsoaps

GF Choc/Peppemint cookie mixed 6pk choc coated by theGFCookie

CANDY CANE Organic Soy Christmas Candle in 

medium French Apothecary jar by CityofLightCandles

Friday Friends - Australian Artists - Very Cushy Homewares

Happy Friday dear readers. Have you got lovely things planned for the weekend ? I am starting prep for Summer Street Fair, there are some lovely new things I am planning - watch this space!

This week I want you to meet some new Friday Friends and Australian Artists - mother and daughter team of Diane and Karen from their new venture Very Cushy Homewares. 

Diane and Karen make really beautiful things to adorn your home - here a few favourites that I have found to share with you! 

Beautiful and unique, this 5" Hoop Art - Yellow/Orange Colourburst really is a one of a kind piece. 

For the tea lover, the gorgeous Hoot Owl Tea Cozy/Cosie

and brighten a room with Cheery Cherries, a 14inch x 14inch Cushion Cover. 

Time now readers, to take some YOU time and indulge yourself for just a short while, while you explore the wonderful wares that Very Cushy Homewares have to show you. Have a great weekend everyone!

The Comfortable Tale of Very Cushy Homewares

Very Cushy Homewares (VCH) is the grown up version of MooBeeTees!  Moving on from creating lots of lovely handcrafted items for children, VCH allows the mother and daughter team of Diane and Karen (Victoria, Australia) to keep creating together, but this time for the whole family.

We decided to create homewares as it was a concept that allowed us to make unique items for everybody.  We love using fabric and yarn to create colourful, fun items that can be enjoyed all year round.  Our idea is to keep the items at a reasonable price, so that people can change them when they want.

Mum and I take our inspiration from different things, but our end result seems to be cohesive.  I like the fact that this is something that we can share together - mum brings years of experience with yarn, both knitting and crochet (she was a professional knitter at one stage!) and I share a passion for sewing which was something I learned from mum at a young age. (I also have a not-so-secret love of buttons which I can blame on both my mum and my nanna!!)

We like to try and use natural fibres where possible and enjoy using recycled media where we can (that would be those buttons again!). Depending on the mood we can keep things simple (like our 14" cushion covers) or go out on a limb and create more detailed items (think wall art).

The thing mum and I like about VCH the most is that there is no pressure to create specific items - we create what we like, when we like and then share it with everyone!  Nearly everything is OOAK and we love that most items won't be found anywhere else - even our simple cushion covers will have fabric prints in different places. 

As VCH is so new, we are really looking to just keep exploring ideas and seeing what people like. And have fun doing it! We look forward to continuing to make what we like and share it with the world!

Dear readers, would you like to see more ? Here is how you can connect. 
Buy lovely things here : 
Madeit shop: www.madeit.com.au/verycushyhomewares
Become a follower on Facebook here : http://www.facebook.com/VeryCushyHomewares
follow sweet tweets on Twitter here : https://twitter.com/verycushy

It's starting to look a lot like Christmas - Wednesday Wishes

It's starting to look a lot like Christmas..............I hope you enjoy my Wednesday Wishes wishlist x

Doily Peace Joy Hope - Letterpress Christmas Gift tags x6 

by fluidinkletterpress

Washi Masking Tape - Merry Christmas - Christmas Tape 

by the Stationery Room

Translucent White Bauble Stitched Paper Garland Christmas 

by 3GIRLSandaGOAT

Porcelain Hearts Box of 5, Christmas Ornaments 

by Mrs Peterson Pottery

Handmade Recycled Paper Angel Wings - Christmas Decorations 

by Mels Creative Designs

Friday Friends - Local Artists - Simply Britt Photography

Hello lovely Maddabling blog readers, welcome to a new edition of Friday Friends. Maddabling is going to a Halloween Party this weekend, hoping the costume lives up to my expectations - it's the first (and possibly last) time I will endeavour to play with putting on false eyelashes and punk eye makeup.

This week I am going to hand over the blogging reigns to a special guest blogger - meet Britt of Simply Britt Photography! Britt is the sweetest lady who I originally met through my husbands work a number of years back and recently re-connected with through the Blogtoberfest 2012 Maddabling Photo Challenge. Britt is a local "hobby" photographer, I think her images are simply stunning and that she has a really keen eye for natural beauty and fabulous composition. I will let you see that for yourself through the images chosen to illustrate Britt's passion for photography. Time now for me to let Britt tell you her story - which I have called: The Brilliance of Simply Britt Photography. 

The Brilliance of Simply Britt Photography 
Hi everyone - my name is Britt. I’ve always loved taking photos but didn’t really get into photography until 2 years ago when my husband bought me a canon EOS 500D for Christmas, I was so excited, no-one or thing was safe, if it moved I’d click. 

After awhile I started buying photography books and magazines to learn how to actually use my camera, as I wanted to be able to use the manual settings.

A few weeks ago I started a beginner’s photography course which is helping me put everything I have read into perspective and hopefully helping me to take better pictures. 

My favourite medium would be macro, there’s something about making something so small large enough to see all its intricate features. I also love to take lightning photos. If I hear thunder at 2 in the morning I WILL get up and go outside with the camera (it has its own special rain jacket unlike me.lol) and to try and capture it. My kit now includes a Canon EOS 500D camera, Canon EFS 18-55mm lens and Canon EFS 55-250mm lens.

I have been married for 20 years and have 5 children. My husband and I have a brick making business on a semi rural block which is where a lot of my macro shots are taken when we are not busy (I can often be found head down bum up in the bush stalking bugs.lol). I also work a regular job at a local supermarket. Because my family life is so busy (and i really wouldn’t have it any other way), I will often get up before the crack of dawn to catch a sunrise, its so peaceful that time of day.

After much coaxing from my family and friends I have started printing and hanging my photos around the house and I must admit that there is nothing more satisfying than to walk into a room, see your photos and think, I took that. And that would be my best advice to everyone, Don’t leave your photos on the computer, it’s like putting them in an album in the cupboard, blow them up and hang them on the wall and enjoy them.

One of my favourite photos would be my “Lightning over the Port” shot, which I won people’s choice for in the Albany Gateway photo competition earlier this year, another would be my black and white bee photo.
I’m not sure where I’d like to take my photography in the future, at the moment it is my hobby/ passion or as my husband refers to it, my obsession.

Want to explore the wonderful images produced by Britt ? 
You can connect on Facebook here: http://www.facebook.com/simplybrittphotography