Friday Friends - DUSTy Divas - Nari Design Pot

Hello readers, how was your week? Busy busy here, looking forward to some serious rest and relaxation this weekend and a trip to the hairdresser which is long overdue. If the sun shines, perhaps I will venture out to weed the vege patch ready for late autumn planting. If the sun doesn't shine, I have plenty of blog posts to prepare and photos that I have been meaning to edit. 

Today it is my great pleasure to introduce to you all a new Friday Friend and DUSTy Diva, meet the very clever Nari of Nari Design Pot. 

Nari creates the loveliest of things. Let me share some with you now. I adore the vibrant colours of this Fabric Mosaic "Teal Heart in Orange Field" Necklace. So beautiful!

For a sweet and unuasual thank you card, look no further than this Hand Drawn Elephant Thank You Card. I LOVE the image of the Elephant Holding a Flower Tray, it's just too sweet for words!

This Three Strand Multimedia Textile Bracelet is a real statement piece, in Red, Teal, Brown and Green. True Gypsy Fashion in Fabric, Felt, Polymer, Yarn, Glass Beads. Gorgeous! 

Dear readers, now that I have shared some of my favourite things from Nari Design Pot, I invite you to learn more about Nari and her work in The Tale of Nari Design Pot. Happy reading everyone, I hope you will join me on Sunday Evening for the Weekend Blog Post xo♥

The Tale of Nari Design Pot  

Who is Nari Design Pot?

Nari is my name and I’m the one person who’s creating, photographing and shipping lovely jewelry items and hand drawn cards on Etsy.

How and When did your handmade/artistic journey begin?
I‘ve always been crafty and busy with my fingertips, probably taking after my father who was a philosophy teacher but very artistic and a great calligrapher/illustrator when he had time off from teaching. But then I hadn‘t really thought of selling my creations until I met this lady at my son‘s swimming class one day who saw me sewing a brooch and said “You MUST sell this.“ She said it so earnestly and with such enthusiasm that I couldn‘t think otherwise. I opened my etsy shop after 5 months.

What kind of things do you make/create?
After a trial period, I‘ve settled (for the time being, cause I love change!) on creating jewelry (bracelets, necklaces and brooches) and home deco items using felt, fabric, wool yarn and polymer clay. I also make hand drawn cards and colouring sheets. My cards take a long time to create but they are personalised and drawn directly by me, not ever printed, which makes them unique. I have some colouring sheets in my shop as well because I just love colouring myself and I want to share it with others. For me, colouring is a way of meeting my inner self. It’s a healing process, and a moment of total peace.

What inspires you?

I love reading fiction and poetry, having majored literature at Uni. Good stories and poems are what most effectively uplift and motivate me when I’m lacking new ideas, feel depleted or depressed, or get stuck in the course of a creative progress. I’m a member of poets.org and I get a poem a day in my mailbox to start the day. That poem I read in the morning sometimes turns into an artistic idea and often gives me inspiration for making treasuries on etsy!

I also find huge inspiration in the artwork of Matisse and Hundertwasser. That’s probably because I love experimenting with colours and colour combinations, and these artists are true masters in that field.

And of course, coffee! Coffee is the answer for everything!

What mediums do you work with - do you have a favourite?

When I first opened my shop I was working mostly with thick felt and polymer clay. This year I‘ve incorporated fabric and yarn, which has added so much texture to my creations. I particularly favour wool yarn for the endless variety of colours it can hold and the softness it offers both visually and by touch.

Do you have a favourite technique?

I like to step out of the typical use of materials and experiment new ways of transforming their use. I also like to mix different kinds of media and create non-traditional effects. My brooches are an example, which are made of felt (not needle felted but sewn), yarn (not knitted but twisted) and an assortment of beads.

Though a huge part of my work involves sewing, I still don’t know how to use a sewing machine. But I don't intend to learn in the near future, because I prefer the occasional wobbly stitches and that rustic feeling a real handwork creates. I rarely replicate my work which makes each piece one of a kind!

Do you have a favourite piece that you have made/created ?
I love my mixed-media necklaces, and one of my favourites is a five-pendant necklace I named ‘Saturday Brunch’ which was done in fabric, felt, yarn and beads. I haven’t had a nice cafe brunch in so many years as weekend mornings are busy entertaining my young boys! I loved every element of this one and I hope the lady who bought it earlier this year is enjoying wearing it too!

What are your future plans/dreams/aspirations?
I’m a dreamer and I have so many ideas of what to do with my life (with no concrete plans!). I do volunteer work for disabled children and I’m also thinking of studying interpretation a bit further, which will keep me pretty occupied, but whatever I do I’m sure I’ll be continuing this creative side and keeping my shop open!

Dear readers, do you want to see more? Here is how you can connect. 
Buy lovely things on Etsy here: 
http://www.etsy.com/au/shop/NariDesignPot
and become a follower on Facebook here: http://www.facebook.com/NariDesignPot

Warmth - Wednesday Wishes

lots of soft grey layers for added warmth on cooler days; 

 wednesday wishes ♥xo

Grey leggings with small black polka dots from DGstyle 

Heather Grey Jersey Ruffled Bow Scarf, Ultra Soft from JannysGirl

dark gray ribbed fingerless gloves in recycled wool, 

 eco friendly from piabarile

Aline Pocket Dress in organic cotton from Lyptis

Women's Crochet Gray Slipper Boots from StardustStyle

Sunday Art Finds, Terrarium Tutorial and Banana Oat Spelt Muffins

Happy Sunday readers, did you have a good weekend? 

I want to make a special mention to all the Mothers, Step Mothers, Aunts, Sisters, Grandmothers and Mother Figures out there for Mothers Day; remembering that we are not all biological mothers but still have important roles to play in the lives of others. I feel that sometimes this is forgotten and is worthy of mention today, being Mothers Day and all. 

Now back to the Weekend Blog Post - today I want to share with you "Sunday Art Finds, Terrarium Tutorial and Banana Oat Spelt Muffins." Happy Reading xo♥

Sunday Art Finds

Local Artists Leanne Fry and Janelle Peterson held an epic Garage Art Sale today, I must confess I showed incredible restraint and didn't buy too many of the gorgeous pieces on offer. I will share with you the gorgeous works I did bring home to add to our ever expanding collection! 

This Woodblock (made from the wood of the beautiful Yellow Tingle Tree) from Le Papier - Leanne Fry is a OOAK taken from one of her original paintings. Love! 

 This mixed media piece from Janelle Peterson - Artist also caught my attention and has come home with me. Hubby really liked this one too. There were several more in this series that I left behind that would make a wonderful art display together. 

You can check out more of the work from these two talented ladies at these links. 

Leanne: 

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Le-Papier-Leanne-Fry/148196531865546

Janelle: 

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Janelle-peterson-artist/270262646338538

Terrarim Tutorial
At a recent quiz night, I managed to win a lucky spot prize, a glass bowl. I had been thinking about what to use it for and then I found this wonderful Terrarium tutorial at the Gardening Australia website which was presented by Jane Edmanson on the 27/8/2011 - see this link: 
http://www.abc.net.au/gardening/stories/s3301070.htm
I will step you through this wonderful tutorial so you too can make your own miniature garden. 

Step 1.
Gather the things you will need to make your terrarium garden: 
A clear glass or plastic container
Pebbles or coarse gravel/sand
Activated charcoal
Coir or sphagnum moss
Potting mix
Plants
Spray bottle filled with water
Ornaments

Step 2: 

Place a layer of gravel or pebbles in the base of the container, about 2 ½ cm deep. This makes a base so the plant roots never sit in water where they could get root rot.

Step 3: 

Pop on a pair of gloves then add a layer of activated charcoal. I got mine at the pet shop in the aquarium section. Make sure that you don't breathe in the Activated Charcoal Dust, give it a light mist of water to dampen the dust before you handle it. 
The activated charcoal will help absorb any nasty smells from the wet soil.

Step 4.

Add a layer of sphagnum moss or coir (I cut up a hanging basket pot liner) - this will stop the potting mix from settling into the lower layers of the gravel and charcoal.

Step 5. 
Add your potting mix - at least 4cm deep, you can get a little creative here, making valleys and hills if you wanted to. 
Add your plants and ornaments, I even gathered some moss from the garden to add to the overall effect. 

Step 6: 

Give your garden a light misty spray of water to settle your new terrarium garden in. 

NOTE:

Gardening Australia had the following handy hints for Planting: 

"Many indoor plants work really well in a terrarium - go for a range of heights and colours. Plants to try; Peperomia, Helxine, Calathea, little ferns, Hypoestes phyllostachya
To start planting you may need to reduce the size of the plants rootball to fit the space you have. You can trim up to half the roots and the plant will be fine. 

If a terrarium is to be viewed from all angles, arrange the plants with the tallest one in the middle. If it's viewed from one angle, position the tallest plants to the rear. A range of different heights, colours and leaf shapes will always create interest exactly as they would in a garden bed.

Water the plants with just enough to settle the plants roots in. When positioning your terrarium, make sure you keep it away from direct sunlight and from heaters because they will get too hot and dry out. And there you have it. You've created your own living masterpiece!"

Banana-Oat-Spelt Muffins

I don't recall where I got this recipe from but oh my it's good. I did make a couple of alterations to the original recipe and hope you enjoy these as much as we did. They are super easy and really yummy.

Banana Oat Spelt Muffins

Ingredients:  

2 mashed ripe bananas (about 3/4 cup)

2 tablespoons rice bran oil

1 egg

1/2 cup fat-free milk

3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

2/3 cup wholemeal spelt flour

1/2 cup rolled oats

1/4 cup sugar

1 3/4 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon salt

Maple Syrup 

Method: 

1. Preheat oven to 190º Celsius.

2. Combine bananas and next 4 ingredients (through vanilla) in a medium bowl; mix well, and set aside.

3. Lightly spoon flour into a dry measuring cup and level with a knife. Whisk together flour and next 5 ingredients (through salt) in a small bowl.

4. Stir the flour mixture into the banana mixture until they are just combined.

5.Fill muffin cases just over 3/4 full and top with a thick slice of banana. 

6.Bake for ten minutes - when muffins start to brown, brush banana and top with Maple Syrup. 

7. Bake for approximately another five minutes or until a skewer inserted in center comes out clean.

Readers, I hope you enjoyed "Sunday Art Finds, Terrarium Tutorial and Banana Oat Spelt Muffins." See you all on Wednesday for a new Wednesday Wishes blog post x

Friday Friends - Local Makers - Handmade by Renae

 

Hello lovely Maddabling readers, how have your collective weeks been? I haven't done too much at all to be truthful, but I am hoping to create a Terrarium and a Terrarium Tutorial to share with you all, once I can get all of the components I need to start making it together. I am also planning to visit some lovely local Makers at the Mothers Day Market to be held at Centennial Oval this weekend. I am really looking forward to this having missed the Denmark and VAC markets over the last couple of weeks. 

This week it is my absolute pleasure to introduce to you all a new Friday Friend and very talented local maker, it's time to meet Renae from Handmade by Renae! 

Let me tell you a little more about Renae. She is one of those very talented ladies that can sew. Which I can not. Which is why I admire sewing folk so much. I know how much work and love goes into their fabulous creations and I have a few things that Renae has made that I would like to share with you now. I think I may have mentioned before my love of owls and oh my! These owl pillows are just too hoot cute!

I always find that tote bags are handy for packing ones market shopping into and this one is so lovely and stylish.

I also have a bit of a love of Babushka dolls and these softies are just so adorable ♥

Lovely readers, it is time now for me hand over the blogging reigns to Renae to share with you The Fabric of Handmade by Renae. Have a lovely weekend, see you all on Sunday for the Weekend Blog Post. 

PS If you get the chance pop down to the Mothers Day Markets to say Hi! to lots of fab local makers x 

The Fabric of Handmade by Renae

Hi I am Renae from Handmade by Renae. I love to make things. Mostly sewing and quilting projects. I have always really enjoyed making and creating things from a young age. I did a lot of cross stitch as a child and when I have time I still enjoy doing it.

When I was pregnant with my son I got the notion in my head that I HAD to make him a quilt so I went to weekly classes with some lovely ladies who showed me how to quilt. I still have that first baby quilt with the wonky binding and I am happy to say I have come a long way since then!

I have entered a quilts in a few local shows and I have been placed both first and second in different  categories. I haven't entered anything lately but am planning on later this year.

I started a page on Facebook a  couple of years ago when I saw people asking for library bags for their school kids. I made some up and sold them and after that every year I have requests for more.

I started making a few bags and children's items and posted them on my page and people bought them. After a while my day job and kids activities took over and I didn't have much time for my sewing and my page lay dormant for a while.

I was encouraged to try selling my stuff at a market and I finally plucked up the courage and did my very first make 2 weeks ago and am happy to say I sold some stuff! I now am trying to get ready for my second market this weekend.

I still love to quilt, semi traditional with a nice burst of colours. Bags, table runners, cushions and any cute thing that tickles my fancy at the time. I love bright colours, black and white prints, happy fun prints and well you name it, I am pretty sure I would have it in my craft room.

I will admit I am a bit of a hoarder when it comes to fabric but that's a good thing I like to think! I like to make things that my kids like and often my 6 year old daughter asks me if whatever I am making is for her so she has a large collection of my creations.

I hope to attend more markets and get my name and items out there for people to see.

You can find me on Facebook here: 
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Handmade-by-Renae/169530799800420
Or you can come and visit me in person on Saturday, 10th May at the Mother's Day Markets at Centennial Oval on Lockyer Avenue, Albany WA. 

Eco Mum - Wednesday Wishes

An eco friendly wish list for Mothers Day, for all the 

eco conscious Mums out there. All items were found by searching Eco Mothers Day on Etsy and Madeit. 

Enjoy xo♥

Vintage Style Handmade Laminated Cotton Eco Friendly Shower Cap;  PVC and BPA Free from  PureHaven 

Recycled Greeting Card - Mum from  TheThinktree

Personalised wood crate planter box from UrbanPlantersOz

Love You, Hottie Cover from onestring

 

Sterling Silver Drop Earrings Topaz Nugget + Labradorite from theori

Autumn Chill, Handmade Quilts and Apple Pancakes with Cinnamon Sugar

Hello lovely readers, I am back on track with blogging after a short break due to personal reasons. In this weekend blog post I share with you "Autumn Chill, Handmade Quilts and Apple Pancakes with Cinnamon Sugar." Happy Reading xo♥
Autumn Chill
Sunday morning was filled with typical Autumn Chill and this photo shows the misty rain that prevented me from seeing the other side of the harbour! Winter is just around the corner. If you look very carefully, you can see a dark line of coast hills shrouded in cloud and drizzle - brr! 

Some lovely yarn bombing in the form of crocheted blankets have turned up in the parkland near our local Arts Centre. 

I fear that even the trees are feeling the cold snap! At least they will be stylishly warm :) I do heart public art, in whichever form it takes ♥

Handmade Quilts

My dear friend Carol at Meandering Thread makes beautiful quilts, soft toys, bags and hats amongst many other things. 

 We recently purchased a quilt from her as a gift for a loved one but it really was too lovely not to share. Perfect to brighten up a little ones bedroom don't you think? And something to be treasured for years to come ♥

Apple Pancakes with Cinnamon Sugar 
This recipe is from Donna Hay and to all the Mums out there, you may want to put this tasty recipe on your menu wish list for Mothers Day this coming Sunday. I haven't had the chance to make this one yet. The instagram photo I have taken is a photo of the finished recipe photo taken by Chris Court (you must visit his website to view some amazing food photos). 

I spotted this in the STM Magazine from the weekend just gone. This recipe makes 12 apple pancakes.

Apple Pancakes with Cinnamon Sugar 
Ingredients - Apple Pancakes 
1 1/2 cups (225g) Self- Raising Flour
1/2 cup (110g) Caster Sugar
3 Eggs, lightly beaten 
30g unsalted butter, melted
1 cup (250ml) milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 apples, thinly sliced
Ingredients - Cinnamon Sugar
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 tablespoons white sugar 

Method: 
1. To make the cinnamon sugar, place the cinnamon and the white sugar in a bowl, mix to combine. Set aside.
2. Place the flour and caster sugar in a bowl, make a well in the centre.
3. Place the egg, butter, milk and vanilla in the centre and stir with a wooden spoon until the mixture is smooth.
4. Allow the mixture to stand for 15 minutes.
5. Heat a lightly greased small non-stick fry pan over low heat.
6. Add a slice of apple, cook for 1 minute then turn.
7. Pour 1/4 cup of the mixture over the apple and cook for 2 minutes or until bubbles appear on the surface.
8. Flip and cook for a further 1-2 minutes or until lightly golden.
9. Repeat with the remaining apple and pancake mixture.
10. Sprinkle the pancakes with cinnamon sugar to serve. 

Readers, I hope you enjoyed reading "Autumn Chill, Handmade Quilts and Apple Pancakes with Cinnamon Sugar." See you on Wednesday for a new edition of Wednesday Wishes xo♥