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

Blogtoberfest Day 31 - Spooky Wednesday Wishes

Welcome lovely readers to a super spooky Wednesday Wishes blogpost!
Today marks the final day in the 31 Day Blogtoberfest Challenge. 
Have you ever wondered about the origins of Halloween? I found this information answered a few thoughts that I had about Halloween.
http://urbanlegends.about.com/od/halloween/a/History-Of-Halloween.htm

"What is Halloween?
Halloween is a secular holiday combining vestiges of traditionalharvest festival celebrations with customs more peculiar to the occasion such as costume wearing, trick-or-treating, pranksterism, and decorative imagery based on seasonal change, death, and the supernatural. It takes place on October 31. 
What does the name 'Halloween' mean?
The name Halloween (originally spelled Hallowe'en) is a contraction of All Hallows Even, meaning the day before All Hallows Day (better known as All Saints Day), a Catholic holiday commemorating Christian saints and martyrs observed since the early Middle Ages on November 1. 
How and when did Halloween originate?
The best available evidence indicates that Halloween originated in the early Middle Ages as a Catholic vigil observed on the eve of All Saints Day, November 1. It has become commonplace to trace its roots even further back in time to a pagan festival of ancient Ireland known as Samhain (pronounced sow'-en or sow'-een), about which little is actually known. The prehistoric observance is said to have marked the end of summer and the onset of winter, and was celebrated with feasting, bonfires, sacrificial offerings, and homage to the dead."

I hope you enjoy the pretty and unusual costume pieces I have chosen to feature today. Thank you so much for completing the Blogtoberfest 2012 Journey with me and I hope you continue to enjoy following my blog. 
BIG Blogtoberfest love to you all xox

Cat Ears, Lace Ears, Bat Ears, Halloween Costume, Headband, 

hair accessory, by Batcakes Couture

Voodoo Doll Costume by Trapped In Time Designs      

  Vegan Stage and Halloween Costume 

Makeup Base and 4 Colors -Your Choice by Quartz Minerals

steampunk ballerina tutu by A Tout Le Monde

Nouveau Antler Headdress - Halloween Costume 

by Black Lodge Jewelry

Blogtoberfest Day 30 - Things Fall Apart

Welcome to Day 30 of Blogtoberfest lovely readers! The Blogtoberfest finish line is almost within grasp................a personal blogging challenge complete.
I am currently working through a photo challenge being hosted by my dear friend Starry of Staryzia. My post today shows a series of photographs I took for the theme "Things Fall Apart" based on the book of the same name.
I explored an industrial wasteland and found a strange angular beauty in the concrete blocks that are falling apart. I hope you love them too. See you all tomorrow for Blogtoberfest Day 31.