Punctuation - Thursday Thoughts

Punctuation. A little bit of word geekery for the Thursday Thoughts blog post today. Enjoy xx

Punctuation, Miniature Book, Matchbox art from GreenChairPress

Custom Alphabet, Numbers, Punctuation Mug - HandMade TO ORDER from LoveArtWorks

Vintage Letterspress Type Punctuation in a Box for Altered Art Collage Jewelry Making

 from ReminiscencePapers

Exclamation Mark Adjustable Ring from MintRainbows

Vintage Typewriter Key Cufflinks - Punctuation, Asterisk and Dash 5/8" from ReActiv

Friday Friends - Australian Makers - Little Green Cat

Hello Friday my dear friends. Another week passes and the Spring weather is being somewhat temperamental on the South Coast. There are still plenty of orchids to be found on bush walks if you look carefully and the elusive Southern Right whales seem not to have made much of an appearance this year. Have you got anything special planned for the weekend?  

This week I have a really scarily creative Friday Friend and Australian Maker for you to meet, it's the lovely Hillary of Little Green Cat.

I love these monsters which could easily hide under the bed. They each have their own distinct personalities and features.

For example, meet this sweet "Totem Pal - Lemony Chomp. This lady just LOVES to sunbathe! Her super soft fluffy coat is the product of many hours of careful massage by the sun's rays and is ready to warm your hands and your heart. Those fangs may look a little vicious but don't fret- they are just for juicing lemons, Lemony's favourite sunshiney food! She is 100% people friendly and just loves to cuddle."

There are also miniature monsters - Dustbunnies in fact. "Dustbunnies! Little balls of cheer for your desk, kids, pets or wherever the rainbows don't quite reach."

With Christmas coming up, why not order a custom sloth to delight your niece/nephew/son/daughter/grandchild/inner child! Choose your fur colour and then request the features i.e. horns, multiple eyes, big teeth (remember these can be tailored to your wishes, your imagination is the only limit). 

Dear readers, I invite you to explore the world of  Monster Mayhem with Little Green Cat, this weeks super Friday Friends Edition. Happy Reading xx

Monster Mayhem with Little Green Cat
Little Green Cat is a weeny toy business based in Adelaide, SA. It is run by a fat cat called Hillary and supported by a tall handsome fox and their two dogs.

I have always been a creative sort. Even as a kid I used to prefer drawing to social interaction. Nothing much has changed, although I think I’m a little better at both these days. So many crafts have passed through my hands- crochet, knitting, scrapbooking, painting, Perler, soaping – none of them quite felt the same as sewing. I love texture, interaction and the tactile experience and fabrics just push all the right buttons.

In April 2014 I was made redundant from my job as an I.T. Trainer. After working long hours for almost seven years and about to turn thirty, I figured now was my chance to kick start my creative dream and my wonderful, patient, endlessly supportive husband told me to go for it. So I funnelled my redundancy pay into starting Little Green Cat. 

At the moment I am focusing on plush toys based around the drawings and doodles my brain constantly spews forth. Big smiles, bright colours, beady eyes, simple forms and lots of character are the key traits that guide my creations. I love working with super soft premium faux furs, felt and fleece, anything fluffy or soft and I’m totally smitten!

Seeing each character come to life is immensely rewarding, as is sending them off to adventure through life with their new owners. I value quality and durability in my toys as I want people to play with them, for people of all ages to be able to pick them up and feel that childlike glee when they find a fabulous new friend. It is my greatest wish for every one of them to be a lifelong companion and end up so worn and threadbare that they are almost unrecognisable; where every balding, tattered inch tells a different story.

Colour, texture and animals inspire my critters, as do the works of Chris Ryniak, Terry Pratchett, Douglas Adams, Chelsea Bloxsom, and Hanna Mancini. I have a deep affection for all kindly monsters, the misunderstood folk who might look a bit scary on the outside but try not to let it change who they are.

My goal in life is to bring smiles to the faces of as many people as I can, through generosity, stupid jokes, word play, surprises and hairy monsters. Not a huge achievement really, but it makes every day a little brighter! Hoping one day to exhibit at Designer Con in the US and ToyCon in the UK. 

Until then, here’s a list of places you can find my hairy friends:

Etsy:(online store): https://www.etsy.com/au/shop/alittlegreencat

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/alittlegreencat

Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/alittlegreencat
Website: http://www.littlegreencat.com.au/

Also at:

Flinders Street Market in Adelaide, South Australia

Supanova Pop Culture Expo 

Nov 21st-23rd 2014 at Wayville Showgrounds, Adelaide

Etsy Adelaide and Flinders Street Grand Christmas Bazaar 

Dec 6th-7th 2014 at 230 Flinders Street, Adelaide SA

Plus selected markets around South Australia- please check my Facebook page for market dates. 

Denim Blues - Thursday Thoughts

Denim Blues = Thursday Thoughts. Enjoy xo♥

Dark blue denim cushion pillow cover with green check appliqued scotty dog from 1AbbyLane

Blue cha cha denim blue pearl statement bracelet from strandsofgrace

Denim Stripe Aline Mini Dress from EmilyGClothing

Fabric Rosette Flower Necklace in Denim from MegansMenagerie

DENIM MESSENGER BAG / Screen printed from Travellingalice

Friday Friends - Australian Artists - Pastel Valley Studio

Hello readers, welcome to Friday. It's a long weekend in the West, hoping that it will be filled with fine weather and a fair yet entertaining AFL Grand Final. What do you have planned? This week it is my absolute pleasure to introduce to you a talented maker and Australian Artist - meet sweet Clare from Pastel Valley Studio! 

Let me share some of the gorgeous creatures Clare creates by hand with you all. Firstly meet this cutie, what a heirloom for a special child (or grown up) to have as a top shelf toy. Meet the 50's inspired Party Hat Bear Art Toy. Isn't he the greatest? 

How beautiful is this piece - Hummingbird Textile Wall Art? 
It would add a touch of artistic elegance to any room.

I also really love the mischievous Hypno Cat Large Art Toy. Doesn't he just look like trouble with a capital T? How did that ice-cream cone end up where it did? 

Dear readers, I invite you now to pop your feet up, grab a cuppa and turn the virtual pages as you take a Peek Inside Pastel Valley Studio. Have a fantastic weekend everyone xo♥

A Peek Inside Pastel Valley Studio
Pastel Valley Studio is my haven for dreamy, expressive and often odd little characters. I have been creating toys for the past few years and just love seeing each personality evolve. I have always enjoyed art that leaves a space for the imagination, so I try to leave some open ends when creating.

I studied Textile Design at RMIT and graduated in 2008. I was lucky to land a creative job for the following four years. This role felt like a roller coaster ride and provided a good insight to commercial design. Whilst this was happening I felt a strong calling to start my own creative business and combine my two passions, art and textiles. So I started Pastel Valley Studio, a small space filled with inspiring fabrics, colour, photography, adopted toys and dolls.

Each toy that I make has a hand painted face; I use acrylic paint, soft brushes and work on a canvas-type fabric. I paint the faces first, and then form the bodies to enhance the personality of the character. Then comes my favourite part, fabric selection. I just love going through fabrics, buttons and ribbons and putting together a collection that speaks to me. I don’t use commercial toy patterns, I like to sculpt and shape the toys as I go. They need to have nice curves and be able to sit up by themselves. The process is slow and it takes many hours to make each one, but I enjoy every second of the process and it is pure joy for me.

Currently I have work in a few group shows, one is Schmancy in Seattle (10^th anniversary show!), the other is in Fawn Gallery in Melbourne. I was also proud to be part of ‘Toy to the World’ a fundraising show to help fund AIDS research earlier this year.

My ideas are endless, custom pieces are welcome and I just wish that I had more time in the day to bring them all to life! Thank you for reading about my little adventure so far and including me in your lovely group. 

You can find some of my work in my online store:

pastelvalleystudio.etsy.com

Dress me Up - Wednesday Wishes

Lovely items found by searching "dress, handmade" on Etsy, 

all by Australian makers.

I hope you enjoy this edition of Wednesday Wishes xo♥

vintage paper folded dress wall art from awreckofbirds

Origami dress - birthday from ChienoWa

The Gunners Daughter Box pleate dress by ApartofmeAPOM

Garland Vintage Dress and Peep Toe Shoes from RubyCanoeDesign

Dress made of dresses Art Print notebook from MegiBead

Friday Friends - Australian Makers - Boutique 789

Hello everyone, the weekend is nearly here. What is everyone up to? No big plans at Maddabling HQ after the big hike last weekend. This week I have a new Friday Friend to introduce, meet the lovely Jess. the maker and creator of all the nice things found at Boutique 789.

Jess says: "Boutique 789 serves up a delicious selection of décor, fashion and curios to feed your appetite for cuteness!" 

Let me share some of my finds with you now. I am seriously loving this set of 3 sweet heart owl wall hanging collages with applique fabric on canvas. 

Just about the same amount as I love the concept of the 

Emergency Birthday Survival Kit; an itty bitty credit card size mini cake bunting on the go. I think this could get you out of a spot of I forgot your Birthday trouble :) 

Who likes quiet toys? This one is inspired by The Very Hungry Caterpillar book and is suitable for toddlers; it's designed to teach threading skills and is very educational quiet toy.

Ok readers, time for you to turn the virtual pages and read a little more of The Boutique 789 Book. I hope you enjoy this story as much as I did. Have a fantastic weekend everyone xx

The Boutique 789 Book
Hi! My name is Jess.

By day I am a full time personal assistant to two demanding bosses – Mr Three and Mr Five. By night (and pre-school days!) I am the one-(wo)man-show behind Boutique 789. The store’s name comes from my adorable nephew’s favourite joke (this must be read with a lisp...and a little bit of dribble running out your mouth)

Why was 10 scared?

Because 789!

My Nanna taught me to sew at the age of three (before I could write). Nanna was a Polish refugee during WW2, fleeing to Australia with nothing but her husband and 3 children. Her sewing skills were self taught, making clothes for herself from old pillowcases in the beginning but soon able to turn her hand to ANYTHING. My sister and I had few store-bought clothes growing up. Nanna made everything. 
No really – everything. 
From undies, (eew!) to swimmers, school uniforms to ugg boots. 
I miss her. A lot.

My mother insists “sewing skips a generation” so I became Nanna’s side kick. Creating and problem solving using the items I have on hand has been instilled in me since my earliest memories and has been the gift that keeps on giving – I have used these skills in every facet of my life. It led me to my career as a fashion designer/developer, my first business making and selling handbags at markets (in the olden days - before internet shopping LOL) to making my wedding dress.

Now that I am a stay at home mum my interests have changed and so was born my new venture Boutique789, a collection of décor for nurseries and kids rooms. I enjoy making mobiles, wall hangings, bunting, cushions... pretty much anything child-related but there is so much more to come!

I am inspired by everything, a cliche but true. It can be slightly maddening actually. I try to keep away from Pinterest... it can really fry my brain! Since I started a dedicated design diary (which resembles George Costanzas’ wallet - for the Seinfeld fans out there) it has helped organise my thoughts. It is choc-a-block full of ideas that my hands just cannot keep up with. Cake toppers (of the non-edible variety), and kids clothing are high on the priority list. Oh, and lots more for boy’s rooms, I keep getting side tracked by pretty stuff.

Stay tuned Folks!

Boutique 789 fulfills a need to express my creativity (in a medium other than Clag glue and tissue paper!). It is also a kind of challenge to myself to see what I can come up with using the items I have on hand. In addition to the thirty-plus years worth of project left overs and salvaged bin-bound fabrics and cut up garments from my working days, I have inherited my Nanna’s entire shed and sewing room FULL of supplies. Don’t get me wrong – the local Spotlight staff know me well... but I am trying my best to stay away.

For a while there I was slightly obsessed with collecting vintage doilies and napkins. Much of my current work is inspired by or incorporates these items. The birdy mobiles made from re purposed embroidered vintage napkins are my current favorites, they are truly unique, one-off pieces!

The People’s Choice Award however goes to the Little mouse Hot Air Balloon, originally created as a gift for a friend. It is timeless, gender neutral and able to be customised for any room. In short it’s just a little cutie!

I enjoy the process of designing and creating but especially love the feeling when somebody else admires my finished product. I hope you enjoy browsing through my gallery of work and would be delighted if a item made you smile so much you just had to have it! Why not pop in for a visit?

You can find me: 
on Etsy: www.etsy.com/store/boutique789

on Pinterest: www.pintrest.com/boutique789

on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Boutique-789/801081789923404

and Instagram: http://instagram.com/etsyboutique789