Thursday, January 6, 2011

Retro Vintage - the de- clutter - a - thon - fabrics, buttons, zips, bias etc etc

My goal for 2011 was to make some more room in my little house, and to do so I just have to declutter the sewing room. So, after careful contemplation I have decided that it is time to say goodbye to all the lovely (and sometimes hideous) vintage retro reclaimed stuff.

So, I have spent one whole day this week sorting, measuring, photographing, packaging and listing my button collection. See www.craftumi.com.au/MakingRoom4U2 for all of the listings, but just one or two photos now to whet your appetite.




Alright, so 5 photo's - how can you choose? they are all so gorgeous!


Now - FABRIC! Sandra came yesterday and helped me through the process of measuring, photographing, identifying and folding just a portion of the fabrics from Evelyn's estate. No disrespect intended to the dear lady, but she was definately the one who died with the most fabric - so she WON! I want Evelyn (Dessy) to retain her title and it not be passed on to me, so I have decided to try to sell off a good deal of what is here.

I need to make room in my home and life for the growing Cathie's Creations business, and I have a goal of buying a new sewing machine. So I have stuck and image of the sewing machine on the wall above my computer and have written on it "YOU WILL BE MINE" and I hope it will give me some purpose.

So, there is around 230 metres of Vintage Retro Fabric. Unbelievable. That is no where near what I collected 3 years ago when Evelyn passed away, because a lot of it went to Vanuatu and was used by the women in the village and girls in the school. Anyway, if I can sell this lot off, it should put me a little further ahead in the sewing machine fund.

I have started to call some vintage retro dealers and antique dealers to make inquiries about selling the whole lot, but I think I will pop it onto Craftumi and perhaps even eBay, and see how I go. Working out the pricings is going to be a nightmare, but will just start and see how it goes.

Here are some photos of my crazy, eclectic Vintage Retro Fabrics:
  
  
  
    

   

   


Well, it is now 4.30 pm on Friday afternoon. The first week of 2011, is coming to an end. Wow, it has been hugely productive for me. Now, i just have to whip out to the shops and get some food, and I'll be back to do some more listings this evening.

Ciao for now

Sunday, January 2, 2011

Happy New Year

Well, I think I have rated at the top of the worst bloggers in the world for 2010, but as I am trying very hard to get life back on track in 2011, I am really going to try harder to keep you upto date more regularly with my creations.

So I am finally settled into my new abode, and currently decluttering in the sewing room, among other spaces. Have decided it is time to focus my attention on the craft that I love the most - sewing, so I am saying goodbye to beads, scrapbooking stuff, and loads and loads of my vintage retro fabrics and notions - acquired from a deceased estate 2 years ago, and still taking up too much space. I know, quite realistically now, that I will probably never get to use most of it, so I have decided to sell a bunch of it off and use the money to reinvest into my Cathie's Creations endeavours.

To that end, I have begun to set up a store on www.craftumi.com.au. Here I will list and hopefully sell, prolific amounts!!! I will update you when I open the store, but for now, I am tackling the technology and attempting to get things ready and listed. The store name is "Making Room 4 U 2". Keep an eye out for it.

I am also going to start to list some items in my www.madeit.com.au store.  Cathie's Creations is the store name and I will be listing a number of my market items their.

I have also set up a Facebook page called Cathies Creations (deliberate loss of the apostrophy) and will try to use that as another avenue to keep people informed of the growth of my hobby come business. here is the link: http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Cathies-Creations/133442383344643 

July to December 2010 was a very success start for Cathie's Creations. I really enjoyed "The Handmade Expo" and just love to get there and chat to people and show off my gorgeous creations. So many wonderful people have complimented me on the fine work I produce and based on my tremendous sales for the 6 months, I really believe them now. I have started going to the Cleveland Farmer's Market on Sundays now. Not sure if I will be able to sustain every Sunday, but I am at least going to do January and Febuary and then re-assess. Based on the first two markets (today and 19 December), I feel it could be a really good way forward. I will also take up opportunities to do other markets around and about town, as they arise, and will certainly keep you posted here.

Most importantly of all Cathie's Creations has been a fantastic avenue for me to express my creativity and has been a very healing and restorative experience. The end of 2009 and start of 2010, was spattered with a few traumatic life events and let's just say, that my sewing and creating, have had an enormous therapeautic effect, realigning mind, body, soul and spirit.

My thanks to all of my family for their tremendous support in 2010. You know what you have done, and I thank you most sincerely for all of it. Special thanks to Mum and Dad and Kevin and Reg, who took me into their homes and cared for me in some pretty crappy times. I dread to think where I would be today, if it were not for your hospitality, generosity and love. Also a big thank you to my dearest friends, who have also supported, encouraged and inspired me (not to mention a good deal of caffiene shared too). I don't normally single people out, but a BIG BIG THANK YOU to my dear friend Denise who accompanies me almost every time I go to the markets. That is a lot of early starts, and Denise, I am so so thankful for your company every time at the markets and on all the other outings as well. 

Now, I had better get to bed and restore the creative juices for tomorrow. I was going to pop some photos of my new designer bibs on, but will need to wait for better light to take the photos. Will do so in a few days.

Cheers for now  .... watch this space in 2011 ... I promise you that Cathie's Creations is going to grow like crazy!!!

Friday, October 29, 2010

Crazy times

I have been a little crazy of late, and have moved through 3 different housesits or places to crash, since my last post. Finally I am moving into my own pad again. I have found a great place to live and will even have a dedicated SEWING ROOM / CREATIVE STUDIO. I will have plenty of time and space there to make more frequent posts on my blog, and to really get this whole Cathie's Creations thing buzzing - my dream come true.

I have managed to do a little bit of sewing and creating lately, so here are a few pics:

A gorgeous wedding gift for two very special people....

a baby quilt - perhaps for a new niece

A birthday gift for my nephew


Fab new bright coloured coffee cup holders:







And simply stunning spotty head bands:


And a new range of notebook covers in A6 Size. Also in black cord fabric with bright strips, and tan colour for those who are not so into making a bright statement!




I have been busy getting ready to list my items on Madeit.com.au. Have almost finished the photography editing and writing up of the listings. Just one more long night at the computer and I think that it will be all up and going. I have created a storefront called "Cathie's Creations" and will post a link as soon as it is up and going. Watch this space.

Okay so now it is back to the business of moving and unpacking. I am so excited to find my treasured possessions that have been hinding deep within the shipping container for over 9 months.

Ciao for now

Monday, August 30, 2010

To Market to Market ......

Wow, I can't believe how time passes so quickly.
I have now done 2 months of markets since my last post.
Here are a couple of pics of the Cathie's Creations Stall all set up and trading.....

Handmade Expo - July

 
Bribie Arts and Crafts Market - July

 
Bribie Arts and Crafts - August

I have been doing quite well at the markets and really enjoying being out there and meeting people, especially the ones who really appreciate my work. I also had the chance to show off my wares at Cleveland Manor at a little afternoon tea recently. Thanks to Mum for getting that one lined up for me. I am hoping to do a display and sale at Wellington Manor in a few weeks and then I might get around to a few other retirement villages. Nice to take the market to those who are not so mobile. The orders have also started to flow in now through the markets as well as family and friends. These are some of my creations from the last few weeks:

A selection of Library Bags in great bright colours with really funky appliques.

Gracie's Library Bag with gorgeous fairy applique
- this photo was taken before she had her face and wand stitched on and also the centres of her hair flowers. I forgot to take a photo of the finished item before Laraine collected it.

I have started a range of Personalised Pillowcases which are proving to be very popular. These are a few that I have already finished, as well as some sample fabrics for those to come. I am going to focus on doing the more subtle but stunning ginghams, as well as really bright spots, stripes and stars.

Gingham pillowcases and gingham colour range

Bright spots, stripes and stars colour range

I will post some samples of the brights range when they are underway.

My two best sellers at the markets would have to be the Coffee Cup Holder and the headbands. Unfortunately I don't have any photos of these to show you unless you look really closely at the market stall photos. Will take a few in the next week or so and post them.
 
The cup holder wraps neatly around the medium and large takeaway coffee cups, so you don't burn your hand. It also keeps the coffee a bit hotter for longer. So far there I have sold about 50 cup holders, and have even sent 3 to the USA with my Auntie Mel.
 
The headbands are just beautiful for the little and not so little girls and I am told they are super comfy and don't dig in behind your ears or give you a headache. I have made a great range of pretty colours and have had requests for school colours. They will be under construction in the next few weeks / months.

Anyway, I think I can hear my sewing machine calling me, or maybe it is my bed, so I will sign off for now. I will try to give you more regular news in the coming months. I just haven't been able to tear myself away for the sewing machine to sit at the computer!!!!

Back to creating ....... bye for now ....







Saturday, July 3, 2010

Bibs and Bags

Life has been a little busy lately and I have been on the move with housesitting.  The sewing goes on inspite of all of the moving and creating happens. Fortunately I have found houses with huge dining tables, so have turned them into 'sewing rooms' or as my family would say, 'sweat shops'. 

I have finally gotten myself organised to start selling some of the Cathies Creations products and will be attending "The Handmade Expo" at Ipswich for their next 3 markets. I will be there on the 17th July, 21st August, 18th September. The Handmade Expo is a large HANDMADE ONLY market. With up to 100 stalls on offer and now including GOURMET FRESH.  The market runs from 8am - 2pm at the Ipswich Turf Club, Brisbane Road, Bundamba. There is FREE ENTRY & PARKING. Check out the blog at http://thehandmadeexpo.blogspot.com/

I have also been accepted as a member of the Bribie Island Community Arts Centre, and I am going to meet with their gallery and market committee this week with a portfolio of my work. I will be able to have a market stall at their "Arts & Craft Market" which is held on the 4th Sunday of each month from 8.30am to 12.30pm. The centre is at 191 Sunderland Drive, Banksia Beach, Bribie Island. There website is www.bicas.org.au. It is worth a outing to Bribie to check out the Gallery and the markets. they are small but there is some gorgeous work and all very reasonably priced.

So, here are some of my latest creations. I absolutely love these bibs, and everyone who has seen them thinks they are gorgeous.

Strawberry and Watermelon

Kitty and Teddy

Crab and Turtle

Pear and Apple

Rose and Flower

All of the bibs are $15 each (plus postage) - or see me at the markets!

I still have a few more to create, so watch this space for a Giraffe, Gator, Lady Bug, Bumble Bee, and Beetle, and when they're all made, I might just make some plain ones for the less adventurous babes out there.


 Cathies Creations has gone crazy for bags this week, or some may say I have gone a bit 'strip happy'. I finally bought out the Jelly Roll box and realised that I can't just look at them and drool over them forever. So the day has come and I have started to sew with them. These bags are all made out of Moda Jelly Rolls. Thus far I have used "Hello Betty" and "Essence", but there are another 6 or more in the box, so more to come, perhaps not all will become bags. I am thinking of table runners too.

 
Medium size "Hello Betty" bags.
Fabric 100% Cotton "Moda Hello Betty collection"

Size: 27cm long X 22 cm deep x 11 cm wide
Handles from top to bag approx 30 cm.
Fully lined in cream 100% cotton with 2 internal pockets

Cost: $50 each (plus postage
 
 
 

Medium size "Essence" Bags
Fabric 100% cotton "Moda Essence by Sandy Gervais"
Size: 27cm long X 22 cm deep x 11 cm wide
Handles from top to bag approx 30 cm.
Fully lined in cream 100% cotton with 2 internal pockets

Cost: $50 (plus postage)
 

Small "Hello Betty" Strip Bag

Fabric 100% Cotton "Moda Hello Betty collection"
Size: 22cm long X 25.5 cm deep x 5 cm wide
Handle from top to bag approx 30 cm.
Fully lined in cream 100% cotton

Cost: $35 each (plus postage)
 

Large "Hello Betty" Strip Bag



Fabric 100% Cotton "Moda Hello Betty collection"
Size: 36cm long X 32 cm deep x 20 cm wide
Handles from top to bag approx 30 cm.
Fully lined in cream 100% cotton with 2 internal pockets

Cost: $70 each (plus postage)
 
 
And here are the latest library bag orders, made and ready to send.
 

Personalised Chidrens Library Bag


1. Choose an outside colour (I choose a lining to match)
2. Your Child's name (first name only or first and last name)
3. Choose a simple applique or tell me your child's favourite and I will find one to suit.

These bags are fully lined and padded with quilt batting to protect the library books. 100% cotton fabrics. Fully machine washable, but will need a quick iron.

Size: 40 cm deep X 36 cm wide

Made to order - approx 2 weeks to delivery (depending on current orders)

Cost: $50 (plus postage)

Extra Options:

These bags have also been purchased as kindy sheet bags
and then used later for library bags.
I can make the sheets for an extra $20.

Water repellant lining makes them great for swimming bags
(NB: water repellant not water proof).
This lining adds $5 to the cost.


Okay, so it is back to the sewing machine. Hope you have enjoyed seeing my latest creations. If you are interested in purchasing anything, drop me an email at cathiescreations@me.com . I look forward to giving you the next installment.