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

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 ....

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.

More New Creations

Last night, I wrote myself a TO DO LIST for this week.

By dinner time tonight I had crossed off more than half of my projects as complete. 

Thus, I have had a very productive day and a super start to the week.

I have finished embellishing the last of my cards, sewn buttons and button holes for the kids art folios, and sewn up all of the wall hangings that you will find below.

I even had time to help my nieces create lovely collages out of scraps of fabric the picked up from my feet. I will make creative artists out of them too.

I have had quite a few people express interest in purchasing some of my creations.

Firstly thanks for taking the time to look at my blog,

and secondly, I am so excited that you like what you see here.

For anyone who is interested I am now going to pop some prices in as I blog

(and have edited in prices into the older blogs).

This is what I will be selling these items for if they make it to the markets.

All prices are in Australian Dollars.

I am happy to post items anywhere in Australia, and internationally,

so feel free to email me for a postage price.

Some items I can make to order, for example, the Library bags. The original designs (Isabelle, Alexander and Isaac in the sewing blog) were extremely time consuming and frustrating to make, so I have refined the process a lot in the past 5 years. Below are photos of 2 more recent Library Bag. I charge $50 each for the bags, personalised and with one applique or pocket. They are fully lined and have strong handles. If you really want a quilted bag, I will make to order but they will cost extra. I also have a range of simple, lined drawstring library bags, if you are interested in them (they start at $15 and are not personalised).

Personalised Library Bags $50 each

EMBROIDERIES

After returning to Australia in January with my broken ankle I stayed with my folks for 9 weeks. Still in plaster, and recovering from surgery, I was not able to use the sewing machine,

so I hand stitched and produced a lot of embroideries.

Life has been pretty tumultuous for me since about September 2009, or maybe even longer, so this time of recovery has offered me ample opportunity to explore somewhat the deeper levels of myself and to dream dreams for the future. I am a real believer in using the creative arts as therapy and particularly fabric art. There is nothing like putting needle and thread together to help you think and process all those feelings that are rushing through you as you recover from an illness or injury. I find stitching so meditative and reflective and for me, every stitch becomes a little prayer for the person, place, or event I am thinking about at the time.

So four months on and this week I have finally added borders, backing, binding and hanging sleeves, so here I have some lovely wall hangings. I really wanted to finish these so I could move on to another project. I hate having things half finished.

"Welcome My Friend" by Melly and Me ($40) 

Fresh Eggs and Chook Chook Chook ($30 each)

would be a wonderful edition to a country kitchen. 

These blue and white embroideries are from a block of the month

by Melly and Me called "Love Is..."

I stitched the complete 9 block wall hanging in red and white about 12 months ago.

These I have made up as individual wall hangings.

They are approximately 30cm (12 inch) square.

"Love your neighbour as yourself" ($30)

  

"Love is ... Angels watching over me" ($30)

"Love is ... tea for two with you!" ($30)

"Love is ...the gift of flowers" ($30)

Kokeshi Dolls ($50)

The Kokeshi Wall hanging came out of the Melly and Me "Kaleidoscope" Book. 

I absolutely adore this one and thinK the border fabric is so perfect for the embroidery.

This one is the largest of all at approx 35 X 50 cm. ($50)

 Pastel Babuskas ($40)

I have a bit of an obsession with Babuska dolls. I have my own set of dolls that have 10 dolls in total. The largest doll is about 30cm high and the smallest is about the size of a grain of rice. I have used it for years as a retreat tool, helping to explain to young people about the layers of the self, what the world sees, being the outer/largest doll and the smallest being that which only God knows intimately.

I searched and searched for a pattern for this one and when I couldn't find one that I liked, I just drew it myself. I love how it turned out and can't believe how extraordinarily different they each look. The pastel one with baby pink gingham borders and binding would look so perfect in a baby girls room, while the bright one would look great anywhere - maybe even on a wall in my house, if no one snaps it up.

Bright Babuskas ($30)

I am going to sell all of these wall hangings for between $30 and $50 each,

so if there is one that takes your fancy now, say so and it is yours.

There are only one of each and I am unlikely to produce anymore,

well at least not in this quantity.

I still have about 15 more to sew up some time in the future.

 More A5 Journal covers with beautiful big buttons and elastic for closure.

I now have 30 journal covers for sale.

These are $25 each with a lined journal included.

Please email me if you are interested in these or any other of my creations

at cathie.stone@hotmail.com

 Wow, time flies. I just realised it is almost 1 am and tomorrow will not be nearly as productive if I stay up any longer. So goodnight and sweet dreams.

God Bless

Cathie's Newest Creations

Journal Covers

Each journal cover contains a 200 leaf Spirax A5 notebook.

The white journals are made with waffle weave fabric.

This last photo shows the journal covers that close with beautiful ribbons.

The ones with buttons are currently under construction.

Will post photos of them in the next day or so....

A5 Journal Covers are $25 each.

A6 Journal Covers are $20 each.

(These prices includes the lined, hardcover journal)

Hairclips

(for little girls and big girls who are always little girls at heart)

Yo Yo's and Button Clips

I have packaged and I am selling these individually,

but many have a buddy, so you can buy a pair.

The price is $3 each or 2 for $5

(two can be a pair or 2 different clips) 

and Buttons Clips ....

all of these are one off creations. 

I am selling them individually

as it is difficult to match up buttons to make pairs.

(Button Hair Clips are $3 each or 2 for $5)

Children's Art Folios

These deligthful art folios are A5 size and in gorgeous prints for children.

Comes complete with 12 coloured pencils or crayons and an A5 notepad.

great for taking on outings and encouraging the budding creative talent of your little artist.

(Children's Art Folios $20 each including pencils and notepad)

(I haven't found the right buttons yet, but these art folios will have a nice big button - great practice for children as they learn to button there own clothing)

 

 So, what's next in the creation station. I'm thinking I might make some bags and purses this week. A little something for the both the big girls and little girls. As I am currently living with my 3 and 4 year old neices, they are constantly inspiring me to dream up new ideas and creations. They are bag lovers, just as their Auntie is, so I am feeling inspired.


I'm also thinking I might venture into some softies soon. I have been collecting Melly and Me patterns, and I bought their Kaleidoscope book at last years Quilt and Craft fair and I have only managed the time to make one thus far - Bella Boo.


Oh, I just remembered I have a pile of embroideries that I stitched while I was in plaster and unable to operate the sewing machine so I had best get back to them and make them up into wall hangings. And, I really need to finish my Mums Mother's Day gift.  It kinda got shelved when the plaster came off and I got back onto the sewing machine pedal. Oh, and then there is a birthday present for Emmeline who turned one in December, but that one was delayed by a trip to Vanuatu and then a broken ankle. I had better get it done before she turns two. Think it might be Bubbles the unicorn for her, or Phoebe the elephant - or both - maybe I can make one for one and one for two, ah ha, now there is a plan.


For now, I had best get some beauty sleep. There is certain to be some sewing time tomorrow! Yippee! That is, of course, if Kevin doesn't put me on the ride on mower for a few hours and there is the small matter of some physio in the pool ... which I admit, I have been avoiding.


Okay, night night for now....