i'm sorry I just couldn't help myself

originally uploaded by WasabiNoise.

Gone clucky

I'm sorry I've totally gone chickie mad. I blame easter and cute chicken boys.

When I saw these boxes of chickies going cheap at the market this morning I just couldn't resist.

I have a deep love for chickies and these sorts of chenille chicks ( I collect them) the wonkier and more demented the better in my books. I also couldn't bear the thought of them sitting there trapped in a closed box. I also thought they'd make nice Easter gifts.

I already have one that wouldn't be going anywhere, One legged Steve ( yes because of his leg status), has taken my heart.

He's off to join my favourite Desmond, whose never quite recovered from a trip in the post. so wrong yet so right.

Hope your Wednesday is wonderful.

I promise I will try not to speak of chickies again, it's time to go cold turkey i think.

Pikelet

I was lucky enough to see Pikelet playing live to air on RRR today. The gig was part of RRR's Autumn Almanac series, which features band playing live to air and live to an audience at the same time.

Pikelet and ( her bands) performance was their first ever "Cry Baby" session , at 11.30 am, mums dad and kiddy friendly, so the audience was pack with people all under the age of 6. It was a gorgeous gig, not only was Pikelet's music and performane beautiful, having all these kids around gave it a really great ,sweet, low key and good daggy feel. There was some very good dancing ( picked up a few new moves.) And made some new special little friends. there were also come colour in posters of Pikelets new album Stem.

Pikelet ( Evelyn Morris ) was just gorgeous in her manner and the way she interacted with the kids and talked to them.

It was a special gig

Five faves

Orland, originally uploaded by mogu..

I'm playing along with Pip's meme. Here's 5 things I've been loving this week.

1. I've said it once or twice before but i'm loving making this new bear at the moment. Love the dyeing, staining, plucking, ageing sand. I'm a happy chook doing this.

2. Listening local band Love Connection. Also loving the sounds Otouto.

3. the adorable vintage chicks and easter things at this store, thanks to Erika.

4. that the footy's back, even though we lost last night, the world is right again

5. the wonderful work of Mogu Takahashi,

Im so over it.

image from here

Being woken at 6 ( on a SUNDAY!) by whining racing cars, the deafening sound of the planes, the stupid replacement bus service because we are not allowed to use the trams, but the patrons can use our buses.

No offence if you like the Grand Prix, I'm sure it's super fabulous, just not for the people who live here or the local business'.

fluffy chick

too much fluff?

My creative space

thanks again to all the lovely comments last week, re dyeing and letting me ramble yet again about the whole ageing bear making process.

I'm a little annoyed with myself, even though I really liked the colour it didn't turn out to be quite right- sometimes it's hard to actually know until you are making the bear but I think I got a bit excited about getting on with actually making a new bear. On that front progress has been slow but (hopefully) steady ( I'll let you by the judge of that). As I said before I'm trying to make a bear a bit like my old dear boy Ferdy ( old bear in 2nd pic above next to head) How do you think I'm doing ? I've been doing some extra staining and shading around the nose and head with Parisian essence in various dilutions, sanding, wonking- having lots of fun too.
and just when you thought you were safe from anymore Chickies over here I've started on a fluffy chickie- looks like a ghost right now doesn't it?

And made another ami bunny.
TO see what everyone else is up to pop over to Kirsty's.

Laura Marling- I speak because I can

Loving Laura's Marling's new album- I speak because I can.

Bengal Embroidered Quilts

from asiasociety

from artfoundout
from curatedobject

image from globalconduct
A RRR friend/worker Lyndal gets is a subscriber to a beautiful English textile/craft magazine called Selvedge. Which she always shares with me. In this months issue there is a whole thing on quilts including a feature on the Embroidered Quilts of Bengal. I have never seen these or heard of them, but I was blown away by them. Aren't they extraordinary?

thrifty finds

It's been a fairly week in terms of op shopping. Here's what I found.

Set of 3 pyrexy type bowls - not sure they are Pyrex though- the smallest on was a bit cracked but I still like them

A pretty open knit lace top - I get 90% of my clothes from oppies these days.

a couple of Golden Books and a lovely real Pooh bear ABC book ( EH Shepard is my favourite illustrator)

To see what other people have found pop over to Sophies.

Pincushion love

Pincushions have been much on my mind because of Kate's wonderful pincushion swap.

For a bit of inspiration I looked in one of my favourite books of all time Steiff Sortiment 1892-1943 by Gunther Pfeffer, which catalogues nearly everysingle toy and related made by Steiff between those years.

Here are some of my favourites.

1, Frog Pincushion - 5cm, velvet on a felt pincushion made between 1903-1914

2. Cat Pincushion- mohair white on a velvet pincushion 17cm made between 1906-1907, 14cm between 1908-1918

3. Deer Pincushion- velvet brown on a velvet pincushion made between 1904-1909

4. Rabbit Pincushion- white painted velvet with basket as pincushion 10cm and 14cm made between 1902-1918.

5. Squirrel Pincushion-10cm - white velvet painted made between 1902-1917.

6.Squirrel Pincushion- cm- velvet painted on a felt leaf

7. ( My favourite) Bear Pincushion- mohair bear in wooden craddle with cotton fabric

made between 1911-1914 ( no size given)

My creative space

This weeks been one of those weeks where I felt a little frustrated with the lack of time I've had for making stuff. My head is bursting at the moment with some many ideas for bears and such, I've also been frustrated with myself because in the moments where I've been able to sit down to start something, I don't know where to start or which one, which sort of explains my haphazard makings this week. This is one of those weeks where I seriously wish I had two brains and another set of hands. I'm lucky I know, but it's driving me a little nuts.

One of the things on my brain at the moment is a new little bear, a bit like Ferdy ( old bear in the pic) and so I've been doing a lot of test dyeing and dyeing this week of mohair to try to get an aged colour or a colour close to him. Going back to the thing of studying on my vintage bears which I've talked about before here, I've found that tea dye or coffee gives a pinky browny colour quite often which isn't always right, there is a level of in built dirt and grub in aged bears, so I like to add a little grey dye to the mix. I love dyeing things and test dyeing and making up concoctions which I've been doing a lot of this week, it sounds silly but it makes me happy. I could dye all day. My current winning combo is a mix of tan and grey dye, with Nescafe and then dyed aged later in vanilla essence. ( gives a bit of a gold hue)

while I've been waiting for that to dry and see my results, I've also started on a new different style mohair bear more japanese I guess ( head in pic not meant to be like Ferdy) who well I'm not sure about- he's sort of reminding me of a foetus at this point..

Also on the go an ami rabbit, and another Wombok

Not to mention thinking about Pincushion for Kate's wonderful swap.

A big thank you for all the advice re feet on chicks last week, and a bit shout out to Beck for her wonderful idea for a little chicken family. If you'd like you can see the finished Brood here.

A big thanks also to Kirsty for hosting each week, to see more creative stuff pop over here.

On Sunday

On Sunday I did a bit of exhibition seeing. First up was the Ron Mueck, which I really enjoyed- I was particularly taken with the smaller works, and then the Mary and Max show at ACMI, which I totally loved. I loved the film so much, and I was blown away but the detail, passion and workship in the pieces- ( I could say the same with the Ron Mueck.

Image from here

Last on my last was the Toy Box at the Old Treasury, on it's last day- both of the exhibition and the City Museum. The Toy Box was exhibiting vintage, old and antique toys all made in Melbourne in the first part of the last century . This was such a beautiful exihibtion, featuing amoung many wonderful toys , with a majority of tin toys- ranging from the much gorgeous collection of pedal cars and trikes ( some favourite were the Tricyle shaped like a plane, a tow truck and a ute with a crane on the back) to a toy sized Hills Hoist, a funny squishy bear and a beautiful old chemistry set to name a few. ( sorry about the lack of photos after snapping these two I was told it wasn't allowed.) the toys had a beautiful amount of wear and were a testament to how beautifully things were made in the old days. I think it's sad that in the age of mass production, these Melbourne toys company had to close.

It was funny in a way all the shows I saw were quite objecty- each a work of art and skill, each so different but all equally beautiful.

Enter the Momma

Firstly I want to say a big THANK YOU to lovely Beck for the idea behind this, it was really her idea, to make a momma, a nest, and a mixture of legless chickies and legged ones. ( legged ones out of the nest, leggless inside nest.) I just made it and hope I've done justice to her fabulous suggestion. And also wanted thank you all of you who gave me your opinions on the matter of chickie legs. ( I still couldn't decide and like both legs and none, so have opped to do both) Momma was a bit more tricky to work out the pattern for than the chickies, and

Anyway here it is Momma, nest and all, in all their chooky/chickieness. I'm a little chicked out at present and feel in desperate need of some bear making.

Hope your having a great weekend.

Making my day

I don't mean to brag, or be vain or something, but the LOVELIEST thing just happened to me. And I wanted to share. A guy who bought Ned ( one of my bears on Etsy) just sent me a picture and gave me a little update.

this is pure gold. I'm very lucky, I get messages like this. God I love making bears!!

Hey Jess, just thought I'd send you this pic of our little boy with Ned. Ned gets taken in the car every morning on our way to daycare, sometimes buckled up, sometimes just hugged for safety. He patiently waits in the car until it's time to pick out little boy up from daycare and then he gets hugged all the way back to the lounge room. His is a simple life but I don't think he could be happier.

Ned is doing what he's meant to.

My creative space

THanks so much for taking and interest in my ageing process last week, I really thought I was going on too much about it, so I was nicely surprised! It's a process I enjoy so much, well you know I love making bears full stop, and it's so nice to be amoung people who find my natterings interesting, because for so many years I've been around people who take no interest or think I'm a) weird, or b) need to grow up. Here is the finished bear, for those of you who haven't seen him.

Since getting back from Daylesford, it's all been about starting on a little Easter collection I'm planning.

SO far we have chick one- now with legs ( what do you think ? I still can't decide) Biscuit the bunny and Chick two - going through the same feet dramas again. It's not like me to be so indecisive, usually I'm so sure and it's driving me nuts!!! One thing is certain I seem to be destined to make chickies that don't have wings, I try but the wings just don't look any good.

For more creative spaces visit Kirsty . thanks so much Kirst, for being our host each week.

EDIT: Does anyone know where I can get better pipecleaners than Spotlight, that's not Etsy like locally in Melbourne, Spotty's colour range leaves a lot to be desired. This was the best colour going. Also any preference on chick design?, Chick 1 and Chick 2 are slightly different patterns. I think them both, but am a little more smitten with chick 2. SOrry to be an obsessive indecisive nut this week.

More chickens and cute boy

It's all about chickens over here at the moment. thank you all your help re chick and the leg issue.

I'm going to Spotty tomorrow and will get some pipe cleaners and or wire so I may need your help again ( sorry)

And I'm currently working on another chick pattern, a bit more shaped because well I don't know, perhaps because Easters coming up, and chick #1 has left me wanting for another type of chick.

And I went to a Beginners Guide to Chooks tonight, ( which was ace) and it seems that perhaps I could have chooks (!!!!!) that i may have room enough for happy healthy free chooks.

But before you go thinking I'm turning into some sort of weird Chicken Fetisher, all I can say is there was a cute boy there tonight, which was a little exciting. Not in the hunky muscley way, but in the quirky, skinny, shaggy and sweet way I like 'em. And out here in the single girls world such excitements are few and far between. I tell you what girls it's a desert out here, most of time the good ones are already taken or gay or something. And I think there was a little "something", but who knows he could have a girlfriend, but it's nice once and a while to feel even the potential.

Oi Chicky Babe!

do you think he needs legs?

thrifty finds

Cute old bear brand tin and primitive wooden car - perfect for Posswonk indulging his little race car driver dreams.

Some sweet old tiny cups and saucers, just the right size for two ami pals.

capsicum and lone eggpant salt and pepper shakers ( I gave the capsicums to my mum, she loves them, for her green kitchen and I was so sick of their pathetic excuse for a salt server)

All from my trip to Daylesford

For more treasures pop over to Sophie's, for this weeks dose of flea market finds.

Two things to get excited about

Broken Bells, a new project for James Mercer ( the Shins) and Danger Mouse.

She and Him ,Volume Two.

Daylesford

I just got back from the lovilest weekend at Daylesford. I have been wanting to go for such a long time, and it was a even nicer time that I anticipated. It is so nice to get away to the country and Daylesford has such a lovely pace and spirit so different from the city.
Firstly I should say we are not the most organized crew, or I am not. I went up with mum and dad (thank you Driver), and although we had all been wanting to go for a long time, we only decided about 2 weeks ago on what weekend, which we didn't realise at the time coincided with Chill Out Festival, one of the biggest weekends in Daylesford. We were lucky to nab a cottage in Hepburn springs just up the road.
I didn't go to much of the Festival, but as far as big Festivals go, it had a lovely feeling about it. And it is celebrating something so wonderful and so important.

First on our list was a visist to the Farmers Market, where I pined over ducks and chickens ( almost took a few home) bought delicious Red Beard Bakery breads, blueberries and blueberry jam from Glenlyon Nutty Fruit Farms and the sweetest crunchiest heirloom varieties of cucumbers and zucchinis from Puddle Creek farms amoung many other yummy thing.
Next up was a delightful meeting with Steph and Beck, whose blogs I love, in a sweet little cafe Cliffys. I had such a lovely time, it was so great to meet them in person, and they were even more special too. It's an amazing thing the whole blogging friend thing, I have never met either of them before but it was like I already knew them.
After I left them, I explored Daylesford a bit more and did a spot of vintage shopping at a new favourite shop Daylesford Bazaar, which packed with goodies and where I picked up a few treasures . ( will post them tomorrow as already posted heaps)
The rain/strom rudely interupted my thrifting plans, so it was back to our cottage for shelter and bit of lunch.

When the rain cleared I set off again grabbed a few more bits at a cute shop Kazoo including some salt and pepper shakers, before meeting up with Steph again watching my first ever Roller Derby. It was heaps of fun and there was both a great crowd and atmosphere. Steph did a great job organizing it.
Then it was back home to cook a yummy dinner with our buyings from the Market.

One of the big priorities for the weekend was a visit to the Farm Stall the next morning. Unfortunately because of a family do, our visit to Daylesford cut short our Sunday and we popped into the Farm stall on the way home. Driving up the drive I saw some of their beautiful farm, chooks hard at work. We met Bren whose a bit of a spunk, and almost cleaned out the shop, stocking up on their raved about eggs, amazing looking carrots, jams and jellies and freshly picked peas. I felt a little embarassed about whipping out my camera and photographing the stall, so I apologize for the lack of photos.

Unfortunately I missed Kate, who i also been really wanting to meet too, but other than that I had the most delightful weekend. I really feel in love with Daylesford, and am keen to return.