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Ohmigosh!! I must have this! I'm getting all dizzy!

oooooh!

The Crumpler Bags

The Crumpler Bags, originally uploaded by Kieron.

I'm completely obsessed with Crumpler Bags at the moment. I decided I needed a satchel bag for my trip to Japan. I asked a friend where she got hers, and she recommended this brand. I spent ages surfing their site - aside from the fact there are so many to choose from, the site is really fun to play around with.

And now I understand what the little symbol is I've been seeing on bags everywhere throughout the city. It's a brand, it's a cult and it's a Melbourne design success story!

I must have one! If I had a money tree, I'd buy 20 for all my knitting projects! In reality, it will be really handy for trips to the zoo, and the park and anywhere I'm going to be walking around a lot, basically. I'd like to do a lot more of that when the weather gets warmer.

I want Crumpler!

Dreaming

This morning I was so inspired by the pale sunshine on the trees as I was walking to work that I wrote a haiku. My first one in about 4 years. I want to write more as I find it a very relaxing and spiritual experience.

Then when I was (illicitly) browsing Etsy a little while later, I came across this Mini Book of Haiku. This got me all fired up for bookbinding as well as haiku! The method of folding the binding papers and enclosing the printed pages within them is absolutely gorgeous. How special the poems must be to be enfolded within such beautiful patterned Japanese paper.

Then I saw that the same seller is offering kits on making your own! Well, that was just too much for me. I haven't clicked the "Add To Cart' button - yet - but my head is swimming with beautiful papers and smooth waxed twine and ribbon and words.

And I have 5 hours to go until I finish work! *sighs*

You Might Be A Monster

You Might Be A Monster & Other Stories I Made Up, originally uploaded by Yumfactory.

I am really, seriously hanging out for the weekend. First, I'm gonna sleep in. I've been sleeping pretty badly all week. I've been too pooped to do any craft. I keep having nightmares about human rights abuses in China, people being accidentally but violently blinded (by their own babies), and being chased by a Russian mafia car dealing ring and having to hide naked in a shower with some people I barely know. Don't ask. Perhaps I should channel all of this into some really cathartic art. I've been enjoying working with the acrylics lately.

Which reminds me, I haven't yet told you-all about the amazing haul I got from Art 'n' Craft Riot a few weeks ago. I've been so busy I haven't even had time to look in the bag.
So the next thing I'm going to do (after I sleep in) is look in the bag and take some photos and do some exciting crafty things with my stash. Then I'll finish my Craft Zine. That might take me all weekend, actually!

I really want to make the badge/brooch display/wallhanging thingy that I designed a while back. I have so many now that I'd like to collect them and put them somewhere I can see them. I had thought about knitting it, but I think I might make it from fabric, because A: it will be quicker and B: I need a reason to set up my sewing machine! So maybe I will do that this weekend too.

Sorry this post has been a bit depressing, but I'm not very good at not being too hard on myself when I'm too tired or sick to do anything. Er, if that made sense...

I'll leave you on a more positive note:
The Softies for Mirabel auction is going off! The first round made over $300, and there are still at least 10 rounds to go. There's still time to submit a softie as well. I've got my eye on the ultra-cute owl in the current round! Wooo!

Oh dear....

.... Lincraft are having a huge sale on fabric and yarn....and Boy is working all day tomorrow so there's no-one to stop me!

*wheezes*

I do have my gift vouchers that I got for my birthday still though. And I still have time to dust off my sewing machine and make some Softies for Mirabel.

That's my excuse and I'm sticking to it!

Mosaic Monday - Retro Crafts

I've just finished reading Retro Crafts by Suzie Millions. I heard about it from one of the blogs I read. (There's about 145 on my list currently and I can't remember which one, sorry!) I am completely and utterly in love with this book!

If you're into retro, kitsch, craft, recycling, glitter, powertools, hardware store strength glue, and/or complete craziness, order this book now! I have an burning desire to make just about everything in it RIGHT NOW. I want to spend all my money on glitter and epoxy and vintage plastic flowers. NOW! *wheezes*

More sensibly, I would like to make a few things from it, over time. I'm also listening to old episodes of CraftyPod again, to try and get over my depression caused by there not being any new ones for the foreseeable future, and I'd like to actually get down and make some of the featured projects instead of just listening and imagining. I think at the moment I'm starting to focus more on things I want to make, no matter how awful and kitschy, not just what might sell in the shop. I'm a bit over my shop right now. Things are slowing down again, and my yarn things aren't selling at all, just my zines. Which is OK, I suppose!

Last weekend, I decorated the picture frames I bought on Thrifty Thursday. I got busy with the Crackly Medium - gosh, I love that stuff! I just need to varnish them and they'll be all done. Also, I'm making some pencil cups out of tin cans. I painted them, and then I'm going to varnish them and stick felt shapes to them. I was inspired by Craftypod #4: All About Felt. Pictures when I have something more interesting to show than paint spatters!

I also started a new Kokeshi doll. This little girl is blue, and I've finished her head already. Judging by the size of her head though, she won't be a little girl compared to my previous efforts! I want to try going for a sky/cloud theme with the embellishment this time. Headshots later.

I'm off to go swimming now. Love youse all!


[Later:] I sold 5 zines while I was writing this post! Shut my mouth!

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Photo Credits:
1. Vintage Ad, Retro craft ad, 2. Crafting 365, day 173 - pink teacups, 3. Better Homes and Gardens Easy Bazaar Crafts, 4. Paper Arts & Crafts: murals, 5. tv retro horror, 6. vintage, retro, items,, 7. institches, 8. Retro Food Clock, 9. Retro lion