The Little Market at Avid Reader

I have been meaning to get to this craft market for ages and ages (years actually) but always seem to miss it. I live in West End and love The Avid Reader bookstore - it's an independant venture started by a couple of locals a long time ago - in that time it has moved location once and has opened a cafe in the back - it's always had the same, great inviting atmosphere that a lovely bookshop should...it's also open late (I love a bookshop browse at night).

Anyhoo - The Lovely Thing Makers are a local loose collective who hold a little craft market in the back courtyard of Avid Reader on the last Friday of each month (5.30 - 8pm) - so THIS FRIDAY (note to self) - I'm meeting my blog friend Ellie (from Red Seed Studio) there. I can't wait!

Melbourne-bound

I have a few days up my puff sleeve (and some frequent flyer points) so I'm heading off to Melbourne for a few days to catch up with friends, family and hopefully have a peek at a couple of craft stores, markets etc that are down there...not sure how many I'll get to as my friends may feel a little used (I'll promise to make it up to them in the form of craft goodies) - but I'll do my best to at least visit Meet Me at Mikes, in.cube8or Gallery and Lamington Drive plus maybe a couple of markets...any last minute suggestions are welcome!

The Craft Laboratory

I have been thinking for quite a while that the Brisbane craft scene is missing something. While I was in Philadelphia (USA) I was lucky enough to happen across a wonderful material shop called Spool (see Craft Crush 1). Spool sells vibrant, contemporary quilting fabrics and has a small workshop space at the back that had 8 basic sewing machines and a large cutting table. I attended a few sewing classes and also spent time in the 'open sewing' sessions where you can use the machines, tables, rotary cutters etc for a cost per hour. I have never felt happier. Spool was welcoming, warm and changed my life. I realised this is what I wanted for my lovely Brisvegas, a place for like-minded people to come and create, be inspired, be inspiring and basically somewhere we can all hang out and talk about our crafting passions.

My aim is to gather information for this dream and I want to document it here so people can contribute their thoughts, ideas or even go into partnership! I'm personally not interested in making a fortune, I just want to feel happy and fulfilled in life and change the crafting landscape of where I call home. In Melbourne there are several places that fit this description, although all operate quite differently with different focuses. Hopefully they'll be interested in participating in a mini interview series so that we can get a brief insight into the inspiration behind how these wonderful places started.

Anyhoo - for now I have a picture of a shop space for lease that I wanted to share with you. I pass by this everyday and it always makes me smile and daydream about my Craft Laboratory one day being a living, breathing entity.

Gertrude and Gilbert

I was looking around the living room of my very small flat thinking...I have a massive stash of craft stuff and a book of written ideas and concepts - time to get busy! To make myself finish projects I'm listing them as 'Aims' and hopefully they'll end up under the 'Results' section on my sidebar.

It seems people are getting pregnant left, right and centre so it's time aunt Danielle thought about making some very cute toys! I bought an adorable giraffe pattern by Audrey and Maude while at last week's craft show, so my first 'Aim' is to get better acquainted with Contessa (my Mum's circa 1970's sewing machine) and make some of these softies.

These sweet giraffes remind me of the Eiffel Tower with the way their legs are positioned. The spotty cotton fabric (it looks similar to Disco Dot by Michael Miller) was sourced from my wonderful OpShop - someone sewed a size 18 top and I'm pretty certain it has never been worn....it cost $1 and there is heaps of usable fabric. Yes Mum, I've washed it - twice! The gorgeous 100% wool felt was also purchased at the craft show and is from Winterwood Toys in Victoria. According to the pattern (which looks freehand drawn - love it!), I need some light fusable wadding to iron onto the fabric to give it a smoother look and for ease of sewing. I also think I will hand stitch eyes rather than use buttons (that's just asking for trouble). My plan is to have something to show you by next week...wish me luck!

Contessa-tastic

Mum dropped off her beloved, and slightly neglected, sewing machine this morning. It's a brilliantly named Contessa 120 - distributed by Elna. I've had a love-hate relationship with this machine over the years...I want to love it, it's just that it hates me back - why Contessa, why?

So, as I'm in my own apartment now, I'm hoping this will fool Contessa into thinking I am not me, and it will have great tension and not eat material. I like the weight of it and the thought of getting use out of a machine that's been banished to the back of the cupboard is good for the soul...

Question: What sewing machine do you use? If it's 'vintage' do you have any tips?