Etsy stocked!

I've just loaded some winter lovelies to my Etsy shop. Some fun and original kids clothes to keep your little ones warm with the cooler weather that's headed our way. I kinda like having my kids in upcycled clothes. There's a lot to be said for preloved and repurposed clothes keeping them warm as they play outside. But that's just me :)

Vintage pink

I made this cute summer top for Miss 2. It's a Breezy bamboo/cotton knit bodice (pattern by Shannon) and an upcycled cotton skirt. I really surprised myself with this. Firstly, by making my daughter something pink, then secondly by actually liking said pink item! It's very sweet and perfect for our hot Brisbane summers.

I ordered some Bendigo cotton to make more of these and am hoping it holds its shape better than this Moda Vera bamboo/cotton blend. This is lovely and soft but just doesn't hold its shape at all! If the Bendogo cotton bodice works out then I'll be making some for markets.

Vintage sweetness

Big shout out to the rain for keeping my husband home today so I could finish a few more things for the BrisStyle ECO market :)

I'm working my way through a pile of crafty goodness but realising that I'm just not going to get all that I had hoped to get done, done. I'll just keep working away when I can and build up for the BrisStyle designer market on the 4th December.

These sweet vintage peasant tops are made from upcycled vintage fabrics and one features a recycled doilie and French lace my grandmother gave me. They are so sweet!

Red Hill Fair

The Red Hill Fair is on Saturday 31st July. It looks to be a fun day out, especially for families. There'll be rides, sideshows, food and over 40 craft stalls... including me!

I'm really looking forward to it, especially after the fun of the BrisStyle Indie Eco Market. I had a ball on Saturday, sold out of a few ranges and had loads of lovely visitors. I probably won't have space for kids clothes at this market, but I will have nested ducks, hanging doves and chicken cushions with me, and whatever else I can squeeze onto my table.

Oh that reminds me, I didn't get time to share the doves and chickens with you before the market, so here they are;

Hanging doves

Chicken cushions...

... and their patchwork backs.

All the birds are made out of recycled fabrics. The hanging doves were uber retro, made out of op-shopped fabric I had been hoarding since I was a teenager! The chickens had more of a vintage feel, some featured doilies as wings, others had pocket wings with lace trim and others just had big, funky, oversized pocket wings.

So, a heap of handmade birds and other upcycled crafty goodness, and myself, will be at Red Hill Fair on Saturday 31st July, maybe we'll see you there :)

Weekend creations

I'm realising that I'm not going to have all I had hoped to have made in time for Saturday thanks to a sick babe. But, that's ok. I'm still really happy with what I have and think it will be an awesome market, what's not to love about an eco-friendly market loaded with upcycled and recycled handmade goodies?

So these are the items I finished over the weekend; 2 hanging bird mobiles and some crochet brooches. The dove mobiles are made from recycled fabrics and old embroidery hoops I picked up in an op-shop, only their stuffing is new. They're contrasting spots and stripes.

I made some crochet brooches out of left over hand dyed wool I had. My children were cloth nappied, and I dyed and knit their wool nappy covers and have these scraps of gorgeous dyed wool left over, I'm glad to be able to use them. I made several before Christmas for a twilight market and enjoyed making them again. They're so bright and cheerful!

Upcycled boys tunics

Finally, something for the boys! These long sleeve tunics are made entirely from upcycled fabrics and come in sizes 1-5. They're headed to the BrisStyle Indie ECO Market with me and are perfect over a short or long sleeve t-shirt on a warm winter day, or over a t-shirt in spring. They could even be worn to the park or beach as sun protection in summer.

I made these with boys in mind, but as my husband pointed out, my version of boys clothing isn't your stereotypical boys stuff, so quite a few of them are unisex. I don't see why boys clothing is always so limited. What's with boys only ever having cars, trucks, trains or planes to choose from? Or blue? My son isn't interested in any of that. Give him animals and rainbows anyday. I also get really frustrated to go to markets to find a huge range of handmade clothes for girls, and just about nothing for boys, so I'm happy to stock boys clothes, that aren't just a pair of funky pants. I'll be doing short sleeve versions of these when it warms up.

So, in addition to the upcycled vintage girls clothing I make, I'll also have a selection of environmentally aware boys clothing to choose from on July 10. Oh and a range of other recycled and repurposed kids things such as nested duck toys, bird mobiles, crayon rolls, art totes and hairclips.

If you want to see individual photos of any of the images I've got in these collages, have a look at my Facebook page. Oh, and if you haven't already read it, have a read of my little blurb on the BrisStyle blog :)

Hairclips, ducks and on not being quick enough!

Just a quick snap of some hairclips I've just finished, alongside the mama ducks I made a few weeks ago. It's all starting to come together, I'm really looking forward to the BrisStyle Indie ECO market. I love the idea of a market that is environmentally responsible, I just love it! The actual clip of the hairclip is brand new, but the fabric and buttons are a mix of new and recycled materials. Be sure to check out the BrisStyle blog to read interviews with other marketeers and see what gorgeous goodies they have in store for market day.

Oh, and just a few more snaps to show you what happens round these parts when I'm not quick enough with the camera!

Vintage peasant tops

I've been sewing, sewing, sewing for the next market, and this weekend finished a collection of upcycled, long sleeve vintage peasant tops. They're almost 100% recycled- only the thread and elastic is new! These are definitely one of a kind, and what's not to love about clothing that is unique, but also gentle on the earth? These are light long sleeve tops, perfect for warmer winter days and over t shirts in spring.

These tops plus many other upcycled, recycled and repurposed items of kids clothing and accessories will be heading to the BrisStyle Indie ECO market with me on July 10!

Mama ducks headed to market

Three mama ducks headed to market next weekend, with their ducklings in their pouch, as my son tells me. I assure him ducks don't carry their young in pouches, but for a kid who has been carried in pouches, slings, wraps and other baby wearing carriers since birth, and has seen his sister carried the same, I guess that's all he knows!

I just have to make sure I keep them away from my daughter, she loves hers to death and clearly has more love to give judging by her excitement at seeing these three finished toys. One lucky duckling spent a good ten minutes being carried to sleep in her arms before I could convince her it probably should go back to it's mother. Then onto the highest shelf in the study.

Three little ducks

Three little ducks went out one day

Over the hill and far away

Mother duck said "Quack quack quack quack"

But only two little ducks came back

Two little ducks went out one day

Over the hill and far away

Mother duck said "Quack quack quack quack"
But only one little duck came back

One little duck went out one day

Over the hill and far away

Mother duck said "Quack quack quack quack"
But none of the three little ducks came back

Sad mother duck went out one day
Over the hill and far away
Sad mother duck said "Quack quack quack quack"
And all of the three little ducks came back.

My daughter loves this song. It's the first song she learnt and she sings it with the actions and everything, it's very cute. So I made her this duck, with an elastic wing pocket so she could store the ducklings with their mama. It's quite handy actually, it stores well so you don't end up with bits everywhere. I'm hoping to make a few for the next market I do.

Vintage tunics

I am so excited to be sharing these with you. I feel like I have been working on these forever! This idea began back in November last year (seen here, modelled by my darling boy- Oh my, I've just seen how much older he looks since then!).

I worked on the pattern for a while, and am now really happy with it. I intended for these to be mainly for boys, but then I couldn't resist a long sleeved top for girls. So, here are the first two vintage tops/tunics, made from recycled fabrics. What do you think?

Vintage girls top with brown check pocket with lace trim. Size 2.

Vintage boys tunic with contrast neckline. Size 3.

Boys tunic being modelled by Mr 3.5 who has already claimed this as his...

Blue birds and red bears

These were so much fun to make, and I absolutely love how they finished up!

Vintage blue birds peasant top, with blue gingham sleeves and front detail, with pink buttons hand sewn on. A size 3.

Vintage red bears peasant top with little bears playing with boats, and buckets and spades with scattered stars, and two big red pockets with vintage blue buttons. A size 5.

Funky vintage flares

The vintage flares are done, and they are uber cool! One pair have already been rehomed, but I didn't manage to get a photo before they found their way to a friends darling daughter, but they were pretty funky. Check them out!

Size 5; recycled curtains:

Size 4; recycled tablecloth:

Size 3; recycled vintage sheeting:

Size 2; recycled vintage sheeting:

Size 2; recycled vintage sheeting:

I learned some lessons in the month or so it took me to get these done. I don't like production lines. I don't like making a bunch of the same things at once. I much prefer making items one at a time, creating as I go and enjoying it. I like the freedom of making several different things in one week, and making each one unique. I don't like custom orders! They're too stressful!

I love using reclaimed and recycled materials. I really love this. I have so much more joy out of creating something out of an old bed sheet, or tablecloth or curtain, than out of some gorgeous brand new designer cotton. I also feel more environmentally responsible when doing this, and this is important to me.