New Soft Toys

These little balls of fun are on their way to Kido Store in Sydney, I had a ball (hehe no pun intended) making them. Hope you like them too! A X

blur....where does time go!

My goodness what a blur this last month has been....I have been snowed under with the cacti craze, it's so exciting how things have been moving along. The website is nearing completion, the window at Craft Vic was a huge success and I have meet some lovely new retailers who will be stocking my Odds&ends soon.

I was so excited to see my knitted cacti in the Real Living magazine May issue.....right on the "Contents" page and also in a beautiful interiors shoot. I have to say a big thank you to the magazine and to Kido for sharing the product with everyone.

  

Studio Visit and Interview - CLOG, Craft Victoria

My little interview with the lovely Kim from Craft Vic went live today....I wish the studio looked this tidy all the time :)  It was really nice to document the making of the 'Yarnscape' exhibition. 

You can read the full article here.

I hope you enjoy this little insight into my working space.

The signature 'Arizona' Knitted Cacti

I found these awesome 'make it your self' collection of craft books for $5 at an op shop.

Just a small portion of my vintage sewing patterns

New Site coming soon....cross my heart!

I have been promising a new Odds&endS website of many months...and slowly the content has been coming together, It is a much bigger project than I initially thought, but I know by taking our time there will be less to changes to be made in the future. Recently we had a great photo shoot at the beautiful home of my best friend Mel. As an interior stylist, she has the most amazing decorative objects. I love her style and elegance, plus shes the best friend ever! Thanks Mel, you and your home rocks :)

enCounter @ Craft Victoria: Yarnscape

 I am sitting down to a nice hot cup of tea....freshly poured from my loved Lotte pot. Relaxing, having just installed my window exhibit at Craft Victoria. I am so pleased with the result. After 3 months of preparation it's so nice to see how it has all come together. I could not have managed it without the helping hands of Milly and Eric from Craft Vic....negotiating the 3m high install was an experience.

Quiet woolen stones also decorate the window.

The show titled Yarnscape can be viewed 24/7 at Craft Victoria, 31 Flinders Lane, Melbourne.

If you happen to fall in love with any of the cacti displayed, yes! they are for sale... The lovely girls in store can help you if your interested. I had such luck sourcing some really beautiful vintage pots, they are in mint condition, with such striking colours....particularly the West German retro orange lava glaze.

Please pop by and take a look! and let me know what you think :)

A X 

To me you are.....

Yarnscaping

I am in the midst of a cacti frenzy....quick run before I grab hold of you and turn that green sweater your wearing into a spiky succulent!! It's all for good reason, as I approach my enCounter window exhibition at Craft Victoria next week. I won't share too many secrets but there will be some lovely new vintage potted designs and some extra special large beauties....which I am very excited about. Here are some of my favorite cacti inspired images to get you in the mood.

Vintage Post Cards

Yummm, Cacti Cupcakes :)

CBY Furniture

Odds&endS has been keeping me so busy of late, I have managed to completely destroy my studio. I am dreaming of this wonderful sideboard and desk set by CBY furniture to transform my messy workspace from scary to fabulously splendid.

Fortune Cookie Purse

Love these fortune cookie purses......I predict 'your wallet will be filled with coins'. 

From Diana Eng, found via Sodapop blog.

DIY - Urchin Pouf

I have been loving these knitted poufs for ages....my mother in law put me on to these awesome DIY instructions.....It looks super easy but potentially very tricky knitting with such jumbo sized needles and multiple lengths of yarn.  If your not keen on some heavy duty crafting, check out these ready made versions by Christien Meindertsma or locally at Country Road.

What you will need:
Eskimo, 18 balls (Or yarn suitable for US #13 needles)
Acrylic yarn would probably be a really good alternative, as it´s a piece of furniture
US #19 circular needles

2 cheap duves (feather and down)

How to do it:
Cast on 35 stitches using three threads. Knit the garter stitch until you´ve knitted all the balls, and there is just enough yarn left to assemble the stool. You now have ONE rectangular piece. Cast off loosely.

Assemble the short sides (35 stitch side) as neatly as you can.

Assemble the first long side. This is supposed to be the top or the bottom of the stool. Put the needle through the end stitch of every second row and tighten, tighten, tighten! Repeat on the rows in between and tighten until there is no hole in the middle.

Stuff the duves into the stool. We tried to make a ball of the duves before we stuffed it.

Assemble the other end in the same manner as the first.

Little shapes of love

Hearts = happiness!

Peanut Butter Pretzel Bites

I have not blogged about food before, what better way to start with these irresistibly delicious looking Peanut Butter Pretzel Bites.  I want to make them and eat them in one sitting! 

Make it on a Monday.

Some extra cool DIY projects that I hope to get around to ....one day. 

HEX NUT braided bracelet, look out bunnings here we come. 

Hand knitted from old bed sheets, so cool, and FREE pattern available here. 

 

Balenciaga you make my heart sing, and my feet want to dance
Images from here

Umm Nice!

I fell in love with these triangle beauties as I was doing some blog rolling. The rug raced to the top of my wish list for items I want to furnish our new home with. 1. Ikea Stockholm Rug in Brown, 2. Triangle Tote, Etsy, 3. Vintage Triangle necklace.

The second cheekiest little monkey I have ever seen. Image found via here