My Creative Space - not too much creating here folks

It's a relatively quiet time of year - have I said that before.
And I guess I am resting on my laurels a bit, or at least getting through some of the things already made.

But today I made some Czech glass drop earrings for an etsy order - it's nice to get the pliers in hand again.

And something I prepared earlier -

Which just needed finishing.
Aka, they needed the earwires attached - no biggie.

designed by Alice Kharon from Bead and Button magazine

design by Sue Charette_Hood in Beadwork magazine

design by Maggie Meister in Beadwork magazine

There is another WIP.
It's a bracelet designed Smadar Grossman in Beadwork magazine.

I didn't have quite the right beads but I made do.
It's coming along nicely.
I'm nearly up to the clasp stage, so I have to decide how I'm going to do that part.

Watch this space!

How has your creative (or not) been?

Out and About - Henri Marc

It is a widely-held view that the western suburbs are a cultural and culinary wasteland.
OK, we do have The Joan*...and when I say "we" I mean "they" as I do not, strictly speaking live in the western suburbs (I am beyond all that), but it is my closest shopping centre and all that stuff.

But The Riff ** has never had a lot going for it......until now!

Henri Marc is in town!

They have the . best . coffee by miles.

It is a bit tricky to find and doesn't really jump out at you.
Can you spot the cafe here?

But once you are inside you know that it is not just your normal-run-of-the-mill place.
It's a bit hipster - yes?

Last time I went I had a muffin that was as good as mine! Home-made and really, you know, muffiny.
Not cakey.

(yeah, it's blurry....no, it's not your eyes.....yes, it's a shocking photo)

 Today I had the french toast with poached peaches and salted caramel.

Oh, my word! It was to DIE for. Seriously.
I would be happy if I had to eat only this for the rest of my life.

I was severely temped by the "caramel on toast".
Also by the "avocado, tomato, ricotta, pesto on sourdough", sounds ordinary.....looks amazing and I bet it tastes amazing too!

So if you are a westie or a bluey*** or you are travelling west anytime between 8am and 3pm Monday to Saturday go check it out.

Don't be put off by this -

Pst, I'll give you a clue it's near the war memorial.

*The Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre.
** The Riff = Penrith to locals
***From the Blue Mountains

Whoops! Look at these hoops!

What is it about those little circles of wood?

They are a bit popular now as home decor, not just to hold your fabric taut while you embroider.
And there are lots of great ideas around.

You can leave the embroidery in the hoop for starters.

embroidery hoop embroidery

Or you can do a simple applique.

You could be a bit more fancy and do some machine embroidery with your applique.

by Three Red Apples

Or for something really simple - wind coloured twine or yarn on the frames.

from a wedding on Style Me Pretty

I have also seen various ideas using old (or not so old) lace doilies.

from Style Me Pretty

This is really easy-peasy.
Just choose some gorgeous fabrics from your stash and let them tell the whole story.

From the Purl Bee

You could even use them as a notice board.

tutorial by carousella

Or an earring holder! ('cus I always love earring displays)

idea by Sweet Dreams Always

And now for something completely different!
A photo display.
You can find this tutorial here.

by Natalme

And a few other pieces that I love -

by rachelandgeorge on etsy

by Stephanie k Clark

by MarysGranddaughter on etsy

by SallySewsStitches on etsy

This week I loved.....

Going to the movies at our little local independent cinema.

Going for a bushwalk to a spectacular lookout, even though it was very hot!

A lovely morning walk to meet friends for coffee.

Getting a beading magazine in the mail.

More movies! A whole week's supply for $5!

A walk among the big bluegums.

Movies again! Spoiled rotten at Gold Class.

Yay! That was at least 7 things I loved this week.
How about you? How was your week?

How to - make a playing card notebook, cover picture frames, decorate cups, cover lampshades and make a tshirt bag.

I love it when you can re-use or re-purpose something.
I hate throwing stuff away!
At the moment I'm doing a bit of de-cluttering and de-stashing, but maybe I could do some re-purposing instead!

I could make some notebooks with the pile of paper I'm trying to free myself of plus some unused playing cards.

by handmedowndesigns

I could also use some of the wrapping/decoupage parers/old maps etc etc to wrap some picture frames like these -

by AlissaBYoung

I'm loving these spectacular decorated cups.
I found them on pinterest.

found on The Berry blog

What you do is draw on a white china cup then put in the oven and heat to 180 degrees celsius for 30 mins. That should be long enough to heat set the ink so that it doesn't wash off.
I have got a whole swag of coloured Sharpies - could be fun!
Maybe I should start with a simpler design though....


This is really novel!
Cover a plain white lampshade with old (or not so old) tights/pantyhose!

found at vintage revival

And while on the subject of re-purposed clothing - here is a great use for old tshirts!

from Bluebird Sews

Make some shopping bags.
It's a really simple idea and there are many tutes on this but this one by Bluebird Sews had nice photos!
I also saw some that had a rounded neck bit - the choice is yours.

Have a great crafty week : )

Today I'm loving....

How was your week?
Did you find some things to love?

mr planet's homemade pizza

the maltovine home guide from 1930

...I invited them to dinner and then they cooked!

dinner on a fast day

beautiful mountains summer day

unexpected really good coffee and muffin

alfresco dinner with a view

Ah, there seem to be a few too many food and drink pics creeping in!

Must try harder next week.

I also did not love -

bye bye books

Book sorting and de-cluttering!
It was very traumatic.

Have a great week and see you next Sunday.