Rainbow is my favourite colour

What is your favourite colour?  For most of my life, I could always answer this questions, easily.  But not anymore.  I love colour.  I love sewing with colour.  I love painting with colour.  I love all colours. It is safe to say, that rainbow is my favourite colour now. 

Last year, this idea came to me.  It took months to finally make them, with Christmas and a house move keeping me busy.

But here they are, my first zippered bag range, featuring my own screen printing.  8 different coloured zippered bags, representing the colours of the rainbow.  These ones have a cotton inner lining, next time I'll make some with waterproof fabric.

Which one is your favourite?

They are now in my etsy shop.

Have a colourful day.

Off to Market

Hello!

I have my first ever Australian market stall tomorrow (I held many when we lived in Hong Kong).

Come on down and say hi, start your Christmas shopping.  Finish you Christmas shopping (I wish!).  Have a yummy Devonshire tea (the scones are seriously AMAZING).

Have a great weekend.

Cat

Miniature hexie flowers

Hello lovelies,

Lately, I have been hand sewing these sweet miniature hexie flowers.  They can be worn as a hair clip, a brooch or as a necklace.  I wear one in my hair often.

They are therapeutic to make, slowly stitching them together, there is no hurry.  It is lovely to have a little slow in my day, in contrast to all the busy of modern life.

They have been made with vintage fabric scraps I received from Mia of The Raisin Did it. Mia's creations are stunning, We own quite a few items of her clothing (I have a collage top and a few dresses) plus a few kids t-shirts.

They are now available in my etsy shop.

Have a great week.

Cat

Sewing is my therapy.

Last week I posted a little parcel of handmade goodies to Deb.   You could call it a random act of kindness.  I wanted to make her something, to say thank you for being herself.  To me, she is so inspiring.  I love reading her blog and following her on Instagram.  She makes beautiful quilts.  She works hard at studying at University and raising her kids.  I really love her honesty on her blog and on Instagram.  She is not afraid to talk about difficult things like her feelings. I wish I could be so honest.

I included a letter with the handmade goodies.  I only meant to say a few words, to thank her for being so inspiring and honest. In the end, it was a few pages long, confessing how 2014 had been the worst year of my life and the reasons why.  I talked here about my grief at losing both my Nana and then my Grandma last year.  There were other things that made 2014 an awful year.  I am not ready to talk about them here.  Maybe one day I will be ready.

Once I had posted the parcel to Deb, I worried that I'd dumped all my pain on her. She has experienced her own share of pain and grief, she is open and honest about it on her blog and on Instagram. I felt relief to have shared all this in my letter but part of me felt guilty for burdening Deb.

I did not and could not know how she would receive my letter. It was a complete surprise to me that my letter did not burden her but uplifted her.  (She wrote about it here on her blog). I could then see clearly, by sharing my pain and grief with her, I was acknowledging her own pain and grief.  We all feel better when we talk about these things, it is part of the healing process.  It is not healthy to anyone to bottle up their emotions.

Deb has helped to heal me. I feel stronger. I feel supported.  Deb is my friend (even if we have never met).  I loved making all these goodies for her.

Sewing is my therapy. What is yours?

The beautiful simplicity of natural jute rope bowls

 

 Hello,

Earlier this year on one of my trips to Sham Shu Po, I chanced upon a new-to-me shop selling ropes and natural trims.  I bought some gorgeous jute/cotton blend rope and proceeded to become obsessed with it.  Within days, I needed more as I'd sewn it all into bowls.

The colour and texture of it are so beautiful, so simple.

I have now been sewing the jute into nesting bowls.

They are now in my etsy shop with a blue bowl feature. You can find them here.

 

Have a lovely week.

Cat.

Do you want to wear a rainbow?

Hello,

Would you like to wear a rainbow? Well, now you can.  I have been wearing a rainbow for a few years now with my handmade rainbow wooden beaded necklaces.

Now in my etsy shop you can choose which rainbow style you would like to wear.  Choose one of the nine different styles I have designed or choose your own rainbow necklace.  You choose your own rainbow adventure (just like the "Choose your own Adventure" books I read as a child).

 

All beads are wooden and hand painted by me.  They are finished with a gloss varnish (all non-toxic, of course).

You can find them here in my etsy shop.

Have a great day, may it be filled with rainbows (and raspberries).

Cat xox

A purple quilt for my big girl.

Hello peeps,

Way back in August of 2013, I began planning (on paper) a quilt for my big girl.  At the time she was 7 years old.  I had been collecting different red fabrics for her, as she loved red back then, but she decided her new favourite colour was purple.

She chose the snowball (octagon) quilt block and I was very lucky to find a few metres of the turquoise dotty fabric in my stash, it matched the purples I began collecting beautifully.

Over many months I cut fabrics and slowly sewed the blocks.

I finally sewed the blocks together in May of this year (2015).  My big girl was thrilled.  I was relieved it was finally (almost) finished.  There are no long arm quilters here in Hong Kong, I arranged for this to be quilted in Melbourne on our next trip (in July/August of 2015).  It was quilted by Anita of Hillside Quilting.  My big girl chose the quilting pattern and the binding too.

I wish I could say why it took so long to finish.  I will admit I get easily distracted and start other projects.

It is finally finished.  That is all that matters to my big girl.

The backing fabric my big girl chose, it is called Unicorn Fable in Balsamtree.  It is from Art Gallery Fabric, designed by Sara Lawson.  The range is called Fantasia.

Her new quilt is on her bed, she can snuggle up to her very own quilt, made with love, just for her.

Have a lovely week.

Cat xox.

A quilt for Poppy

Hello peeps,

It is about time I share with you two quilts I made last year.  Both were presents for dear friends having babies.  I didn't share many photos on social media when I was making them, I did not want the recipients to know what I was up to.

The first quilt was finished in August for baby Poppy. I wanted to make a quilt that their baby would grow into, that their child would be able cherish for years to come.

 

It had to fit in their modern, bright, inner city apartment.  The gender of the baby was not known before birth.  These friends have their own wonderful style and flair. I wanted to add to this, not clash with it.  

I thought hard and long and believed triangles would suit them and that the Carolyn Friedlander fabric range "Botanics" would be perfect. I added a few coordinating solids also.

This is the 6th quilt I've made. It was my first time sewing triangles.  I quilted it myself in very wonky lines, outlining all the triangles.  I love how the back of the quilt looks.

I learnt so much making this quilt.  I learnt to embrace "wonky" even more.  I loved making this quilt. It was made with love for our friends, their friendship means so much to our family.

 

I love the orange binding, I feel it makes the quilt pop.

   

It is quite big for a baby quilt, Poppy will grow into it. I can't wait for the adventures that Poppy and my girls will have together, in the future.

   

Here is a silly photo with me in it. Hi {waves}

I'll share the other quilt soon. 

Have a great week.  Cat xox

A very loverly quilt

 

 Hello peeps,

Earlier in the year I was asked by the lovely Cat from Wouldn't it be Loverly if I would consider making a custom quilt for her husband's 40th birthday.  I was flattered that she would ask (I've only finished 3 quilts so far), I consider myself a beginner quilter.   But.....I do love a good challenge and I want to improve my piecing and quilting, so I said yes (with much excitement) 

 

 Cat lives in Australia and I live in Hong Kong.  This whole quilt has been designed through the internet, with the help of email, instagram and pinterest (quilt design was inspired by this quilt)

I love the colour palette Cat chose - it is so different to my usual approach of use all the colours, all at once.

How wonderful is the solid navy blue binding?  At first I was unsure of this, but Cat knew what she wanted, and I was quickly converted to see how it works perfectly.

I loved this quilt right from the start, and fell deeper in love with it the more I sewed and the more time I spent with it.

 

It was such a pleasure to make this quilt.  It warms my heart knowing that Cat and her husband and their children will be snuggled under it for years to come.

It washed up beautifully, looking nice and quilty and snuggly (and very, very wonky, but wonky is good)

Yes, it is HUGE.

It is much bigger than my Grandma's quilt.

Thank you Cat, for trusting and believing in me, that I could make the quilt that you wanted.  I loved working with you.

Now, some time soon,  I probably should finish the three other quilts I have started.

Have a great day.

Cat xox

Raspberry Rainbow goes to Market: this Sunday

Hi peeps,

This Sunday 9th February you will find me at the Discovery Bay Plaza Handmade Hong Kong market.

I'll be there from 11am to 6pm with all my hand made goodies.

Raspberry Rainbow will be at table 64B.

Have a great weekend.

Cat.

Handmade Christmas Gift Guide 2013: gifts for teachers, school buddies and work kris kringles.

Hello peeps,


Today is the last installment of our handmade Christmas gift guide for 2013. Cat and I thought we would add this category in at the very end to give you ideas of some handmade and DIY options that are simple, cost effective and meet a variety of personality types.  Here are some ideas to cover teachers, kris kringle work colleague gifts, kindergarten and school friends.

1. Notebooks - surely everyone loves a notebook?  I do!  These are a great gender neutral option made by Trink Arts - $91 HKD available here and another option from Quimmz - $49 HKD available here.

2. Zippered Pouches, handmade by me - $99 HKD - I give these to my girls teachers with their name embroidered on the inside - available via my etsy store here.  See below for details on how to win one of my travel zippered pouches. 

3. Customisable Teacher print from My Sweet Prints $28 AUD - store here.

4.  Pens from Chibi Run - though not strictly handmade, Germaine from Chibi Run has an enormous variety of excellent stationery options in her store here $70 HKD - store here.

5. Wire angel covered in Liberty of London fabric $70 HKD from Jane Planet Joy - this is one very clever lady who I know some of you will already be familiar with via her lovely presence on Instagram. Jane uses divine Liberty of London fabric to cover wire and wooden letters and they make really fabulous gifts...I know because I've gifted several of them and kept a few for me.  This one is available here.

6. Canberra Creatives Creative Case.  This is a monthly craft-in-a-box Project Kit delivered to your door.  The gift can be a monthly one, three monthly, six monthly or for the full twelve months. Prices start at $169 HKD - for full details visit the Canberra Creatives website here. 

7. Reindeer food DIY - these are a great option for kindergarten/school friends.  There are loads of tutorials around and yes, we've all seen it on Pinterest but I like this one by Milk Please Mum here who had her little one write her name on the tags. 

8. Cat's salted caramel popcorn in a jar DIY!  Add the popcorn, sugar, salt, baking soda and some instructions.  Easy peasy!  See the instructions here.  What a fabulous idea.

9. Cloud brooch by Each to Own $141 HKD available here.

10. Bookmarks, these are made by Zippy Zippy - $70 HKD and are available here.

11. Polyhedra Note Cards (set of 10) $187 HKD. These are designed by the very awesome Messagemark and can be found here.

12. DIY polymer clay pinch pot.... I am at risk of being obsessed with polymer clay projects and this is a great, simple project to try via Spoonful here.

GIVEAWAY: I'd love to make one of our lovely blog readers a travel zippered pouch in their choice of fabric. Leave a comment here or on Cat's blog. One person will be chosen at random on Saturday 30 November in the evening (HK time) and I'll post anywhere in the world.

Thank you all so much for your lovely feedback on Facebook and Instagram in particular about our series, we've really enjoyed sharing our finds and love of the homemade and handmade with you.

Much love,

Cat and Cat.

Handmade Christmas Gift Guide 2013: gifts for grandmothers, mums and mother-in-laws.

Hello,

Here on our second last Christmas gift guide, we've put together a few ideas for some of the most important people in our lives - our Mum's, Grandma's and Mother-in-laws.

I miss my mum and Grandma terribly now we live overseas.  I love to buy or make thoughtful gifts for them, I take their gift selection very seriously.

1. Porcelain replica vintage milk bottle : milk colour by Urban Cartel - $283 HKD available via the etsy store here.

2. One of Cat's stitched children's artwork pieces, starting at $290 HKD - her etsy store is here..... also, Cat is giving one of these away..... see below for details!

3. Fabric Greeting Card Set of 4 - Here we go Loopy Lou $140 HKD available via madeit here. I love Melinda's cards, they are all gorgeous. I have been buying and using them for years.  I am gifting some to my Grandma and the Shropshire boy's Grandma this year.

4. Small light & soft Felted scarf in red with purple tones and its matching brooch by SM Boutique - this just looks so divine! $363 HKD - etsy store here.

5. DIY: Make your own sweet DIY votives - a tutorial by fellow fellow here.

6. Mint Peony Brooch by Delilah Devine (Cat's Mama is getting one of these if she does not decide to keep it herself!) $155 HKD, available here. Look, it's a hexie, so I love it already!

GIVEAWAY: Cat would love to stitch one of our blog readers a little portrait for a special gift! She has taken to these small portraits set in 15cm hoops and she would love to stitch one for one of you! If you'd like to win, please just comment below telling me what either you, or your child loves to draw most. How cute is this?  Very, I say!

Entries are open to international entrants and will close on Friday evening, the 29th of November 2013. The winner will be drawn at random.

Happy day to you.

Cat xox

Handmade Christmas Gift Guide 2013: grandfathers/dads/father-in-laws

Hello peeps,

Today's gift guide is all about grandfathers and dads and father-in-laws. I find them difficult to buy for every year, do you too?

1. Magnetic bookmark by Sparrowhawk Designs $35 HKD, madeit store here.

2. These Vintage Silverware garden markers by me2 are gorgeous, I know a few Grandmothers who would like these also, $140 HKD, madeit store here.

3. These World Map Cushions by My Bearded Pigeon are fabulous! $942 HKD, etsy store here.

4. Ancient Column Architecture Journal/notebook by Trink Arts Studio, $57 HKD, madeit store here.  I've bought notebooks for my step-father before, he uses them often.

5. DIY tutorial: make an apron, tutorial here from the Purl Bee by Purl Soho.  This tutorial looks great as it has pockets in it.

Have a great week.

Cat xox

Explorer Skirts and Shorts go to Market

Hello peeps,

All ready for the market this Sunday are Explorer Skirts and Shorts.  They are in my etsy shop too.

 

They are made with 100% cotton light weight navy blue denim.  The pocket fabric is your choice, to suit your poppet, and 100% printed cotton.

I love these Skirts and Shorts, they have wonderful big pockets so your little explorer can fill them up with treasures or toys.

They both have an elasticised waistband at the side and back with a flat front and make it easy for a child to dress themselves.  They come in sizes to fit ages 1-10. The sizing is based on age, for example, size 1 is for an average one year old.  If your child is larger or smaller, adjust accordingly.  My petite seven year old wears a size 6.  My average sized four year old wears a size 4.  Please ask if you need assistance with the sizing.

Please check the pockets before washing, you never know what you might discover.

This is a selection of the 100% cotton fabrics I have available to use for the pockets.  If you would like a different colour or pattern, please ask, I have many other fabrics to choose from.

The pattern has been designed by Hey There Threads and is used with kind permission.

Now go forth and let your kids explore!

Happy Friday to you.

Cat xox

Handmade Christmas Gift Guide 2013: gifts for us

Hello,

Today's handmade Christmas gift guide is all about us, Cat and I, or gifts for other ladies in your lives like sisters, Aunties and girl friends.

This list *may* be full of things we want for Christmas.

1.  Oh my gosh, how cute are these porcelain cloudy dishes/trinket plates by Urban Cartel $187 HKD, etsy store here.  I'd love one of these (are you reading this my Shropshire boy?, hint hint)

2. I love all that Lamina at Do A Bit creates, her hand printed pouches are stunning, Fuchsia Poppies pouch $150HKD, etsy store here. 

3. Yes please, who wants a crochet granny square brooch or a hexagon chain brooch?  Me, me, me! Ali from Ali Pink makes these and they are absolutely fabulous!  $150 HKD each, etsy store here.

4. How lovely is this To Kill a Mockingbird brooch by House of Ismay?  $129 HKD, etsy store here.

5. DIY tutorial: Make your own polymer clay necklaces, here on Arts & Crafts by The Red Thread.  This tutorial is excellent, it inspired me to try making my own earlier in the year and I've made a few ombre ones since, you can see them here and here.  Cat has made some too, she has a story to tell on her blog here about making them the first time (and almost burning her house down!)

I am so thoughtful (or cheeky) that last month I put together an etsy Treasury list of Christmas presents that I'd love to receive, you can see it here.

What do you want for Christmas?  Do tell us.  

Cat xox

Handmade Christmas Gift Guide 2013: Gifts for husbands/partners

Hello peeps,

Next up in our handmade Christmas gift guide is gifts for husbands and male partners.  When ever I buy or make presents for my Shropshire Boy, it is usually some thing geeky or involves guitars.  Can you remember the kindle cover I made him which was both?  You can see it here.

This list of course has a few geeky goodies on it.

1. Upcycled Pantone Clock by Pantock $822 HKD, etsy shop here. 

2. Vintage Map Cuff Links by Brass And Chain $143 HKD, etsy shop here.

3. PacMan badge or magnet by Bunny and Bird Designs $31 HKD, etsy shop here.

4. I love this t-shirt so much, Vader's day off, Stormtrooper t-shirt by Mini Mayhem $186 HKD, etsy shop here. 

5. DIY make a salt dough paper weight, tutorial by Crafts by Amanda, find it here.

What do you buy your husband or partner for Christmas?  Is he difficult to buy for?

Have a great day.

Cat xox