Some thing new is coming: lets reduce our plastic use, one straw at a time.

We are trying to help the environment by no longer using plastic straws.  Plastic straws are a single use item that we can easily stop using.  There are many alternatives that are reusable,  such as stainless steel straws.  They can be used over and over and are easily washed.  

I bought some stainless steel straws for us a few months ago, but realised right away that I did not want dirty straws floating around in my handbag.  So I designed a new zippered bag to perfectly fit stainless steel straws in (and some light weight cutlery, too).

The zippered bags have a waterproof lining that can be wiped clean or the whole bag can be washed.

No more plastic straws or cutlery for us.

This is one more small step to help save our planet from all the plastic.

They can be found in my etsy shop, more fabric choices will be added soon.  I am selling stainless steel straws and cleaning brushes too.

How many is too many rainbows?

Can you have too many rainbows in your life?

I do not think it is possible.

Rainbow necklaces are in my etsy shop, completely hand painted by me so you can wear a rainbow.

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.

More Vintage hexie flowers.

Hello,

New in my etsy shop this week, are 5 more Vintage fabric hexie flowers.  These ones can be worn as a necklace or a brooch, thanks to a special nifty clasp used on the back.

Vintage fabrics used are from my collection and from Mia of The Raisin Did It (used with permission).  The dress I am wearing below is one of Mia's beautiful creations.  Her dresses are so very comfortable, I own many. And pockets - most of them have pockets.

Have a great weekend lovelies.

Cat.

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?