Prim and Pretty

New Venture

2012-01-31T11:15:00.006+11:00

Have just revamped my Dad's old wooden ladder (with the help of my Dad) to become a ribbon display. It was so much fun decoupaging the ladder shelf and 2 wooden crates with pages from a 1957 dressmaking magazine. The ladder is now sitting at Shop Handmade in Canberra looking ready to offer ribbons by the metre. This is all part of the new creative space in the shop. Helping people get crafty. There are workshops scheduled for more information take a look at Shop Handmade's website.

My Christmas Card and Thank you

2011-12-23T15:55:00.011+11:00

Wanted to share with you my Handmade Christmas Cards. My grandmother's Plum pudding recipe. Its the original recipe card , I think it use to be stored in a metal box. My Mum always makes the plum pudding for the Christmas lunch using this recipe, spelling mistakes and all!

All the family loved receiving this card, it pulled at the heart strings as Christmas lunch was always at my Grandparents for a good 20 years of my life. I sent extra copies to the great grandchildren.

Merry Christmas to all my customers, market and blogging friends.

For next year I have a few new ideas that should see there way into the Prim and Pretty range soon.

In Heaven

2011-11-10T10:48:00.010+11:00

mixing fabric ( from my 30 year stash)

refashioning Beads (from 'hand me down' necklaces)

crotchet pieces, new ribbon, curtain rings

A Quiet House......Bliss

Hope you all have an outlet from the hum drum of life...

Did I tell you?

2011-10-11T10:00:00.011+11:00

Back in May I spotted one of my Zipper brooches on Masterchef......there was great excitement....texts coming in and out, phone calls....madness. I was a little chuffed.

See it on Alana...#*$%...so for a few weeks I told the story, though I was 99% sure it was mine, I wanted to be sure, so this weekend Lilianne and I headed to 'Masterchef Live' in Sydney. Lilianne is a big fan of the show and I went with the mission to speak to Alana......I did feel like a groupie as I ducked and weaved to grab her twice.

To my utter delight she was so approachable that we had a little talk , she told me she had a zipper brooch like the one I was wearing so that lead me to tell her of where I thought hers came from and yes her Aunt had given it to her from Canberra and 'Yes' it was wrapped just like the new one I gave her on the day...She loves her zipper brooches.

So here is us at the 'Masterchef live' show. We had a ball.

....Seasons Colors

2011-09-08T10:48:00.004+10:00

My Stripe ribbon brooches are very popular its surprising how easy they are to wear with flair. This seasons colors are bright so this is a perfect way to update your wardrobe economically! They are still only $20. I have just dropped off a range to Shop Handmade and I will have plenty of these at the next Market.

For all the lovers of the Red/White Stripe Brooch we know how versatile that one is, well the Yellow/White is now becoming a favorite of mine, looks awesome on grey.

New Soldered Pendants/Charms

2011-08-23T10:48:00.015+10:00

Next Handmade Market is going to be huge (again!) . The Mega Market is on Sat 1st and Sun 2nd October in the spacious National Convention Centre.

I am working damn hard so that I have a lovely range of stock for both days. Here is a sneak peak at some of the pendants/charms which will be available and I am also offering you the chance to order charms with your personalised images, script or linen, that you would like for a keepsake for yourself or as a special gift. Take inspiration from these photos.

Some of the themes for the pendants/charms this market will be vintage Australian stamps, Little Golden books, and teachers.

These charms can also be pinned to a cushion, hung from a doorknob or coat rack.

Will post more photos soon to get you thinking!

Selling on Etsy finally

2011-07-19T13:51:00.004+10:00

Have finally taken the plunge to set up an Etsy shop! If anyone has any helpful tips I would love to hear from you. As yet I have only listed one item......give me time.

www.primandpretty1.etsy.com

Take a peek.

Ikea giveaway over at Posie's

2011-05-03T20:05:00.003+10:00

Jenny over at Posie Patchwork is giving away 3 sets of this Ikea bed linen.
post your comment to win.

http://www.posiepatchworkblog.blogspot.com/

Mothers Day give away by Shop handmade

2011-05-02T12:47:00.006+10:00

With every purchase at Shop Handmade this week you will receive an entry into a Mothers Day Hamper (value $250) .

visit the Shop Handmade website for more information.

The Hamper is full of lovelies.....

Invitation to a Dr Hamlin function

2011-02-08T09:25:00.009+11:00

Annette Benning, Dr Catherine Hamlin AC, James Grainger

A new Documentary 'Lighting a Candle' is being screened at the Canberra Girls' Grammar School, Melbourne Ave, Deakin ACT , February 24th 2011 at 7.45pm. All Welcome. All proceeds from the screening go to the Hamlin Fistula Fund.

Tickets are $15 and can be purchased on line at http://www.hamlinfistula.org.au/.

This lovely group of Ethiopian women are the first Midwifery graduates from the Hamlin College of Midwives. They were showered with many gifts from Australia to mark this special occasion, including the pendants I put together with embroideries worked by the fistula patients.
Photos courtesy of Lucy Perry, Pure Graphics.

Finally Christmas...

2010-12-11T17:08:00.010+11:00

can be my focus. Have decided to have a red, blue and white color theme for our Christmas here in Canberra. I have only ever hosted Christmas Day about 3 times before so it is a real treat to be having it at home with family from interstate coming. On the table I thought I would put white damask cloths (mum is bringing) some of my crystal , white and pale blue china (Caroline by Wedgewood), silver cutlery and Red everything else. Apart from wrapping a few presents today I also started my fruit cake and Lilianne made our first batch of gingerbread in dove shapes for gift giving.

This wreath below I made last year with my friend Robyn who loves making Christmas decorations too. For the last 15 years we have made our Christmas cards together Ill post about this years when we get to make them! soon. If you would like to make the wreath the instructions came from the blog Living with Lindsay. Or I see in the latest Inside Out mag that it is available for $250 from a paper company in Sydney.

I worked on the decorating the entry this year. Its nice just to rework things you already have. During the year I had letters representing the initials of our each person in our family and lucky for me I therefore had the N,E and L.
The 'O' is from Shop Handmade its out of a set of 3 embroidery frames. I love how it has turned out.

More to come.

In the Shop

2010-11-01T12:52:00.005+11:00

Dropped these to ShopHandmade last week.

These went off to Tassie

2010-10-26T12:47:00.004+11:00

Libby, of Lilipili on Greenhill in Tasmania, always chooses my necklaces, they really did look quite stunning. I aim to get more made for the next Canberra Handmade Market, Dec 4. The crew at Canberra Handmade Market always manage to make each market special, with the Dec 4 market starting at 11am and going till 7pm it will be a little bit twilight.

Pendants on their way to Ethiopia

2010-09-23T09:38:00.010+10:00

and the HAMLIN Fistula Hospital. My sister-in law, a strong supporter of Dr Catherine Hamlin's work, asked me if we together could make Pendants to give at the graduation ceremony to the first midwifes from the Hamlin Fistula Midwifery College. These are girls from local villages that have been trained as midwives for there own people. Many of you will know of Dr Hamlin's work but if not head over to there website http://www.fisulatrust.org/

Straight away we knew what would make up the pendants. The embroideries, that recovering patients do, on one side and a commemorative wording on the other.

The finished pendants.

A real treat to be able to make these. X

Whats in Shop Handmade Canberra at the moment

2010-09-16T13:30:00.010+10:00

Ric Rac brooches in these colors

Zipper brooches in these new colors

The Rose brooch

Pendants

Check out the Handmade Shop website to see all the lovely products by some very talented designers.

A peek at what I've been up to.

2010-09-16T11:44:00.014+10:00

Another gorgeous day at Handmade Markets last Sat 11th. Chatting with customers always gives me an energy that I need after many hours preparing and making for the market. Inspiration comes from a comment here and there from an enthusiastic customer that sets me off on another path of creativity. Next Handmade Market is on Sat 4th December where again all designers will rise to the occasion and have products that exceed customers expectations.

Here are some of the designs I have been working on.

'A Day in Town' dress brooches were very popular.

The quote on the card reads:

" For many busy housewives and mothers, a day in town is a rare occasion and something to be planned sometime ahead. There seems to be so many things one can only get at the big shops-school uniforms, dress material of a particular shade, a certain embroidery silk, a birthday present for a friend. However carefully we plan our shopping, there never seems to be enough time and it is a hectic rush from one large store to another to select our purchases.Perhaps the reason is that there are so many varieties to choose from that we dash madly hither and thither, unable to make up our minds. Pity the poor mother who is forced to take a small child on these expedition! then back home in the train or tram, weary, footsore and possibly , regretful that we did not have time to visit one particular store where they just might have had some of that curtain material we were after. Never mind that is something which to start off the shopping list for the next trip to town!' ( extract STITCH Jan 1957 New Zealand)

Handmade Market is on tomorrow!

2010-06-04T20:33:00.005+10:00

I cant wait to see all my customers it is such a great day.
It has been an incredible month for me and i think I have achieved the best stock for the market ever! see you there.
Rachelle

'Meet the Designer'

2010-05-05T10:15:00.008+10:00

Its your lucky week if you are in Canberra on Friday 7th May. Shop Handmade is having a special night 5-8pm with a 'Meet the Designer' evening. It will be a lovely occassion I'm sure, those girls know how to create atmosphere. Invitation is to everyone who loves handmade, no need to RSVP. I will be there from 5-7pm. I dropped these goodies off last week.

Take a look at Shop Handmade

2010-04-19T20:09:00.006+10:00

I visited the shop on opening day (last Friday), actually I went twice! Stalker! WOW, is all I can say. It was so fabulous. Hubby had a peak today and said it was busy again. Sales are so good that I am busy making. I do hope you all have a look if you in Canberra. At the markets I don't get to shop, so it was great to buy from other designers.

Shop Handmade opening 16 April

2010-04-12T15:41:00.005+10:00

Shop Handmade is opening this Friday 16th April. Here is a sneak peak at how it is looking. FABULOUS......don't you think, I love the white decor with punches of color with wallpaper.

I have a large selection of my goods available for purchase at the shop. Plus many other designers from Handmade markets will be selling their goods in the shop. How easy is it now to pick up the perfect gift between markets.

Hope to see some of my customers in the shop on Friday. Ill be shopping too!

Rachelle

A new line...'mojo' found!

2010-03-10T09:48:00.008+11:00

Somewhere between Dec 24 and mid February I lost my 'mojo'. Thank goodness it has returned and I am spending every moment I can creating some new products. I decided a new medium for me was probably what I needed so I dived into to learning a new skill and I am soooooooooooooo happy I did. I have come up with these lovely simple pendants.......

all with embroidery (doilies), material, sewing and knitting themes. To be worn on black leather or a silver chain.

So I got inspired to try a new design for brooches .....

I have also been playing with wool.

These hand knitted Neck Scarves will be available too at the next Handmade Market.

Hope to catch up with alot of my customers and friends there. It is such a meeting place.

Hope you all like where I am at the moment.

Rachelle

the white shirt they all want to buy

2009-11-28T12:38:00.004+11:00

This photo was taken at handmade market nov '09. The shirt I use to display brooches and necklaces everymarket and I get so many people wanting to buy the shirt. Its linen and so stylish.

Dont you just love the look of the woolshed they have so much character, a perfect back drop for handmade items. Cant wait for the next market in March '10.

christmas handmade market '09

2009-11-24T12:52:00.009+11:00

As I sit here in a jumper it is hard to believe that on the market weekend 3 days ago it was a scorching 39 degrees! A busy market it was. New and Old customers dropped by and many friends waved in the distance as some could not get close to the stall. I still have a few orders to meet so I am ploughing through ribbon and fabric for the next few weeks. And loving every moment.

Don't forget you can contact me for purchases, if you missed the market, by writing a comment on my blog then I can email you back, just mention you would like to purchase something. Otherwise don't forget that MissChief Maker at Rodney's Nursery , Pialligo stocks my products and has lovely children's clothes. Take a peek at these gorgeous outfits. One raw edge brooch is on the denium hat and a one off hair accessory is on the lovely brunette.

Doilie to brooch

2009-10-29T11:20:00.012+11:00

Having a fiddle as you do, the doilie edging went from this......

to this.

I then tried a linen edge of a placemat.

bluebirds of happiness

2009-10-27T20:13:00.005+11:00

These two necklaces were snapped up by the National Gallery of Australia at the VIP night at the last market. Since then I have been talking with the Gallery shop and we are working on pieces for an up coming exhibition. I just love making these necklaces using embroidered doilies, ribbon, beads and crochet table clothes.

So I am making plenty more of these for the next Handmade market. Which is 20/21 November '09.

Rachelle

Out of control

2009-09-23T16:32:00.012+10:00

The Handmade Market was again perfect! Lots of enthusastic shoppers, compliments from customers and this time I didnt sell out of everything. I also made contact with new stockists.

Ive just enjoyed a week in Adelaide Holidaying I feel refreshed and ready to get creating again.

This is what I have come up with so far.......

Coloured doilies softens a modern decor. I am in Love.....

Unitl next time

Rachelle

O to feel famous!

2009-09-10T20:52:00.002+10:00

Amongst the busy weeks I have had leading up to Handmade market ( which starts tomorrow.... Yippee) I wrote a little piece for the blog of INSIDE OUT magazine . And today it became a feature..! www.blog.insideout.com.au I am one happy girl.

Knitted Mohair becomes spring necklaces

2009-09-02T14:44:00.006+10:00

Today was a day of putting these together, remnants of wool leftover from the felted floral brooches. The remnants were too good to throw. I'm loving this spring weather.

Another job done today was dying the 'tablecloth' scarves they are drying on line. Purple, orange and red. Very happy with the colors.

With the market only days away it is a relief to tick these jobs off.

My sister from Melbourne is coming up again to help...O but she will shop..... it is quite funny really as prior to the Handmade Markets I had always flown to Melb to shop and get items I couldn't find here in Canberra. Its a very special time for us.

Cant wait

Brooch Lady x

Doilies for petals

2009-08-31T19:47:00.004+10:00

It is so busy and exciting around here at the moment. We are in the middle of 4 birthdays in 4 weeks in our little family (2 to go) always a busy time. Let alone less than 2 weeks for the 'Handmade in Bloom' market. I really think I work best with all this going on as these brooches are truly spectacular. They are one offs. Have a list a mile long to do before Fri 11th Sept.

The coat became a flower brooch!

2009-08-25T13:08:00.008+10:00

This is the fabric that I couldn't leave on the inside of a coat. The coat I found at the op shop sale on Friday. It is so gorgeous. This has started the vintage range of brooches a new style that I will only use vintage fabrics and doilies.

It wasn't until I got home that I even noticed the buttons (5) on the coat.

Which one do you like?

2009-08-06T21:06:00.008+10:00

The antique scarves are coming along nicely this one is its original color but I am going to dye some purple, some orange and a few red. They are the perfect weight for spring and summer.

Who can say 'no' to red and white gingham its so fresh. I see this looking great with jeans and white linen.

This one looks luxurious don't you think. A bit of glam for daytime. Wear with a plain white tee and still look glamorous.

Picturesque Pialligo

2009-06-30T10:39:00.009+10:00

How stunning does this look!

Taken just before the first sitting at MissChief Makers High Tea where throughout the afternoon 150 well dressed people ( you could see everyone was treating this as a special occasion) were served the most delicious afternoon tea with all the trimmings like jam and cream.

There was much chatter and shopping amongst the guests. Questions like: When is the next High Tea Event?, could just be heard over the cello.

Brooch Lady and MissChief Maker

Ready and Waiting

2009-06-26T09:50:00.006+10:00

Tomorrow is MissChief Makers High Tea Event and I am ready with these.

Made with love are these brooches. My mum (for love) handknits up the Mohair swatches for me and then I felt them and cut them, add a divine button and you have these soft cuddly brooches to adorn woollen knits, jackets and bags.

I have already begged Mum to knit some more for 'Handmade in Bloom' in September......Floriade here I come.

Brooch Babe

I have been busy

2009-06-21T13:37:00.019+10:00

This week I met with the buyer for the Gift Shop at the National Gallery of Australia. I showed him my brooches, in particular the Zip brooch which compliments their current exhibition 'Reinventions: sculpture+assemblage'. Well, he loved them and at this very moment the zipper brooches are for sale there. What a lovely souvenir after visiting the exhibition!

Also this week I have a confirmed booking for the next Handmade Market, 'Handmade in Bloom'. The market is being held on Friday 11 Sept 6-9pm and Saturday 12 Sept 10-4pm at Albert Hall. Take a look at the other designers who are taking part on http://www.handmademarket.com.au/ You wont be disappointed. The brooch above will be the new design to be showcased at the 'Handmade in Bloom'!

Life is good!

Brooch Babe

next showing High Tea MissChief Maker ,Rodneys, Pialligo, ACT

2009-06-09T21:14:00.011+10:00

It has been a day at the Periodontist with Elwyn he has a stray tooth in his gum so today they placed a chain on the end of this tooth (which is up in his gum) and they will try and gradually pull it down to the space that is waiting. Yes not nice. He seems ok.

Not alot got done today as I also went to lunch.

But I do have these awaiting the next showing of my brooches at MissChief Maker's High Tea Event at Rodney's Pialligo, 27 June 09. If your interested in coming let Kate know. RSVP is essential. See more about this on MissChief Maker's website.

Back to making

2009-06-07T16:31:00.007+10:00

Its been 2 weeks since I almost sold out of all my goodies at the Canberra handmade markets . So after a bit of a breather I have started to make some more brooches today.

Somehow I think the wintery day played a part in the fabric colors I chose today....chocolate/purple/cream...yum.

The Style Emporium and MissChiefMaker are nicely stocked as well with a range of brooches.

I am busy getting ready for the next major showing of my accessories. Details soon :)

My first post

2009-06-06T21:59:00.000+10:00

Okay, I have been googling over a few craft blogs and wanting to be part of all this fun, so (with the help of my 16 year old son) here I am. Will my blog interest anyone? maybe. I have a huge passion for craft, gardening, cooking and of course my family. I need to learn to add photos ( this is where my 14 year old son may come in handy). So I will ponder this all over a cuppa and get back to this tomorrow!