Merry Christmas

I hope you all have a blessed Christmas and enjoy your day with your loved ones.  I'm looking forward to having a bit of down time & who knows I might even get some new bears made!

Joolz x

BrisStyle Christmas Market Rocked

Wow what a market last night!  Pam & I shared a stall in the co-op tent & what a great time we had!!!  So many people came to shop, in fact we couldn't believe how many!  It was such a lovely atmosphere in King George Square, the Christmas tree was all lit up & there was live entertainment playing most of the night.   We were so busy that we didn't even get time to shop at the other stalls.

This is Pam (Nest in the Attic) in her Christmas attire.  Some of our bears and critters found new homes.  In fact it was a bit sad to say goodbye to my little chocolate brown pug dog  but the new owner loved her just as much as I did so that's ok!

Hope you're all having a great stress free weekend.  I'm off to do a bit of Christmas shopping tomorrow.

Photos From BrisStyle Market

Pam (Nest in the Attic) & I attended the BrisStyle Indie Market last Saturday & what fun we had!  It was so wet when we arrived & we didn't fancy setting up a gazebo in the rain so when Christine from BonTons Gifts kindly offered us half her stall space in the hall we jumped at it.  Thank you Christine!!

It was our first time at a BrisStyle market.  It was lovely to meet all the other marketeers & customers.  Now  we are about to do it all again  this Friday night at the Twilight Market in King George Square in the city.

The above stall was Alisa's from Ties & Whimsy.  I just loved her stall & all the great creations she's made from ties.  I especially loved her use of the old ladders, frames & vintage suitcases (some of my favourite items).

The above pic is me with some of our creations.  Hope to see you Friday night if you're in the city.

BrisStyle Indie Twilight Market this week

"Brisbane's HOTtest destination for everything Handmade under the stars"

'The BrisStyle Indie Twilight Markets in the heart of Brisbane's King George Square offer a unique home-grown experience like no other event of its kind in Australia this Christmas. This Friday night market will combine the laid-back attitude of south-east Queensland with the buzz of Brisbane's CBD to create a lantern lit celebration of local independent art, craft and design around the King George Square's statuesque Christmas Tree.

Meander through the stalls of over 100 emerging and established local artisans who specialise in producing soulful and stylish handmade wares with a unique Queensland twist. With a café, restaurant and bar onsite along with the sounds of Brisbane's best jazz musicians will provide the perfect festive soundtrack to a Christmas shopping night like you've never experienced!

So support the local Queensland community and shop ethically this Christmas at Brisbane's HOTtest destination for everything handmade under the stars.'

Alternate Location in Wet Weather: As with all our Twilight Markets if the weather is a little on the crazy side then look for us up on the large undercover Deck located above The Groove Train in King George Square. Do check our facebook page after midday on the day to check if things have changed and where you can find us.

Home Again!

We arrived home from the USA last Saturday after the most awesome trip!!  My husband got to catch up with friends he made 27 years ago on a former trip & I got to make beautiful new friends with them all!
This photo is a basket Sheila had put together out the front of her home in Cleveland Tennessee for Thanksgiving.  We were blessed to have Thanksgiving with her family & what great cooks her sons are!!  I'm sure I've put on weight!! 

It was scarey in the traffic on the wrong side of the road!  I was a terrible passenger & should really have been blind-folded instead of trying to help my husband.  (I even thought I could help the GPS but my husband didn't appreciate having 2 women telling him what to do)!!  I was right on a few occasions though!

I got to visit the Brooklyn Market as well as a few others!  Loved the Antique Malls down in Nashville, just wished I had had more time there! 

Am now saving for the next trip as there are so many other wonderful places I would love to explore.

Have had to come home & hit the ground running as Pam & I are having our first market stall at BrisStyle Market tomorrow & of course there's so many ufo's I've had to finish off as well as making some new items.  Just praying the rain stays away!!

Have a lovely weekend!

BrisStyle Indie Designers Market

"Tie on your tinsel and get ready for a Christmas shopping experience like no other, as the BrisStyle Indie Designer Markets return to the heart of Hamilton for yet another beautifully eclectic handmade event.

Featuring local emerging and established artists, crafters and designers from Queensland's South East who specialise in producing quality handmade goods including handbags, sweet art, jewellery, children's wear and vintage re-creations.

Think quality, gorgeous, soulful and original creations that give lovers of locally handmade wares the chance to support their local community.

Set in the sweet retro hall and gorgeous leafy grounds of St Augustine's Church on Racecourse Road, Hamilton on Saturday December 10, this boutique event promises to provide the perfect environment for all your handmade Christmas shopping needs.

The Christmas BrisStyle Indie Designers Market gives you the chance to see first-hand why these Markets are renowned for being Brisbane's HOTtest destination for handmade."

What: The Christmas BrisStyle Indie Designers Market
When: Saturday December 10th, 2011. 9am-4pm.
Where: St Augustine's Church Hall and grounds, Racecourse Road, Hamilton

Off To The Big Apple

Tomorrow my husband & I are jetting off to New York for 4 nights.  We will then fly to Atlanta & then drive to Tennessee for 3 nights.  We will be there for Thanksgiving & will spend it with my husband's penfriend, Sheila, whom he met 27 years ago at a church conference.  After that it's on to other friends in Alabama & then 2 nights in Nashville & then back to New York for a night before flying home.

I'm looking forward to exploring the markets & vintage shops & of course all the other attractions on offer.
I think the highlight though will be making new friends & experiencing life in their homes especially Thanksgiving.

My First Panda

Finally finished this little guy!  I made him out of dyed viscose & dark brown viscose from a vintage jacket.  He has button joints & wears an old vintage key around his neck.   He'll be at the Summbertime Doll & Bear Show tomorrow with me.

Last Bear Show This Sunday

This coming Sunday is the last doll & bear show of the year (phew)!  It's on at the RNA Showground in the auditorium from 10 - 4pm.  I've been hard at work finishing things off & sorting out lots of vintage goodies.

Hope to see you there otherwise have a great weekend!

Latest Op Shop Find

Today I was pleased to find this little set of drawers at one of the local op-shops.  I had no intention of buying drawers but I just couldn't resist.  They have old fabric on the front of the drawers & gorgeous little handles.   Actually they'll be great storage for some of my laces.

Guess who got to babysit last night!  He was so good & basically slept the whole time.

Collectorama Is On Again This Saturday!

Tomorrow Pam & I are heading off to Nambour to set up our stall for Saturday.  It's at the Showgrounds from 7.30 - 2.00pm.  The weather is looking good so hopefully it will be a great day!

I just love all these old cookie cutters & wee tart tins I picked up from a garage sale last weekend.  I also found the chair & this vintage basket as well.

Hope to see you Saturday!

Lovely Laces & Other Goodies

These are some of the lovely goodies I picked up this weekend at a local garage sale.  The laces included some lovely antique pieces.  There were 4 containers of buttons & sewing notions.  Divine doileys, including some lovely bluebird ones.  I think the lady owner was going to an aged care home so her daughter said she would love it that her precious laces etc were going to a good home!

Vintage Union Jack Flags/Bunting

I was watching TV on Wednesday morning and they were featuring a program on the Queen's visit to Australia.  One lady was putting an English flag up on a ceiling which looked really good.  I thought to myself that I wouldn't mind an English flag, so imagine my surprise when a couple of hours later I was at an op-shop & guess what I found....about seven metres of vintage flags.  I feel some bags, cushions & maybe even bunting happening soon!

Recycled Burlap Coffee Sack

I went to a garage sale on Saturday & found a lovely old coffee sack.  When I asked how much it was the man gave it to me!  I came home & washed it & then today from the lining of the sack I made this shopping tote.  I added calico ruffles & bow. 

I was inspired by a bag made by Andrea Tarling in Haute Handbags.  I'm surprised by just how soft this bag is (not at all scratchy like some hessian (burlap) can be).  I now have to come up with some bags to make with the rest of it.

Hope you're having a lovely week.

Vintage Lace Bag

While I haven't done a lot in the bear making department in the last week I have been busy churning out a few bags (have a bit of an addiction going on I think)!  I have just listed this one in my etsy shop (a new venture for me).  I made it from lots of my lovely laces, doileys, supper cloths, clothing, wedding dresses etc.
A big welcome to my new followers!  I hope you're all having a lovely weekend wherever in the world you are.  Such a gorgeous day here in Brisbane.  Not at all like the storms we had yesterday.

Show & Tell At Bear Class

Ok so I'm sure I had the best show & tell at bear class today!  Shiloh is 6 days old today.  I must admit since he's been born my bear making has come to a bit of a halt.  Top pic are the ladies busy making bears, dogs & an elephant, Sue (teacher) is nursing Shiloh.  Bottom pic is Lisa & Shiloh, see her lovely bear in the background, she was busy felting it's paw when I arrived.

Hope you all have a great week.

It's A Boy!!

Meet Shiloh, my new grandson, arrived at 9pm last night!  Baby & Mum doing well!  Even though he was two weeks early he was 8lb 4oz.  He has lots of hair, long feet (blame his Dad for them) & a good appetite!  Can't wait to see him again today!

Have a great weekend!

Off to make a 

Lace Style Journal Cover

I've been having fun this week making goodies for my Etsy Shop that I have just opened.  Here's a pic of a journal cover I've made from some of the old laces in my stash.  I've styled the lace around a graphic of the Eiffel Tower.  I probably started this project a year ago so it's great to finally finish it!

Lace & Old Ticking & A Trip To Maleny

On Friday Jo (sil) & I drove up to Maleny for a bit of R&R.  It was such a beautiful spring day, everything was so lush & green, & reminded us of home (New Zealand).We stopped at this lovely Celtic Coffee House to refuel & then travelled on up the road to Maleny.  Of course we had to visit the local op-shops!  I found a basket with all these tiny bags of lace & braid.  I spent a grand total of 0.85 cents & scored all this lovely stuff!

After being sick for nearly 3 weeks I decided to do a few garage sales on Saturday morning (I was having withdrawals) & was lucky enough to find this lovely old vintage ticking!  After a good wash it looked a lot better!  I also scored an old wooden ironing board & some lovely old plates.

Hope you all have a lovely week!

My New Critter....

Well actually it's a giraffe.  I've just painted the last of his spots & now he's ready to go to the Ipswich Doll & Bear Fair tomorrow.   Last weeks show was a bit slow so here's hoping this one will be a bit more lively.

Hope you're all having a lovely weekend!

Off To The Bear Show On Sunday In Brisbane....

It's on at the Holiday Inn on Roma Street from 10am - 4pm.  These are some of the bears & critters I'm taking.  It's hard work getting them all dressed & finished off especially as I've been battling a cold for the last couple of days.  Then to top it all off my son rang this morning to ask if he can move back home this afternoon.  (He's been gone 3 years).  Just hope my daughter doesn't go into labour this weekend, that would really throw a spanner in the works!!  She's actually due on the 29th.

Hope you all have a great weekend.

I'm In Love....

With my very first little dog!  I've named her Lucy after our very special dog who is no longer with us.
I've made her out of dark brown viscose & then dressed her in a little spotted dress, knitted cardy & topped it off with a vintage RSPCA badge.  I love those big soulful dark eyes!

She's coming with me to the Brisbane Bear Show, on this Sunday at the Holiday Inn.

If you want to make her yourself, she is from the Noble pattern range.

A big hello to all my latest followers.  I hope you all have a great week!

Collectorama this Saturday, Nambour Showgrounds

It's on again this Saturday from 7.15 - 2pm, rain or shine.  Lots of  Collectables & interesting stuff.

Vintage toys, clothes, lace, china, glassware etc.

The lovely Pam & I are sharing a stall so come & say hi.

Two New Lace Bear Dresses

These are my two latest little patchwork bear dresses, (bears not mine).  I've crafted these from all sorts of vintage & antique laces, some from wedding dresses, doilies etc.  I'm really pleased with the pink colour as originally it was bright pink but a quick dunk in parisian turned it into a lovely old pinky colour. 

The girls are an order for a lovely lady who has ordered them for presents for her family, trouble is she keeps falling in love with all the bears & then finds it hard to part with them.  (I bet she keeps the pink one)!

Have a great week.

Old Buttons

Don't you just love old buttons!  I was lucky enough to find this old tin yesterday at a garage sale.  It was hiding away in the bottom of a box.  I find it really exciting coming home & checking out what treasures there are, sort of like going through Nana's old buttons. 

There were a few interesting ones in the tin, especially the larger one.  It measures 6.5 cm & has like a mother of pearl shell inlay.  Sort of looks art deco'ish to me.  Any ideas??  I'll have to check my button book for this one.

Hope you're having a lovely weekend.  It's stopped raining here & has turned out to be a lovely sunny day!

Zebra??

Ok here he is, nearly finished!  Once he got his mane on he looked more like a Zebra! 

Thanks Rosemary from Bears for helping me with his ears.  It really is great being in a class where everyone is willing to help & offer new ideas! 

Have a great weekend wherever in the world you are!  It's supposed to be wet all weekend here in Brisbane.

Zebra???

Ok so I found this lovely piece of striped viscose at the last show for a real bargain.  I dreamt of a cute little Zebra emerging from the fabric.  Not so, I reckon it's looking like an alpaca or even a foxy dog. I'll take it to my bear class tomorrow & see if I can get help to fix it.  (Do you even get black & white striped dogs)?

And Then There Were More....

Ok so I haven't done a post for awhile!  I'm finding it hard to get any critters finished but today I did it!  Well not really, they still need to be aged & dressed.  I usually have about 8 bears on the go at any one time, so then it's a big effort to finish them! 

There's a bear show in Brisbane next month so I really need to finish this lot!

Hope you're all having a great week!

Bear Class At Old Petrie Town

Today we switched venues for our bear making class & had it at Laura's gorgeous shop at Old Petrie Town.  It was probably more like high tea but hey we didn't mind!  Lots of lovely goodies to look at as well!  Thanks Laura!

Vintage Hatbox & Pretty In Pink Bear

I love this sweet little bear I made for the last show.  I used pale pink viscose & then dirtied her paws & feet with a pen.  I have her sitting in a vintage tulle hat that I picked up at a car boot sale on my recent trip to NZ.

I'm also loving the old brown hatbox I found!  It's a bit smaller than the usual ones that I've found so it'll be perfect as a prop at the next show in September.

Have a great week, I'm off to sit in the sun for a bit and stuff a couple of heads.   It's a beautiful 24 degrees here today in sunny Brisbane.

I'm Home!

My holiday was fantastic!  Blake is just the cutest baby (I know I'm biased)!  Kiera his 3 1/2 year old sister is also just the cutest.  Here's a few pics of us playing in the snow up at St Arnaud Lake, we were also lucky enough to be there when it was snowing!

Will try & do a post later of some of the goodies I found while I was over there.

Have a great weekend!

Bags Are Packed & I'm Ready To Go....

Tomorrow I leave Brisbane & head to New Zealand to meet my new grandson, Blake.  I have all the woollies packed as I'm hearing it's pretty cold there at the moment.

Earlier this week I celebrated my birthday with Linda & Lyn, friends from Old Petrie Town.  Here's a few pics of our Xmas in July party.

Happy Birthday Girls!