I made this: Recycled leather notebook pouch

More of the lovely Jen's Blueberry Ash fabric, once again teamed with leather reclaimed from a tragically 80s leather jacket (think really big shoulder pads and a tiny tight waist... on a men's coat - what were they thinking!). This is a padded pouch that I originally designed for laptops, but it seems there is a niche market for pretty handmade document wallets. What better way to carry around your Frankie magazine?

I can jump [in] puddles!

Whether you call them gumboots, wellingtons or galoshes, there's nothing better for keeping your toes dry and the spiders out of your trouser legs. I've been keeping an eye out for some good ones in the lead-up to Bluesfest, traditionally the wettest music festival in my calendar. Erin's swirly delights from Pipduck caught my attention, but sadly my gumboot budget can't quite stretch to $160! 

Instead, I've decided to settle for a pair from Target (with French pronunciation, s'il vous plait) edited with vinyl decals of pistols shooting out little flying birds. The decals are from Lewa's Design on Etsy, and might be the beginning or a new decal obsession.  These gummies aren't quite as bright or swirly as Erin's, but they're perfect for Bluesfest, and only a quarter of the price! 

Handmade hearts of the week

Heart local - Danielle Kathleen

Danielle is studying jewelry making and literature at the ANU - I'm so jealous! You might have seen her at the Gorman House markets, and you can check out her new Circus collection at her blog. Her Alice in Wonderland theme pieces have attracted a bit of attention in the wonderful land of Etsy lately, and how cute is this little voodoo pin! 

Heart global - Attila Design

I want, nay, I NEED this lovely four-poster bed by Attila Design. This Finnish designer makes everything from clothes and jewelry to oil paintings, furniture, and even films, all with a distressed, organic and little-bit-romantic aesthetic. You can see more of the portfolio at the attila design website. Oh for the time and talent to indulge in such creative pursuits!

I made this: Art on a budget

Take one canvas and some fabric. I chose the Zazu print by Tina Givens.  Then I used my new staple gun (part of a fairly obscene spending spree at the hardware store) and simply cover the canvas and hang.

I made this: Hoot!

I made this little hooter with scraps from my mum's fabric collection, and the beak is a button from a friend's nana's button jar. I have vague recollections of the things mum made out of this fabric back in the early 80s... very vague though.  I rediscovered this owl while trying to make a gift for C&R's baby boy, Benjamin David.  My first attempt at a more boyish toy - a drop bear - turned out really scary (I was aiming for scary in a cute way, but I missed the cute!) so I'm having another go. Leave a comment if you have any ideas for a boyish toy I could make, and maybe I'll finish it before his first birthday :)

A Special Handmade Heart - Formosa Design

Congratulations to Jen Berney of Formosa Design on the launch of her brand new website!  More creative Canberran crafts on the world wide web :) You might recognise one of her prints from my iPhone case post a few weeks ago. Which reminds me... I owe Jen a handmade recycled leather document wallet in exchange for a piece of fabric printed with her earlier work. Stay tuned for that posting this weekend (sorry it's taken me so long, Jen!)

I made this: terrarium globes

More evidence of my current terrarium obsession :) I love these little globes, but it's tricky to find small enough plants to fit in them!  I haven't been able to find any jungle plants, but there are a few succulents and air plants that fit the bill, so that's what I've made so far.

I made this: iPhone case

Recycled leather jacket and hand screen printed fabric by Canberra's lovely Jen Berney.

Look what I made... Terrarium

Magical things happen when you combine moss with real, tiny plants and put them in a glass vessel.  Mini jungle!  Now I'm just waiting on a troupe of mini apes to move in...

Handmade hearts of the week

Heart Global: The Bubble Chandelier by jeanpelle of Brooklyn NY.

Heart Local: The ZARA textured clutch by a very stylish Canberran at Percy Handmade.

Moss love

I have a need for a terrarium at the moment, so I have started cultivating some moss. I found this little patch all dried out in a drainage channel and I swear, it just followed me home!  My first attempt at a terrarium was in a lightbulb because I didn't have any other enclosed glass options.  The Jade Plant is a cutting from my nan's garden.

The Rug of Procrastination

I should have been finishing my short story today, but the sewing machine was calling to me for the first time in a while so I sat down to make this little rug (a doormat really). The fabric is from a bolt of stretch cotton lycra that I bought at Savers in Sunny Frankston last year.  I stole the idea from Talking Squid, who sells his recycled t-shirt rugs on Etsy (http://www.etsy.com/shop/talkingsquid). If he uses the same technique I did, he must only be making about $5 an hour!