Original Mischief

I have a little glitch...

2011-08-15T01:18:00.000-05:00

Can anyone see my banner? my pics? I get a black square with a triangle in it and an exclamation mark. Is there something I haven't done to upgrade when Blogger had that 'issue' last month?

Just in case you can see some pics, here's a few bags I've made lately. When I get blogger working correctly, I'll post some more. If you have any suggestions as to why my blog is behaving this way, please let me know.

An update...

2011-06-30T01:27:00.000-05:00

I'd love to tell you that I've been off on a dream cruise for the past 5 weeks but alas, no.

I kept thinking to myself... the blog! I must post!

Really just the same'ol, same'ol here. Still busy researching and collecting things for the terry book... the terry I've scored (bliss!) and the pics people have sent me to be included in the book are so fab! The publisher has given me extra time (stupid me for thinking I can move to the States, start a new life and get a book written in 6 months!) So, I have a little more breathing room thankfully. But... it is coming together and I'm starting to plan where each little bit - whether it be a photo, a vintage ad or some research - goes.

I've sewn a few things. Another bag sold in the New York boutique which was just as exciting as the first sale and a few things have sold via Facebook... gotta love that! I'm amazed to find that 90% of my sales are to Australia. Go figure!

I've been fiddling around with felt the past few days and have made some coin purses - mostly for giveaways but I like the look of them.

The only other thing to tell you is... USCIS LOST MY PAPERWORK!! I've been waiting since December when P and I were married for news about my residency. My visa expired in February so I'm stuck... I can't go anywhere because they need to keep 'track' of me. P and I received a letter mid June requesting all of our details again including our original paperwork. Huh? P telephoned USCIS and found that between Wyoming (who knows why we had to send it there originally) and California (apparently, the 'big' office), the paperwork got mislaid. A few choice words between us were said I can tell you!! So now, we are waiting for them to get back to us as to the next step. Hopefully, the paperwork will be found. The paperchase we've already gone through is mind boggling!

In the past 5 weeks we've only been to a thrift store twice. Both times we scored these lamps which are keepers...

I haven't read any blogs in the past 5 weeks... what's everyone else up to?

Organised Chaos...

2011-05-23T02:42:00.000-05:00

I like to sew. I like to buy fabric. I don't like putting things away because it cuts into the two previously mentioned likes.

P had to go away for 3 days and asked if I could possibly make some sense of the mess that is my sewing room. What mess? Ask me where something is and I betcha I could find it in a heartbeat (except for that fabric that I really wanted to use and couldn't find).

This was my sewing room...

Looks organised to me!

This is my sewing room now...

There's a floor!

The bags under the table are P's not mine - ok, well technically they're mine... old shirts that I haven't cut up yet for quilt backing. But they're his shirts!

What you can't see is the sewing table where P does his thing. It's a mess! lol The floor to ceiling shelving on both sides of the room are full to bursting and not very neat but I got a gold star!! I think it was more an A for effort but I'll take it! It took me hours.

Top shelf is solid colored barkcloth... the rest is terry cloth and a little bit of other stuff shoved in between

Need zippers? Don't think I will for a while.

Oh, and I did find that fabric I was looking for. Isn't it a cutie?!

A bit of this...

2011-05-17T01:01:00.000-05:00

and a bit of that!

I was really pleased to hear that one of my clutch bags has sold in the NY boutique. That was exciting news! Can't believe that I forgot to take a photo of the one that sold though before I sent it. :/

I put together an etsy treasury full of the neon things that I love:

I've been busy making little girl's dresses...

and I'm now back to big girl dresses (pics to follow).

The research for the book is still going strong. I have approx. 8 weeks left and am beginning to fret but I find I work well under pressure even if it means working through a few nights.

Are you feeling as stretched as I am?

Happy Mother's Day!

2011-05-08T04:31:00.000-05:00

Happy Mother's Day to all the Mums, Moms, Moeders, Mutters, Meres, Ibus, Madres, etc. Enjoy your day!

Finally got the chair out of the car. The vinyl is quite grubby but it has a lovely embossing on it. I'll give it a good scrub but eventually, I want to reupholster it into something with a bit more zing. It's in excellent condition and the woodwork is perfect.

And the fabric I showed you last week that I picked up? Here it is made into a little girl's dress... for some reason, everytime I look at it I think of bees. What's up with that?

How did you/will you spend your Mother's Day? I'll be sewing :)

I'm still here...

2011-05-01T21:11:00.000-05:00

just busy filling orders from Facebook (yay!).

P and I went thrift store hopping the other day... found some awesome fabric and a fan back vinyl chair that I just couldn't leave behind. It's still in the car as it took P some sweat and grunt to get it in and I don't have the heart to ask him to take it out... yet. :) Photo of the chair soon.

Photography has commenced on 'the' book and I'm so excited. The next 2 months are going to whizz by before I know it.

Got terrycloth?

2011-04-25T00:59:00.000-05:00

As you may (or not) know, I'm writing a book for Schiffer on a specific vintage fabric... terry cloth. Aka terrycloth, terry, toweling, towelling etc. Not the stretchy stuff - the 100% cotton vintage kind.

I have close to 400 samples (if not more)... I know - I'm obsessed but there are terry cloths out there that I don't have... I've seen them!

If anyone reads this blog or could pass the word around, I'm looking for examples of vintage terry cloth or vintage adverts about terry cloth that I can include in the book. All submissions would be acknowledged in the book.

I have 11 more weeks to get my manuscript in so time is of the essence. Your help would be greatly appreciated!

If you have any or know of someone that has, please contact me on originalmischief@gmail.com.

Thank you!!

Today is Earth Day...

2011-04-22T01:10:00.000-05:00

Individually, we are one drop. Together, we are an ocean ~ Ryunosuke Satoro

How will you make a difference?

Sometimes the Universe...

2011-04-17T22:01:00.001-05:00

tells me I'm supposed to be somewhere or to do something. On Friday, the Universe told me (nagged me) that I had to visit our tiny little local Thrift Store. I resisted until 15 minutes before closing because it was snowing. I'd have to rug up, take my comfy slippers off and brave the wind.
But I went. I am so glad that I did.

I found 3 yards of the grooviest, most fab vintage vinyl! I couldn't find a price so took it to the front desk to ask. The volunteer stated "oh yuk, $1". You bet your sweet bippy she did!

It will be used to reincanate this cute little kidney shaped stool that I found at another Thrift store. Thank you Universe for not letting me ignore you!

Also, a big thank you to Lyndel of the Vintage, Retro & Simply Cute blog for awarding me a Kreativ blog award!

I have to tell you ten things about me. I'm sure most of you know about me but I'll try. In no particular order...

1. I was a Career Counsellor for 15 years in Australia.

2. I have waaaay too much fabric that I couldn't possibly use in one lifetime but I'm going to try.

3. I have a dreadful memory thanks to 2 strokes. Thankfully, most people will remind me of things that have slipped my mind.

4. I miss my family and Australia dreadfully.

5. I'm a nightowl - sometimes not going to bed until 2-3am.

6. I'm terrified of birds.

7. I spend way too much time on the internet (that's 'cos all my friends live in it!)

8. I'm addicted to Thrift stores and garage sales. You just never know what you'll find.

9. I love musicals.

10. Lastly, I just don't get the Justin Beiber phenomenom.

Now I'm going to award 10 fabulous blogs. Again, in no particular order...

Zur Designs

Will Sew 4 Food

Eleven of Hearts

enV by Vanessa Coppes

Headpin Wear

Huzzah! Vintage

Made for me by Oaklie

Miss Dandy

O. Sebastian

Perdita's Pursuits

Until next time....

Listing...

2011-04-15T01:45:00.000-05:00

Am I the only one who doesn't like listing? Whether it's on Etsy, Artfire, eBay, etc? I find it such a chore.

Take a kajillion photos, pick what you think are the best 1,3,5, somehow get the first photo (on etsy) to look cute so people will look and bajing! you've made a sale.

I'd rather sew. Actually, I'd rather clean the bathroom than list.

I have a rack full of clothes and a shelf full of bags that are gorgeous but... I still haven't listed them. I could be selling them. I could be making money. I could be spending that money on more fabric. But still I don't list.

I'll procrastinate for days or weeks and finally think... I'd better list.

Is it just me? Or, do you dislike the process too?

Here's some things that I should be listing...

Italian jersey dress

Clutch bags

Look what my Mama made me!

2011-04-12T00:35:00.000-05:00

Isn't it the cutest?!

Now I just have to wait for the snail mail from Queensland to Wisconsin.

It's been a bit lean...

2011-04-07T22:26:00.000-05:00

in the Thrift stores around here of late. Now that it's Spring, I think people are holding onto their items in readiness for garage sales. The newspapers were devoid of them for nearly 3 months but the local paper is chock full of rummage, garage and estate sales this weekend.

I did manage to score some fabrics. The back four cottons were masking taped together (my little St. Vinnie's has a dreadful habit of doing this to any fabric - I won't be buying vintage velvet etc there again). I love the bright floral on the right. The bottom right was a whole mess of something shoved into a grocery bag. Turns out it was fabric to make 10 totes including all the handles. Even though it's cut into the necessary size to make the bags, there was more than 2 yards of fabric (and it's linen).

I also happened upon these gorgeous booklets from the US Dept. of Agriculture. All published from early 1941 to late 1944. So much fun to read.

Have you found anything of interest lately?

I've never met a fabric I didn't like...

2011-04-04T00:39:00.000-05:00

until now.

A great customer requested a dress suitable for Spring so together, we chose a gorgeous fabric made from Italian Jersey. I've sewn with all sorts of fabrics... polyester, acetate, organza, knits, etc but I've never come across a fabric like this.

So that I didn't mess up her fabric, I bought 2 yards of another so I could see how it handled.

Italian jersey (not my customer's fabric which is a surprise)

It's a stunning fabric - soft as butter with a wonderful drape but it handled like molten butter... it didn't want to pin, cut, or sew. No matter what I did, it tried to wriggle out of everything. It reminded me of a wilful teen!

I read up on how to sew jersey (there was nothing on Italian jersey) which I've sewn before and the recommendation was for a walking foot or to use tissue paper as a stabiliser. I didn't have either of those so I increased the tension on my feed dogs which helped immensely. I persevered for most of the weekend and I can now say that I'm winning the war but it was a hard slog.

Have you tried something that you thought would be a cinch and found out differently?

Green is Universal...

2011-04-01T00:13:00.000-05:00

Green is Universal-Reuse.com is teaming up with Etsy for a reuse challenge. Anything can be used that may have ended up in landfill and there are different categories including pets, toys, home decor and fashion. Competition opened March 28 and closes April 8 when judging will begin. Contest and rules are here.

I haven't figured out what I'm doing yet but I am so entering! I need to put my thinking cap on... fast!

Also, congratulations to JESSICA McCARTHY JOKISCH who was the winner of the bag giveaway. Thank you to everyone who entered and showed their support.

No luck the last two weeks...

2011-03-30T00:28:00.000-05:00

with thrift stores. Nada. Nothing. Zip. I could spend my $$ on stuff that I like but I like finding things that I 'love'.... and not one thing has seen my heart skip a beat.

I've been to quite a few thrift stores in search of vintage fabric and notions - even spent a full day today scouring the countryside but came away empty handed from each and every store.

I'm hoping as the weather improves more people will have a Spring clean so things will find their way to the thrift shops and into my hot little hands.

So, as I have nothing for show and tell... here's some pics of dresses I made last week.

Poppy Dress

Tropical Dress

Girl's Poppy Dress (I had fabric left over)

I hope everyone else has better luck at some finds than I did. Please share if you did.

What can't you do without...

2011-03-25T23:42:00.000-05:00

when creating?

Personally, it's my small pair of Fiskar's embroidery scissors. The blade is actually a tiny bit curved and they're very pointy which is great for getting in close to threads and for grading seams.

The other is my Ezy-Hem. I'd never head of Ezy-Hem until I moved to the US. Previously, I'd measured, marked, pinned and ironed. This little gem of a tool is such a timesaver... fold your hem fabric over to the desired measurement (it's able to both straight and curved hems), iron and sew. Bliss! Although I have learnt not to have the steam setting on on the iron - the steam hits the steel and burns the dickens out of your fingers!!

I also can't get by without my Mundial Dressmaker Shears. Such a dream to cut with.

What do you use that you can't do without when creating?

Fabric selling (and buying)...

2011-03-22T00:06:00.000-05:00

Not quite sure what's happening in ebay and etsy lands lately... I've received a rash (apparently there's no collective noun for fabric other than stash) of mislabeled or flawed fabric - none of which has been divulged by the seller.

I could go into a long, tedious and boring post regarding getting a fabric content right (here's an example by Fabrics.net but to just state "I don't know anything about fabric" lets your buyer, and you, down. If a little research is done, the ending price could have been so much more. Occasionally, I'll let a seller know that the "smooth barkcloth" is in fact just cotton (if it is actually cotton) - it could also be poly/cotton, rayon, linen etc depending on the weave however alot of the time, there is only one photo without a closeup so it's hard to tell.

As an aside, please don't wash vintage fabric. If it's vintage, chances are the buyer may be collecting it. If it's washed, it will probably shrink, the sizing will be removed and it is devalued. I've been collecting for more than 10+ years... the number of fabrics I've passed on is more than I actually own (and that's saying something!) If the buyer wants to wash it after purchasing, that's their choice.

If the fabric is flawed in any way, please say so. Not stating that the fabric has old masking tape stuck on it, has a misprint, or the dye ran is asking for trouble!

In the past month, out of the 20 or so fabrics I've purchased, just under half were either misnamed or flawed. "100% cotton terry cloth" was terry spandex (yuk!), the cotton well, wasn't, the original Peter Max t-shirting had a misprint which the seller tried to tell me after I received it, was part of the print. Wasted time and money.

Two totally fabulous ladies that sell vintage fabric on ebay and their own websites are Vanessa from Vintage Fabrics and Elizabeth from Vintage Fabric Addict. Both Vanessa and Elizabeth know their stuff, are more than happy to answer questions and both have absolutely awesome collections available for purchase.

And no, I'm not biased in any way... I just like good fabric with great customer service.

Busy week...

2011-03-19T16:09:00.000-05:00

Still trying to get my Visa sorted out so I can stay in the US - thought that might be a good idea seeing as I married P :) I had to go to Milwalkee (not a short trip for us) for further fingerprinting (we worked out it's the fourth or fifth time). I guess there's reasoning... *shrug*

I've been busy sewing - I've had a few orders which is fantastic - just need to keep up the momentum.

The book is still in research mode - so much info to find out - slowly, slowly.

During the week, I snatched time to make these...

Baby Doll light cotton dress

60's brushed knit dress

If you haven't done so already, don't forget to enter the birthday giveaway either here or here. Drawn on March 31st.

Sun dresses...

2011-03-14T00:53:00.000-05:00

Exciting news! You may or may not have heard but enV Jewelry in New York will be stocking my bags and dresses.

I have been diligently sewing (of course!) and have half a dozen bags and a few dresses ready to be shipped.

These are 2 of the dresses that will be available. Each one a different size and OOAK.

More to come!

Birthday giveaway...

2011-03-09T15:29:00.002-06:00

Another year older, but none the wiser ;)

To celebrate another glorious year on Planet Earth, I'm having a giveaway on my Facebook page but you can join in here.

Follow this blog, make a comment on this post to be entered - giveaway will be drawn on Thursday, March 31, 2011 at 5pm by random.org. Please leave me an email addy so I can contact you should you be the winner.

Alternatively, like my facebook page (it's over there on the right hand side --->) and leave a comment in the topic in the Discussion tab with your personal page (sorry, fan pages ineligible).

Oh, and here's two of the clutches I made on the weekend... I still need to put the frames on the others. The bag in the giveaway is also one I made on the weekend.

Have a wonderful day! I know I will :)

You know you've had a productive day...

2011-03-07T01:23:00.002-06:00

when the trash can beside your sewing table looks like this...

I made 3 bags, 3 clutches and drafted 2 dress patterns and it was fun!!

Pics to follow when there's some daylight :)

They're here...

2011-03-04T00:21:00.000-06:00

I don't think I'd make it as a rockstar or even a semi-quasi famous person... living out of a suitcase is just too hard.

After 5 months (to the day) of waiting for my boxes to arrive from Australia... they're here!

I'll be spending this weekend reaquainting myself with my meagre possessions but couldn't resist opening just one box of fabric. I grabbed just a small handful to show you...

vintage cotton canvas

vintage Hawaiian crepe

vintage cotton velvet

vintage open weave knit

I'll share some more next week :)

Friday finds...

2011-02-28T16:23:00.000-06:00

P and I travelled to Walmart on Friday for some bias binding (first time I've run out). We thought we'd have a quick look at Goodwill on the opposite side of the Frank Lloyd Wright Highway.

P found this... a fun retro lamp with a bakelite neck. It needs some fixing but totally worth it for $4.99 (excuse the mess in the storeroom)

especially when it goes so well with this... in perfect shape for 99cents.

I found this...

and this...

and voila!

A totally fun dress is born! The fabric is a single knit polyester and the peter pan collar and pocket flap was a tiny bit of white crepe double knit that I found that Goodwill threw in. There's still some hand tacking to do but it was really easy to make.

All that for less than $7! I love days like that :)

Things that make you go hmmm...

2011-02-23T21:12:00.000-06:00

1. Expecting sunny weather and it snows
2. Wondering whether the tracks of the animal in the snow are something to worry about because they're rather large
3. Deciding whether throwing a snowball at the back of P's head would be amusing... to him
4. Wondering how far off pretty summery shoes will reappear as part of my daily wear
5. Thinking that it would be lovely to watch woodland creatures come to my backyard for a feed of seed and corn... as long as they're not the animal that left the hobnail boot tracks in #2
5. Realising that I've used up all my screens for my Gocco just by playing around
6. Wondering why a pack of 5 Gocco screens is so expensive to ship when they're so light
7. Amusing myself with naughty words I'd like to print on things
8. Amusing myself again wondering how hard it would be to print 'Look Out!' on the snowball (at least then I warned him)
9. Wondering whether there will be a knock at the door in the next few weeks from USCIS because my Visa expired
10.. Grateful that after 5 months my boxes will arrive next Monday but why did they take so long
11. Wondering whether everything will have to be sent back
12. Trying to figure out how Walmart can sell superbly embroidered pillows for $13
13. Wondering whether crafting is worth it (yes, I know... handmade vs. factorymade)
14. Deciding that eating icecream with homemade chocolate sauce contains no calories (I can pretend it's calorie free if I want to!)
15. Wondering when the international phone lines between the USA and Toowoomba will be open again
16. Remembering that I haven't heard from my Son in 2 months
17. Remembering that I turn another year older very soon
18. Deciding that turning 29 every year is getting old and perhaps this year I should celebrate being 30!
19. Reminding myself I'm closer to 50 than 30
20. Wondering if it's the norm to get tired so early in the evenings as I get older

Hmmmmm.....

Where do the days go?

2011-02-20T23:58:00.000-06:00

I blinked and a few days just wizzed by. Wonder how that happens?

All systems go here... residency Visa is started, P is busy working on the appraisals he did late last month, I'm sewing, oh and we went to the movies. We saw The Social Network. We both thought it was a great movie probably told from the point of view of Eduardo (one of the co-founders of FB).

In amongst all of that, I've had a little time to shop on ebay ;)

Besides some fabric purchases, my newest prized possessions are:

Fitz & Floyd Dove Candleholder

Fitz & Floyd Owl Moneybank

Mod Clock (measures 30 inches high!)

How was everyone else's week? Busy? Slow?

The good, the bad and the downright ugly!

2011-02-16T23:49:00.000-06:00

From my experience and from the groans I've heard (read) on FB worldwide, the changes made recently to fan pages have been a fail.

Here's some info, in no particular order, that may or may not help you in your journey on FB. The ratings given are my opinion only.

Bad - 1. Changes made this week on FB become mandatory for all on 1st March regardless of whether you have not opted in as yet. Might as well get used to it;

Good - 2. You can fan 5,000 fan pages from your personal account and 500 from your own fan page.

Ugly - 3. Liking a page from your fan page only adds them to your news feed and puts them in your faves (left hand side of your fan page under heading: Likes);

Ugly - 4. To fan a page, you still need to use your personal account.

Ugly - 5. To do a shoutout for a fan page (tagging them with @), the fan page you are tagging needs to be liked by your fan page. Confused yet? This means that you will probably have liked them in both your personal page and your fan page. I have over 1,500 pages that I've liked in my personal page many of which I do shoutouts for. Only being able to like 500 from my fan page so I can do shoutouts means that I will have to unlike fan pages on a revolving basis so that I can like more to share the shoutouts. *sigh*

Ugly - 6. Here's the one receiving most complaints: Posts on fan pages are now sorted (by FB) based on relevancy. They are no longer seen in chronological order by fans. How the heck did FB come up with an algorithm based on relevancy? Well, I know how they did - I guess my question is why? People are missing posts, page owners can't find anything, a post from 4 hours ago (with 1 comment) supercedes a post from 10 minutes ago (with 6 likes). It's madness I tell you! and, all I can say is, pffffft.

Bad - 7. Admin of a fan page can change the order of posts to sort chronologically by clicking Admin View (on the left hand side column under the word Wall) but this doesn't help the confused fans now does it FB?

Ugly - 8. Photos now appear in their own type of frame... with advertising! I was looking at a friend's kids photos the other day - now FB, why would I want to see an ad for burlesque lingerie when I'm looking at children? Perhaps you need to rethink what advertisements go where?!

Bad - 9. Photos are disappearing, people can't put photos into albums they already had, people can't tag a photo... Oh Mr Hart, what a mess! Sorry if you don't understand the reference - some will, some wont.

Good - 10. Fan page admins now receive notification via email that someome has commented on their wall. About time too.

Good/Bad - 11. Admins can now state that they own the page by having their personal page appear in the left side column as Page Admin. I don't need people to see my ugly mug so I've left mine off. Hmmm, perhaps I should have given that an 'ugly' rating??

Good - 12. Content moderation is now available through the Edit Options. This one I like - I have a friend who forgets that Original Mischief is my business and she comes and lets off steam on my wall from time to time. She doesn't do it on purpose as she also does it on my personal page - I just have to be quick to catch it. It gives me a chuckle but it's not the sort of thing for my fan page wall right?

There's a few other changes that, for me, are neither here nor there. The tabs that were at the top of the fan pages are now in the left hand column. Fan pages can now change their business category. Info has more fields... I'm still discovering as is everyone else but, I think that at this time, FB got it wrong.

Tally: Good - 4 ; Bad - 4 ; Ugly - 5 ;

Vintage trims and bits and bobs...

2011-02-13T15:05:00.000-06:00

When I go thrifting, I make a bee-line for the fabric sections. P says I'm like a hound dog I can find them so fast in stores I've never been to. I'm not greedy - I purchase the bits and pieces I know I'll use either in the very near future or sometime in my lifetime. ;)

I've got some awesome fabric but the items I covet sometimes even more so than fabric is the vintage trims and notions.

I have 5 big drawer fulls of vintage bias tape, seam tape, twill tape, rick rack, zippers, buttons, DIY belt buckles etc. The great thing about the vintage bias tapes is that they were mostly made from cotton not polyester like now.

I've even been lucky enough to find full rolls of vintage double knit trim. They're so fun and amazingly go with the fabric I usually find on the same trip but at another store!

A little snippet of info... did you know that on the underside of the wrapper for vintage bias tape or seam tape, the manufacturer usually included a pattern or an offer for a book? I hadn't actually been looking until I threw a paper wrapper in the bin, it landed wrong side up and there was a pattern for an apron. Now when I unwrap, I do it very carefully in case there is a small gem on the back.

Have you found any interesting patterns on the underside of vintage trim?

What's your opinion?

2011-02-10T19:16:00.000-06:00

I was just reading the forums on Etsy and there was a discussion about french seams versus serged seams.

French seam from Threads

99% of respondents stated that french seams were a little more work for a more professional and nicer finish and serged seams were a sign of poor workmanship. I was the 1% by the way - I didn't disagree with the comments about professional or nice but I took umbridge at the poor workmanship comments.

Serged seam from Threads

I like french seams - they provide a clean line and look great especially in a skirt but... in my opinion, a serged seam also looks neat and tidy. Look in your closet - can you to find up to or more than 5 garments that have french seams (handmade/homemade not counted for this exercise) rather than a serged or a hong kong seam finish.

Hong Kong seam from Threads

When did serging become a non acceptable finish for apparel, homewares etc?

Is this a new trend? Are sergers no longer in vogue?

The things we find (when we're not looking)...

2011-02-07T01:46:00.000-06:00

I hadn't actually realised how addicted I had become to Facebook, Twitter, forums etc when today I couldn't access my Facebook page for 12 hours. I wanted to know what friends were doing... who was selling what... what funny videos people were playing... and I couldn't see a thing.

My page was apparently down for site maintenance. I wasn't pulling my hair out but every so often I'd come back and check - up yet? now? how about now?

It seems that lately I haven't had much luck in the internet department - earlier this week, blogger told me I wasn't following anyone therefore I had nothing in my reading list. What? I follow close to 300 blogs. How could there be nothing there?

Twitter gets me every time. The dreaded "Uh oh. Twitter is over capacity". Well, get more capacity!

Etsy dumps me out every 20 minutes or so. Fine.

P is forever twiddling with his computer settings which means my wireless connection just ceases. Sigh.

Today, when I was trying to find out why my account was chosen for site maintenance, I was googling me (we've all done that haven't we?), I came upon an awesome write up about me/Original Mischief.

Vanessa from EnVJewelry had written a fab review about a dress I had made for her before Christmas. I tell you... with me getting more frustrated by the hour with not being able to get onto the web, it gave me a huge happy.

Thanks Vanessa!

Optical illusion 60s fabric dress

I can be a tad slow...

2011-02-04T14:41:00.000-06:00

but sometimes it takes time to decide these things. I finally ordered a Gocco screen printer and I'm so excited!

Gocco was made by Riso and discontinued in 2007 but supplies are still floating around most e-stores. I also purchased cloth inks and a cloth stamper.

I want to be able to print onto small areas of fabric as an embellishment. P and I are also going to get bulk lots of fabric printed at Spoonflower when we need yardage.

Can you see this pink Mini Dress with a turquoise butterfly flying up from the hem?

Unfinished pink Mini Dress

Or a black tribal emblem on the thigh of this dress?

Red Double Knit Dress

Kitschy? Gaudy? Cool? I think I love the idea - converging vintage 60's and 70's with ink!

A Frank Lloyd Wright for me!

2011-02-01T12:57:00.000-06:00

P and I love Frank Lloyd Wright's architecture. We live 20 minutes away from Taliesin but I haven't been in yet. The one time P took me (just after I arrived), it was closed for a private party so we're waiting for Spring so I can enjoy it in all its glory.

However, the Gridley House in Chicago is now up for sale... at a reduced price of $1.45M! Petty cash! If P and I pool our funds, we could afford the tour at Taliesin - maybe.

Gridley House, 637 Batavia Avenue, Batavia, IL

In Richland Center, 20 minutes away from us in another direction (I think), there is a stunning warehouse designed by Frank Lloyd Wright - the only one. It's a majestic building that is slowly falling to ruin. It's currently owned by an elderly man who refuses to do anything with it or sell it back to the State. Such a shame.

On another note but not much of a segway, thank you so much to Perdita from Perditas Pursuits for giving me an I Love Your Blog award. A wonderful surprise!

I need to pass the award on to 5 other people whose blogs I enjoy reading. I've chosen:

Lyndel from Vintage, Retro and Simply Cute Shopping

Irene from Re-Vintaged

Alicia from Time Worn Style

Rosy from Sewing Adicta

and

Marsi from The Cottage Cheese

Sunday, Sunday...

2011-01-30T21:42:00.000-06:00

What a week. P went away for 3 days for business to do an appraisal. Some of the items he appraised were dresses and accessories from the 60's. However, he sent me this pic of a very special bag that was worn for the Nobel Peace Prize Ceremony in 2002.

Oscar de la Renta clutch 2002

I'm not allowed to tell you whose it is but I'm sure you can guess/google etc. The pattern looks very 60's to me!

I was featured in more than 50 (!) treasuries over the past 2 weeks. Astonishing and amazing! Thank you to all.

I made a few myself. This one was for the Indie Junction Team.

I made some 60's dresses for ladies and girls - to be listed tomorrow.

I can't believe the week went so fast! Going hunting at the thrift stores certaily helped. :) Hope this week is as fun and full and that yours is too.

Thrift store score!

2011-01-28T00:41:00.001-06:00

A friend and I had a fabulous day hitting the Thrift stores in Madison, WI today. There was not one I walked out of empty handed.

Goodies included...

4 1968/69 unused paper doll books

vintage patterns, zippers and rick rack

vintage double knit fabric, Hawaiian barkcloth and unused pillowcases ready for embroidery.

I also bought other more modern patterns, two thread/bobbin holders for the wall and had a lovely lunch to boot. An awesome outing all for under $20!

Collecting...

2011-01-25T00:27:00.000-06:00

Besides collecting vintage fabric and vintage miniature candle sticks (don't ask me why), I've started collecting... vintage Fitz and Floyd. But not just any FF, it's a particular um, style shall we say.

Remember my Thrift Store find...

Well, according to the FF logo stamp on the base and the Fitz and Floyd white paper label - must have had my eyes closed not to see it - it's a Fitz and Floyd! They're all money boxes.

My new pieces are a gorgeous green pig and,

and a mod orange cat!

I have my eye on a few other pieces so it looks like I'm starting another collection. I'd rather buy things that have been loved before - it saves on landfill and I'm all for reducing and reusing - we have enough on this planet to last the next few generations!

What do you collect? (Dust bunnies don't count!)

Handmadeology...

2011-01-23T18:35:00.000-06:00

Heard of it? It's the "science of handmade".

Handmadeology is a fab website that exists for the purpose of teaching artists to successfully sell their handmade goods online, and to feature the newest handmade, vintage and supply items found on Etsy (taken from their website).

Handmadeology shares information such as how to make the most of SEO, why you need a business plan, using tags and coupons, taking better photos (that one's for me!), the list goes on...

Handmadeology recently started a team on Etsy which in just over a week or so, has seen 480+ members join!

The talent pool is amazing!

This week, I had a treasury featuring members of the HMET (Handmadeology Team) on the front page of Handmadeology - lucky me!

The 70s are (coming) back...

2011-01-21T01:26:00.000-06:00

Spring/Summer 2011 sees the 70s hitting the catwalks again! Hurrah! Elements of the 70s never left - just look at the Olson twins - flared denim was back for a while, so was crimped hair and 'festival' garb but the clothing to come will be the 70s meets the 21st Century.

Sonny and Cher

Not that I could ever afford to buy a Robert Cavalli piece but if designers are making it their new season showing then you can be sure as bears in the woods, that it will trickle down to the masses.

Robert Cavalli Collection Spring/Summer 2011

I love the ethereal quality of this collection however give me psychedelic colors any day rather than wishy-washy muted hues.

Colors that cause migraines are fun!

Although, hippie fringing is making a comeback, I'm hoping that the following, quite frankly, doesn't...

Platform shoes for men
Short wide ties
Mini miniskirts (aka wide belts)
Short white boots (CMF's)
Granny dresses (you know, the ones with lace around the high collar)
Polyester Trouser suits for women
Safari suits for men (especially powder blue)
Bell bottoms
Fur vests
Fringed vests (jackets are fine)
Velour/velvet Hotpants (only 'cos I can't wear them anymore!)
White polyester suits (aka Tony Manero)

Can you add to the list?

Lulu in hotpants

Programing has resumed...

2011-01-19T01:03:00.002-06:00

It's done! I had to have the draft submission into the Publisher and there was pages of stuff that I had to provide. Sent today. *wipes brow* Now I have until August 1st to write it and I'm sure that date will come soon enough!

In the traditon of Pay It Forward, there is a a Facebook Craft It Foward page started by the Cool 2 Craft Network where you make something for 5 people and they in turn make something for 5 people... ad infinitum. The concept has now reached the blogosphere and I'm joining in!

The first 5 people that comment here will get a lovely handmade something from me. However, to be a recipient, you must be willing to either pay it forward or craft it forward. You can make something or do something for 5 other people. If $$ are an issue, limit your PIF or CIF to your neighbourhood, your State or even your Country.

I'm happy to open this up to international recipients as long as you're happy to wait for your item to arrive via first class snail mail. After you've commented, send me an email to originalmischief at gmail dot com and advise me of your postal address. Don't worry - your addresses won't be used for evil ;)

Just a quick aside, I donated a huggy elephant to the Queensland Flood Appeal on Flick Martin's page on Facebook. There are 5 albums full of donations - over 800 items so far and still they're coming - with over $23,000 raised in the past week! (The link will open in Flick's photos - look for the albums with the Help signs as the first photo).

Have a looksee in the albums... you may find something you just have to have! Flick has a Letter of Authority from the Queensland Lord Mayor's Fund as an official sponsor so the money will go where it's supposed to.

Here's the linky to the huggy elephant made from vintage Japanese fabric... just in case you want to bid.

Temporarily closed...

2011-01-15T11:45:00.000-06:00

I don't know how other people do it! I am in awe of their super human abilities to juggle households, children, jobs, crafting, social networking, etc. Do they never sleep? Or do they have staff?

I sincerely appreciate everyone that has taken time out of their day to leave me a message.

Hopefully, will see you again in the not so distant future. Best wishes to all of you for your future aspirations.

Is there anybody out there? Sale!

2011-01-13T23:45:00.000-06:00

Except for a few regulars, I think we're alone here.

If anyone is interested (including you lurkers), I'm having 10% off in both my etsy shops - Original Mischief (all cushions on sale - does not include what I list this weekend) and Tactile Threads (everything on sale including what I list this weekend). Sale lasts for one week.

% off will be taken off at checkout but does not include shipping.

My heart goes out to Australia...

2011-01-12T02:07:00.000-06:00

I'm sure you've all heard on the news about the floods in Australia with the worst hit being Queensland. Now Victoria has been hit by a deluge with more rain on the way which will affect New South Wales, South Australia and Tasmania. Over in Western Australia they're coping with bushfires.

My sincerest condolences to all those that have lost loved ones and have loved ones still missing.

My parents live in Toowoomba, Queensland (which was hardest hit) and my sister lives in Churchable (close to my parents) on a horse stud. Thankfully, my family is ok. No phone, no petrol (gas), no fresh food or milk but they're fine and are hoping that the power stays on.

Hopefully, the waters will subside soon.

Image stolen from google

You need a good pair...

2011-01-10T12:10:00.000-06:00

of boots to make your way through life.

I had the most awesome pair of patchwork suede boots from Miss Louse that I unthinkingly (is that a word?) sold before my sojourn to the States. I'd had them since the late 70's and they cost me a bomb. $425 and I was only earning $98 a week. It took me ages to pay them off. Oh well. We live and learn.

My next pair will look something like these if I could only find them in my size...

Mod Flower Power GoGo Boots from RetroThreadz

Floral embroidered GoGo Boots from LennyandMeVintage

Mod GoGo Boots from Miss Farfalla

Miss Sinatra got it so right...

My motto for this year...

2011-01-08T20:19:00.000-06:00

although sometimes I'm right there with the hair clip!

I reshot the photos I had taken with FotoFuze - I asked for some opinions via FB and was advised by most that they looked better on a chair.

I've been busy making retro bags, ottomans (can't believe we forgot the peanuts!) amongst other things. I'll show you at a later date.

I also found some awesome wet look vinyl and couldn't resist making a cushion out of it...

I'm impressed...

2011-01-06T12:00:00.000-06:00

Anything to make my life easier with producing photos for etsy listings is always on my wishlist. I take dreadful photos remember?

In the etsy forum earlier this week, others were discussing their photographic downfalls and someone mentioned FotoFuze. Normally my photos are hit and miss - with lots of misses - and my knowledge is one of using Picassa and hitting "I'm feeling lucky".

Well... color me pink! Or any other color for that matter.

FotoFuze is so easy to use and the results, I think, speak for themselves. FotoFuze is an etsy app (not affiliated with etsy) but is also available for other uses - just save your photo to your puter. FotoFuze can even "speak" to etsy to make uploading your photos easier.

Take a look...

was this.

I'm not normally one to trumpet computer programs as there are so many out there that each do different things but when one comes along that is so simple to use and makes listing easier, I'm all for it!

What a start to the year!

2011-01-04T22:28:00.001-06:00

I wasn't kidding when I said a New Year = new opportunities!

Tactile Threads is open on etsy, homewares (cushions so far) have been added to Original Mischief on etsy, P and I are busy doing some designs that we are going to have printed at Spoonflower for more homewares , one of my cushions was in a treasury, and... and...

I'm going to be an author!

I contacted a Publisher the first week of December regarding a book idea - they rang me on 23rd December and advised that they would be publishing my book and that I had until 1st August (P's birthday) to write it.

It's 2 weeks later and I still haven't wiped the grin off my face! I've received my contract so just have to sign on the dotted line.

Now, if I can just keep this momentum up!

It's a new year...

2011-01-01T16:00:00.000-06:00

I was wondering last night why New Year's Eve is celebrated. What makes it seem so 'magical'? Why do (some) people make resolutions that they know within a week will be a distant memory? January 1st is just another day, right?

After googling and reading various pages, New Year's Day is just that... new. A new cycle, a new chapter ie., the slate is wiped clean. A whole new world of opportunities are borne.

During my time away from blogging this past week, I wrote down my aspirations for 2011. I found that I had been distracted by various things last year - some small, some life changing - and have come to the conclusion that I need to focus.

Bright and shiny (or vintage and glamorous) is not what I wanted for Original Mischief when I first had the idea. So, I'm pulling the reins in and re-establishing what Original Mischief is about.

My list for 2011 is long but I'm hoping to achieve what I set out to - my action plan has set goal dates which I'm hoping to follow without too much deviation.

I wish for all of you that 2011 is successful and that your dreams, hopes and goals become a reality.

Merry Christmas...

2010-12-24T10:22:00.000-06:00

Whereever you may be and whomever you are with on Christmas Day, I hope you have a wonderful day filled with love and laughter. Stay safe. xx

Merry Christmas to you all. See you in the New Year!

Fab fave finds...

2010-12-22T22:01:00.000-06:00

Last one for the year... maybe forever.

Next year, I will be taking a different direction and my blog will of course, be following me on that same path.

On that note, enjoy these finds...

Handmade cloth storage basket from Bede Sisters

Peppermint Fused Glass Earrings from Makena Lei Creations

Pink quilled paper under domed glass Bubble Ring from Rebekah Holguin

and, because it's Christmas...

Merry Xmas Lime Spider Singlet Tank from Bohemian Babes

Christmas is nearly here...

2010-12-20T16:16:00.001-06:00

The view from my front door

which means that Santa is getting his reindeer and his sleigh ready. No pressies or trimmings for us this year. After the cost of moving and the visa application, it's enough that we're together and I'll get my first white Christmas

I hope you're ready - that pressies are wrapped, cards have been sent and the house is sparkling with baubles and tinsel.

Don't forget to leave your chimney flue open and something scrummy for Santa and his reindeer. I'm guessing they'll all need something yummy between each stop as he has a long night ahead of him... could be why he's so rotund.

Saturday Shoutout... TaraVHoops

2010-12-18T15:44:00.000-06:00

Remember the hula hoop craze? Those twisty, bendy circles that would smack you in the leg and leave a welt? Theeey're back!

Now called hooping or just hoopdancing, modern hula hoopers have a glorious array of colors at their disposal... they're able to be lit on fire (the hoops, not the dancers), filled with glitter and water or fun LED ones!

TaraVHoops has a fantastic assortment of hula hoops that are made from poly tubing or she can custom make one to your design. Different weights and sizes are also available. Hoops can be used for fun, dancing and for fitness.

I know I should really get this for my collection...

Pic from LP Cover Lover

Tara states she's never seen a hooper not smiling and believes it may be the secret to happiness!

LED hoop from TaraVHoops

Fluffy hoops from TaraVHoops

Hotchecker hoop from TaraVHoops

Visit Tara on etsy for more information to get your hoop on!

Fab fave finds...

2010-12-15T12:07:00.000-06:00

These are some of the gorgeous items I used for my wedding.

Peridot earrings from Two Cheeky Monkeys

Hip Circle Wedding invites from Stelie Designs

Fabric Bouquet from Bedouin

1950s Lucite Spike Heels from Nickie Frye

No problem...

2010-12-13T13:50:00.000-06:00

Our area of Wisconsin had a blizzard the night before the wedding. Let's start with that shall we?

When we awoke at some early hour, the first thing that had to be done was P had to dig out the sidewalks or face a fine from the village. That done, he realised that there was no way we could get the car out of the garage - 10 inches of ice and snow running 20+ feet and 5 feet wide, was going to take hours so we organised for a lift to the wedding.

No problem.

Oh, problem... was the Celebrant able to get there? We'd spoken to her the night before and she was stuck 2 hours away after officiating at a wedding in northern Wisconsin. It was decided to put back our wedding by 2 hours in the hopes that the roads would be cleared enough for everyone (including us) to make their way to the ceremony.

No problem.

Phone calls were coming in thick and fast from guests stating that they were still coming, might be late but they'd get there as soon as the ploughing had happened.

P and I took our time getting ready as we now had some room to move. Uh oh, problem.

P had hung his gorgeous shirt that he made on the back of his sewing chair... he pulled the chair out, something got stuck and the wheel tore right through his shirt front.

No problem.

Choose another shirt in the closet. With me soothing his hurt, "I know honey, you didn't make it but it's ok. You'll still look fantastic."

More phone calls from the Celebrant... she's making her way slowly down the highway. She'll get there around 1.30pm but we need to leave now as what should take 3/4 an hour is taking 1.5 hours at the quickest.

No problem.

I hurriedly dress, do the hair and makeup thing. P compliments me on my outfit which makes me shine. I don my snow boots, parka and take a quick look outside to see how much snow has actually fallen and to marvel at the pretty landscape. You can tell what's about to happen can't you?!

I walk inside, stomp my boots, travel across the carpet onto the lino floor and BAM! My feet fly out from underneath me, the front of my face smacks into the floor, my fingers bend back underneath my awkwardly landed body and everything goes dizzy.

P heard the thump and then the howl. He came running, put me into a sitting position and then he uttered those dreaded words... Uh oh, problem.

Blood. On my wedding dress. Dripping down the front.

I'd split my lip, broken a front tooth (the bottom one thankfully) and we thought had broken 3 of my fingers on my left hand. Yep, you guessed it... the ring finger.

After P had soothed me, he repeated what I'd said earlier... No problem.

If you remember, all of my belongings are coming by sea and haven't yet arrived. I brought with me some jumpers, some sweat pants and one skirt. The skirt and a top were quickly chosen after a patch up job on my face and fingers, I was bundled into the waiting car.

Inside the car, others were discussing whether we should forgo the ceremony or I be taken to the hospital. I started laughing and stated that after all this sh*te that I've been through to get to the US to marry my man, there was no way that I was not going to the ceremony!

No problem.

After all of that, it was an uneventful wedding. I cried during my vows, P got nervous and refused to let go of my hand after the placing of the ring, our Celebrant and guests made it to the wedding and a fun afternoon was had by all.

Today, I'm sore but happy.

No problem.

*Pics of the wedding to follow when they've been emailed to us. There aren't too many as my face was swollen so I shied away from cameras and P is camera shy.

Here 'tis...

2010-12-11T23:15:00.000-06:00

Done! She's in need of a good iron in the morning but everything's complete.

We've had a fun day trying to complete little odds and ends without power due to a blizzard and poor P is only half way through his shirt and it's currently 11.12pm on Saturday night. Looks like we're in for a short night!

Some of our guests were stuck in Ohio due to aircraft mechanical failure although better on the ground than in the air. So, whilst we were waiting, I turned drab...

into fab in our little kitchen.

See you when I'm a Mrs!

3 days to go...

2010-12-09T12:41:00.000-06:00

and I'm incredibly homesick. Friends and family can't attend the wedding - although I wouldn't expect them to travel that far and in Winter.

I am looking forward to my new life with P whereever we may live. Who knows... we may move back to Oz.

My dress is nearly complete - just the belt to sew. P surprised me and is making his own shirt from a gorgeous black and white squiggly patterned cotton reminiscent of a late 1800's fabric. We must look so funny to passersby who can see in our loungeroom window with both of us heads down at our respective machines.

I'll try to post a pic of my dress prior to Sunday. The color is just gorgeous!

Here's a few pics of our loungeroom which we've converted to our sewing room... there's fabric in all areas of the house with more to come when my boxes arrive.

P and I both use vintage Singers. I use a 500A (Rocketeer), P uses a 431G and we have, of course, the mandatory serger.

Warm and sexy!

2010-12-04T17:56:00.001-06:00

I was going to make a slinky little number for my wedding dress from silver satin charmeuse and a reissued vintage Butterick pattern however, after seeing Jacki's Bubblegum Dress on her blog; Modern Twist and Gertie's double knit dress on her blog: Gertie's New Blog for Better Sewing and realising that the weather will not be conducive for slinky and sexy, I was doubly inspired and decided to opt for warmth and sexy.

The wedding is in one week so I have lots to do although I'm one up on P who still hasn't decided what to wear. Knowing P's penchant for 'warm', he'll turn up wearing his parka, insulated jeans, mittens and his knitted hat. Come to think of it, I may have to borrow his socks on the day... my feet will be freezing in my vintage 50's shoes.

I've been busy making a custom dress this week for a party in a week. I made it from black and white optical illusion sateen from the 60's. I'll post a pic when the client receives it otherwise it spoils her surprise.

Sage green double knit and McCalls 5308 - Dress A

Fab fave finds...

2010-12-01T00:50:00.000-06:00

50s inspired Butterfly Dress from the House of Trash by Gold Mine Trash

That is all... ;)

I've fallen in love...

2010-11-28T18:46:00.000-06:00

with squirrels! So cute but I'm told not terribly cuddly. I couldn't resist making an Etsy Treasury.

This is my squirrel offering on etsy. He looks like a photobomber!

Does anyone know what a baby squirrel is called? A kitten?

Found the perfect thing...

2010-11-27T11:33:00.001-06:00

Remember I asked what would be the perfect pressie for P for our wedding? Well, here 'tis...

I found it on eBay and he couldn't be happier. We both love 50's styling although I'm also filling the house with 60's and 70's kitsch and color. Can't help myself. There's some amazing finds in the Thrift stores here.

Like my new BF...

Edgar is a candle holder (50c)

This unreal vintage lamp was a great find... the shade was found in one Thrift shop ($20) and the base in another ($1). They go so well together.

What awesomeness have you found lately?

Happy Thanksgiving...

2010-11-25T13:23:00.000-06:00

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!

It's my first and I'm looking forward to my first Thanksgiving dinner. I've got the mandatory turkey and all the trimmings - it's very much like our Christmas lunch in Australia (our family always had the traditional European fare as that's where we're from) and to say I love a good turkey roast is an understatement. Though it could be a tad difficult in Oz when it was 40+ degrees and we were eating a hot lunch, and slaving in the kitchen, whilst we heard of others having lovely seafood platters.

But, what the hey... If you enjoy it, it's worth the effort.

Fab fave finds...

2010-11-24T12:54:00.000-06:00

Felt & Zipper Brooch from Woolly Fabulous

Beehive Beret from Pixiebell

Taka the Ninja Leather Keychain from Leather Prince

Sally the Lime Green Sewing Machine from Riley Construction

Any color requests or themes for next week?

Finally...

2010-11-20T15:20:00.000-06:00

After more than a week of hounding, P has put his photographer's hat on!

Fab fave finds...

2010-11-17T11:52:00.000-06:00

Fushia The Hot Pink Bunny Plushie from Zygopsyche

African flower Granny Square Blanket from FarmersDaughter52

Jada Belt Buckle - Forbidden from MnM Treasures

Hope Pink Feather Butterfly Clip from Kaang

Fuschia was the pick of the day. Any suggestions or themes for next week?

Uh oh! I forgot to tip...

2010-11-15T17:05:00.000-06:00

I'm new to this tipping thing as it's not the norm in Australia to tip. The wages are fair (no, I'm not going to define fair) and tipping is usually reserved for service above and beyond. I get that you tip your wait person at a restaurant - at my fave Japanese restaurant in Melbourne, I always tipped 20% of the total bill. Not only was the food and service above par, but after years of eating there, they knew my name, what I liked to eat, and my guests and I always got a great table.

P has been teaching me the finer art of tipping in the US however there are some aspects I just don't understand. Such as...

- if everyone is called 'customer service' why do I need to tip the owner of a hair salon? She cut my hair today and she and I were the only ones in the salon. Doesn't she get all of the money I just paid for my haircut? I didn't realise I had to tip her and left today without giving her 'extra'. P stated he forgot to tell me this one but sorry, it's not one I understand.

- I'm supposed to tip the grocery store attendant if they help me find something? Why? Another I don't understand. Aren't they there to help me find the hufnagle hooper strips that I was looking for?

- does that mean that the lady in the bank that helped me for half an hour understand the differing accounts gets tipped too?

When P and I went to a restaurant a couple of weeks ago and I was in the middle of my 'tipping' training, I actually asked the waitress to sit with us so I could understand. Apparently, she gets $2.50 per hour! What? Isn't that against the law? How can anyone survive on that? In Australia that would be slave labour! I think the minimum wage in Oz is $14-16 per hour though I may be wrong - I think it depends on what industry in your in. So, yes, I do get why waiting staff in the USA should get a tip for good service but others?

We've actually been to that restaurant 3 times now and unfortunately, the waitress now seems to expect a tip and the service has been less than spectacular. What do I do now?

Help me understand. Thanks.

One month until W-Day...

2010-11-13T16:20:00.000-06:00

So much done, only a little more to do. Like write our vows. Things keep popping into my head of what I'll say to P during the Ceremony and then I think... nah, I can't say that and I'm back to square one. I think they're funny but I don't want our/my vows to be 'in' jokes that no-one else will understand. Well, maybe one or two.

P and I had a magical day on Friday. We went to the big smoke - Madison, which is approx. an hour and a half away from the little rural village we live in. He surprised me by pulling out a list of Thrift stores we were going to visit and had even scoped out a Japanese Restaurant (fave food!).

He knows me so well. Thank you honey!

I scored big in the vintage fabric and vintage notions department... the car was chockas by the time we left at the end of the day!

I've been busy sewing and have slowly got my sewing mo-jo back. I think it left me for a little while in Australia whilst I was trying to sell the house, have garage sales, organise my fiance visa... you know, all that stuff.

I've made 6 dresses... 3 of which just didn't make the cut. Ha ha... a little sewing humor. The ones that did will be up on Etsy any time soon. P does my photography. I don't have the photography gene remember?

Keep a look out!

PS: A BIG boo goes to Goodwill in East Madison where their notions were priced above retail Jo-Ann's.

State Street, Madison WI

Rememberance Day / Veteran's Day...

2010-11-11T00:08:00.000-06:00

No matter what it's called in your Country... Lest We Forget.

Fab fave finds...

2010-11-10T00:08:00.000-06:00

No-one mentioned a color for this week, so I decided to do blue with the theme of recycled.

If you have a fave color or would like me to do a theme, leave me a comment... no matter how obscure. I'll see what I can come up with.

Blue-green Vintage Button Statement Necklace from Button Soup Jewelry

Seaspray - Repurposed Vintage Knitting Needles from Sew New Things

Vintage Patchwork Throw Redo Apron from Hippie House Designs

and because Christmas is just a few short weeks away...

Recycled Soda Can Diet Pepsi Christmas Ornament Snowman from o0oCuppyCakeo0o

What? You've never seen...

2010-11-08T11:52:00.000-06:00

P and I are still discovering new things about each other. For instance, I've found out he's never seen...

Hair

or, Hairspray

or, The Rocky Horror Show

or any John Waters film!

I've seen just about every muscial that's ever come out - either in theatre or film form... sometimes both. I couldn't explain to him the number of times I've seen Hair or Rocky Horror. Come to think of it, I've seen Chicago, Moulin Rouge that many times too and a number of obscure musicals in Melbourne between the (cough) late 70's and 90's.

So Saturday night, we watched Hair (my fave), the re-run of Glee so he could hear the songs from Rocky Horror, and clips from youtube so he could get the gist of some John Waters films.

We saw Chicago together on stage in Melbourne last year but there are so many fun musicals he's missed out on. I'm going to make it my mission to see that he opens his heart and mind to the art of cheesy songs.

This week, I'm going to hire Rocky Horror, Cry Baby, Hairspray (the original) and a number of other musicals. I heart musicals... they give me a happy!

Saturday shoutout... Leather Blossoms!

2010-11-06T18:33:00.000-05:00

Stunning! When I saw the offerings in Leather Blossoms shop on etsy, I just had to investigate further. I just about fell over myself drooling over the gorgeous headbands, cuffs and bags that Julia makes.

Julia made her daughter a headband with a leather flower a number of years ago, got much positive praise (as she should!) and decided to start her own etsy business. Leather Blossoms was born! Having only opened in March of this year, her etsy shop is certainly going in leaps and bounds! Is it any wonder with such gorgeous things such as...

Headband with red leather roses (image courtesy of Leather Blossoms)

Leather bobbie pins in a variety of colors (image courtesy of Leather Blossoms)

Dark grey leather wristlet (image courtesy of Leather Blossoms)

Photo album with leather floral garland (image courtesy of Leather Blossoms)

Leather Blossoms can also be found on facebook, twitter and Julia has her own website where purchases are also possible.

Check out Julia's shop Leather Blossoms... I'm sure you'll find something to delight you.

Fab fave finds...

2010-11-03T14:44:00.001-05:00

Irene requested Gelati colors this week which proved to be difficult however I took some poetic licence and came up with Sorbet. Hope you like this weeks fave picks!

Vintage 50s Sorbet Dress from BlueBarnVintage on etsy

Summer Sorbet Rosette Necklace from Little Jardin on etsy

Tess Lil Hoot from Manic Muffin Totes on etsy

Vintage Button Bobbies in Sorbet with Sparkle from Refined Rubbish LLC on etsy

Any suggestions for next week?

Happy Halloween...

2010-10-31T18:20:00.000-05:00

My first Halloween... wonder if P turns into a ghoul at midnight?

I've been tagged...

2010-10-30T12:51:00.000-05:00

(image from trishiek.oh.blogspot.com)

The lovely Irene from Irene's Re-vintaged tagged me this week so instead of my usual Saturday Shoutout post, I thought I'd answer some questions about well, me!

1. What is the one thing you cannot stand?

Mistreatment of animals/those that can't defend themselves.

2. If you could go back to your childhood, what cartoon or TV show would you pick to be your favorite?

I still remember on Friday evenings having fish & chips for dinner and watching The Banana Splits... Danger Island (uh oh, Chungo!), Chatanooga Cat, The 3 Musketeers, etc. I also used to love The Hair Bear Bunch and Josie and The Pussycats on a Saturday morning.

(image stolen from google)

3. What's something that you have done or would do that would surprise alot of people?

I've been a Careers Counsellor for 15+ years for disadvantaged youth, sole parents, persons with disabilities and those injured at work.

4. Do you believe in ghosts?

I believe that our lives don't just 'end', so perhaps I do.

5. When you go to a store, what's the one thing you just can't help buying more of?

Vintage fabric and notions! Of course.

6. What's the funniest story you have on your significant other?

It's not one particular story but with me being an Aussie and he from the US, he sometimes has no idea what I'm saying or the meaning could be opposite. It's makes for some hilarious conversations!

7. What is your proudest moment of being a parent?

Many moments but without providing too much personal info... the day one of my children realised that they needed to be responsible and accountable for their own life. Proud moment indeed.

(Pic of my children taken 16+ years ago and still my fave)

8. If you could go back and relive one day of your life, which would you choose?

Actually, I'd rather move forward. I love to reminisce about the past but... the past is the past, I can't change it and I'm a firm believer that what happens to us, forges our character.

Ok, enough about me. I have to tag 3 people so I'm going to tag...

Atomic Mum

Sew Sixties
Vintage Fabric Addict

Fab fave finds...

2010-10-27T15:32:00.000-05:00

Vintage mod leather Go Go boots from retrothreadz on etsy

Mod fabric jewelery box from modernspecific on etsy

Vintage Lorrie Designs Salad Set from wonderbumble on etsy

Owl String Art from VeesVintage on etsy

What color would you like to see next week?

Saturday shoutout... Lionsgate Designs!

2010-10-23T20:58:00.000-05:00

When I first saw the bouquet designs of Marie from Lionsgate Designs on etsy, I stated Wow! Just Wow! I have never seen anything so stunning. Being eco friendly by purchasing new as little as possible, I love how Marie has incorporated old into new.

As you all know, my wedding is nearly here and I wish I had seen Marie's designs prior to this week (although I'm deeply in love with my bridal bouquet that is being made), the designs just popped to me as the bits and bobs used in the bouquets are straight from the 60's and 70's. They're all recycled, reused and reinvented brooches!

Marie has been running 2 event facilities, Lionsgate Center in LaFayette, Colorado for the past 20 years and obviously has a knack of knowing what a bride may want.

Each brooch within the bouquet is individually wired so as to not break the backing pin and to also allow it to be moved within the bouquet should a design need to be tweaked. Marie can also incorporate family heirlooms or that special something into your bouquet to make it even more unique.

Aren't they simply sensational!!

(image courtesy of Lionsgate Designs)

(image courtesy of Lionsgate Designs)

(image courtesy of Lionsgate Designs)

Steep learning curve...

2010-10-21T17:11:00.000-05:00

I've been in Wisconsin a week and to say I have to relearn everything I know is well, a complete understatement! I have to (re)learn all sorts of things such as temperature, measurements, weight, speed, etc.

Imperial measurements haven't been used in Australia since the 60's.

Who knew that freezing (0deg Celsius) was 32deg Fahrenheit? Or, I much prefer weighing less in kilos than much more in pounds. Not sure about other States but in Wisconsin, only streets within a town have names, all highway roads have numbers. I can't find my way anywhere... not that I'm doing much driving - it's on the wrong side of the road!

When I've been to the supermarket, I even walk down the aisle on the wrong side. Thankfully no trolley (cart) accidents yet.

I know yards and inches because I buy lots of fabric and am quite happy when we fill the car that we get more bang for our buck with gallons rather than litres. Paul is being very patient with me when he tells me something and I ask "how much/far/heavy is that really?"

It will be difficult for a while but I'm sure I'll get the hang of it. I remember my teacher making me stay in at lunchtimes to try and get me to figure out decimals (in the 70's people!). I just couldn't get it... the penny finally dropped after a week or so. I don't know who was prouder - me or the teacher. Hmmm, come to think of it, he was probably just happy he got his lunchtime back!

Wonder if Paul will eventually feel the same way? ;)

(image stolen from google)

That was fun...

2010-10-17T09:45:00.000-05:00

In my neck of the woods in Australia, the trees were evergreen so I've never raked a leaf in my life. I couldn't help myself yesterday when Wisconsin was enjoying a gorgeous Autumn (Fall) day and turning the leaves into fairy circles... The locals already think I'm nuts! ;)

Glad that's over...

2010-10-16T05:46:00.000-05:00

I love holidays but I don't like the traveling aspect. I'm not good at sitting and waiting. It's 1533 km's (953 miles) between Melbourne and Toowoomba and although we stopped every 2 hours or so for a leg stretch and to swap drivers, I was feeling a slight case of cabin fever. The drive is amazing - such wonderous landscapes across the Aussie outback (we traveled the Newell Highway rather than the coast road). Small town Australia for the most part was welcoming with some lovely bakeries along the way. ;)

P and I spent an amazing week with my Parent's whom I hadn't seen in just under 10 years. Mum (bless her) made all my favorite meals and we spent time going shopping, to a quilt exhibition opening and just 'being'. P and my Dad got along famously which was funny to watch... they were very much in sync and would just about finish each other's sentences.

Unfortunately, the week came to an end all too soon and on Monday, 11 October we got back in the car and drove from Toowoomba to Sydney - another 896 km's (557 miles) arriving about midnight. We'd missed our turn off for some small town and ended up on the outskirts of Sydney with no hotel booking and both of us sick of being in the car. We were lucky to score a room at the hotel close to the Airport that we were staying in the next night (for a higher fee of course) but it meant we could shower and sleep.

Anyway, the big day finally arrived on 13 October and the longest haul was due to begin. I won't bore you with the details of the (in total) 36 hour flights, the late planes, the running through LA Airport to catch our connecting flight by the skin of our teeth... I don't want to relive any of it!

We're here. We're safe. We're happy. We've taken a few days off to reacquaint ourselves without the stresses of the past few weeks. I was greeted at P's house by all the fabulous fabrics I've sent him direct from sellers over the past year or so and have never seen... almost as much that's on a sea voyage and will arrive late December!

Thanks for sticking with me! I can't wait to show you what Original Mischief will be offering.

(image stolen from Google)

BRB...

2010-10-07T23:35:00.002-05:00

Just a quickie... we've left Melbourne... we drove through NSW to get to QLD and we are currently visiting the folks in Toowoomba.

P and I leave for Sydney on Monday and will then fly to Wisconsin on Wednesday, 13 October.

BRB!

Echo...

2010-09-21T20:33:00.001-05:00

Helloooooo! Greetings from a very empty house! Most of the furniture has been sold on eBay (I'm sleeping on a mattress on the floor). Car gone. Adult children gone (I'm clarifying that just in case anyone thought I gave my kids away!), boxes almost packed.

I'm in a house with no seating, no fridge and no 'life'. The houses personality is becoming null and void. It's just a shell. Sad really. Another week here is going to be difficult without all the niceities.

Anyway, P arrives in 2 days! My flight is booked for the journey to Wisconsin, our trip is planned to see the folks in Toowoomba, Queensland before we leave.

One chapter is nearly closed. Another soon to open...

What do you buy a man...

2010-09-18T04:14:00.000-05:00

...who has "everything" for a wedding present?

P wants for nothing (he has me of course), has a roof over his head, a car (not that I could afford either of those), is an Antiques Appraiser so has some gorgeous furniture, and loves vintage fabric as much as me.

I buy him books whenever I see one I know he'd like, I buy little things for us as a couple, I send him little love pressies whenever I get the opportunity...

I'm stuck!

An island, a jet, a holiday house, an expensive suit? Wishful thinking I'm afraid.

The wedding is on 12 December so I have a little bit of time to think of something.

Ideas would be greatly appreciated!

You know that song...

2010-09-16T02:35:00.001-05:00

You've got a friend by James Taylor? Today, Irene from Irene's Re-vintaged and her husband, S spent two and a half hours pulling boxes and even more boxes down from the mezzanine level in my garage. There was SO much stuff I had forgotten was there (I don't think I've seen any of it for more than 9 years!) and everything was covered in dirt and dust.

I can't thank Irene and S for their assistance today. P isn't here yet so obviously can't help and I don't have great strength in my left side from my first stroke so it's great to know that I have wonderful friends that I can count on in a time of need.

By the way, Irene and I met on eBay a number of years ago and have been coffee buddies ever since as we both love vintage fabric and enjoy sharing our finds. Irene has a shop on Madeit where she offers the most gorgeous linen buntings, cushions etc. In fact, Irene recently had a beautiful vintage barkcloth cushion featured in Notebook!

Thank you Irene and S! I couldn't possibly have done it without you. ♥

Saturday shoutout... Lynne's Art Glass!

2010-09-11T09:13:00.000-05:00

I love finding new seller's on Etsy - you just never know what treasure you're going to discover! This week I discovered Lynne and her fabulous shop Lynne's Art Glass. When I saw her clocks, I knew I would be adding one of them to my faves!

Lynne is new to Etsy but not to glass fusing. Lynne has been a potter for more than 40 years and a couple of years ago her interests changed to fusing glass. Lynne loves colour and texture (like me with fabric) and she makes her glassware both functional and decorative.

Lynne is new to the internet but has made a stunning entrance on Etsy having her first sale this week! I know I'll be visiting her often.

Glass Sunburst Clock (image courtesy of Lynne's Art Glass)

7inch Fused Iridescent Glass Bowl (image courtesy of Lynne's Art Glass)

Get your groove on...

2010-09-09T06:00:00.000-05:00

Besides sewing, I also knit, crochet, bead and mosaic although I don't do all of them at once.

Just a quick post today to show you the patterns I recently purchased and can't wait to start. Love them!

Also, if you're interested... a fantastic internet site for 60's and 70's retro knit and crochet patterns is Groovy Crochet. The site hasn't actually been updated since November, 2000 and isn't exactly easy to navigate however all of the patterns are free and the pictures are just great (especially if you remember wearing them - like me!).

Flower Loom Crochet Dress

Granny Square Crochet Dress

Multi-coloured Crochet Dress

Our wedding place...

2010-09-06T02:56:00.000-05:00

P and I went to dinner here when I was last in Wisconsin. We both fell in love with The Mill as it has the most amazing ambience, antique and vintage quilts on the walls and a fireplace that is second to none.

We decided that this was going to be where we will be married... enjoying a wonderful luncheon with family and friends.

The Mazomanie Mill was built in 1857 and although it has been modernised, still retains all of the wonderful character from yesteryear.

The owner, Nancy has been wonderful helping me organise the wedding from afar (can't get much further than Australia!) and I'm sure will make everything perfect for our day.

Can't wait...

Saturday shoutout... Strawberry Couture!

2010-09-04T01:20:00.000-05:00

There's hats and then there's HATS! Meet Lenore from Strawberry Couture who makes the most DIVINE crocheted and knitted hats. The patterning is wonderful and so unique and all thought of by Lenore - no patterns for her! All Strawberry Couture's hats come in different colourways so the possibilities are endless. Every one is handmade with love and care.

Can you believe that Strawberry Couture offers a virtual 'try before you buy' service. Email her your photo and she will 'place' your choice of hats onto your head to see which ones you like best. Talk about service! Strawberry Couture also makes fingerless gloves, neckwarmers, etc. If you can think of it in yarn, I'm sure Lenore can make something original just for you.

Lenore at Strawberry Couture has her own website, is on twitter and facebook and offers free shipping within the US and very reasonable shipping to other parts of the world.

Now to choose a hat for those cold Wisconsin Winters I'm about to discover...

Grey French Beret (image coutesy of Strawberry Couture)

Green twisted Hat (image courtesy of Strawberry Couture)

Black Cloche (image courtesy of Strawberry Couture)

SOLD!

2010-09-01T00:38:00.000-05:00

Just a very quick post... the house SOLD! Less than what I wanted but you know what? I want and need to move on, I want to be with P, I want to get back to Original Mischief and I want to discover the rest of my life.

Thank you to everyone who left messages of support. I am soooo looking forward to being in Wisconsin by mid October and experiencing my first ever white Christmas.

I will remain calm...

2010-08-31T01:35:00.001-05:00

I will remain calm... I will remain calm... I will remain calm. Dang, it's not working.

I know. I know. The house has only been on the market for 2 weeks but in that time: over 1600 hits on the house profile on the real estate website, 40 couples/groups have viewed the house, 5 ridiculous offers have been proferred and, because it hasn't sold yet - P and I will miss our planned wedding date. *sigh*

Why? There was a problem with a neighbour's drain - they had built a new garage and the outside wall was the divider between our properties. Unfortunately, the builder took some (!) shortcuts and did not drain the guttering on the garage and instead, poked a hole in the wall for the water to fall through... onto my property! How did I not notice? Australia has been very dry for the past 5+ years - last year we hardly had any rain and I don't normally go out into the backyard. I don't have an outside line (the neighbours pulled it down the year before by accident - don't ask) and I was away from home 7am - 7pm working. I'd get home and fall in a heap. Then get up again, cook dinner, do bits and pieces and fall in a heap again ready for the next day of doing the same thing. However, this year has been extremely wet and it shows.

The Council have given the neighbour's an 'order' to rectify the drainage within 30 days however... that doesn't help me sell my house now nor does it fix the damage the water has caused as it's deemed a civil matter.

I will remain calm... I will remain calm... I will...

Saturday shoutout... Butt Freckle!

2010-08-29T06:43:00.000-05:00

... on a Sunday (the weekend got away from me).

Seen what lives on your butt? lol Wasn't sure whether to go with that as the opening line or not but what the hey.

Bridgette from Butt Freckle harvests butt freckles which have been quickly but forcibly removed from butts. They are then taken to a secret lab where they are exposed to radioactive caju dust which causes the freckle to greatly increase in size. After exposure to the dust, the freckle's unique characteristics become easily visible including their very own butt freckle (a special glass bead sewn on the rear).

What to do with your freckle? Hide it in the medicine closet, stash it in your child's lunch, throw it at the cat, set it on your desk, tag the back of your bro's head. The possibilities are endless!

All I can say is... squeeeeeeeeeee! I've never seen anything so adorable. I'm sure that something so cute isn't living on my butt however Bridgette assures me that when they're magnified, all butt freckles have endearing qualities. :)

Butt Freckle can be found on Twitter and Etsy and her prices are fantastic! Go on, tell me - which one was on your butt?

Spicy Butt Freckle (image courtesy of Butt Freckle)

#DPC130 - The unknown Butt Freckle (image courtesy of Butt Freckle)

Gossamer Butt Freckle (image courtesy of Butt Freckle)

Butt Freckles butt freckles (image courtesy of Butt Freckles)

Original Mischief on Zazzle...

2010-08-27T19:37:00.001-05:00

Whilst I'm waiting for life to begin again, I was playing around on Zazzle last night and came up with some Original Mischief t-shirts and baby bodysuits (I was going to say Onesies but that's trademarked by Gerber!).

I was doing these myself when I had half a mind to make children's clothing but, with moving to the US comes adhering to the rules of the CPSIA which means no metal parts, no this, no that and personally, I think all of the rules and regs would be hard to stick to - what about snaps? zippers? etc. It's one of the reasons I changed my thinking and started making vintage styled clothing for women.

In the Zazzle store, you can purchase an assortment of tees for the family in different colours and sizes, all with the Original Mischief logo. There's also a choice between normal and organic cotton. Have your own Mischief? Now you can tell everyone! What do you think?

Tactile Threads on Facebook...

2010-08-25T02:48:00.000-05:00

When I get Stateside, I'm going to destash some of my prized, fabulous, awesome, vintage fabric... but only on Facebook.

I've opened up another business page Tactile Threads - 'feel' good fabric.

I've put a cart on the page (I think the tab says store). So, if you want to see what's on offer, fan/like me.

Limbo...

2010-08-23T23:00:00.000-05:00

The house is on the market, my fabric is unreachable, just about everything that can be 'ebayed' has been and the bills keep rolling in. I've been quite concerned about how to pay for bills, groceries etc as I'm no longer working. I gave up my job on 30 June as I didn't want to have to do tax in the 2010-11 financial year but I came to the realisation yesterday that what I want, is not necessarily what is going to happen. I'm in limbo.

When I went up the street yesterday, I spied a notice on a window requesting a casual worker. I said a silent 'thank you', went inside asked about the position and wrote a note to the owner...

Dear XXX, I'm interested in your casual role. I'm mature (!), responsible (!), have great attention to detail (!) and can be here at the drop of a hat. Need me to start tomorrow? Call me! I'm the one you're looking for. Cheers Monique PS: I'm short.

I got a call this morning stating that they'd never received a job application like mine, loved my sense of humour and when can I start? You could have knocked me over with a feather!

As a Career Counsellor of 15 years, I would absolutely NOT advocate using the above example on an application letter to approach a business but I do frequent this store.

My new job? Be afraid, be very afraid. I'm the new local post sorter! As if Australia Post doesn't have enough problems!

Saturday shoutout... Designs by Diane

2010-08-21T03:56:00.000-05:00

I love me some jewellery especially statement jewellery... the kind that can make an outfit come alive! Meet Diane from Designs by Diane who makes the most amazing jewellery items from gemstones. Stunning pieces that really 'say' something.

Diane loves to create her jewellery from treasures from Mother Nature and only chooses the highest quality of gemstones and solid sterling silver. Diane is also able to create something especially for you to match a certain outfit, something for your loved ones or even your bridal party. Diane is also au fait with the healing or spiritual properties of each gemstone and can custom make a specific piece for you.

Diane offers free shipping in the US and either first class or priority mail to the rest of the World.

You can find Diane on Facebook and on Etsy. I've shown a couple of my favourite pieces... please have a look at Diane's shop - the pieces are all so gorgeous! I have my eye on the Red Jasper pendant *swoon*.

Blue flash Moonstone Pendant (image courtesy of Designs by Diane)

Rich blue Lapis Lazuli Pendant (image courtesy of Designs by Diane)

Juicy tangerine Aventurine with Red Jasper Pendant (image courtesy of Designs by Diane)

Out of the mouth of babes...

2010-08-19T10:32:00.000-05:00

I remember when my Daugher was 3 or 4. She found some old records in a box. I giggled to myself when she asked how they fit into the CD player. Or the time when she had homework in Grade 1 and had to think of some compound words. I gave examples of ice-cream, foot-ball... Very pleased with herself, she announced that she had one! Dick-head. Luckily she couldn't spell it so it didn't go on the homework sheet.

Anyway, this week Miss 22 asked why I keep finding things to clean? What? Besides just doing the normal, everyday housework, I have to keep the place spick and span for each house inspection. I keep having to clean up your dishes Miss that don't find their way into the dishwasher... I keep finding your towels Miss on the floor in the bathroom... I keep finding your shoes Miss where you left them (Unfortunately, I taught her that one - I have a dreadful habit of kicking off my shoes and leaving them where they lay. My Mother would fill a laundry basket at the end of each week with my shoes and then dump them on my bed.)

Do your children say things that at times, stump you?

Networked Blogs... Part Two!

2010-08-18T00:14:00.000-05:00

Don't know how and I'm certainly not going to try to figure it out but I was playing around with my Facebook page and all of a sudden, the widget for Networked Blogs appeared. Quick as a um, woman obsessed, I clicked on it, got my html code and have pasted it onto my page. See? Over there on the left hand side under followers.

So, if you want to follow via Facebook, now you can! :)

Saturday shoutout... Socklings!

2010-08-15T10:28:00.000-05:00

I think I'm late. I'm not sure anymore what day it is - each day is running into the other. I've washed walls, floors, doors, windows, ovens (well, one oven)... actually everything and anything got washed so that it gleamed. Can you guess? The house is on the market! ;)

Anyway, the reason for this blog is to introduce you to Socklings! Full of cute and squeeee! Michelle lives in the UK and designs creatures from socks. Unused. Natch.

They all look so huggable and are suitable for the young and of course, the young at heart. Michelle is very careful when sewing them so that there are no loose bits that may be harmful to littlies.

Michelle is on Folksy (Folksy is a UK site for the handmade community - only UK sellers can list but buyers can be from anywhere), twitter and facebook.

I dare you not to choose a fave!

Justin Monkey (Image courtesy of Socklings)Dragon (Image courtesy of Socklings)
Lizard (Image courtesy of Socklings)

Seal of Approval...

2010-08-10T05:57:00.000-05:00

What a long day! A 4.30am start so I could be at the airport by 7am to catch my flight to my interview with US immigration at 11am. I gussied up, made sure I had the paperwork that was missing and flew from Melbourne to Sydney.

After an hour and 40 minutes of being 'double checked' by 3 different people, I was handed a piece of photocopied paper which stated "Congratulations! Your visa has been approved". YAY! Apparently, it will arrive in the mail with my passport and a sealed envelope which is to be handed to the Customs official when I alight from the plane. Real cloak and dagger stuff!

5 months of stress, frustration and just a little niggling between P and I, I'm done. I can now finish packing, sell my home and finish organising (or is that start?) our wedding for 10/10/10.

Thanks so much to everyone for your kind words. It's one of the things that has really kept me going through this arduous process. I can't wait to get back into Original Mischief and make things rather than wish I was making things. I miss the feel of fabric and the creative process which springs into action when I touch all the different textures.

Onwards & upwards!

Packing sob...

2010-08-03T06:34:00.001-05:00

For the past week and a bit, I've been packing... nope, no furniture, no kitchen items, no clothing (yet). I've been packing... my fabric collection.

2 rooms down and many boxes later, I'm seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. I won't see my fabric for 3-4 months whilst it bobs its way across the ocean from Australia to my new home in the US.

I've revisited so many of my fabrics that had been buried under others... the psychedelic velvet, the organdy gingham, the mounds of terry cloth (!).

I decided I could open my own store with the amount I have but... all of it is earmarked for some fantastic creation or another that Original Mischief will make in its new home.

Stay tuned!

Saturday shoutout... Kathy Panton!

2010-07-31T01:14:00.000-05:00

I love Kathy Panton's art. It's fresh, it's vibrant, it's colourful. It's fun. It makes me happy. Kathy is such a talented artist. One day, when Original Mischief has a bricks and mortar store, I'm going to sell Kathy Panton Art. I am. I would love to be surrounded by her art on a daily basis.

Kathy covers a broad spectrum of subjects with her art but my fave by far are her butterflies - they're just so whimsical. Kathy has even made a children's book with bright prints and easy to read words... a must for every kid or kid at heart!

Lady in Waiting butterfly print

Resting Bird print

I hear two birds Picture book

Please visit Kathy on etsy and facebook. Kathy is currently having a giveaway on facebook to say thankyou to her facebook fans/likers.

Featured on Zur Designs...

2010-07-29T15:10:00.001-05:00

What an awesome week! I was featured on Zur Designs blog. It's amazing how many wonderful artisans there are in the world... all with something different to 'say'.

Deb from Zur Designs makes the most amazing jewellery... extremely elegant and sophisticated. Zur Designs can be found on facebook and on etsy.

It's coming up to Christmas (can't believe I just said that!)... if looking for a pressie for yourself or someone special, visit Deb - she posts worldwide for free!

Red and Royal Vintage Earrings

Black and red Coil Bracelet

Love Squared

Featured on Indie Junction Blog...

2010-07-25T06:18:00.000-05:00

What an awesome surprise to be a featured seller on the Indie Junction Blog! Could have knocked me over with a feather when Google Analytics said someone had mentioned Original Mischief.

Please have a look at Indie Junction... they feature some amazing artisans (not including me). Indie Junction is a social network designed to bring artisans across all genres together in the spirit of collaboration, support, growth and creativity.

Understanding Networked Blogs...

2010-07-22T19:03:00.001-05:00

Hmmm... I'm the first one to admit that technology sometimes confuses me. It took me over a year to make the first post on my blog because I just couldn't figure out something that seems quite easy and stress free now but... I just can't figure out Networked Blogs!

I've attached (?) Networked blogs to Original Mischief on facebook, I've set up a tab for it, I'm following it myself (the only follower, lol) but... I can't find the widget, I can't figure out how to read other people's networked blogs, I can't get mine to appear on my wall eventhough I've checked the box. I just can't seem to make sense of the instructions. Apparently, there is supposed to be a right hand box where I can click 'widget' amongst other things. I don't have a right hand box. *sigh*

Is there anyone out there is blogland that can hold my hand for just a little while whilst I get this sorted.

I'd be very grateful! ♥

The Frock...

2010-07-21T07:42:00.000-05:00

What an absolutely gorgeous website full of vintage couture clothing. Sigh. I have literally spent hours on The Frock just looking... noting details of a bodice, the fall of a skirt, the drape of a dress. I love how the owner has been able to secure clothing worn by actresses or public figures and has provided information on the designer, the wearer etc.

Grab a cuppa, tune out from the world and immerse yourself in this glorious site. Just don't look at the prices.

Mary Quant Cocktail Dress (image from The Frock)

Cocktail ensemble as worn by Lucille Ball (Image from The Frock)

Sophie Gaimbel Evening Gown (image from The Frock)