Monday, July 28, 2008

Youngblood designer market

I got a call yesterday to say that I am in the Sunday Telegraph's Style section! Part of 'The It List' showcasing eco-friendly fashion. Looks like Sportsgirl and adidas have caught onto the organic, eco-friendly connection...


And found out that I have been accepted into the Youngblood Designer Market at the Powerhouse Museum (over 4 days) 14-17 August. A lot of work now booked in for the next 3 weeks but it should be fanastic. It will be running as part of the Sydney Design 08 festival.

Hope to see you there!

Kara

Saturday, July 26, 2008

A Fairy Wardrobe


Here's the latest of an ongoing cheery side project of mine: making fairy dresses for my three-year old daughter.


Last month alone I made four, for her and for her friends. This month's is a frothy rainbow concoction, that has been worn solidly day and night for three days.

A

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Blue Mountains Birthing Unit



The Blue Mountains Maternity unit has closed the doors to birthing women for 3 months or indefinitely due to staffing issues.
Loads of upset expectant Mums joined in a rally on Monday outside the hospital.
My natal experience at The Blue Mountains Anzac hosptial for my first daughter was wonderful.
The staff were caring and professional..& in fact couldn't have be better and the facilities brand new.
The gazette tells me that regional hospitals all over NSW are closing their birthing units due to lack of staff. 
I am concerned about the many families who have moved to the mountains from Sydney to start families and what their laboring experience will be like with a 1 hr drive in either direction to give birth. I am more concerned given the current situation for birthing units in NSW about new families starting in 10 years time. 
Let's put pressure on local and state and federal governments to make sure staffing issues are sorted out promptly and we see a steady improvement and not a decline in birthing unit services.

Dinner last night

Last night the four Gussy Up Gals went out for a celebration dinner (a post-Winter Magic catch up). We headed out to the fabulous Canton Palace in Katoomba and ate EVERYTHING!

Discussion wasn't very crafty... babies, weddings, engagements, boob jobs, movies, food, colds. But it was lots of fun and I wish now that I'd taken the camera.

Kara

Sunday, July 20, 2008

Victorian Design Festival




Hello There,
L bird had a wonderful holiday and came home wishing she had told the gussy up blog about the Victorian design festival before she left..The last day today.... Website is www.stateofdesign.com.au for the best Victorian innovative products in all discipline's, and spotlight events including getting 6 Top Victorian designers to make a designer Pizza each!

Monday, July 14, 2008

Umbrella Collective no more

Flying Star Toys at the last Christmas Umbrella show.

I was sorry to read on Liana Kabel's blog that the Umbrella Collective has disbanded. Liana has blogged that they have all grown and changed, with common goals no longer.

This group of like-minded crafters was a real creative inspiration for getting the Gussy Up Gals going. 

We hope they are all happy and moving forward in their businesses.

Friday, July 11, 2008

Mend and Make do

This week's task was a little something for a local company I do a bit of work for, Earthly Goods. Earthly Goods creates bespoke quilts and homewares for customers, with a sustainable ethos, using recycled and vintage fabrics, hemp and organic cotton wadding.

Many people may have a stash of special fabrics or embroidered linens, without really having a way to make use of them. So the idea behind Earthly Goods is to take these precious fabrics and showcase them on a quilt or some such so they can be enjoyed in daily life.

No project is too big, or too small, as can be seen by this little makeup case I whipped up for an Earthly Goods client.


A

Monday, July 7, 2008

Whoa!


This swing tag, by 'Do It Baby', was spotted on the Living Creatively website (story about Design-A-Space in Melbourne). It had me in stitches... mainly cos it's what a lot of us indie designers THINK but may not SAY. You go, guys!

K

Saturday, July 5, 2008

Analogue Piracy

This week I made a flag for painter Phil Williams. He's designed a skull and crossbones out of a cassette tape... not the most obvious pairing...

It will be on display in the window at his exhibition 'For the hate of paint', 13 June 2007 - 7 July 2007 at Peloton gallery, Chippendale.

Thursday, July 3, 2008

Textile exhibition in Adelaide


Freedom is on holidays but I spied this exhibition she is in down at Adelaide (I got this from Anna Laura's website). I'm sure she will fill in more on the details but tomorrow night, Friday 4th is opening night. So if you are down that way, check it out.

Nest studio in Adelaide presents Modern Australian Textiles featuring work by Laughing Bird, Anna Laura, Umbrella Prints, Helena Gieger, Nicola Cerini, Publisher Textiles and Pip Willy.

16-18 Elizabeth Street, Croydon, Adelaide

K

Wednesday, July 2, 2008

This week


Custom orders everywhere! I guess its good but there is a lot of tooing and froing to get each customer something totally unique that they love. This is what I am doing all week. Doesn't help when the car is dead (new clutch needs to be fitted)... arghhh!

Above is some beautiful recycled woven silks, ready to create an exclusive tote for a customer.

Kara