Congratulations!

Congratulations to Freedom and Tony on the birth of baby Pia. We hear she is a whopper at 4 kgs and can't wait for a cuddle!!!

Tea towel

Well I have to admit us Gussy Up Gals are pretty hopeless at posting!!


I scored this beautiful vintage tea towel and deciding now what to do with it. It would make a beautiful clutch purse... but its also too nice to cut up! It says 'Made in Poland' but I don't know the history of it otherwise.

Eccentric... moi? Kara Smith

Thank you everyone that responded to my December Newsletter about getting a copy of Virgin Blue's 'Voyeur' magazine. I had so many offers to track down a copy for me and I did get hold of it in the end!

At first I wasn't sure about being included in the 'Eccentric Aunt' section, but seeing the beautiful layout of the magazine and the selection of gifts around my handbag - well, I'm quite pleased.

Change mat for baby : Kara

Yesterday I made this change mat for my baby due in January. I had been looking at change mats online and in stores - they were either horrible or really expensive... so I finally just made one!

I used some leftover polyester quilting fabric that I had lying around and recycled denim and kiddy print (it's hobby horses which are actually zebras).

More from Kara...

Loads of new bags uploaded to my site - including 1960's geometrics, 1950's florals and more! If you buy online and purchase over $100 (+p&h), you will receive an exclusive one-off Anna Laura badge - while stocks last!


Thurs 20 - Sat 22 November is the Lindesay xmas gift fair at Darling Point, Sydney. This is a fantastic market to buy unique xmas gifts. Come past and say hi!

Kara

Piecemeal production

I found a half-completed quilt I started years and years ago this week. It's quite lovely, scraps in browns and reds forming interlocking circles on a dusty pink ground. Trouble is, I can't see myself hand-piecing the remaining square metres required, yet if I stash it away again, whole decades of my life could pass before I pull it out and attempt to complete it.

So I've decided to make it into a doona cover, hardly the utterly handmade masterpiece I envisaged at first, but at least the work-in-progress can be enjoyed day-to-day. The plan is to applique the large pieced section onto a plain background, then scatter the remainder of the smaller pieced shapes around it, to celebrate the unfinishedness.

Hopefully in a few more years I can post a photo of the results.

A

Things I like on madeit : kara

Here are some gorgeous gift ideas by Australian Designers on madeit. Christmas is coming soon and what better way to say 'Merry Christmas' than by buying Australian independent design! I'm sure your loved one will love something a little more unique and unusual.

Autumn leaves brooch : Mattea : $15 AUD

Cosmetic Bag : 0049Design : $40 AUD

Recycled wool necklace scarf : Gaye Abandon : $35 AUD

Cute summer dress : Dick & Jane : by Brusselsprouts $18 AUD