Puffy Playful Curtains

This week I was asked to make a soft padded curtain for a local daycare centre, ideally using donated fabrics in neutral colours.

The idea was to make the room more soothing and less echoing for the children. The donated fabric was masses of synthetic semi-sheer fabric, and I used nearly all of it for my crazy creations. I stitched some of it into large sheets, then bunched up the rest to form a wadding-like mass sandwiched between.

I quilted on top, and this was the fun part: I went a bit crazy with ships and houses and mermaids and stars and clouds and umbrellas and raindrops and suns and snails and butterflies....

The entire contraption is puffy and soft, though bulky. I have yet to see it fully installed, so hopefully it works ok in the space!

A

SOYA - Spirit of Youth Awards 08

I was sent this by Springboard and thought I'd share with any talented young Australian designers who might be interested to enter the SOYA awards. There is an industrial and object design category with a $10K prize plus a mentorship with Marc Newson.

Entries close this Friday August 8th so be quick!

Object designers: functional, experimental, conceptual, manufactured, handcrafted, furniture, appliances, accessories, objects, ideas, innovations... are you the next big thing?

"Design Sponge"... round up for Australia

Hello.

An american based design blog..."design sponge" is looking for Australian designers to feature on their blog this month after a successful edition based on Icelandic designers last month. Check out their site at www.designspongeonline.com, and if you are interested in submitting work email Anne at pretavoyager@gmail.com.

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

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

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