My Inspiration Monday - Sewinspired by Kelly Roe

How did your business come about?

 I guess you could say I have always been quite creative, this lay dormant while I was in my uni years (funny how a great social life interferes with such things!) and really came in to play after the birth of my second son. 

A friend of mine enjoyed sewing and had made a blanket for my little man and I fell in love!   I was given my sewing machine 3 years ago and it has not stopped humming since.  I started with quilting blankets and duvets for close friends and myself then it just exploded from there! I love to try new things and tend to make all my own patterns for everything I make. The things you can make, the beautiful fabrics, the ideas are endless... I tend to get very carried away - I even recently made my own modern cloth nappies for my 1 year old! 

I dabble a little in upcycling too - however that's more of a pastime than business centred. Now I have my facebook business which is slowly growing and keeping these crafty hands busy - and I love it!

Where did the name come from?

When starting out I had no idea what to name myself - so I did what most normal people do (right?!?!) I threw out the question to the Facebook world. A very good friend of mine suggested Sewinspired, I loved it and I thought to make it a little unique I'd add my name. So it became - Sewinspired by Kelly Roe!

Where does your inspiration come from?

Magazines, the internet (don' even get me started on Pinterest!!!), people in general, are all good sources of inspiration. I spend a lot of nights sprawling the internet for new fabrics, a lot of these give me inspiration as I get a feel for what might look cool as leggings/t- shirt dresses/blankets/cushions/homewares/bibs etc. I also tend to follow trends - at the moment I love geometrics and triangles and bright colours.

 My children are also a huge source of inspiration. I have 3 sons, Lochee, Sawyer and Kingston, I'd like to really progress my business so I can remain essentially a Stay at Home Mum while also running my little sewing business. Wouldn't it be great to be able to do the two things I enjoy most at the same time - being  a Mum and sewing!

What do you love about what you do?

What's not to love really... creating, making, starting with a piece of fabric and turning it into something gorgeous... It is such a neat feeling.  When you begin you have a vision and it is so neat to see that vision come to life!  Making something that is essentially unique and one of a kind is awesome, we all like to be individuals and by buying handmade items it is ticking so many boxes - 

• buying NZ made,
• supporting local businesses, 
• unique one of a kind items, 
• supporting local WAHM's (work at home mums). 

I absolutely love receiving pictures and comments about how people love what I have made up for them - it is so rewarding and definitely makes it worth all the blood sweat and tears. 

I also make my 1 year old son a lot of items - and it is so neat dressing him in things I have made for him, he is one trendy little boy I can tell you that much! 

My house is a huge compilation of everything I have made from my cushions and dining suite to all the beds having duvets and throws made by myself (Even my lamps all have been recovered by myself!). It is neat to walk through the house and think - I did this!  I am a huge fan of the shabby chic, upcycled vintage look, as you can see!


What's hard about what you do?

I guess like anything - there are parts that are difficult. For me they are pretty trivial - I spend far too much time searching the internet for fabric! (and then consequently spending  a lot of money on fabric!) 

Also working from home poses the difficult decision on whether to do housework or to sew (sewing wins every time!) And I would say the only other thing that is hard is the amount of pressure I put on myself. I worry right up until the point someone has received their parcel and told me it fits / they love it / I sent the correct item.( I have yet to send the wrong item so unsure why this one bothers me as much as it does!) 

I guess at the end of the day I am human and I do my best, and if others can get some enjoyment out of something I have created then why not share the love.

Where do you find time to craft?

I get asked this a lot. I am a single mother to 3 beautiful boys, I work one day a week and I run the household. Sewing is my happy place and I find once I get in the zone there is no stopping me. 

My crafting area is my dining room table / kitchen area. Terrible - I know. But I have 3 sons under 6 and if I was to have a room on its own I just don't think I would get anything done. This way, I can (sometimes) sew when they are busy playing in the lounge where they can still see me and demand food and drinks as they do.

 I always get straight to work when my oldest is at school, second at Kindy and baby is asleep. On a good day he will give me 2 straight hours of sewing and its amazing what you can achieve once you get organised. I have found it helps me too if I can have a lot of my pattern pieces cut out and ready to go at night time (usually during the ad breaks of The Block!) then when baby is asleep its a case of sitting down and sewing!

What’s next for you?

Business wise I hope to keep growing, expanding the business and perhaps one day have a shop where I can sell many items - different types of fabric, items I have made, homemade items others have made, furniture that has been upcycled.  Trouble with me is I love all things creative - sometimes I need to take a step back and filter things down so I can focus on one main component. Ideally in the next couple of years I would like to expand enough that I can stay home with my little rascals and help them develop into wonderful little humans while also satisfying my creative needs. They say do what you love - and I love to sew!

Kelly has a bundle of her cute creations to giveaway to one lucky reader (who will be looking very cute!)

To go into the draw head to Sewinspired by Kelly Roe Facebook Page and 'like' her page.  Leave a comment on the giveaway post about who you would give this super cute bundle to. Easy Peasy!

- one comment per person

- you must live in New Zealand

- giveaway closes on Monday 3rd November

Images used with the kind permission of Kelly Roe (Sewinspired)

My Inspiration Monday - The Queen Stitch

How did your business come about?

I’d always been a very creative person, however the creative in me had been buried over the journey into becoming a fully functioning adult.  I was going through a bit of a dark period of personal struggle and feeling very lost. As a means of dealing with an anxious thoughts, keeping the brain busy and to keep 'twitchiness' at bay I decided I needed to find a new creative outlet.'

I always sewed, painted and drawn in the past, however these activities meant that you were often tucked away in a separate space. I wanted a hobby that would not require much set up in terms of expense or equipment, and most importantly something I could do on the sofa in front of the TV as I had just got into watching Mad Men and did not want to sacrifice this! So, yeah, sheer laziness was a huge factor in my journey! I did some research and stumbled across some cool contemporary embroidery websites and blogs.

I’d always loved Mexican folk art and the Day of the Dead festival. However I was struggling to find art of this kind in NZ. Therefore decided that I would just make my own. So I set myself a task of drawing and embroidering a rather complex Day of the Dead Sugar Skull. I literally learnt as I stitched. The project took several weeks and seasons of Mad Men to complete!

I posted the photos of my finished project on Facebook and the feedback I got was so positive that a friend suggested I make some more and bring them to a local market to sell…I really doubted my ability to do this, or what people would make of me, so very nearly said no. From there I started a blog to showcase my works, which then also took on a life of its own as it ignited my passion for writing, which again, was lost years ago.

Where did the name come from?

I decided from the outset that I wanted to be the rock and roll, gin drinking, sweaty cousin to traditional embroidery - therefore I didn’t want my name to be any thing stuffy, adorable or sweet. I wanted strength and sass!

One of my greatest heroes is David Bowie, so I took my name from a play on his song Queen Bitch - not only does Queen Stitch work as a homage to Bowie and the glam rock attitude, but it also make a cool persona for me to adopt. I love being a Queen of my stitch and blog empire!

How long have you been writing for?

I wrote a lot when I was younger - I have always had a very vivid imagination and enjoyed creating complex characters and worlds as a means of escapism and over-compensating for being shy, different and a bit of a loner.
In my teenage years I started a website with my friend called CeliaSays where we were both secret Agents working for this enigmatic woman called Celia. My alter ego was Agent DeLunTrash, which was an anagram of my surname. We’d write phoney interviews with celebrities, articles about our missions and office life, oh, and Tom Hanks was our Personal Assistant. Who was desperately in love with us.

Again, I lost touch with this side of myself as I got older and prioritised things like my career and relationships. It’s very easy to let being a grown up diminish these pursuits that we naturally did so easily when we were young. It’s inevitable, understandable, but sad - we need to wage a daily battle to reclaim what we’ve lost!

Where does your inspiration come from?

I’m a huge pop culture geek. I still have the passion of a fourteen year old for music, TV, film and stupid quotes - so this is where most of my inspiration comes from.

I am obsessed with the work of Wes Anderson and his distinctive visual style and craft, the music of Bowie, Morrissey and all things gloomy and English, Mexican folk art, and I enjoy the work of any artist or illustrator whose work is bright, bold and whimsical.

My house is a shrine to my influences. Almost every wall is covered in prints, posters and artefacts I’ve collected. It’s very bright and like a gallery in itself. It’s very easy to stare at the walls for long periods of time and draw inspiration from here. I think that if you surround yourself in what you love, then the inspiration just becomes part of you and you don't even need to think about your style, it just becomes a sixth sense.

What do you love about what you do?

I love the freedom of it all. Whilst I am very creative, I am not a technical or precise person, and I get bored very easily. Unlike cross stitch which is very structured and formal, with my embroideries I can just draw what I like and make it up as I go. I don’t really plan my stitches, I might watch a film, or hear a lyric I like and decide that’s what I’m going to make. Things like colour and blocking I just go with my gut instinct whilst I’m stitching.

With many of my stitches, I appreciate that people might not always get the reference. I don’t do it to be pretentious or to alienate, I just believe in stitching what I love and I trust that someone out there will connect with it. The best feeling is when I’m at a market and 200 people have skimmed past a stitch of something like a Bill Murray reference, yet one person see’s it and loses their s**t over it, and they feel it was made for them.

I love that so much, and when hey take it home I know that they will have a one of a kind piece of art on their wall that they are truly passionate about.
I could sew things that have a more mainstream appeal, but I’d get bored, and lose enthusiasm, and that’s not what it’s about. Plus if no-one wants my work, at least I know I like it, and can hang it in my house!

In terms of my writing, my blog is mine and I can write what I want, when I want. I like to swear and write in a very conversationalist way. There’s no-one to sensor or edit me. Originally it was purely for the purpose of showcasing my art, however it’s grown into photography, travel, a commentary on the Christchurch rebuild, review and, well, whatever I feel like!

Where do you find time to craft/write?

It’s a struggle, and gets harder by the month. I work full time in quite a stressful, challenging role, so when I get home I have to make a real effort to put on my Queen Stitch hat and structure my evenings like a second job. Thankfully I only have a dog that requires my attention!
The amazing thing has been that I’ve found the more I create, the more projects and opportunities crop up - something I never intended or could have imagined. My writing is now taking on a life of it’s own, spawning the odd contributor job. I also set myself a 365 Day photography challenge for 2014, which I now need to do every day for the year.

Of course the downside of it is that it becomes a juggling act, and I do often feel like I’m dropping balls. It’s a real case of too many pies, not enough fingers…but what can you do? I can’t and won’t stop (well unless I’m checking Twitter or on BuzzFeed…).

What’s next for you?

I have no long term plans, I never do in any aspect of my life. I just live one day at a time; working hard, following my gut instincts, being a positive person and simply saying an enthusiastic “YES!” to any invite or opportunity that comes my way…no matter how tired, busy or full of self doubt I am. Just doing these things has worked out amazingly for me so far, and sent only good things my way…and most importantly it’s making me very happy. So why change that?

Where to find The Queen Stitch

The Queen Stitch Blog
The Queen Stitch on Facebook 
You can also find her at the next Encraftment Market on June 14th - more details here.

GIVEAWAY DETAILS

Louise has this 'Eat Well, Travel Often' Stitch - for one reader to win.  This Stitch is a 23cm bamboo hoop, framed ready to hang with blue / green / red text. Backed with green / white polka dot fabric.

To go into the draw head to The Queen Stitch Facebook Page and 'like' her page.  Then tell Louise on my justalittlebitcute post on her facebook page (you will find this in recent posts by Others on The Queen Stitch) where you would hang this stitch! 

- one comment per person

- you must live in New Zealand

- giveaway closes on Monday 8th June

Images used with the kind permission of Louise Sutherland (The Queen Stitch)

My Inspiration Monday - Genevieve Robinson Designs

How did your business come about?

I have always been interested in colour - right from the moment I was allowed to buy a large orange A4 lined notebook from our local magazine and stationery store when I was 9.  In 2006, I started sewing some designer hankies from my home back in Dunedin. The fabrics I bought wholesale and in bulk, so I could justify getting some pretty amazing threads! 

Since moving to Christchurch, I have branched out into making wooden bunting necklaces that are covered in gorgeous papers, and also, painting large wood and geo-shaped beads in a multitude of bright colours. These are all hand-painted in my own garden studio.

Where did the name come from?

I did call myself Genevieve Robinson - Stylish Handkerchiefs and Accessories for a few years, but that became more of a mouthful really. I now just design under my own name.

Where does your inspiration come from?

Mostly from the era in which I grew up. (Ahem - the 70s).  Films like Swiss Family Robinson and the Wilderness Family really inspired me. Wooden A-frame houses and wood in general, the smell of pine trees, embroidered Swedish patterns in wild colours, folklore and woodland creatures. 

So many things inspire me - but I guess that's how we evolve really. This is my one-off "Fitzroy" collected which is inspired by the character and wardrobe worn by Nina in Offspring.

What do you love about what you do?

I have an excuse to say "I think I will buy that", or "I am a writer, so I need stationery." But I can only say that for so long I guess. I have boxes of unused stationery and gorgeous pads and pens. 

Where do you find time to craft/write? Mostly at weekends. I promise myself a day a week to sit down and craft listening to my old Beastie Boys tracks and Digital Trance music. I guess it's quite therapeutic, which is very important for me, as my day job is as a feature writer for a busy community newspaper.

How long have you been writing for?

Since I was given the orange journal back when I was a child I guess. I used to write all sorts of nonsense in there. Actually, not that I come to think of it, I used to create some rather hilarious fashion magazines made from an old roll of paper I found as the tip when I was about 11. My friend and I would spent hours cutting out images from books and magazines then sticking them in our own little home-made versions, and sketching in them too.

In 2010, I decided to attend a Creative Writing course one day a week. This was an incredible eye-opener for me and really made me think hard about what I wanted to do. My tutor, Diane Brown, who is also a novelist and poet, suggested I should think about studying journalism. I took her advice and went to study it full-time the following year. I have never looked back.

What’s next for you?

I am not quite sure - but I would love to do a stationery range as some stage.  Aside from that, on a personal and emotional level, I still gravitate towards giving something back to the environment - this could be planting a small native plant forest, or helping at an animal sanctuary somewhere. I always said to myself: If I win lotto, I will start my own animal ambulance service for the community, and dedicate at least a year or two of my life to wildlife conservation.

You can find more of Genevieve Robinson's designs here...

Shop Online: retroroom.felt.co.nz
Facebook - Genevieve RobinsonDesigns
Email: genevieverobinsondesigns@gmail.com

Giveaway Details 

Genevieve has a bunting necklace from her one-of-a-kind Fitzroy Collection for one reader to win. Inspired by the character and wardrobe worn by Nina in Offspring, this bunting necklace is a great accessory for brightening up any outfit.

To go into the draw head to Genevieve Robinson Designs Facebook Page.  Please like her page (or if you are already a liker - done!) and leave a comment below the Giveaway post on her Facebook page telling Genevieve why you think you'd like to wear one of her bunting necklaces. Easy Peasy!

- one comment per person

- you must live in New Zealand

- giveaway closes on Sunday 1st June

Images used with the kind permission of Genevieve Robinson

My Inspiration Monday - Fabric Fixation

How did your business come about?

When Lilly was a year old a friend of mine (who was a fantastic sewer) showed me (Amanda) the most adorable dress she made, and fabrics which she had recently purchased. With a nudge towards the sewing machine, she taught me how to make it. I couldn't believe how simple it was, and how pretty it turned out. I was hooked, and started spending quite a bit of my time browsing Fabric & Pattern shops online and started making babies clothes and accessories. Towards the end of 2011 (after a year of spending far too much money on fabrics) I saw that Fabric Fixation was for sale.

 I needed a bit of a challenge so I made Kelly an offer and on Christmas Day 2011 she sent me an email saying it was mine. Panic then set in as what did I know about running a business? Before having Lilly I was a Primary School Teacher, so the two were complete worlds apart. So with help via email from Kelly and help from my mum (who is an accountant) I hit the ground running and haven't looked back since.

Where did the name come from?

I bought the business with the name, but those who love fabric will understand that fabric is a fixation, it is an addiction, and we all have mountains of fabric stashed away somewhere for that project we will do some day. 

Where does my inspiration come from?

The joy I get from this business is seeing the beautiful creations that my fabric gets turned in to. I love it when customers come back to me and tell me what they have made, or email pictures. I have had quite a few customers who have never sewn before. I get these lovely emails asking for all sorts of advice and guidance, then a month or two later the photos are sitting in my inbox showing off their first projects (which are usually very ambitious). I love seeing other people's success and joy at completing a project, and that is why I do what I do.

What do you love about what you do?

Choosing fabric!! Well actually, it is extremely stressful sometimes as when Reps arrive they come armed with suit cases full of everything you can imagine. I'm quite lucky because they come and visit me at home, so I sit with a cuppa (and usually Lilly too, who I have turned into a fabric addict at the age of 4) and we spend an hour or so looking at fabric collections, deciding on which ones we like, which ones customers would like, and which ones we can actually afford. I usually make a yes and maybe pile which I then go through at least three times until I can bring it all in on budget. But it's loads of fun and the Reps are just lovely.

Where do you find time to run your business?

I do most of my work at night when the girls are in bed. I make up the days orders at night and if there is any time left then I will do a little admin work, otherwise my admin work gets done during the days that Lilly is at pre-school and Bella is having a nap. Having the Fabric Reps come to my house is a key factor in making this business work as they come when I'm home and the kids aren't a problem at all. As for my sewing, well that is pretty non existent. I do it when I can which is not often enough so I settle for loving the creations that my customers make and share with me.

What's next for you?

I'm enjoying what I do, and I am enjoying the size of my business. It's doesn't take me away from being a mum which is important for me. It's a business which my family can all be part of. I have been tossing around quite a few future plans. I think if I don't go back to teaching once the girls are both at school then I will open a fabric shop, but whether that is in Christchurch or somewhere in North Canterbury where we live, who knows? 

Source

So watch this space because you may just see some advertising for weekend craft workshops in the country side, or country Crafternoon Teas. One thing I think for certain is that the fabric will win out over teaching as who doesn't love being surrounded by beautiful fabrics every day?

Special Offer
For the month of May, Amanda is giving readers of justalittlebitcute a gift with each purchase. All you have to do is put in Just a Little Bit Cute in the comments box when purchasing from Fabric Fixation online when checking out. Easy!

You can find Fabric Fixation here...
Shop Online: http://www.fabricfixation.co.nz/
Email: fabricfixation@gmail.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/FabricFixation

These are some of my fabric faves I will be purchasing this
week from Fabric Fixation...

1. Play Date - Campgrounds
2. Bird Song
3. Sweetcakes
4. Gnome Living
5. Town & Country

Happy Sewing xx

Images used with the kind permission of Amanda van Rooy

30 something ways to show Mum some love!

There are many ways to celebrate Mum on Mother's Day from making her breakfast in bed to giving her flowers.  This year put a cute twist on old favourites or create something totally new she will love for years to come.  You can get crafty by making something from scratch or buy something from the talented people I have featured.

I've hopefully covered all budgets, tastes and gift ideas for all those different types of Mums from crafty to sentimental. If in doubt Coffee, Wine or Chocolate (or all three!) usually work too.
It’s also been my experience that significant others tend to need to be reminded that Mother’s day is coming up. If you’d like to be recognized this Mother’s Day, email this list as a reminder to someone special.  

Tell Mum how much you love her… 

Whether it's a keepsake, card or a heartfelt letter, tell Mum how special she is to you with a few meaningful words.

1. Felt Envelope
2. Handprint Mother's Day Card
3. I love you to the moon and back keepsake heart
4. You a Super Duper Tea Towel from Flora Waycott

Say it with flowers…

Let the moment live longer than a week when the flowers expire and give Mum the gift of everlasting flowers.

1. Crochet flowers
2. Thanks a Bunch Mum! card
3. Felt Hearts flowers
4. Paper Flowers

Breakfast in Bed

This only works if a. she is left alone to eat her breakfast in bed and b. the kitchen is left spotless by the time she gets up!

1. Reading the Paper
2. Mother's Day Breakfast Menu Printable
3. Message on Toast
4. Mother's Day Tray Cloth Tutorial

Winter Warmers 

Mum would probably appreciate something warm this time of year, we all know by now that Winter is definitely on it's way, if not here already!

1. Beanie from Giggles & Curls
2. Wool Crochet Gloves from apricot
3. Crochet Slippers from maisemakes
4. Hottie Cover from baby bird

Support her Hobby

If your Mum loves a little crafting then support her in this by gifting her some supplies, project ideas or help to organise the ones she already has.  If Mum has limited space to craft I'm sure she would appreciate a little breathing room to create.

1. Craft Supplies in a jar Tutorial
2. Make by Cath Kidston 
3. Craft Storage House
4. Make her a little Pincushion, this one made by yours truly!

Make her a special cuppa

We all know Mum deserves probably more than a cuppa but these super cute ways to present her with one were just too cute to ignore.

1. DIY Love you a latte Tutorial
2. Sharpie Mug Tutorial
3. You're Tea-rrific Card
4. Mother's Day Tea Tags Tutorial

Baking up a storm

If Mum throws together a pretty good banana cake then chances are she loves baking up a storm so some new supplies wouldn't go amiss in her kitchen, especially ones as cute as these.

1. Whip it Good Recipe Cards (Set of 12) from iDear
2. Thanks for Raising Me Card from iDear
3. Loves to Bake Kit
4. Cupcake Cookie Cutter from Making It!

Give the gift of time out

Sometimes it's the simple things like some time out which is a special enough gift especially for busy Mums who don't have time to think.  I'm no psychic but I bet most Mums would have this at the top of their wishlist for Mother's Day.

1. DIY Mums Time Out Basket idea
2. Cartoon Source
3. Make a Mum's Nook
4. Pedicure at Home Tutorial

Jewellery. Simple.
There are no words really.  Mum's like pretty shiny things, preferably lots of them but anything pretty and shiny will do.

1. Home is where your Mum is Necklace
2. Mother Bird Necklace
3. DIY Fingerprint Pendant Tutorial
4. Tessellation Necklace from Pandemonium

For more ideas and inspiration, check out my Pinterest Board Mothers Day

1. A Tessellation Necklace from Pandemonium.
(for the Mum who likes to look good)

2. Make by Cath Kidston from Fabric Fixation
(for the Mum who likes to craft)

3. Pincushion Cutie from justalittlebitcute.
(for the Mum who likes to sew)

4. Beanie from Giggles & Curls.
(for the Mum who likes to look good and stay warm)

5. Cupcake Cookie Cutter from Making It!
(for the Mum who likes to eat cookies)

6. Hottie Cover from baby bird
(for the Mum who likes to stay toasty)

To be in to win one of these special Mothers Day prizes, I am asking for nominations. Just leave a comment either here or on the facebook page telling us why a special mother in your life deserves to be honoured. Anyone can enter. You can be a child nominating a parent, a husband nominating a wife, a friend nominating a fellow mother or friend…hey, why not nominate yourself?!

The little details:

- one comment per person

- you must live in New Zealand

- giveaway closes on Wednesday 7th May

-prizes will be randomly drawn in order of this list

- make sure there is some way for me to contact you! Please leave an email, or have your name clickable to a profile or something.  If there is no way for me to reach you then I'll have to draw another entry!! This has happened previously, so I wouldn't like to do this and disappoint someone!