Fuzzy Felt.....Phew.

I love Fuzzy Felt. I have some cute old sets at my place.My Mum still has the original Fuzzy Felt set I had as a kid, safely ensconced in her linen cupboard, only brought out occasionally for the grandchildren. It was Fuzzy Felt Circus, with lions, ponies and seals. A few years ago I pinched a few felt ponies and made some brooches. Yesterday my sister found me this set of Horses Fuzzy Felt, so I may be able to recreate some more pony brooches. Fun!
Phew... that's 31 post's in a row, everyday this month, so now Betty Jo will have a rest. Although, it has been fun posting regularly, so I may just want to keep doing it. And I might be adding something else to the Betty Jo giveaway, drawn next Wednesday evening, so keep checking in.

More Booty

I said I would probably keep adding stuff to the Betty Jo Give Away, and this amazingly pretty mini table cloth is now a part of the loot. I know a few people who very much like to create with kitchen linen. On my last count I had way too many table clothes, so this one will be going to a new home next week when I draw the winner.There are some precious memories emerging of crafty creations that may have been big, but not so beautiful....when the bossy old sewing teacher (mine were always elderly spinsters!) harrumphed at your efforts, or that jumper you knitted that was a weeny bit wrong. One of my crafty projects from high school has turned up.... this very "organic" embroidery that kept going and going until I was directed to turn it into something. I think it was stitched onto a bag for a while, and now its on a cushion.

Betty Jo's Give Away

To round off Blogtoberfest I am having another giveaway. These nice crafty goodies will go to the first person I draw from the comments list...
so leave me a comment telling me the first BIG crafty project you remember attempting. One of mine was in my High School textiles class, where I spun a big bunch of wool, hand dyed it with leaves and flowers and knitted myself a rainbow coloured jumper...which I later sold at the Camberwell Market as a starving uni student. Drat and Double Drat for that.
Anyway here are the prizes....2 lovely vintage fabric aprons to keep or refashion.Cute apron material...

A McCalls Easy Sewing Booklet circa 1961- maybe use for collage if you don't fancy 60's fashions. A Patons Knitting Book for girls 6-16 years, circa before decimal currency!!And a Flying Duck Brooch by Betty Jo Designs...only 2 exist as there were only 2 doilies with the duck embroidery, although I scrabbled very intently in the basket at the op shop!
I'm sure to add some extra goodies over the following week, keep checking in!
I'll draw the winner next Wednesday evening November 5th....so go for it!!

Tinsel Already!

I finally woke up from an economic daze this morning and realized the U.S. dollar is kickin' butt!
So, like the aisles of Clint's Crazy Bargains, I have dusted off the Christmas tinsel and DRASTICALLY reduced prices in my Etsy shop. And thrown in Free Shipping for good measure.
This would be especially Happy News for international customers.Another Great Opportunity to get some Betty Jo Christmas gifts will be The Roof Top Market happening every Friday 11am-4pm at the top of Curtain House 252 Swanston St. Melbourne.
Kicking off Friday week..7th November. Worth going for the view alone!!!And a reminder to check out the gorgeous New Georgie Love Crafty On-Line Store. It's buttony, patchworky, and cute as always!

Cuckoo Clocks Rock

1.Lino Cuckoo Clock brooch by Betty Jo Designs
2.Pink Plastic Cuckoo Clock by icklebird.
3.Cuckoo Clock Softie- really works by devoted satellite
4.Model Cuckoo clock Kit by Only Silver
And Leunig's Final Word on the Cuckoo Clock from Saturdays Age

Naming Rights

Ok, if you adopt a Betty Jo critter, you are encouraged to grant it a new name. It is like naming a new pet..the Doberman pup you get from the R.S.P.C.A. may not suit it's original name of Tinkerbell for example.
This girl didn't have to think too hard for a name for her Baby Owl. It's now called "Nipple". Read how the name was hatched here.And there is some exciting news for Lovers of Georgie Love...and isn't that everybody?!
I for one am waiting with baited breath to see the New and improved Georgie Love online store.Big ups to Sally for her continuing support of Australian independent crafters and artists and giving Betty Jo Designs a huge kick start almost three years ago.

Fete finds....

Picked up a nice booty at the Spensley St. Primary School fete today. But at home, on closer inspection, a few things had a decidedly sinister edge to them....

An old Knitting Nancy, like the one I had in primary school, but with a pretty agro demeanour.

This delightful bird tapestry, with decidedly evil eyes.

And this vintage Huckleberry Hound board game with BooBoo doing something quite dangerous with his gun!

Observations....

1. People are very nice. I said I liked Sam McLean's macrame owl necklace and Nomes sent me one. Just like that. (thanks, I am loving it.)2. I am impatient. I couldn't wait to get pinky/red owl for Christmas. It now lives in my studio. 3. Milo ice creams are not as nice as they were 5 years ago...when I had one practically everyday while pregnant with Charlie.

Fun, Love and Goodies!

The "Betty Jo" blog was aptly described by Frankie as a one full of fun, love and goodies.
Here I try and focus on nice things. I don't feel comfortable talking about life's personal issues to strangers (although I know friends read it too). It's much more relaxing to be in a happy space, laugh, and look on the bright side.....I have always been the optimist in our family.
That said, I totally appreciate that others find blogging helpful when they need to unload their burdens. There is a very supportive network in blogland. So if you're in need of some pick-me-up gorgeousness, check out these lovely hand crafted Birdcages by Fun is always in style.To buy on Etsy or to admire on Flickr. I can picture some Betty Jo Sparrows living in these beauties.
And I totally agree with the notion..FUN is always in Style.

Buckle Up

Having trouble keeping up with Lino Forest? Wondering why there's been a fresh post everyday? Well it's because of Blogtoberfest, initiated by Big Cat's Emporium.
I must say it's been a challenge to post everyday, but fun too. November will come around all too soon, and the Christmas rush will begin (hopefully) so there will be far less blogging and far more making at Betty Jo headquarters.Dear Fii just sent me these delicious buckles, and I had fun last night making a few baby Owls and an Aunty Mabel's Handbag. It's so nice to receive crafty gifts in the mail..thanks Fii.
Because I mention Owls alot on Lino Forest, and in case people are thinking I have an over the top owl collection at my house.... for the record,I have a fair amount of owls, but I wouldn't get on "Collectors". I don't have a designated owl room or anything that obsessive. Just some scattered around the place here and there. Looking cute and Owlish.

What! more Owls.....

I found what I want for Christmas at the Sisters Market....an Owl from Bride and Wolfe to put in my studio window.Like this but in red and pink. I'd admired these in Douglas and Hope for a long time, but when I discovered the designer Miranda lives just around the corner from me, that clinched it....supporting your neighbors brings good Karma.
I finally got an issue of Peppermint magazine on the weekend and while flipping through the pages, reached the end and saw a weeny Betty Jo Ollie Owl pendant.That was a surprise. Then as always , after the first flip through I go back and read it properly. It's a great quality publication with eco fashion leanings.

Crafty Weekend.

Over the weekend I've been busy craft marketing, op shopping and school feteing. Not working at them I might add, but rocking up with a full purse and a clear head to absorb all the goodies on offer!

Saturday was what you'd call sultry...no it was hot, but we ventured out to the Sisters Market at Brunswick Town Hall. Such a lovely market choc full of craftalicious treats. Saw the gorgeous Justine and Nichola from Mixtape, and they were sporting their Betty Jo brooches! Picked up my fresh off the presses copy, and was excited to see my little ad.

We'd done a bit of a barter for this.... which was right up my ally, as I am the brooch swapping Queen!!
Then as a reward for trailing around the market after me, I took my kids to Savers...yes I reward my kids by going to op-shops!! Lily found a Japanese pose doll, that spun on her chair and played music, Charlie found BIG rubbery feet that roared (Too ugly to post a pic. What is it with boys and grossness) And I found, hidden away, 2 very cool pieces of lino, in Savers, that's a first!
Then on the much cooler Sunday we visited the Skirt and Shirt Market at the divine Abbotsford Convent, once again brimming with crafty goodies, had a yummy lunch at Lentil as Anything, and then caught the tail end of one of the many school fetes happening at the moment. Phew! I did find some time to make this pair of Scottie dogs for a customer who asked for "girly" colours. With my Savers lino.Hope these guys fit the bill.

Necklace Sold!!!

A quick thank you to the lovely Sarah who not only bought the original Betty Jo Cuckoo clock today, but also very kindly bought the pink month necklace. Now the best bit...it only took a few clicks to donate money to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, a really worthwhile cause.

Saturday Updates

Owlie clock is now waiting to be adopted and is residing at April May, along with some other Betty Jo goodies. Go and visit this lovely shop in Nth Fitzroy, as it will be closing at Christmas. If you know of a great little shop for lease in inner city Melbourne pop over to Samaprilmay with your ideas to be in the running for a great giveaway.
Now is the season for School fetes. We try to get to as many as possible, but the one we never miss is the Spensly St. Primary School Tempting Fete in Clifton Hill. It is huge, fun and friendly with great music, food and bric-a-brac! On next Saturday 25th October.
And finally, a big thankyou to Michelle from "The Royal Sisters " for my gorgeous babushka softie I won in her giveaway. Look how cute she looks with my Betty babushka brooch.

I've been lucky in the giveaway stakes this month of Blogtober. Michelle also sent me a gorgeous vintage apron with crochet detail...in my colour! Nice one.