I Made it Myself

I finally got a clipping of the Age A2 column from last Saturday. Thanks Age! (p.s. The How Much should read $100+)Right now there's a new feature over at Find, Make, Do. Lovely snuggly goodies from Body Parts, all created from recycled felted jumpers. It's a wonder there are any jumpers left in op shops these days.
I love my Body Parts scarf and tubeway armies! I'll be taking them with me to Dayelsford on the weekend just in case the weather changes it's mind and turns wintery.
The Makers Market is on this Saturday , and you'll see Body Parts for sale along with heaps of gorgeous goodies. I'm leaving the Re*Sew*Cool giveaway open till Friday. Pop over to Find, Make, Do and leave a comment if you want to win a cute and crafty kit from Sisteroutlaws. I started on my donkey bagtag at the Northern Craft Bonanza last week. Thanks to Susan for the pic.

It was a Blast!

Canberra certainly served up a blast of culture!
Galleries, museums, markets, cruises, shopping, dining.


My highlights- The Portrait Gallery (and Howard Arkley's "Nick Cave")
Revisiting Blue Poles at the National Gallery. And the Sculpture Garden.
Seeing Bob Hawkes perfectly preserved office in Old Parliment House ( with retro accoutrements)
Catching up with Jennie at the Handmade Market, and randomly bumping into Michelle in Civic.
Oh, and I suppopse I should add the Paris Masterpieces exhibition. We queued for 1.5 hours, and it was kinda chocka, but brilliant to see the work in real life (after studying Art history for 6 years and only seeing most of the paintings as slides).
Canberra is an amazingly friendly place. And if you want to buy Betty Jo designs while your there, The Hive Gallery in Braddon now has new pieces in stock!

Culture Blast!

Later today I'm off to the A.C.T.for a long weekend and, according to Canberra's new promotional campaign I'm preparing myself for "A Cultural Blast !"
I'm mainly going to see the "Masterpieces from Paris" at the National Gallery, but will most definitely be in "cultural sponge" mode.
I'm putting the call out for somewhere to get a good coffee, cool shopping and good, but not too fancy restaurants.
I'm definately checking out the Handmade market, and visiting an old Betty Jo stockist The Hive.

As I was clicking around scouting for some Canberra info I found the Canberra's Got Style blog, and a little pic. of some Betty Jo goodies at Hive.
Then I remembered this gorgeous Canberra crafter Posie Patchwork owns the very babushka in the picture.
I'll be on the look out for her and her babushka at the Handmade market.
Just another "It's a Small World" moment I reckon! See you next week.

*Don't forget to pop over to Find, Make Do to enter the Sisteroutlaws giveaway.
While your there, check out the new post "Off the Wall" full of gorgeous wallpaper goodies!

The Handmade Band

Story from Australia Today magazine. I'm looking a bit bossy, like a high school teacher who is FED UP !
Because that's basically what I was. But I'm not fed up any more......life's pretty good these days. I get to make pretty things all week, and never have to hear "Wasn't me Miss" ever again.
If we meet I promise I'll be smiley and non teacherish (sorry, I wasn't a literacy teacher!)

Skint!

If you live in Sydney, there is a new exhibition opening at the Museum of Sydney on the weekend.
It's titled "Skint! Making do in the Great Depression".
From the MoS website.......
"The Great Depression was a time when people showed incredible ingenuity to survive and make ends meet: thrifty ways of reusing and recycling commodities, growing vegetables and raising chooks, bartering, sharing recipes and resources, with increased levels of community and charitable support for others."

Some new Betty Jo Designs pieces are heading up to the Museum of Sydney shop to coincide with "Skint!".
As we're all for thrifty recycling of commodities at Betty Jo Designs, I think my jewellery will be a good fit!

It's a Sign!

Last night I recieved a message from Chrisy (Artdecadence),
"Honey you just have to purchase this!"....... With a link to an ebay store.
So me and Mr BJ (who is actually a Barry, really, no joshing ) are watching this on ebay, and I am contemplating how much I really want this sign. Alot . I want this sign alot!
Coincidentally just that afternoon I was having a bit of a flickr faving session and these shots caught my eye. 1.Los Angeles,Linoleum City 2.Linoleum City

3.Freeport Rug & Linoleum Co. 4.Bannon Floor Coverings
You can't go past vintage signage for getting you all nostalgic about the the olden days.

According to Charlie, I grew up in the olden days...........pass me my Horlicks would you.This very weathered sign is mine and has been hanging around my backyard for years.

I found it in the laneway behind my house propping up the back fence. The fence fell down one windy night, so now the old sign/fence propper upper is on display....and this was way before I even started using lino.

P.S. Don't forget the GIVEAWAY over at Find, Make, Do. Super cute DIY kits for kids and kids at heart!

Lino Dreams......

I received this message from a lovely facebook friend the other day... "May all your lino dreams come true".
I don't actually recall ever having a dream about Lino. But I do daydream about it. Thinking about new designs, wondering if I'll come across some old lino to recycle and refashion.
I believe in putting these thoughts out there.....more often than not I am rewarded with a great lino find or a donation from a friend or stranger.
If I DID dream of Lino, this is maybe what it would be about..........

Finding enough pretty lino in an old farmhouse to make this patchwork.
Or pulling up an old carpet and discovering this Deco lino rug.

Finding sheets and sheets of this pattern would be nice, and owning anything created by Rosalie Gascoigne, because she is my Australian Art idol!!!!
(click on pics for links).
By the way, if there is a hard rubbish collection or a renovation happening near you, have a quick glance to see if you can spy some vintage lino (not ikky vinyl).You know where to find me!

P.S. Check out the latest post at Find, Make, Do. There's two cute, eco-friendly,"Re*Sew*Cool Kits to GIVEAWAY!
Pop over and have a look.....and just leave a message to enter.

Going to the Prom?

I know I won't be anytime soon. I mean EVER! But if I was, I would wear this gorgeous vintage dress.
It was thrifted by Lily, and she is waiting patiently for her school formal to don it.
Now Prom Queens need a corsage. And crafty, thrifty Prom Queens need a Betty Jo lino corsage.
They won't wilt and will be just as festive on a cardi or coat lapel for years to come.
Lino corsages now available at Pussycat Black. Follow the Pussycat Black blog and be among the first to know about all their lovely new stock .

Make like a duck!

Did you know I like flying ducks? Even legless ducks that have fallen off the wagon!
This Poole china flying duck has been rescued and adorned by Trixie Delicious.
And it has been adopted by me. Because not all ducks are perfect.
Read about the fantastic Trixie Delicious over at Find, Make, Do.There are some bright and sunny pics. of the market on Saturday on the Northside Makers Flickr page. Of course I forgot my camera, so it's great that the day was recorded.

Supercalifragilistic

Finally, Melbourne weather stops being confused and gives us a super Autumn Saturday!
I spent most of this beautiful day hanging around the Northside Makers Market, selling Betty Jo goodies on the collective table with Melanie and Leonie, reading my copy of Mixtape (which sold like hotcakes), covering it with raspberry muffin crumbs -my market sustenance from Melbourne Epicure , and chatting to lovely people.
I must say the corsage brooches I have made from Angela's lino have been a hit!

As they are only in limited numbers due to the amount of lino, if you like them you better get in quick!
Available from Etsy.
Also popped down to the Northcote Primary School fete (the first fete of the season!) and picked up a few useful items.
When the first thing you buy is a 70's airline cabin bag, I guess it then allows you to justify buying more stuff to fill it up! Two sets of "Memory Cards" (which I use for swing tags) and a wee pile of Little Golden books.

Hey, I remember I used to have the Mary Poppins one.
Don't you love the feeling of finding a Little Golden book you had as a kid. Every page is so familiar, like a long lost buddy.
I've got a bit of a soft spot for Mary Poppins. It was the first movie I saw as a little girl.
I also had this See, Hear, Read record and knew all the words to Supercalifragilistic! Thanks to everyone for the great feedback re my new blog Find, Make, Do.
Check out the latest post all about recycled Tin. I love old tins...collecting them, putting stuff in them and finding beautiful jewellery made from them.
There will be new posts weekly, and little extras thrown in for good measure.

"Stuff"

To round of my "stuff "collection, I have assembled "Owl Stuff" (just a wee portion of owlie artifacts at our place).

Cards coming soon!

I'm happy to announce that I will be sharing a table at "Northside Makers" Market tomorrow.
A big tray of Betty Jo goodies will be for sale along with some other items, all at market prices!!

Find, Make, Do

I found out some things today........
The lovely Polly has posted about Betty Jo designs over at Make Nice , the crafty blogging department of the American Ready Made magazine. Thanks Polly.

I've been making a few things today...........
Some new stock for Moose online store.

I've been doing some things today.............
I woke up this morning with the desire to start a new Blog.

It's called Find, Make, Do.It's going to be a place to celebrate the wonderful, the creative, the repurposed, the pre-loved, and the age old tradition of making do.

I hope to showcase crafty, innovative and unique products and the creators behind them.
I've got a few people in mind already, but if you know a great product you would like featured on Find, Make, Do, just drop me a line..........................as if I already didn't have enough to do!
P.S. The first post is up. Click over here to see some sweet creativity.

Floral Wreath

The beautiful lino from Angela was calling out to be transformed into some floral corsages.

These brooches will be perfect for cheering up a coat or cardi when we are in the depths of winter, or great to keep that spring vibe going if you live north of the equator.
(if your a vintage loving prom Queen, retro Lino corsages might be just the thing)














Speaking of Florals, there's a girl at our place yearning for a pair of these vintage floral babies.....so basically now we wait for the goddess of secondhand delights to deliver some?

P.S. The Lino Corsages are now available from Etsy!!

Woodland Picks

Thanks to Finders Keepers blog and Lyndsay! A little bird told me that Finders Keepers is coming to Melbourne.
Wouldn't that be bloody fantastic!!!! "Lyndsay White from the Made by White shares her top 5 picks for March:

1. The Woodlands Purse by Little Odd Forest
2. My favourite Spot in Winter Cushion by Belle And Boo
3. Pine Cone Pendant by Oh Deer!
4. Fairytale Forest Skirt by Hannah
5. Lox the Fox Lino Brooch by Betty Jo Designs"

Cut it Out!

This Owl clock nearly didn't get made yesterday.

It was mid afternoon and I had just plugged in the electric saw and started to cut out the mdf when Wham! Crack! A humongous storm hit .
There was the deafening sound of 6cm hailstones hitting the windows along with the instantaneous power cut and the acrid smell of burning in the air.
I wrongly thought my saw had blow up and I was "electrified". Took a few minutes off my life I can tell you!!!!
Having experienced the 100 year flood of 03' at our place with shin deep water swirling through the house, evacuations , insurance claims and minor heartbreak over lost possessions, we all get a bit nervous when it POURS!!!!
Best wishes to everyone who's experiencing storm damage and flooding(not just in Victoria, but up north too). My thoughts are with you.xxx

Birthday Wish list

Not long till my Birthday. Think of this post as a BIG Hint!!!!!
(In this busy world my family always seems to need them).

This very chic "French Soiree" make up purse from Map 29


Spied these Lightly Swallows at Craft Victoria last week.

W.C. Door decor by Mooza Designs. Cause you need to know when you need to go!

Love this Sneak design Ribbon singlet ( um, I actually got one yesterday, early gift, yes?)

Autumn Showers

Last night I went along to the Northern Craft Bonanza at Chair 14 and was lucky enough to be showered with some lovely Betty Jo style gifts.

Cute and cool swappies from Anna (who has alerted me in the past about retro lino to salvage) and these beautiful pieces of lino from Angela.

So Autumny and happy. Thanks heaps!

As there was a slight hiccup in the scheduling of our crafty meet up due to the wrong date in this article in the Northcote Leader, we all met last night, but will also be meeting next Thursday too. So come along , even if you don't live in the northern suburbs. Everyone is welcome. Boys too!!!!In the pic: me, Cam aka Curly Pops, Jay aka Finki, and Cathie aka Melbourne Epicure!
Now bring on those Autum showers........oooh here they come now!