Happy Bees, Owly's and the Ghastlies: Dressing sweet & Sour

Sorry I haven't posted since the sponsored sew and charity auction last month. With Vincent's 2nd birthday and a visit from his grandparents it's been very busy here at Mockingbird's End.

This last week I've been buried in fabrics, swimming in fact.

It started with a birthday! A friend of mine had a little girl a week to the day after Vincent and her birthday was just an excuse for me to finally make a little girl dress. I had been accumilating patterns from here, there and everywhere, but hadn't gotten around to making one. Not my normal choice of provarication, this time it was because I had been working on two major client projects. Firstly I was working on a double CD-ROM project called Perfect Papercrafting Companions for Creative Crafting World Ltd, this then rolled into a major rebranding and web design for a publishing company, and a book jacket design for Unthank Books (in association with The Bronte Birthplace Trust) - something I do through Binky Roo's brother design company 'Green Door Designs'. 

So there I was, 48 hours to go until Amelie's birthday and I'm sitting at my sewing machine about to make my first dress...

This is the first dress styles of several

It's so difficult to price these beautiful creations as it all depends on the fabric but I try to be fair. This particular style takes me about 2 1/2 hours from the start: cutting the panels, to the end: hemming the bottom panel.

GOTHIC: THE GHASTLIES

Alexander Henry 'Ghastlies' Fabric makes up this one of a kind dress

I love Alexander Henry fabrics. They are random, qwirky, and exciting. The fabric used for the bodice and the bottom tier are from his 'Ghastlies' range. I haven't found the bottom tier fabric in the UK as of yet so I have a limited supply of it. The middle tier is a plain black woven fabric and the entire dress has a top stitch detail in pink (taken from the little girl twin's dress). I love this so much I need one for myself.

SUNNY: BEE HAPPY

'Bee Happy' Fabric in yellow and black

When I was trying to decide on the correct fabric for my friend's daughter, this was a close contender. As you can see, I was so taken by it that I still had to obtain some and make this gorgeous summery dress. For this one, the middle tier is slightly deeper than the bottom tier - on of the fun things about this dress is that it allows you to have some fun. The black really brings out the yellow in this dress and makes it look airy and light. Love it!

BRIGHT & BEAUTIFUL: NESTED OWLS

AdornIt - 'Nested Owl' Fabric from the coral range

TOOWIT TOOWOO! OWL! OWL! Vincent is obsessed with owls at the moment and this fabric screamed out to me. I played with several of the contrasting fabrics and this was the one I chose for Amelie. This one costs a bit more because I have to buy more of the bodice fabric to make sure that there is a whole owl for the front, but how it's worth it. I was so pleased with this dress I will be making another one for 1 - 2 yrs, with the bottom tier being the same fabric as the bodice but without the owl motif. So watch this space.

The beautiful thing about these dresses is that you can match a long, or short, sleeved top or a cardigan and wear them all year round, and to maximise the wear time, the knotted strap feature means the dress can grow with your little princess.

So hop on over to my Etsy Store and grab yourself (your little princess) a beautiful handmade, half-lined, dress. The Ghastlies dress, and the Bee Happy dress are available in 2-3 yrs now, though only one available of each, or you can pop on to the custom-made 12 month - 3 years old listing or the 4 - 8 years old listing and order one in any colour or theme you would like.

NN

Away with the Fairies - An Interview with Suzie Sroka

Since this blog is for arts, crafts, and pretty much anything design related, I decided to do my very first interview. So I sat and thought for a moment who would I love to interview and the answers I came up with were all impossible, most are no longer in the land of the living - Clovis Trouille, Cary Grant, Vincent Price, and Elizabeth Taylor to name just a few, and the others, well, I'm far too unimportant for them to want to talk to little old me. But I did have one woman who is just as fantastical and spiritual as the above mentioned and that's Suzie Sroka, the lovely lady who drew the wonderful images for the Crafting CD-Rom I designed for Creative Crafting World, At the Bottom of the Garden. 

Interview with Suzie Sroka

Suzie Sroka

Q. What are your favourite things to paint?

A. I love painting children and people in general, although I also love to paint the occasional dog or animal, and I really love painting whole scenes with all of the above in them!

Q. Who/what are you inspirations?

A. My childhood is mainly my inspiration. I have many memories of that time, and can remember vividly how I thought and daydreamed. I think because I spent some of my childhood in Nova Scotia in Canada, and the rest in England, I remember it so much more as it was so varied. I just remember the magic of being a trusting, believing child, open to magic. I absolutely adored reading Enid Blyton's 'The Faraway Forest' and 'The Enchanted Tree', I used to want to believe those things could really exist! I also used to love nonsense verse too.

Q. Which of the 12 featured designs is your favourite?

A. Well that is hard to answer! Can I have 3? The sunflower pixie, the sleeping fairy and the kiss, but at a push I would choose the pixie with the sunflower.........or the sleeping fairy!! I used to be indecisive, but now I am not too sure.. ha ha!

Q. How long have you been drawing and painting?

A. As long as I can remember, from the time I could pick up a pencil and scribble it has been there. Years ago I remember a teacher showing my Mum a picture I had done, it was of a ship, it was very detailed with portholes and people looking out of them, deckchairs.. everything, and the teacher said that I was excellent at drawing, but that it was a shame I had to spoil it all by painting it! I never forgot that, and still feel nervous and terribly lacking in confidence whenever I pick up a paintbrush!

Q. Do you remember your first commissioned piece?

A. Yes, I do, I was asked to draw and paint several children wearing billboards. Each bill board was from a deck of cards, it was for a card club. I enjoyed that one!

Q. Crafting CD-Roms are a completely different format to a print of book. How does it see your artwork on cards and boxes, does it have the same impact?

A. Well, it is completely different, but it is still a thrill to see my artwork on anything! I am pondering having a go at writing a children's book myself, and that would be a challenge.. I have a few ideas swimming about in my imagination right now! I also have a little Etsy shop and am working on some digi stamps for that at the moment!

Q. Do you have a studio or a specific place you draw/paint in?

A.Well I have a studio which doubles up as a dining room too when we need it, this is not ideal as I need to tidy everything away when we do! I also love the breakfast room which is just as well, as I was actually stuck in there with four dogs when I was working on the artwork for 'At the Bottom of the Garden', as we had workmen in the rest of the house at the time! Sometimes if it is a really lovely day, the garden is rather appealing too, as I can watch the butterflies dancing and the bees buzzing!

Q. Do you have any guilty pleasures or a routine that you go through before you sit to paint or draw?

A. Not really, but I do love to listen to music when I am drawing or painting, it takes me into another world and affects mood. My guilty pleasure I suppose is that I like the music to be quite loud! I enjoy a varied choice of music, it would be hard to find something which I didn't like to listen to. I also love to eat midget gems and Licorice, I have loved licorice since I was a small child!

Q. I know you have several dogs, do they let you paint in peace?

A. Most of the time .. yes! On occasions no!! Generally they are quite good, and get on well together. It was a bit difficult when I was drawing and painting for this CD-Rom as being locked in the breakfast room with 3 Jack Russells and A large Old English Sheepdog puppy is not ideal, but we all managed!

Q. Most importantly, do you believe in fairies?

A. Ha ha, well of course!!! I used to look for them when I was a child, and was tired out often in the day, as I would lie in bed with my eyes very barely open, trying to fool the fairies into thinking I was asleep, because we all know they won't appear if you are looking for them! I was convinced if I waited long enough I would catch them flying about my bedroom and tiptoeing across my bed!! Nowadays, I believe in most things that should not be there! I have never given up on that childhood magic. In fact as a child I disliked magicians, as I wanted 'real' magic only, I wasn't about to be fooled by someone pulling a rabbit out of a hat! I have a strong spiritual side, and am always open to possibilities, after all just because you can not see something, does not mean it is not there!!

One of Suzie's paintings from At the Bottom of the Garden

CHARITY - Sponsored Sew - Fighting Cancer

After what I would have said was a successful Charity Auction of the Monkey Plushes for The Monkey Sanctuary / Wild Futures, I was excited at the prospect of my next Charity venture. Every year I wanted to take part in Race for Life but something always got in the way - unavailable for those dates, pregnant, baby too young - so I came up with another challenge to raise money for a Cancer Charity. Since the Monkeys did well - £59.00 - I thought I'd use my sewing talents to raise money to fight cancer.

WHY CANCER RESEARCH UK - MY STORY: 

My mother-in-law, Irene. This was my late father-in-laws favourite picture of her.

In 2000, before I met my husband, Stephen, my mother-in-law also passed away from Cancer, one of the long drawn out fights that still resulted in her being taken away from her son and husband. Again, she has always been described as a wonderful woman who was perhaps a little too giving and forgiving. She never got to see her son marry in to a very happy partnership or see his son, her grandson. Because I live away from my family I feel as though I've missed out on having a close family here in Norfolk.

SPONSORED SEW:

Several months had passed since thinking about my Cancer Research Charity Auction and then I heard that the first dates for Race for Life had just passed and I knew it was time. The reason the Monkeys brought in £59.00 was because Wild Futures aided the promotion of the auction. However, I realised that many people raise money for Cancer Research UK and it would probably be impossible for them to aid promotion for everybody so I decided to split the fundraising into two parts: A Sponsored Sew and the Charity Auction of the two dolls made from the Sponsored Sew.

On the 8th & 9th of June I will be making two dolls made from a Dolls and Daydream Pattern. These will be made from donated materials from companies listed below.

The Wool Felt Company - Baby pink wool blend felt
An online shop specialising in craft fabrics.
 
Suzie May Ltd - Fabric for the skin, ribbon for the hair and shoes, and satin and organza for the skirts
One of  UK's favourite Haberdashery supplier
 
Groves-Banks - Two bags of toy stuffing
UK’s leading independent distributor of haberdashery, sewing accessories and needlecrafts to the retail trade. 

Binky Roo Designs (me) - Pink Ribbon / Cancer Fabric for the body of the doll.
Specialises in beautiful handcrafted dolls, bags, accessories and much more

CHARITY AUCTION:

After the Sponsored Sew I will have two beautiful dolls, approx 18", one called Irene. They will share the similar theme of pink and represent strength, courage, and the fight against cancer. The two dolls will be up for auction on Ebay starting June 10, 2013 if all goes to plan. Again, they will be sold with 100% going to Cancer Research UK.

WHAT & HOW TO DONATE:

I am using Just Giving for my Sponsored Sew. The minimum donation accepted is £2.00 GBP. That is all I'm asking for. Those who can afford more have been giving more but my ask is £2.00. So please, donate just £2.00 for this worthy cause.

Thank You! 

Fairies, Pixies and Bat Wings

All you need is trust and a little bit of Pixie Dust! 

~ J.M. Barrie 

What a hectic month it's been. I've been locked away in my studio (the Kitchen) for two to three weeks putting together the most beautiful paper crafting CD-Rom for Creative Crafting World. It's called At the Bottom of the Garden and features 12 original paintings by the incredibly talented Suzie Sroka - The Cock-eyed Arty Miss.

Cupcake Fairy - Original Painting by Suzie Sroka

This is the first time that I have worked with proper art, rather than digital art, and in the process I have met and developed a very wonderful friendship with Suzie. As the developing/designer of a CD-Rom I get to make the decision as to whether I want to work with a particular artists' work (whether original or digital). As soon as I saw Suzie's paintings I was immersed into a whole different world that reminded me of when I first saw a copy of Peter Pan and Wendy illustrated by Anne Grahame Johnstone - magical. There was no doubt in my mind that I wanted to work with Suzie and her paintings.

Lynda Chapman and the team at Creative Crafting World managed to get a 'four day deal' on Create and Craft TV starting on May 13, 2013 and wham! bam! alakazam! the pressure was on! On this super fantastic CD-Rom you will find 12 design sets - eight fairies and four pixies. It's packed with toppers, backing papers, embellishments, inserts, plate cards, gift boxes, and much more. There are digi-stamps for those who love to colour with pens like Letraset Promarkers or Copics, and Elaine Wheeler has done some lovely colouring tutorials for each set. Adding to the already jam sandwich, Paula Wade has done some amazing cutting files. I'll be making some of the cards and boxes you can do from this CD-Rom so I'll upload a gallery soon!

Screenshots from At the Bottom of the Garden CD-Rom

And just on the note of wings: we took our son, Vincent to Castle Acre/ Priory in Norfolk on bank holiday Monday and let him run around with his new reigns. They certainly are super fantastic - maybe I should consider something similar for the Binky Roo Store?

Vincent at Castle Acre / Priory with his bat Wings

Featured in 'Knits for Kids' - The Daily #Etsy

This was a nice surprise this afternoon after a day in conflict with faux leather - My Gothic Doll was featured as a Top Story by Knits for Kids (Etsy) (Twitter) in their article 'The Daily #Etsy #Doll' - Thank you, Knits for Kids.

So I thought I would take this opportunity to  talk about my Gothic Doll, by far the most popular doll that is available to you good folk.

An example of a Binky Roo Gothic Doll

The pictured Gothic Doll has a Black and Purple colour scheme and the theme is Black Widow. She has web detail on the eyes and a web detail on her upper right part of her body. The body web is also detailed with small beads. To compliment the web on her body there is also a black widow spider embroidered with red seed beads on its back. The body is using a lovely Victorian pattern fabric with black flock. Her skirt is made from purple satin and purple shimmer organza. The bow in her hair is using matching fabric to her body. This doll is more expensive than the others due to the extent of the hand embroidered detail but certainly is beautiful and worth it for a one of a kind doll.

Something a little dark to match the gothic aesthetic, the dolls are all named after gothic icons (some in the murderous sense, Ooooo, Spooky!)

FUTURE GOTH DOLLS:

I have recently purchased some new satin and shimmer organza for the skirts of my goth dolls. I tried not to get too caught up at the fabric shop. I wanted more! I do have to restrain myself! 

What to expect:

Black and Gold - Cross motif (including some lovely Designer, Michael Miller Fabric)

Black and Red - Black Widow and Web

Black and Blue - Vampire Bat

But you don't have to wait until these dolls are made to purchase. Nor do you have to order these specific colours. You choose the colour scheme and if you have a different motif (theme) then feel free to Request a Custom Item from my Etsy store, about half way down on the left side of the page.

Otherwise you can ORDER YOUR GOTHIC DOLL HERE

Every girl needs at least one Gothic Doll in her life. Every Gothic Girl needs more than one!

UPDATE: DIFFERENT FACES

This is the face for the 'Cross Goth Doll'

Here is another example of one of the Gothic Faces available. I am very flexible. If you have an idea of how you want her to look, contact me and we can make your perfect Goth Doll.

Softies - The Owl and The Monkey

I know there was the owl and the pussycat but I never have liked the ordinary, so I choose the owl and the monkey.

You can now order your very own custom owl and/or custom monkey. These are examples of what you can expect. 18" of lovely plushness. Visit my Etsy store!

Handmade Monkey 18" of cuddliness

Handmade 18" Owl using designer fabric

ETSY - Shop Opening

Howdy!

After umming and ahhing whether to open an Etsy store I decided why the hell not?  There are a few things adding already and the photos are just examples of what you could order. The beauty of my handmade items is that you can choose your own colour scheme and theme so no matter what you order it will match the occasion or decor, ooo-err!

So for this weekend only! A 10% off coupon is available for my Etsy store.

Use this code to get your 10% Off

So take advantage and order something special today!

Home Storage - Designer Plastic Carrier Bag Dispenser

The finished designer carrier bag dispenser

This is something I've been intending to make for quite some time. EVERYBODY needs a plastic carrier bag dispenser. For this to look stylish it was important to purchase the right fabric. I didn't do cheap, I went designer!

Three beautiful designer fabrics for the dispenser

The colours compliment each other beautifully. I had originally wanted to make a blue and black one but the red fabric kept leaping out at me when I was in the fabric store.

The top and body ready to be constructed

 There is an opening at the top to put the carrier bags and then it's as simple as pulling one out from the bottom as and when you need one.

The body of the dispenser complete

The top and the body attached together

The detail gets even better with a contrasting colour thread running across the edge of the black/grey fabric, in this case red. The designer of the pattern, Alicia Thommas (s4h), has done a wonderful job.

Want your own designer carrier bag dispenser? For £ 1 9 . 9 9 it could be yours. Contact me with colour/pattern scheme. 

Handmade Bag - Designer Tote - Michael Miller (Nevermore)

This is, to date, my *star* bag. I LOVE it! Michael Miller Fabrics are sooo very beautiful. Many designs, contemporary and traditional. The external fabric used on this bag is from the Nevermore collection, and the lining is called 'script', often associated with the Nevermore collection. As these as light/medium fabrics I also added some padding just to give it a sturdy existence as I like my bags to have substance.

Designer, Michael Miller, Tote bag.

So, unlike the retro tote I posted earlier, this one is made with entirely designer fabric, and the straps are attached by button holes as was originally intended by the original designers, Alicia Thommas and Liz Johnson, thanks to my new sewing machine - so in love (watch this space for a review). The fussy cutting on this was very difficult and the added frill on the original designed external pocket, I decided it was best without.

[caption id="attachment_180" align="aligncenter" width="576"] Designer Fabric, Michael Miller[/caption]

Below you will see a detailed picture timeline for this lovely bag, a little treat for you as to the construction of my bags.

[caption id="attachment_181" align="aligncenter" width="576"] As I would say to my son, 'are you ready, steady, teddy?'[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_182" align="aligncenter" width="576"] Fusible fabric on the back of the lining fabric of the external pocket.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_183" align="aligncenter" width="576"] The external pocket inside out[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_184" align="aligncenter" width="576"] The external pocket the right way round[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_185" align="aligncenter" width="576"] Lining the fussy cut external pocket with the front panel of the tote[/caption]



[caption id="attachment_186" align="aligncenter" width="576"] Preparing the bag for squaring the corners[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_188" align="aligncenter" width="576"] The front of the bag (now attached to the back panel)[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_189" align="aligncenter" width="576"] The back panel (now attached to the front panel)[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_190" align="aligncenter" width="576"] Preparing the lining for the designer bag[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_192" align="aligncenter" width="576"] Lining up the internal pocket of the bag.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_194" align="aligncenter" width="576"] The magnetic fastener is in place and nearly ready to attach to the outer part of the bag[/caption]



[caption id="attachment_195" align="aligncenter" width="575"] One of the two straps for the bag[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_196" align="aligncenter" width="575"] Lining up the buttons to where the button holes are going to be[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_197" align="aligncenter" width="575"] Side one complete[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_198" align="aligncenter" width="576"] Stitching the button holes using a 1-step button hole stitch[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_199" align="aligncenter" width="575"] Cutting the hole for the button to squeeze[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_202" align="aligncenter" width="576"] The finished bag with the lining attached[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_204" align="aligncenter" width="576"] From the side, look at how those button compliment the bag[/caption]

Custom Softie - Darla the Lamb

Awwwww! now this was pretty special to make. Tilly's little lamb.

[caption id="attachment_175" align="aligncenter" width="576"] Darla the lamb with bells[/caption]

Made from designer cotton fabric, Tilly's newborn babygro, felt, with hand stitched detail. This was such a pleasure to make. This was making an already beautiful pattern by Dolls and Daydreams into something so unique and special. Tilly's mum even chose the designer fabric. Who said owls and sheep don't go together?

[caption id="attachment_176" align="aligncenter" width="576"] Darla in all her glory, made from designer cotton fabric and Tily's newborn babygro[/caption]

This was a bit of a challenge because of using the babygro (a very stretchy fabric). The babygro was used for the inner ear, paws, and front of the body.

[caption id="attachment_174" align="aligncenter" width="576"] Darla's little bottom, Tilly's name hand embroidered[/caption]

This is Darla. A little bell around her neck with a series put inside with the stuffing. Tilly's name embroidered on the back with her date of birth, making it just that little bit extra special. This was one of the creations that I have made that I really didn't want to give away, but it is a very lovely new home.

Custom Dolly - Maggie the Flower Girl

After doing two gothic dolls, Betty Lou and Nancy, and a Christmas Doll, Sweet Angie, it was soooooo lovely to make a girly doll - pink and flowers and all. This little lady is adapted from lovely Sarah's pattern from Dolls and Daydreams. Using cotton, felt, ribbon and hand embroidered details. I love Maggie with her blonde pigtails and pink floral outfit, even her tutu has little sequins on.



I knew that this little dolly had to be pink with blonde hair and little pink cheeks, just like the little girl she was made for. What made Maggie different from the gothic dolls I have previously posted, apart from the little pink cheeks, is that her hair also had matching ribbon weaved through.

[caption id="attachment_169" align="aligncenter" width="576"] Little pink cheeks and ribbon in her hair[/caption]

 

Handmade Bag - Retro Green Tote

I have recently been pouring over crafting/sewing website looking for new ideas and inspirations. For 2013 I want to expand and have a nice flow of handmade bags to join the dolls and softies. This tote bag was the first bag I made.

[caption id="attachment_159" align="aligncenter" width="576"] The beginnings. Look how the grey/silver taffeta compliments the grey of the fabric on the right.[/caption]

The fabric I used for this was a medium/heavy upholstery weight fabric with a taffeta lining. The buttons on the side were lovely vintage buttons from my late mother-in-law's tin.

[caption id="attachment_160" align="aligncenter" width="583"] The search for the right lining was a long task. I have mixed feelings about taffeta but this just lends itself so well to the design.[/caption]

The original design for this bag is by Alicia Thommas and Liz Johnson (s4h) and was designed to be carried by straps held on by buttons/button holes. Since the sewing machine I used for this was a four stitch machine (so no button hole ability), I stitched the straps on.

[caption id="attachment_162" align="aligncenter" width="608"] Vintage buttons really sells this retro tote bag[/caption]

Upon finishing this bag I have to admit, I was impressed. This bag has to go into the Binky Roo collection. This design is retro and stylish with a double pocket inside and out - the inner pocket stitched to hold a mobile phone and a small notebook/diary.

This is the first of two bags of this design I will be uploading on here. Keep an eye peeled for a detailed post for a designer tote - Nevermore - Michael Miller Fabrics. It's goth, it's lush, it's unique...

[caption id="attachment_163" align="aligncenter" width="583"] The final bag showing the fussy cut detail of the external pocket with handmade frill[/caption]