Green python soft toy November 3, 2009
Posted by Sarah in buttons, custom order, fabric, gift, home made, sewing, snake.1 comment so far
This giant 2 metre snake is heading to New Zealand, as a gift for someone’s 1 year old nephew.
For the moment he’s been making himself at home, hanging out at our place.
He’s been sitting on the back of our couch, keeping an eye on the kitchen, and occasionally slithering over the cushions to see whats happening outside.
My spec from the customer was that he wanted the snake big enough to fit around his nephew while he was sleeping, he wants him to wake up and get a fright. Hopefully this doens’t instill a lifelong fear of snakes in the little guy!
I’m really happy with how I got the tongue and face to look this time! Yuss!
Frocktober day 21 October 21, 2009
Posted by Sarah in black, buttons, clothes, dress, fabric, Frocktober, Fundraising, scarf, sewing, silk.add a comment
Goodness, this Frocktober business totally got me today. I didn’t realise when I left the house that it would be such a warm day, so i’ve been melting slowly all day in this dress. Black is always a bad idea on a hot day, positively stupid on a 33 degree day! Luckily it’s cotton otherwise I really would have melted.
I had this shirt dress tailor-made for me while we were in Vietnam last year. The belt is actually a vintage silk scarf that I picked up from an op shop a while back.
It splits quite high at the front when I walk, so when I have a moment i’m going to sew a little snap closure on the button band.
Remember, if you would like to support the Australian Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation during the month of Frocktober you can. Click here to donate.
My registration number is 539381. (you can put the registration number in the final page of your paypal payment).
Frocktober day 16 October 19, 2009
Posted by Sarah in buttons, clothes, dress, fabric, flowers, Frocktober, Fundraising, markets.add a comment
Happy Birthday Pierre! Friday the 16th was Pierre’s 30th birthday. To celebrate, 16 of us headed away to the Hunter Valley for a weekend of sunshine, wine tasting and fun!
Today’s Frock is made from beautiful soft breezy cotton. I got it a couple of years ago from a lady called Tamea Rice at the Paddington Markets. It fits pefectly and is really well made.
The print on the dress is actually tiny blue and yellow flowers, very sweet.
Remember, if you want to support the Australian Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation during the month of Frocktober you can. Click here to donate.
My registration number is 539381. (you can put the registration number in the final page of your paypal payment).
A gift for a a little man named Felix October 10, 2009
Posted by Sarah in buttons, fabric, felt, flowers, gift, home made, sewing, snake, toy.add a comment
My Niece Amanda and her boyfriend Ryan welcomed their son Felix into the world on the 10th of July this year. That day is also my sister Lisa’s birthday. She turned 40 and became a grandmother on the same day! Special times for us all : )
I’m now a Great-Aunt, and with that title comes much responsibility. Like making really cool toys for birthday gifts. Snakes, for example.
I love the way this photo makes it look like a snake-pretzel : )
Frocktober day 9 October 9, 2009
Posted by Sarah in buttons, clothes, cosy, dress, fabric, felt, Frocktober, Fundraising, home made, recycle, refashion, sewing, thrifty, wool.add a comment
My friend Maree came over a couple of weeks back with a pair of woolen pants that she no longer wanted. They were really nice quality Veronika Maine wool crepe wide legged pants. They were worn in a few spots, but otherwise were still in pretty good condition. I popped them onto my fabric pile and left them alone. This morning I woke up wishing I had another woolen dress to wear for Frocktober, because most of my dresses are pretty summer cotton numbers, and it’s been so cold here in the last week. I remembered the woolen pants this morning while I was deciding what to wear. I sliced up the centre seam in the leg, and removed the pockets, waist band and fly. Then I ironed the fabric and turned it into this dress!
There was a little patch on the back heel of the pants where they had been rubbed through and repaired. I’ve put these colourful buttons on to cover up the marks.
Joh and I are heading over to Maree’s house tonight for dinner, I can’t wait to see what she thinks when I tell her what i’ve done with her pants! I wonder if she will recognise them?
Remember, if you want to support the Australian Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation during the month of Frocktober you can. Click here to donate.
My registration number is 539381. (you can put the registration number in the final page of your paypal payment).
Meet Gwendolyn October 2, 2009
Posted by Sarah in buttons, cosy, draft snake, fabric, felt, flowers, home made, recycle, sewing, snake.2 comments
Gwendolyn is the newest draft snake to come out of craftyllama HQ. She’s headed to New Zealand to keep my sister and her flatmates warm and cosy.
Gwendolyn likes: sneakers, telescpoes and oolong tea
Gwendolyn dislikes: mud, bananas and garden gnomes
She’s the first thing I’ve made out of my favourite fabric from my stash, this beautiful blue and red floral patterned vintage fabric.
She’s been made with love and care from recycled and vintage materials. I can’t wait to see what my sister thinks of her!
We’re off to the post office this afternoon. I hope I can get her in a postal bag!!
Harriet October 1, 2009
Posted by Sarah in buttons, clothes, crochet, draft snake, fabric, felt, home made, recycle, refashion, sewing, snake, thrifty, toy, wool.add a comment
EDIT: Harriet has now been listed in my Etsy store. Go on, make our day and buy her!!
Meet Harriet.
Harriet is a door snake.
She keeps you toasty warm by staying close to the door and keeping drafts out. She’s also very useful if your city happens to have a dust storm.
She likes: boys, new stockings and peanuts.
She dislikes: dust storms, things that bite and sneezing.
She’s made from completely recycled materials.
She’s now in the craftyllama etsy store. For now, she’s keeping guard at our front door, making me laugh every time I walk past.
Miss Maree’s new guard snake August 20, 2009
Posted by Sarah in buttons, cosy, draft snake, fabric, felt, flowers, home made, sewing, snake, thrifty, toy.1 comment so far
This little beauty is for my dear friend Maree. She specified that she would like a cream and green snake. I hope she likes it!
The tongue is made from pure wool felt. The little collar is wool, and the flower on the collar is cut from a piece of beautiful italian lace.
Buttons that I used for the eyes came from my mother, very retro.
This photo is to show the underbelly of the snake, I used some charcoal denim for the bottom half of the tail and the same kermit green I used for the head on the other half.
This is a close up of the fabric that I used for the top of the snake. It’s a beautiful textured cream fabric with a while brocade pattern printed on it.
I stuffed it with old cotton fabric, it’s just heavy enough to hold tight against any drafts that come under the door. Traditionally they’re filled with beans or rice but I’d prefer to use something non-recyclable and non-toxic that’s destined for the landfil. I’m heading to a local recycling centre this weekend to see what I can find. In the mean time, the cotton fabric stuffing works just fine I think.
I’m planning on making many more of these little darlings so if you would like to order one off me just leave a comment at the bottom. Cost is $45 AUD plus postage.
Edited for Maree:
Maree named her Lilith!
Likes: Licorice lozenges, leggings and leopards
Dislikes: noisy neighbours, hairdryers and dill
button up June 2, 2008
Posted by Sarah in buttons, clothes, fabric, refashion, sewing.add a comment
I had always admired my friend Amy’s cute jacket when she wore it to work. I always said that it looked great on her, but she wasn’t so sure. So, when I was leaving NZ to come to Australia, this was her surprise leaving gift for me. Sadly, i’ve since lost touch with Amy, i’d love her to know that I’m still wearing the jacket she gave me.
It’s been in dire need of some TLC for some time now, so this weekend I sat down and gave it a makeover. I’m amazed that I hadn’t done it sooner. There are now five shiny, colourful buttons instead of four cheap lookiing black ones, and what a difference it makes. I also spent some time sewing the lining to the coat, and mending a pocket.
Crafty Llama 
