Got the stitch...

So I've been trying a few new things around Bam Bam HQ, not as in coming up with new products — more trying out new things to satisfy my crafty needs, enter Embroidery...

I was given recently by my Nana piles and PILES of embroidery thread (not to mention millions of buttons, zips and other vintage notions) it does make me a little sad when I get bags of these goodies as I know the only reason why I am getting them is because a lovely old dear at her retirement village can no longer use them. Still, looking at the glass half full, at least they aren't being binned and I can reuse them to make as many things as possible.

I had found a few old books that were my Mums when she was young that are full of what you need to be able to do to make a 'good' home — one of the chapters was embroidery, detailing plenty of stitches and diagrams of how to do them.

My first idea was to make a quilt for Grace, she had seen the previous one that I'd made for my shop and really wanted one for herself. I have cut all the squares and cut 12 of the squares from plain cloth that I have designed and embroidered for her. The quilt hasn't been sewn together yet but I'm planning on doing this soon.

Leo our cat being generally gorgeous and cuddly

My first square for Graces quilt finished!

Another event on the calendar was the BF's and my second anniversary and I decided to stitch this Day Of The Dead skull in lots of traditional and bright colours — it took me AGES and I'm really proud with how it came out!

Ray's gift finished, pats on the back for me!

So now I have invested in my own iron on transfer pencil and some bigger hoops so that I can have a bit of crafting that's just for me and not for sale, a great way to recharge the creativity!

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One month to go!

It's a month today until I'll be down at Craft2.0 market in Wellington!

I'm starting to get pretty excited about it, it will be the first time I have been out of Auckland to sell my wares and I'm trying to make the most of the trip by organising a few business meetings with shops and what have you. I'm also really excited to be catching up with Illustrator, Sarah McNeil for tea and cakes — we've been 'twitter buddies' for a little while and she recently moved to New Zealand. Fun times!

There is so much to do between now and then, one thing that I have been attempting to do for a while is to source some packaging for my wall art and other wares — which sounds so much easier than it is! I have ordered some large, clear cello sleeves and am in the process of designing some stickers for the front with a bit of branding and product background. So much information to cram into a small space! Anyway, I'm really excited about it as it will mean I'm that bit closer to having things 'retail ready'.

Anyway, just a little update today — see you at Craft2.0!!

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Excuse me 2010, but...

you're already going by WAY too fast, slow down and smell the flowers, please.

I may be (slightly) exaggerating with that, but it really feels like it has been zooming past very quickly, but that may be because I have been particularly busy with birthdays, organising myself for getting down to Craft2.0 and of course the markets happening in February.

Still, a happy surprise for February was that I am on the Felt.co.nz homepage again! I do quite like hanging out there, especially when I am in such good company. Head over and have a nosey...

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Happy Birthday Bam Bam!

Well, that's right, Bam Bam Creative has been around for a whole year! I'm more excited because not only have I been around for a year, but I'm still actually going a year on with people enjoying what I make and being lucky enough to expand on what I began doing.

Anyway, I'm feeling rather chuffed so I decided to make some limited edition eco tote bags from scratch to celebrate — and of course they are adorned with one of my trademark Babe In The Wood shapes in two new fabrics of mine.

They are made from un-bleached cotton, are super strong with a 10cm gusset and are the perfect size to cart around library books, groceries or whatever you like really.

Available in my shop now, but hurry, numbers are limited....

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Exciting News at Bam Bam Creative HQ...

If you're a fan of mine on Facebook, or follow me on Twitter (and if you're not, once you have finished reading this you should head on over and join me) you would know that I have had some rather exciting news, being that I am going to be heading to Wellington to be a vendor at Craft2.0!

I'm really excited about it, not only because I get to meet all the Wellington crafters in person, but that I get to be part of such a huge and awesome market! March Craft2.0 is also part of the Wellington Fringe Festival which is pretty exciting, so it should be an excellent turn out.

The plan is to make as much stuff as I can between now and then — I have Kraftbomb AND Crafternoon Tea happening in the weeks preceding up in Auckland, and there will no doubt be plenty of keen Wellentonians wanting to snap up Bam Bam Creative wares directly from my lovely self.

So book some flights, organise the road trip or get some train tickets and come say hi!

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Pin Cushion Tutorial

It's a pretty drizzly Saturday outside and seeing as my sewing machine is getting a service, I made a couple of these gorgeous little pin cushion jars — no sewing needed! Just a glue gun and a (very) small amount of hand sewing.

Check out my Penny In My Purse blog for the complete tutorial.

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