Wednesday 30 October 2013

how to keep your cross stitch cotton tidy

One of my favourite hobbies is cross stitch but I often lose it, when the cross stitch cotton elves come and turn it into tangle hahaha
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So I've decided, in order to be able to create some more master pieces I'd have to tackle that first.
I've gathered few supplies, plain old wooden pegs, liquid paper correction fluid, permanent pen and clear nail polish.


I used the liquid paper to paint small strip on the top of the peg and let it dry.


Then I used a permanent Sharpie pen to write the code number of the cotton for easy reference, again let dry for few minutes and then use a clear nail polish to paint a protective coating over the whole white section.


Let dry and then wrap your cotton over the bottom part of the peg.
Tadaaaa....



cross stitch cotton organiser

cross stitch cotton organiser

It is now all the fun it should be...
And here are a couple of my finished pieces...

cross stitch sugar skull day of the dead
cross stitch sugar skull day of the dead

cross stitch winter scene snowy postbox







Monday 1 April 2013

April - Autism awareness month!

Today is a World autism awareness day so "Light it up BLUE" this month!



I would like to donate 20% of all my sales this month to AIEOU
so visit my store InspiredByCharlotte on made it and go shopping, remember some of the money you will spend will go towards a very special cause.
I have a gorgeous little boy who has been diagnosed 
with Aspergers syndrome( high functioning autism) couple of years ago.
He's just like any other boy his age with a few "extra special" traits,
and I would not change him for anything in the world.
One thing I would like to change is how people perceive Autism.
I have learnt so much about autism now, attended seminars and countless sessions with Occupational therapist, Psychologist and Speech therapist, but there is still so much more to learn.

It is important for people to understand what autism really means.

Austism spectrum disorder is a developmental disorder,
the "spectrum" is used to describe different levels of the disorder,
no child on the spectrum is the same.
Autism is not a physical disability.

People with an ASD look just like everyone else. 
There are no obvious physical attributes that exist, 
often creating difficulty to raise awareness and promote an understanding of the condition.

There is "no known cure" for autism, but there are number of  interventions which help with learning and development!

The statistics are 1 in 160 children has ASD and it's a lifelong condition. Over 350 Queensland children are diagnosed with autism every year. Autism affects every part of a person’s life from how they play and work, to how they learn. People with autism struggle with common everyday actions such as making eye contact, eating, getting dressed and responding to questions most people would find easy to answer. 
Autism does not discriminate.  People from all nationalities, cultural, religious and social backgrounds can have autism. 
So if you also have a child who's that extra special and don't know where to start or know someone who has one or two, there are many useful websites on the Internet that explain, direct and help you understand .
One of the websites is an AIEOU foundation site, a fabulous website with relevant information for all Queenslanders, lots of helpful and interesting information so check it out!

This foundation has helped me so much over the past few years and I would like to return the favour now!
I would like to donate 20% of all my sales this month to AIEOU
so visit my store InspiredByCharlotte on made it and go shopping, remember some of the money you will spend will go towards a very special cause.
http://www.madeit.com.au/storecatalog.asp?userid=48622




















Tuesday 14 August 2012

handmade jewellery and brooches

New handmade jewellery pieces

I have been working on some new jewellery and brooches and got slightly sidetracked playing with polymer clay, so much fun.
All the pieces are for sale on madeit so check it out!
enjoy!
polymer clay fruit tart ring
polymer clay fruit tart ring


felt Westie brooch in grey

Polymer poppy ring

Polymer poppy ring

Sunny side up egg on toast polymer clay ring


felt watermelon brooch
felt watermelon brooch



felt Westie brooch in navy blue

felt westie brooch in navy blue
felt westie brooch in grey

felt westie brooch in white




felt westie brooch in white



Don't forget my other items are also on sale on madeit, just click the link bellow
http://www.madeit.com.au/storecatalog.asp?userid=48622

Sunday 20 May 2012

life captured in old photographs

I'm a huge fan of photography, old or new! I have been browsing through some amazing pictures from history and thought I must share these.
I love the atmosphere caught in these shots, all so different in comparison with today's society, hard to imagine the life and hardship that was captured in some of these photos.
Saying that, life was so much slower and more laid back in those days and sometimes I feel almost envious of the simplicity, as today's is life is so fast paced and hectic!
Here's a question, I wonder how many people used to go and see a psychologist due to stress and depression then and how many do now?
Tougher conditions meant tougher people, they were happy with so little, today we require so much to be content.
Could our society survive back in those days?


London Underground this rarely seen photograph reminds us just what an engineering feat the construction process was the creation of the central line 1898

Life on the Thames or as photographer John Thomson called it in 1876  the Silent Highway Two sailors head down the river in a barge

Summer days of 1852 Hippo Obaysch is spotted taking a nap in the Zoological Gardens in Regent's Park He was donated by Egypt in 1850 in exchange for English greyhounds and deerhounds and he lived until 1878
Garment workers in NY tenement sweat shop 1908

Lunch atop a Skyscraper, 1932 taken by Charles C. Ebbets

Living Quarters of Workers Family in Old Time NY Tenament 1910

Sunday 13 May 2012

Fairytale and Autumn jewellery collection

I have been so busy working on my jewellery as well as satisfying my new obsession with felt but luckily I have something to show for it. All these are for sale on my favourite handcrafters market website called MadeIt! http://www.madeit.com.au/storecatalog.asp?userid=48622
So check it out or comment if you're interested!
Have  a lovely day everyone!

Mohair yarn crocheted rose brooch with cross stitched butterfly motif button


Eggs in a bird's nest ring


Rose pendant necklace

Blue and pink princess ring

Green bling baroque ring

Mohair crocheted flower with felt and swarovski crystal center

Purple heart necklace

Fairy amulet



 These necklaces bellow are from my Fairytale collection, all Alice in Wonderland themed.

'Off with his head' necklace


'Most everyone is mad here' necklace

'Time for more tea' necklace