CLASS OF THE WEEK

Every First Sunday of the month we take Thom way across town to visit the Steam Locomotive Society of Victoria. Now don't get me wrong, this is great fun but I'd be lying if I said part of the appeal is that it's just around the corner from the Kaisercraft outlet store. I opted to take a card making class instead of lining up to ride Thomas the Tank Engine - lucky me!

It was nice to go somewhere crafty where no one knew who I was and I could just follow instructions and make six rather frou frou but fabulous cards. It was nice to be a student! It was nice to make things that weren't for sale or even that good.

Beck and I talked about it over pancakes on Friday and we both agreed that a return to these simple pleasures would help us get through the mountain of work on the professional and personal fronts. It's all about process. If you are feeling a little run down I highly recommend it. Don't worry about the uncool factor, it's just for you (and in my case my mother who loves everything I make unconditionally) RAMONA

PROJECT OF THE WEEK

check!

Ok so we have all had weeks like this: You know the one- where there is so much hard work to do (in my case writing a total of 4000 words in 3 different places, being interviewed, interviewing, and replying to probably 300 emails - apologies to friends I haven't got back to yet). On top of that everyone here had colds and were grumpy and high maintenance as hell. sigh. Times like these I turn to simple craft. I've made a couple of Christmas presents (don't laugh) for the little ladies next door, two gingham totes that I'll fill with some craft supplies (of course).

We broke my beautiful porcelain beaker I used to put cutlery in for couch eating - so I grabbed some scrapbooking bits and a tin - a project that Thom loved too - he stuck the little wooden knife and fork on with great pride!

I also made a set of coasters for Miss B's birthday next week. I did all of these projects as a 'reward' per 1000 words and they all took less than an hour, but they kept me sane in a tough time. Don't ask me about the housework tho, good grief. RAMONA

FUNDRAISERS OF THE MONTH

Oh Japan

Most Crafters like musicians are excellent at coming together for a cause. Nearly every crafter we know has a special relationship with Japan for inspiration, materials or personal connections, so its no surpise that makers all over melbourne are also contributing to a growing list of crafters worldwide trying to raise funds to help the people of Japan recover from the devastating effects of the recent earthquakes. There is now a long list of places where you can either contribute works for sale or spend your hard earned cash as part of the fundraising efforts. So check out the links below and either whip up or pick up some amazing work.

HAND MADE FOR JAPAN

NYC Japanese American native Ayumi Horie has put together an amazing aray of illustration painting, ceramic and textile works for an online auction taking place March 24 - 27. HML favourites Sarajo Freidan, Camilla Engman and Lisa Solomon are amongst the contributing list of serious craft superstars so get in early and make a bid.

LUCKY CHARM-MAKING GOOD FORTUNE HAPPEN

Local jeweller Natalia Milosz-Piekarska is organising a contemporary jewellery acution to raise money for the Red Cross Disaster relief and rescue services. Regular readers will know that much of Natalia's work is based around the idea of protective amulets and luck bearing talismans, so naturially she's linkedthis idea with that of providing some much needed ongoing protection via this brilliant local fundraiser. The auction is tentatively scheduled somewhere between the 18th and 19th of April and will feature a star studded list of our best local talent, all donating one piece to the kitty. This people will be unmissable.

PIKALAND

One of my favourite illustration blog/shop/websites will be giving 100% of the net profit from the sale of Tokyo-bsed artist Mogu Takahashi's Chotto Omoshiroi poster to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Society. it's only $10 US plus shipping so it's a little spend to give a lot of love.

HELLO SANDWICH

The lovely Ebony Bizys of Hello Sandwich is selling her most excellent Gift Wrapping Zine for $5.00 will all profits going to Japan. She also has a list of other links to other peeps with whom you can donate or volunteer. Of course there are loads of other people out there who are advertising where to find fundraising craft for Japan, and in fact if you google' craft fundraising Japan' you'll probably be busy all afternoon. But just to make things easier here's a little short list of links to get you started:

POPPYTALKHANDMADE,

BETTY JO DESIGNS,

LITTLE SHOP OF HANDMADE,

PINIPIRU ,

KNOT AND BOW ,

Happy making and happy shopping ! BECK

SIDETRACK OF THE WEEK

fly away birdie

You know how it is. Ton's of work to do - making, writing and homekeeping. Dreaded Lurgy nipping at my heels (or in this case throat) friends all ill or in crisis, family cranky and in need of attention. That's the perfect time to do some completely self indulgent crafting right?

Well actually that is right. If there is one thing that Beck and I have learnt - the fun don't stop. There will always be a million things to do so sometimes it helps if you can take an hour out of the day and just noodle about with Mod Podge and paper.

And if the result is something kitsch and silly the more the better, especially when your writing show and grant applications, board papers, artist profiles, building websites, making fabric flowers, cooking pies, changing summer beds to winter ones, toilet training a two year old, supporting a VCE related meltdown, talking on the radio, chairing a meeting, changing beds and doing 15 loads of washing. I didn't include Beck's list - its too long, even for me! RAMONA

PROJECT OF THE WEEK

It's not easy being pea green

My sporadic blogging this week was due in no small part to the making of this present! I have a friend turning 4 this weekend and have wanted to make her this Princess and the Pea from the More Softies book since I made one for my niece in 2009

Funnily enough this is the second project from this book I've made for my young friend and it was her mamma that gave me the book. Designer Sarah Bowe really threw down the craft gauntlet with this one. 12 mattresses? crikey! My pea is very dodgy but the recipient is so very kind and will overlook any flaws in the making! RAMONA

PS If you want to see more professional gifts for the kidlets then head to a special Children's Edition of Craft Hatch Market at The State Library tomorrow 10-4!

GIFT OF THE WEEK

papermate

My friend K.C is a poet and playwright and is having a birthday next week. I only see him once or twice a year but we've been friends for 2 decades (!) and I like to remember this annual event in a small way. He's a bit of a Luddite too (no mobile phone, still doing dial up) so he loves nothing more than snail mail. I made him a notebook to jot down his latest inspirations.

I'm amassing quite a collection of scrapbook papers which come in hand for projects like this. I'm also slightly addicted to the scrap booking decals you can get -just like the old fashion letraset! I had fun making his card and I think he'll like this retro gift in the mailbox.

I'll also write him a letter - on paper - with a pen! When was the last time you did that? RAMONA

GIFT OF THE WEEK

stop me if you think that you've heard this one before

I think I knew when I made the first rabbit they'd start multiplying as rabbits have a tendency to do! I couldn't resist making a little blue one to celebrate the imminent arrival of our newest staff member, a new bro for Max and buddy for Thom. Of course even as a type this I realise that I should make ones for the two year old hml boys just so everyone has a rabbit. And then there's the intern.

I'll have to set up a rabbit Flickr of course, and a blog and a tumbr and a facebook page (or not)...hop to it! RAMONA

GIFT OF THE WEEK

token tote

The ladies of HML have taken a little time out this week. We even managed to go out to breakfast together - a rare occurrence these days. Despite living in the same suburb weeks go by without clapping eyes on each other. Lucky for us we have HML to keep us connected! Everyone is so busy these days. My friend K is the stage manager for Victorian Opera which means 16 hour days and no fun on midweek birthdays. I spent an hour on Sunday making her a little tote to take her lunch in to work - or in her case breakfast lunch and dinner.

I also got to use some of my wrapping paper - which between you and me made me feel smugly organised.
Now for an early morning delivery before her rehearsals start. They're doing Verdi so it'll be a long day. RAMONA

PROJECT OF THE WEEK

I've made a list (what a surprise) of all the people I want to learn more about this year. That list includes artist and textile designer Sonia De Launay. The Intern and I have also made a commitment to attempt projects 'in the style of...' as a way of learning new skills and enjoying the process.

We bought a simple white tshirt scarf and spent a couple of hours hunched over the dining table painting it together

Of course there are things we'll do differently next time. I'd let it dry more on the table to avoid the colour bleeding and I'd use an even lighter base material.

The Intern makes a far better model than I do.

A tip: instead of putting newsprint underneath to protect the table put good butchers paper so then you have wrapping paper at the end of the day too.

It's been ages since I made something just for myself and for fun. Should be more of it! RAMONA

PROJECT OF THE WEEK

hot stuff

Like many craftspeople I have a dodgy back, and being deskbound in the office and increasingly pregnant is not helping in any way. Similarly like many other craftspeople i'm great at getting things made for other people but completely hopeless and getting anything made for myself. Especially if its something I actually need. Enter wheat pack. My old and shamefully dodgy pink whale cord original finally bit the dust around September last year... and it has literally taken until today to make a replacement. Embarrasing no?  But a combination of unexpected grandparenting of Maxwell and a very recent reaquaintence with my scrap fabric box during the craft studio to nursery transformation we're currently undertaking had me reaching for the scissors and trusty old Janome.

I cut pieces from an old skirt, vintage house dress, left over christmas ribbon, scrap of denim and one of the architects old chambray work shirts (don't mock him, it was a uniform) to make the front. Call my crazy but I felt compelled to try and make it a little fancy given it seems like an eternity since I made something, and I did have a spare hour up my sleeve.

I then very randomly and none too evenly stitched the peices together to form a 'patchwork' front...

and decided that hell, while I was at it, why not do a little stitching on the back. I cant fully explain where the little tree came from, although I suspect Ramona's avid christmas listing has rubbed off on me and this is either a christmas present prototype or a VERY early present to myself...

I then lined the patch front with one of the panels of chambray shirt and the other with some calico for extra strength and then stitched them together to form the back.

$2.25 worth of organic wheat from the Fruit Peddlers later and ...

Voila! Brand spanking new wheat bag, heating my stiff and aching back while I type. Brilliant.

 Now I just need to get started on the curtains, cushions and chair covers...

BECK

GIFT OF THE WEEK

hop to it

A friend of mine turned 1 year old this week and I wanted to mark the occasion with something small and soft. Having already made him this quilt (a year ago!) I thought I'd use a remnant of the fabric to make this simple bunny. Something soft and light that he can hold onto.

Look he's a bit wobbly that's for sure but he's kind of sweet and suits his new owner - who is also soft and wobbly. This was a really simply project and only took me a couple of hours (so it will probably take you 45 minutes ha ha). You can find the pattern and step by step instructions...you know where. RAMONA x

DISCOVERY OF THE WEEK

The ladies of HML have many things in common as do our 2 year old boys who both have a passion for trains. Max is definitely in the Thomas the tank Engine fan club and Womble has wasted many an hour watch You Tube clips of signal crossings (not kidding - Japanese ones are his favourite). So there was no avoiding going to the model railway show last weekend at Phillip Island.

Now I am not a train fan and I have been desperate for Thom to show an interest in something (anything) else, but I think this show sealed the deal for him and perhaps me too. My Beloved also revealed that his father had been an avid model train builder, dedicating an entire room of the house to a complex countryside layout. So for Thom it turns out to be an inherited trait.

I was captivated not by the trains but the model making that surrounded them. Whole villages, mountain ranges, farms, seaside towns. The miniature scenarios playing out, weddings, funerals, holidays. This was something I could really get interested in!

Most magical was the train that circled the circus big top. The ring leader at the centre of the action was fantastic.

I see a trip to Hearns Hobby Store in my not too distant future. RAMONA

GIFT OF THE WEEK

boxy

Whenever Maggie B goes on holiday I try to take the opportunity to make her something. If I was super organised I'd have also planned on her Mothers day present but I didn't quite get there. I did however paint, decoupage and wax a magazine holder for her gardening magazines

I didn't want to do something too twee but it had to be something pretty for her room. We are both huge Margaret Preston fans so I took some photocopies from an exhibition catalogue.

I kept it pretty simple. Truth be told this was meant to be under the Christmas tree but I just didn't quite get there. Hope she likes it! RAMONA

BAKE OFF OF THE WEEK

jam session

This year hasn't been a great one for stone fruit... too much water and not enough sun has left the trees shooting out branches and leaves rather than fruit and the fruit on offer hasn't had enough sun to get it ripe quickly or uniformly enough to beat the feasting beaks of birds and bats (well bats don't have beaks I know but you get the drift) Nonetheless I have been determined to make something of the harvest before it all fell of the tree bug riddled and bird pecked.

Thankfully, I found a gap on Monday between holiday sickness abating and work starting with the added benefit of grandparent babysitting of Master Maxwell to get to work and get some jam made.

With the house blissfully empty save for the sounds of bubbling apricots and my dodgy collection of 60's soul, 70's disco, 80's metal, 90's grunge and noughties folk and nuevo new wave I enjoyed myself  thoroughly, and hopefully managed to recapture some of the magic of last season's jam session.

I say hopefully because it would appear that last year I set the bar rather high and had myself some jam addicts jonesing for another jar after the first one had been consumed in record time... Oh and Pen, I hope you won't mind my recycling your jam jars as long as you get at least one jar of mine back in return :)

Given that there was going to be some waiting around time while the jam bubbled into the correct consistency I decided to finally use the Gingerbread and Shortbread dough that had been sitting in the fridge since Christmas eve and bake myself (and my loved ones) some cookies.

While the gingerbread did crack a little on top it was deliciously chewy and spicy. Max has subsequently developed a perhaps unhealthy crush on them as apparently "mummy's biscuits are quite tasty" and "very nice for my breakfast"  hmmmm.

I love making the cranberry and pistachio shortbread, not just because the end result is so damn tasty, but because the mix is really, really pretty, surely incentive enough to make and extra batch?

Yum. BECK