my creative space

Don't fall off your chair but...
                                               there's no crochet* in my creative space today.

*gasp* I know.  Who would have thought?

Tonight I'm heading down to the opening of the 'Wild' Exhibition at the Melbourne Museum.  As part of the celebrations the Museum has asked that those in attendance (adults and children) dress up as an animal.

As I'm taking the girls with me I thought I should make a costume for Ivy.   I asked Ivy what she would like to be....(I'm a bad mum. The 11 yo got back from camp yesterday and I assumed she wouldn't want to dress up, beginning that self conscious stage, but as luck would have it she does, doh!).



"A Zebra".  We had no idea why she chose the zebra, but a zebra is what she asked for so that's what I was determined to make.  Last night after getting home late from work (actually I got home late from a 1 1/2hr massage I had after work - gosh  it was good and I needed it)  I started my last minute attempt to make the costume.  The hot weather put a dampener on my original more complex idea so luckily I was able to simplify it all a bit.

This is the head.



I think she'll look great.  I made it out of a card board box and covered it with some zebra print paper I printed out.  Then I cut eye holes that doubled up as nostrils, added ears, eyes and some fringe for a mane and voila, a zebra head. Next I had to whip up the body.



I decided to make a lose fitting dress out of a zebra printed cotton so Ivy didn't get too hot.   I didn't use a pattern and just went in blind which is what I normally do.  It's risky but saves a heap of time.  On this occasion I didn't do too badly.  There are some minor glitches and shocking sewing but it's a costume and it will stay together and fit her which is the main thing.  I also added a tassley tail which I made out of some black yarn I had stashed away. This is what it will look like all together...



All in all I'm very happy with myself. I think my favourite thing to do for my kids is make them costumes. I have made so many over the years and I'm excited and looking forward to making more for Ivy as she grows. Oh and we also found out why she wants to dress up as a zebra...



Cos that's what Maisy did.

For more wild creative spaces, check out Kirsty's place

*disclaimer: lot's of behind the scenes crochet is still being had in the house of Starr.

My Creative Place

My Creative Place is back in the world of crochet this week but this time it has been minimised somewhat. When I first started making the tiny granny squares I wasn't too sure whether I would be able to see properly ever again. It was awfully fiddly and as a result rather time consuming. But... with the determination to continue (and the decision to clean the dust off my reading glasses!), I can now say that making the squares has got much easier. I can whip up one of the little squares in one tram trip to work (around 25 mins) and are no longer getting the hook stuck in wierd places and having to re-stitch trebles.

That being said, I am about to start another little project. It's my friend's birthday do on Saturday night and I need to make her a present. I have a necklace idea in mind and if you look closely at the picture you can see a teensy bit of the design peeking through on the paper underneath. I am not sure how it will go but I am fairly hopeful it will turn out ok. Will keep you posted.

Oops, I nearly forgot! I'm not the only creative place around here. Make sure you visit Kootoyoo and checkout all the other amazing creative places here!

My Creative Place

Still knitting and crocheting on the tram and on the couch. I decided to feature the couch this week as it's getting a fair bit of action in the evening.

Please take a look at other inspiring creative spaces here. You won't be disappointed!

My Creative Place

My creative space this week is on my tram. I asked my son to take the shot this morning and he did a brilliant job. The light flooding through the window looks beautiful and warm which is ironic because it was freeeeezing this morning in Melbourne. The coldest day in April in 10 years!

I had to laugh when I read Kootoyoo's creative space for this week. She said she's only doing granny squaring and I have to say, I know the feeling! I am still chipping away at my granny square-cum-blanket and are really starting to see some great improvements in my tension. Lessons that I have learnt about crochet are:

• pure wools and cottons makes it easier to maintain consistant tension. They grip better within the stitch. Acrylics/synthetic blends tend to be slippery.
• I enjoy it more than knitting. Mistakes are easier to fix (I still like knitting though!)
• It's very mobile. You can crochet pretty much anywhere which really helps a time strapped fulltime working mum.
• I can't count. I can't tell you how many times I cornered with 7 trebles instead of 6. It's a little embarrassing. = P
• It's addictive.

Make sure you check out other creatives spaces here

My Creative Space

Well I am back at work this week so my creative space is in mobile mode (hence the black bag!). I have really been inspired by the rediscovery of my crochet skills so are doing a lot of experimentation, contributing to the granny a day pool and really enjoying it all. I also look forward to catching the tram to and from work because it allows me to get into my space even though it's for a relatively short time. Bring on a traffic jam I say!

See more creative spaces here

My Creative Place

My creative place today was a pile of chaos on my kitchen table.  It managed to produce a new skirt for me (photos tomorrow) which was very satisfying.  Special thanks to Polly pincushion for her outstanding work managing the pins... 

M*