Posted on 2 August 2012

Handmade markets this week….

markets

 

The Upper Market in Upper Cooomera QLD, is a family friendly lifestyle market showcasing many products/services. The Upper Market loves handmade, homegrown, small businesses and supporting work at home parents.

Sydney Boutique Markets in Rouse Hill NSW, is an established market which prides itself on sourcing the most talented designers & retailers allowing them to showcase their products to our shoppers! When you visit this market day you will find unique, high quality products ranging mens, ladies & baby/kids fashion and accessories, homewares and so much more!

Have a wonderful market weekend, pop over to Market Angel to find out what other markets are on this weekend.

Celebrity Stylin
Posted on 2 August 2012

Celebrity Baby Stylin’

Accessorize/ Featured/ Just saying

Following on from the great feedback we received from our last Celebrity Baby Stylin’ post, we scoured the interwebs looking for the cutest and fashionable famous little ones to feature.

Handmade in Australia has come leaps and bounds over the years, and I can only see it getting better and better. Handmade is so fashionable at the moment and why shouldn’t it be? Its cute, unique, great quality, affordable and most of all, you know that when you purchase an item that is handmade you are purchasing from a small business, perhaps a work at home mum trying to make a difference.

Here are a few cute celebrity bubs and handmade in Australia items to match their style. We are very lucky in Australia, we have lots of fabulous handmade designers and brands are are so spoilt for choice.

Here we have the stunning Harlow Madden (daughter of Nicole Richie and Joel Madden) wearing a gorgeous pastel pink frock. My handmade pick is from Shelli Morse Design.

Moses Martin (Son of Gwyneth Paltrow & Chris Martin)is just too cute in his  pompom beanie. You can get one of these adorable beanies for your little one too from C Percy Designs.

Honor Warren (daughter of Jessica Alba and Cash Warren) is looking adorable in her black headband and piggies. This gorgeous handmade headband is my style pick. Designed by Butterflies and Trains. Why not try it with cute little piggies too?

Lastly, Miss Suri Cruise (daughter of Katie Holmes and Tom Cruise), sporting a cute floral number. My handmade pick is from Girls and Boys Clothing. I love the pops of yellow, the perfect spring frock!

I hope these youngsters have given you a little inspiration and these  finds have made you fall in love with handmade in Australia. So next time you’re looking for the perfect outfit or accessory for your little one, don’t pass up gorgeous handmade!

Celebrity Baby Stylin’

Posted on 1 August 2012

Win Stuff: Boutique By Design

giveaway

Boutique by Design offers a full range of custom graphic design services including both web and print design with a heavy emphasis on branding.

Kim Timothy is the Owner and Creative Director for Boutique by Design and has been actively involved in the graphics and marketing industry for over 15 years. Her earlier focus was corporate design. Now, with two children of her own, Kim has found great satisfaction helping Work at Home Parents, Start Ups and small business to improve their business image.

At Boutique By Design, It is our commitment to understand and capture the essence of your business, your product, and your vision. And we will deliver graphics you will be thrilled to call your own. After all, youve worked hard to develop your business why not flaunt it with style!

Boutique By Design are passionate about design and we think it shows!

THE PRIZE:

Boutique By Design is offering a free, fully custom designed logo. The winning entry will work with Kim directly. She will listen to your ideas and create a custom logo that suits all your needs. Youll even have the opportunity to make revisions if needed. Youre gonna love it! The value of this prize is $199.00.

To view the Boutique By Design logo portfolio to see all that we she do for you, please visit: boutiquebydesign.com/blog/portfolio/

TO ENTER:

To enter, head to the “WIN STUFF” page and simply tell us in the comments below what a professionally designed logo would mean for your business.

 

Ts & Cs

Giveaway is open from 1st August 2012 and will end on Midnight 28th August 2012.
Winner will be announced right here on 29th August 2012
Winner will be drawn using random.org
Competition is open to Australian residents only, one entry per person.
Winner will also be notified via email.

Posted on 31 July 2012

Do you pre-wash your fabric?

Articles/ Guest Post/ Hand Made Blog

I know many of you enjoy sewing and making things for your kids, hey this blog is called Handmade Kids after all.
Have you ever had the experience of making a garment only to find it shrank after the first wash? It’s annoying I know. Maybe it’s time to consider pre-wshing your fabric.
Here are the 7 reasons why I pre-wash:

  1. I usually buy/find vintage fabrics that have been in an op-shop, garage or some other not very clean place that smells like damp so it is necessary to wash just for hygiene sake.
  2. Shrinkage. most cottons shrink about 4%, sometimes more depending on the quality. It would be a shame to spend a ton of time making a garment that doesn’t fit after 1 wash. Shrinkage is also important if you are making bias binding from the fabric, nothing looks yuckier than a puckered binding edge.
  3.  Excess dye. Depending on the fabric quality, you may get dye run during washing. Usually worse with dark colours and reds. A quick rinse cycle may get rid of excess dye that can run into other fabrics in your project. HINT: about a 1/4 cup of white vinegar in the fabric softener compartment will help prevent excess dye run.
  4.  General store grime. Even new fabric has been stored in warehouses or dusty shops. You wouldn’t put a dusty dress in your wardrobe.
  5. Chemical residue. It is an unfortunate reality that chemicals are used to make fabrics easier to print on and wrinkle less. Handling and storing lots of unwashed fabric with these chemicals on, can’t be a good thing.
  6. Quality. Sometimes even the nicest looking fabric looks terrible after one wash. Print fade, pilling etc…at least you found out now before you spent hours hand quilting it!
  7.  To create a particular effect. Sometimes I use washing to soften a fabric, bleach out colour or even felt/shrink it on purpose for a particular project I have in mind.

Read more about the pros and cons of pre-washing here via The Haby Goddess

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This Guest Post is brought to you by Cintia over at My Poppet. She is a blogger, crafter and online store owner.  Want more My Poppet? Read the blog or visit the online store.

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