Saffrons Blog

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I am excited to share with you one of my favourite bloggers, Katia, known as Plushka. She makes the most gorgeous soft toys, she loves to crochet, hand-stitch and cross-stitch. I thought I might ask Katia to share a bit about herself so I asked  her a few questions.

What is your business or hobby?
My business is called Plushka's Craft where I create unique gifts with a special Plushka's twist - mixing different textures like crochet and linen, mainly hand-stitching my items and sharing my love for cross-stitch. Started in early 2010, Plushka became a big part of my life now and cannot imagine not rushing home to my creative space in the evenings with toys, beautiful fabrics and projects waiting for me:)


Describe yourself in a sentence?
I am creative, a bit shy but friendly person who loves traveling, bright colours and everything unique and quirky.

Which colour  best describes you or stands for your personality?
It's so hard to pick only one! I think coral and turquoise are two colours that describe me the best.


How much time do you give to sewing or creating?
As much as I can give while still helping my husband to run his business. I am lucky to have an extra day off just for sewing and he is very understanding when I need to lock myself in the creative space for a few evenings a week.

What made you smile today?
Looking at the Pinterest boards with beautiful pictures that inspire!

What is important to you?
It's important to me to keep a life-work-handmade business balance. I am still struggling with it but I feel after a year in the handmade business I started to manage my time better and prioritize!


Future plans?
Keep creating and enjoy it! I have new toys that I am working on and Christmas collection that I cannot wait to share with my customers and followers. I really hope that I will find more time in the future to write a few tutorials and share a pattern or two.


My workspace/studio is?
Small, pretty but messy. I have to go through quite a few storage containers looking for fabric and regular re-organizing is the key to keeping it functional. Even though it's doesn't have much space, I love my tiny studio as it still inspires me. I keep it as clean as possible, have an inspiration board that I update every season and a space near the balcony for the pictures. It's small but works well so far! However, I do dream about big and spacious space where I can have the opportunity to make larger creations and store more stock (and fabric;).

Thanks Katia. I think we all would like a lovely big studio. :)

Do have a look at Katia's blog here.  You can find so much goodness there.

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Today's find is the lovely Amanda Poke of Macaroon Kids. Don't you just love this puppy?

I asked Amanda to tell us about about herself.

"I studied my Diploma in Clothing and Textiles a few years back, but not until my son was born was a real vision of where I wanted to go with it was realised.

It was important to me that I design and create each item myself and I wanted to create items that were not already available on the market place.  It started with the first pair of jeans I created for my son out of an old pair of adult jeans and looked adorable on him.  I also made some soft toys for him, so I refined these designs, created these out of recycled denim and Macaroon Kids started.


My design process involves ensuring each item is sturdy for long term play and can handle lots of cuddles.  My son is a very willing product tester.  I love fabric and great design so incorporating unique graphics into my creations is also important.  Many of the Saffron Craig fabrics have gender neutrality which is important in my items and they definitely add that touch of style!  The graphic designs add a charm to a child's bedroom or the toy box."



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The Love Lace exhibition at the Powerhouse Museum in Sydney is a must see. 135 international artists contributed to this astounding International exhibition of artworks interpreting the concept of lace.

The exhibition creates an amazing atmosphere with interactions, projections and genius lighting. Sometimes I was transported by the shadowy silhouettes that the lace creates.



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I have a suitcase left of fat quarters I cut up for the quilt & craft show in June. So, rummage through my stash and grab a bargain at $5.50 a fat quarter. Great for those little projects.

And remember, postage is still free in Australia, just choose "Australia free" in the postage options on the shopping cart.



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Kristie from Boo designs emailed me these sweet pictures a few days ago. Oh how much would a girl love one of these outfits made using my Magical Lands range?


 
I replied and asked Kristie to tell us a bit about herself and I think we can all relate to what she wrote:

"Last Friday my daughter’s kindy said to me that they had all be talking about what I would make for Holly to wear for school photo’s for the coming Tuesday.  I wasn’t actually planning on making her anything new, but the challenge had then been set and I could not disappoint, I had to do something special.

 
I got 2 new patterns, the Brownie-Goose Darby Short and Tenderfeet Stitches Picnic Apron Top and picked some of my favourite fabrics off the shelf to use, highlighting your Magical Lands.  My favourite colours are blue and purple and I knew the blue would bring out the pretty blue of Holly’s eyes!"
 
I stayed up late to finish the outfit on Saturday night. I couldn’t wait to try it on Holly the next morning.
 
I work full-time, but have found a new addiction in sewing since the birth of my daughter last September.  I started my little business, BOO! Designs about 8 months ago.
 
I am constantly looking for beautiful fabrics and try to look for really special things that are not already flooded in the market.
 
I love Saffron Craig fabrics and the lady in the US who I purchased the shorts pattern from has been swooning over them as well.

I have been using some of your fabrics to make Make it Perfect, Toffee Apple Tunics. They have been very popular.
Your Night Owls are on order for my mini Christmas collection and can’t wait to get my hands on some."


Thanks Kristie for taking the time to share your inspiring story. Ooh and thanks for the compliments.

Let me know if you would like to be part of future Friday Finds, or simply add your pictures to my facebook page and I'll be in touch.

Kristie also has a give-away on her facebook page, go have a look!



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This book case was a 21st present from my late Grandfather, I had painted it brown a long time ago and always thought It would be replaced one day. Inspired by the Design Sponge and a trend in painting old furniture, the old bookcase got a revamp instead.

I had some beautiful grey paint left over from an earlier project and thought it would combine nicely with some fabric backing from the Imaginary Flowers range.



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