Showcase Shoutout - Puppy Dogs Tails

Slugs & snails & puppy dogs tails.... In the quest for funky bums for funky little boys Puppy Dogs Tails was born. A few years ago Holly started dabbling with making clothing for her son. Frustrated at the lack of handmade options she was able to find for him, the frustration only increased with the birth of her second son.  With two small boys and only limited options for dressing them, what else could she do but make their clothes myself.  After Holly started making things for them her friends started asking if they could buy them - and then Facebook got invited to the party and Puppy Dogs Tails was reaching a much wider audience.

For the Christmas Showcase Holly has created a size 3-6 month “Gnome for the Holidays” Nappy Cover Set comprising a 100% cotton decorative nappy cover featuring a super cute gnome print and contrasting leg trim, and matching appliquéd singlet.  $25.00 + $6.20 tracked post (or free local delivery in Townsville)

The cute Christmas themed gnome print is perfect for the holiday season, whether you be celebrating at the beach, a BBQ or just lazing around at home!

Limited custom orders available or keep an eye out for ready made listings in a variety of Christmas fabrics (and some non Christmas ones as well)  email puppydogstails@live.com.au

Showcase Shoutout - Mac & Mia

Mac & Mia is the creative outlet of Mia, mum to Natalie and Ryan and nana to Violet. Mia likes to experiment with feminine designs for little girl clothing, catering to those who are dissatisfied with the 'adult' styles currently fashionable in the shops. 8 years on and Mac & Mia are a regular fixture at the markets and Mia is still enjoying creating new styles.

For the Christmas Showcase Mia has submitted a size 4 party dress with matching lace headband. This beautiful party dress is made from quality white cotton with a tiny red floral print. The skirt features a red netting sequinned overlay which gives it a special, Christmassy feel without limiting the dress to Christmas time wear. The pretty top has spaghetti straps, a feminine lace panel and two self-covered buttons to match the skirt. It ties at the waist with red grosgrain ribbon.  

Included is a matching lace headband featuring a pleated decoration and self-covered button to coordinate with the dress. The set is $47 including tracked postage.

This is a one of a kind dress, however Mia is more than happy to take custom orders - check out the Mac & Mia Facebook page for the complete range of styles and available fabric, or email Mia directly at macandmia@yahoo.com.au

Showcase Shoutout - Sakurako

Sakurako is the creative outlet of Leigh, a busy stay at home mum to two small boys with a baby on the way shortly. Leigh enjoys making beautiful modern quilts, especially baby, toddler and child size quilts and accessories.

For the Christmas Showcase Leigh has submitted a tree skirt and matching bunting. Measuring approx 97cm in diameter, this tree skirt is pieced from quality 100% quilters cotton featuring birds, baubles and Christmas trees, and it is quilted using a meandering stipple using white Gutterman thread. It is backed in a solid red cotton and is bound in white. It features red ribbon tie closures.

The raw-edge stocking-shaped bunting features 12 scrappy pieced stockings using coordinating fabric. Each one is stippled in white to match the tree skirt. Each stocking is approx 10cm tall and the total bunting length is approx 145cm. The bunting can be strung up as is, used with miniature pegs to display Christmas cards, or wrapped around the tree as decoration.

Price: $80 + $15 tracked post. At this time Leigh does not take custom orders - quilts are made ad hoc depending on what inspires Leigh at the time. However keep an eye out on the Sakurako Facebook page as other styles of tree skirt (and other Christmas treats including fabric wreaths) are being loaded regularly between now and December 1st.

Showcase Shoutout - Ladybugs & Daisychains

Ladybugs & Daisychains has just turned 2.  Amy loves pretty, bold & funky fabrics and using them to create bags for ladies & little ones.  

This toy mat/bag is made from cotton in a cheeky monkey print and lined in a navy rainbow spot. It is approximately 80cm in diameter, the drawstring is encased around the edge and when pulled creates a bag, packing up all the toys easily and quickly.  Great for kids of all ages and is perfect to be used for teddies, rattles, cars, dolls or lego to name a few. 

This toy bag makes a great present for Christmas! It is $35 + postage. Amy is happy to take custom orders for different fabrics, simply pop her an email to ladybugsanddaisychains@gmail.com

Showcase Shoutout - Lil Pip

Lil Pip creates gorgeous clothes, toys and the infamous Boobook ribbon owl. The uniquely designed owl is the perfect gift for a new baby or teething toddler. Clothes are available in sizes 000-6 and soft toys come in all forms from dinosaurs to frogs, from owls to babushkas and more. 

Lil Pip's listing for the Showcase is a custom Christmas bauble tshirt where you can pick the size you want. The baubles can be all red fabric, combination of red and green or challenge Jane for options on other colours to suit your outfit requirements! The bows can be omitted for a more masculine look on a regular tshirt.  Jane has been making this Christmas bauble tshirts for a couple of years. She designed them to be simple and coordinate with any skirt, pants or shorts you want. It is Christmas-y without being to frou frou our fussy. 

These shirts will only be available for sale at markets in Melbourne so this is literally the only chance you will have to snap up one of these online. And it is custom! $20 plus postage of $7.85 regular or $9.55 Expres. Please allow 2-4 weeks for delivery.

You can find Lil Pip at Flemington Craft Market, Saturday 17 November, 3 - 8 pm or Maribyrnong Makers Market, Saturday 24 November, 9.30 - 3.30 pm. Check out the blog for more information. 

Showcase Shoutout - La Crafts

First cab off the rank for the Christmas Showcase shoutouts is La Crafts. La Crafts is your one stop shop for boys, girls & babies handmade clothing and accessories. Amanda has been operating for over 2.5 years and loves to keep the brand fresh with new ideas and fabrics.

The Gypsy Reindeer is one of Amanda's favourite Christmas Dresses this year, and is a little different.  This dress is a one off custom and will be made in the required size (from 0-3) and minor changes can be made to the bodice, straps and ruffles as required. Its a lovely, easy to wear, gyspy style dress, made with 100% cotton fabric with a fitted bodice with an elasticised back - great for the comfort of your little girl. The shoulder straps can be adjusted as they grow so this dress could be worn as a tunic top when they are older. The full circle skirt has a little rufffle on the hem for a bit of style.

This dress is a unique special edition dress and ia $48 including tracked postage. However this style of dress can be ordered from any of the fabrics currently available - or if you are after a specific fabric Amanda can source it for you. To place an order email acraftskids@yahoo.com or contact via Facebook. 

What's On

The Sewing Sisterhood Christmas Showcase is on this week! On sale November 1st at 8pm on the Facebook Page are a selection of items for Christmas - gift ideas, Christmas outfits, Christmas decorations and homewares. Keep an eye out on the blog this week for a series of in depth looks at the Showcase items.

Trinity's Treasures will be Perth Baby & Kids market in Rockingham next Sunday from 10am - 2pm. Mike Barnett Sports Complex, Cnr Dixon & Goddard Rds, Rockingham WA.

This week you will find Unique Babeez at The Little Feet Baby Market at Hillcrest on Saturday. Also if you keep a watch on Facebook, at the Christmas Market Album which is going to have a new item release coming up. With Summer fast approaching and the weather already warming up, its the perfect time to take a look at all the Toilet Training Accessories that can help the transition in your house run smooth and be able to stop the need for the use of anymore nappies!

Christmas comes slightly early at Sakurako who will have Christmas items on sale from the 1st November. Sneak peak items are already loaded and more items will be added throughout the month. There are quilted tree skirts, table runners and place mats, card displays, bunting, and fabric wreaths for sale. As with all Sakurako items, everything is one of a kind and once they are gone they are gone. 

What's On

It's October and time to start thinking about Santa Sacks. LiL Moo & Mee!  Orders are being taken until the end of October and will all be made in November. Please use contact section on FB to place orders or email at enquiries@lilmooandmee.com.au. There are over 80 fabric choices to choose from.

Please note the Bling names are an extra $10 each and are made by another FB business.

At Ink.Paper.Cloth, Kasia is working on christmas stockings and taking orders for reindeer tshirts and personalised cotton muslin sacks. The sacks and stockings are available on the website. 

Ink.Paper.Cloth are also doing a pop-up this coming Saturday on the Storison Verandah in Hahndorf. Hope to see you there!

At Sakurako Leigh has been frantically working on some Christmas creations for the upcoming silly season. There will be quilted tree skirts, Christmas-theme bunting, fabric wreaths and fabric 'tinsel', and Christmas card displays available from the 1st November. Keep an eye out on the Facebook page for sneak peeks at what's coming and availability details. 

Three Little Chickens will be at the Kiama Seaside Markets this Saturday from 9am-3pm with a great selection of boys summer beach shorts, girls skirts and dresses, and some Christmas outfits too

Baby Chilli have one of their new adjustable swim nappies up for grabs! Entry is easy, just comment on the Baby Chilli blog with the colour and size you'd like, then 'Like' the Baby Chilli and Chilli Tree Facebook pages. Full entry details are available on the blog!

What's On

Lil Pip, Baby Chilli, and The Chilli Tree are off to the Werribee Craft Market this Saturday 13 October, 8am - 1 pm. The Market is located just outside the main entry to the Werribee Mansion and adjacent to the Victoria State Rose Garden. What a beautiful setting!

Jane from Lil Pip will have a few sneak peeks of her new Spring Summer Collection including gorgeous new dress designs in a range of fabrics and colours. Jane has been working on new new Boobook ribbon owls for babies and soft toys including owls, dinosaurs, elephants, babushkas, new toolsets for boys and more! Perfect for gifts and available in a range of colours and designs. 

Markets are just the perfect way to look at Rebecca's cloth nappies from Baby Chilli first hand. If you aren't sure what they are all about, Rebecca can answer all your questions and provide information about fit, washing and how many you might need.

Rebecca has been working on new summer dresses under The Chilli Tree brand. Along with the adult and children's aprons, lounge pants and bibs - this stand isn't one to miss!

Baby Chilli Modern Cloth Nappies will also be available this weekend (Friday 12^th – Sunday 14^th October 2012) at the Pregnancy, Babies and Childrens Expo in Melbourne, on the Huckleberry Market stall.  Come on Sunday afternoon and meet Rebecca herself and ask any questions you have any modern cloth.

My Obsession Designs will be accepting Custom Orders for Christmas Delivery up until 31st October (or when the diary is full - whichever comes first). To ensure your order is delivered prior to Christmas please contact Tracey via message on Facebook or by emailing my_obsession@optusnet.com.au

REFER A FRIEND to Four Frogs on a Log between 25th September and 31st October and when they place their first order (over $30) you will both receive a voucher code for 10% off your next order.

To claim your 10% voucher all you need to do is include the name and email address of the friend who referred you and Tracey will email you both with the voucher code.

To be eligible the "referred friend" must not have purchased from Four Frogs on a Log previously.

Meet the Maker - LA Crafts

Amanda is the lovely face behind LA Crafts. She has some absolutely gorgeous designs.

Tell us a little about yourself? 

I am 28,live in rural SA on a vineyard with my husband and daughter, Sophie!

Other than sewing, what do you do? 

Hmm, Sewing is my hobby, my business and my life, I LOVE it , so I dont do too much other than that.  In summer we spend a fair bit of time at the local lake with the speed boat.

Where do you get your inspiration? 

Most of my inspiration comes from my or my daughter's needs, if I find I am missing something, I make it.

What does sewing, crafting and handmade mean to you? 

To me, it is a creative outlet to let all my stresses go, not that I have many. An afternoon of sewing is like a Massage/Facial for me.

Who is your favourite fabric or pattern designer?

My favourite designer is Michael Miller, it is very kid friendly and I always seem to find more than enough to fill my fabric addiction.

Who has been your greatest influence? 

I have a few influences, my mum and 2 aunts have always been into something crafty, so I guess it was passed down to me, although I only took a big interest after my daughter was born, which is when I started sewing.  Another influence is my Dad, who has great business sense and I seem to have picked up on that.

Where would you like to be in five years?

I would love to be in a NEW Custom Built house with a whole Sewing Wing LOL, I'm talking wall to ceiling storage, enough room for all my sewing machines (Yes I have a few) and a cutting table, business wise I would love to be popular enough to keep busy and hopefully be a mum to another beautiful child.

What handmade possession do you love most? 

My most treasured handmade possession is a dress made for my daughter made by my aunt, who sadly passed away last year.  It is too small but it will stay with me for the rest of my life.

School Holidays!

Those words are enough to either strike fear in parents or elicit a sigh of relief.  Whether you are enjoying the sleep ins, not having to make lunches or if you're tearing your hair out, you'll need some ideas to keep the kids entertained.

Look no further...

With Halloween coming up this is a freaky spider activity and would be great to give out as Trick or Treat gifts.

This is a super cute activity.  I love anything hand or footprint oriented.

This guy has way too much energy but he comes up with some fantastic ideas!

Why not check out your local museum, most offer workshops over the school holidays.
Oh and there's camping.  Camping in the loungeroom, camping in the backyard or camping in the great outdoors.  Don't forget to pack the marshmallows! 

Have fun x
Bec from Because Everything Counts

Image sources; Pinterest

What's On!

As you would be well aware, we have The Sewing Sisterhood Spring Showcase on RIGHT NOW on the TSS Facebook Page. There's still plenty of awesome quality items available so get in while you can!

Gorgeous summer shorts are now ready to be purchased at Little Magnolia Button. The shorts, as featured in The Sewing Sisterhood Spring Showcase, have been uploaded to the for sale album. Matching singlets or t-shirts can be made on request.

REFER A FRIEND to Four Frogs on a Log between 25th September and 31st October and when they place their first order (over $30) you will both receive a voucher code for 10% off your next order.

To claim your 10% voucher all you need to do is include the name and email address of the friend who referred you and Tracey will email you both with the voucher code.

To be eligible the "referred friend" must not have purchased from Four Frogs on a Log previously.