Monday 8 December 2014

Christmas in the House ( of Nicnax)

 
Why hello there! Wow what a busy time of year it is!
 
I don't know about you, but I've been flat out making, creating, markets, and general Christmas preparation!
 
I thought I'd show you a glimpse inside the "House of Nicnax" and some of the Christmas-sy decorations I've put together!
 
 






How's your Christmas preparations coming along?


Monday 22 September 2014

Me Time!

Hi! How you been?
Me? I've been super busy! I'll tell you all about it later!
 
But I just thought I'd stop by now and show you some pics of the back of my head! Haha!
 
I took a day off all my crazy sewing duties to have a bit of a "me" day. I went and saw my friend who is a work-from-home-hairdresser. We had a bit of a chat, bit of a laugh, bit of a gossip and I got my hair done! Multi-tasking at it's finest!
 
 


(This ones a bit fuzzy! Sorry!)
 
 

 
As you can see, I went with a touch of red this time (as well as the blonde) - just to change it up a bit! And I must admit I LOVE my new hair!
 


Monday 15 September 2014

An Alice in Wonderland Challenge.






 
 
A few weeks ago I was set a bit of a challenge from my sister. She is a bridesmaid for her friend and they were organising an Alice in Wonderland High Tea.
 
The challenge was this: she needed a pin-up board for a game. Sounds kinda simple. But I wanted to make it just a little bit different.
 
So thinking Alice in Wonderland theme, and having a little glance around Pintrest, I then took a look in my craft cupboard.... And what did I see? A roll of astro-turf. (who doesn't have a roll of fake lawn in there craft cupboard?)
 
Then I needed a frame. So I put the call out on Facebook asking if anyone had one they no longer needed. And what do you know? My neighbour gave me this!
 
 
 
Perfect! The glass in the corner was busted - but that was ok, as I didn't need the glass!
 
So then I just had to cut the grass to size and staple gun it into place!

 
 
Action shot of me!
 
And then I added some sting lines to make it usable.
 

 
 
My sister added some cute little tea cup pictures and wooden pegs. And TA DA! Here's the finished pic!
 
 
 
She also printed out this cute little teapot (she prettied it up a bit) and put it in a frame next to the pin-up board.
 
 
 
 
 
I did request a finished pic of it at the event - but I'm not sure if she took one! I'll update this post with it if she did!
 
And here the game she played:
 
 
All guests pick a teacup.
Each tea cup has a lucky number
Numbers are used through out the day for random tasks and prizes!
 
 
Oh and the best thing about this little task was that everything was recycled and FREE! 

Monday 8 September 2014

Handmade Love - Market Buys (The Handmade Expo)

 
Yesterday was Market Day! The Handmade Expo to be exact!
 
It was the second Handmade Expo for Rockingham (Perth) this year. There was heaps of goodies for sale - and as usual I couldn't resist buying a few! Here's my purchases:

 
 
I bought a 'Monkey' themed gift pack for my friends daughters 3rd birthday, from Plaster Craft Workshop.
 
I also bought another inspirational quote tile from Terri at Footprint Ecostore. I've decided I'm going to collect these and have a nice little display in my craft room!
 

 
And I also bought a cute little lip-balm from Seaside Aromas!
 
Love my market shopping! And best bit was that it is all handmade!



Sunday 31 August 2014

Crafty Project Thanks to Frank(enstein)!

The other day I told you how I received this beautiful piece of fabric in the sale at Frankenstein's Fabric. ( read that post here )
 
I wasn't sure what to use it for as I couldn't bear to bring myself to cut it. Well... I did cut it. It was one of those "OMG don't stuff it up. You've only got one piece and you need to be resourceful so you can save the rest for a project you are yet to plan...." 
 
Yes I did have a meter of it, and yes this project only used about a quarter of it. But still. When you find a piece you love, you don't want to cut it.
 
But this project was a good one. It's a pin-up board! (well a peg-up board!) This is perfect for keeping on my new desk after my Craft Room Makeover!



 


And the best bit about this board is that I can look at it every day! ( I actually cant bring myself to peg anything to it yet as I don't want to cover the pretty print!)

Monday 25 August 2014

Lucky me! The Sewing Room Make-Over


***Before I begin this post, I have one request..... please don't judge me - for I am a messy crafter!
 
Yes, it is true. I am the most messiest crafter around. To me it is definitely organised chaos, but to everyone else (especially my husband) it is a mega pigsty!
 
So in his efforts to assist me in confining my mess (and score mega brownie points) my hubby took a trip to Ikea and bought me a whole new room (well pretty much!)
 
So here's my before photos (remember - no judging!)  

Ok. To be truthful, these photos aren't too bad. they don't show the messy floor or the crates of fabric scraps piled up!
 
But anyway, on with the make-over!!
 
Hubby had his Dad come over to help put the shelves up... heres an action shot!

 
(yes, that is another shelf plus an exercise step assisting with holding the unit up!- that was later removed!)
 
And now to fill the shelves!
I own a lot of stuff, so I'll forgive you if you think it still looks like a mess!

 
I am completely in love with my new room! I'll have some more photo's to share soon!
 
Thanks hubby!









Tuesday 19 August 2014

To Infinity (Scarf) and Beyond!

 
 
I have a confession to make.... I'm a tad bit obsessed with scarves this winter. I think its the ease of being able to dress up a plain top whist keeping me warm at the same time!
 
Now you know me... I don't like to spend money on something I can make myself, so, I thought I'd make myself an infinity scarf, and show you how to do it at the same time!
 
Lets flash back about a year ago. I decided to make an infinity scarf for my mum and sis for Christmas. I kinda just winged it, as I couldn't understand the tutorials I found on how to do it. They turned out ok, but I now know the best way to make them. It's really easy and you can make up a scarf in less than 20mins once you know how. And now I'm going to show you!
 
What to do:
 
So firstly, you need a large piece of fabric. I found this amazing piece in the remnant bin at my fabric store (remnants get 50% off - BARGAIN!) This piece was just under a meter long and about 70cm wide.
 

 
Lay your fabric flat and fold it in half longways. Pin it together and stitch down the side. You will then have a 'tube' - with an opening at both ends.

 
Now turn it in the right way, and lay it flat again. (I put the seam in the middle facing up.)


Now take the bottom of your 'tube' and pull it up on itself. This will fold it back in half with the wrong side facing out.
 
 
Now you need to sew around the top. To do this, separate the tube so that you are sewing only the 2 pieces of fabric together. (don't sew all 4 together or you'll get in a huge mess!) Leave a few centimetres gap.


Using the gap, turn the scarf in the right way.
 
 
 
Hand stitch the gap closed, and your done!


I love my scarf!

After making this one, I think I may now have a sight obsession with making them too!





Tuesday 12 August 2014

I'm "Featured"...

Ok people. If you are a fan of local markets and events, (and you live in Perth WA!) go check out Street Hassle's website (here)

Even if your not a local go have a look anyway! Pay special attention to the "Featured" page as this month the featured stall holder is ME!!!!! - well House of Nicnax to be precise! So EXCITING!!!!!

Wednesday 6 August 2014

Happy Mail ( from Frankenstein!)


Maybe it's just me - but how exciting is it when you hear the postie? 

I get very excited. Probably a little too much. ( I'm lucky to disguise my excitement with being excited for my 2yr old!) 

Where we live we have bush land across the road, so the postie drives down the street first, and winds his way back to our place. So the excitement builds from that first moment we ( I ) hear him! 

Today was one of those Happy Mail days. No bills today! (Yay) but my fabric delivery from Frankenstein's Fabric! (website here)


And isn't it beautiful!!! I LOVE it! I bought this piece last week in one of their Facebook Sales. And the best bit.... This piece is for ME! 
Not exactly sure what I'm going to make yet- but that's ok. I don't think I could bring myself to cut into it yet! 

Any suggestions of what I should make? 

Sunday 3 August 2014

Market Day!

 
 
Wow! What a fantastic weekend I've had!
Yesterday was my first market back for the season. I was a bit worried with the weather we've been having recently, but it actually turned out to be a beautiful day! The photos look a little grey, and even though it was cold it was nice day!
 
So this market was run by Street Hassle Events. The Heron Park Local and General Market!
 




 
The thing I love about markets is not only all the amazing handmade items, but also the people. I probably spent much more time than I should have chatting away to other stall holders! But I was able to catch up with so many amazingly talented people, and see all there wonderful creations! Over the next week I'll be sharing some of them in my Handmade Love series (Here is a link to my first post in this series)
 
The food is also a huge part of a great market.
I met Marnie from Marnies Raw Creations.
I haven't had much experience with raw foods before, but it is definitely something that interests me. I wont go into details of raw foods - as I would hate to get it wrong (as I say - I don't know much about it) but please check out Marnies Facebook page to find out some more info. And check out these goodies that we bought. So Delicious!!!! 

 
 

 
It was a bit tricky for me to photograph my items this time. I was in the lovely homestead and I had a window behind me - so the sun was adding a glare to my pictures!!! But here's a couple anyway!!
 


 
And so now I've done my first market for the season, I have 7 days to prepare for my next one!!
Next weekend is the Rockingham Handmade Expo! I better get sewing!
 
What's your favourite thing about craft markets?







Monday 28 July 2014

Beach getaway!

 
 
Holidays, holidays.... I love holidays
No washing, no ironing, no cooking....what's not to love?
 
Well hubby and I decided to have a little getaway on the weekend. Just to Mandurah (coastal town of WA - but only about 1hrs drive from home)
 
It wasn't extravagant, but it was a getaway, away from the daily routine.
 

We were hoping for nice weather, but unfortunately it rained most of the time. There were a few moments of blue skies though, so we got to enjoy ourselves and just relax! Here's some photo's I thought I'd share with you.










Keep your eyes peeled for "part 2" of our Beach Getaway. Something very exciting happened!!!!