Poppalina

Making Big Bear Faces

Shaky hands,

Make for blurry photographs,

But you get the idea.

Epiphany

That's right.

The Consew totally kicks arse.

Making Bear Fabric

I broke not one, but two domestic machines today. My fault, entirely. I asked them for more than they had to give.

And I did this, quite simply, because I am Mortally Afraid of industrial sewing machines. Or, to be even more precise, I am shit scared of hand injuries. The likelihood of me sewing my own hands to the table with an industrial is approaching probability one.

Meaning the prospect thrills me not.

But be that as it may, the time has come.

I must dig the Big Sewing Machine out from it's current position (hiding in the far corner, disguised as a Really Handy Thing to Pile the Stuff You Don't Know What To Do With On Top Of),

Remember how to thread the bobbin winder (could be a problem...)

And face my demons.

Because bear-making is not for the Faint of Heart,

Or domestic machines, it would seem...

scene fades slowly to black as Shula stands alone, looking nervous, though humming bravely...

Oh, please God, not another scarf

I think we're finally at the end of the birthday run, in so far as it ever actually ends. Beck and Ramona, in a frenzy of Industrial-Strength Nesting, have me fretting about Christmas already, but I'll get over it.

When I am finally elected Ruler of the Universe, the first thing I'm going to do is pass a law that abolishes obligatory gift-giving. We will only give presents when we feel like it, and it won't have to be for any reason at all. Nay, it must be for NO reason at all.

Vote 1. Shula. Ruler of the Universe.

Anyway, getting back to the subject: this scarf, if you'll permit my immodesty, really is rather beautiful. Recycled 1930s feedsack and linen, matching as though they weren't manufactured seventy years apart. Feels beautiful, looks elegant. For Gillian, whom I know well enough to let her choose the fabrics herself, because she's fussy like that, but really so that I can watch and reluctantly admire the way she hones in, like a long-range exocet missile, on the most cherished items in my stash.

Because that's what friends are for, right?

It's Raining Babies

What is it with babies?

You'll have none in your life for years and years and then the next thing you know, they're practically falling from the sky. Not me, personally, you understand, I am Much Too Old for such nonsense. But at various times in my life, they do seem to have arrived en masse.

It must be something in the water.

Ask and ye shall receive

Nothing like pitching a thinly-veiled request for help out into the Universe.

Within 12 hours, the lovely Miss Pen was showing me how to put together an invisible zip, complete with a take-home, step-by-step, instruction kit and a fistful of spare zips, not to mention wool gloves for Mym and a big box of embroidery threads. It was like Christmas, and I hereby declare that Pen now has a lifetime supply of free yoga lessons, should she ever decide to collect, and should I ever graduate.

And if any confusion remains (I must confess it does, because I am a Sewing Moron), that's okay, because Kapinny, my aforementioned Sewing Guru, hits town tomorrow with her customary Exquisite Timing in times of Ultimate Crisis, to make sure I don't screw up the Real Thing.

Times like this I look Heavenward, and grudgingly acknowledge that I am Indeed Blessed.

Purple Bush Tucker

Yes, yes, more purple scarves.

Weren't you just waiting with bated breath for that one?

This is a Bulurru print, from North Queensland, designed by Julie Nabangardi Shedden, and titled Bushtucker, which is fairly self-explanatory. I found it buried deep in the stash, and had completely forgotten its existence, until it flew past my line of vision as I pulled everything off the shelves and tossed it over my shoulder in the hunt for something else that rhymes with lavender.

This scarf is wonkier than the other one. I don't know why that is. But that's okay, I have a feeling it's prospective owner is going to forgive me.

Is it June again already?

Please be advised that Chez Poppalina will not be accepting any more friendships with people born under the sun sign of Cancer, or Gemini, but especially Cancer,

No matter how irresistably lovely we find them to be.

There is, quite simply, just not enough purple to go round. And June is becoming the Month of Dread, as we rack our brains to think of birthday presents for almost everyone we know.

We thank you in advance for your consideration, and apologise for any inconvenience caused.

ps. recycled patchwork silk and corduroy scarf, for those of you who are wondering.

Bear Production

About 5" tall. Linen fabric scraps and recycled angora. Just a rough version, and not quite right, yet.

Especially the wings. Bears needs wings, if they're going to hang out in Christmas trees, right?

Right.

Brain Storming

Well, my first effort with Cindy was underwhelming. I was underwhelmed. Whelmed with under, even.

Don't like the slapped on, sitting on top effect. I hate the way it's going to come off/apart after a few washes. Looks like everything else I've ever seen on Etsy. She needs to integrate more. I stalked off to change the bedsheets. Not happy. Not one little bit.

Several humphy hours later, I caught myself muttering Jude's legendary what if..... and it was back to the studio.

What if.... I used the same technique as I used for the 15 rupees? Quilt it in, till it moves with the rest of the fabric. Quilting is a Great Unifier. Don't worry about edges. Let em be raggedy. Very Japanese. Very nowtro.

It takes longer. Much. Longer. There's a lot of turning, and flattening, and you have to go slowly, so as not to hit the sequins. And knit fabric is slippy. But I think the extra effort shows.

Of course, it has also been said that I like to make things hard for myself. And that I oversew. Which is also true.

Anywhere, it feels nice to wear.

I say that from personal experience.

And she's as solid as a rock on that shirt. She's not going anywhere.

Off to have a think about thread colour possibilities. I think an outline in the shirt colour might be in order...

Feel free to jump in and offer suggestions. I'm all ears...