 |
| Made using a pattern from Funky Friends Factory |
The Crafty Business of the Kazzalblue Baby & Childrens Boutique
Showing posts with label kazzalblue. Show all posts
Showing posts with label kazzalblue. Show all posts
Thursday, May 26, 2016
Daschund Softie
Had to share the latest softie I made with you all. I'm a bit in love with it :) From the floppy ears to the waggy tail he is lovely :) What do you think?
Sunday, August 16, 2015
Disappearing nine patch in the making
After consulting a lot of people a lot more qualified than myself and checking out piniterest I have decided that I will make a disappearing nine patch for my quilt. Here arethe fabrics that I just finished cutting up into the 5inch squares. Im quite excited to see the next part coming together
I loving it every time I look at it!!
Id love to see you examples of disappearing none patch quilts for more inspiration so feel free to add them here :)
Friday, November 5, 2010
Gifts Ideas for Christmas
If you are starting to think about Christmas looming on the horizon you may have already realised there are only 7 shopping weeks left to buy all those Christmas goodies. To make your job just a little easier I have thought of a few ideas for you.
These items are all available on our website, along with many more, at kazzalblue
and we will gift wrap and post direct if you want.
Happy Shopping!
These items are all available on our website, along with many more, at kazzalblue
and we will gift wrap and post direct if you want.
Happy Shopping!
Monday, June 14, 2010
Melbourne Stockists
I have just got back from a flying visit down to Melbourne to check out the shops and restock. I haven't had a chance to get down there lately and although it was only 2 days I did get the chance to visit a few friends at the same time.
Kazzalblue have stock in a lovely Art Gallery in Yarra Glen called Hidden Talent. They stock a variety of items from local artists and creaters. It is a lovely place to go for a drive and stop for a coffee and a wander.
We also have stock in a craft gallery in Ringwood. A wealth of talented people are represented at the store and it has turned into a real craft community.
The hard part with these trips is preparing the stock. I have piles in my workroom where I have half finished things but then moved on to something else and not quite finished anything. When it comes time to send stock off I have to quickly focus on the small piles and finish things off based on priority. Some things inevitably do not get finished and may not be finished even for the next trip in July.
I have had a week off and today for the first time today since I got back thought I might venture into the workroom to see what piles I had left. I have quite a few! and so I am off back to work now to make a new half finished pile.
Have a great week everyone
Karen
Kazzalblue have stock in a lovely Art Gallery in Yarra Glen called Hidden Talent. They stock a variety of items from local artists and creaters. It is a lovely place to go for a drive and stop for a coffee and a wander.
We also have stock in a craft gallery in Ringwood. A wealth of talented people are represented at the store and it has turned into a real craft community.
The hard part with these trips is preparing the stock. I have piles in my workroom where I have half finished things but then moved on to something else and not quite finished anything. When it comes time to send stock off I have to quickly focus on the small piles and finish things off based on priority. Some things inevitably do not get finished and may not be finished even for the next trip in July.
I have had a week off and today for the first time today since I got back thought I might venture into the workroom to see what piles I had left. I have quite a few! and so I am off back to work now to make a new half finished pile.
Have a great week everyone
Karen
Monday, May 10, 2010
Crochet Review
I know I have posted this photo on my blog not that long ago but I thought I would tell everyone how my testing went of my dishcloth that I made.
I was a little skeptical about how the new dishcloth would go seeing as I had actually made it. When I got home from holiday in NZ I showed everyone at home my new hobby and what I had made and had to tell them what it was. Some thought it was a doily, a hanky etc. Remember they are boys and really don't care!
Anyway I finally sewed the ends in the other night and gave it to the boys to wash the dishes. It worked really well. It was the perfect size and thickness and cleaned well.
I love the fact that it is cotton and handmade and can be washed and washed and washed. I love the fact that I made it and it doesnt get thrown out after a few days of dishwashing like a disposable cloth from the supermarket. In my books that nearly makes it organic although I can't guarantee the cotton was 100% organic.
I have decided that I am going to add these little wonders to my store as I really support organic, handmade reusable items, so very shortly you will be able to purchase one of these lovelies in any of our online stores.
If you love handmade reusable items you should check out our kazzablue store. Lots of great reusable long lasting items for sale that give you peace of mind that you are getting value for money when you purchase things for your baby.
Have a great day!
Karen
Monday, May 3, 2010
Road Trip
Road Trip up North
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I am back from NZ, home in the sun on the Gold Coast. It is nice to be home after spending over a month away from my family. It was also nice to catch up with my sister and her family and for once it wasnt a rush here rush there catch up as there was heaps of time.
While I was in NZ it was a great chance for us both to go on a road trip to see all our stockists and see how things were going. Its always nice to catch up and see what stock is going well and what is past its time. We stayed away for a few days and on the way home from up North took in some sightseeing in Rotorua. The Rotorua Museum is a great place to visit. I love the old history of the bath house and blue pools.
We also found time to call on a new stockist which was really good because I am usually not around to do that in NZ. My job is usually the Australian side of the Tasman.
In the end it was well worth while so keep an eye out for the Kazzalblue brand.
During the rest of my visit I got the chance to meet all the lovely ladies from the Hawkes Bay Etsy team. Keep an eye out for updates on this team as Joy is a member and they have some great things planned to increase the profile of "handmade" in the Hawkes Bay. It was great to catch up for morning tea with them all and get to see a sample of all the gorgeous things they all make. They are all so clever.
Since I have arrived home I have had to do the worst part of my trip. UNPACK. I brought a few little tiny things, really.... and now I have to find a home for them all. I actually had to move my sewing room around to fit them in but I am getting there.
To finish I thought I might just put up this photo of our baby boots. My next project.
Have a great day!
Karen
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I am back from NZ, home in the sun on the Gold Coast. It is nice to be home after spending over a month away from my family. It was also nice to catch up with my sister and her family and for once it wasnt a rush here rush there catch up as there was heaps of time.
While I was in NZ it was a great chance for us both to go on a road trip to see all our stockists and see how things were going. Its always nice to catch up and see what stock is going well and what is past its time. We stayed away for a few days and on the way home from up North took in some sightseeing in Rotorua. The Rotorua Museum is a great place to visit. I love the old history of the bath house and blue pools.
We also found time to call on a new stockist which was really good because I am usually not around to do that in NZ. My job is usually the Australian side of the Tasman.
In the end it was well worth while so keep an eye out for the Kazzalblue brand.
During the rest of my visit I got the chance to meet all the lovely ladies from the Hawkes Bay Etsy team. Keep an eye out for updates on this team as Joy is a member and they have some great things planned to increase the profile of "handmade" in the Hawkes Bay. It was great to catch up for morning tea with them all and get to see a sample of all the gorgeous things they all make. They are all so clever.
Since I have arrived home I have had to do the worst part of my trip. UNPACK. I brought a few little tiny things, really.... and now I have to find a home for them all. I actually had to move my sewing room around to fit them in but I am getting there.
To finish I thought I might just put up this photo of our baby boots. My next project.
Have a great day!
Karen
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
The Big Move
I have been too busy to blog lately and I am in trouble for not taking my turn.
As to the warmer climate, we are certainly getting that. It has been really hot and for the first couple of weeks we were actually in a tent in the neighbours backyard. I couldnt do anything, it was so hot and Sammy was having afternoon sleeps in the tent too. It was a releif to get into the house for sure. Air conditioning yippy, but you wouldnt believe it, in all the weeks we spent in the tent we didnt get sick and now we are in the house we all have colds, in the middle of summer!
The business side is still in the setting up phase. We have a workshop now but no power as of the other day. We have tyres but no press which is still in a container on the water, delayed. Hubby is back and forward to Melbourne keeping an eye on things back there too. I feel like I am a lady of leisure looking after Sam on some days and doing a little sewing, a little work now and then. I am sure it will all end soon though so I have to make it count now.
The latest collection going online for sale. Actually the brown has sold already but I am making more.
Before Christmas we started the process of moving interstate from Melbourne, Victoria to Gold Coast, Queensland. Lots of reasons, the biggest being to grow the family forklift tyre business, not so big was to move to a warmer climate and be near family. After 10 years in Melbourne on our own with just us and the kids we now live right next door, yes I can count the metres, from my hubbys parents. 3 is the answer too, for the metres between their house and ours.
Sammy loves having grandparents right next door and at 2 is struggling as to know why Mum insists I cant go around to Nana's AGAIN!
IT has been nice though to have family next door and be able to pop in for a chat and a coffee. I am lucky that his mum likes craft and doesnt mind a spot of shopping either.
As to the warmer climate, we are certainly getting that. It has been really hot and for the first couple of weeks we were actually in a tent in the neighbours backyard. I couldnt do anything, it was so hot and Sammy was having afternoon sleeps in the tent too. It was a releif to get into the house for sure. Air conditioning yippy, but you wouldnt believe it, in all the weeks we spent in the tent we didnt get sick and now we are in the house we all have colds, in the middle of summer!
The business side is still in the setting up phase. We have a workshop now but no power as of the other day. We have tyres but no press which is still in a container on the water, delayed. Hubby is back and forward to Melbourne keeping an eye on things back there too. I feel like I am a lady of leisure looking after Sam on some days and doing a little sewing, a little work now and then. I am sure it will all end soon though so I have to make it count now.
Here is what I have been working on for the last few days. I like the colours I have chosen but sometimes my taste is not that great. If hubby is around I ask him what he thinks as he always chooses better combinations than I do. For these projects I actually bailed up the poor woman at spotlight for 30 minutes and got her advice. What do you think about my colour choices?
Animal print nappy pouch.
The inside. It acutally has little white stars on a really nice blue background.
The latest collection going online for sale. Actually the brown has sold already but I am making more.
Do you like the inside colours of these two?
I really liked both of these but my eldest came home and told me they were really really yuck and I would never find anyone to buy them. Talk about a confidence boost. Sooo... I am going to list them anyway and hope for the best or the next person I know to have a baby will be getting one for a gift.
My next project for tomorrow is to finish a raggy baby quilt like this one for an order.
I am making a matching cushion cover too and the quilt itself will be quite a bit bigger than this one was.
So busy busy busy.
Hope everyone has a great day!
Karen
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Preparing for the New Year - 2010
If you are anything like me then you are already thinking ahead and making lists in your head of what you have done and what could be done better next year. I love this time of year because I am a list maker. There are some very important rules you should follow if you are a list maker and I am going to share mine with you.
1. Always have a very special journal to record in
2. Use a special pen that makes your writing even neater than usual
3. Write down all the things you want to achieve so you can cross them off when you do
4. Add a couple of items to your list you can cross off straight away - its a great feeling!
5. When you cross items off your list use a different colour so it stands out and you can be proud of your achievements.
6. Update your list every day
7. At the end of the week transfer all the things that have not been crossed out during the week to a new list and start over
I usually have a couple of different lists going at the same time - one for work, one for daily stuff and one for Kazzalblue. I am watching the talent on Felt .....Like Something Different for my new diary this year. Here are a few of the journals and notebooks I think would make a great diary.
I especially love the leather bound journals and the Lil Golden Book one. I think I could write great lists in those. Well I am off to think about my plans for 2010. I always try to come up with one for personal, sporting, professional, relationship and social resolution. Sometimes it takes a bit longer than a year to get there but I get there in the end.
By the way - What do you think? Twenty Ten or Two thousand and ten?
1. Always have a very special journal to record in
2. Use a special pen that makes your writing even neater than usual
3. Write down all the things you want to achieve so you can cross them off when you do
4. Add a couple of items to your list you can cross off straight away - its a great feeling!
5. When you cross items off your list use a different colour so it stands out and you can be proud of your achievements.
6. Update your list every day
7. At the end of the week transfer all the things that have not been crossed out during the week to a new list and start over
I usually have a couple of different lists going at the same time - one for work, one for daily stuff and one for Kazzalblue. I am watching the talent on Felt .....Like Something Different for my new diary this year. Here are a few of the journals and notebooks I think would make a great diary.
I especially love the leather bound journals and the Lil Golden Book one. I think I could write great lists in those. Well I am off to think about my plans for 2010. I always try to come up with one for personal, sporting, professional, relationship and social resolution. Sometimes it takes a bit longer than a year to get there but I get there in the end.
By the way - What do you think? Twenty Ten or Two thousand and ten?
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Christmas Surprises
I received a lovely parcel in the post yesterday. It was my Christmas swap decoration from Jeannet in Holland. I was waiting expectantly for it ever since she said she had posted it and was very happy to have it arrive. Jeannet - from Quilting Jeannet - does the most beautiful patchwork. The pics from her blog look like she spends a lot of time creating wonderful pieces.
My parcel was in a yellow envelope, which I managed to photograph before I ripped it open.
Inside was the cutest, most lovely patchwork heart christmas decoration, with my initial on it
J for Joy.
And a pretty christmas card! There was also a nice little bar of soap (but unfortunately the journey must have been a bit rough and it got broken)
Thanks Jeannet. I love it. Now I need to get my Christmas tree up so I can hang the decoration on it.
Here is a pic of the packages I have been sending out. Jeannet's swap gift is also in the bundle.
And now that Jeannet has had her package delivered I can show you what I sent.
A blue and gold christmas bauble
Some little Father Christmas gift tags
And a card which I hand painted onto acetate to give it a stained glass window effect.
Then I wrapped the whole lot up in a fat quarter of this beautiful 'Liberty Roses' fabric that I thought Jeannet could use in her patchwork. (Wrapping presents in fabric is a Japanese tradition which I love)
I think this swap has been great for my first. I look forward to many more. If you know of any happening near you I would love to hear about it.
And I hope everyone in the Mitcham area went down and said hi to Karen. I hear the weather was not great but it is the Carols by Candlelight tonight and KAZZALBLUE has a stall at the Christmas Market in Nunawading.
Merry Christmas
Joy
Monday, December 7, 2009
Christmas Ornament Swap
This is just the busiest time for sewing and I have been going great guns trying to prep for markets, stock shops and make my Christmas Ornament for my Swap partner - Jeannet - who lives in Holland. I thought it was great to be able to swap with Jeannet and so I hope she likes the traditional deco I made. Funny how these things take lots of thinking time and not as much making time. It took me ages to come up with an idea - but I like the finished product. It is in the box, along with other things to post, but I won't put a pic up until Jeannet has had a chance to unwrap her gift (probably in about a week according to the post office). I can't wait for mine. I am very excited!
Anyway here are some of the things I have been making that have kept me soooo busy!
Here are some drawstring bags - which are great for kids for their swimming togs and towels as well as messy soccer boots or keeping library books dry!
And here are more finger puppets. I have lost count of how many of these I have made in the last month!
Here are the singlets our Dad has been busy knitting. Remember he is 80 years old so not doing too badly!
And the plastic bag holders. If you want to be eco-friendly then you can use them for rags instead. The ones with NZ pics on them are popular at the moment for Christmas pressies cos they are easy to post.
I also made a couple of toy elephants but they ran away before I could get a photo. So you see I haven't really been too slack about blogging - just occupied elsewhere. Karen will hopefully put up some pics of the markets we have had as well.
Happy blogging everyone.
Anyway here are some of the things I have been making that have kept me soooo busy!
Here are some drawstring bags - which are great for kids for their swimming togs and towels as well as messy soccer boots or keeping library books dry!
And here are more finger puppets. I have lost count of how many of these I have made in the last month!
Here are the singlets our Dad has been busy knitting. Remember he is 80 years old so not doing too badly!
And the plastic bag holders. If you want to be eco-friendly then you can use them for rags instead. The ones with NZ pics on them are popular at the moment for Christmas pressies cos they are easy to post.
I also made a couple of toy elephants but they ran away before I could get a photo. So you see I haven't really been too slack about blogging - just occupied elsewhere. Karen will hopefully put up some pics of the markets we have had as well.
Happy blogging everyone.
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Bay View Christmas Market Day & Northside Makers Market This Saturday
This Saturday is going to be a busy one. Kazzalblue has 2 markets at the same time! Here's me (Joy) at the one we did in Nunawading a few weeks ago. Karen was conveniently taking the photo!
This time Karen will be at the Northside Makers Market in Northcote, VIC, Australia while I run a market in Bayview, Napier, New Zealand.
No chance of getting together for these ones when they are in different countries.
I am looking forward to it with a little apprehension as I will be on my own there but then so will Karen. Please pop down and say hi. We'd love to meet you all. Here is a better pic of me and my son when I went to visit him in Melbourne.
So see you on Saturday!
This time Karen will be at the Northside Makers Market in Northcote, VIC, Australia while I run a market in Bayview, Napier, New Zealand.
No chance of getting together for these ones when they are in different countries.
I am looking forward to it with a little apprehension as I will be on my own there but then so will Karen. Please pop down and say hi. We'd love to meet you all. Here is a better pic of me and my son when I went to visit him in Melbourne.
So see you on Saturday!
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
My Finger Puppets
Here is a slideshow of the finger puppets I make. I love these little guys....they are so cute. Amazingly enough every time I think I have run out of ideas someone gives me another one. This is the collection so far. I sell them on my shop at www.kazzalblue.etsy.com
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)