Shiny & new

It's been a good long while since I updated my header, but this year it definitely felt like time for something fresh.  Annnnnnnd, my little blog turns 5 later this year*, whooopdeeee!  I'll have to plan something special for that...

*Hence the cake.  Also, because we like cake (and if you're wondering why the paper dolls, there really is no reason, other than, I like them *shrug*).

A Terrarium Designed For Your Average Plant Killer

Many, many planty friends have withered and died under my lack of care, so this is one hipster trend I haven't been able to follow... until now (I'm told that succulents are hard to kill - but in my experience, they, along with all other plants, are hard not to kill).  I have searched and I have found an alternative to the humble indoor pot plant.  Yeah, this just got real.

I have also been coveting those geometric glassy terrarium thingys for a long time.  What is it with those?  And why do I love them so much?  Am I so impressionable?  As in other situations where I find myself doting on something that I probably wouldn't have noticed before, I am perfectly willing to blame those girls over at A Beautiful Mess.  It's always them.  Actually, I did actually buy one of these terrarium thingys, but I have this sinking feeling that after traveling from the states it may arrive in a less than whole form.  Will have to wait and see...

Anyway, this project was largely inspired by these cool prints that were floating around on Pinterest quite awhile back.  I used an off-cut from one of my dad's carvings, and some paint test posts I scored for free.  So this is one of the cheapest projects ever.  In that it cost nothing.  I do like the Quill and Fox prints a lot more (also, some of these other interpretations are very cool), but despite the naivety of my own painting, I kinda just love having some ironic hipster art in my kitchen. 

A bit silly.  A bit fun.

Mini Portrait Gallery

A long while ago Rosa came up with this ^ idea.  I may have posted about it.  Can't remember.  Aaaaaaaanyway, I recently came across the template and thought I would update the images (I only had one kid back then).  And then I thought, maybe some of you would like me to create one of these for your wall.  I think it's a cute and kinda different way to showcase some of your favourite shots.  I will be listing have listed them in my felt store, but if you want to you are also welcome to flick me an email - rutherbrad(at)yahoo(dot)com - and I'll put one together for you (I will email you the PDF which will print onto an A4-ish sheet).  They will be priced at cheap-as-chips. x

Sadie's Birthday

I recently created these birthday cake toppers for the lovely Jannelle of Heartfelt, as part of a swap.

She kindly let me share some of the pics from Sadie's party, how divine does it look?!

It has given me fresh motivation to work some more on my plans for Eleanor's birthday party, which will be held next month.  Watch this space...

Teepee

For the little crafters...  This kit contains a DIY (colour) teepee and campfire, incl. twigs and pebbles to complete the look.  I'm just working on the instructions and packaging at the moment and then I'll be listing them. Sorry about the heavily edited images - I'll take some better ones on the next sunny day...

They are based on these ones that I made as favours for Eleanor's 2nd birthday party.  I made them as a companion item (though of course they don't have to be), for the Paper Pocket Friends...  Both items were sort of designed as party favours, because I'm a big fan of favours that are less plastic/sugar and more create/make/play.

Ummm...

Right.  Well that's done.  

It will leave a small gap in my life, but I honestly can't say that I mind...  Now I get to think about different things.  And about all the things I'm gonna print this on...  To be honest, I've already moved on to my next project... More about that soon... Preorders open till Saturday.  Thank you to all the lovelies who have placed orders already x

Piles of paper

When I can, I always try and grab a moment to draw.  On Saturday, Zan gifted me a whole four hours (with momentary interruptions for baby feedings etc).  It was, simply put, bliss.  The problem I'm having at the moment is an excess of Ideas in comparison to Available Time.  I'm working on about four different projects, and squeezing in a few commissions here and there (that makes me sound fancy, but really, no).  

The project above is one that I'm particularly excited about - though it did open the door to about 1000 more ideas, so... mixed blessing really!  I'll share more soon, I hope!

These were fun (and simple) to whip up.  Stamp sized commissions.  Like.

Probably pretty easy to guess where I'm going with this one.  What do you think?  I'm quite excited about where it's gonna go actually...  Watch this space!

And this project has nearly reached completed - BIG deep breath out... Woah, I had no idea what I was getting myself in for with this!  So stoked to have almost reached the finish line...  These are the last two, I started them last night.  X has been sent to the printers, and once these babies are done and printed, alphabet sets are ready to go!  I have made a wee price change on these, so pre-ordering is an even better idea now - nearly a third of the price off.  Also, while I plan to CELEBRATE the finish of this project, I have decided not to do a giveaway for these.  I have already promised away a few too many sets, and instead I'm going to turn my attention to making a wee treat to give the pre-orderees.  I'll keep pre-orders open for one more week, by which time I'm hoping these will be sent to the printers too, woooooooooop!  Just email me if you would like to jump onto that list - rutherbrad(at)yahoo(dot)com

Paper dolls for fairies?

One thing that I've noticed about moving to the country, is that our lives have become much busier.  You'd think it would be the opposite, but I guess it comes with belonging to a community.  Nearly every day we have someone to see or something to do, and often quite a list of both.  It's a far cry from our quiet city days, and while it can be tiring sometimes, I do love it.  Oh dear, I fear I sound like Mrs Bennet here, declaring the number of families she dines with to the Bingley sisters...

But basically it means a little less time for crafts (though winter is looming of course, so there is that), illustration, and writing.  We are all about babies and business and socialising.  I did have time to cut out these ridiculously tiny paper dolls though.  They are a perfect size to be paper dolls for my paper dolls, which are a perfect size to be paper dolls for normal sized paper dolls.  Are you still with me?  Paper dolls for the paper dolls of paper dolls.  Aiight?

These are the ways in which I find amusement, it would seem.  If you would like a set of your own ridiculously tiny paper dolls, just buy a set of these Paper Pocket Friends, and cut out the ones on the label.  That's what I did except I didn't actually buy them, for obvious reasons.  Laughing like a crazy hyena while I did so... Eeeet's the smalllest paper doll in the wooooooorld!!!!!  Heeheheheheeeeeee!!!

I made some more of these too, for the fairies to buy.  Complete with handmade envelopes the size of my littlest finger nail.  Why did I make these?  Because it sure beats trying to work out how to do our tax return.

This one is sick, but recovering.

This one keeps trying to roll.  Bit soon dontcha think little fellow?  He also wears floral onesies, because I'm that mum.  Yeah.

I finished this portrait.  It took me an eternity, but it's one of my all time faves./I'm only responsible for the drawing part of this image, the photo and the idea belong to the lovely recipient!

Little Things for Little Folk

I can't remember being so creatively satisfied as I was when I was designing and making favours for Eleanor's birthday.  A combination of so many things: Paper craft, stationery, miniatures, paper dolls, DIY, cute packaging, illustration and more...  I'm thinking about creating a line of bits and pieces that are expressly made to use as party favours - though of course they can be bought individually too.  I'm thinking I will make custom favours, as well as generic ones too (working on a version of the teepee favour at the moment).

The packaging is fun!  These are an old design, repackaged.  I feel like I'm working in a factory.  But in a fun way, not a stink way.

Still having trouble with the packaging for these though, the bags I have are a tad big.  At first I was just going to have one doll in each pack.  But then I realised that they needed to have a friend with them.

So two in each set.  One big, one little.  Your choice of each.

 These are a variation on the paper bunting we made a few Christmases ago.  But this time in colour, and printed onto postcards.  A postcard and a gift all in one you see?  For those hard-to-buy-for's that happen to live overseas also.  So guess what my bros are getting for their birthdays this year!  Wrong.  They'll probably still get nothing because I'm useless at sending letters, as well as remembering birthdays...  I packaged these up in sets of six with 3 cards of each design.

Ah, the miniest of things, and totally unplanned too.  I have cut & constructed two sets of the magnets so far, and both have disappeared already.  Rosa-May said "I want that for my birthday" and snatched one out of my hands.  Fair enough.  It was her birthday about two months ago.  I keep talking about 'what I'm gonna get you', and I think she realised that none of these wonderful items were ever going to eventuate so she worked out her own solution.

And these are too ridiculously small for words.  The bunting would need to be glued or blue-tacked to the surface of your choice, too little to do anything else with really.  Maybe you would draw the string instead of trying to attach anything to them.  I don't know, but they're cute.  Fairy sized...  And the greeting card (with a teeny handmade envelope that it actually fits inside) is begin enough to sign your name with an X and that's about all.  They would be cute presents from the Tooth Fairy, who is still a long way off from visiting our house.

I think I just make these things for myself, because I'm not sure who would buy them.  It makes the packaging a little unnecessary, but that's part of the fun for me.  What else would I do with a whole bunch of ziplock bags that are just big enough to hold a ten cent piece?

Exciiiiiitement!

Thanks for your sweet comments on my last post!  Will let you all know how it goes...  Meanwhile, I've been making things that are sort of to sell, and sort of just because I want them for myself.  I'm thinking about finding some markets to set up at once I have enough stock, but meantime I'm having A LOT of fun putting bits and pieces together.

The ones are new bits and pieces that I'm toying around with at the moment.  Working out packaging and arrangements and other fun things.  I designed the mini bunting as a postcard.  Sort of a card and a gift all in one.  When the light is right I'll show you how it looks made up.  Pretty cute!  Then I had it printed onto magnets.  Super mini!  More on that soon...  And then - super super SUPER mini!!!  Like, mini even for your dollshouse.  Haha!  Craziness!  Taking mini to the extreme.

The Pocket Friends were inspired by these.  Still working out whether I'll be adding other details - quilts and the like.  This mock-up is a gift for a friend, but they're still under development before I sell them.

There's more to come, I just have to wait until my babes are sleeping before I can piece it all together.  So much fun!!!

Reminder

I'm still taking pre-orders for the alphabet soon, which is drawing ever closer to being a real-live-available-product (woop WOOOP!).  If you have been considering purchasing a set - pre-ordering is good way to go.  Over 20% off the full price, and I'll be throwing in some extra lovely things for each pre-order.  Also, I won't be taking any payments until I actually have the sets complete and packaged and ready to send, so it's really just a way of getting a good deal.  That's all.  For those of you who have no idea what the heck I'm talking about, each alphabet set will include 26 cards (postcard size) featuring images that I have hand-drawn.  They can be used as flashcards, postcards, wall decoration or anything else you can dream up.  I am three cards off finishing the sets, the most recent addition being V (view other letters here).

And don't forget that there is still time to enter my 200 followers giveaway!  Perfect for trips to the library or the Farmer's Market (or everywhere, as we do).

At the brumbie races

That is all.  But OH I wish I could share my newest little project.  It's too far away from completion just yet, but soooon! x

new stock

 Like I said, stockpiling!

These are the first few letters I've had printed onto greeting cards.  I'm really pleased with how they turned out.  They're printed onto recycled cardstock, with a matte finish.  I'll be ordering the full range, little by little.

 

On a whim I decided I'd like to sell alphabet magnets too, so I've started ordering those as well.  I'll be selling them both individually as well as in complete sets.  What happiness they will bring to a fridge!  I'll let you know when the sets are ready, but it may be a while off.

But not so the card sets!  Only four left to draw, plus a couple of extras I'd like to throw in...  

So close!  Don't forget that you can enter my alphabet tote giveaway - and pre-orders are open for alphabet sets - a chance to buy them at a discounted rate (and there's bound to be a treat or two with each order).  I'll leave the pre-orders open till the end of the month.