Saturday, January 28, 2012

End in Sight

Crazy heat wave here these last few days. 40C + for almost a week which has forced us inside and under the air conditioning. There is nothing more uncomfortable than breast feeding a baby when you're both perspiring. Today is set for 42C and then we have a reprieve so hopefully this is the longest stretch of high temps for this summer.

One good thing to come out of being house bound is that I've started a few projects. I appear to have started about 5 but have only finished one. I tend to flit from one thing to another when I have a new idea. Not always good practice as I consequently have half a dozen piles of fabric and patterns strewn across the table but it is nice to be busy.

After receiving some new felt in the post recently I've been playing around with a few brooches and ornaments. I made this little felt cloud brooch yesterday. I am going to make a couple of changes before creating a tutorial to share so you can make one too.

This is also the beginning of a new softie. He/She has started off similar in head shape to my Spaceboy but I'd like to vary my use of fabrics with this one and find some linen and or kokka to suit his 'style.'   

Whatever you have planned, have a wonderful weekend!
Thanks for visiting Little Cloud Factory- check back in next week for the Silver Lining Cloud Brooch pattern.
x Penelope

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Name Embroidery


What a modern and sweet embroidery project to do for a baby's nursery. The creator of this tutorial has never embroidered before so that's encouraging for all us novices too.

Sunday, January 22, 2012

Finished Projects & Plans


Here is my most recently completed softie. A friend is due to give birth next month so hopefully this little guy will provide some cuddles for her son/ daughter. I have tweaked my owl softie pattern (from two years ago) and am pretty happy with this final result.

I now need to get my softie making backside into gear for the Softies for Mirabel which are due by the end of February. Another owl, spaceboy, doll or a new design........decisions!

Also next month I am participating in a small community market. This is my first market in over a year so preparing for something small should be a good way for me to get back into the handmade scene and get some feedback.

Michaela begins pre-Kindy this year which involves a full day of activities at a nearby Recreation Centre each Thursday. This will be her first time away from me (other than with grandparents) for longer than an hour and I think that this will be a bigger adjustment for me than for her! We attended her Open Day on Friday and she was reluctant to leave so that's a good sign.

Our home is sure to be inundated with art work from Michaela upon each return from pre-Kindy so I've been looking around for display ideas. This post provides some good inspiration. It's a fine line between wanting to display your child's work and not have it take over the house and look cluttered. I'm currently looking around the house for possible 'gallery space' and will show you how it works out soon.

Before children I considered myself the Queen of Organisation. I love lists, ticking items off and feeling like I was on top of my life. I still love making lists and I can multi task with the best of them- as I type this I'm also feeding Harper her breakfast, making a list of things to pack for the girls for when I go to work tomorrow and reading Little Miss Wise to Michaela (she's on a Mr Men/ Little Miss bender at the moment...) but with two children, I seldom feel on top of things in my life. This article is a good starting point in helping me feel more in control (and less forgetful!)

This penguin softie is sweet.

What a fun skirt to make and wear.

I have never come across Shrinky Dink before but I like this jewellery idea.

There is a plethora of laser cut jewellery out there but I'm definitely not sick of it, these brooches are adorable.

Who doesn't love bubble wrap? With this, you can pop all year long!

Have a wonderful weekend! x

Thursday, January 19, 2012

A Pillowcase for a Cause

I honestly can't imagine how difficult it must be for children to spend time in hospital; away from their families, friends, everything that provides them comfort and support, all the while trying, hoping and waiting to get better. Pillowcases for Oncology Kids was established last year by 15 year old Brittany who was diagnosed at 6 months of age with a rare cell tumour. She decided to help brighten up the hospital beds of oncology children in hospitals around Australia by donating handmade pillowcases.
You can get involved too by following the Facebook page here and the Handmade Cooperative.


Monday, January 16, 2012

The Dollhouse Project

Have you come across the I'm a Giant Challenge recently? The challenge was relatively simple; put your interior design skills to the test in miniature. The completed dollhouses are works of art, the ideas are unbelievably creative and I'm blown away by the various re-purposed household items.
The dollhouse nursery from Making it Lovely
I didn't participate in this blog challenge but when this dollhouse (on Clearance at Spotlight for $20) began calling my name the other day, I figured I'd have some fun with it. It will be a very slow work- in- progress but I will share some pics once I get started.

Sunday, January 15, 2012

Birdhouse Softie


I did a bit of playing around this weekend with this birdhouse softie. This is an original design with all the felt details hand sewn in place. I'd like to make some more with a scented fill so I'm off to learn about sweet smelling and safe materials, any advice?

Saturday, January 14, 2012

Felt Creations

Have you seen the felt craft book FeltiesHow to Make 18 Cute and Fuzzy Friends from Felt ? I picked it up at the local library the other day and managed to make this babushka brooch in one evening. I think I'm a slow hand stitcher because it took a little over two hours to finish it but as you can see, it's totally cute.

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

What's In A Name?

Why 'Little Cloud Factory'?

After much deliberation the name for my little handmade business was pieced together, much like a jigsaw. I enjoy making things for 'little' people, softies, various decoration accesories (wall art, name plaques, mobiles), etc. Each and every handmade item is unique, as is a 'cloud'. And I like to consider my workspace as the 'factory' where all the creating and making takes place.


Shortly after I settled on Little Cloud Factory almost two years ago, I saw this gorgeous, white ceramic ornament from Pearson Maron. So as fate would have it (and a 25% off nudge!) this beauty is on it's way to me- yay!

Monday, January 9, 2012

Did You Notice?

That's right, people, that lonely empty spot down there in the right hand margin actually now shows that I have put something in my etsy shop. WOO HOO! It's only taken me FOREVER to do it but that doesn't matter now, it's a start and that's the main thing. Onward and upward.
via
 

Spirographs

via
When I was a child I loved playing with a spirograph set. It was fun to see what patterns would be created and how many colours I could incorporate. Now it's fun again to enjoy spirographs on mediums other than paper.

Karlsson Clock $119
Brooch Trincar Uvas $15
Clipboard Box 64 Studios $10

Ceramic plate Ninainvorm $50 
Bamboo Spiral Drawing Set Rocking Frog $29

Sunday, January 8, 2012

Sunday Listening

I'm looking forward to seeing Dirty Three in March here in Perth. Love their album, Ocean Songs, and this track is beautiful. Am also reliving my youth with this old vision from Recovery, ABC.

Friday, January 6, 2012

What is this Goop?

I love this special milestone, a baby's first meal. Day One unfortunately for Harper's taste buds is goopy rice cereal. Zero taste, wall paper glue texture with most of it landing on her legs, bib and highchair but a success nevertheless. Makes for some cute expressions.

Thursday, January 5, 2012

A Photo A Day Project

via capture your 365
One of my resolutions for 2012 is to take better photos, more photos and to capture those fleeting moments of utter gorgeousness that you wish you could bottle. I don't have a fancy camera but I could definitely learn to use the settings better and with the tips, motivation and photo ideas from capture your 365 this is just what I need to help with this resolution. Daily photos are probably too ambitious for me at the moment but who knows, I may surprise myself!

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Calendars for Twenty Twelve

I've got a little empty wall in my kitchen just begging for some decoration so I'm on the hunt for the perfect 2012 calendar. These have caught my etsy eye.
bookhou at home $20.00

Deka Animals $35


Merri Makers $10

Little Pretty Studio $17.50

Deka Animals $35

Yumalum $32 

Monday, January 2, 2012

Inspiration

via
New year = new ideas. I am happy to say that a) I got some sleep last night! It really does wonders to get a decent night's sleep and b) the creative ideas are well and truly flowing. Now to clean up that mess I used to call my craft room and start putting these ideas on paper.