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Feeling at home in the Artlife Centre for Community Arts & Lifestyle courses!
Pretty aprons, cute bunting, and my nan’s treasured antique Singer sewing machine.
Thanks to Pictures by Clair for the lovely photograph x

Carly and I have been having the most fabulous time teaching our sewing class at Artlife these past few weeks! Suffice to say we were pretty darn nervous on our first day but we soon got the hang of things- our students are just darling and absolutely thirsty for sewing knowledge! It is a privilege to share what we know with these wonderful women who are so eager to learn and create.

However it’s with a tinge of sadness I write this post; the morning of our last class, 23rd July 2011, my beloved Nan, Nellie Lorraine Wright, passed away at the age of 90. The feelings that come with losing a loved one are always inexplicable, but it is just impossible not to smile when you think of her. My nan was such a firecracker, sharp as a tack and so quick to laugh. In her heyday she was strong as an ox and had the resilience that can only come from having lived through the war years and the depression. She was resourceful, a brilliant cook and so deft with her hands, a talented knitter, seamstress and crocheter– in fact she taught herself to crochet by examining existing stiches, because she couldnt figure out how to decipher the crochet patterns! (Oh i am a girl after her own heart)!

My nan taught my mother Lynda to sew, and she in turn taught me. So on the day my Nan passed away, I was so proud to turn up to the day’s sewing lesson, shoulders back and a smile on my face, ready to give the class my best and to pass on the skills and knowledge she had learned from her mother before her. Isn’t that a wonderful legacy?

Love you always, Nannie x

In Memoriam
Nellie Lorraine Wright 1920-2011

Left: I love this photo of Nan in “the wash house”.  Check out that vintage washing machine!
Right: 2 year old Paula with Nan & Pop

The gorgeous “Little Sisters” studio, at the Museum Village Esperance, is fitted out with lots of repurposed vintage treasures thrifted from op shops and garage sales!

On our recent trip to Esperance for Festival of the Wind, we were absolutely delighted to discover Marisse Hotop’s “Little Sisters” studio in the museum village! The studio has been just beautifully decorated, with all of the fittings made from repurposed vintage furniture and curios. So imaginative and inspiring! The overall look is so indie kitsch/granny chic and WE LOVE! (How fabulous is the bureau with red drawers?)

At the time of writing, Marisse made the hard decision not to renew her lease and move back into her home studio. Aswell as the venue change, Marrise is changing her business name to “Cactus in a Teacup”, and you will know from our Spring Festival post, that cactus’ in teacups are among our favourite things.

It was really fabulous to chat with Marisse and get her insight in running a retail space, because as you know, the Two Crafty Dames will soon be opening our own store, Fossick Handmade. Of course we told Marisse that we wanted to carry her gorgeous creations, especially her awesome softies (i couldnt resist the little denim bat or velvet Mr. Slug, and Mr. Whale with his zippered mouth almost came home with me too)! So if you want a little Cactus in a Teacup softie to call your very own, watch this space!

Marisse gives Carly a sneaky peak at her latest creations

Oh, the beautiful chaos!

Look at this old beauty- Marisse’s lovely old Bernina sewing machine. The little artwork in the corner was given to her by a friend, to celebrate the new business name “Cactus in a Teacup”

Even Marisse’s swing tags and backing cards are hand made- gorgeous. I couldnt leave this beautiful card behind, complete with handmade envelope using vintage golden book pages. The saucy little pin-up girl magnets are proudly displayed in my studio, complete with backing board (I couldn’t bear to remove it!)

Left: This lovely little bat softie was made with upcycled jeans and tablecloth fabric- his little feet are fabric loops that you can use to hang him up by, and you can also fasten his wings shut (when it is bedtime).
Right: more beautiful details from Marisse’s retail studio.

My favourite softie, Mr. Slug. Made of soft, plush stretch velvet, love his boggly eyes and wonky smile!

Carly had been hoarding this super cute strawberry print fabric for a special project- Lucky me, it makes a gorgeous, swishy cafe apron! Guaranteed to make cleaning and cooking much more fun

Now this is my kind of Christmas hamper!! A simple kraft cardboard box filled to the brim with crafty goodness, all in my favourite shades of BLUE! Teal silk rose hand tooled by Olivia from Studio Olive, *swoon*Close up of the precious fabric stash gifted to me by Olivia, made up of vintage fabrics pilfered from the dusty stashes of relatives & friends (hehe) and some newer additions from good ol’ Spotlight!

OK so it’s a tad late, but I just had to share our divine crafty christmas presents! Carly, Olivia and I took the Handmade pledge this christmas 2010, vowing not to buy our gifts for each other this year, but to make them from scratch. A fabulous idea back in October, but of course December crept up on us without much warning and last minute gift-making ensued!!

As always, the actual decision about WHAT to make was the hardest part for me, I wanted something relatively simple and inexpensive to make but meaningful at the same time. Finally I decided to make an old school recipe card box, filled with 6×4″ system cards and a couple of delicious tried-and-true recipes from family and friends. The idea being that we write down our absolute favourite recipes, and trade cards with each other until we build up a nice little stash of reliable and yummy standby recipes!

Once I’d worked out the pattern, all it took was some book board, PVA glue and a good sharp knife to put the boxes together, and then cover them with cute fabrics and papers from my existing stash. It was all a bit of trial and error, and the darling things certainly aren’t perfect (cutting out straight lines was never my forte) but topped off with a giant coloured button, they do cut a cute figure in the kitchen and were eagerly accepted by the recipients. Yay!

You can download the recipes I included with the boxes here:

The Harris Scarfe Lady’s Scones
Apple Parcels with Butterscotch Sauce
Divine Chunky Choc cookies
Nigella’s Chocolate Pistachio Fudge
Super Yummy Tomato & Basil Pasta

Recipe boxes handmade by me and covered in cute cotton fabrics for Carly and Nadine- Observe Nadine’s droolworthy vanilla Kitchen Aid!

Close up of the recipe cards- Download the yummy recipes for free here!

Carly (now a redheaded bombshelle) and Paula (wearing a 1950′s party frock from Sassy Sue’s Designer Vintage Boutique) having a grand old time at the Goldfields Arts Centre for Breakfast at Tiffany’s!

Darlings! It’s been awhile but finally here are some photos from our Breakfast at Tiffany’s Frocktober Fundraiser, taken by the super talented & stylish Clair Stanton of Pictures by Clair. An absolutely fan-frockin-tabulous time was had by all, and thanks to the some 220 guests and the generous support of local businesses, we were able to raise a grand total of $5155.85 for the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation!

It was fabulous to see everyone dressed to the nines, so we had a very difficult time deciding the recipients of our best-dressed prizes; Nola Wolski, Krystal-Lee Miles, John Player and Laryssa Amesbury, whose Holly Golightly costume was just parfait, down to every last detail!

After a cupcake-baking and strawberry chocolate coating marathon, we were so pleased that all our home made refreshments were all gobbled up by appreciative patrons. Our guests were delighted to receive a goodie bag stuffed full of freebies from local businesses, including a voucher valued at $55 from Lush Body & Soul. A number of lovely prizes were given out on the night, donated by our generous sponsors Angus & Robertson Kalgoorlie, Indulge Cosmetics & Fragrance, Gravity Hair Boutique, Kelly Trow Photography, Pictures by Clair, Kelly George Intimo Consultant, Paul Robson Guardian Pharmacy, Lisa Freeth Jewellery Designs, One for the Road Kalgoorlie and Sassy Sue’s Designer Vintage Boutique.

Thanks must also go out to our eager helpers, Tina, Laura and Jess Bryce, Maxine & Nadine Ennor, Adele Leahy, Clair Stanton, and to Lynda & Max Fletcher, who generously donated 5 cases of Yellowglen Pink champagne! And a huge thank you to Peta Adams from the WA Cancer Council, Mary-Lynn Mather of the Kalgoorlie Miner, Beth Richardson from the office of Tony Crook MP, Lisa van Oyen from Wowkal, Elna Wright from Arts & Culture Goldfields, Anna Presser from PaperPak and all the crew at Vissign for helping us to promote the event!

Donna Malec, Andrew Hardman and all the crew at the Goldfields Arts Centre were incredibly helpful and easy-going, and made hosting this fundraiser evening an absolute breeze. We’ve already had some special requests for our next fundraiser, including Priscilla Queen of the Desert and The Rocky Horror Picture Show. We can’t wait for next Frocktober!

The d’vine Kerryn Lockhart and the d’lovely Laryssa Amesbury… and our d’licious vanilla cupcakes!

What would we do without our expert cupcake icers & gorgeous goodie bag stuffers, Tina, Laura and Jess Bryce?
Thank you ladies, you are wonderful!

As a special thank you to all our guests to Breakfast at Tiffany’s this Saturday night, the Two Crafty Dames have made up a batch of these wonderful little badges starring the infinitely beautiful Audrey Hepburn in her role as Holly Golightly! Every guest will receive one of these special pins (picked at random) in the goodie bags handed out on the night.

If you are unable to attend on the night – or just cant get enough of Audrey – why not buy your very own set of 3 Audrey pins in celebration of Frocktober? All proceeds go the the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation!

Set of 3 Audrey Pins- SOLD OUT

Trish & Paula pose prettily on the magic carpet

It was with great delight that the Dames accepted another gracious invitation to afternoon tea with the fabulous artist Trish Little! You might remember from our last visit to Trish’s studio, my gushing about her beautiful decoration of her home with lovingly restored furniture, quirky and artistic objects, especially the various hand hooked rag rugs scattered about the house. And so our merry party did herald a special occasion: the unveiling of a custom-made hand-hooked rag rug especially for MOI!

It was love at first sight, and the love only burned brighter as Trish described the various recycled “rags” that had gone into its creation, a treasured length of fabric that was meant to be made into a skirt (or was it a jacket?), a print designed by an Aboriginal artist with a decidedly “Ken Done” colour scheme, and the green accent fabric meticulously dyed by hand to just the right colour to finish the zig-zag border of the rug. The artist masterfully wrestled with this 1.3 x 1.9m beauty, hooking lengths of fabric through a hessian base in arduous 85+ hour long process. Delicious texture underfoot, and jewelled colours glinting in a gorgeous harlequin pattern, this truly is a “magic carpet” which i will treasure forever…

…and as suspected, it looks completely wonderful against my 70′s “violent orange” loungeroom floor!

As if our delicious afternoon tea and the unveiling of the magic carpet was not enough, Trish very generously gifted to us some more of her vintage textile treasures. Dear readers, it is a great surprise we did not hyperventilate with all the gasping we did as Trish unveiled (with great bombast) one deeply fabulous garment after another. Stay tuned for a studio tour of Trish’s artistic abode and a photo story of the gorgeous garments!

If you would love a hand-hooked rug of your very own, Trish has several stowed away carefully, waiting for a loving home to go to. Email us if you would like us to put you in touch with the artist!

You can find out more about Trish’s artworks and the history of her hand-hooked rugs with this fantastic article and interview by Rebecca McLaren on the ABC Goldfields website.

Detail of the luscious fabric rags used in the carpet

How spoiled are we?! Homemade brownies and fresh mulberries from the garden for tea… Is it just me or are we suddenly characters in an Enid Blyton book?

Heavenly scented roses from Trish’s garden decorate the table

As part of FROCKTOBER, the Two Crafty Dames invite you to this special viewing on the big screen of the classic film starring Audrey Hepburn. Get all dolled up in your prettiest frock (or most dapper suit) and invite a gaggle of girls (and guys!) along for a fabulous Saturday night out, 30th October 2010.

Every guest will receive a goodie bag including a special treatment voucher worth $55 from Lush Beauty & Wellness Spa! There will also be a swag of door prizes and freebies donated by our generous sponsors, Indulge Cosmetics & Fragrance, Gravity Hair Boutique, Pictures by Clair, Kelly Trow Photography, Kelly George Intimo Consultant, Lisa Freeth Jewellery Designs and One for the Road Kalgoorlie. Don’t forget we will also have prizes for the best dressed lads and ladies, so dress to impress!

Tickets are $30p/p and seating is unreserved (just like at the cinema), so you dont have to purchase your tickets all together- just show up with your friends on the night and grab a row of seats together before the film starts! You will receive a complimentary champagne supper of cupcakes, strawberries and chocolate on arrival, doors open at 7:30 for supper and the feature will start at 8:30 sharp. Tickets available online at http://goldfieldsartscentre.com.au/theatre.htm

Frocktober is a festive fundraising initiative aiming to raise funds for the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation (OCRF). Through fun – and sometimes quirky – measures, Frocktober is all about:
• Increasing the public’s awareness of ovarian cancer.
• Promoting women’s health and wellbeing.
• Celebrating the great diversity of shapes, sizes and colours women come in.

If you can’t make it to the event, please consider making a donation: payments are collected securely through Paypal. Thank you!

Gorgeous felt flower pins hand sewn by Carly

We couldnt resist giving you a quick sneaky peak at some of the cute things we’re making for the Spring Festival! We hope you’ll pop down to Hammond Park tomorrow (Sunday 10th October) between 9am and 3pm to say hello and enjoy the perfect spring weather– don’t forget a hat and sunscreen, and some spare change for a lovely cool icecream… See you then!

Fabric button earrings by Carly

Paula’s teacup cacti

Ok so it’s not handmade, but just had to share these beautiful girls that burst into flower to say hello this morning!

The dames were delighted to be invited along to “The Airing of the Quilts” at the home of local textile artist and “Crazy Stitcher”, Margie McIntosh on the 25th September 2010. Organised as a fundraiser for the Royal Flying Doctor Service, Margie adopted the idea from an American tradition where quilts are hung in a garden setting for viewing by the public.

A vast array of beautiful quilts by local and invited artists fluttered in the breeze on this perfect spring day- complimented of course with a delicious afternoon tea, fluffy scones with lashings of jam and cream! (Carly restrained herself but Paula helped herself to seconds). It was a pleasure to be welcomed into the home of Margie and for her to share the special stories behind each quilt. We look forward to the next “airing”!

Detail of a quilt by Paula’s primary school Librarian, Mrs Lois Nagle

Beautiful Everlasting “Paper Daisy” wildflowers decorated the tea table

Every girl dreams of running her own shop, right?

The Dames’ first forray into the wonderful world of retail was a roaring success! We jumped at the chance to be part of this temporary pop-up shop, Art2Go, when invited by co-ordinator Tina Bryce from Mallee Girl. The shop made itself at home on Hannan St, and though open only for 13 days during the Kalgoorlie-Boulder Raceround, the shop averaged over 100 visitors a day and made over $10,000 in takings overall!! An amazing effort by all the talented artists involved and especially by the vibrant miss Tina, such an exuberant and positive lady with the most infectious giggle!

As our first real test of the market, we were thrilled that our fashion accessories were received so well, with Carly’s stunning aprons completely selling out. Also popular were the unique and modern designed fashion headpieces and blossom pins, snapped up by lovely ladies wanting something a little bit different to add to their raceday outfits. And of course, what better reason for the Dames to get all gussied up than the Spring Racing Carnival!?

Carly’s deeply fabulous frou-frou aprons were a hit and completely sold out!

More hot sellers: divine headpieces by Paula (Modeled here by fabulous dame and hairdressing doyenne, Vikki Brown!) and beautiful blossom pins by Carly, made with silk, organza, satin, tulle and swarovski crystals

The beautiful chaos of creation! Designing custom headpiece “Sunshine Pine”.

Left; Paula does her little turn on the catwalk- competing in Fashions on the Field on Ladies Day! Right; posing for a pic at the crooked blue house- block felted skull cap by Studio Olive, Dress by Chitra’s Closet and shoes from Indulge Clothing.

Here we are indulging in a hard-earned pink champagne at Kalgoorlie Cup during the Raceround. How CUTE does Carly look in her nautical-inspired ensemble!? Paula wearing pillbox hat by Bird Millinery, and blue Silk Rose pin by Studio Olive. Carly wearing “Riviera Girl” straw hat by Gwendoline Grace & Gatsby.