SHOW OF THE WEEK

who listens to the radio!

Well it's that time of year - the last time I'll be on 3RRR to talk up all things in the craftiverse. I will be without my compadre Beck - who manages to squeeze in a 'real' job between doing everything else and is tied to her desk at Craft Victoria. I'll be talking up the wonderful Harvest Textiles and their special Christmas market. If you listen in at 10 am there is an amazing give away for RRR subscribers. You'll note I'm on the poster too - but I've piked due to market making exhaustion post hatch! I'm still going to visit tho as it looks awesome!

I will also be talking a bit about the Fresh exhibition at CV -  the best of the best graduates as hand picked by a committee of craft and design professionals -it's a great show this year and is open right up until Christmas eve.

And my own Christmas mania continues...I know you are all sick of it.2 weeks to go and then we are done people! RAMONA

MEDIA HIT OF THE WEEK

in print

Ramona and I were approached to talk about handmade Christmas decorations by the Suzanne Robson of the Northcote Leader not too long ago, apparently she's a regular reader of HML and so has been privy, over the years, to the many extremes of Christmas madness we so like to indulge in. Madness like the scheduled 100 day run-up preparing the vast array of handmade gifts for ALL our nearest and dearest, Ramona's now infamous Christmas list which starts Boxing Day, and rivals Santa's, as well as my own particularly crazy hard-assed rule of handmaking new Christmas decorations for the house and tree in different themes each year.  So she was pretty sure that we'd have a hint or two on how to have a 'Crafty Christmas'. I'd actually forgotten about the interview so nearly choked on my coffee this morning in Palomino when I opened the paper and saw us in print! We sound like regular Tonya Todmans. Hilarious!
BECK

STUFF OF THE WEEK

so much on!

We are really excited about the opening this week of the new Pieces of Eight store/gallery in the city. We are long time fans of director Melanie Katsalidis and her crew. It will be great to see this space finally open! 

300 Russell Place in the big smoke of Melbourne.

It's also no secret that the ladies of the HML have a crush on Megan Herring - director at Handheld gallery. What a weird locale, but what fantastic shows. We really think illustrator Chloe Vallance is top stuff as is jeweller Melissa Cameron  so we are looking forward to seeing their new work. 

And you can catch us at Craft Hatch at the City Library on Saturday - yes the ladies of HML have a stand. We'll be selling our Christmas cards, decorations, wreaths, badges and zines while catching up on all the gossip. Beck and I can only see each other now if we book a stall at a market! So crazy.

ps there is lots on - so more events tomorrow! RAMONA

GIFTS OF THE WEEK

This week has seen the ladies of HML in a bit of a frenzy. In between work (and more work), getting ready for Craft Hatch next week and juggling the timetables of our two chaotic households we've been trying to finish some of our little gift projects. I've been making these fabric flower pins for a while so to make it more special I painted a box inspired by the carefully chosen fabric.

I tried to match them to the personalities of my friends - both very stylish girls but very different. I hope they like them!

I'm also heading to the coast this Sunday to give this wreath to the loveliest little seaside family we know. But first I have to do an afternoon shift in the Cottage - very exciting!

This is in fact where all the wreath madness started. The very first one I made was this little sweetie for Miss P. It will be nice to spend Saturday afternoon with it. Do you think I'm allowed to bring Christmas music? RAMONA

PROJECT OF THE WEEK

countdown

It's no news to everyone that both ladies of HML absolutely love Christmas. In fact I am a bit of a Christmas bore- I think my new years resolution for 2011 should be to not mention it until October rather than July which is when I start my Christmas plans! Just received a surprise order for 12 wreathes and 24 bunches of fabric flowers so it's all systems go for work - but I prioritised this week and completed our family wreath first.

I've tried to include the womble in as much of the Xmas crafting as possible - he is still a bit bemused by the whole thing but has become an excellent glue and glitter man.

The wreathes I've been making for sale are very sweet hand painted stiffened calico in a pastel and neutral palette. None of that for me - its red and green glittery Christmas fabric all the way!

It was lovely to get it on the door by Dec 1. Our Christmas tree arrived too - but there is work to be done first! Better pull out the Christmas music cd drawer...RAMONA