Landfill Harmonica
August 8, 2013
Commission for Bel.
August 3, 2013
Something a little different. A reclaimed tapestry made into a giant bag for sewing , knitting and stitching things.
This commission from a fellow ‘textillite’ was very open-ended . Make a bag for all the sewing and knitting things for friend who loves harrysdesk and pink.
After getting permission I tried something that has been floating about in my mind for a while.
Many of the bags of bits and pieces from the op shop have the pieces from tapestries that have been forgotten about….some not even started.
This vintage style tapestry of Pierrot (Clown) and Horse was in perfect condition. It is most likely from the 80’s (some of you might remember) when pierrot had a bit of a resurgence. I am hoping the receiver has fond memories of the eighties!
I couldn’t let it go unstitiched of course….. not completely.
….I even stitiched the pink colour panel. Yes, I know they are not meant to be stitched, but I wanted to draw attention to the parts of the tapestry not normally seen, once framed.
You don’t ordinarily see this bit either…..
The flipside of the bag is made from reclaimed cream damask and the lining from a soft minty cashmere scarf. This pocket sits between the shell and the lining.
Inside the bag are a number of smaller bags and purses for all the other bits and pieces used for sewing and knitting.
Everything but the strapping of the handle was recliamed!
Reclaimed Pierrot and Horse printed canvas bag.
Save the date…..
June 17, 2013
A sneak peek at the work in progress.
Exciting news in the last couple of days for me.
Some of my new work has been selected for a miniatures exhibition on the 7th of August.
This exhibition is the key Sydney College of the Arts event in the Sydney Design program….. so it’s kind of a biggish deal. It’s a big deal to me as this is my first ever public exhibition as an artist. I have only ever previously shown my work here!
….anyway…. I would love to have you all come to the opening on Wednesday the 7th of August. I know it’s a long way off, but I also know lots of you are busy, so put it in your calendar if exhibitions are your thing.
More info as I get it.
What’s so interesting about….. sashiko?
April 16, 2013
Image From Rebecca Koontz Artist’s blog.
Image from aux peptits oiseaux.
Sashiko is a Japanese embroidery technique that has it’s origins in mending.
Sashiko in Japanese means literally ‘little stabs.’
Traditionally done on navy Cotton/linen with white, ecru or cream thread, it is a simple running stitch used to create a pattern.
This week my students hand in their modern versions for marking, and I am really excited to see what they come up with.
Of course I cannot show you their work because that wouldn’t be the done thing, I thought I might show you some of the Sashiko I have collated on Pinterest.
Has anyone out there tried it?
Please let me know how you found it in the comments below, or tell me what theme you would like me to pin around for the next What’s so Pinteresting?.
Enjoy.
Holiday doona cover.
April 4, 2013
The upcycled doona cover.
Over the holidays, while her sisters were doing drama and aerialize weeklong workshops, 9 year old and I had sewing camp together. She is the most keen daughter when it comes to sewing. 14 year old will do some, 13 year old runs a mile, and 6 year old …well I’m not sure about her yet.
9 year old was given a little Ikea sewing machine for Christmas, so we thought it was an excellent opportunity to give it a run. I am planning to review this little machine now we have given it a run.
We decided together to make a doona cover from my stash of fabrics and old clothing in the cupboard.
The finished cover.
Many of the fabrics are significant to her as they are from different parts of her life and ours lives as a family.
Close up of tags fabrics etc.
This close-up shows fabrics from a baby dress of hers (lace), a shirt she wore when she was a toddler (heart print) and the blue and white spotty left overs from her Alice in wonderland dress I made for her for her 7th birthday.
We tried as much as we could to keep labels too.
Sleeve tabs were kept.
Here you can see fabrics from a shirt of Tim’s (light blue stripe), lace-edging I bought at a garage sale (with my Mum) when I first moved to Sydney about 25 years ago….. so I guess that makes it vintage ….., and a shirt of mine (blue flowers).
We tried to keep the garments detailing as much as we could….. like the sleeve tabs. 9 year old then hand-sewed buttons (taken from the shirts we had used) opposite the tabs so treasured toys could be held by them.
The finished poduct.
We finished it off by using a flat white sheet to form the back of the cover.
Every single thing….including thread…. we got from the stash!!
It is not quite a standard size 😉 and I did help a lot, but she was amazing and now is planning her next project!
Can’t wait to share it when she does.
How Pinteresting is….. harrysdesk?
December 3, 2012
Angels from the Christmas collection. Upcycled from men’s neckties.
As no-one was forthcoming with another Pinteresting idea, I decided to make a board of the items available via my etsy shop this Christmas.
If you have been following along, you will know it has been a very slow year for harrysdesk. Although all the girls are now in school, I have missed my studio greatly. Unfortunately, I haven’t designed a decoration for Christmas this year, but still have some of the past years designs available.
I have a few more items to upload over the coming weeks, so pop back, if you like, and see whats new. I hope to add more owls, hair-ties and t-shirts…… so watch this space.
Now it’s your turn!
What should my next Pinteresting idea be?
You can choose by commenting below.
It can be as quirky or conservative as you like!
Two shirts become one skirt.
November 21, 2012
An adults tunic dress and peasant shirt into a skirt for 6 year old.
Some of you may have already seen her in this.
A super comfy fun favourite.
….and so super easy …..
Sorry it’s been so long since an upcycle!
The other half of a GIANT list of fete and fair tutorials and printables…. (Part 2)
October 27, 2012
- The Scrapbooking Jar by Crate Paper Blog
- Chalkboard Serving Platter by Wit and Whistle.
- Knitted Snake by Purl Bee
- Paper Fortune Cookies by design wash rinse repeat.
- Pebble Mat by Junk Hippie
- Clay bird ornament by JessicaJane Handmade.
- Owl cushion by button bird designs.
- Pillowcase shopping bag by Grow Mama.
- Mouse Ornaments by Family Fun
- Crocheted Washcloths by Purl Bee
- Monster Bags by harrysdesk
- Pram cards by The Pleated Poppy
- Salt dough Christmas Ornaments by Oleander and Palm
- Rice filled heating Owls for children by Just another Hang Up.
- Beaded Heart Wand by First Palette
- Circle Zip Earbud Pouch by dog under my desk
- Tea Bag gift Tag by The Studio Of Mae.
- Cardboard Horses by Design Sponge
- Mooshy Belly Bunny by Chez Beeper Bebe
- Felt Crowns by hellobee
- Easy Drawstring Bag by Purl Bee
- Recycled Book Bird Decoration by Under the Table and Dreaming
- Present Cards by Craft and Creativity
- Babies Triange Dress by Purl Bee
- Monster Slime by all things simple
- DIY ice cream sundae box by family bits.
- Monster bibs by stubbornly crafty.
- Cloud and rain mobile by dailylike recipe?
- Bunting by the yvestown blog.
- Lunchsacks by All people quilt.
Enjoy….and let me know if you think you might make anything.
Monster/Fort Kit mash-up.
October 24, 2012
Yes, the monsters are back!
Lately…. I mixed together two of my favourite creative gifts into a monster/fort mash-up.
Previously,I have made fort kits for gifts. I got the idea from saltwater kids, who got it at Bloom.
The contents of the monster pillow.
…and more recently I have been making monsters. You can see a tutorial here if you would like to make your own.
For this particularly creative 9 year old boy, I joined them together.
I’m particularly loving the eyes!
The monster fort mash! ….and a cheeky foot.
Would the 9 year old boys in your life like these?
….. as promised. More photos.
October 22, 2012
The … almost…. finished work.
I say almost, because she is working a little more on the top image tonight.
….close-up…
floor detail.
….bat tree…
…..fawn tree….
‘Cottonwood’ by 14 year old. Pen on vintage pianola paper roll.
harrysdesk 