Wednesday, April 1, 2009

April Featured Members and Giveaways!

This month, please give a warm welcome to Louise from Made by Miffy and Christine from Little Chrissy, as they give us a sneek peak into their fabulous worlds of crafty goodness, and give away some of their wonderful handmade items to two lucky readers. To enter is simple - simply leave us a comment at the bottom of this post. For more info (and to find out how to score an extra entry) read The Rules at the bottom of the post. Good luck everyone :)

Introducing BrisStyle member...


NAME: Christine Flatley

ETSY SHOP NAME: Little Chrissy

1. Can you please describe the items you are giving away to one of our readers?

Two Little Chrissy Brooches

A yellow felt bird brooch and one of my tried and true square felt and fabric brooches. Both have been hand-stitched with love and will brighten your fave autumn jacket or bag.


2. How would you describe your work?

Colourful, fun, a little quirky, and made with love to make people smile. I am in love with felt and use it in almost everything I create. Ditto pre-loved fabrics which I find in op-shops. Oh and buttons. Sigh. I really love buttons. Until now I have predominately been making brooches, but have also been making some cute felt baby booties. Family members are currently receiving felt art to hang on their walls, so perhaps some of those might spring up in my shop soon too.

3. How did your Etsy shop come into being?


I first fell in love with Etsy as a shopper, but kept keeping all my purchases and making gifts for friends and family instead. Whoops! I finally decided to open my own shop late last year and have had very kind feedback from a lot of people.


4. Who or What inspires you?

Brisbane artists and crafters of course – we have so much talent in this city it blows me away. I use my blog to motivate myself, but also take inspiration from much-loved magazines like Frankie and Black+White. I always create each piece while thinking of one of my friends, because they are the sort of people I imagine wearing my brooches. Oh and long moonlit walks on the beach, soft kittens etc.

5. Can you describe your studio / work area?

I had managed to hog the study for myself for six months but my partner has just started his own full-time business and so gets priority. I’ve now got a small table beside his desk so we can work together sometimes (cue soppy smiles and fluttered eyelashes). Most of my materials are stuffed unceremoniously in bags in the wardrobe, and I dream one day of having my own room with everything neatly stacked and stashed. Organisation catalogues are my porn…


6. What is your favourite thing in the shop at the moment?


My pink doughnut brooch. It’s been there forever and I’m surprised nobody has bought it because it makes me laugh every time I look at it. I’m thinking very seriously about keeping it for myself… mmmm… pink doughnut.



7. Do you have any other places that people can view/purchase your work?

My blog www.little-chrissy.blogspot.com. Please swing by and say hello!

********


Introducing BrisStyle member...


NAME: Louise Stuart

ETSY SHOP NAME: Made by Miffy

1. Can you please describe the item you are giving away to one of our readers?

This is the apron that I will be teaching in the Craft Labs at the Stitches and Craft Show in Brisbane 29 April – 3 May and again later this year in Sydney. I will have fab colour combos for people to choose their own kits. Come and join in – it’ll be fun.


2. How would you describe your work?


Work…? Is this work? Are you sure? Well if it is work I would describe it as fun, all consuming (the housework is now way down the priority list!) My style is colour – lots of it. Clashing or complementing combinations that are fun to make and fun to wear. I make the coolest boys boardies, gorgeous little girl’s clothes and sassy Aprons for Mamas. I have just ventured into the world of pattern design and am in the process of publishing my first apron patterns – exciting. Now, are you sure this is work?


3. How did your Etsy shop come into being?

Seemed like fun! I love to sew – and it was getting obvious that people liked my style – as all my friend’s kids were wearing Miffy threads.


4. Who or What inspires you?

Fabric, colour, design, Dr Seuss!

5. Do you ‘reduce, reuse, recycle’ as part of your creative process? If yes, how is your art / craft eco-friendly?

Well I haven’t reduced the size of my fabric stash – it has taken on a life of its own – however I do repurpose items as part of my creative endeavours. On my blog there is a tutorial for a bureau redo I did last year for my daughter Darcy. It has won some blog awards and always makes me happy in a way the 80’s ugly pine chest of drawers it was formerly known as never did! I also love to find creative ways to use leftover fabric. See my tutorial for no – sew fabric flowers as one such idea!


6. Can you describe your studio / work area?

I have taken over a room in our house. It is a lovely north facing room and I love calling it my studio – much nicer than “the spare room” isn’t it? My cats hang out in the window whilst I sew. I love having the tv on whilst I work and I am now so well versed on Dr Phil that I can offer advice on almost any modern social dysfunction dilemma you may have!


7. What is your favourite thing in the shop at the moment?

Well – not actually in my shop – but my favourite thing is my new Saucy Apron Recipe! It is guaranteed calorie free fun in the kitchen! The pattern will be launched at the Stitches and Craft Show in Brisbane and also in my Etsy store and at Madebymiffy.com too!


8. Do you have any other places that people can view/purchase your work?

Made by Miffy Website
Made by Miffy Blog
Miffy's World on Twitter
Louise Stuart on Facebook
Founding member of The Apron-Nation - come and join us. We are taking over the world one kitchen at a time!

******

Thank you Christine and Louise!


The rules:

Simply leave a comment on this post to be in the running to win one of these two fabulous giveaways. Be sure to leave a way for us to contact you. If you don’t have a blog, please include your email address. Only one entry per person. You may enter twice if you mention this giveaway on your blog. If you choose to do this, please pop back after posting to your blog and include the url address to the post it was mentioned on here in the comments. This will count as your second entry. International folk are welcome to enter. BrisStyle members and their immediate families (ie: husbands/partners, dependent children, and their computer savvy pets) are excluded from entering all BrisStyle giveaways. A name will be randomly drawn on the 25th of this month and the winner will be announced on the blog on that same day.

The very best of luck to you all!

54 comments:

Chrisy said...

Fabulous giveaways here...such generous sellers!

Lou said...

Well what can I say - love the stuff and would love to win it. Thanks girls!

Me and My 4 Fellas said...

Oh Fab. I love giveaways...
Thanls for the opp

Hey Harriet said...

Great interviews! And such lovely giveaway items!

Good luck to all the non-BrisStylers who are lucky enough to be able to enter :)

Jemma said...

Fabulous giveaway, and such beautiful items.

Jemma
www.handmadekids.com.au

Hot Fudge said...

Oh poo - I'm ineligible. What great giveaways. I know they will go to good homes.

ittybittyandpretty said...

aprons are all the rage at the moment! love love love the give aways well done. :)
%*_*% rosey

Creative Arty Facts said...

I love the photography ~ especially the one of the tea cup and felt donut....hhhmmmm - donuts!

DELiciousDesignz said...

Christine - love your brooches - so bright and cheery. Louise - I am in love with that apron...soooo want it..
Great work girls .

Tasha said...

oooh I love that apron!! it would certainly "spice up" my kitchen :D the brooches are pretty cutsie too:)

Ellie said...

Okay who do I have to kill or bribe to win that apron.

BonTons said...

I'll have to check out Made by Miffy in the Craft Lab at the Stitches and Craft show in April. The Apron looks devine!

BonTons.etsy.com

Wednesday said...

I wear an apron every day to fend off the splatters and streaks that come from feeding two-year-old twins. I reckon I'd feel a bit less crusty in that one.

Mrs Robot said...

I agree, Christine; I think the pink doughnut is pretty funny, too.

xxx said...

Beautiful! I'm a big fan of little chrissy :-)

best wishes Ribbon

Karen said...

Gorgeous stuff by some talented gals!

planettreasures said...

I love the apron, so un-apron-like!
and the brooches are just the cutest!
Such great talent.

Theresa N. said...

Very inspring interviews, great crafting going on.
Theresa N
weceno(at)yahoo(dot)com

Grammatically Delicious Designs said...

I love giveaways. I love giveaways. I love giveaways. Now imagine I said that in a little tune! hehehe

Danielle

www.grammaticallydelicious.blogspot.com

Leslie said...

Both of those shops are wonderful and so beautiful!

Kaizen Fashion Project said...

Such beautiful goodies! I would love to win!

Tiges and Weince said...

So super cute & so glad I found this blog. I adore the apron, I could see myself loving it so much I would probably leave the house with it on heheheh!!!
Great work.
Kylie

Lou said...

I was blogging about a lovely new brooch from little chrissy and have added a link over here - so blogged about half of the giveaway - does that count for a second entry?

http://buttonsbyloulou.blogspot.com/2009/04/love-fridayslove-my-new-brooch.html

manda said...

I don't blame Christine for wanting to keep the pink doughnut for herself!
And Louise's aprons are just beautiful! My middle name is Louise!! Is that a good sign?! :D

http://kraftypanda.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

What a fantastic blog! I love the items up for giveaway.. some very creative ladies there!

cara said...

Brilliant marketing and such a font of talent! - Well done to all the Bris-style team!

Katrina said...

This is my first time to discover the BrisStyle blog. It is great to see so many talented crafters in Brisbane. I think I'll check back often to feel a bit more connected with the place I grew up, even though I live in the US at the mo.

Holly said...

The 25th is my son's first birthday. I hope I win. I checked out both Etsy shops. I love your work and have added you to my favorites.
holly@fabricmom.com

beckilove said...

Great stuff, ladies!! You are very talented!
Rebecca
lovell@iowatelecom.net

sandyandcosmo said...

That pink doughnut is yummy! Both your work is so bright and happy, I would love to win!

sandyandcosmo@yahoo.com

Martha said...

What wonderfully bright, colorful and inspiring shops!

Rachael said...

Oh my gosh! What talented women!

I really do need that apron ;).

SuBoo said...

The brooches and the apron are fab-tastic! I LOVE the bright colours - they would look great on me ;)

Blooming Business said...

Such fantastic goodies. Thanks for the giveaway

The Home Ec Teachers Daugter said...

So Creative and Crafty makes me want to get out my sewing machine...but im at work!

Deanna said...

Love the brooches and the apron. They make me want to accessorize while I clean my kitchen--two things I just don't do! I wish I had the eye to put such cute things together.

Deanna
kdc63119@yahoo.com

jord. said...

Great products!
Jordana
31mayapples@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

What a fantastic giveaway and what gorgeous products! I'm new to this site and I'm loving it.
Deb - debyeo@hotmail.com

Sally said...

I've just discovered this site and am looking forward to reading more! sally.debenham@gmail.com

Estelle said...

That little doughnut is DIVINE!

Love this blog - but it does make me a little homesick for Brissy.

sherri s. said...

So lovely! Wow...thanks for the giveaway (fingers crossed!)

PS~Erin said...

What a great giveaway! I just love all the fabrics she uses! This apron is especially cute!

Jemma said...

Fabulous giveaway, love the apron.

Jemma
www.handmadekids.com.au

Happiest Hippie said...

Just gorgeous! This is such a great blog - I love seeing the artwork people are doing.

Happiest Hippie said...

http://hippiessavetheworld.blogspot.com/

Forgot to add my mention link! :-) Thanks and fingers crossed xoxox

Wendy said...

I'm keeping my fingers crossed! Thanks!

Stacia said...

Your designs are delectable! Hope to win the lovely apron.
Stacia Roble
Cumming GA (USA)

Your Cheeky Monkey said...

I love reading about local crafty people!! All so inspiring, and you are all so talented :) Monique

Your Cheeky Monkey said...

I just posted this comp on my blog too :) Monique

http://yourcheekymonkey.blogspot.com/2009/04/giveaway-bristyle.html

Brenda said...

pretty, pretty, pretty things! I want to win!

Leisa Zoeller said...

Wow I didnt even know this existed until one of my friends added something on their Facebook. I love the fact this is all in Brisbane! And cant wait for the fair day! email me at leisa@moonshinedesign.com.au

Jasmine said...

You guys are only teasing me. Great work. Great comp!!

Christy Amular said...

New blogs and shops to discover! Thank you!

teaginny said...

Loving that apron!!!