Tie me a bow

Lawyers don't wear bow ties. They wear suits and short skirts and robes and wigs and things... or so 90s television tells me. And they're so busy in the court room by day and sleeping under mountains of paperwork at their mahogany desks by night, that surely they don't have time for regular crafternooning.

However, one Brisbane lady - a lawyer-to-be, but a busy bee nonetheless - is super fond of slotting in some craft time whenever a gap amongst the serious stuff appears. Yenzo makes fancily versatile bow ties, for the collar, as a necklace and even as a hair bow. And she's made so many of late that we've got three to give away, huzzah! Simply email your name/address to winstuff{at}seammagazine{dot}com to be in the draw. But remember - first in, best dressed! Yenzo also stitches up the cutest handmade critters - scroll through her blog to ooh and aah at them all. We like the french monster and forest creatures.

Hope you all have a swell (and un-sweltering) weekend ahead of you!

So this is the new year

Illustration: Sandra Suy

I've never really done new year's resolutions before, or if I have I probably didn't stick to them long enough to complete/remember/succeed at them. But I figure, why not start now! A new year is always a good excuse to kick into gear all those extra-curriculars you've been dreaming of starting. Here's our little list so far...

1. The usual - Exercise more! Workloads and busy lifestyles often get in the way of this regular yearly commitment, but we kicked off this morning with a brisk walk that left us huffing and puffing in the current Brisbane heat wave. And this week is definitely a good week for starting new things, with dance classes at Queensland Ballet recommencing this evening. I'm popping my pink slippers on again for the first time in 7 years in hope of better posture, a stronger core and some twirling fun.

2. The artistic - Fashion illustration is something I've always wanted to learn, but there never seems to be a class for it. Luckily some arty fashion-y ladies over at The Stitchery Collective have started up clothed life drawing classes to practice and improve your sketchabilities. The classes are running every Tuesday night this month.

3. The crafty - more crafternoons! Last year I had planned to make LOTS of stuff. This never eventuated. This year, however, will be full of sewing, knitting, crocheting and cross-stitching. I'll hopefully even get so confident with my regular crafting that I'll take my projects out in public to Piece Together's Stitch n' Bitch evenings. The first one is on January 19th at 7.30pm.

4. The literary - read more! I have an ever-growing enormous amount of beautifully written, interesting books in my house (the piles practically spilling out the windows), but I never seem to be able to read them as a fast as new amazing books come out. So this year I plan to always have one (maybe two) books on the go. The soon-to-be-read pile on my nightstand currently contains Tender is the Night by F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Vagabond by Colette, Colette's biography, and The Paris Wife by Paula McLain.

Hope you're all having a swell new year!

Arty, Crafty, Artifice

Photo Credit: Artifice

There's a crafty little event happening on the north island of New Zealand from tomorrow, just in time for some christmas shopping! Artifice is a celebration of Hamilton fashion and craft culture running from Saturday evening at 6pm until December 3rd. It's one of those wonderful combo events, mixing part exhibition with part market. Instead of merely displaying art for local indie folk to buy, the artworks have functions of the cute, creative variety, perfect for gifts or a keepsake of your own.

Similarly in Sydney is the On The Wall exhibition, curated by the lovely ladies over at Leeloo. The artists have just been announced, and the exhibition will feature opposite the Leeloo stall at next weekend's Finders Keepers Markets at Carriageworks - so if you see something you like you can scoot across the masses of people and to pick up a print. Easy peasy take-home packs of art and craft, how swish!

Crafty Collage Zine

Photo Credit: Kelly Zarb.

Take a look at this brand spanking new Crafty Collage Zine by Kelly Zarb!

Kelly is a Melbourne based artist and crafting connoisseur who loves integrating the new and old to create the colourful and creative. Her cute and quirky paper goods are often made from recycled materials and are all incredibly hand-made!

Crafty Collage Zine is 16 pages of DIY delight, filled with a bunch of great little craft ideas to keep you busy through the christmas season. The zine also features Kelly's illustrative instructions to make each item along with helpful hints about finding beautiful yet cost effective supplies for all your crafting needs.

For more of Kelly's creations visit her blog here or check out the store on Etsy.

Sewing lounge launch party

Photo credit: Piece Together

Summer has arrived early in Brisbane, bringing with it 30+ temperatures and the silly season in full swing. I think they call it the silly season because it's ridiculously silly how many great parties/launches/openings/events are on each night, making it impossible to get to them all especially post a smidge of bubbly. Tonight we'll be attempting to party hop from the Frock Paper Scissors launch to the launch of Brisbane's newest sewing lounge Piece Together.

You wouldn't think it possible that more wonderful businesses could pop up in the Woolloongabba Antique Precinct, but they have! Piece Together opened its doors a few months ago now, and just downstairs of their lofty studio space is new coffee nook Five Sugars. Champagne, cupcakes and live music will start flowing from Five Sugars from 5.30pm, with Piece Together's launch starting at 7pm upstairs. There's also a craft and vintage mini-market for your xmas-present-organising pleasure or just as a little treat for yourself.

Now you've got your schedule sorted for this evening, the only thing left to settle is what to wear! I think Janome will be coming out to play a tad this season - too many events and not enough handmade dresses...

Happy Weekend!

Photo Credit: Sweets Workshop

Another busy week has passed (phew!), which means another weekend is now upon us (hooray!). Haven't made any plans yet?  Great news... we've found a whole bunch of super cool stuff guaranteed to send your week off with a bang.

Melbourne is kickin' their weekend off in arty style with three brand-spanking-new exhibitions at Craft Victoria. The suave Flinders Lane gallery will pay homage to The Machine, Pachamama's Poncho and The Antarctic Kingdom of Gondwanaland in what will be a month long residency. As one door opens, another door closes... head on down to the Pickle Festival on Saturday afternoon! The NO NO Gallery is closing shop and is celebrating with a jar full of vinegary fun! Neat pickles, pickles on the rocks, or chocolate covered pickles (really?), if your urkin' for a gherkin, this one definitely has you covered.

"But I'm from Sydney!" I hear you say, well read on... It's Food Fight time! Get your plastic ponchos ready cos this one's going to get exciting. Food Fight is a yearly collaborative exhibition and accompanying zine, which this year is all about picnics! This super swell initiative from the Sweets Workshop, is all about pitting image against text, recipe against illustration, photograph against story. Make sure you get down to the official opening on Sunday at the Sweets Workshop Gallery.

Perth is making old new again with a modern day production of Adam and Eve. The Wet Weather Ensemble have twisted the olden day story to what they describe as the first ever hook-up. The Garden of Eden takes the shape of a 'doof doof' nightclub, while the innocuous couple make a promiscuous transition into two desperadoes lookin' for a good time. For the sake of mankind... go see this one! For ticket information click here.

We're not forgetting you Brisbane! Continuing with the artsy theme, the Prisoners of Age exhibition is now on at the Brisbane Powerhouse. Photographer Ron Levine, interviews and photographs elderly prison inmates from across the United States and Canada. The exhibition presents a personal interpretation of some of the most marginalised members of society. If you are loving vintage, but running out of ideas of how to rock it, Kelly Doust is spreading some vintage knowledge at an Avid Reader workshop on Friday night. The author of Minxy Vintage, will be providing vintage lovers with new ways to rejuvenate tired, but much loved clothes... vintage mixed in with the weekend, how swonderful!

A modern take on an old classic.

Photo Credit: ReCraft

We've just discovered the most incredible and crafty way to customise your own furniture! These retro wire chairs initially designed by Charles and Ray Eames in 1951 have been given a face-lift with knitted yarn designs to add colour, texture and cushioning. Amazing!

Why not whip one of these up yourself to suit that lonely corner of the living room? Just source yourself a wire framed chair from a local recycling centre or second-hand store and grab some yarn from Grandma's house (or a fabric store) and get creative!

After all, what's better than reinvented vintage furniture? ... Let's get knitting!

It's a crafty affair!

Picture credit: Craft and Quilt Fair

As a young girl, I remember how much fun craft days were... the paper, the fabric, the cute little buttons and the glitter...oh the glitter! This week gives us all a chance to re-live those young creative days with the Craft and Quilt Fair settling into the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre from today until Sunday. With craft 'so in right now', be inspired by the range of cute crafty necessities, as well as regular crafting workshops for those looking to bump their skills up to the next level. Don't forget to pop in to the the annual Quilt Show, which will showcase a collection of wonderfully crafted quilts from talented stitchers across Queensland. More information and available workshops here. 

Meet Me Monday: Zpagetti

Photo credit: Zpagetti

Doesn't this just look so cool?! We think so, which is why we've decided to tell you a bit more about this upcycled yarn made by Zpaghetti. Unlike your typical wool for the winter, this yarn is versatile enough to make into fashion accessories or homewares suited to any season. Get your needles ready! We spoke to Gwen for the inside scoop on this cute craft...

How did the Zpagetti concept come about? 

The concept of Zpagetti originated in the Netherlands. When clothes are being made the textile industry inevitably are left with a lot of remnants or 'waste material'. In the interest of sustainability we decided not to waste this fabric but use it instead. The material is cut and rolled into cones, providing excellent yarn for crocheting and knitting. The concept proved so popular in the Netherlands and the rest of Europe that we decided to bring it to Australia. With Zpagetti we combine our two greatest passions: upcycling and fashion.

Where do you get the material to make the yarn?

The material for the yarn comes from the textile industry.

Can you tell us a bit about the process of making this awesome yarn? 
Zpagetti is made from the remnants of fabric that are currently being processed for fashion garments not yet available in stores. In other words the Zpagetti available in our store, is made from the fabrics that will be used in upcoming fashion collections for 2012 and beyond. You might say we are a little bit ahead in the fashion stakes!

Will beginner knitters and crocheters be able to use the yarn easily or should they be well practiced?

You do not have to be very experienced at crocheting or knitting to be able to crochet/knit with Zpagetti. We keep our patterns simple yet stylish with step-by-step instructions so that beginners as well as the more experienced can enjoy making projects with Zpagetti. Beginners often find it easier to crochet and/or knit with Zpagetti than with more traditional thinner yarns. We have starter kits available that include everything from making a handbag to a cushion or a rug. Many of our patterns are available on our website free of charge!

Is there a certain demographic you are hoping will pick up Zpagetti?

Due to many colours and designs, there is always something for everyone. We have noticed that Zpagetti is popular with people of all ages. Some like to make handbags in particular colours to match a certain outfit. Others love the more neutral colours for making homewares such as baskets, cushions and rugs to decorate their interior. Even kids love Zpagetti. Due to the structure of the yarn and the bright colours, Zpagetti is also very suited for finger knitting and other kid’s crafts.

Worker Bee Wednesday

Photo Credit: Craft Cubed.

So here at Seam Magazine we’ve been such busy worker bees of late that we haven’t really had time for the simple pleasures in life. Reading magazines in the park, crafternoons, sucking the nectar out of flowers are all rather distant memories. But it doesn’t have to be that way for you! We’ve put together a little list of fun activities to get you through the rest of the working week.

Read: Uppercase is a magazine for the creative and curious. Issue 10 has a puppy wearing a bowtie on the cover. A puppy! Outrageous!

Listen: If you don’t already know them, Sydney band The Jezabels are about to release their first full-length album and are touring Australia in October/November. Listen to their EP trilogy quicksmart.

Attend: If you’re in Melbourne try to pop down to one of the workshops at Craft Victoria’s annual festival Craft Cubed.

Watch: Every lady’s favourite classic novel Jane Eyre is out in film form, starring the delightful Mia Wasikowska. Watch the trailer here.

Eat: Jam Jar’s menu looks so delicious and wholesome, and they happily cater for vegetarians, vegans, celiac and lactose intolerant. So helpful for the soy-white-russian-drinking hipsters out there.

Enjoy your Wednesday!