madebymaisie

Christmas BIDM 2009 wrap up

I was so busy at the recent BrisStyle Indie Designer Markets that I didn't get a chance to take any personal photographs...very bad blogger indeed.

Luckily the official BrisStyle photographers Darren and Daneve were there. Please enjoy images of the day courtesy of Kish Photography and Design. You can check out the full set of photos of the BIDM Markets here.

Saint Augustine's Church on Racecourse Road, Hamilton, Brisbane was the perfect setting for our markets. Brisbane turned on the traditional Christmas weather - hot and only getting hotter!

 
Made by Maisie had prime position under a big big tree. Luckily a constant breeze swept through to keep us cool. 

 
Lots of Maisies went to new homes. Some Maisies have made their way to my Etsy store.

 
Maisie's baby softs and pincushions are always popular with the buyers...

My neighbours were the lovely...

Christine from Little Diva Crafts...gorgeous children's clothing, softies and more. Watch out for Christine's new online venture soon. Am I allowed to mention the name Shinzi Katoh??? Drool...

Sharlene from Sharlzndollz kept the crowds in amazement with her paper dolls.

 
I managed to have a quick look around at the other stalls while my lil sis Ju Ju tended my stall. I don't know what she said to the customers but, when I came back, she had sold many of my Maisies to new homes. Must be the talkative school teacher in her!

A few highlights of my little look around...

Mmmm...I love Little Mary Moo's Place. Beautifully made coin purses, bags and other lovelies.

 
Twinkle Star Art has beautiful digital artworks, personalised artworks, cards, pocket mirrors, pendants...

Ooops...I spot a matroyshka or two.

Edward and Lilly hand embroidered brooches. I have a new thing for sausage dogs.

 
EmBellish were selling an array of goodies. From owls to onesies to cookie ingredients to pincushions...so many lovelies to choose from...

Now I know who has been buying all the supplies of polyfill at Spotlight. There must be at least half a kilo of polyfill in these cutie owls!

I managed to purchase a little onesie for a dear little boy recently born to good friends of mine. I should have bought a few more for a certain little Maisie...

I am a big fan of Beckybean handmade recycled/upcycled bags.

 
I have been coveting a certain Fairy Penguin bag on Bec and Jade's blogs.

Image courtesy of Beckybean originally found here.

Little sis Ju Ju was seen leaving the BIDM with a Beckybean carry bag. I wonder if I will get a surprise under the Christmas tree???

Thank you to all of you who stopped by and introduced yourselves. It was lovely to meet you and have nice chats. Thank you to all my friends who I encouraged to come along to see what a talented bunch of ladies that I belong to. Thank you to Helen and all the girls behind the scene who made the Christmas 2009 BIDM a great success.

Now, back to more custom orders for Maisie... 

 
   
 
   
 
  

I heart Scotty dog fabric

How could I resist buying more of this Scotty dog fabric? It is just too sweet. Yes, I am a dog owner, but they don't make Aunt Grace boxer dog fabric. So Scotty dogs it is. I have previously made a Big Sister Maisie with this same fabric and she went to a new home very quickly.

Here is Miss Patty with her pretty party dress on...

 
As you can see, the Scotty dog print is rather large.

 
Then I spotted this tiny Scotty dog print.

Here is Little Miss Patsy wearing her pretty party dress...

 

Patty looks after little Patsy.

 
Here is Little Miss Pepper to spice things up...

 
 Patsy and Pepper are all smiles...

 

Patty, Patsy and Pepper are all available in my Etsy store.

  

Where did Maisie go?

Thank you for all your lovely emails enquiring as to why I had not been blogging for a while. For those of you who are still wondering why the 3 month break in blogging and making Maisie dolls, here is a little quiz for you...

Maisie has not blogged between August 2009 and December 2009 because:

a) she was getting over morning/afternoon/evening sickness

b) no one had bought her 90210 season 7

c) she has been waiting for the Australian summer of Cricket to start

d) she has been waiting for a new shipment of fabric to arrive

e) all of the above

The answer will be revealed in a future post - unless you guess first.

Anyway, enjoy some new Maisie dolls...

This is Little Miss Olive.

Contrary to her name, her dress has prints of pineapples and not olives!

And Little Miss Olivia.

The minty green and pink always look lovely together on brunette Maisies.

  

New fabric means new Maisies

A little while ago a new batch of fabric arrived from a quaint little Texan quilt store. They have an extensive range of 1930s reproduction prints. Most of the fabrics that I ordered were not available or very hard to find in Australia.

New fabric means new Maisies!

Introducing Miss Nellie...

Little Miss Nina...

And little Miss Nonie...

Nellie was purchased at the BrisStyle Indie Designer Markets yesterday. I was told that she will be on her way to a little girl in Ethiopia.

Nina and Nonie are both currently available in my Etsy store.

I am in love with these new Maisies, and am finding it very hard to send them to new homes.
  

BrisStyle Indie Designer Christmas Markets 2009

That is right, I am still here. Over the past couple of weeks I have been busily preparing myself for the BrisStyle Indie Designer Christmas Markets 2009.

Some new Maisie friends will be joining me ..

 

Along with some old favourite Maisie friends...

Big Sister Maisies and Little Sister Maisies will be there too...

I would love to see you too...

Keep smiling!   

what about the hexagons?

Maybe I have neglected my hexagon project.

Maybe I just get a little bit bored of doing the same thing.

Maybe I am waiting for the next box set of 90210 to hit the stores, so that I can stitch and reminisce.

Maybe I know that there is no way I will get this project finished for the Queensland Quilters Quilt Show in October.

Maybe I need some inspiration.

Grace by Robyn Mallett. Best of Show at Quilts Across Queensland at the Ekka 2009. Foundation pieced, hand applique and hand quilted over nine months. 1930s reproduction fabrics only used from an extensive stash, which I only dream of. Exquisite.

Maybe I need some new fabric.

American Jane purchased recently at Patches.

So, I have decided to revisit my hexagon quilt. I have made it smaller. I have increased the number of hexagon flowers. I need to make another 13 flowers. Therefore, I need 13 new fabrics if I am to have 61 individual flowers with no repeat of fabric. Must be all reproduction 1930s fabric.

Not to worry, the Maisies will be happy with new dress fabric to choose from!

...and the winner is

Well, it is about time Miss Maisie that you drew the winner of the custom made Kokeshi doll giveaway.

The Kokeshis are too shy to do the honours, so better enlist the help of Sachi the Maisie doll.

Mix the entrants up really well please, Miss Sachi.

Megsie and Laura popped in to supervise the draw.

And the winner is...

 

Casey !!!

Casey left the following comment...

My daughter's Chinese name is Mei-Lin... but I think that may be too close to Mei-Ling, which you already have, so I'll vote for Lin-Lin (pronounced Lane Lane) - her nickname.

Now, all that is left for Casey to do is choose the type of Kokeshi to come and live in the USA with her.

 

Thank you to all of you who entered. I have some lovely names to use for my future Maisie and Kokeshi dolls.

x Catherine

Jane Elizabeth

Jane Elizabeth creates the most beautiful handmade purses out of lovely co-ordinated fabrics. My favourites would have to be Jane's choice of liberty prints and this special one (below).

Jane and I met through very unusual circumstances (I won't go into detail here). However, may I say how happy I am to know Jane. We are two girls who want very similar things in life. Oh, and we love to sew!

You may be seeing a little bit more of Jane Elizabeth and Made by Maisie teaming up in the very near future.

You can buy Jane Elizabeth currently at Doll Face Handbag Boutique in Paddington, Brisbane.

More Maisies

Mmmm, more Maisies...

 

Miss Megsie (above).

 

Miss Mandy.

Miss Millie.

 

Miss Molly.

Megsie is available in my Etsy store now.

Giveaway - Miss Kokeshi needs a name!

Please help me!

I need some new names. I have been so busy making Kokeshi and Mei-Ling inspired Maisie dolls that I am struggling to find new names.

So, it is time for a giveaway.

You will be in the running for your very own custom made Kokeshi doll. You get to pick the dress colour scheme and hair style. I will then make your doll to your specifications, wrap her up and post her anywhere in the world.

Simply leave a comment with a sweet Asian name suitable for my Kokeshi dolls, before Sunday 16 August 2009. I will randomly draw a winner soon after this date.

Entry is open world-wide.

Please enter only once. Each name must be unique - read through the comments to make sure your name is unique to the list.

Names which I have already used include:
Mei-Ling, Pei-Ling, Mei-Mei, Ki-Ki, Kiki, Mo-Mo, Go-Go, Sachi, Tiki, Chi-Chi, Su-Su, Suki and Ting-Ting.

Good luck...and tell all your friends!

P.S - check out the sale in my Etsy store starting Thursday 6 August 2009 - Saturday 15 August 2009.