Photos from The North Melbourne Market

This week The North Melbourne Market placed photos of items that were on show, Market Day - Sunday the 24th of July, uploaded on to their Facebook page.
Just thought I'd show two of them - my Metro Retro Aprons, not great lighting (I did not take them) but I was happy to see them.
My very first market, it was a fun day, great to sell some items and wonderful to meet other stallholders such as Charlibelle.

Dozens of Ways to Repurpose a Tea Towel

Have you see the book 'Dozens of Ways to Repurpose a Tea Towel'?
If you are a little tea towel obsessed like me, you just may enjoy this book.
I purchased this book on Ebay from America - I just had to have it!
I have not made any of the projects yet, too many of my own projects to complete yet... may be one day....we will see :)

This is a great "idea book" for fellow crafters, but even if you don't enjoy crafting I'm sure some of you would enjoy the wonderful information on tea towels in this book.
I have to admit I did not like the idea of cutting into my tea towels to make my aprons but the end result of your craft project is so worthwhile.

This book comes from the same series as 'Craft Challenge: Dozens of Ways to Repurpose a Pillowcase' and 'Craft Challenge: Dozens of Ways to Repurpose Scarves'

Who knew the humble tea towel could have so many crafting possibilities?
"Creating unique projects can be expensive, so instead of buying material take a look in your linen cupboard. The ideas in this book are just the beginning, there are instructions for a wide variety of projects including a cute apron, green grocery bag, soft storage solutions, a belt and handbag".

 'Craft Challenge:Dozens of Ways to Repurpose a Tea Towel' is published by Lark Books - they have a craft website Lark Crafts.

Metro Retro Tea Towel Aprons

Below is a sample of my Metro Retro Aprons instore on Made It.
'Metro Retro' Aprons are all OOAK - that is, One Of A Kind.

Each one is never to be repeated, never to be exactly the same as another.
All of these aprons are handcrafted originals and unique!
The ideal handmade gift for someone special or for spoiling yourself.

Unique, One Of A Kind - just like you!

There will be many more designs both modern & retro on show for the first time (never shown before anywhere) at the indoor handmade craft & vintage North Melbourne Market.

I will be at the North Melbourne Market this Sunday - July 24th

I'll be new stallholder this Sunday!
July 24th, 10am - 3pm
Come over & visit me!

You will find items similar to the ones I have in my Made It & Etsy Shop, & a few things you have not seen from me before.
Metro Retro Aprons, Taggy Snuggly's, Flag Bunting, Beanies & Button Hair Ties.

This indoor market will have many creative stallholders with beautiful quality handmade items.
... Make a day of it!  Errol street has many cafes to choose from.

As stated on the North Melbourne Market website:
'70 Stalls that sell vintage fabrics and clothing, sweet treats, local designer clothing, kids head-to-toe cute stuff, handmade jewellery, homewares, artists’ creations and other particularly and peculiarly unique things you’ve never seen before'.

Don't forget to visit my Facebook page. And click to LIKE my page!

Merry-Go-Round Handmade

 

A Babushka Birthday Card for Sarah

I just finished making a birthday card for my friends' daughter Sarah.

I bought a few things russian doll / babushka related for her birthday so I decided to make her a personalised card.
The card is made from such items as Babushka fabric, grosgrain ribbon, scrapbooking coloured paper, a pink paper flower, glued on blue sequin beads then finally sewn to recycled brown card.
I'm quite pleased with it considering it's a first attempt to sew on card! I have also cut out letters from  a vintage children's book to spell her name - Sarah   :)
When she is finished using it as a card, Sarah's mum can cut the back off (where I'll place the writing) and it can be placed in a scrap book as a keepsake.

Busily making Flag Bunting!

I have been busily making flag bunting!

I have completed quite a few and still busily working on more.

I've enjoyed working on these but they are a little more time consuming than I thought.
It's been fun trying to co-ordinate complimentary colours & mixing patterns that hopefully work! 
I'm do love vintage & funky retro fabrics.

These Flag Bunting are mostly Made from Upcycled, Reclaimed Fabric – I prefer mostly prefer florals.They are made from eco-friendly and one-of-a-kind reclaimed fabrics, each banner is a One of a Kind (OOAK). These banners are also perfect to use for a party decoration or as a permanent wall hanging. I have also been making bunting with new fabrics too. I'm trying to put a little heart & soul into an individual piece.

I have quite a large collection of vintage fabric, that is overflowing at the moment - my husband is not too impressed! I scared that if I buy another plastic container (or two!) I just might fill it!

Going to the local op shop can be fun, you never know what you might find. Just the the song goes ' Some days are diamond, some days are stone' - there times I find a lovely little treasure (maybe some interesting buttons or lovely fabric) and other times when i might find nothing of interest. 

Most fabrics I use are 100% cottons (but some are a polyester/cotton blend). I made my own template from a cereal packet! It took me about three attempts before I found the right size & shape.
I also like to add a little charm by machine sewing doilies on to some flag panels.

For those of you feeling crafty, you can always use other materials & fabrics for making your own Flag Bunting.
Ideas would be: thrifted tea towels, tablecloths, pillowcases, clothing such as cotton shirts. The only limit is your imagination! 
 

Welcome!

Welcome and thanks for visiting my blog!
I should introduce the items I have in my Made It & Etsy shop.
You can go directly to the links I have on the right hand side of my blog.

merry-go-round
merry-go-round is my handmade online store.
It's about a 'rotating platform' (so to speak) of quality handmade items that are displayed for sale.
Many of the items are New, Retro or Vintage.
I try to upcycle/recycle/repurpose where I can to create an unique item - usually one of a kind.

All Items handmade in Melbourne, Victoria. Australia.


I offer a great handmade product with a good personal, speedy service.
Please view my feedback.
Merry-Go-Round 'Made It' website

Metro Retro Aprons are all OOAK - that is, One Of A Kind.
Each one is never to be repeated, never to be exactly the same as another.

All of these aprons are handcrafted originals and unique!

The ideal gift for someone special or for spoiling yourself.

Handmade Knitted Wool Beanie Hats

We have Retro styled handmade knitted Beanies, most of them are made from Australian 100% wool.
The girls sweet beanie hats have a flower sewn to the hat, the flower are embellished with sewn on buttons.

These beanies are just divine & will keep your little sweetheart’s head warm all winter long!

We also have boys wool beanies.

OOAK: All of our beanies are One Of A Kind.

Never to be repeated and all of them special in their own way.
The beanie style, colour of wool, choice of flower & button embellishment gives each hat it’s unique style. They also make a great gift idea.

These beanies are truly a family affair.

The wool is bought in very limited quantities and hand knitted by my mother.

The flowers are mostly done by my mother & grandmother. I have done the hand sewing on the flower & buttons!

Have you seen something you like but not in the right size?
We may be able to help. Just let us know, we may be able to make something similar in the correct size that you will love!

'Taggy Snuggly' Comforter Toy Tag Mini Taggie Blanket

These Taggy Snuggly’s are soft, cuddly, and fun and are a great size for taking along wherever you go.  Perfect for the pram, car, high chair or cot.

You have probably noticed that some babies love the tags on items (bibs, blankets, clothing, soft toys etc) more than the actual item itself.
They are made with lots of assorted ribbon tags of different colors, fun textures, and various sizes for little fingers to play with - this sensory experience helps with a babies fine motor coordination.

All Taggy Snuggly’s are one of a kind (some are similar) but no two are the same. A fun pattern on one side and super soft minky fabric on the other. Made from ALL NEW materials.

COMING SOON.....
Vintage Fabric Flag Bunting.

It's about time I started this blog!

Yes it is about time I started this blog. No more procrastinating.
I never thought I would do a blog but I was always someone that said I'd never have a FaceBook page too. I guess I'm starting to see the importance of having one - it will be good to keep buyers & friends up to date with what I am doing and new items I'll be adding to the Merry-Go-Round shops on 'Made It' & 'Etsy'.
I actually opened this blog earlier in the year but under a different name, I just could not decide if it was the name I wanted to keep. Well, finally I made a slight name change & decided to work on this blog.
For me this blog will be an 'online diary' of thoughts, things I doing and enjoying at the moment.
Feel free to visit, click through to the Made It & Etsy shops, Facebook page.
Also 'on the main/home page of this blog' - visit some of my favourite craft blogs.