Herbert and Friends - Handmade Softies by Torunn

I've spent the last week cutting, sewing, stuffing, painting, studying (I'm back at business school) and keeping up to date with latest in the election campaign (overall quite disappointing).

There's only two days to go until the Winterland market which starts on Thursday! I'm feeling quite well prepared with just a few bits and pieces to get finished. As you can see above, I have a new moose creature, a little collection of snow yetis and new penguin brooches. If you don't have plans for Thursday night, Friday night or Saturday come by and check it out! If you do miss it I'll be at Eveleigh Artisan's Market on Sunday. 

I have an ever-growing collection of fabric scraps (they're not really scraps because I still love them) that I haven't known what to do with. They're pieces that aren't big enough for owls but big enough to do something with. Over the weekend I decided to make some little owls. It's hard to see the scale of them in the photos but they're about 13cm tall and super cute when they're all lined up! They'd look great sitting on a branch or a clothes line but for the time being my couch will have to do. They'll be coming along to the Winterland Market but It's going to be really hard to see them separated, partly because I love seeing all my favourite fabrics complimenting each other.

There is a new, really awesome shop/gallery in town called Sweets Workshop. It's located in Summer Hill and it stocks Herbert & Friends softies and brooches! It also has a whole bunch of awesome illustrations, ceramics, and jewellery predominantly by local artists and designers. I highly recommend checking it out! Its grand opening is tomorrow 10am - 5.30pm and they will also be open on Sunday 11am - 2pm. It's opposite Summer Hill station on Carlton Cres, you can get further details here.

Have a great weekend!

Here are my first two snow yetis!

I'm really missing my camera (the one that was stolen in France) and getting quite frustrated with my little camera. The small camera is  great for some things, but when it comes to taking photos indoors and trying to manipulate light I really need an SLR! I'm going through the process of making a travel insurance claim, so hopefully I'll be able to get a camera in the next few weeks (fingers crossed).

Here are two more magazine entries this month, this time in Notebook!!! First is the typewriter and second the Winterland Festival promotion!

It's been a week now since we arrived back from holidays and I'm slowly getting back into daily routines. Over the weekend I went fabric shopping to find some Yeti fabric. Luckily I found just the right thing so there are snow Yetis on their way! 

I have a super busy and exciting month ahead! I'll be having a stall at the  Winterland Festival at CarriageWorks on the 29th, 30th and 31st of July which is going to be fantastic! I'll also be back at the Eveleigh Artisans' Market on the 1st August. I have a lot of sewing to do before this epic weekend and only 2 weeks to do it in!

Also, check out this photo in Time Out Sydney magazine!!! The two little owls are representing the Winterland Festival!!!

After what can be described as an interesting stay in Beijing we're finally home again! Unfortunately our bad luck followed us right to the end, turning our 14 hour flight and stopover in Shanghai into a 24 hour trip. Exhausted we arrived home to no electricity!!! It's cold and dark and there's no hot water and between Energy Australia, AGL and our real estate no one seems to know why we have no electricity because all our bills are up to date. Energy Australia will be sending someone out within the next 6 HOURS! This is what our kitchen bench looks like, very romantic mood lighting with hundreds of letters from electricity companies (including a disconnection letter from AGL that they have no record of sending). 

All the candles actually remind me of Christmas in Sweden and to top it off we're drinking some mulled wine, so it's not all bad.  


I'll be starting sewing, making and creating as soon as I've recovered!

Yesterday was our last day in Stockholm. It's always hard leaving and saying goodbye to family and friends without knowing when I'll see them again. Leaving the city is also strange because it feels like a second home and during summer it's particularly beautiful. 


Our last day in Stockholm involved eating Swedish cakes and playing chinese checkers at my grandparents place, which is somewhat of a family tradition. 

Now we're in Beijing in a lovely hotel that's much closer to perfect than the Beijing 100% Perfect Hotel. We're slightly rested and now we're off to explore the city and local cuisine.