Mahogany Turtle

Hat season!

2011-11-09T13:44:00.000+11:00

It's that time of year again! Hats are important all year round, but the harsh Aussie sun makes a hat essential at this time of year. No Hat, No Outside!
I make the kiddies a few hats each season to keep it fun and fresh for them. I keep them everywhere, nappy bag, stroller basket, car so there is always one on hand....do they keep them on... Of course not but I do try my best ;)

Novemeber Stocking and Competitions

2011-11-05T07:27:00.004+11:00

Here is a little sneak peek of some of the stock that will be available on Sunday via my Facebook page. I will be releasing the the stock in the new shop app that Facebook has made available. Check out is safe and secure via paypal.

And for something very exciting, http://www.strollersandprams.com/ is giving away a Mama Combo set this month. To enter follow the instructions on the competition page
http://www.strollersandprams.com/competitions/

Memory Game

2011-10-17T18:10:00.003+11:00

I was cutting out some squares for what was going to be an i-spy type quilt when I thought hmmm these squares could be a memory game if I cut out 2 of each....so I did :D

It's a HUGE hit with Quinn who is 3.5yrs ;D

This weeks sneak peek 2nd Oct 2011

2011-10-01T10:45:00.004+10:00

Click on the photo for a larger view (please not this is a sneak peek and pockets have not had snaps added at time of photography)

This week we have a:
Mama Combo in Groovy Guitar, $59.65 posted
Mama Combo in Pink Monkeys $59.65 posted
Mama Combo in Lime Owls $59.65 posted
Mama Combo in Forrest creatures $59.65 posted

Mama pocket in Green Monkeys $32.90 posted
Mama in Pink Monkeys $32.90 posted

Double stroller Boy/Girl Jumbo Mama combo consisting of on Mama, 2 Grandes and 2 pocos in pink and green monkeys, $80 with free registered post

All Mahogany Turtle items are posted with registration and insurance.

Stocking will tomorrow 2nd October at 4pm AEST on my Facebook page
http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Mahogany-Turtle/266418180041848

iPocket for ipod touch

2011-10-01T10:27:00.005+10:00

My 3 yr old has Apraxia of speech (Dyspraxia) so we got him an ipod touch to help with his communication skills (AUSLAN video dictionary app rocks!!)

He needed something to transport it safely so I made him a little iPocket. Made off 100% cotton including wadding and strapping. It has two layers of padding over the outer side for extra protection.

An iPhone will fit in this also and I am working on a iPad size as well.

Orders can be made via mahoganyturtle@hotmail.com see my FB page for fabric choices

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.295841827099483.96033.266418180041848#!/media/set/?set=a.296132013737131.96132.266418180041848

This weeks sneak peek

2011-09-17T08:19:00.004+10:00

Click on the images above for a larger view.

There are 4 Mama Combos, a grande set and 2 bike pockets

Stocking will be 4pm AEST 18th Sept on my Facebook page :D

New design Bike Pocket

2011-09-13T19:46:00.002+10:00

I have added a strap to the balance bike design so your little one can turn it into a tote bag when they have finished riding ;D

Mahogany Turtle on Madeit

2011-09-08T12:43:00.003+10:00

I am sure you have all heard of Madeit by now, sort of the Aussie equivalent to Etsy.

I have opened a store and I am going to put any pockets unsold each week into the store. Please there is a price difference between the Facebook store and the Madeit listings to cover fees and charges.

http://www.madeit.com.au/mahoganyturtle

Mama pocket

2011-09-06T08:24:00.004+10:00

Introducing the Mama Pocket.

A handy pocket to keep your phone, wallet and keys at hand when out and about with your pram. The Phone pocket is big enough for an iphone and the whole lot closes up to pop in your nappy bag or the front seat of the car when you fold up your pram.

You can see the protoype Mama Pocket with phone, wallet and keys inside at this link

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.283286171688382.92629.266418180041848&type=1

My Favourite pockets from last weeks stocking

2011-09-06T08:19:00.002+10:00

This fabric was so fresh and crisp it was perfect for my first spring stocking!

This boy themed racing flag bias and road set were a one off and I loved the combination.

There are still a few pockets left for this week, click "like" Mahogany Turtle on Facebook, the link is in the top right hand side of the blog page.

Balance Bike pocket

2011-08-23T09:55:00.002+10:00

Oran got this balance bike for his birthday last week so of course it needed some storage ;)

Advanced sneak peek

2011-08-18T17:17:00.004+10:00

Click on the image for a closer view

I really want to get the blog more involved in the pram pockets so I am releasing an advanced sneak peek of this weeks stocking right here on the blog!

I will be flat out with Oran's birthday tomorrow (2yo) so this is all I will get done for this week ;D
There will be 7 combos and 3 single grande size availabe ;D

To take part in the stocking simply like Mahogany Turtle on Facebook....there is a link to your right at the top of the page ;D

Pram Pockets Stocking sold out!!

2011-08-15T15:43:00.001+10:00

I am thrilled that my very first stocking on Facebook was a success!! I am looking into ways to combine the stockings right here on my blog so hopefully I can find a solution ;D

Poco-Shell Pram Pockets

2011-08-07T13:36:00.004+10:00

These gorgeous pockets fit over your pram bumper bar and can be used to hold a variety of things for your child, from dry snacks to dummy's and toys. They also close up to hold your items safe in the nappy bag.

Made from 100% cotton fabrics (excluding trims and snaps) the pockets are fully washable.

Keep an eye on my facebook page (like button is in the top right corner) for upcoming stockings.

Another what I have been up to post

2011-07-24T19:38:00.005+10:00

A set of covers for my sewing bits a pieces, rotary cutter, scissors and a habby pouch as well

And some liners for my Micralite

Hopefully back soon with some more things to show you all

xxx

Another Turtle-shell

2011-04-15T19:57:00.003+10:00

I am needing a snap press!! p.s can you tell I am addicted to making bias now LOL!!

Turtleshell sleep sack

2011-04-12T15:11:00.005+10:00

I had some bamboo fleece left over from my nappy boosters so thought I might make the little fellow a sleep sack.

I played around with a design then decided a cross over style would probably be better.

The first one is Oran's.

The 2nd one will be going to a little one not yet here. It is in XS and it terribly cute. I've still got to finish the arm holes on that one ;)

The 3rd pic is a little teaser of an XS boys one it's been tweaked a bit from the bird one and I think it might be the final style...I need a little test subject to try it on to see if I have the fit right...

Making Bias!

2011-04-02T15:57:00.004+11:00

I just had to share these videos I found on you tube for making bias. It literally made me gasp out loud in awe of how easy the technique was.

It is in two parts and a little long (and daggy) but it is worth the watch!

I made some right away I just had to try it.

Ok so this last one is less about the bias and more about how gorgeous Master Oran is <3

Another Satellite ball

2011-02-25T10:20:00.006+11:00

Made for a dear friends new little man

Scary Monsters

2011-02-25T10:08:00.002+11:00

A Quilt for Quinn

2011-02-25T10:05:00.003+11:00

Log cabin quilt

2011-01-18T08:42:00.005+11:00

My DS2 and I started this quilt together (his interest wandered after block 2 lol)

It's a foundation peiced log cabin, I only made it cot sized (because my interested wandered too ;) )

What I've been up to lately

2010-12-21T10:01:00.005+11:00

An organiser for 2011!
A Pencil bag for Quinn!

A travel Pillow for Oran!

Back veiw of Quinn's monkey

Free hand embroidery

A handbag for me- Back

And the front...

crayon rolls for little friends.

A treasure hunt bag for Quinn

Our Christmas tree!

Mobile phone pouch for my new phone

You pull the tab and it slides the phone out ;)

No wetness please!

2010-08-12T07:50:00.002+10:00

Quinn is so sensitive to wetness he burns pretty much as soon as he has wet. I was given a few very popular nappies to try. While they were cute and the concept was great I found the SIO were not stay dry thanks to the hourglass booster shifting leaving the trifold exposed.

Thankfully I've never been one to shy away from modifying a product to suit my needs so I ordered some beautiful buttery soft microfleece from Nappies Covered and topped the trifold! Instant staydry all the way though.

Now I have time to catch Quinn and pin him down without having to worry about his skin ;D

Clip it!

2010-07-26T17:49:00.004+10:00

Not a fan of velcro? baby too wiggly for snaps.....then just clip them in and go ;) Being Denim makes it super cute too ;D

A nappy!

2010-07-08T20:38:00.003+10:00

Wow What a challenge! An AIO.....tell you what it will be a while before I do that again. How cute is it though ;D

Oran "christened" it not long after and it is now washed and I predict it will be a 4 day dry in this weather lol.

Upcycling

2010-06-23T08:14:00.009+10:00

I've started using cloth nappies recently and was admiring some longies, while I can do VERY basic knitting, for me it is a very time consuming task so the prospect of knitting longies was daunting.....so.............I upcycled some from a wool jumper.

I felted the rest of the jumper and made Quinn this cute little tote ;D

And yet another ball

2010-06-18T14:55:00.002+10:00

I adore the teals and chocolate in this one ;)

One for the girls

2010-06-14T13:38:00.004+10:00

I was really impressed with some of the fabrics at my local fabric shop yesterday and thought this combo looked gorgeous. I'll be making a few of these over the next few weeks.

Satellite Ball

2010-06-12T09:33:00.004+10:00

What a great way to use up scraps from your stash. These cute Satellite balls take under an hour to construct and my boys are just in love with them.

Fresh as a Daisy fabric sold out in 24 hours

2009-01-13T15:17:00.003+11:00

I only have a picture of it fresh from the parcel from the US I should have taken a better pic before I posted it all out but I forgot!

The ultimate project....

2008-12-26T08:40:00.005+11:00

Well it seems my husband and I have collaborated once again on another amazing project. The finished product is due for completion in August 2009....just 18 months after our last project was completed!

I wonder if this one will be pink, after 3 blue ones!

I hope everyone had a lovely relaxing Christmas brake.

Melissa

little purse of magnolia

2008-12-21T16:11:00.004+11:00

I made a little coin purse out of some of the magnolia fabric.

My Etsy Shop

2008-12-21T12:14:00.002+11:00

I've set myself up an Etsy shop and all of my designs are currently listed including my own personal FQ of On ya Trike! (I'll get another one in the next order ;)

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6615614

The fabric is here!

2008-12-20T10:06:00.006+11:00

Well evidently the postal system didn't get the memo that it was Christmas and the fabric was delivered this morning!

I'll send out invoices to the people who have ordered after Christmas but payment is not expected till the new year as that is when I thought it would be here!

If you would like your order sooner just let me know and I'll get an invoice out to you ASAP.

A Posey Basket for Miss Ella

2008-12-19T16:56:00.003+11:00

This is for my best friends daughter who I will get to see this Christmas!! They live about 7 hours away! I miss them all so much.

I think this looks so cute. I can't wait to do one in my Hello Dolly! or Fresh as a Daisy fabric.....

The fabric is on it's way!

2008-12-12T06:38:00.002+11:00

The order has been printed and I just received a conformation email from Spoonflower that it's been posted. I'm allowing 2-3 weeks for Christmas rush delays in the post!
I can't wait!

Fresh as a Daisy

2008-12-11T21:10:00.005+11:00

All pretty in pink fresh from spring. This is a very girly fabric design for all the girly girls :)

These designs will be available in the new year.

On ya Trike pre-order sold out

2008-12-11T11:37:00.003+11:00

On ya trike! has been very popular and the last 2 FQ's are now spoken for. If you would like to go on a waiting list for an cancellations or for the next order round please email me on

meljmiller@hotmail.com

Windows to the soul

2008-12-07T08:40:00.006+11:00

I wanted to share an art piece I did in 2006. It was a long labour of love, I can't tell you exactly how many months went into building up this wall hanging but there were a lot of them.

I used a combination of machine and hand piecing, machine and hand quilting, applique and embellishments. It currently hangs in my bedroom.

It is 1mtr x 1mtr and features one brown and one green eye (I have brown and my husband has green)

I have another two drawings that I want to make into the same size wall hangings.

This one is called Tick Tock Biological clock

and this one is called Awakenings

The order is in!

2008-12-05T09:15:00.011+11:00

I placed an order today for 11 yards of my fabric. It should be here by early January. I should be placing the order for my prize fabric soon too!

I'll be selling by the fat quarter.

$14AUD for all except for the new and improved Hello Dolly! Doll panel which will be $20AUD for the panel (approx a fat quarter) These prices will come down as our dollar improves.

I am taking pre-orders now so if you are interested in a particular design please email me at meljmiller@hotmail.com to reserve your piece. You'll need to get in quick for some, like the On your trike! I am also offering FREE standard post in Australia for all pre-ordered fabric!

Here again are all the design to refresh your memory as well as the number of fat quarters still available

Hello Dolly!

All over print 3 available

Medium size repeat 4 available (8 repeated per fat quater)

Doll panel 6 available

On ya trike!

On ya Trike! 0 available

1976

1976 4 available

1976 co-ordinate 4 available

Magnolia

Magnolia 4 available

Magnolia circles 4 available

Magnolia flowers 4 available.

YoYo Bauble

2008-12-04T11:21:00.004+11:00

What do you do when your son walks in the door after school and says "mum I need a secret santa gift for my teacher.....by tomorrow" ? Well you could run around to the shops looking for something that looks decent for under $5 or you can just whip out your stash and make a YoYo bauble!

This one took about half an hour to make.

Spoonflower Fabric of the week

2008-12-01T17:48:00.003+11:00

1976

http://blog.spoonflower.com/2008/11/congratulations-to-melissajane-harrison.html

Little ole me won Spoonflower's fabric of the week competition with 1976!

You can buy it for one week through their etsy store.

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6441343

For Aussies I will have my designs available by late December/early January for purchase here in Australia!

On ya trike!

2008-12-01T09:05:00.006+11:00

Another new design, this time for the boys. Old fashion Tricycles I love the red and cornflower blue together in this design.

Hello Dolly!

2008-11-30T09:59:00.002+11:00

Hello Dolly! a new design by me :) It will come in 3 different styles, an all over print, a medium size perfect for applicae and a large size for making a doll. I am putting an order in next week and will post pictures of the fabric and a finished doll when the order comes in :)

Magnolia

2008-11-26T10:34:00.008+11:00

Unveiling the new fabric design from Mahogany Turtle. Inspired by the just about to flower Magnolia tree outside my front door.

Retro Zapp

2008-11-11T15:46:00.003+11:00

I was so in love with this Joel Dewberry fabric and

was waiting for the perfect project, when along came

my Quinny Zapp.

"1976" the Fabric

2008-11-04T18:19:00.002+11:00

Finally I have the final draft of the fabric colours. I am really happy with it this time. I will be ordering yardarge as soon as the Australian dollar is better against the US dollar and offering the fabric for sale.

I've called the the fabric "1976".

Now it is on to the next design! stay tuned.........

My Fabric

2008-10-22T09:55:00.016+11:00

It has been a really exciting journey seeing my fabric evolve from a hand drawing, to a computer coloured image, to a piece of fabric and finally made into a bag.

All images copyright M-J Harrison