{ Mu'Mu }

Peeping Out From the Covers

Well, hello there!

Did I mention that a while back I was asked to contribute towards the sewing magazine Sew Hip?

One of my children's quilted animal cushions caught the eye of the editor and I was asked if I'd like to share a tutorial on how to put one together. Why yes, yes I would.

And I'm happy to say it did actually make it into print, and you can find my Flamingo Quilted Cushion tutorial in this month's copy, issue 18, of Sew Hip.

So why not give one a go? Hope you brighten up a corner or two! And as an extra helping hand I'm offerig the Flamingo Template free for your personal use!

Flamingo Template

No excuses! Get sewing!

Hearting

Some images that are doing it for me right now. And if you haven't yet discovered it, I'm back on We Heart It with avengence again.

I love this tool - it's so useful if you are trying to keep images together - if you are designing something or being inspired by a trend - they have a handy bookmark tool which you just drag and drop onto your menu bar which allows you to save almost any image on the net to your Heart It page. Brilliant. Do check it out, and if you sign up add me as a friend so I can see what interests you too!

Quirky Idea

Hands up all who love those gorgeous little jam jars by Bonne Maman ? Those lovely, chunky, double thick glass jam jars which make us go all wobbly at the knees for real farm livin' and the good ol' days of Enid Blyton adventures and lashings and lashings of rice pud with various delicious drops of red jam, plop! squarely in the middle? With real cream, and custard with a skin on the top. And boiled eggs. And fresh plums picked straight off the tree??

*Crickets chirp* ... *Tumbleweed blows past*

No?

Just me then.

I do have to stop myself from buying this brand, because in my head I do battle - on one side my brain is living an Enid Blyton fantasy and wants the little jar forever and ever. On the other side my rational self is screaming CEASE AND DESIST , for one jar of this illusion in gingham is the same price as my entire body weight of cheapo-store brand jam.

But I do so love these jars. It's irrational. I want to make a necklace out of them. Or else design a holster for me to carry them where'er I go.

But until then? Hah - a little idea that made me high five myself (and I'm quite small so I had to stand on a chair) - a little emergency stash of first aid things - items which I have to rummage around in the cupboard for which results in a cascade of medicinal compounds crashing around our heads in the frenzy to get plasters.

A few first aid things within reach, some plasters, arnica, migraine relief - things like that - things which are constantly needed. No more rummaging, and a gorgeous eye-candy jar to boot!

I'll go and get out more now....

Selling Myself

If any of you have ever tried to sell in the handmade craft market you will appreciate how hard it can be to break into as a serious contender for making any money. Why?

The first reason is that the general populace don't know and care even less about having individual handmade items in their home. The only thing many people think about is cost, and let's face it, when you are up against slave workers from the developing world who live in cardboard boxes and have maybe one meal a day, you can't compete with that. Items from China are cheap for a reason.

Secondly, people place no value in handcrafted beauty or individualism. We want magazine spread homes which reflect nothing of ourselves, and for many this is simply because there is no personality for them to impart into the home in the first place...

Anybody who thinks making money from handmade is seriously deluded. So why do people bother??

For me the answer lies in my need to constantly create ; it is the only thing that centres me, calms me and inspires me to joyful living.

The second reason, like the reason I do anything in my life, is for my two boys {from whom the name Mu'Mu is derived}. They are my driving force for everything I do and for all the choices I make.

When I create for Mu'Mu I stop and ask:: what would my boys like to see - what are they into - what would make them happy and excited. That's my benchmark. And when I have an idea it is they who product-test it for me - what works, what could be better, what they like, and what they would like to see. In short, if it floats their boat it is a success. Period.

Right now? Well they are into animals (they're vets, remember), and trucks (no brainer), and so that is where my work takes me. First to animals, and on the worktable, trucks (to follow insha'allah).

But the other reason my boys inspire me to do this? I'm not ashamed to say - for the money (the very little that I make). I'm being honest.

I am not trying to claim world domination, or corner a market, or become a name in the field. Nope. I am making pennies so that this little homeschooling family get to make it to the theatre, the concert, the ballet and for days out, where little minds are stretched and wings can soar.

Mu'Mu stands squarely by and for my children, which is why, even though this handmade craft thing is so ludicrously low-paid, I stick with it. I love beauty, and I love my boys.

Shop is now re-opened, in case you didn't quite get it. And I'll be updating with new things next week insha'allah

Simple PLeasures :: An Example of Good Design

It's probably rather sad that I'm actually blogging about a cup, but I really do love my new cup by Isak and marvel at it's good design. I really wish more designers would put extra thought into the end use of an item and incorporate simple things like: beautiful lotus leaf in beautiful colours. No handle on the mug so mug can also be used as a cannister/jar/caddy.

A wooden lid - keeps tea hot and covered when out of the room.

Lid also doubles as a coaster.

Such a simple, yet elegant design. I marvel at it a lot.

What about you - anything you've seen which struck you as an excellent idea? Or perhaps something you'd like to find that hasn't been made yet? Anything that made you utter - why hasn't someone thought of it before??

Do share.

Work from a sick bed

I've been feeling a little bit ill recently - kind of run down and in need of rest - my body has commanded sleeeeep and my family have been very patient masha'allah. I've even had a couple of little companions in my sick bed - you know, 'helping'.

Bored and tired I've been trying to do bits of work when I can; the inspiration board has been updated and the colours that I am working with are at hand for reference. Some sketches and an itching to get back to the sewing machine has surfaced...

After a mammoth few weeks all about knitting it will be nice to get back to sewing.

And needless to say I am excited about working on new ideas and seeing what these sketches will emerge as when they are beefed up with fabric!

Mustard & Teal

You might recall me posting recently that I am still being inspired by the mustard colourway. It doesn't seem to be abating in the slightest. I think it has been a solid year now and I haven't lost my love for this colour one little bit.

But as well as loving it up with greys and marigolds, I have discovered a new colour combo that's doing it for me :: Mustard and Teal. Just crazy, dizzy loving this combo. So much so, that I have been including it in my work.

This latest addition to the store reflects the sucky weather thing going on over here, and hinting towards the coming autumn - ooh berry picking in woolens, walks with scarves and mittens. Summer may have been a complete wash-out, but here's really hoping that Autumn is going to rock insha'allah (pleeeeeeeeeease!!). And who could have an Autumn walk with the babes in the woods without something to keep the neck warm? It would be a veritable sin not to accessorize in Autumn colours in Fall!

I have made a really extra long one for myself, because I like to wind scarves around and around; and I love the way these colours dance together masha'allah. The eye is drawn from one patch to the next, and it adds such an extra dash of vibrancy to my usual dowdy attire.

Mustard and teal; I don't think I can get enough right now...

Simple Pleasures :: Colour in my Life

First Aid

If there is one certainty in my life as a Mother, it is that my children choose the most inopportune times to maim themselves.

Not for my children polite little scratches and bruised knees. Oh no. We are in the big leagues:: split noses come as standard, Arnica is pushed to it's limits, and Steristrips are a basic necessity and bought in bulk.

Fed up with scrabbling at the bottom of a bag when disaster struck, and bothered that I perhaps hadn't got all eventualities covered, I decided to make these basic pouches based on this simple tutorial I gave you all with a little embroidery and applique for some jazz. I lined it with thick cotton and the facing is linen.

Yes, you counted correctly: I made three. THREE. One for the handbag, one for the car and one big one ready to be packed whenever we hit the road. Literally or metaphorically.

Everything in one place in a washable pouch, ready to save the day in the event of split noses, near eye gouging, lacerated heads and bruised ribs ... you know, the basics.

Etsy Finds

Dandylion Sky Yarn

Rubber Stamps

Fabric

Vinyl Decal

Aunty Cookie Trim

Ink + Wit Poster

Japanese Linen Tape

Simple Pleasures :: Colours in my life

Stash Building

Illness has stopped play in this little house; kids and Mama under the weather, but brightening our day? Well, a little love from the mailman. He rushes sweetness from the other side of the Atlantic to me as fast as he can (be bothered). Observe:

A couple of 'whatthehellwasithinking's and some scores. Altogether a nice bundle for the shelves.

Now if you'll excuse me I need to go lie down... blergh.

If I had the money...

....I'd have a beach house like this one....

Found at Apartment Therapy New York

For more pictures of Studiomama's amazing beach house, go here.

Inspiring. Or more money than sense. You decide. I'm sitting on the fence between green with envy and jaw dropping awe, and working class ridicule....

The type of mail I like

It's good to wake to parcels like this. It puts a whole new boing in your step!

Angie Lewin

Angie Lewin is where it's at for me right now. Another jaw-dropping genius of stellar talent the magnitude of which you see once in a lifetime.

In the same vein I am enjoying St Judes, 'All Things Considered' blog and am wondering how I've lived my life so long without it. A bit melodramatic, but true. And pretty things (FABRIC!!) for sale? I always need a new excuse to abandon my money..

Which brings me neatly onto a new fave shop specialising in paperie, Paper Grain which also happens to stock, yep, Angie Lewis cards. This whole store has such beautiful things - unique cards and notesets etc - they really are worth a bit of your time to have a slow amble around. Oh and they are superfast at delivery too.

And for the real deal, I'm oohing and ahhing over this lot and settling for googling her work.

*Fans self* Gorgeous innit

Etsy faves

Note to self :: stop buying stuff. Stop going to Etsy. Just. STOP. Currently drooling over this little lot ...

Honeycomb Wallclock


Vintage Cathrineholm Large Dark Olive Green Lotus Pot with Metal Handles

Make Do and Mend Print


Hoos O'clock


Hello Yellow Retro Mod GE Electric Wall Flower Clock
 
Finel Mod Enamel Bowl


JazakAllah cards


My Little Blue Typewriter

You see my problem?? Too much good stuff out there!

Fabric Love

Sometimes I just sit and stare at colour and texture and contrast. I can't explain it. It makes me happy...

This indie fabric is making my very happy - giddy, in fact. I know I say that a lot, but just check out some of these prints by Laurie Wisbrun over at Scarlet Fig.

I tracked her down (hm, that sounds quite sinister...) after seeing her prints in the Spoonflower Flickr Group, 'Spoonflower Fabric Designs'.

I think I actually *gasped* when I saw this one::

And this one might be coming to live with me::

In fact, they are all so gorgeous in such clever retro designs and beautifully modern colours that my biggest headache this week might be just how much to order...

She's a clever girl, no? People like this inspire me and crush me at the same time. On the one hand I am psyched and want to log onto spoonflower myself and start making things just as amazing. And at the same time I feel like I am already beaten by genius whilst all I can do is stand and watch.

But lucky for me, I can never get tired of looking at fabric, nor the legal high it gives me. And this little lot? I'd say it should be making me smile for a while yet...

Simple Pleasures :: Colour

This colour blue in this heat is such a blessing; instantly chilled out and cooled off.

 I hope it doesn't feel too cold in winter though... Hm...

New Collection :: Sneak Peaks - the one where I waffle...

Yeah. So. Sneaky peaks. Here you are. Some new shots of my new stuff. Just so you know, I'm tired, afflicted with hayfever, and a bit mardy today. I am also going to waffle and drone incessantly about this new collection, so if you don't want to listen about new designs and fabric and colour then, well, tough.

So. Here we are halfway through 2009. Did I say 'halfway through'? Can I just stop there and tell you that for me I feel like it should be the middle of March and omigodwhereismylifegoing and the end is neigh, the end is neigh etc. etc

Somewhere in Spring of 2009 I sat down and started messing around with designing some new things on paper - I played with colour, I dreamt of form and I found my groove with these shapes and colours you are about to see.

 

You know by now my love of mustards, honeys, golds and greys. It is a colour combination I love with a passion right now and it was only natural that I started there; also, because I envisaged an Autumn start to the new stuff and these colours scream Autumn.

I was drawn, after a few weeks' scribbling, to the hexagon shape, or rather the way I see it - the cube shape. There is something very Jungian about the cube; something very complete and satisfying {read "The Metapsychology of the Cube of Space: The Dimensions of Consciousness & the Structure of Human Experience" here if that tickles your fancy}.

Of course, this resonates with me on a spiritual level as a Muslim - 'cube' in Arabic is of course 'kaba' and the Kaba in Islam is, for those of you who have been living on Mars since the last ice age, the sacred centre in Makkah.

I've always been drawn to this image even before Islam; it is deeply embedded in me. In an abstract way, as Form, the symbol archetype is deeply meaningful. It is not surprising, then, that it made it's way into my work at some point.

What I find absolutely thrilling about this interchanging of the hexagon to the cube is the transcendence from a two dimensional shape to a three dimensional one, simply in way the object is viewed. Without any change in the object reality the inner landscape can transmute the information depending on viewpoint and willingness to see beyond the two dimensional limitations.

The black hexagon, or black cube, at the centre of the work is therefore no mistake or coincidence.

Being at the centre also invites the mind to repeat the pattern; patterns are integral to the way we as human beings function. We are pattern-seekers; we make sense of the world in patterns, and we form our mind out of the patterns we either believe to be there or invent.

Repeating the hexagon/cube around the black centre made the work dance, and spin, encircling, just like bees to honey. That is the notion that immediately sprang to my mind. A honeycombe pattern effect is therefore pleasingly reinforcing of this notion of bees encircling, and I have further reinforced this by adding a 'bee line' in hand embroidered stitches on some of the work.

 

Starting with cubes as the theme of this collection, I have worked the design into many of the pieces I aim to offer. It is something that I hope brings a coherence.

As well as being (hopefully) stylish and beautiful, another concern of mine is to make the pieces highly practical as well. User friendly - child (boy!) orientated - beautiful and practical. These are the things I am working on, bit by bit, day by day, up in my work space to be hopefully ready very very soon.

Did you read all the way to the end of that?

Aw, you're so nice...

Work Space cont'd

I've been trying to tart up the work space as it was looking a bit uninspiring in there. Still haven't received the work table and chair so contented myself with just adding pretty things to look at. And some of my favourite pretty things just happen to be a bunch of vintage sewing patterns from when prices were in old money (what does 4' 6 mean??)

And after covering the faces I decided to just stick the patterns up to see what they looked like before committing to buying frames. And I actually like it just like that. Still with the patterns inside! Maybe I'll get frames at some point but right now quite like the funkiness of the rough-n-ready approach.

My inspiration board is now back up and I've added a rail too. Being surrounded by pretty things and colours really does help me in many ways.

And some sneaky peaks tomorrow insha'allah!
xx

Do you Mu Mu?

Well, it's finally here. My new blog. Welcome to Mu'Mu Design! I'm still messing around with the template and format and colours and the different set up here. The blog isn't how I want it to look, but I felt like blogging today, so here you are - a new blog; consider it to be like a new house - I've just moved in and the walls are bare.... keep coming back to see how I settle in! I'm still out of town and internet connection is still sporadic for me, so I don't know when I'll be able to blog consistently. But today I'm sharing this love:

 

 

 

3D love from Habitat.

I'm getting very inspired and excited by a lot of 3D textile work out there. I can feel that it will make it's way into my work at some point insha'allah. That's what I love about fabric - it is so versatile, so tactile. It is only the imagination (or lack thereof) which is prohibitive! I love the internet! I love the crafty-design blog world. So many ideas out there. Who could ever be bored?!

And for a first post I'll leave you there.

Talk soon

xx