Confessions of a Late-night Stitch Witch

Are you a person who appreciates designs that are 'one-off' - unique - created and handmade in Australia?

Do you care passionately, as I do, about quality, individuality and attention to detail?

Is it important to you that my 'treasures' are produced in a smoke-free and animal-free environment?

You've come to the right place.

As a designer, artisan and marketer of original crafts, I feel extremely proud of the uniqueness of each of my creations.

From scarves to shawls; beanies to aviator helmets; ponchos to shrugs - every item is exclusive - and handcrafted with much love and care. The following is a glimpse of my development up to this day. To view just some of my range of accessories, follow the links below - and enjoy!

It actually all began before our children were born (some 35+ years ago) when I passionately knitted and taught myself crocheting to make a huge variety of baby clothes, accessories and shawls, etc.

Many garments (and increasing sizes) later, I added tapestry to my skills-base, and created some beautiful 'stitched' reproductions of some famous paintings.

I made ceramic ornaments and figurines for some years, and have variously tried china painting and patchwork quilting (neither of these my 'thing', it turned out)...however I did love appliqué work and creating stitched wall hangings with meaningful messages. If you want to see if they are meaningful to you, too, have a look at my hub - 'Hanging Out' with my Wall Hangings

But knitting & crocheting have remained my main passion - always weaving themselves throughout the fabric of my life. A sidestep into the world of jewellery-making lead me to start adding beading to my handknits....

I opened an Etsy shop - CdCraftee's Cosmos with high hopes, but alas, I'm not a marketer's armpit, and it really went nowhere. I've continued to work on a range of beaded knit/crochet items that should appeal to a broad range of people. It includes such diverse products as specialty brooches and amulet necklaces in fine beaded knitting, through to beaded keyrings, USB identifiers, spectacle chain holders - and the more casual beaded knit sunglasses cases, mobile phone/ipod covers, and matching keyrings.

The trouble is that now I write, and write... and edit, and edit. Will fame and fortune follow? Unlikely, and I can't say I care too much at this stage of my life. It's enough that I'm enjoying myself... mostly... I think.

I haven't mentioned that I am an incurable insomniac - BUT - the good news about this is that I find the wee small hours a delightfully quiet and calm time to explore difficult patterns, or to weave my dreams together into a tangible object.....somehow, little seems impossible in this precious time.

And the bonus is that I get to listen to the BBC from all over the world via my trusty pocket radio and a pair of earphones.....sometimes glorious classical music, also.

And when I've dreamed my daydream(?) through its potential and into reality, I can go back to bed with a feeling of deep satisfaction and achievement.

Now....how good is that? You wouldn't be asleep for quids!

13 Step Recovery Plan

1. I will not stuff craft supplies into every corner of my home.

**NB, I said NOT EVERY...(just most)

2. I will not have nine (or more) projects 'on the go' at one time.

3. I will not buy more yarn, beads, needles....I have a ton at home.

4. I will not let my craft area look like a condemned place.

5. I will not invade my kitchen & dining table and Lounge and the Office and my bookshelves with my craftwork.

6. I will not attend craft shows & markets to pick up more ideas and talk interminably with other crafters.

7. I will not stock up on more craft supplies just because they are on sale - or because 'they may come in handy one day'.

8. I will not get hysterical when I hear the words 'imported crafts' - just a little 'wobbly'.

9. I will not let my current project distract me from fixing dinner, or getting dressed, or talking (as opposed to mindless 'grunting'.

10. I will not stay up all night working on a brainstorm about one of my current projects.

11. I will not save empty cereal boxes, detergent scoops, small jars with lids, scraps of everything, little lengths of yarn, etc., etc.

12. I will not buy every craft magazine I see - just most of them.

13. I reserve the right to remove the word 'not' from all of the above.

Original Version? Unknown

And how did it come to me? Unknown

Revised © 2001 by Shirley Thomas

Revised again © 2003 by Christine Larsen

Revised yet again © 2011 by Christine Larsen for this lens

I feel SO blessed to possess the skills I do.......to be me.....right now, right here! (And I should mention that - "here" - is our dear old stone farmhouse, built in 1878 - inhabited by antiques and inherited 'treasures' - and we two 'delightful dinosaurs') Please keep an eye on my corner of the world......I have many charming and interesting tales to tell.