Tuesday, May 31, 2011
In preparation for baby's arrival I've been searching out organic, mama-made and ethically produced products. Indeed, the baby world is swamped with the opposite - polyester, candy pink and badly drawn teddy bears. I've only bought necessary items so far, including a new change mat to fit on the top of a chest of drawers. But finding a change mat cover that fit my above criteria was proving to be a challenge. So, as I do quite regularly these days, I gave up on bricks-and-mortar shops and ventured onto the net where I happily stumbled across eco nino. The company was created by mum-of-two-boys Kylie and she continues to grow her business - in fabulous leaps and bounds.
Jodi: What inspired you to start Eco Nino?
Kylie: The label really grew from a personal need, as I was not in favour of covering my change mat in terry toweling nappies or any of the covers that were available at that time. I started to make my own change mat covers, which were very rough as I cannot sew to save myself, and people started asking for them. It just grew from there.
Jodi: Have you done anything like this before?
Kylie: I am always creating something and have quite a love of textiles in particular. Previously I was a teacher and never thought I would be starting my own business, but chose to join the number of Mums that want to successfully run a business from home. I love the fact that I can (with a lot of help from Grandparents I might add) work my hours around the boys. I have the best of both worlds.
Jodi: Why organic?
Kylie: Really the choice was made for me as my two boys suffer from eczema and I always attempt to choose low allergenic or organic materials for them as they react to everything! As a family we really try to make decisions around the home that are positive for the environment and after researching the processes of organic cotton farming versus traditional cotton farming, it reinforced my choice. I love that the fabric is made specifically for the eco nino label.
Jodi: Can you please explain the design and creation process?
Kylie: The covers are designed by myself and manufactured overseas under strict certification. As I mentioned before, the fabric is specially designed and spun for the label, which gives it some individuality. The process from beginning to end has been quite a steep learning curve, as I have never had to oversee or manage production like this before. I would really love to have the covers manufactured here in Australia and am hoping to achieve this in the near future.
Jodi: What do your customers love about Eco Nino change mat covers?
Kylie: I think my customers enjoy the simplicity of the design, having an affordable option that becomes a part of the nursery design and is functional at the same time. The colour range really will suit any nursery décor and the design is pretty timeless. Apparently, they also launder well and dry quickly (funny what becomes important when you are a Mum).
Jodi: Your plans for the future of the business?
Kylie: Every week, I am asked what else will I be adding to the line. I am quite overwhelmed with the support I have received from customers and the eagerness to see what is coming next – it is just great. The label is still so new and my time has been devoted to making sure the covers are high quality and distributed well (the age old adage of doing one thing and doing it well).
Labels: creating and making , giveaway
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
I've always had a soft spot for stripes. Classic, stylish, nautical, wide, thin, haphazard, multi-coloured...they always make me smile. I started the baby's blanket in the first few weeks of this pregnancy, thinking I was having a baby girl. And as the belly grew and my instinct made me think 'boy', the colours on the blanket changed. I only used scraps from other projects and balls of yarn found in op-shops and I'm rather happy with the end result. It's rather unisex, don't you think? I didn't follow a pattern; I just cast on, knit till I thought it was wide enough and changed colours when I got bored. It's big enough for the moses basket and the pram and will do when baby is a toddler and is in need of a blanket when reading on the couch.
Labels: creating and making , growing a baby
Wednesday, May 04, 2011
pumpkin soup for autumn/winter
I'm loving all the comments coming through on the keepsakes post. It's a beautiful insight into your family cooking heirlooms, everything from breakfast to dinner, sweet & savoury. I thought it only fair that I share with you my favourite family recipes - starting today with my Mum's pumpkin soup. I've already made it about six times this autumn. It's easy, quick, economical, freezes well and, most importantly, is delicious, nourishing and wholesome. We usually enjoy a big bowl with some fresh sourdough or, if we have any in the freezer, some spinach and cheese pastries. Yum!
Labels: cooking , corners of my home , creating and making , seasons
Wednesday, September 08, 2010
...busy we are. It seems that everything is speeding up and it's easy to get in a whirlwind. We travel north next week for a little Spring break and I've got stories to write, washing to do and a million and one little things to tick off my list before we leave.
Labels: che , creating and making , seasons
Thursday, October 29, 2009
it was so long ago that i held each ball of yarn in my hands, knowing that one day it would be finished. And it is, just in time for our spring-almost-summer. So my timing wasn't ideal but it was one of those projects that i longed to get back to almost every day. And as claerwen said recently, the beauty of knitting is that feeling you get when you cast-off that very last stitch. It's complete. And can't be undone. I think as Mumas we spend so much of our time doing little jobs that in a matter of hours need doing again. So it is nourishing me to look at ché's blanket and be reminded of the hours of knitting through winter...and the knowing that it will be wrapped round him for years to come...knowing it's complete. Handmade. Mama-made.
And now I'm left wondering...what shall I make next?
Labels: creating and making , handmade , knit one
Friday, July 17, 2009
they really do shine. I truly believe in the rule of wishing. Telling yourself that you'll find that item you most want. However, if you go into an op-shop looking for it, you won't find it that day. It may be a week, a month, even years afterward. Then one day, when you aren't even thinking about it, you turn your head and there it is. Sitting quietly, solemnly, waiting for you to take it home.
Our new dining table and my knitting bag (my nana's actually)I found a really, really, really old children's table and chairs set. Hand made. Raw wood. Stained from tea cups. A few little cobwebs. When I saw it I smiled, my heart skipped and I knew the waiting was over. After I had paid I noticed the most perfect terracotta bowl, glazed white with painted apricots as decoration. And engraved on the bottom: made in australia by kate. I bought it too. Thank you Kate.
new floor cushions + a couch cushion (lotus fabric from ink and spindle)I love the re-arranging when new furniture arrives. I love the styling. And so yesterday when the little one slept I dusted and cleaned and put things in their place. I bought some flowers and brightened up what has been a dull little abode these past few (sick) weeks.
A few weeks ago Katie suggested her readers blog about their favourite op-shopping find. I have about 7 years worth of 'found' clothes, vases, plates, teacups and bags in my home. I suppose my favourite 'found' object would have to be my knitting bag. It was my Nana's and in my early uni days I used to take it with me...all the way to Sydney and back three times a week. I don't think I've ever worn or carried an item that was commented on like this bag was. The handles are a little worn now and so it stays inside - getting a little older and hence more rich with memories.
That knitting bag is home to those beautiful skeins of yarn that are sitting patiently, waiting for their turn on the needles. A few of you have asked if I'm knitting Purl Bee's super easy baby blanket and yes, I am. Purl Bee suggest using Alchemy Yarns' Temple - a superfine merino wool. However, Alchemy doesn't have an Australian distributor. I found the most beautiful Australian certified organic merino fleece wool - woolganic. Best of all it's created by a sweet little family (buy it from them directly) and it's super soft. Ché already cuddles up to the blanket so I know he's not going to find it prickly. I did encounter a little problem though - the pattern requires 40 rows (20ridges) per colour. That's fine if you're using Alchemy Yarn because it's 117metres...but if you use Woolganic you only get 104metres per skein. I purchased two skeins of each colour (knowing that the extra will get used eventually) and I'm knitting 48 rows per colour.
Most importantly - the colours. I chose grapefruit moon, gaia, sangha, leura, raindrops, gondwana and chilli pepper. Bliss.
thanks for all your comments re. white space. i like it...the space. i also like what claerwen said: white really is the new black.
Be well.
Labels: corners of my home , creating and making , thrifting , we dream
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Labels: creating and making , seasons
Tuesday, December 02, 2008
...and then he ate the pen.original artwork by Ché.
Labels: ché , creating and making
Monday, December 01, 2008
And so a pile of twigs, fallen from gum trees, became stars that hang so beautifully in our window. I like them, I do. All different sizes, the twigs joined with hemp cord, and hung with silver matte ribbon. It looks like a little one has made them - I like that organic, homemade, found-stuff-in-the-garden crafting. It's beautiful in its simplicity.
Sadly, we're not decorating a tree this year. Why? Because I have visions of a certain 14-month-old laying flat under a fallen tree and unintentionally getting wrapped in fairy lights. I also see baubles scattered about the place, broken branches and a very frantic Muma.
And so I took to decorating our mantelpiece instead, the feature being the gorgeous advent calender train that Che was given on his first Christmas - something that we will look forward to displaying every December for many, many years to come. Today I lit my Christmas candle so the scent of cinammon, sweet orange, cloves and nutmeg fills the house and I wrote a list of neighbours and friends who will be treated with cookies, well-wishes and good cheer. It was hot today - basking in Summery warmth is a sure sign that Christmas is approaching. The cicadas are singing too...Summer is here.
See that bronze plaque below our mantelpiece? I first saw it when Daniel and I went to breakfast one morning when I was 38 weeks pregnant. It was stuck on the brick wall next to the table we were sitting at. It was covered in brown paper. Daniel started to rip the paper. It says:
On the 30th May 2006 Daniel and Jodi had their first date.
16 months later he asked her to marry him at the same table of the same cafe.
Labels: celebrations , corners of my home , creating and making , seasons
Saturday, November 22, 2008
The sky has been grey, sometimes dark, the wind strong. It is so un-Spring-like that I am feeling a little cheated. I don't suppose it helps when the little one is miserable with a fever and annoyed at the toothiepegs that keep threatening to break-through. Oh dear, oh dear. I have spent quite a few hours cuddling and swaying with him and staring, as I do, out the window. Watching the different colours of the day. The light and the dark. The trees and the twigs. The twig tree is so Wintery.
This bunch of twigs will be perfect for something I have in mind. For building and finely creating. With time and patience and a cup of tea beside me. I'm re-discovering my love for creating with my hands - for objects as well as words. It's nice.
Labels: creating and making , nature , seasons
