Friday, April 30, 2010

Is that the time?

White rabbit from here

Well, Friday again already.
For a slow week, it's gone pretty fast!
I'm feeling like the white rabbit today, looking at the clock in alarm and rushing off to the post office.
Lots of knitting has been the order of the day, and I Dream a Highway will have more neck scarves in stock by early next week!
I have been starting work on organising the annual Mechanics Institute Hall Winter Indoor Market, which will be on down here on Sunday June 13.
Stay tuned for more news on that....here's a picture of our cafe seating area from last year to whet your appetite!

Monday, April 26, 2010

A little change of pace

Time to pop the kettle on, sit down and have a cuppa.
This Monday marks the end of the 'season' down here on the coast.
The last long weekend before Winter is over after today, and our little town slips into a slower gear.
There's time for a chat in the post office, lingering at the fruit shop, and catching up with the deli ladies at the supermarket.
Before we know it Winter will be here with it's usual freezing winds and pelting rain, but for now we're enjoying some sunshine and taking it a bit easy!
(And if you need a cosy for your pot, this one and some others will be going off to The Local Shop in tomorrow's post!)

Thursday, April 22, 2010

Al fresco

It's just too nice to be inside!

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Good Tuesday


This week is coming along very nicely!
The weather is too nice for words - I even had a swim this morning.
I had a great weekend in Melbourne, another great weather day on Sunday brought out the crowds for the Shirt & Skirt Market.
Pia and I ate Hot Cross Buns from the Convent Bakery - surely that's ok even if Easter is over?
Jacqui from Cottage Nerd is making me one of her sensational doily pocket denim skirts.
This new fabric arrived in the post for me today.
More scarves are winging their way to lovely Ramona tienda in North Melbourne.
A long weekend is coming up.
Counting my blessings!

Friday, April 16, 2010

More places to buy Frankie & Ray...


I can't believe it's Friday afternoon already.
This week has flown past!
I've just come back from the post office where a parcel of Frankie & Ray handknit neckscarves has gone to the lovely girls at Thread Den.
You'll find them (and the scarves!) in their new retail space at 422 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy, by early next week.
Or, you could come along to the Shirt & Skirt market this Sunday, where Pia and I will have lots of handmade goodies for you to browse and buy!


Abbotsford Convent
1 St Heliers Street, Abbotsford
10am - 4pm

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Something red

Frankie & Ray red 3/4 t-shirt ©

Not strictly new, but a new colourway for this coming season.
Continuing my flirtation with red!
I have had a lovely relationship with the clever and gracious girls over at Ink & Spindle for quite some time now. Their beautiful fabric designs have graced a good number of t-shirts in my current and past ranges.
I love that they are Melbourne based, print by hand with non-toxic dyes, have a fabulous talent for design, and are so supportive and encouraging of small independent craftspeople.
Last week I made an order for one of my very favourite designs in a custom colourway. It won't be arriving for a little while, but I'll be sure to show you when it does.
Anticipation is not such a bad thing!

Monday, April 12, 2010

I love North Melbourne...


The Lithuanian Club makes an incredible venue for the North Melbourne Market with the groovy 1970ish ballroom, lobby and upstairs rooms to explore.



There was a bit of a rush on to visit the vintage fabric stall where I splurged on a piece of '1930s hand screen printed citadel print'. This is going to be a skirt for me sometime soon...




A bit of market trade for a Frankie & Ray recycled jumper and cotton patchwork scarf, plus a little cash, meant I came home with these lovelies. Thank you Kerry, I love them.

And to top off a wonderful day, Ramona came to visit and I am very happy to say that Frankie & Ray handknit neckscarves will be in her beautiful little shop, Ramona Tienda, by the middle of this week.

image from the Design Files

Ramona Tienda
113 Errol Street,
North Melbourne.

Friday, April 9, 2010

Something new for market day

Frankie & Ray navy 3/4 tee ©

Freshly made yesterday for the market on Sunday.
I'm loving this fabric, it's subtle colourway and gorgeous spots are making me very happy today!
Oh, and you might notice a slight change to my design.
After 4 years a bit of tweaking was in order!

Thursday, April 8, 2010

North Melbourne Market


It's nearly the end of another week, and that means I'll be packing up the car with goodies and heading up to town for the North Melbourne Market this Sunday.
I haven't been at this market before, and am really looking forward to trying out a new venue in an area of town I have to confess I'm not that familiar with.
I do know that crafty girls Gaye and Morgan will be there too, and I'm keen to see what sounds like an exciting mix of handmade and vintage!
Perhaps I'll have a little time to do a bit of browsing (read shopping) myself!
by Thread Den
The Lithuanian Club
44 Errol Street, North Melbourne
10am - 2pm
$2 entry

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

Moving forward

Ok. I kind of lost my mojo last week.
What better way to get it back but to go and fluff around with some beautiful fabrics?
A huge market on Easter Saturday and 2 Melbourne markets in the next 2 weeks had me back in the workroom yesterday.
Drizzly and grey weather was just right to get me in the frame of mind to sew some more recycled jumper and cotton patchwork scarves. Although, we are still waiting for the temperature to drop!
I love the pale blues and olive greens of the floral cotton (or perhaps even a fine linen) in this scarf, which came from the bag of fabrics sent to me by Anne at Christmas.
I hope you like the result!

Sunday, April 4, 2010

May the bunny be with you

Bunny brooch from Dick & Dora!


Shadow rabbit t-shirt by Hamb!





Bunny finger puppets from Purl Bee!

It must be Easter!

Friday, April 2, 2010

Bright spots in a crappy week


Lots of lovely emails.
A visit and dinner with Rochelle who stopped on her way to Portland.
Thanks for the flowers Rochelle!
New things up on GeorgieLove.
Melbourne friends in Apollo Bay for Easter.
Looking foward to the last big market of the season tomorrow morning!

Navy 3/4 sleeve Frankie & Ray t-shirt.