Tuesday, November 30, 2010

It's nearly time to...


The sewing machine's been turned off, I've tidied up the workroom, and there's a huge pile of colourful stuff waiting to be labelled and packed away all ready to take to Melbourne.
It's been a big year with some big markets, but I'm really looking forward to Magnolia Square this week.
The St Kilda Town Hall is a beautiful venue, and I come over all a bit excitable looking at the list of stallholders.
I'm so looking forward to catching up with some market friends and seeing what lovely things they'll have on offer.
Ooooh. Maybe a little bit of shopping?
My neighbours this time will be the beautifully colourful Alouette, and the seriously tempting Fudge by Rich.
Lucky for me there'll be something yummy next door to help keep my strength up for the 4 days of trading!
You'll recognise me by my chocolate moustache.

Sunday, November 28, 2010

Purrrrfection!


I'm not entirely sure why I'm still up, sitting here browsing the www, nibbling on Green & Black's organic dark chocolate and generally putting off going to bed!
But, look what I found over here.
I am such a fan of Rob Ryan, but truly had no idea of the breadth of his talent.
Now, if I could just wake up on Christmas morning to find these sweet kitties in my stocking, I may never need another present ever. 
Really.

Thursday, November 25, 2010

My creative space...


...is still about making skirts.
This is the last one in this stripe.
Did I hear a sigh of relief? Must have been me!
I didn't have as much of this fabric as I thought, so unless I can source a bit more, this is it. 5 only.
Still, it's quite good to have a small run of something, chances are you won't be turning up somewhere to find someone else wearing the same thing!


While I've been sewing, I've been enjoying looking at a creative space of a different kind.
The garden has gone beserk with all the rain we've been having, and the foxgloves have been amazing this year.
To be honest, there's not a huge amount of creative effort that goes into the garden, it's a look after itself sort of space, but all the more lovely for it I think!
Happy Thursday, and more creative inspiration over here!

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

9 sleeps away...


Or perhaps that should be 9 very short naps...!
Can't wait.
And to all my friends who are heading over to Adelaide Magnolia Square this week, safe travelling and a great event to you all!

Monday, November 22, 2010

Carnie folk



I'm a bit knackered today.
Gosh, I enjoyed my weekend though.
Couldn't have asked for better weather, or nicer markets, or any more chat with friends.
My friend Beth says we market sellers are 'carnie folk' (carnival workers) with 'sunburnt noses and dirty feet'.
I don't know about dirty, but I have blisters that will keep me in thongs for the rest of this week at least.


And these are the culprits.
I love these sandals.
They have ric rac, and gingham, and buttons.
But the first wear of every new warm season they make me pay for their gorgeousness.
And paying, I am.

Friday, November 19, 2010

My weekend road trip

Right-o, time to pack the car with oodles of goodies.
I'm off to the big smoke for not one, but two, fabulous markets this weekend.
Saturday will see me here....


I always look forward to this market, it's chock full of gorgeous handmade things, and I'll get to catch up with some market friends too.
And on Sunday, Pia and I will be sipping a coffee in the sunshine at Shirt & Skirt.



More friends to catch up with, maybe some Christmas shopping to be done.
And best of all, the weather forecast is looking like it's going to be a glorious market weekend!

Thursday, November 18, 2010

My creative space


Hello! It's Thursday again.
Doesn't that roll round quickly?
It's been a skirt-a-day around here, so to save you from looking at yet more pockets, I've squeezed in a tea towel bag or two this week!
Honestly, I've needed a bit of light relief from pockets and zips myself.
More fantastic old linen, great colours, perfect for lugging about whatever you fancy.
I'll be heading over here to see what the other clever people have been up to this week!

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Not really new


Hey, the sun's shining!
And, here's a new-old t-shirt making a brief reappearance.
Having a rummage through my fabrics turned up some of this bird print I truly thought I'd run out of.
So, after several years absence I'm very happy to bring a small number of these navy shirts back.
I'll have them with me this weekend, and for as long afterwards as they last!

Monday, November 15, 2010

Happy talk


I had a lovely surprise phone call yesterday.
Not for any reason in particular, just a dear friend calling for a good old fashioned natter.
It's got me thinking that in these days where we're more likely to email than talk, it was so wonderful to have a whole luxurious, rambling hour on the phone.
Our lives are chalk and cheese really.
We live down here in the very south of the country, she's up in the sunny north.
She's your numbers girl, I do cryptic crosswords.
She has 2 fantastic kids, I have none.
I always have to cook exactly to a recipe, she'll toss something in if it's 'close enough'.
She loves her corporate life, and I play around with fabric and wool.
We'll actually be in the same city at the same time this weekend, and I can't wait to catch up with her in person!

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Loving Thursdays


I'm loving Thursdays.
I'm finding myself looking forward to the weekly show and tell that is My Creative Space.
I love seeing what all the players have been up to in the week.
It's also putting a spring in my endeavours, helping me to keep motivated in the run up to a busy market time!
This week's all about pockets, and skirts to go with the pockets.
These pockets are made from the off cuts from fabric I've been using for some shirts.
I hate throwing any left overs away, and in one of those aha moments, I realised this is actually a pretty nice match with the navy stripe cotton.
A little bit French, n'est pas?

Monday, November 8, 2010

Waiting


Waiting for new swing tags....
Waiting for more business cards....
Waiting for a fabric order....
I can't tell you the disappointment of finding only 2 bills in my post office box.


Friday, November 5, 2010

Windswept


Windswept is the title of this little print by Linogirl.
Which is kind of how it's been here today.
Blowing hard from the east.
My neighbour says an easterly is 'good for nothing but putting salt on your windows'!
Anyway, I am hoping that it blows itself out tonight and we wake up to a perfect Spring day tomorrow.
The market here was a washout last week, and the local girls are looking forward to a morning of chatting, drinking a coffee or two, and getting a little bit of sunshine.
There are lots of my crafty friends all getting ready for a market somewhere this weekend - Daylesford Makers Market, Rosebubs Recycled and Retro Market, The Gallery Market, to name a few.
And, if you're in my neck of the woods, come on down to the foreshore and say hello!
A good market weekend to everyone!

Thursday, November 4, 2010

Working in multiples


There's been quite a bit happening here this week.
Lots of nice new Liberty cotton belts.


A fresh batch of tea cosies.
These look a little like a strange coral!
(Packed away all ready to be sent to the Little Shop of Handmade)


This one's staying behind with me.


Oh, and there's been some more of the chambray skirts too.


And, after visiting Caravan, I realised there's been a bit of blue at my place this week!
See some more creative goodness here.

Monday, November 1, 2010

Horsing around

I love a bit of horseplay, don't you?
I am a bit of a fan of the horseracing - but not the jumps, mind.
Melbourne Cup day tomorrow, and I've been thinking about all things equine.


This horse print on vintage text is setting my heart all a-flutter.



And, I'd be feeling like a pretty filly in this t-shirt from Hamb.


I might be declaring my hand with this sweet ring too.
My little wager for tomorrow's big race - Harris Tweed.
How could I resist a horse named for a fabric?