Thursday, October 27, 2011

A day off, and out


On a whim the old bloke and I ran away to Lorne today.
Sometimes we forget that we live in such a beautiful part of the world, and what a luxury it is to dash off for a drive around the Great Ocean Road on a weekday.
I needed to give the sewing machine a rest, and get out into some sunshine.
The Lorne Sculpture exhibition is on, so that was a good enough excuse.


Some of my favourites.
And, the old bloke playing up...seriously, do they ever grow up?


We met Betsy on the foreshore, and both of us wanted to take her home with us.


Perhaps finding an old van to do up could keep the old bloke out of trouble?
And, we couldn't leave until I'd dropped some new stock in for Liz at Flying Fishes either.


Don't forget to come and see me at the Apollo Bay market on Saturday morning if you're in my neighbourhood! Keeping my fingers crossed for weather as delicious as today.

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Sweethearts

The old bloke came home yesterday after his annual pilgrimage to Sale to visit his sister and brother in law.
I kind of like it when he goes away for a few days, although it's sweet when he comes home.
I took the opportunity to get stuck into some serious sewing and I've been crossing things off my list with relish!
With Melbourne Cup day exactly a week away, and the first long weekend (for many!) after Winter, I'm really looking forward to coming back to my local market on Saturday.
Yesterday, my friend Fiona nominated me for the Liebster Award. 


Fiona is a beautiful girl with a great big laugh to match her heart who writes the Naturopathic Health blog. Seriously, if you meet Fiona you'll know that she's the very best advertisement for naturopathy. She positively glows with good health.
And I know she disapproves of my caffeine habits!
Anyway, what is this all about then? 
Liebster is both a word (German for dearest or beloved) and an honour, it is bestowed by those in the early stages of writing a blog (less than 200 followers) upon 3 - 5 bloggers they admire.
When nominated we should:
1. Link back to the blogger who awarded us.
2. Tag 3-5 blogs to receive the award.
3. Inform them of their nomination.
4. Display the Liebster Award image on our blog.

Ok then, so here we go!
My Liebster awards go to (drumroll please)....


The lovely ladies over at Mookah
These sisters never fail to make me laugh with their antics! They've made a seachange like me, and they spend their days making damn nice fabric, skirts, cushions and all manner of good things with a coastal feel. We love to swap notes on the seaside life.


My friend Crayon Chick
We met years ago when we were dipping our toes into the market life, and now we spend our days covered in bits of fabric fluff, bits of yarn strewn about the house, and spend odd hours in our workrooms. 
Pop over and drool over Michelle's beautiful photography, and her eye for composition and colour.


Another Fiona from Squirt Baby.
I love Fiona. She has a wicked sense of humour, and amazingly beautiful curly blonde hair. She manages to look after her brood and spend time making gorgeous clothes for girls and boys. She's a fellow knitter, and her tension is a joy to behold. Her blog is often funny, sometimes sad, and always inspiring.


Wendy! Incredibly, I used to work alongside this lovely lady's husband, and we didn't actually get to meet until long after I'd left that job. As soon as we got talking we realised how much we had in common. 
I guarantee you'll be hooked on Wendy's blog, The Textured Leaf, at first read. She manages to let us peer through the window on her busy and sometimes chaotic life full of kids, grandchildren, and lots of sewing. Seriously, this woman has the best touch with a doily, and an inspired eye for recycling fabrics that most of us wouldn't look at twice!

Sweethearts all of you.
Lots of love, Jo.

Friday, October 21, 2011

This is personal

A cousin, that cousin's lifelong friend, a best friend's mother, another cousin's wife, a friend of the family, and now a personal friend of mine.
All strong and beautiful women. 
All diagnosed with breast cancer.
October is breast cancer awareness month, and this coming Monday is pink ribbon day.


Over here, I decided I wanted to do something.
So, here's the deal. 
I've made a lovely new warm weather scarf, made from a mix of  recycled and new cottons, and some light weight cream wool knit thrown in for good measure. 
It'll look gorgeous with a shirt or t-shirt, tossed around your neck, or worn like a shawl, just to keep the chill  away on a cool Spring or Summer evening, or morning, or anytime at all.


I'm putting this up for sale right here, with the proceeds to go to the Cancer Council.
Here's the detail of how I think this might work.
Leave a comment with your bid, I'll keep this going until midnight of Friday, November 4, so there's plenty of time!
I'll ask the winner to email me a copy of their donation receipt, and I'll post the scarf anywhere in Australia.
The finer details!
Scarf measures 164cm in length and is 18cm wide.
Made from recycled and new cottons and fine knit recycled 100% wool.
Recommended retail price $50, but start it off anywhere you like, who knows there might be a bargain to be had.
Feel free to spread the word!
And thank you.




Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Floral


You might remember this lovely piece of vintage fabric from a while ago.
Because I find it impossible to throw anything away, I've been hoarding the offcuts for some time.
And, because it's Spring, and the garden is looking so pretty....


...and the sun is out, and it's warm for the second whole day in a row....I dug those pieces out and, hurrah!, there's enough for some pockets.



Friday, October 14, 2011

Spring markets


My personal time warp continues this week. 
Friday already? Surely yesterday it was Monday.
I'm sure it's something to do with daylight saving.
I realised yesterday that my full diary of markets for the rest of this month and next actually kicked off last week, and that has sent me into a small making frenzy.
Which will probably become a large making frenzy. And possibly a lot of list making and revising.
For the next 6 weeks, you'll be able to find me at any one of 5 markets, and that includes the gorgeous and eagerly awaited Magnolia Square in St Kilda. 
So, there's plenty of opportunity to get a little something new for yourself, or maybe even an early start on the Christmas shopping. My apologies for that mention, I know it's still October!
This week's market is the fabulous Shirt & Skirt at the Abbotsford Convent.
If the weather is as lovely as it is here this morning, we'll all be grateful!

Sunday October 16
Abbotsford Convent
1 St Heliers Street, Abbotsford
10am - 4pm

Monday, October 10, 2011

Monday


What's happening at your place today?
I had a terrific weekend, which included seeing a film on Friday night, the very bitter sweet Beginners. Oh, Ewan, you set my heart all aflutter...
Be warned, this is a handful of tissues movie. I loved it.
Then there was dinner out, and a lovely morning at the brand new Little Village Market. Thanks to those friends who popped in to see me, that was the icing on my cake!
Being an earlier finish than I'm used to meant getting home in time for cocktail hour and a relaxed dinner with the old bloke.
A few of these neckscarves went off to new homes, leaving me with less than I'd like to keep in stock.
I've been making a huge mess of fabric and jumpers in my workroom to get some new ones together, and here's a little taste from the latest batch. 
I don't know about you, but I'm loving that orange vintage kimono silk.
I can't get enough of some bright happy colours for the coming season!

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Wednesday already


Here we are in the middle of another week already. Is it something to do with daylight saving that's making the days fly along? We're loving the sunny evenings down here.
We have had a lovely long grand final weekend with our city friends (including their handsome hound) down for some birthday celebrations, late nights, and a hand or two of 500. It's felt like being on holidays all over again!
I'm busy getting ready for a trip up to town this weekend for the very first Little Village Market.
It'll be a little trip down memory lane for me to be back in Elwood, the old bloke and I lived in a gorgeous old flat there way back when. We loved the big trees in the streets, the walk to the beach and the shops, and the feeling of living in a village. If I ever find myself living back in Melbourne, this is where I'd choose to be.
I just know this little market will be great, there's all the things I look forward to with great stalls, good food, and live music as well. All in a venue that Melbourne seems to do so well, a charming little hall in the middle of the Elwood village. See you there!