Thursday, March 29, 2012

Do it yourself!


I've been bursting with excitement about working with Emma over at Treehouse Textiles on a special little project.
And now the date is in my diary to take a trip over to the beautiful Mornington Peninsula to help with this fun (and delicious!) workshop.
I've come up with a simple cosy pattern that we'll knit together, and then decorate to our hearts content, exactly as you'd like yours to look!
If you're a fan of the humble tea cosy, and like to make your daily cuppa a special occasion, then pop on over and take a look at the workshop details.
Hope to see you there!

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Good with the bad

I seem to be having one of those weeks.
There's been a few small irritations.
Last Friday I untidily slipped over on our morning walk, ended up flat on my back in the rain with Ray looking at me strangely, broke my favourite old Birkenstocks, and somehow managed to sprain my foot.
It's not that bad really, just enough to be annoying. And swollen. Still.


And then yesterday, our fancy pants, Italian fridge started playing up.
After some phone calls, and I have to say very helpful advice from the service people, it's now switched off on doctor's orders until Sunday.
This means a trip down and up the stairs to the laundry (and the spare fridge) every time I need something that normally is right there to hand.
On a sore foot.
Oh, dear.
But, to cheer me up, I started work this afternoon on something new.
There's been some work going on behind the scenes, and it's not quite ready just yet.....but here's a little teaser!


And to make everything look brighter we've got lunch with friends to look forward to on Saturday at the fabulous Sunnybrae.
Things aren't so bad after all.

Friday, March 23, 2012

And this week...

...has flown past again!
What's been happening? Well, the usual.
A bit of sewing.


Whenever I make a fresh batch of these fabric and recycled jumper neckscarves, I fall in love with them all over again.
They are a time consuming little thing to make, and I need to be in the mood to make a great big mess, but the end result is always very satisfying.
I'll be popping them in my tub to take along this Sunday to Piccadilly Market in Geelong.
Just in time too judging by the cold and wet morning we're having here today. Damn, I thought I'd be able to get through this post without actually mentioning the weather....


And, things are brewing with a new little tea cosy design in the works!


Stay tuned!

Friday, March 16, 2012

One, and the other

Two great markets for me this weekend! 
First up on Saturday...


If I absolutely had to pick a favourite Melbourne market, the Maribyrnong Makers Market would be it.
Come and see why for yourself! You won't be disappointed. It's friendly, and full of great makers with their goodies. Plus a sausage sizzle. What's not to love? Oh, and this is last one until September, another good reason to come along!
Then, on Sunday...


A day in the lovely surrounds of the Abbotsford Convent at the Shirt & Skirt Market.
My most regular, and I always look forward to it.
East and west, I've got both sides of Melbourne covered!

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

March


Is it really the middle of March?
A funny month, cold enough to light the fire the other night, and today I'm thinking about perhaps sneaking off to the beach for a little dip. We're heading into 'last swim' territory now, and I'd hate to miss the deadline!
I'm having dinner with a couple of my local girlfriends tonight, and I've just popped a beef ragu in the oven to slow cook...a decision made when it was just a bit colder last week! 
March has me busy working on getting ready for a big line up of markets for this month and next.
I started with my lovely little local market on the foreshore last Saturday, and later this week I'll be heading up to Melbourne for a double-header weekend. I love those. 2 markets for the price of one drive!
And, I get to stay more than a fleeting one night with some great city pals.
It's also been time to get properly stuck into some knitting, and I'm having fun with some hats for when the mornings get cold enough to see your breath and make you rub your hands together.
And, for when it's cold enough to get stuck into a beef ragu with gusto! (Not that the weather today will put us off at all, no siree....)

Sunday, March 4, 2012

Having a think

I've been at this market caper for a while now. Lets see, I think this year will be number 7.
Sounds like a lucky number to me!


I've been feeling my display is getting a bit stale lately, and to be honest, in an outdoor space I don't have too much to tinker with. I still need a clothes rack, a table, and my market umbrella.
I could fiddle with the little things I suppose.
But, I'm hankering after a makeover.


Pinterest has been a wealth of inspiring images, of course.
Alas, the ones I love seem to be mostly sweet shop spaces, like this one above.
And a market stall is a tricky space to negotiate.
So many things to think about, a tight space to work with, access for both me and my customers, will it all fit in the car, can I carry it, load it, set it up?


But with Finders Keepers coming up in the gorgeous historic Royal Exhibition Buildings , I'm hatching a bit of a new layout plan. 
The old bloke might have a bit of handyman activity to keep him busy, bless him.
I'll let you know how things are getting on! 

Friday, March 2, 2012

Shipwreck weather


I know I'm prone to talking about the weather. A lot!
I think it's because it's such a part of life down here on the coast.
And this week's been a week of what I call shipwreck weather.
It's been blowing a gale from the east. All week. With no end in sight.
Weeks like this make me think about why this part of the world is called the 'shipwreck coast'.
When the sea is huge and the wind is howling, I can just see how those ships under sail ended up on the rocks.
We're battening down the hatches, and it feels like a good weekend to get serious about some knitting.
I hope everyone stays dry and cosy!