the obvious

After taking some favourite plants with me on saturday it has become apparently obvious that what has been missing through all of my market setup this whole entire time is foliage. 

They are my secret ingredient.

I am so besotted by plants and leafy things that it is plain and simple now that this is what was needed for me to be completely happy when im playing shop. Oh it did cross my mind before but I thought they would be annoying to transport and I didnt think they were that paramount, plus im not selling plants am I? Up til now I havent given enough thought to further props, thinking that id sorted them out early on a year ago when I began my marketeering journey. Thinking this whole time that keeping up and restocking was the issue.  The reason things were, to me, not-quite-perfect. I was coming at it from the wrong perspective. I was thinking of my customers and forgetting myself.

But right this moment I am contented. Little girl up a tree contented. (me, younger)

Apart from the plants there were other things that added to my happiness on the day so

im recapping some that make the top of the list of dont-forget-these-ever are.... 

ladies scarves

the Mr's artwork (until he gets his own stall next door and it will be a friendly competition of course. Winner gets....we'll think of something)

crates full of cushions

a second ladder

 

eskimos, this lonely orange one was the last one left, it sold (yes, they sell in summer too)

a clean blackboard for kids to play on while mum shops

hessian curtains to hang necklaces on as they look much nicer up than down on the table

 (I made these curtains new for this week)

And most important of all, as many plants as I can fit in the van.

In other news we spent an amazing evening with our family last night and even had a sleep over.

So nice to have them closer. Such a quality evening spent in their new place.

I am also super inspired right now as I just found this. I know she is a self-stated insatiable op-shopper but this will be fun to follow. I wish I had the guts to commit! Maybe next year?

boys t-shirts

Over the last week ive been slowly working on a pile of stripey t-shirts for boys. Not short sleeved but 3/4 as there are enough of the average short sleeved out there to choose from. So far I am doing sizes 1 - 5 and ill see how they go at market before doing the larger sizes. I used to make these sort of t-shirts for my three boys in odd striped fabrics I found, mixy and matchy. I enjoy the playfulness of putting different knits together, and creating with no restrictions, although I thought the creamy one looked a bit pyjama-like so have tried not to use it as a front. 

Ill be updating the shop over the next day.

My creative list is huge for the remainder of the year as I have some major markets coming up.

Things like

boys shorts

girls shorts

envelope neck tees

pinafore dresses

a few cot quilts like these

and most importantly summer clothes for me!

Stay tuned friends cos im revved.*

* Because I just folded three weeks worth of washing after helping a friend go through her wardrobe today.

Have you ever seen the movie Shopaholic? Well I acquired the most divine green scarf to bring home from Carol's cast offs. Yay!

More spaces here 

today im

today im staring out the window at my oak tree

         stitching tiny little stitches

         listening to birdsong from the back room

         hearing kids laughter at the other end of the house

         going to cut out something new and exciting 

         sewing until midnight just to see how far I can get

         reading a book ive already read

         refusing to do housework

         making things for others to enjoy

         going to change into my pyjamas early

         lighting some candles to soften the evening

         writing lists