new

Just a quick update before I head out for the day to sew at a friends place. You know, away from the distractions of housework and phonecalls.

I have new upcycled cardigans for girls that will be available at the Mulgrave Makers market this coming sunday the 27th.

They will be in various sizes and a big range of colours. Im frantically sewing these for winter but they are so much fun to make. I had to do an op-shop trip yesterday afternoon to get more knits and laces as I had already run out!!!!

But I had a huge stash (so I thought)????

This is one of the boys ones I made that sold on the weekend. Im still buzzing from the day at the festival albeit a bit more slowly. Does anyone else find it hard to come down from a market 'high'?

girls size 4 (will be available in the shop)

girls size 5 (will be also in the shop when I get a chance)

This boys one also sold and there were others that I didnt get the chance to photograph, darn it.

Hope your week is a happy, crafty filled one.

mordi market

I had an incredibly successful market day down at Mordialloc yesterday.

Successful in more than one way because my son and his squeeze Bella came to help me for the day.

It was a nice experience to have together as he is a self professed market hater.

That was until he discovered that his favourite skateboard brand had a stall just across from ours.

I met so many customers and always go home with great memories of conversations had over the course of the day, but this lovely lady and her little one were my favourite customers ever!

She bought a cardigan and a wrap dress, tried them on for size even allowing me to take some photos for the blog, and then went on their way about the festival.

But later in the day she came back bringing her friend to meet me too, filling me in on how many comments she had gotten on the dress. Its heartening to see how nice people are. 

Who knew my wraps could look so good over fairy skirts?

You made my day that bit better....thankyou!.

Speaking of 'making my day' ....well, I had the honour of being situated next door to this very cute earthy woman all day. The astonishing conversation did not stop, in fact I barely had the inkling to serve my customers as I couldnt wait to hear what would come up next. Brenda, you are one of the most shockingly hilarious people I have ever and will ever meet in my life.

I wanted to take you home but decided to settle for the fact that im seeing you next week at Mulgrave Makers Market anyway. Ill be counting the sleeps.

Oh yeah, Brenda sells some great individually designed t-shirts and

im wearing her 'bird in a tree' one today.

I managed to get a number of eskimo jackets done in time. Up to the putting-on-buttons stage, that is.

The boys ones were a sellout and I even quickly had to finish the last one off while a lady waited.

I told myself I like to have something to do during the quiet times,

 so id left myself three jackets to hand finish,

but there werent really enough opportunities. I wont be doing that again!

I dont even have photos this time.

I do have a couple of girls ones left for a shop update this week.

I was really happy with all of the jackets this time.

I enjoyed the moment when I turned them out the right way for the first time and I got to see the patchwork of fabrics all together.

More on that another day...

seven things

These are in no particular order, im just writing them as they come into my head.

1.  I sleep with two pillows. I have to have a feather down one on top as I hate unnatural things when it comes to bedding that much and would never get to sleep easily I think, otherwise. I may love feathers almost as much as I love leaves.
My favourite at this moment is the GOSARAPS from Ikea in case you want specifics. I purchased two because the bed pillows still had-to-be symmetrical, (the down sits very high), which is another quirk I suppose. The Mr will not use his as he has a favourite square cushion I made especially. he takes it everywhere. This knowledge in itself makes me feel the lesser freak.

2.  My last haircut was six inches sliced off by the Mr in my desperate attempt to feel 'lighter' before we went out somewhere important. It worked extremely well... I felt lightheaded and bouncy for days. Once my hair gets that heavy feeling theres no stopping me from cutting immediately. I guess I can say I am in love with my hairdresser.

3.  I dont go shopping by myself.  Shopping is not therapy.  I buy stuff at a fast pace while rushing on my way to do other things. Consequently im down to one lonely bra at the moment. At least its black.

4.  Im struggling to sew anything and everything lately. I have way too many designs I want to do and the seasons are changing again!

5.  Lately my teenager chooses to kiss me when were at the supermarket checkout. Im the one who is embarrassed by this display of affection. Its possible he really likes food.

6.  Half of my days are spent in pyjamas. My excuse is im a homebody. Oh. Dont get me wrong I do shower but then put on a fresh pair. With my recent sort through I thought id put them up high so I couldnt access them so easily but it didnt work cos ive been wearing the Mr's.

7.  Im truly hopeless at organising to see people.
I havent made time for my friends lately. I want to change this about myself.
Im visiting an old friend next week and hope to arrange to catch up with someone special once every couple of weeks. Im going to go out of my way to make things happen. I heard something beautiful spoken
recently and it has stuck.
'One of the most important things you can give someone is your time'.


You know, having to think of something to put down in here can be quite an eye-opening experience. Some of these I didnt even know I thought.



Today I found I got an etsy mention on the Curious Crow blog. Thanks Rachel! 

P.S  If anyone is interested in playing 'Whats on your Wall?' this week can you leave me a comment and ill do the link. Im short on time and I have trouble with the link, thats all. Cheers.

my creative space

In my creative space this week ive been trying to keep up with orders for the wrap dresses

 only to run out of just the right doileys. Im fussy about the matching of front to back.

Luckily for me I recieved these gorgeous ones in the post from Christy from A Christy Production!

Thanks so much Christy as it was in the nick of time too.

I had an order come for an identical one I had made and sold, you see,

 but didnt have the perfect doiley yet.

Id been to three local op-shops, when I should really have been sewing my brains out for the market this weekend and found nothing.

Thanks again Christy. Much appreciated.

For other spaces head over to Kootoyoo.

nice

It must have been the month for awards because I recieved a total of three!

Thanks very much for thinking of me, what a friendly way to give someone a boost from as far away as the Kent countryside, and Switzerland.

There was a Stylish Blogger Award from Yaga at The Shiny Bubble. I need to write seven things about myself and pass the award on. But firstly...

 If you need a nifty idea of how to fix a stain on a favourite piece check out her re-style post here.

I really like her honest, homely writing style.

I also found out I had a Versatile Blogger Award from Sam over at My Endless To Do's. Well actually, this super mum has four blogs so you can take your pick of inspiration for the home.

She's the one behind my home organising when she simply had the one, An Organised Mum.

 It seems like youre organised enough to have four now Sam. Wow!! And youve started crafting to boot.

And last but not least GillyFlower has sent me a Liebster Award which means 'beloved'! How nice is that? 

She makes the most perfect french fabric cushions and I admit I wish id seen her recent giveaway in time. Ill be keeping a closer eye on her in future.

I know I have to pass these on to others so I thought it would be simpler for me to do them all at once, hoping that suffices.

My Liebster Award has to go to Cherrie of WillyWagtail fame because through the world of blogging she has become just that to me, beloved. Although I dont tell her nearly enough.

Id like to give Stylish Blogger Awards to some people you may not have visited yet.

Not only are they my friends, theyre women who have got style happening even though they are too busy to blog most of the time. Keep an eye on them!

A Childhood Of Nectarines

MonetPaisley

DorothyBills

Curiouser and Curiouser

On PolkaDot Lane

And my Versatile Blogger award goes to Sara from In The Light Of The Sun.

Shes brilliant, crafty, hilarious and has just given birth to her first child Wolf.

I hope this award helps you get your blog on! I miss reading you.

Now id love you to all write seven things about yourselves.

For mine ill be doing a follow up post to this one so pop back a bit later on!

a made it feature

a dress for Kerrie

My womens wrap dresses were featured on Made It (not Etsy, oops) - Monday New Finds! check it out here.

As for me this weekend just gone, well, im having a nearly-finished-this-and-that time lately and its making me feel overwhelmed on the sewing front. I know everything will fall into place and ill start actually completing things now my visitors have flown home. I must get stock up for the market next weekend.
Wondering why on earth I booked it now.... we went looking at houses recently.... today were not so sure....

Im so immensely grateful for the feel good comments all of you are leaving for me.
Its definitely spurring me forward and I am finding myself relying on them more and more, especially when it comes to getting ready for a market. I still get worried and anxious and a bit insecure about greeting customers.
Up til now I was happy just to get there and whatever happened I was okay with. But that was only going to be good for so long wasnt it? I needed to up the ante at some stage, when I was ready, and its seems that time is here. Gone are the days when I can stay up late sewing juuuust-one-more-thing. Ill be in bed early saturday night. Its going to be a long day.... I wonder if any of you come and say hi?

my creative space

girls size 2 eskimo

This morning im trying to sew some orders quietly in my studio while everyone is still asleep.

We had a late night playing pool. Adi is quite the little competitor in a fun way. Girl power.

 Navarh joked that it was two against one and how it was unfair advantage.

Boys jackets are coming soon.

I have taken a leap and booked a market stall at the Mordi Festival. Be sure to say hi if youre there on the day. Its on Sunday the 20th of march.

Two more ladies wraps are waiting by the machine as well.

Even if I just get a start on a couple of seams before they wake...

my giveaway is here

i think you all deserve a giveaway

variations in size

I want to do a really decent giveaway this time. A really, really decent giveaway.

So I was thinking id tally the comments, so that everyone will have a one in three chance of winning.

Its going to be pin-cushions this time cos I havent made them in a while and I feel like stuffing things, so I hope thats okay.

Just how I feel at this moment. Nothing too hard for my brain but still worth the effort.

To enter leave me a comment. Anything will do...



i have news

I thought my only news would be that these wrap dresses are good for maternity wear too.

I was hoping in secret they would wrap generously enough and they do. 

Here's Adelin roadtesting the size 10's for me.

My son thought she looked pretty good too.

But the other very new news is that our daughter, Zjahlii and her hubby are expecting a boy!

Were all taking a deep breath.

4 days 4 rooms

Im wrecked after the weekend market, and ive had to stop my room-a-day thing because of a sore back.

Yes its still tender!

I had been doing way too much as usual with the self imposed challenge of a room a day. Not that it was EVERY day but in between life happening and all that.

I need to say im very happy with my progress so far. Ive even managed to inspire some of you...

For me, the house feels lighter and less cluttered

(duh me), so now my mission is to keep it that way.

The only room that isnt surviving is my studio but then I havent tackled that room yet.

Rooms 8, 9, 10 and 11 will have to wait. 

Our son and his wife arrived safely from Perth early yesterday

and I want to enjoy every moment and that includes baby still-in-tummy as well.

For now they are still sleeping so im able to be here.

I may not post much in the next couple of weeks but ill still be sewing.

I have maternity and baby things to hurry up and do plus a small mountain of orders.

I need to write a very big LIST.