Monday, November 30, 2009

What a hoot


Hello! Yes, I'm back!
Golly, I had a good time in Melbourne at Magnolia Square. It always seems like a lot of hard work getting there, but once I'm there and unpacked ready to go, it's all just one good time.
I caught up with so many other people I only seem to cross paths with at this event, it was like a big happy family reunion. I had lots of friends pop in too to say hello, thank you all.
My only regret was that I was just a bit busy to get out and do more shopping than I managed.
I did snaffle a couple of items from the gorgeous girls at Sunday Morning Designs. This owl shirt is going to be one of my wardrobe favourites. I also got the old bloke his Christmas present, some of Annie's beautiful soaps, and some cards from the very lovely Pip.
I was so lucky to be neighbours with Morgan, it makes it so much easier to have someone to just keep an eye on things from time to time. Plus, we had lots of laughs!
Oh, in case you were wondering, the deckchair skirts were very well received, and I've come home with only 3. 1 has gone home with the lovely Michelle, so I'll get to see it again from time to time!
Ah, it is nice to be home though.

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

All done, ready to go

So, I finished everything I needed to do late yesterday. What a great feeling that is!
We woke up to the most beautiful morning, so we decided to go out and have a hit around the golf course.
We are fairly hopeless at this game, ahem, sport, but always manage to have a laugh while we're out there. Plus, Apollo Bay golf course is rather scenic, and on a gorgeous day like today it's pretty good to be out of the house.
Ok, time to give the house a little once over, polish my toenails, check my list, and pack the car!
Magnolia Square, here I come.

Saturday, November 21, 2009

Coming up for air...briefly

It's less than a week to go now until Magnolia Square.
I've been locked away in my workroom getting my stock ready, and I've finished a marathon skirt week. I have 6 deckchair skirts, and 12 denim skirts all packed away and ready to find new homes. Hooray!
I am looking forward to an evening in tonight with the old bloke in front of a bit of telly, and a well earned glass or two of wine!

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Sneak preview

I am officially in pre Magnolia Square mode.
Early up this morning, no dawdling over breakfast with the newspaper, a bit of grocery shopping done before 10am, and straight to my workroom.
I've started work on my new tea towel idea, Summer skirts with vintage tea towel pockets.
I'm calling these my Deckchair Skirts, because that stripe reminds me of that lovely canvas stripe that was on some timber deckchairs that we had at home when I was a young girl.
I have 2 colourways, and hope to have about 4 skirts in each ready to go by this time next week.

Monday, November 16, 2009

Frankie & Ray's market weekend

What a weekend. Two markets in two days.
First up Maribyrnong Makers Market on Saturday, a great day as usual, if a little hot.
It didn't deter our visitors, fantastic bunch they are.



Louise came for a visit with a friend, wearing her Frankie & Ray t-shirt and skirt. What a girl.
Eliza came with her family and got herself a skirt. She has a lovely blog with oodles of gorgeous pictures to look at!
Jen stopped in too to get some more goodies from Pia.





Here's Pia at our stall. The market is held in the grounds of a sweet little church and hall right in the heart of Seddon.

We caught up with so many wonderful girls we hadn't seen for a little while, I'm not sure if you could call it work!


Sunday it was on to Shirt & Skirt at the Abbotsford Convent.
We caught up with lots more of our market friends.


Lucy and Zoe from Beehive, makers of fine frocks.




Rochelle of Little Red Duck. The cutest kids t-shirts around, all with Rochelle's amazing designs printed on them.


Squirt Baby's beautiful stall, packed with the prettiest clothes for little girls. Hi Fiona!

I'm concentrating all my attention on Magnolia Square now. It's only a little over a week away and there's lots of sewing to be done between now and then.

I always get a little nervy at the idea of enough stock for 3 days, but I know I'll get it all done. I am looking forward to spending time with friends, doing a little shopping, and meeting some new people as well!

Thursday, November 12, 2009

Cooler, and a big weekend ahead



Maribyrnong Makers Market
Saturday November 14
10am - 3pm
Corner Gamon & Mackay Streets, Seddon


We have a cooler day down here today. A sea mist came in last night, and is still lingering. Just as well because I realised I needed to make another skirt to take to Melbourne this weekend, and I'm not tempted by the beach today.
I am also in the grip of a new idea, which will be impossible to have ready for the big market weekend I have looming, but needless to say it involves tea towels! Stay tuned.
I'm also in a bit of a dither about how much stock I might need to take with me. Doing two markets in two days is not something I normally do, so I'm erring on the generous side of things.
So, there will be plenty of goodies to choose from!


Shirt & Skirt Market
Sunday November 15
10am - 4pm
Abbotsford Convent
1 St Heliers Street, Abbotsford

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Hot, hot, hot

I had a haircut this morning. It's short and I feel as frisky as a shorn lamb. I like it.
My workroom, which is like a fridge in Winter, has become the best room in the house today.


Two new tea towel bags hot off the machine. Thanks to Sally for these beauties.
They'll be going to Melbourne with me on the weekend, where I will be at two markets, Maribyrnong Makers Market on Saturday and Shirt & Skirt on Sunday. Phew.

Back to the beach for a swim now!

Monday, November 9, 2009

Playing hookey


The weather's been so nice this past few days I've given myself a little break from the sewing machine...
We enjoyed a really fabulous lunch up at Sunnybrae in Birregurra with Melbourne friends on Saturday, then met up with Lou around at Lorne yesterday to take a walk along the foreshore and look at the sculpture.
It was hot enough to go for a swim when we got home, and today as well.
After suffering through what 'locals' are telling me was the worst Winter in many years, I'm not feeling too guilty about spending a bit of time at the beach today!
Back to it tomorrow, I promise.

Friday, November 6, 2009

More tea towel (tablecloth) love

Pearl & Elspeth skirt from GeorgieLove

Sometimes things just all come along at the same time. This week seems to be turning into a tea towel week for me. I stopped by GeorgieLove this morning, and look what has just been listed!

I am in total lust with this skirt from the very talented Pearl & Elspeth, fellow GeorgieLove artist. Alas, it's too small for me....


Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Tea towel love

I had a lovely surprise waiting for me at the post office this morning. I couldn't wait another minute to share these with you.




Aren't they fabulous?
A huge thank you to Sally for making my day!

Feeling cosy?

I'm off to the post office soon with a parcel for GeorgieLove.

I'm sending these cosies off to find new homes!


Monday, November 2, 2009

Frankie & Ray Blog HQ


It's Monday!
This week's theme for My Place and Yours is Blog HQ! Clever.
Here is where the Frankie & Ray blog is written from, the end of the dining table. Location driven by dodgy internet access at Skenes Creek and the need to have an external aerial and power point close by.
I am quite happy to be in the main living area, I can pack it all up and put it away if I need to, and I have a nice window right next to me, and I can look at Ray snoozing on his bed, and I can see out to the street too.



Grant, my voodoo bunny keeps me company on the window sill.


He was made by the talented Mel of Textile Allsorts.
All in all, not a bad place to be!