Thursday, December 31, 2009

Summer on the coast

Last day of December, last day of 2009. How was your year?
Down here I've been having a little holiday with my old bloke, the lovely Ray, and my gorgeous friend Pia has been for a visit.
It's been hot, so there's been a bit of swimming. There's also been a bit of craft and market talk, and a bit of workshopping of new ideas...not to mention a few coffees and a coupla beers. We got out to the pictures up at the Mechanics Hall too.
What fun!
I can only wish for more of the same for 2010.
Happy New Year!

Sunday, December 27, 2009

Fresh from the market


How about these beauties, eh?
I was back in the saddle at the Apollo Bay market yesterday morning, even though it was Boxing Day. It was a nice way to debrief Christmas, there were lots of stallholders, the sun shone, the wind didn't blow, and there were plenty of people around, all in a holiday mood.
Lots of seasonal food stalls were back, these raspberries come from Otway Organics, up the road at Kawarren. I also scored some new season apricot jam from Pat's Place - it's so good we have Melbourne friends who stockpile for Winter! And some free range eggs too.
I think I'm going to have these with some cream and leftover Christmas pud....

Thursday, December 24, 2009

Santa's little helper

My very own Rayndeer!
(sorry, it was irresistable)
Merry Christmas!

Monday, December 21, 2009

It feels like holiday time


I'm home again from another marvellous weekend in Melbourne.
Shirt & Skirt was a treat. Great weather, lots of people, but the best thing was spending some time with Pia and all the other crafty girls. Thanks ladies!
Everyone seemed to be pleased that Christmas is nearly here, and we're all looking for a little holiday.
Here in Apollo Bay things are starting to pop up around town that show that it's Summer holiday time. The carnival has arrived and is nearly all set up on the foreshore. It brings back memories of my own childhood holidays down on the Mornington Peninsula, where a trip to the carnival at Rye was always a highlight. For some reason I'm thinking about toffee apples, that must have been something my sister and I were allowed as a special treat!
The other thing that gets me very excited is the cinema that runs in the Mechanics Institute Hall every Summer from Boxing Day until the end of the school holidays. The program came out this week, and I can't wait to get down there and see some films and eat some choc tops!

Friday, December 18, 2009

Last stop


We're nearly there, only a week to go!
This Sunday I'll be at the last Shirt & Skirt market for the year, and it promises to be a goody with lots of stalls and a forecast that makes for perfect market weather.
This will be my last Melbourne market until the next Shirt & Skirt on February 21st next year, although you'll find me at the Apollo Bay community market on the foreshore during January and February, and next week up at the Catholic Church Hall for last minute Christmas shopping.
I have to confess I am looking forward to staying close to home for the next month, and not doing so much driving, but, by golly, I've had some fun this year in town!

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Tips for keeping your cool


Find the coolest spot in the house.
Lie on your back on the floor and rest your legs against the wall.
Quite relaxing really.

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Plenty I should be doing

Oh, I'm procrastinating today.
The sun is shining, there's a little sea breeze blowing, I'm finally feeling a bit Christmassy. We've got our driftwood 'tree' up, I've sent all my cards and wrapped the presents.
Apollo Bay is getting a little busier every day, it feels like holiday time.
I found this lovely wreath over here, it's made from felted jumpers!
I must go and make some skirts...

Sunday, December 13, 2009

Not a pretty picture


I've been sewing this morning, listening to the sound of chainsaws.
Three mature gums are coming down across the road.
Two months ago a block at the corner of our street was completely cleared of about 8 mature gum trees too.
We live on a part of the coast that has been declared one of the 52 townships at high risk in a bushfire, and there are now no restrictions on felling trees within 10 metres of a dwelling.
All the blocks here are just a normal sort of houseblock size, so technically every single tree could come down without any sort of permit.
To be honest, if we had a day like the terrible Saturday of February this year, nothing would save the houses here, and I worry that there is a deal of exploitation of the new regulations on tree clearing. Or rather, the lack of them.

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Christmas is coming


Here's a little look at the new skirts I'll have ready for Shirt & Skirt next week.
I'm very happy with the way the new linen pockets look against the stripe. I'll be working on having some red stripe ones ready too.
A call from I Dream a Highway for more stock made me realise that it's only 2 weeks until Christmas! Some more t-shirts and belts have gone to them in today's post.
A big stocktake of t-shirts has left me in a small panic, but never fear, my fantastic suppliers are pulling out all stops to get their orders filled before closing for the break. I seem to get caught by surprise at how quickly December goes by every year.
I've also ordered some more fabric today, and am looking forward to working with something new for my red 3/4 sleeve t-shirts.
Oh, it's going to be a busy week!

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

More postal happiness

A nice fat pile of new GeorgieLove postcards by Beck Wheeler! Cute, eh?
Appearing on my table at the very next market - with good weather fortune, this Saturday down at the Apollo Bay market.

Monday, December 7, 2009

Something to get me going

Monday blahs. I was having a bit of trouble getting going this morning.
It's been a busy few weeks with lots of markets, and then we managed to go to 2 parties in Melbourne over the weekend. Great to see some friends and catch up, but all the driving has left me feeling a bit lazy today.
I'm just back from town (Apollo Bay town that is), where a parcel in the po box has revved me up with some fresh enthusiasm. I realised that using my tea towels for skirt pockets was rapidly eating up my stash, so I thought I'd try an alternative.
This is a gorgeous linen that will work a treat, and I'm itching to get to it with my scissors!
ps. Hello Eliza, I have somehow managed to delete your comment, oops! You can get the fabric
from Duckcloth, it's a Japanese linen.

Friday, December 4, 2009

The week that was

Friday already.
I think I may have to rename this 'The Tea Towel Blog'.
Here's one of the 6 new bags that have been posted off to The Local Shop. Big thanks to Mel for that one, isn't it fabulous? Great font, colours, artwork, linen. Everything that's good about a vintage tea towel!
I had a day off from the sewing machine today, but I did get around to some long neglected paperwork, and now I'm feeling very organised and on top of everything.
We're back off to Melbourne tomorrow, but this time it's for a couple of social things. It'll feel quite odd not to be at any market, but it won't be long until the last one for the year, Shirt & Skirt on December 20. Looking forward to a Christmas catch up with everyone there!

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

No rest for the wicked

I had some notion that I might be putting my feet up with a magazine this week. No such luck!
The Local Shop are in a tea towel frenzy and have ordered 10 cushions and 6 bags.
I finished the cushions yesterday afternoon, and they'll be off in a post satchel very soon. Bags will follow in a day or two.
Here are just 2 out of the batch that I was especially pleased with, if only you could feel them! They are pure linen, which makes them really, really nice to the touch.
Ah, that yellow wildflower one is my favourite I think, a special one from Sally, and, as usual, hard to let go of. I console myself with the knowledge that there are always more coming!