My creative space

Today, my creative space has been a bit elusive...

You know, you walk around looking at things, can't decide what to get started on.

Today's been one of those days.

I think it's because I've ended up making something for the local Saturday market that may or may not actually go ahead.

The weather forecast is looking truly dreadful.

Wet and windy.

Very market unfriendly weather indeed.

Oh well, I got down to it in the end, 2 new vintage tea towel cushions all ready to go - or not!

Lots of lovely creative spaces over here.



A sunny day in Lorne

Yesterday was the perfect day to take a little drive around to Lorne to visit Flying Fishes with a big fat bag full of t-shirts for the shop.

A sunny, blue sky day.

Not a soul on the beach (it was Monday after all).

Plenty of time to have a chat with Liz, and admire her latest window adventure.

A vintage push bike, a basket of lemons, pretty knickers on a line, and a striped hat I could see myself in! 

Apologies for the slightly dodgy photo - it's almost impossible to photograph Liz's window on a sunny day!

Going to Lorne is a bit of a day out for me.

I always have a bit of luck in the lovely op shop there - this time a blue jumper with a fantastic orange, olive green and red striped band across it. That's going to make a fabulous scarf!

I also couldn't resist this linen dress for me.

I'm having a bit of shopper's remorse over this, I mean, I do spend most of my life in denim, and very rarely a dress, but I will just have to keep myself from saving it 'for good'!

New stuff for Sunday

The old bloke's been away since Wednesday morning, and I'm in a pretty productive place being home alone with the animals for company.

Somehow it's ok to be eating scrambled eggs for dinner and sewing until whenever I feel like quitting!

I've been making belts with some new Liberty cottons.

I've just sent these 2 styles off to GeorgieLove, they'll be in the shop very soon!

A good drying day

1. Plastic pegs and washing line. 2. Washing line. 3. Washing line. 4. Washing line.

Today is what some of the women elders I know would call a good drying day.
My lovely Aunt Bet comes to mind.

I'm taking advantage of it and have done 3 loads so far.

Is there anything nicer than the smell of fresh laundry drying in the sunshine?

I'm home alone for the next few days while the old bloke is on a bit of a road trip across the state to visit his brother in Redesdale and then off to see his sister in Sale.

There's the Sale Cup to go to, a few dinners to be had, some family gossip to do, and looking around at the green countryside after a decade of drought.
We've been ships in the night lately, but perhaps it's true that absence makes the heart grow fonder!

The old bloke gets a bit older

It's the old bloke's birthday today.

Chief dog walker, firewood chopper, and pizza chef.

Master of practical jokes.

Frankie & Ray support team.

I'm taking him out to La Bimba for dinner with a view tonight.

Market forecast

At the risk of sounding completely obsessive about the weather....it's freezing here today.

I guess that's Spring.

With all my fingers and toes crossed for luck, the forecast for Sunday isn't looking too bad.

Pia and I are taking a punt and will definitely be at the Abbotsford Convent for this month's Shirt & Skirt Market.

You might find us rugged up, or basking in some sunshine!

Shirt & Skirt Market

Abbotsford Convent

1 St Heliers Street, Abbotsford

Sunday October 17

10am - 4pm

Floral finery

Somtimes the week just seems to disappear on me, so here we are and it's Thursday already.

Taking a break from the sewing machine this week has meant giving the house of Frankie & Ray a good cleaning after some weeks of neglect, and sorting out some paperwork.

I'm feeling all organised and ready to go again!

And, this new fabric arrived in the mail to spark some interest too.

I had this one marked down for some belts, but now I'm considering whether it might just make a good t-shirt fabric.

It's lovely!

Finders Keepers

These images by Stefan Duscio, and a great wrap up of the market from over at The Design Files.

I think these photos say it all!

(mmm, forgot my camera...again)

I'm home and unpacked after the most fabulous weekend up in town for Finders Keepers.

One of the best markets I've ever been lucky enough to be at with so many amazing things and a pretty incredible venue. If it was a smidge difficult to find hidden away down at Docklands, the crowds did well to persist, and they certainly wouldn't have been disappointed.

Just looking for some images to share I've realised how many things I missed seeing myself.

Mind you, my market buddy Anne and I didn't get too much of an opportunity to get out from behind our stalls, darn it.

Some particular highlights - spending snatched moments with super great (and very funny) girls Sal and Bec from Georgielove, finally meeting Lara from my favourite fabric house, Ink & Spindle,

and grabbing a little plate for home from The Storybook Rabbit.

Thanks to everyone who stopped by to say hello! Lovely to see you.

A special mention to my Melbourne friends who've put me up (or should that be put up with me?) so many times in the last month or two, you are my home away from home!

That's it!

Oh, yes, this t-shirt says it all.

I'm done, finished, over!

It's been a solid few weeks in the workroom getting ready for this weekend at Finders Keepers, but I've put in my last zip, vacumed up the threads, turned off the machine, and put the ironing board away.

I have what looks like a small truckload's worth of goodies to pack and take to Melbourne on Friday.

I do love this point in the preparation for a big market, there's a satisfaction in looking at the piles of newly made things, all ready to go!

New blue

There's less than a week to go until Finders Keepers, and I'm alternating between thinking I'll never be ready, and being very excited.

So, with this kind of time frame (and state of mind), I've been mad enough to decide to add another skirt into my range!

I just couldn't help but buy some of this very Summery light weight chambray cotton, the colour just seduced me.

Gosh, darn, they are difficult to photograph though.