On my wall...Ray, no Frankie

Really, I think I've been waiting for an excuse!

Thanks Wendy for giving me one.

My favourite boy (of the four legged kind) perfectly captured by Mischa Merz, a talented friend I used to work with. She was keen to try her hand at painting a greyhound, and I was keen to get a picture!

This amazing girl is a writer, a boxer, and an artist.

Is the sign of a good portrait that the eyes follow you around the room?

These big brown ones do!

Otherwise, on this last day of the year I've been doing a little cooking for dinner with some friends tonight, and waiting for the cool change to arrive.

It's too windy to go to the beach, and too hot to do anything else.

Wherever you are, have a wonderful new year, and thanks for joining me in my adventures this year. It's been a joy to be in this space!

Playing around with pockets

With no pressing need to go anywhere or do anything much this week has given me a bit of time to explore a new pocket idea.

I was loving this fabric as pockets on a ticking stripe skirt a little while ago, but ran out of the stripe.

I've been wanting to try one big patch pocket on a skirt for a while, so this seemed like a good way to make use of my fabric, and try something new as well!

First try resulted in a pocket a little bit too small, but I'm happy with the proportions of this one.

Now I just need to make a couple more to take to market this Saturday!

It seems I'm very good at giving myself things to do....

Going slow

I've been really enjoying this week.

The town has suddenly filled up with after Christmas crowds, the sun is out at last, and there's a real holiday feel about the place.

I love this time of year!

The cinema is up and running in the Mechanic's Hall, the carnival is all set up on the foreshore, city friends are here unwinding for a few weeks, and we're loving having no schedule to stick to.

I'm just staying local for a little while, and if the weather's ok, you'll find me down at the local market on Saturday mornings.

Otherwise, I'll just be pottering about!

Santa's even been spotted here in Skenes Creek having a little sit down and a rest after his busy month.

I hope someone takes him round a cuppa and a nice piece of fruitcake!

Lucky me

I ordered a little something from Two Degrees the other day.

This is the other little business of my clever friend Anne.

I can't go into any more detail here, and don't tell the old bloke!

Anyway, when the most enormous parcel arrived in the mail yesterday, I couldn't believe it.

Inside were a few fine knit jumpers, including this very special, very vintage, beautiful blue and brown floral one.

See the label? It reads 'Made in Italy for Myer's'.

What a treasure indeed.



Some glorious pieces of kimono silks.

I love all those pinky reds, and I think the spots might just be my favourite.

A vintage souvenir tablecloth in absolute mint condition.

I can see this going to the beach for a picnic in the next week or two!

(too special to cut up)

And, as if all that weren't enough, there's this gorgeously wrapped present as well.

I'm saving this one for Christmas Day.
Thank you Anne, you've spoilt me rotten!

Lucky me!

Christmas comes early

Well, good morning!

Pia and I survived the wild weather in Melbourne yesterday to celebrate our last market together for 2010.

Thankfully, we got through the whole day with no incident until a thunderstorm hit right on 4pm, drenching all of us, and our stuff!

We exchanged our Christmas gifts, didn't eat ice-cream, but drank a few coffees and enjoyed a last catch-up with the market girls before the end of the year.

Here is the latest addition to my slightly kitch, and growing collection of greyhound stuff!

I love him!

Pia keeps raising the bar in the present stakes. She's the best.

I have nothing much planned for today.

I just need to address the slightly soggy pile of things unloaded last night and dumped on the spare bed to dry out.

Somehow it won't feel quite like Christmas until I'm sitting out on the deck in the warm evening, listening to cicadas, drinking a wine and eating cherries!

Crazy, but happy!

Every year I forget how crazy this week in December gets.

I've been to the post office twice today already....

I certainly am not complaining, it makes me very happy to think of all the Frankie & Ray goodies going off to new homes to spread some Christmas cheer!

Around all the trips to the post office this week I've been sewing like a mad woman to have some nice things to take along to Melbourne for my last city market for 2010.

(And hooray, I'll have some more of the popular grey t-shirts pictured above.)

I'll be looking forward to seeing all my Shirt & Skirt market pals one more time this year, and Pia and I might even celebrate with some ice-cream!

Shirt & Skirt Market

Abbotsford Convent

1 St Heliers Street, Abbotsford

Sunday December 19

10am - 4pm

Will I or won't I?

I've been working with some more fabulous vintage tea towels today.

It's a bit of everything this week, replacing sold stock and getting ready for my last Melbourne market of the year this weekend.

I love this tea towel so much I've been having a discussion with myself about keeping this bag.

You can never have too many all purpose bags.

I've got one already I use for my knitting.

Perhaps this could be my sewing bits and pieces bag.

Or a bag to take my towel, magazine, and hat to the beach.

Or I could take it to the local market here to put my paper, eggs, jams and veggies in over the Summer...
Enough reasons? I think so!

Done!

A new idea is a funny thing.

I can't leave it alone until it either works, or doesn't.

And, believe me, they don't always!

I'm feeling pretty pleased about this new shirt though.

Which is good, because I've got lots of other things I need to get done before this weekend!

And, I'm battling a little bit of pre-Christmas lazyness.

I can't wait for a few days of sleeping in, sitting around in my jarmies until noon, perhaps a swim after lunch....you get the picture!

Sunday afternoon

I found my old pinking shears today.

They were all a bit rusty and stiff, and the old bloke took them away and gave them some tlc.

They came back as good as new!

(Gotta love a man handy with scissors)

Of course, I had to have a play around with them.

First some leaf shapes.

Then some circles.

Hmmm.

Perhaps on the front of a t-shirt?

Or maybe the neckline?

I think I'm liking this!

I'm not sure I'm completely finished.

I'm thinking 3 different fabrics perhaps?

I need to tweak my stitching too.

But, I think I'm on the way to something a bit new.

All in an afternoon's play!

I heart Christmas!

Our driftwood 'tree' is up!

Decorated with these crocheted hearts by my clever friend Crayon Chick.

I have a few packs of mixed monsters from Wendy June to send to family and friends.

A couple of gifts for lucky me.

2 clever and witty prints from Printspace.

And...

Something swirly and blue to dangle from my ears on Christmas Day from Sarah Rothe.

Best of all, everything handmade - with love!

St Kilda scenes

Magnolia Square is all over for 2010.

I loved every single minute of my time in the magnificent St Kilda Town Hall.

I have hardly any voice left after all the talking with lovely customers, and, of course, all my market buddies....!

Here's a few photos from my little corner of the space.

The rather glamorous stage.

Yes, that sofa certainly looked tempting!

Frankie & Ray stall space all ready to go.



My gorgeous neighbour, Nicole, from Fudge by Rich.

(modelling her new Frankie & Ray t-shirt like a true professional)

I loved being next to Nicole and her fantastic hardworking helpers, Aleesha and (the other) Nicole, over the weekend.

They were fun, we looked after each other's coffee and stall break needs, and my goodness, get yourself some of their fudge.

I can personally recommend every variety! But, especially good was the creamy vanilla demolished with some new season cherries....or then there's the fig & walnut, or the decadent chocolate...