Monday, December 31, 2012

Popped!

What a great way to finish up the year!
Wendy June and I loved every single minute of our pop-up.


The historic and pretty little St Aidan's Anglican Church Hall all prettied up with bunting.




Pretty on the inside too!


Wendy's newly designed and made dresses were a total hit.
I think she has only one left.


My shirts were popular too.


The whole experience of having a shop sized space to play in was so much fun.
Going back to a normal market stall space might be tricky...
A surprise visit from my very dear friend Michelle and her partner made my day.
Especially as I didn't know they were coming...all the way from Melbourne!



Farewell 2012, and welcome 2013!
I hope I'm lucky to be surrounded again by good friends and enjoy as many fun times.
And I wish the same for you too!

Monday, December 24, 2012

Here we go then!


Wheee!
Our fridge is full, the house is clean, and there's a truckload of freshly made Frankie & Ray goodies all waiting to be loaded into the car ready for three days of wonderful fun with the gorgeous Wendy June.
Merry Christmas all, and we hope to see you here!

Friday, December 21, 2012

A different space


I've done my last drive to Melbourne for the year, and my last city market until next year too.
The sun is shining, and our little seaside town is starting to get a little busy.
I love this time of year.
The carnival is set up on the foreshore, and next week the town will be positively humming with holiday crowds until the end of January.


While lots of my city friends are winding down for a bit of a break, I'm cranking it up a notch!
It's like being in a kind of parallel universe.
I do love the busy time down here though, and the luxury of not having to travel too far.


 Wendy and I are busy getting ready to hang out together in our pretty little Anglican church hall for 3 days.
I've been busy making a mountain of cushions, enough little shirts to keep everyone happy, and all the other assorted things I do.
We'd love to see you if you find yourself taking a break by the beach, so pop in to our pop up!


Monday, December 17, 2012

Mid week, this week!


One last trip to Melbourne for me for a good couple of months.
Ah, I am so much looking forward to a whole Summer in my home town.
If you're stuck for a few last minute Christmas gifts (inlcuding something for yourself!), this mid week twilight market will be just the ticket.
Plus, there'll be bubbles.
Yes please!


Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Popping up in the Bay


All good things come as a bit of a surprise don't they?
And this one just came about in a 'it's meant to be' kind of way.
My lovely and clever crafty friend Wendy June will be coming down to Apollo Bay to join me in a pop-up that literally was only organised this week!
We're so lucky to be able to use this delightfully pretty and small old church hall right at the top of town.
There's been a flurry of emails, and floorplans, and list making!
We're going to make this space a total treat to spend 3 days in, right in the busy time between Christmas and New Year.
Exciting? For sure!
If you're spending a Christmas break down the coast, do come and visit us at St Aidan's Anglican Church Hall from Thursday December 27 right through until the end of Saturday December 29.
It'll be fun!


Monday, December 10, 2012

Extra luscious


And just a little quickie to say that I've been busy making up some more of these favourite soft and silky bamboo and organic cotton tees. 
Isn't that grass green just the best? And that Liberty print is in all the colours that are perfect for Summer.
I've been able to grab some in a larger size, so if you're curvy like me, or just like to wear your tees on the loose side, then you can grab one of these in an extra luscious from the shop!

Sunday, December 2, 2012

Laying low

Hello!
December already?
I can't possibly bang on again about how time is flying at this business end of the year.
It feels like much longer ago than a week that I was at two fabulous markets in Melbourne and Geelong.


These shirts have truly come into their own now that Summer seems to be here.


I really love it when people love something as much as I do.
So, I've been busy working away with my favourite Liberty cotton lawns turning out more.
I'm working hard on getting my stocks up for my last Melbourne market of the year in a couple of weeks time, and then for the busy January in my home town.
Seriously, how good is that celadon green?
There might be one of those making it's way into my wardrobe....


.....to add to the three others that I haven't been able to resist already!

Thursday, November 22, 2012

Back to back

Sometime on Monday afternoon I realised this coming weekend was a back to back market weekend.
And both of them usually quite busy ones.
I took a good hard look at my stock, and took a deep breath!
There's been a flurry of shirt, skirt and vintage tea towel bag making. 
And a bakers dozen of tees as well!
On Saturday you'll find me at the most delightful Maribyrnong Makers Market.
I'm in the park for the bumper Christmas market, you'll find me next to my friends and enjoying what promises to be a glorious day of sunshine and warm weather.


And then on Sunday, the last Piccadilly Market for this year.
I always enjoy being in Geelong, and love this market too!



In the middle of my sewing frenzy the Geelong Advertiser called.
And I'm lucky enough to be in this great story about some of the regional designers and makers that'll be at Piccadilly on Sunday as well!


See you on the weekend!


Monday, November 19, 2012

Sunny outlook

It's a sunny Monday morning, and a trip to Melbourne via Fyansford via Lorne on the weekend did me good.
Lovely weather, the company of friends, a visit to Flying Fishes with a stock top up, a little party at A Piece of Cloth studio, and a day out at Shirt & Skirt has put me in a sunny frame of mind today.


Jen's new studio and shop space is an absolute gem hidden away in an historic bluestone building in Fyansford, Geelong.
Make the effort to follow the map and find her.
There's a great write up on the Oh! Hello Geelong blog.
I was lucky enough to join in the studio warming on Saturday - also Jen's birthday.
Of course I came away with some special vintage fabric too!


And another little handstitched sweet lavender smelling fox heatpack as a gift for my Melbourne hostess from the lovely Rachel Hine. Rachel has her studio tucked away in the A Piece of Cloth space. A match made in heaven.
I'm such a fan of her beautiful work.


And then on Sunday I had a hoot at Shirt & Skirt with my pal Fiona from Squirtbaby.
More lovely weather and a fair bit of frivolity.
I'm ready for the week!

Friday, November 16, 2012

This weekend


The year is fast running away from me, probably for you too.
And, it's incredibly been a whole month since I've been up to town.
Am I sounding like a broken record? I suspect that I am!
Anyway, you'll find me this Sunday at Shirt & Skirt Market at the Abbotsford Convent.
This time I'll be hanging out in the sunshine (hopefully sunshine!) with the fabulous Squirt Baby.
Fiona will have her rack full of covetable clothes for smaller people, and I can kit you ladies out in some nice things for the warmer weather now that it's finally arrived.
A family early Christmas lunch organised for next month means that this will be my last market at the Convent for this year, so do come and say hello - if you can get a word in between Fiona and myself that is!

Shirt & Skirt Market
Sunday November 18
Abbotsford Convent
1 St Heliers Street, Abbotsford
10am - 4pm

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Ups and downs


It's been an up and down few days.
On Sunday night we lost our beloved Frankie puss quite suddenly and totally out of the blue.
We're missing her dreadfully, and I keep seeing her out of the corner of my eye around the house, like she's not quite ready to leave me yet.
My lovely Aunt, who always has the right words, reminded me that I would remember her fondly every time I sew on a Frankie & Ray label.
So true, and so she will be with me in that little way every day.


A lovely big pile of Liberty fabrics arrived to help me through, and there is solace in some sewing.
Vale Frankie.

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

How was it you ask?

I've climbed down off my cloud finally after an amazing debut market last Sunday.
I can only thank all of the wonderful craftspeople, community groups, and fine food makers that took a punt on us and agreed to come along and be part of the very first The Bay and Beyond Market.
Also, the crowds of people that came along!
The day dawned with great weather, Apollo Bay was buzzing with holiday crowds, and we were run off our feet for a good 3 hours from opening.
Too busy to photograph the busy! 
But we've got some gorgeous pics of the market over on our facebook page.
Here are just a few of my favourites!


Amazing roses from our fantastic cafe mistress Jayne's garden.


Truly lovely and rare vintage fabric that I didn't get a chance to look at from Cloth & Co.


A mini emporium of loveliness from Wendy June.


All manner of great cards and paper goods from Victor Fox.



I did get an opportunity to add another little piece of Luce Handmade to my wardrobe!


The beautiful work from the hands of Rachel Hine Textile Treasure. Her stitching is an artform.
A lavender fox heatpack has made her way home with me!


A glimpse of the food on offer in the cafe. Oh, those tarts!
Thanks to Wendy June for the photo.



And my partner in bunting hanging and market organising, my friend Sally Forrester!
You're the best, Sal.
Thanks everyone!


Wednesday, October 31, 2012

The Bay and Beyond Market


It seems like not that long ago my friend Sally and I hatched this crazy plan to organise a market for our home town.
All of a sudden, it's only days away now! 
And we've been thrilled and overwhelmed at the enthusiasm from all our fabulous stallholders.
Many are coming all the way from Melbourne and Geelong to join us.
We've also got a great selection of local makers and a some community groups as well.
So, if you're making the most of the first holiday weekend of the season with a visit to Apollo Bay, come along and make a start (and finish!) on your Christmas shopping, or get a few treats for yourself.
We've got everything from gourmet chocolates and jams, scrumptious creamy goats milk soaps and lotions, great kids and little ones clothing and toys, art prints and cards, lip balms, ceramics, amazing vintage textiles, women's fashion, jewellery of incredible diversity, scented candles, homewares......
Not to mention a cafe with great coffee and food, and facepainting for the littlies.
What an incredible range of goodies all packed into our little market in our historic Mechanics Institute Hall. 
See you here!

Monday, October 29, 2012

Sewing a rainbow


I've been spending the last week replenishing my stocks of little shirts after a fabulous Finders Keepers.
Did I tell you already how much I love making these?
And the satisfaction of seeing them all hanging together, like a colourful cotton rainbow of colour and pattern!


I'm always a little sad when a favourite fabric runs out.
I got the last shirt made using this Liberty pattern this week.
And using the last little bit of it, I finally realised there's a little elephant lurking in the flowers!
Can you see him?
Ah, Liberty. You are a constant source of delight!


I've got another order in for more of their delicious cottons, so there'll be a new favourite arriving soon.

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

My market life

It was a big, busy, sunny, friendly, and enjoyable weekend!
Finders Keepers was another gorgeous event.
Melbourne's Royal Exhibition Buildings came to life with colour and so many beautiful things.


It really is the most amazing space for a market.


My little corner of the market.


And then on Sunday, what better way to spend a sunny day than with friends at yet another beautiful Melbourne place, the Abbotsford Convent.
It's back to work for me this week!
We're counting down to The Bay and Beyond Market from now until Cup weekend.
And looking forward to the first holiday weekend of the season too!

Thursday, October 18, 2012

Friday, Saturday, and Sunday too!


Today I'm getting packed, ready to head off early tomorrow morning for Melbourne town for the Finders Keepers!
I can't wait!
Come along for more great indie design than you can poke a stick at, all under the historic roof of the beautiful Royal Exhibition Buildings. 
Friday night and all day Saturday too!
And then on Sunday, I'll be in the glorious gardens of the Abbotsford Convent for my monthly Melbourne market, Shirt & Skirt.
And, that's my weekend all accounted for!



Friday, October 12, 2012

Making


Only a week to go until another Melbourne Finders Keepers!
I do love this event.
It's huge, it's in the beautiful and historic Royal Exhibition Buildings, there's so many great designers, and live music as well.
I'll be trying to get out and catch up with some of my maker friends too. 
It feels like ages since I've got out from behind my sewing machine!
There's been lots of shirt making, and the arrival of a spur of the moment purchase of some truly beautiful smooth and silky cotton chambray kept me busy for a couple of days working on a new skirt design.


And here she is.
Of course, there's a bit of Liberty worked in. 
I can't help it!

Sunday, October 7, 2012

Spring clean


It might be a bit of procrastination, or it might be the longer and brighter days, but I took to my workroom cupboards yesterday morning in a bit of a 'I must sort this stuff out' frenzy.
And sort it out I did.
There's always a few odds and ends left over when I move from one thing to another.
And, I'd dearly love for these last few things to go off to good homes, so I've listed them in the shop.
There's very limited stock, and some things not in every size, but I've slashed and burned the prices, so here's a chance to snaffle a bargain!
Go for it by following this link right here!

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Making pictures


What a glorious day it is here on our coast.
Perfect for a little time out from the workroom to take a walk on the beach. Crikey, the water's cold though, don't let the picture fool you.



And that nice little segue leads me to tell you how much I am loving instagram. 
Just being able to whip out my lovely new phone to snap a moment in the day is giving me a great deal of pleasure.
Even my work table looks more interesting! 


I'm there as frankieandray if you'd like to join me. 
And let me know if you're on there as well. 
I love to have a look at your day too.