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!

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!

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!

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!

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

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.

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!

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!

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.

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!