Happy Sunday

Feast your eyes on this Japanese spread. Also on the table: Gyoza, sea-weed, pickles, sesame sauce.... saki, more saki (little cups need re-filling a lot...)

Meanwhile, more owls waiting to be sewn and a template for some applique.

A very good day

Just another any-old-type-of-wintery day: wake up, porridge, off to work.....cept it's my birthday! And a most lovely gentle normal but with extra treats sort of day it's been. Some surprises from my family (Charlie Harper's Birds & Words, a necklace, Cards and an all-hands-on-deck (not my hands) dinner and chocolate cake: Yum!)

I'm content.
I love that my kids still make me cards or add little pieces of themselves to the presentation.
And at work i snapped a few shots of the fabric that's gracing our shelves. Truly sublime, here's a peek:

A new Japanese range in gorgeous textured cotton with a 50's inspired pallette.

Sweet circus and carnival fun
plus a bolt or two of handprinted muslin.

I know a lot of people like to shop for fabric on-line but there's nothing like the sensory experience of the real thing, in a shop, with kind people to ooh and ahh over it with you.
I'm signing myself up for a dress-making class at Amitie cos i've always wanted to gain some expertise in this area. Most of my clothes are op-shopped and sometimes i manage to alter them to fit but often i'm not sure how to achieve what's in my head (if you know what i mean..) And after watching Nicola whip up a cardigan in one hour (without breaking into a sweat but i do think i saw silent swearing) at Perle 8's last week, i think it's time to take the plunge!I managed to hem this skirt with some binding.... not bad for $4 and an afternoons effort.
Ok, my birthday is nearly over. Bed and my book, Three cups of tea is beckoning. A fitting end to a lovely day!

Folk art Love

A very belated and brief market round up: It's was fun, chilly though thankfully undercover, and lots of lovely stalls. The badges were a big hit. And a visit from Greg and Ruby with delicious bounty from the lebanese bakery in Newport was much appreciated. Who'd have thought Honey-sesame soft pretzels would warm cold toes! We'll be there again on the 4th july. And this time there won't be the scary deadline: organised and raring to go.

I've been doing some rescue work: from the op shop! This wee pair of lederhosen were impossible to resist. How cool is the deer! (Unfortunately the almost 13 y.o. wouldn't be seen dead in them, not even for a snapshot, not for money nor love!) so just hanging them in the craft room, (they look a bit clunky but....) and it inspired me to snap a few shots of other folky love around the house. The calico embroidered blouse underneath was my first ever european purchase in Dubrovnik, 1976. (I'm old....)

This dress was op-shopped about 14 years ago and Ruby wore it until i could no longer squeeze her in to it. It's all lovely braid stitched together. Also relegated to the craft room permanent display.


This bag is another thrifted purchase. I love the fabric and it's a useful size also! ($3= bargain))

And i received my copy of Sugar City Journal, a great little quarterly, from this lovely duo. I love hard copy inspiration! (sorry for the crap image, it doesn't do it justice one bit.) Do go have a look!

market and shop news

Some fun news on the shop front, and a de-brief on The Yarraville market is coming up...but too cold to type, must eat porridge now!

it's a mad, mad week....

Not sure if i've bitten off more than i can chew but this week is looking super busy. My friend Deb and i are having a stall at Yarraville market next weekend. I've been quietly toiling away, lots of stuff almost finished and some things i'm leaving til next market day. Prioritising and making lists are not my forte, BUT i'm doing my best to be organised. So my list looks something like this: sewing the bases onto a dozen wee owl-ettes and ditto for the wonky rockets. Plus making inserts for some cushions and sewing in the ends of some handknits! ** must remember coins and price tags, and some sort of packaging for the badges....... (that was monday....now its.......thursday...eek!)
ok..i can do this. most of the above is now done, cushions are becoming wall hangings instead, and i've sort've sorted packaging for the badges and now i'm packing up a bit of hand sewing for Perle 8's tonight......
Here's a glimpse of what i'll have for sale:So i'd love to see you there on Saturday, drop by and say hello! We're going under the name of twice times, ( cos there's two of us and we like a bit of A.A.Milne ). Hope every one has a lovely..L O N G weekend!

A new home for......

Introducing Ms Fancypants and Ms Quicksticks. Lovingly brought home from the St James Opshop and happy to be here!

Not sure what's come over me but i've been struggling with the urge to communicate. I've been busy, shuffling through piles of fabric/paper/pencils/washing/dust/wool..... hopefully some of the above will not get mixed up together as i don't think there's a market for selling piles of dirty/folded washing decorated with a sprinkling of last nights dinner swept up from the kitchen floor... and speaking of markets, my friend Deb and I have signed up for the next Yarraville market on the 6th June. I have been productive in a sort of two steps forward, three back and sidestep the washing basket on my way through. I taught another Gee's Bend class today at Amitie. Very Productive sewers (Laugh Justine!) but sorry, no pics. I've been keeping the home fires burning, cooking soups, n stews n cakey things to tide us through the cooler weather, which i'm loving. And there's much on the crafty front: socks knitted, and half-knitted, stitching and patching some hoops, constructing a platoon (?) of rockets, plus expecting a visit from Jus on tuesday and her badgemaking machine for some fun times. Meanwhile i've been feeling quiet or even shy perhaps......a little like this lady............................................................ Ok, a glass of red wine will put that to rights! Cos it is saturday night. Happy weekend everyone!