the textured leaf

a house hunt

2012-02-09T15:05:00.000+11:00

It seems weve been unsettled ever since the youngins moved out and we came to a conclusion last sunday night that we would look for a place that is much smaller in space and price. Its been a bit quiet around here because

ive been house hunting all week and having open inspections to boot. So the promise of the beginnings of a quilt will be a bit slower than originally stated, sorry peeps as we have begun our whirlwind packing expedition into unknown territory. Im off out the door now to view this little gem, although very, very run down. So I guess im talking diamond in the rough. Weve been driving by every day since seeing it up for rent, as you do.

It had me at hello with the garden and even the couch potato loves the feel of the place.

shop update

2012-02-08T10:08:00.001+11:00

size 1

This is my shop update so far this week.

The jackets I worked on for the weekend markets. Yes I squeezed in two for the first time. The one above is a new design I tweaked from an existing jacket of the grandbabies that has been floating around these parts. A nice simple easy style to play with. A pocket here, a curve there, finished with a tie bow.

size 1

size 2

I have a custom order for a king size quilt to do so ill be back later today to show you the beginnings.

Catch you!

behind the scenes

2012-02-06T20:04:00.000+11:00

There is too much for me to put into words happening in the last couple of days. So ill talk about that later as nothing is written in stone yet. I will say that it involves a hunt, some boxes and a huge list.

Several weeks back when I had production aplenty these photos got sidelined. You may have noticed some masculine looking cushions in the dairy crates at market? Well... they were designed by the Mr. In my blurb at the sidebar I mention that we 'patchwork together when the mood takes him'. This was one of those times.

Something from behind the scenes.

quilted bunting - the quick way

2012-02-03T13:35:00.000+11:00

Here is how I made the bunting for Squiggly Rainbow's Bunting swap.

For those crafty types who have never done quilting because they think its too scary/perfect, quite a few customers have voiced this at markets too, im hoping this post may help you begin. This kind of quilting gets squared up as you go along so its not your typical crazy quilting, not being a fan of angles myself.

There are so many pictures, probably the most in a blog post ever eeeeek!, and instead of apologising ill simply try not to write too much and make it all wordsy. I think shots like the ones that follow are self explanatory. But if there are any questions, (being very hopeful here that people will get to the end) they will be answered in the comments box left for others to view.

Keep a close eye on things as you go and skim sew past any gaps.

When I got to about family pizza box size I stopped joining and had the not too bright idea that I could slice them into pizza triangles.

However I dont recommend doing this at all as they got really wonky bad. Next time ill use a triangular template.

I had these offcuts so joined them together to make more to match the size of the other triangles.

And was able to make another four.

I liked the thought of wool for backing so used some old cream blanket scraps.

Okay so now im deciding that an apology is in order for the photo overload. Sorry!

the new studio space

2012-02-02T21:37:00.000+11:00

While I was in Adelaide blankets werent the only thing I bought. I allowed myself the naughty indulgence of this vintage print. I have wished to have it for a long time and waited patiently to see her at a low price.

The Seamstress by Vermeer in case youre not familiar with the image.

The frame needs to be worked on as its shoddy but I care not as the beautiful painterly detail is all there to marvel upon. I found myself walking over to stare at her during the day as I worked through my jumbled mass of bits and pieces. Nearly there. Just need to get the Mr to help me with the folded fabrics so they dont unravel on the way up the ladder.

I tipped all of the ribbons and trims out and started over from scratch trying to colour coordinate as I went to make the search for the right shade of whatever im working on quick. Ive wasted precious minutes standing in front of this rack lately.

And that hoard of pompoms from the market had to go on the floor.

Everytime I move things around I wish I could be bothered painting the tables to match but I dont have it in me.

The second phone has been floating around the house and now has a permanent home, which is practical for the amount of phonecalls I receive anytime I settle down to sew. MrTL has his worries about me falling down the stairs while he isnt around too, and I most likely would rush that bit faster to a phone ringing out.

Here I keep handmade bias binding for everyday use and cut offs from doilies closeby to be made into pockets or slippers or necklaces or placed strategically on the hoodwinks.

I will not be sewing tonight as I thought. Im taking the night off.

creative space

2012-02-02T13:09:00.000+11:00

Today will be the first whole day ive had home and been in the correct frame of mind to tackle the new loft space that will become my studio.

Rustico has been walked in the fresh morning air before things heated up and ive even had some friendly banana bread wielding visitors that vacuumed and spruced up the house. As they wanted to stay but could tell from my body language that I was itching to achieve the big stuff. Plus the whole of downstairs is pretty much piled up especially all around the stairs, waiting, so they didnt have to be too genius to work out my next stage.

The old shelves from way back have come out of retirement and, because they come apart, were easy to erect so fit nicely against the high wall. The loft access is a simple ladder, you see.

Im on a self imposed time schedule and hope to be back into full production this evening as ive decided to do the Carribean Gardens market tomorrow for something different. I didnt realise it was open on a friday morning as well as wednesdays and sundays.

Check out the other spaces here.

the love of wool

2012-02-01T16:40:00.000+11:00

Im just a little bit in love with wool.

Always have been, always will be.

The colour saturation it holds once dyed is nothing short of sublime to my eyes, but even bright colours always seem to remain soft somehow. The pure texture of the weave and the cross threading where different shades make another brings a certain fascination of forethought.

But can someone please explain why I have fifty blankets in the stash?

I know supplies were low last year just as I was getting into production and things slowed down to real slow when I thought that I was going to run out completely, but fifty is a bit many.

Its hard to find where store them too. They are taking over the house. This stack above is on the chair in the dining room without a home to go to.

I guess its lucky I love wool so much.

How about you? Is your fabric stash taking over your house?

intermission

2012-01-31T12:00:00.002+11:00

Ive had my short intermission interstate and today will be about trying to land here at Textured Leaf.

The dread of what we had to face will soon be a distant memory as we find my brother a new house close to family. All in all things went smoothly enough, despite the exhaustive heat, now that we are out the other side and looking back.

Throughout the last week there were many opportunities to have a laugh at the stuff he just simply doesnt throw away.

I thought it would be down to mum and I to battle through the mounds and mounds (while he was asleep mostly) but that wasnt so. We had huge help from my niece, Christie, for the whole first day and even into the night. That bumped our time frame so far forward that we were able to opshop for an entire day. It is because of her input that it will make it easy to look back on this time as, dare I say, fun? Thankyou from the depths of my heart, Christie.
You rock!

Mum and I had a chance to stay with her close friend and we were well looked after.

Two doors down still stands the original family home my uncle and aunt used to own.

If I knew there would be enough room in the van on the return trip I would have bought this although im still unsure of why it appeals to me so much.

I think it reminds me of something but cant put my finger on what.

This is a very hot, bothered, sweaty and tired but happy me, having found this haul of blankets in the one opshop, can you believe it.

Well that was my week rounded up but right now its all about washing and folding and lots of normal which suits me perfectly and a pot of chai on the stove would be even perfecter.

away

2012-01-24T10:45:00.000+11:00

These are a couple of eskimos I managed yesterday before I head off interstate with mum for a few days to help my brother move house.

So needless to say, I wont be online for a few days.

The reality is that my brother is a hoarder. I have struggled all week with thoughts on how to approach someone who doesnt throw anything away. I feel as if the weight of the world is on my shoulders and people are relying on me, especially mum, who is a spritely 76, but that doesnt make her any younger. We know we have a battle on our hands.

The Mr is driving over to get us on the weekend and hopefully by then we will have everything in order and just be whittled down to a van full of items. At this point im hopeful that we can achieve the impossible in a few short days. The skip has been ordered for when we arrive so as soon as were off the plane it will be all systems go.

Like I said, im being hopeful.

shop update - eskimos

2012-01-22T23:41:00.000+11:00

eskimo production

2012-01-20T17:25:00.002+11:00

So far this is where im at with the eskimos for market this weekend. All of which are not quite finished. This is where I start to struggle. Do I, at this point, try to finish them one by one or do I stupidly attempt to make as many as I can while im within range of the sewing machine? Its usually the latter.

So tomorrow you can see me handsewing the buttons on down at Boneo market from 8 til 12 noon. Its a large market of between 150 and 200 stalls and ive heard good things about it.

Lately ive been making lots of pockets using old napkins and hankerchiefs in this style. They are quick to do.

In other news today I received a nice bundle of crocheted doileys from the other side of Port Phillip bay which was wonderful. Thanks Jo! They will be put to good use around here thats for sure.

fun, finds and family

2012-01-19T17:44:00.000+11:00

A spot of opshopping for more blankets led to a coffee stop with the youngins who happened to be closeby, cuddles with Violet, then we finished up by loading the van with some 1940's dining chairs for their new cottage. The Mr is doing what should be the last load of things to their place and thats why im quickly penning this in haste while he is gone. While the cats away...

The Mr is taking a crash course in pattern making and cutting in order for me to boost eskimo jacket production.

Its his day off and even though we got started late we are fully into it now.

If he can figure out how to do eskioms he will be good to cut out anything after these. They are a bit tricky for a beginner.

Since he is so keen ive just worked on a new design for babies

which ill show you later once the sample is to my liking.

Catch you!

slow day

2012-01-18T23:28:00.001+11:00

I spent the day slowly. Slowing down does not come naturally to me.

I took the time to set things right with the shops. Fine tuning.

I think new banners will be in order soon but I dont know where im headed with that yet and deciding on a new font takes me way too long as they never have just the right one. I may pen my own, in fact, once I work out how.

Its been a long time since ive been over to Picasa to make a mosaic as well, so I may sneak in time to make one before picking the Mr up at the train in an hour. I enjoyed seeing the range with all the sewingy details in this way once upon a time. Nice to look back on. Sometimes I have the thought that what im offering looks quite disjointed, especially with summer and winter ranges mixed together so a mosaic defines the style and season and gives me visual boundaries, which I need, believe me.

Otherwise I get caught up in the 'make' without any pre thought to how it will look either as an etsy page or at market. The foibles of using vintage cloth im afraid. Its not like I can choose what ill find, now is it?

The Mr has just now sent me a message saying he was lucky enough to grab a cab with another colleague so im off the driving-to-pick-him-up hook.

Picasa here I come!

textured leaf shop update

2012-01-18T13:11:00.000+11:00

Ive finally photographed the cushions and they will be in the shop by days end. Oops, should have spent more time straightening up that bent corner, oh well... moving along....

i thought of something

2012-01-17T17:29:00.000+11:00

Okay, so I should have made this a matter of some thought before now but ive been busy with my head full of makings and only just now have come up with a name I love enough for my hoods and thought id pop in here to tell someone.

Im calling them Hoodwinks.

The story goes that when im at market some customers ask if I have knitted them?! only to then pick one up and discover they are upcycled instead, while im coercingly trying to explain why I dont knit, usually asking them whether they do. So in a way ive unwittingly hoodwinked them, havent I? Perfect!

home work

2012-01-17T14:51:00.000+11:00

This is the first time I have ever had a spare bedroom in a house and I can hardly contain myself. If only it wasnt so darn hot I would be in there now, head down b*m up decorating, putting fresh linen on the bed in expectation of the arrival of a guest or two.

This morning the Mr and I began clearing my sewing things out of his new studio space which was where my studio used to be. I bet he will come home from work tonight and beeline for it. It was good to watch him playing and undoing his boxes that have been stored away since we moved.

Im certain he is thinking he will begin painting again. The funny thing about living with an artist is they dont always paint or sketch or draw. He has to find that untangible zone first and working a full time job makes it a difficult thing for him to find and hold onto.

The other exhilarating event happening here is that the teenager is ready to give up the loft space.

Gone are the quadruplemillionenth dots of Blue-tac, blowfly carcasses have been sucked into oblivion along with a lonely orange jelly bean from that november food fight (I threw from below while he dodged), found are the twentythree odd socks that were missing, books have been returned to the shelf and dvds put back in their rightful home.

The view of tree tops as far as the eye can see is glorious.

But ill make you feel sorry for me yet, because im now having to deal with this pile of everything I didnt know about that my teenage evacuee threw downstairs in what is a very unfair cleanup.

So I sit here eating my sandwiches (photo inspired by Evee) with the dog watching on while doing another upload of wrap, pinafore and shoulder tie dresses to the shop. I had, at last count, fourteen to add!

The latest from my nannas trusty old machine.

If she only knew the enormity of her gift....

shop update - eskimos

2012-01-16T20:55:00.000+11:00

girls size 6

Just trying to do a quick shop update for the week.

This is my favourite of this batch and possibly the nicest mix of fabrics ever. I wish id bought more of that norwegian folk fabric every time I use it. I will never get sick of seeing it.

boys size 7

boys size 4

boys size 3

girls size 2

Ive tried to concentrate on providing some boys jackets this week before I get too carried away starting the girls.

They should be in the shop tomorrow.

rose street artists market

2012-01-16T16:18:00.001+11:00

Saturday was the first time we would be at Rose Street Artists market.

But before I tell you about that 'first', I admit to being nicely anxious about meeting a certain mother of three little girlies. The wonderfully earthy Kate from Foxs Lane. A first of a different kind. It was splendid to finally say hello in person, Kate, and next time maybe we will have longer than fifteen minutes? Perhaps without my Bren looking at his watch? Well, we were late setting up so just as well for me that I have my own personal white rabbit.

You might need to call me Eliza Dolittle from now on because by George I think ive got it.

After I have finished setting up for market these days, (the last two weeks, that is), I am really, incredibly satisfied with how everything looks and feels. Finally, finally.

I have also, in a small way, become a stockist of sorts. I have a talented friend who is unwinding some knitted old pure wool jumpers, hand dying them with vegetables and plants, then crocheting them up into little peoples bonnets and beanies, headbands and hairties.

The Mr had his artwork at the entrance but we both conclude he needs to take the plunge now and get his own stall. Anything to spur him to do artwork rather than watch tv will be fine by me.

And these here are the Mr's cushions you are seeing!

We spent all of friday morning and a bit too big chunk of the afternoon (I should have been concentrating on eskimos) doing a range of larger sized ones made from embroideries we brought back from our trip to Vietnam and Cambodia last year. They are hand embroideries from the hill tribes and we both fell in love with them. We have a whole suitcase full and intend to offer these as homewares in The Textured Leaf Shop.

Me, im just sticking with these patchyworked ones for now as they are so enjoyable to put together. But then in saying this I do have another simple but beautiful idea for an accent cushion for the bedroom so I guess I lied.

I have to admit having Dorothy Bills quilts (hanging on the left) makes me look like im a fully accomplished quilter. Eleesa does the most amazing job with her wares and she was going to come to sew/play today but neither of us were organised enough to follow through. Ill let you find out what ive been doing instead in my later-on-today post.

'See you in two weeks when the kids are back at school, Eleesa!'

Lucky cushions are not heavy as the dairy baskets alone are awkward to load and unload and I dont know if I would have enough energy to cope by myself when im so tired from late nights spent restocking. I really, really need to get to bed before midnight, at the very least before a market. A meagre four hours sleep this time, the Mr woke at five to get the youngins from the airport and I couldnt get back to sleep so got up and proceded to make more things.

Apologies for the glut of posts regarding markets these days but I truly need to document to keep me going.

When I kind of get 'over it' on certain days I have recently taken to looking back over the year to see how far ive come and it is helping me focus in lots of different ways.

There will be a shop update later on today too but right this moment im off to play in my newly half empty house. More to come.

Happy house zsuzshing to you all!

eskimos circa 2012

2012-01-12T20:58:00.001+11:00

Ive begun the inuit journey here again at TTL. Im using up the rest of the wools from last years stash and have started to cut into newly found blankets too which is exciting and daunting all at once. You might recognise this orange stripe from way back.

The pink and blue with lilac stripe is straight from the local this week.

Almost straight from the van to the table actually. The Mr helped me cut out last night but he didnt last fifteen minutes being tired and all. He managed to cut out this size one outer though.

They will be available for sale in the shop if they arrive back home from saturdays market.

Little Tree Kids will be at the Rose Street Artists Market in Fitzroy on Saturday from 11 til 5.

In other news I finally retrieved my camera battery from my girlfriends wall and will be posting the upcycling of the blue dress as promised, in the next couple of days if anyone is interested.

dresses in between the housework

2012-01-11T16:08:00.001+11:00

There are dresses on the back table all in different stages of finishing.

The embroideries have been stitched on slowly, carefully front and back.

Bias binding in a rough pile lays within arms reach. The colourful one reminding me of a Kaffe Fassett print now that it is in slices.

Embroideries at one tables end that mum helped sort into colours when she was here. Snippets of memories of conversation during two days spent together, perhaps the reason they havent moved. Why they still sit where she left them.

Our bedroom is the worst room in the house, that is where I have been taking my breaks from the creative.

Loving this post.

Another happy customer.

Happy wednesday people!

an everything day

2012-01-10T13:30:00.000+11:00

I used to have these days that to myself I would call my everything days.

The days I do everything that I see needs doing. I mean everything. If I walk past something that is bugging me I tackle it immediately. I havent had a day like this for a long time. Things have been on hold. I mean everything. Today is an everything day.

This morning the first thing I did even before a shower was a five minute bathroom revamp. I raced through the house opening cupboards to gather all the green glass I had and then I changed the lamp and stacked a tray with perfumes and creams. The most amazing use of a five minute time slot.

The steam is from the teenager who was in the room when I took this. He is nice to me these days. We even had a dance in the kitchen just before, to a favourite song and I was singing and he didnt cringe, just smiled and enjoyed the moment.

The movement here is almost intoxicating.

I love change that much.

garden day

2012-01-09T20:33:00.000+11:00

The air outside today was so good that there was no need to be in.

A full van awaited me and I had a new found vigor in which to work.

An old prop from a year ago will be replaced tomorrow.

These uneven branches will no longer be a struggle for me to adorn.

The windswept branch of an unknown tree barely fitted in the van the other night but I forced it and am beside myself with tiny bits of glee having visualised nothing more perfect as a replacement.

I spent time with the scent of magnolias heated by the sun, slowing down for a change, breathing clearer thoughts.

The newly worked cushions kept me company as I walked to and fro weeding and talking to my hairy companion.

The trip to the car will be easier from here on the porch. Theres no need to move the plants to their old spot out the back.

To hold onto the fresh theme a different shade of nail polish for the other side of summer would be a simple, now-deserved, luxury.

If only I could decide on a colour shade. Perhaps when the dress arrives from mexico I will know instantly?

the obvious

2012-01-08T23:17:00.005+11:00

After taking some favourite plants with me on saturday it has become apparently obvious that what has been missing through all of my market setup this whole entire time is foliage.

They are my secret ingredient.

I am so besotted by plants and leafy things that it is plain and simple now that this is what was needed for me to be completely happy when im playing shop. Oh it did cross my mind before but I thought they would be annoying to transport and I didnt think they were that paramount, plus im not selling plants am I? Up til now I havent given enough thought to further props, thinking that id sorted them out early on a year ago when I began my marketeering journey. Thinking this whole time that keeping up and restocking was the issue. The reason things were, to me, not-quite-perfect. I was coming at it from the wrong perspective. I was thinking of my customers and forgetting myself.

But right this moment I am contented. Little girl up a tree contented. (me, younger)

Apart from the plants there were other things that added to my happiness on the day so

im recapping some that make the top of the list of dont-forget-these-ever are....

ladies scarves

the Mr's artwork (until he gets his own stall next door and it will be a friendly competition of course. Winner gets....we'll think of something)

crates full of cushions

a second ladder

eskimos, this lonely orange one was the last one left, it sold (yes, they sell in summer too)

a clean blackboard for kids to play on while mum shops

hessian curtains to hang necklaces on as they look much nicer up than down on the table

(I made these curtains new for this week)

And most important of all, as many plants as I can fit in the van.

In other news we spent an amazing evening with our family last night and even had a sleep over.

So nice to have them closer. Such a quality evening spent in their new place.

I am also super inspired right now as I just found this. I know she is a self-stated insatiable op-shopper but this will be fun to follow. I wish I had the guts to commit! Maybe next year?

2012-01-07T00:37:00.000+11:00

Everything is against me going to market tomorrow.

Ive been sick with stomach problems for two days but I dont know if its the stress of my ultra high expectations(more on this later as im yet to reveal the entirety of my actions).

I had family over to stay this week.

The Mr wanted to add his artwork to the mix at late notice.

Ive hurt my feet twice tonight packing the car, once on the right foot middle toe and then tripped into the house over the dog via my suitcase with the left foot little toe and its still throbbing. I also stepped on something sharp in the lawn earlier in the day setting up the marquee but thought nothing of it at the time, oh and a nail was sticking out of the decking and that hurt too.

The Mr has gone to bed and I know I should go too but im still zsuzshing the marquee in the back yard in the relative darkness (the back light is really good) but half the stock is hanging safely on the four poster under which the Mr slumbers so there is no hope of seeing how it hangs inside the marquee and at what level and if I dont see the where and how of the setup in its finished state then I wont sleep anyway.

I couldnt find my email with the application attached that I needed to print in order to enter the gate tomorrow.

The attachment was gone once I found the email.

We couldnt find the plug to the printer.

The printer wouldnt print my application.

I still have things I wanted to sew.

I havent begun ironing.

Labelling pffft.

Im in trouble.

Im sure im leaving something out but you get the gist.

The alarm is set for 4 hours from now.

friday already

2012-01-06T17:45:00.000+11:00

The only place in the entire house untouched by the premarket busy-ness.

Distracted, the dog has been fed twice a day for two days and then missed one I think.

Im trying to play down my stress regarding tomorrows market and cant stop to tidy, but find it increasingly difficult to work in the mess.

The marquee is set up in the back yard for a practice run. New stock is slowly being taken outside and put in its place. So far im liking it but lets hope the Mr agrees.

Ill find out soon as hes just walked in.

patchwork cushions

2012-01-04T22:07:00.000+11:00

Oooh id forgotten how captivating patchwork could be. The colour, the detailed interest in the cloth, the smallest pieces of silk scarf, the possibilities of the mixing are a delight for both my eyes and fingers after a long absence. Two days of joining not knowing if it will be as easy as it once was. The easiness in which I once worked hasnt returned, a different approach was needed. Beginning as I used to by arranging in coloured rows didnt help me, well, begin.

I needed to mix and not match as a jumping off of sorts as I admire others who subdue their palette.

This was me trying to not be as colourful.

tuesday

2012-01-03T12:05:00.000+11:00

The back doors are opened up to the sea breeze. A friend is coming to sew. She wants me to teach her the art of overlocking. My anticipation is building as to just what ill have to show for my days work later in the evening. Ive been slicing up old silk scarves and enjoying the process. A little bit of patchworking is happening too and im loving the mixture of small squares of florals sewn together. I think they will be cushions. A little bit of this blue with a small piece of something red. Woolen baby rugs are waiting to be pressed ready for market. Piles of pretty things are beginning to grow around me.

new years dress solution

2012-01-02T11:55:00.000+11:00

It has taken me five whole minutes to try to begin this post. Can I say im not normally one for pun titles but couldnt help myself today. I am so empty headed at this beginning of the new year without reason and it was all I could think of. But then again perhaps it is because I have so many high hopes for this year ahead that I dont know where to start off and its showing in the writing down of my thoughts? Or in the not writing down of my thoughts. I have been this way for a few days now.

Enough reflection.... im here to show you my new dress solution. Im so enamoured of this I want to do more immediately. I have taken shots for a mini-tute if anyone is interested but they will have to wait as my camera battery charger with said battery is safely plugged in at my friends where we spent saturday night waiting for the new year to arrive.

Now this, this came about without any planning other than I really wanted a dress to wear out that was cool over the hot weekend weve just had. I didnt need anything new just something different so ive made this from my stash of summer clothes. Two skirts into a dress. The colours being so similar made these an obvious choice to try to put together. I want to be this lucky again.

Ive used my favourite details to make sure I didnt stuff up. Sometimes if you try something new it doesnt work as well so if you are thinking to do a dress like this, choose a design you know will be flattering for you. I happen to love peasanty things with a vintage twist.

As things go, the success of this sewing adventure has brought with it a certain resolution for the new year for me.

Lots of you wonderful ladies that I admire out there in blogland are making the resolution to not make any resolutions, for me though, I think I need to make just this one to begin my year off with a specific goal.

I plan to make one item of clothing each week for me. Trying to use clothes I already have will be foremost in my mind too as im happiest when im not being wasteful. So in an unusual way I get to keep the clothes I have while making them more wearable. I find being able to throw on dresses the easiest in summer rather than a top and skirt.

The whole one-piece, one-simple-thought kind of dressing.

I sit here now in this blue simplicity above feeling comfortable and a little bit girly to boot and just remembered I have the exact same skirt in yellow. I wonder if I can find a matching colour to do another dress to wear tomorrow?

a curious discount

2011-12-31T11:10:00.000+11:00

Danielle and the girls, who happen to be friends of mine, are having an end of year sale over at Curious Bazaar.
Read about it here.

a dress for nadya

2011-12-30T19:47:00.000+11:00

Here is your dress Nadya. I never thought this fabric would turn out as nice because to be honest its not one of my favourites from the line up. Thanks for being nicely patient while I got through all my market chaos.

size 16

Its even odder to think that this olivey green siamese print above is one I admire (its new, ill add it to the sample page soon) and thought it would look stunning made up only to see the photos dont do it justice. Im of the thought that dark fabrics against the wall in this very sunlit house dont photograph well.

The shop update today.

nice things

2011-12-30T11:38:00.001+11:00

I woke up late today as The Mr was leaving for work. He didnt even ask me to drop him but left me to sleep which is rare. While I lay there I remebered our conversation from last night and the things he said were a small little poetry of life as he sees it. He surprises me like this every now and then only I shouldnt be surprised, I should know him by now.

'you know you plan a life

and then you have kids

and then they have kids

if I die tomorrow I am fulfilled

because I have known you'

So I woke remembering and today I should be happy but am feeling a bit melancholy.

It will be one of those days when he is at work and ill miss him all day long.

Much is happening. The youngins move out today.

It is a turning point in all our lives and im feeling empty and full all at once.

A very nice thing happened just before when I was endeavouring to cut out some more wraps but not really feeling it as my mind was elsewhere. I saw a comment from Melinda on yesterdays post alerting me that she had recieved her wrap dress. She posted a picture of her wearing it and she has boosted my spirits more than she perhaps realised it would.

marquee is mexican for umbrella

2011-12-29T18:46:00.000+11:00

At our house marquee, is from this moment, a mexican word for umbrella.

There was a taking out of the van and a setting up of a pivotal marquee for a mexican party last weekend.

Ill begin by admitting it was such a well thought out night by the youngins with mexican food aplenty that they had been working on for days leading up to the event. Adelins salsa is an experience no-one should be denied. I really admire well thought out plans especially as its not really a foremost quality of mine.

And so as happenstance has it... in the aftermath someone forgot to put my marquee back in the van for wednesdays market. I was asked about it in the tidy up the next day but I was busy sewing, and then I really forgot.

Tuesday night, I stayed an hour away from home in Mornington with a close friend down from Sydney who wants to learn how to do markets too. (Someone needs to alert her that I cant teach anyone a thing.)

Anyhow, we were happily spending the evening finishing a few things, sewing and catching up, and after leaving Esther to her adrenalin fueled machining at 3am I sat bolt upright in bed remembering the forgotten marquee.

One trip out to the van to confirm and a rough plan to visit Bunnings to buy an umbrella in the morning I finally fell asleep getting a couple of hours.

Subsequently im not having a good day today. Im tired and a bit sunburnt.

I had highlights during the day with Eleesa coming to visit, blessing me with her quilt makings to juice up the stall a bit and indulging me by trying on some new silk scarf tops only to find it difficult to decide on the blue or the red?

She chose the red.

All I can think about right this moment is that I need to get stuck into some serious patchworking to realign my something-or-other when I work out what needs resetting but I simply have no energy. There might be Kentucky Fried Chicken for dinner to wallow.

weekend

2011-12-27T17:59:00.000+11:00

On the weekend we visited family who have recently moved across from Adelaide to Melbourne.

Such a nice way to spend a midsummers evening. This is their new home full of vintage and homemade delights.

The Mr and I were caught up in emotion towards the end of the night as it was the first time we have heard our niece sing. I cant put into words or begin to describe how it felt to hear her voice. We both cried.

If you would like to see more of their home, Evee's blog is here.

change

2011-12-27T11:08:00.005+11:00

Weve been in this house almost six months and things are about to change.

The youngins, my son and his wife are about to move into their own little cottage down the road, not too far away so we can still see baby everyday. The big day is friday.

I was home alone this morning and, as I usually tend to do, took photos to remember the house this way before we do some big shifting around. I dont quite know how I will find the energy or time but im sure adrenalin will have a fair bit to do with it by the weeks end.

I havent shown you inside any cupboards since I did the big organise I uncleverly named '11 rooms 11 days'.

(I was meant to do 1 room per day but I think it took me over 3 weeks in the end).

Anyhow, this is where I keep my patchworking and homestyle fabrics for cushions and curtains, near the long table out the back. The close proximity to a clear space is supposed to help in the finishing of things. Sometimes it does but most of the time they sit. Customers have been asking for cot quilts so ill need to do something along those lines.

A chair among other pieces of furniture is still waiting for a coat of paint and a new seat, hence the disguising cushion.

I love the embroidery on this even though I strongly dislike hot pink. Go figure.

Both of these cabinets in the hallway have craft related things filling them too. The first is full of old tins with buttons and buckles and beads and jewellery tools, etc and the other is full of embroideries from our travels.

I wonder how my family puts up with me taking over the house in this way, but I guess I have slowly got them used to it.

The studio is tidy for the first time since the makeover, taking me less than half an hour, cringe, but ill be back in there tonight anyway so it wont last.

The cutting table has healthy stacks of clothes waiting to be made up.

Oh and these are the pom poms I mentioned the other day only im not sure if I can part with any just yet they are the most lushious old green.

I spent yesterday afternoon in my office (the bedroom) doing an inventory type stocktake to help me feel organised for the start of new year.

All of these rooms will get a revamp in the next couple of weeks as I find time.

I like change alot but the Mr doesnt. This time round he will be getting my studio and the lounge room next to it that was Navarh and Adelins to do his artwork in so im thinking he will be pretty happy about that.

I will be moving into the loft like I originally wanted and the couch potato will come downstairs into a bedroom and ill also score a guest bedroom which was baby's room complete with extra wardrobe space to hang things im working on which will be wonderful to have for a little while.

Happy tuesday to you!

velvet cardigans

2011-12-25T14:11:00.000+11:00

size 1-2

size 8-10

size 4-5

Because all sorts of different things have been selling this month, ive been making anything that pops into my head as far as replenishing stock goes. These cardigans were fun to cut out and play with on the day I had in between the two markets last week. Made from old jumpers I have collected for their colours over the few months since the last batch. I amazed myself with the little time I had left, proving again I am definitely a deadline sort of sewer.

ill have the sizes in between for the upcoming markets.

I will be at Red Hill on january 7th and Rose Street Artists market on the 14th as well as my regular Mornington Main street which is on every wednesday.

last nights market

2011-12-24T13:54:00.000+11:00

Yesterdays market was an unusual one.

It was my first time at a Trash and Treasure type market as up til now I had done Craft or Makers markets but ive been wanting to explore what one of these would be like.

I forgot I needed to pay at the gate (normally prepaying ahead of time) and only had half the fee on me because id left my change purse at home (arghhh, first time for everything) it was hanging safely on its hook in the bedroom. The gate guy was pretty grumpy but I promised to go straight to the bank before setting up and give him the other half so he let me in.

Some familiar faces kept stopping and chatting to the stall across the way where there was a mum and two girls so I promptly went over and asked how they knew each other. Turns out they knew everyone I knew and once my closer friends and family arrived it became a bit of a gathering, taking the kids back and forth to the beach while us girls enjoyed a glass of champagne. A very nice way to spend a market!

In the middle of all this (my stall was full of people!) a lady approached me about placing some things in her new shop at Sorrento. My first reaction was to put her off as I like things how ive got them right now but after we got talking I said ill come to visit. Im trying to stop myself from being so insular.

This is my new friend Ruby, she sews too!

In the background is Tiarna and out of shot there was Tamika who all three spent most of their time in my stall trying things on 1. cos it was fun and 2. cos it was cooler.

Thanks girls for allowing me to see my older size things on and giving me hints on what you like and would wear.

You never know what youll see at one of these and almost bought these chairs for the youngins as they have found a place closeby and move out next week. Lucky I didnt cos Adi doesnt like them one bit.

I almost bought one or two of these but decided to say no to myself.

I did end up getting a lovely tin with a scene of Venice but its in the back of the van so ill show you later.

Oh and I got the most amazing green pompom-ed ribbon you have ever laid eyes on which I cant wait to use for winter.

And my excuses for having a few winter hoods in the middle of summer are

surprisingly my winter things have been selling

I had the strongest urge to make them

this is Melbourne (we have year round unpredictable weather if you dont live here)

I like unpredictable things

Next week I will be back at Rosebud but across the road at the Rosebud Primary School market.

Ive heard good things about it so cant wait.

girls hoods

2011-12-22T22:49:00.000+11:00

I dont think I need to say how pleased I am with the two hoods I made today. With these simple colour combinations I couldnt really go anywhere but right.

The first hood uses up the outer scraps from when I need to cut into doileys for doing the slice back on the womens wrap dresses. I was wondering how I was going to use these leftovers... so now I know. Theyve been sadly sitting on my table looking at me for a few weeks.

If these dont make it to a new home by midnight tomorrow they will be part of my shop update over the weekend.

Would someone please tell me to get an early night for once?

village green twilight market

2011-12-22T17:13:00.000+11:00

Im off to Rosebud tomorrow to be part of the Village Green Trash and Treasure Twilight market held on the foreshore right in the heart of it all. It is a scrape-in-by-my-teeth-skin decision so ill let you know how it goes.

The back table is full of all sorts of different things today. I cant focus when I only have one day between markets so im attempting a bit of everything. I realise its going to be hot tomorrow but this morning I worked on some hoods, I couldnt help it.

Ive been noticing marle pom poms popping up on the web lately so decided to try my hand at one when I couldnt find the perfect green I was after for the hood above.

Secretly all week now ive been hoping to fill these coathangers with womens wrap dresses and waking up to them each morning has done the trick and helped me focus. Ive got them on the table cut out ready. I was going to enlist the help of the couch potato to trim my cottons as I go but after nudging me to take him opshopping, (yes he has finally succumbed to my way of life) he has gone to the beach. I put the hard word on the Mr instead and he will be cutting out some late night baby shoes once he gets in from work. Gotta love that man.

A happy thursday to you!

my favourite cardigan

2011-12-20T21:23:00.000+11:00

I have a favourite cardigan but alas it wont last me til next winter. It was already looking shabby and then I stained it in the wash with some mystery ingredient. I cut up about five or six old jumpers into the same shape and have made up the first one.

Its still very early stage especially as the edges are cut raw and needs top stitching to problem solve any warping. Im happy with it so far and a bit excited about the others that ive cut up. I mean, think about it. Imagine having your favourite cardigan in every colour. See. Exciting hey?

size 12

Im plugging away at a pile of cut out wrap dresses for the market tomorrow at Mornington.

Its going to be a long day because the day market keeps on going, becoming a twilight market. It goes til 8pm. I love twilight markets so am really looking forward to it. It will be an earlier than usual night for me tonight though.

I didnt need another overnight case, I wasnt looking on purpose, promise but the Mr told me to buy it after we spotted it while taking Violet out for a chai yesterday. It needs a good scrub but its the perfect size. Oops, I havent even looked inside yet, so hopefully its just the outside thats grubby.

I found a couple of cushions (middle) and couldnt resist them as they are buttoned, even though they are only from Freedom.

There is an updated page for the womens wrap dresses in my sidebar due to finding a few new vintage cottons the other day. The first one on the list is destined to be a dress for me. Ive also added some designer fabrics to the mix that are not in stock and will need to be ordered but as soon as they land in my letterbox I will do my best to make them the same day.

Three posts in one day is quite enough, especially since im so, ahem! busy sewing, so its back to the machine....

a coat for violet

2011-12-20T13:15:00.000+11:00

Late last night I had a vision to do this old velour red bedspread as a coat for Violet. Im talking late, late.

One of my favourite colour combinations will always remain cherry red and aqua blue.

Im going to sneakily wrap it and address it to her and pop it in the letterbox out the front for mum to find when she gets home.

I was forced to add an embellishment of extra velvet ribbon to the hood inner to cover over the join because the batting of the bedspread showed but I adore the over-the-topness of having the velvet on velour.

Anyhow I just finished sewing the buttons on and thought id show you.

samples for january

2011-12-20T11:35:00.000+11:00

These are the in stock fabrics and sheeting that are available now for purchase via the shop.

Allow 7 - 10 days for making up and listing online ready for purchase.

Happy browsing!

(please note this one is faded in parts but I will use the brightest bits along the edges that I can)

these last four beginning with this one above are available by special order with an approximate four week wait

This is the fabric that I used for the dress I posted the other day.

yesterdays market

2011-12-18T21:52:00.000+11:00

As I mentioned earlier I was headed out Warragul to the Arts and Crafts market close to mums place yesterday. I stayed up til two making some necklaces. .

I wasnt quite sure where they would head and although they didnt reach the vision I had (as if they would on the first attempt! plus it was after midnight) I liked the overall look and wore one on the day anyway. Ill show them once they are in the shop. They were fun to make.

There are no market stall photos but some of the grandbabies instead. It was busy, busy with the little ones but a really nicely located market in the centre of town in a park, where we stretched out on the lawn under the trees behind the stall to wind down in the quiet parts of our day, (there werent many, as people wanted to stop and talk and know if I was a local girl etc.). It was rather delightful and ive booked to do a repeat.

This is the latest dress in size 16 and its part of the shop update tonight along with the pinafores from friday.

today im working on

2011-12-16T21:55:00.000+11:00

All of these are what I made today!

I dont quite know how other than starting early, ignoring anyone who asked for something and well.... I had a very surprisingly good sewing day (still going here of course, market tomorrow and all that).

I had nice interruptions by way of visitors and some dropping off of family members out for the evening but cancelling my own dinner plans ( I really wanted to go too), and right this minute im home alone, yay for me! As soon as I sign off im about to embark on some accessory making after having an inspiring chat with one of my besty's, Elisha. Can you sense the buzz?

I hope I dont fall flat on my creative face but I will never know if I dont try,

will I?

I have Muse playing real loud, (okay, I had to call number one son to ask how to turn the speakers on) and ive been dreaming up some necklaces....

something for the table.

I cant wait to do the market this weekend with Zjahlii as its been about 6 or 7 weeks since ive seen my grandbabies! Ill be a bit emotional when I see them. The Mr will join us after lunch and did I ever tell you he thinks he's my lucky charm? He does you know...

bias binding, new dresses and some finds

2011-12-15T21:17:00.000+11:00

Lets start with the finds! I think I had forgotten how thrilling it is to find a huge stash of fabrics at the op-shop. Its true! I havent been going that much (maybe once or twice every two months) and when I do it is always because im desperate for doilies or a certain coloured fabric which takes all the fun out of the hunt. But today I threw caution to the wind and decided to reach for anything and everything that took my eye. As it played out, I only went to two stores to find all of this and more.

And do you know what I was kind of hoping to find? Ugly fabric. Yep you read right. I wanted ugly fabric to slice into bias binding. Cos you cant cut up the good cloth now can you? So the stuff here with the paler background is looking lovely in a bias binding on one of the dresses below, plus I will use the plain sheets too. The dark olivey green at the bottom of the pile is going to be wonderful, im predicting.

I found a couple of scarves for silk dresses. I dont know if ive shown you them lately but I will when I do another batch mid summer by the looks of things.

size 16

My shop update today is womens dresses. About time hey? and why I needed bias binding...

size 14

size 12

This one happens to have two pockets. Love.

And this size 12 is hot off the machine tonight. I dont know what the deal is with all this blue but I am having a blue year... so..

The studio is showing the signs of market chaos. I tried to tidy but couldnt find the head space. I want to sew.

I need to sew. I am doing a saturday market out at Warragul so my daughter Zjahlii can join me for the day. Then we will be doing another instalment on mum's kitchen over the weekend. Mornington Main street is holding a twilight market this wednesday so its going to be a long day, like a double market really. It finishes at 8pm.

Meanwhile my naughty corner is looking more organised than the rest of the room.

It looks like I have enough doilies to make oodles of dresses but I run out all the time. Seriously. Because they have to match well front and back and be the perfect one for the certain fabric im using too. For instance, certain flowers are certain shapes and the doilies should imitate the flower or leaf print I think.

All afternoon I was making binding and now my back is sore. I didnt even get that much done.

I have used this sheet for a couple of dresses but now it was time to reinvent it into something else. In other words im sick of seeing it.

Lots and lots of parcels have been going to homes around the country and my packaging efforts are the best theyre ever going to be. I still cant wrap things very well, and since I dont like seeing sticky tape, have succumbed to finalising them with a well placed sticker to hold down the paper folds. I think it works well. Shame I cant use my sewing machine to seal them...or could I?

Other creative spaces here.

before the light fades

2011-12-12T21:36:00.000+11:00

Before the light fades is a pretty way of saying im sewing crazily finishing things so I can show them off to you, something for my monday of cutting and orders, then madly ironing and grabbing the camera while running through the house while everyone looks on thinking whatever they think. It happens to be my way of revving myself up cos to be honest im not getting a whole lot of creative pleasure out of doing the bias binding edgings over and over again. I was thinking today I need to get making a new design or two. If I have a chance tomorrow morning id like to do a little something different.

size 3

size 1

size 3

size 1

size 2

These are my shop update for tonight.

makings

2011-12-11T12:42:00.000+11:00

size 6

I made some more wrap dresses this weekend.

size 6

size 5

Im actually going to enjoy cutting out for this weeks market tonight. Normally im all over the place with orders but im almost up to date today and only have a couple of womens wraps to do. After I nail them it will be rare to have my mind free to create whatever I like.

her fathers daughter

2011-12-10T20:57:00.000+11:00

Violet is now 7 and a half months. I placed these cushions around her to break her fall but she just climbed them instead.

her father was walking now, at 7 and a half months. He crawled at 3 and a half. I know, a freak hey? She is so super confident. The other day she used a power point as a grapple hold to stand up. It is quite unnerving to see her do her thing but I guess we will get used to it.

One handed reaching for things...

then realising she needs to get lower down again to move.

We are so fascinated by her right now.

Happy weekend to you!

my inner space

2011-12-09T23:23:00.003+11:00

Every now and then I indulge, taking time to fully immerse myself in a sea of architecture.

Tonight im doing just that. I imagine standing in the spaces and it sends me somewhere else. Feeding my inner space. I absolutely love upscaling and the idea of adding in unnecessary moldings wherever possible has my mind whirring with possibilities, (I drove the Mr nuts when we did up our country house) so I was fascinated by the details of this compact place.

It looks like an average gorgeous loft but they have squeezed so many good things in here. There is more to it than first sight tells. Like the odd door with odder windows above the larder completely mismatched to the one next to it. They could have had two same doors, it would have been easier.

The way the kitchen door is set into a column and therefore gives the illusion of being set into the wall.

And the view has been allowed through every angle with additional windows so a complete disregard for furniture placement. Who cares where youll put the couch and tv when the room is so pleasing.

Every window is an odd size and at differing heights.

Whoever built this could have blocked in the end wall to remove the angle but it seems they have left it for interest.

Maximum storage was given in the bathroom by building fluidly across what looks like the whole wall from end to end, something we rarely do in Australia. In such a limited space it might have been a gamble to think of using up so much floor room. If they didnt have this it would be junked up with everyday bathroom needs anyway.

Now this! This is so inspiring when you break it down. And since I found this the most enlightening room of all, in an architectural way, allow me to do it for you.

Breathe, breathe.

The large window used here gives a symmetry and balance not to mention the deepest window ledge ever. Again you would think it would encroach too far in on this tight tiny room but it only gives it a wonderfully english homey sense while providing a bench in which to work from. I mean even I would be able to fold all of my washing on that! And I would want to.

Ive never seen the use of a high bench in which to place appliances either, so there is no bending to be done. Ive always thought dryers too high up (so you miss finding the other sock) and front loader washing machines too low to see into. I like the matchboarding, who doesnt? and a heater in the laundry would be handy to take the dampness from clothes, wouldnt it?

boys t-shirts

2011-12-08T23:12:00.003+11:00

Over the last week ive been slowly working on a pile of stripey t-shirts for boys. Not short sleeved but 3/4 as there are enough of the average short sleeved out there to choose from. So far I am doing sizes 1 - 5 and ill see how they go at market before doing the larger sizes. I used to make these sort of t-shirts for my three boys in odd striped fabrics I found, mixy and matchy. I enjoy the playfulness of putting different knits together, and creating with no restrictions, although I thought the creamy one looked a bit pyjama-like so have tried not to use it as a front.

Ill be updating the shop over the next day.

My creative list is huge for the remainder of the year as I have some major markets coming up.

Things like

boys shorts

girls shorts

envelope neck tees

pinafore dresses

a few cot quilts like these

and most importantly summer clothes for me!

Stay tuned friends cos im revved.*

* Because I just folded three weeks worth of washing after helping a friend go through her wardrobe today.

Have you ever seen the movie Shopaholic? Well I acquired the most divine green scarf to bring home from Carol's cast offs. Yay!

More spaces here

samples

2011-12-06T23:29:00.001+11:00

red batik

red flower diamonds

red blossom spray

green flower diamonds

olive and green tiles

turquoise and olive wash

grass green and old blue floral

pink and blue vine on chocolate

These are the latest samples for womens wrap dresses for december 2011. I will try to update these as I find more.

a sewing day out

2011-12-06T18:08:00.000+11:00

Unsure of whether you guys are onto the pattern that seems to be repeating itself these last few weeks im now admitting that I go out sewing every tuesday. Ive been going to my friend, Mary's place to sew without distractions and to catch up on orders for that week. It sees me achieving way more than when at home. And boy, is it working wonders for both of us!

Mary and her husband run their own business so of course she has bookeeping to do, which can get out of hand quickly. Well, when I come for the day it kind of forces her to sit and do it. Sometimes she has been doing other things like clean out her wardrobe, kitchen cupboards, and the list just keeps going. Today was supposed to be linen press day. She didnt get it done in the end but then there is always next week!

Here is a favourite print of mine that they have in their lounge.

A pram blanket I finished for todays shop update.

I am so enamoured of the idea of sewing out for the day. I think you should ring your bestie and make a play date tonight and see where it leads you. It may force you to do those odd bits of mending you havent got around to or it may just allow you the head space to begin that quilt youve always wanted to start. I, for one am loving this play time, even if it is about the business side of things as well.

monday makings

2011-12-06T09:23:00.000+11:00

size 5

I have a shop update of all sorts of things this time. I could not focus to sew just one type of design today so here is what I felt like doing added to some things made for the market table on saturday.

size 6

size 1

I spent yesterday evening cutting out about 20 of these in size 1 through to 5, that I hope to get done. Im off to sew at a friends place. Like having a studio away from home. I know, I know I have a lovely space here but I can be so distracted by my housework and phonecalls, well you know how it is, that I get alot more done if I go out for the day.

size 3

size 6 - 12 months

If you didnt see the post about the photoshoot in Tickle The Imagination online magazine here is the link.

My Little Tree Kids clothing features on page 53!

weekend

2011-12-05T09:59:00.003+11:00

Life has been fast paced of late. Ill have more of real life for you one day soon but right now I cant stop penning about this market life* and the way things have been going down.

Like, sometimes if I mention what im working on to an eager customer, it doesnt quite make it to blog or shop update before im putting it in the post! Which happened with this yellow dress above.

So I really enjoyed the weekend as it was one of those where I had no expectations (of myself)

and just let it roll. I have really wanted to do a smallish school market and it ended up happily successful, which is just as well because I had to force myself out of bed early saturday to replenish the table stock with some slippers quickly. It seems folks like that you are a local maker just doing your thing, putting yourself out there.

I managed four pairs of odd boots and slippers that were leftover cutting out I had sitting by.

I always cut out more than I get done for each market and they build up for times like these when I simply dont have time to begin cutting out at such a late stage, like 3 hours before I need to be somewhere!

After a late update phonecall from market organisers I was informed that we would be inside due to a high wind forecast. Eeeek! I rely on the marquee to hang my clothes from. But I managed to talk myself through the logistics of the set-up plus the Mr said he would come and help me. That was nice of him. So, needless to say I did the handsewing on these littlies at the market.

A friend makes the owls, not me, in case you were wondering what they were doing sitting there.

Viewing this now I realise I need more height on the table and wished id taken my tree.

In fact on this fine monday morning im having a complete rethink of the stall look so I dont get caught out again.

Im loving the simplicity of Jo's set-up.

Sunday we had a family day in more ways than one. Recently we have had my husbands brother and his family move over to Victoria from interstate and it was so nice to catch up last night over nibblies and a bbq. I got so caught up chatting to my sister in law that I forgot to make the salad and dressing (until the Mr reminded me).

And she is also a fellow blogger too! You can check her out here.

*Or maybe this is who I am becoming at the moment in a scarily boring way. Oh dear!

so, im on the right track

2011-12-04T00:48:00.002+11:00

I found this late tonight after staying up to check and double check my emails.

If this is anything to go by then im only four things short of staying creative.

Just have to work on 3, 8, 22 and 26....

Good to know!

How many are you keeping up with?

found here

ill be here today

2011-12-03T07:54:00.000+11:00

Im going to be at the Bentleigh West Primary School Market today.

I thought id try something local. I only just found out about it yesterday so I dont know how ready ill be by lunchtime. Its on from 12 til 4 and the location is 23 Brewers road, Bentleigh.

Pop in if youre in the area!

tickle the imagination magazine

2011-12-02T19:07:00.003+11:00

Way back here I talked about something exciting that was happening. Well today is the day that the summer issue

of Tickle The Imagination is out!

Everything has been under wraps but I can finally let you know im thrilled to be in it as a contributor alongside my friends, Elisha of MonetPaisley Swimwear, Danielle Quarmby from Curiouser, her sister Kelly from PolkaDot Lane and Adelin at DinkyMe.

This was the first time I had done anything like this and I didnt know what I was in for when we met at a beach one spring day. But the kids were really well behaved and we managed not to drown anyone as it was a blustery beachy shoot and all of the little ones continually beelined for the waters edge. We ate cakes supplied by Red Hill Mud and in the end I found it hard to leave even though we were all pretty tired after the many clothing changes. I never knew how much work went into the organising of these things! I guess now I do.

Click on the link to check out our day!

friday

2011-12-02T17:05:00.003+11:00

Theres alot happenning behind the scenes here at Textured Leaf Studio.

Im busy with sample boards for a certain endeavour, sorry to be a bit secret right now.

Ill announce it once I figure out the logistics. Ive also been setting up an online shop for my daughter where there will be the most squeal worthy party dresses and skirts. Just you wait!!!

I, as her mother can hardly contain myself when I spy what she has made.

Then there has been a few too many to keep up with custom orders for ladies wrap dresses. One certain repeat customer is on her fifth, yes I said FIFTH dress!

And all I really want to do is make quilts with the Mr.

I spied this over on Pinterest recently. I think it will be simple to do, dont you?

I might go for a blue background where the white is instead.

If anyone is working on a quilt can you please leave me a comment as id love to visit and see...

halfway

2011-12-01T19:18:00.000+11:00

I figure im about halfway at becoming good at this *market thing.

I know around half of what I should know by now as far as where to put things to maximum effect,

ive dodgily constructed one half of what can become a changeroom, and

I mostly always rock up with about half the stock I intended to make.

But I have nice friends that come to support me on the day, bringing me chai for breakfast and yummy cakes. Thanks Elisha!

Theres the standout customers who let me take photos of their kids.

Then theres those gorgeous unforgettable kids who will pose readily for my camera.

I adored this little guy, can you tell?

I hadnt seen this aviator on anyone yet and I wasnt quite sure of the sizing as

I have to be honest ive found them hard to size.

I guess its a 3 - 4 then?

The weather did not make up its mind yesterday and I spent a good part of 20 minutes hanging on to the marquee worriedly cos the other thing im slack about is taking weights to hold it down. Meaning I never have taken anything at all. Im glad I braved it as the rest of the day was downright delightful.

*apologies for another boring market post

market day at mulgrave

2011-11-28T16:12:00.001+11:00

Rosina and Sue are always kind enough to put me under the beautiful robinia trees when im at Mulgrave Makers market so on those hot days the heat doesnt get the better of me.

Im liking the symmetry of the stall now even though I forced it on myself when I decided to use my blue market

table in the studio makeover. There are still a few things I need like an extra rail/rack for the ladies dresses and to fit the two more designs for summer (they are still very much in my head but soon...)

I need to sort the changeroom out with proper curtains, and more baskets/containers to hold homewares would be good to fill the empty holes on the floor. Im thinking lightweight ones with wheels perhaps? Of course I need to sew the homewares too!

When I look back on my market day shots lately im a wee bit proud of how full things are looking. I mean it actually looks like I know what im doing, which is still in doubt.

When the style guru Eleesa comes to visit she does tell me but when your in the middle of it all you dont realise until later on how your stall might look to another. I am beginning to agree, Eleesa, and thanks cos you always make me feel sorted and relieved when you pop by.

Happy monday to you!

Im heading out to the shed tonight to do some much needed sorting.

Ive been leaving it up to the menfolk but it really needs a womans touch to tweak things back into their correct spots. Id rather be sewing but there is no choice.

mums kitchen - part two

2011-11-28T09:24:00.000+11:00

Thursday and friday last week I was down at mums again sorting out the second instalment of her new kitchen.

Plan A for this week was to put together the cabinet to house the oven so mum could start cooking again. She has been using an electric frypan for the time being.

Only thing was, when we rang to make sure we could pick up the oven tower that we were waiting on, it hadnt even been ordered. Plan B, find one somewhere and go pick it up. While there we could get the rest of the bench top and get cutting out the hole for the cooktop. Well that wasnt meant to be either as they didnt have the same colour as the other Bunnings store. .

I didnt have a plan C. All I was able to achieve thursday, was to cut the hole for the sink ready for my son in law to plumb in, and a bit of problem solving. On the friday we did get our hands on the illusive oven tower, yay, but when I got half way through the instructions, I read it was a two man job to erect the entire upper part. The housings for the microwave and the top cabinet were too heavy to hold in place while screwing in. So after a bit of cupboard emptying I gave up doing any more woodwork and came home to sort myself out for sundays market.

It threatened to be a not so nice day (drizzling) but that didnt last very long, only while setting up really, then ended up sunny around midday. Ill be back later today to show how the stall looked this time around. I took our coffee table again! I need to get something that is a bit lighter to transport, methinks.

market day

2011-11-23T23:50:00.000+11:00

I seem to be making alot of pink this week.

I had to reconfigure the stall due to me using my market table for the redesign in the studio last week. You might recognise our coffee table!

I got around to constructing a makeshift change room and it definitely got used, so good timing.

Im finally doing some cushions for kids rooms!

The guy next door to me sells organic eggs at $4 a dozen or three dozen for $10. I, of course, bought the 3 for $10 as we are on a quiche kick here.

Happy wednesday!

2011-11-22T22:24:00.000+11:00

Its 10pm and im waiting for the Mr to get home and secretly hoping I have a couple more hours up my sleeve to prep for market. Ive been sewing since I woke up. By the clock to be precise.

I sewed more dresses than I thought possible and now am working on some girls shorts and a couple of cushions for the table, things Id been meaning to do a year ago. I will be ironing and labeling and sizing into tomorrow which I try not to do as im not a morning person by nature and it renders me slightly incoherent for the first hour in the morning. Lately ive been organised enough and getting to bed before midnight but im not that lucky tonight.

I hope to see some friendly faces tomorrow, actually I know I will cos a few of my friends live closeby, but I mean regular customers and the other stall holders. Find me at Mornington Main Street market tomorrow, at the beach end across from the great little eatery,Via Boffe.

dress production

2011-11-21T18:49:00.000+11:00

After announcing my new label its only fitting the next dress should be a tree print. This one

has a pocket on each side.

These are part of my shop update tonight

but my heart is not really in it as ive just come across from Posie Gets Cosy.

She has had some devastating news so if youd like to send her some love by way of a kind comment im sure she would appreciate it.

size 16

stocktake

2011-11-21T14:26:00.001+11:00

The Mr has been very patient with me sorting out for the market this wednesday. Over last week I began trying to do a mini stocktake and ever since then weve been waking up to this.

There is not much to say really. Im in a bit of a panic today when I see how little I have left.

Market day is wednesday, I have around fifteen things cut out for Little Tree Kids and a few ladies wraps started.

Where did my weekend go?

announcement

2011-11-20T20:07:00.003+11:00

With all of the choices of names with their multitude of different connotations ive never been sure of what name my womens clothing label would be. I have always liked the word Piece. It is simple and it pretty much sums up what I do and how I do it in one singular word. A piece of clothing, a one off, made from, again, a piece of cloth or pieces of embroideries ive found. These labels above are what I had made up when a few years back I was making dresses for Lyn Gardeners store, Empire Vintage. She was extremely nice to the creatively, sporadic, mother of four that I was and didnt ever ask too much of me by way of stock. Just allowed me to bring in whatever designs took my fancy at the time. I hardly had to make the same thing twice.

Anyhow that name, Piece alone, hasnt been available for a few years.
I checked. By the time I had the plan to use it as a label name someone had already thought of it. But annoyingly not for clothing or anything to do with it to my knowledge. A Google search and you get this. So the other night I had an idea to go one better and outsmart the outsmartee, typed in Piece by Wendy Hill... and because id attached my name it worked!
So I will now, a bit excitedly, be making womens dresses under my own label and not simply a byproduct of the blog as The Textured Leaf dresses. It was about time wasnt it? I have this week, opened an Etsy shop under that name and have been going about simplifying things, (being very hopeful here). I guess ill keep you updated.

shop update - wrap dresses

2011-11-18T12:57:00.002+11:00

womens size 16

I went to a friends to sew yesterday as she is down the road from our mechanic. So once id dropped the van off (one day late) to be serviced I kind of got nicely stuck there all day and finished these dresses. The first two are for Elaine, a lovely, (becoming quite regular) customer of mine. They are special order fabrics from overseas.

womens size 16

womens size 10

womens size 14

I adore the look of the vintage sheeting bias binding on a sheeting dress. I wasnt sure at first if it would look too over girly/feminine which it does, but I seem to like the look regardless. This sheet is such a lightweight breezy fabric, it will be lovely to wear during the hottest summer days. Almost like wearing nothing...

naughty corner

2011-11-16T18:59:00.000+11:00

Let me show you my naughty corner.

The one corner of the studio that I will allow to be built up with a little bit of chaos.

There are three main identities to the stuff here, the long rolls of fabric and pattern paper, clothes in progress hanging up waiting to be finished/labeled and the rack of trims. Excuse the lovely ray of sunlight hitting. I hope to not stray too far outside these boundaries (if at all) now that things are super streamlined. I had visitors today and showed them around the new house and I was a little bit beside myself when we entered the room and saw that im up to my old tricks of not keeping on top of the putting away, already! At this rate im going to need to tidy up big time once a week. Not good! I could be sewing instead....

in the middle of the night

2011-11-15T19:08:00.002+11:00

This was the sunlight that came through the window yesterday afternoon while I was sewing. Isnt it glorious!

I feel lucky indeed to have such a space to work in. The light now reflects off the wall where previously the dark piece of furniture lived. Up til now I thought this room was too gloomy to do much work in during the day due to the shutters, and mostly I just came in here at night times. Even then things werent good because the lighting needed a strong globe and I never seemed to remember to buy one. Well, the concentrating of the doing up of the studio has altered my perspective entirely. I woke up in the middle of the night to go and look at what id achieved. Okay, okay, so I had a mountain of orders to cut and that was what kept me awake, but the point is im smitten with this room now!

Im working my way through cutting out some ladies size 16s this evening. I have a day up my sleeve tomorrow as instead of heading off to market the van is getting serviced. I feel free to play, and play I will! even if I have to get up in the middle of the night again. The Mr is used to me having these sporadic hours where I have to get my head around things I simply cant tackle in daylight hours.

Ive been working on a dress for Kelly. I only just got the size out Kel! with millimetres to spare, phew!

And a very small shop update tonight is this size 1 dress.

Does anyone know where I can source some grass green gingham? Im a bit desperate.

It must be the perfect green.

Leave me comment if you do, cheers!

I have to say a huge thankyou to Christy who sends me the nicest fabrics from her stash.

She says she will never use them but I just think shes being nice to me. Ive already cut out a wrap dress from the big liberty type floral you sent. Thank you for your kindness!

studio makeover

2011-11-14T16:43:00.001+11:00

Its taken me a few days to get into the swing of the makeover. First there was the emptying of the cupboards (scary), then the wait for the menfolk to help me shift them (I ended up doing the first one myself-no mean feat), I then had to go through fabrics and toss just a few to make some room for the overflow (not a fan of the overflow). I knew in my head which ones I wasnt that fond of, things id had for years, just a matter of performing the ritual of bagging them and putting them on the front porch for the girls to look through when they come on friday for our sewing afternoon. I havent gotten around to telling you about that yet but they have been happening on the odd week.

Now, the ultimate space for me is industrial in its simplicity and I definitely dont like girly. Just a workroom aesthetic with big clear tabletops.

I have a clock to sometimes time my sewing, not necessarily to see what the time is. Like, I try to challenge myself do a task that takes me 20 minutes in 15. Sometimes I almost sew over my fingers if im tired so I dont really recommend it.

I thought I wanted an artwork but now im not sure. I think after looking through the photos I prefer it without.

There are quite a few makeovers going on at the moment. Ive seen three so far this past week.

Happy sewing to you all.

once upon a weekend

2011-11-12T11:39:00.002+11:00

A few weekends ago we spent the best part of the day doing artwork together. There was an animal theme going on. Bird with big head by our daughter, Zjahlii.

Our son Navarh's skull woodcut.

The Mr's tree.

Its wasnt long before things got weird.

The next day there was a different sort of medium happening.

Lets say things got a little bit competitive.

This fantastic watercolour is by Zjah for her husband, Riley who's a keen fisherman.

It was the nicest way to spend a weekend.

I really meant it when I asked you all about my dilemma.

ikea survey

2011-11-11T21:05:00.001+11:00

After getting very roughly quarter of the way through the latest makeover here at the Textured Leaf studio I need to ask a few questions. If you had a certain idea for a room but then went browsing the local Ikea store and there were four options staring you in the face, would you

1. choose the piece that holds the most because hey, you know you will fill it with stuff anyway?

2. buy the one that was your original vision even if it only stores half as much and youll need to delete a few long held onto scraps?

3. go ahead and buy what youve had your eye on for ages regardless of how little it will solve your storage issues?

4. throw caution to the wind completely and get the most expensive but impractical thing because you simply love it?

or 5. defy your husband by making something secretly in the shed?

Well ...which would it be for you?

What do you think ill choose?

I was definitely leaning towards number five but after visiting Ikea this afternoon with girls only company it has led me down a different path. You know, I had always gone to Ikea with the Mr but boy was it different when we werent speeding through, I could take my time and didnt get the usual head ache.

Oh and I sewed another eskimo when I got home. I only wish I felt like doing more but maybe once I get a grip on the studio...

time for a change

2011-11-10T18:49:00.000+11:00

Its already necessary to change things around at home and at this point in time we have the whole weekend up our sleeves. The studio/sewing room needs a big makeover now that two of us are sewing most days, so that means switching furniture around to make room for what im taking out of there to make space. I never got this room how I wanted it when we moved I kind of just made things fit. After doing some building the other day ive got the furniture making bug and have decided on some pigeon holes.

This is the before.

Ive begun emptying the cupboards and now im going to take a big deep breath.

Wish me an easy, fruitful night?

shop update - wrap dresses

2011-11-10T14:24:00.000+11:00

I think I told you how this above is one of my favourite fabrics of all time.

Well ive decided to part with a small amount of it for some dresses for the shop in a limited edition.

This is the first. I think, given the nature of the print they will be suitable for a special occasion.

womens size 10

womens size 12

I have a small amount left of this green and olive leaf cotton to make any size from 8 to an 18 and thought I would mention it seeing the response this fabric got when I first showed it.

womens size 14

womens size 10

Im beginning to use the larger (more plentiful) doileys in different ways by cutting them in a splice across the back and im loving the results. A different sort of elegance but still ultimately wearable for day or evening which is the aim.

In home news, ive had am emotionally draining week. My mums husband had to go in for eye surgery and we were not sure of the outcome as he is diabetic so it was high risk. He could have ended up completely blind as the surgery was on his 'good' eye, (he had lost sight in his other eye while waiting for three years for an operation). But then the bandages came off yesterday morning and he could see! Its been a bit of a bumby rollercoaster but we opened a couple of bottles of champagne to celebrate. Sometimes I dont realise how much ive taken on until its over with.