Shopping + Sale

I was listing madly last night and filling the Etsy store. Check it out if you wanna and mention the blog in notes to sellers and I will take 10% off and free shipping for the next week. Please note it is in US dollars but the price will be the same in Aussie $ so let me know and I will send you a correct invoice.

Magic March Monday, Eye Spy, Sunday Stash, the Stitches Show, Off to Market

As you can gather from the title I have a little to cover here, it is not that I have been slack though just caught in some weird time vacuum - you know what I mean.

So PottyMouthMama's fab Magical March is going so quick, and I have been keeping an eye out. There have been lots of changes in the last few weeks at Bug and Pop central, out of your comfort zone stuff. Glen has started a new job today and I think it is going to work out so much better than the last, more challenging, more hours, more responsibility. It wasn't exactly his choice to leave but I think it will take him to such a better place, I reckon that is pretty magical when you realise that life steers you in the direction that you need to be and you don't even realise it.

The Stitches and Craft show was a fantastic day out with some lovely ladies. So there was girly giggling, catching up with friends I have not met before but knew so well, there was inappropriate stroking of fabric, there was oggling of fabulously talented ladies wares - so in all this of course I took not one photo. So my Sunday Stash is all my great goodies that I snaffled. When I got home Glen said "Is that all you bought", I nearly went back again as there was SO much good stuff! Miss Kelani was just divine and I got some sweet fabric, fairies for Poppy and old fashioned toys for the boys. I am always a sucker for the Aunty as well, my favourite Cookie and with no calories. The little girl is from Ric Rac (her selvedge creations even more amazing in person), the playmat from One girl, Mixtape mag and super cute fabric bundle from Leni and Rose. Nice collection I think though I forgot to get a One Red Robin brooch. More fabricy goodness at Tamara's.

(Amazing picture from here)

Eye spy for the week was my favourite colour, but I must admit I am a non-colour discriminator, I love them all in some tone or another. It is a bit like picking your favourite child, can't be done. I think that might be my biggest problem that I can't filter and end up with a mix of everything together. Thanks to Amityville Boronia for her super sweet theme. I am hoping the Beyond Pink and Blue will be able to pick out next weeks theme. While you are there check out the GREAT work she has been doing with Rainbow comfort packs.

Lastly but not least the market went well on Sunday, thanks so much for all your well wishes yet again. It wasn't as good as the December one, but I think I may of been a little spoilt there. As always it is interesting to see what does and doesn't go well. The applique tops did well so I think I will definitely do more of those. The boy pants in denims and browns and the vests were super popular but the green and orange pants not as much so I am thinking that I will do some different types for the Sydney market in July and see how they go. Thankfully Glen came with me which was great (you can see him in profile with coffee), only someone special can tell you not to look scared - It is meant to be fun. And it was, there is nothing better when someone gasps "Oh I love capes". Lots of super sweet ladies came to say hello as well, Beth and Lou and the always super supportive Liesl with Argy in tow. Can't wait for Sydney in July already, at least I have a good head start for that one, so not so many late nights.

Wow, what a post, I probably should of broken for you. It is late, hope I haven't sent you off to sleep.

100

100.. that is the magic number that I had in mind for the number of clothes to take to the Mathilda's Market this Sunday. It sounded a little crazy in my head with a full time job, a 2 month count down and just me sewing but I think I have made it. I am super excited with how they are all looking too. Come check it out at Hawthorne Town Hall - if you want - I may need someone to poke me in case I have fallen asleep after this last push to get it all done. I will be towards the back of the second hall, and thanks to for everyone's support words too, you are all TOPS!!

Loving this Friday indeed.

PS I have been a very slack commentor too - from next week - No more, I promise to be back annoying all of you.

My Creative Space

Another oldie but a goodie. I still love this Russian doll fabric. Can't talk - lots of sewing. Too ashamed to show you my actual desk - eek.

More creative spaces at Kirtsy's house, a lot more indepth than mine.

Have I shown you this one yet?

I have done some more reversible capes with polar fleece for winter. I still love these. The dress is white cord with Japanese butterfly yoke. I think it would look super sweet with a red long sleeve shirt under.

I am excited - I am off to the Stitches and Craft show tomorrow, I even have a date. Can't wait. Child free - woo hoo.

My Creative Space

The last few weeks have been all about the gathering foot, this week has been applique and yo-yos. I have never made one before and I have to tell you they are a little addictive. I found this tutorial and off I went. I used them to spruce up this little tee to go with the deer pants.

I also finished up the frill dress too, it is a grape purple linen with bird frill and applique. My model was channeling her inner Naomi Campbell today so the photos aren't great again. Thank goodness she didn't have a mobile phone. I so hate the slapping and pinching stage!!

I was hoping to get everything in my Etsy shop before the Mathilda's Market, but I fear I wont have time. If you have seen anything that you like please email me or leave a comment as most of it I don't have any fabric left so I can't make anymore. I will list whatever is left after the market. The market is Sunday week at the Hawthorne Town Hall 9-2, I have already had a few people hoping to drop in - please do! and let me know!

More great creative spaces over at Kirsty's house. Go see she is very friendly.

Purple People Eater

I have finally got the whole outfit finished for Mathilda's Market, you may remember the purple pants from a while ago, I made this square yoke, 3/4 sleeve top with Alexander Henry birds fabric on the bottom. I have to be honest, I am a lover of the purple and I like it, oh I like it alot. We had some beautiful rain today and it was lovely and cool, but outside photos were not an option, unfortunately my model wasn't feeling the change of venue so please excuse the photos.

My Creative Space

It is still all about the gathering foot this week, here are the finished pants in action on Poppy. I am super happy with these little numbers and going to make a matching applique top.

Since I am a gathering machine this is a dress with frill bottom that I am working on too. Only 2.5 weeks until Mathilda's Market so I am a flurry of activity (read panic).

More creative spaces at Kirsty's place.

My Creative Space

I discovered that my overlocker has a gathering foot, and I got a little bit excited. Needless to say ruffle legged girl pants, mid way through construction, are making there way into my winter collection.

More creative spaces as this Creative lady's house, go visit.

Eye Spy ... My secret (Food) Shame

I think Jade's theme for this week is super cute, but I have to admit that my many and varied food loves are not so secret. I am not a big drinker, I don't smoke, drug aren't my thing but sugar and fat ohhhh they are my homies. Some of you may know already, thanks to the Mouth Mama, but yesterday was my Birthday so you know calories don't count on that day and I managed to squeeze in as much of my favourite stuff as possible, including eating the cake at midnight. Lamingtons, one of my all time loves.

Dinner was Thai takeaway (the joys of children) I have a serious addiction to entrees and end up never even ordering from the main menu. Golden bags/money bags I could live on them and yummy curry puffs with potatoes and snow peas.

Thanks to Just Add Salt for her suggestion, and her great bag that she donated to handmade help that sold super quick, it was really cute I am not surprised. Next week I think a great one may be Eye Spy ... Love. It could be your current person or thing or your dream.

My pirate pants for Handmade Help is still available for $35 including postage with 100% going to the Red Cross. You can choose size 1,2,3 or 4 just let me know, all you have to do is email me or leave a comment below and the first person I hear from will be the proud new owner. I am super proud, I think we may break the $1000 mark today and it hasn't even been running a week and that is not even mentioning all the great donations and other initiatives.

The pant-a-thon is continuing too, these are the latest girl pants that I have finished in pink cord with brown flower front pleats finished with a button. I likee a lot, hope you do too. I am hoping to update the shop by next week-end, if I get a chance, so if you have seen anything you like you can have the chance to snap it up before Mathilda's Market in March.

PS. THANKS SO MUCH TO EVERYONE THAT STOPPED BY TO WISH ME A HAPPY BIRTHDAY YESTERDAY. I was really touched, like really really appreciative.

Handmade Help - Bug and Pop style

So I have been stretched further than Lycra at the Playboy Mansion with all that's going on, so I decided a bit of frivolity was in order.

How my kids have been helping out - If Mum's a bit late with dinner, start without her. If you can feed the dog and yourself at the same time that is even more helpful, because you know puppies all need some toddler leftovers to grow.

Bring the outdoors in. Haven't got time to play outside, simply bring the sandpit into the lounge so everyone is a winner - if the vacuum is broken then this is extra helpful.

If you find a lonely looking cold at kinder be sure to bring it home and share it with the family - sharing is important you know.

I have still been doing work for Mathilda's Market as well, these are the latest girl pants I've finished. There a little cute - don't you think.

Lots of good stuff and interesting news over at Handmade Help too, it is never too late to help, donate money to Red cross, donate items for sale or bid and remember to give those love ones an extra big squeeze too.

Handmade Help

I finally got around to listing one of my own items on Handmade Help. I have been so busy over there everything else has just been shelved, but I am missing you all. Help the cause and me feel loved. You can shoose size 1, 2, 3 or 4 once you have won to the first person that comments below who wants them.

My Creative Space .. and more Pants

Two hands at work.

Little fingers pulling out pins.

Scissors at the end, his favourite I think.

I missed out yesterday, it was mad hot, like melt the eyelashes right off your eyes hot. I couldn't even sew last night as all the kids doors were open trying to suck in as much air-con as possible. So I was ordered to use my non-productive time to sleep (oh I remember that one). As you can see my new little helper is still going full swing, overlocking up a storm, such a great star and taking the creative space very seriously. More great spaces, of people that actually got there on time at Kirsty's.

And of course more Pants, I know - enough of them already. These are some purple cord girlie ones, with sweet floral pockets. The Japanese pattern, at knee length with mushrooms is so super sweet without being too over the top. I have done a size 2, 3 and 4.

A Week of Pants - Day 4

I love the simplicity of these grey cords in Size 3 an 4 with plaid wool knees. I thought they needed a little sprucing so I added the cool bears underneath.

We have cleared out the garage for some extra room, as I was sweeping the floor I had visions of a great sewing room, as opposed to being shoved in the side of the dining room. Darn those kids, they won again with another play room. All resentment was gone after I saw these gorgeous chalk drawings. Caleb has even been trying to write numbers, you might be able to see the 8 he has attempted. Oh such a proud mama, he normally hates doing that sort of thing. We even have a bit of hopscotch action in the far corner - LOVE IT. Oh well, back to the dining room for me.

It's Official - I am Mad

Ready to rock your cuteness meter - oohh, ahh - cute patute. But no you are not seeing double, that is TWO PUPPIES!?! Caleb has named them Hasha Malasha and Lulu. Hasha is built like a brick, the fatest of the litter where Lulu is much more refined and smarter (well she is female after all). They are sleeping in the laundry and exploring the house, including our most annoyed 2 cats. Pop them outside as soon as they wake and most toilet training is under way.

In more, Cindy is crazy news, I have my Mathilda's markets organised for next year, Melbourne in March and November and Sydney in July. Super excited about it, even if the workload is going to be massive. Excellent!!

See I do Sew

A custom pair of pants for a Mathilda's market customer who had a little girl with a dress aversion. I think these are still super cute, even in the pant variety. The cute little russian dolls, met with cute red with white dots, and a heart pocket bottom and matching applique.

So glad to hear the positive response to Eye Spy too, I hope it is a goodie. I will whip into side bar action by the week-end.

Scale is a Faboulous Thing

These are some completed orders from Mathilda's market. I love them as they are all size 'O' and extra cute just for the sheer size of them (being a draftsman, scale is something I work with everyday) and I love how the matching singlets look. I can see more applique in my future, and more little hatchlet sizing.

So I Just Jumped Right In

And I got to tell you, it was ok. I didn't even throw up!

How is that for an intro? The market went really well. I was really happy with how the stand looked. Mum painted the sign up for me and did a great job. I had the stuff on the table as my samples and the stuff on the stand was for sale. I think considering that I had the least stock there that I did really well. I sold most of the stuff on the stand and got quite a few orders too. The Russian doll dress and red capes were hot item as were the fish pants. I discovered the brighter stuff wasn't really a seller for the boys so I know for next time. The customers were just lovely too, which was great. The fantastic Lynda bought me caffeine at just the right time, and Liesl came to see us too and even bought some pants for Argy and Bargy. All in all, a great day. The next one is in March, just enough time to recover I think. I am hoping to have a few more items for sale next time, especially for the little munchkins. So I have lots of sewing to do now so Glen is being roped in as my assistant since Mum went back home today. He also did a great job helping me out on the day and is also my chief stamper. It is a bit of a team sport here.

Ho HO HO - Oh Dear

So apparently there is only 7 weeks until Christmas, where did that year go? Anyway Santa is looking for some equally stylish places to put his bounty this year so I have done some Santa sacks. The green one is yet to reach it's full Christmassy goodness, but you get the idea.

Also some robot shorts for the fellas and cute little brown pirate style shorts too.

So you have heard me banging on about the Mathilda's Market enough, so please come down this Sunday at Malvern Town Hall and say hi. (I have to admit I am normally too shy when people say that, but PLEASE do.) There are lots of other fabulous people there too with great kiddy goodies, toys and clothes and activities for the littlies. And not in Melbourne, don't forget Brissy, Perth and Sydney have some great stuff on offer too.

On My Desk

I thought perhaps showing you the state of my desk would be the best indicator of what is happening. I don't even know if my last few posts have even made sense, there is so much swirling around in my little space limited mind. I sound like such a whoose since there seem to be so many talented young ladies doing the market in a smooth no fuss manner.

More desky goodness at the ever lovely Kotoyoo.

Anyway back to the subject, here are my red babies to even out the pink. Now for some sugar and tea.