Merry Christmas

Well it's not quite Christmas but we'll be getting in the spirit early, tomorrow night at the "Christmas in Winter" Special Barn Market from 6pm to 8pm at the Rosny Barn.

Come and enjoy a fabulous night out with the family! The special 2hr night market will have a European twist featuring a wide range of artisan stalls, mulled wine, competitions, wine tasting, carols, Partybooth and of course a visit from Santa!

Don't forget the market continues on Saturday from 10am to 3pm, with a record amount of high quality artisan and food stalls. There will also be two Makers Demonstrations and two Children's Story Telling sessions.

It's set to be a great weekend and one I'm really looking forward to. Come along and say hi if you get the chance.

My Creative Space ....

The last of my sewing for this weekend's Barn Market has been done! Luckily I have a lot of stock already so the lead up to this market hasn't been nearly as busy as with previous markets. Just as well really as I've been busy at a new job.

I've managed to get another bunch of fabric cards made up with lots of lovely fabrics & designs. I've also started on some summer items - Girls Short Sleeve Applique Tees. To see these and lots more items you can check out my Facebook Fan Page or my online store.

"Red Pinspot Flowers"

"Pink Floral Flowers"

For more wonderfully creative spaces head over to Kootoyoo.

Wordless Wednesday

To join in go here.

At My House

Well I had no idea this time last week that today I'd have one more sleep until starting a new job. It all came about very quickly after speaking to my old boss from 5yrs ago. He mentioned my name to a colleague who has purchased a business in town, needed an admin person, I went in for a quick "chat" on Friday and voila I start tomorrow.

I was able to set my own hours, which is fantastic, so I can still pick up my girls from school and childcare. Even though it's an existing business, there is a lot that needs to be done, so it's almost like starting from scratch which should be exciting. I'm not sure what I was thinking though saying I could start this week, when I have The Barn Market on Friday & Saturday.

Oh well, I still have plenty of stock and will be busy today getting as much done as possible. Like these fabric cards, which just need sewing & bagging, then it's on to some applique tees.

What's going on at your house today? Head over here to join in.

New Facebook Fan Page

Just popping in quickly to let everyone know that I've set up a new "Fan Page" on Facebook. My previous page was actually a "Group" and it turns out is not as appropriate and user friendly as a fan page. At the moment I will keep it open but will eventually close the group page, once people have joined me at my new fan page.

I will now be able to easily create photo albums, therefore making it much easier for people to find & view my products.

You can click on the "Find Us on Facebook" logo on the right hand side of my blog to visit my new page.

Hope everyone has a great weekend. I'm off to a sewing class in the morning to learn how to use my overlocker - I'm very excited!

Wordless Wednesday

Love the rain!

To play along go here.

Online Store is Now Open

Just a quick post to let you know that I have got my online store up and running. I am absolutely loving Big Cartel and can't recommend it more highly - it's really easy to setup & customise.

To visit my store you can click on the "Shop Online" icon on the top right hand side of my blog or alternatively visit my website and click on "Shop".

I still have lots of products to upload in the coming days plus include my shop policies page, so please be patient.

If you have any questions or feedback I would love to hear them.

At My House

After a lovely birthday & lazy weekend, I have been busy today tidying up, washing & ironing - boring I know!

But I have also been taking lots of photos of my garments ready to list in my online store I am setting up. After mulling over the various options - Etsy, Madeit, Shopify, Zen Cart I think I have decided to go with Big Cartel.

Here are some funny shots taken when the girls got in front of the camera (even the dog had to join in). The quality of the photos are so much better when I'm using hubbie's Canon 40D digital camera!

I am also busy this week getting a few things done for my next market on 20th & 21st August plus setting about finding some part time work - yikes!

I'm hoping to find something in retail, 3 or 4 days a week, which will just help that little bit towards the running of the house, bills etc etc and in purchasing a new car (well new "used" car), seeing as we have been driving a loan car for several months now.

Anyway, must get back to it! Join in and play along here and tell us what's going on At Your Place.

Happy Birthday Sophie

Today my little girl turned 4!

She enjoyed opening her presents this morning, especially her new dolls house. She also spent an entire day at childcare filled with fun, laughter & lots of games. The kids really enjoyed the cupcakes and even left me a little note:

"Thank you very much! Yum! Love all the children".

The message on the whiteboard at childcare today.

Tonight we spent a lovely evening out at Fish 349 in North Hobart with my mum (Gran to the girls) - yummy food, a few glasses of wine, stories & laughter.

Tomorrow brings swimming lessons, coffee, home to make honey joys & tiny teddy cars and then afternoon tea & birthday cake - yum!

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend and keeps warm (it's cold here in Hobart!).

My Creative Space ....

Lots going on around here at the moment, and not a lot as well! I have so much to do but can't seem to decide what is more important.

But seeing as we have a birthday in our family tomorrow my mind & creativeness has been focussed on that.

My "little girl" is turning 4, so I have been busy baking cupcakes for her to take to childcare.

Lovely pink cupcake goodness!

And I am about to set up her main birthday present (from Mummy, Daddy, Big Sister Em & Gran) - The Sweetheart Cottage! I am so excited as I just love wooden toys and I know Sophie will just adore this dolls house. It comes complete with furniture and I also bought a family set of 4 people to live in the house. I never had a lovely dolls house like this when I was a girl, so I'm so glad to be able to give one to my daughter for her to enjoy. I'm sure her big sister will love it too!

"The Sweetheart Cottage" from Ruby's Room.

For more creative spaces head over to Kootoyoo.

That's Tassie for You

A phrase I hear a lot & say quite often too is "That's Tassie for You!". It couldn't have been more true today.

Whilst sitting in church this morning, I looked over at the kids to see one of the girls holding a gorgeous handmade bunny rabbit, which I instantly recognised as a "Dandelion" creation.

It turned out that little Zoe is the niece of the lovely Beck who creates these beautiful bunnies. Beck lives in Daylesford, country Victoria with her family (5 children I believe) one of whom is called "Sunday". Her brother Ben comes to church with his 2 daughters, one of whom was there today - Zoe.

Here's Zoe with her gorgeous bunny "Eloise".

Zoe, her dad Ben & "Eloise".

Head over to Beck's blog to see her wonderful creations.

Keep Smiling!

image

I just wanted to say a quick thanks to all my new lovely followers - I'm now at 53!

Thanks so much for stopping by, I hope you enjoy my blog. Don't forget to mention me to your friends if you think they'd enjoy my blog too. You can also find me on Facebook.

Thanks again, I really do appreciate it, especially the lovely comments you leave as well.

And as my dad always said "Keep Smiling, it'll make people wonder what you're up to!"

At My House

It's a quiet day today. After several late nights last week in the lead up to Mathilda's, today is all about - housework, packing away the market stuff & some relaxation.

My daughter has a "Student Free Day", so there was no need to jump out of bed this morning for the school run.

Here's what I have to tackle:

The mess that is on & around my dining table

The girls have set up a cafe in their playroom, and are also watching "Charlie & The Chocolate Factory".

To play along or see what's going on in other people's homes today visit Buttons By Lou Lou.

Hope you're all having a lovely day.

Mathilda's - Done and Dusted!

Well after heading to bed at 1am and then having a "little person" come in 5 mins after I lay down (sigh), I was up again at 5:30am this morning.

Surprisingly I had plenty of energy as I headed off, car packed & a tired hubbie in tow (to help me set up). We arrived and started setting up whilst the sun came up over the river - beautiful!

The day went well, although it was noticeably quieter than the last Mathilda's Market. I met some lovely customers, and many who follow this blog. Thank you to all of you for your lovely comments, it was great to meet you in person.

I was next to the lovely Amy from Mudd Kids who came to Hobart from Melbourne with her family for a weekend away. She has an online store selling beautiful organic, fair trade clothing & toys. On the other side of me was Helen from TasFudge, whose delicious choice of fudge is hard to pass up (I went home with 3 different flavours!). I also met Eloise from Itty Bitty who made the trip from Launceston with her mum & young daughter. She makes a beautiful range of hair clips, hair ties & more.

Some of the other wonderful, talented and creative stalholders included - the beautiful Cherie & Meg from Elf Dreams, Courtney & Indy from Silver Nutmeg & A Golden Pear Designs, Miriam from Jasmine Rose, Helen from Pili Pala Pieces, Dean from Zanzo Photography, Naomi from Thula Thula, Becky & Tracey from Miss Chief Designs, Rosie from Notions, Edwina from Little Snoring, Angela from Apooki and Leah & Mel from A-Bit-Clicky.

Here's some photos of my stall on the day, lighting was a bit of an issue, as it was very sunny so they put the blinds down (a shame though as it meant we couldn't see the lovely view).

My daughter's Baby Born doll modelling the "Little Legs"

Baby & Kids Leg Warmers.

Lots of my "Little Legs" Baby & Kids Leg Warmers

I'm looking forward to the November Mathilda's which promises to be a wonderful affair with Christmas just around the corner.

Only One More Sleep

..... although I'm not sure how much sleep I'll be getting tonight!

But it's on again - Mathilda's Market in Hobart from 9am to 1pm tomorrow at the Hobart Function & Conference Centre.

Lots of beautiful handmade goodies for babies & kids. Hope to see everyone there and if you can't make it be sure to let your friends know, just in case!

My Creative Space ....

is a mess right now!

It's only 2 sleeps until Mathilda's Market and I've still got a few things left to do. Why is there never enough hours in the day when you have things to do? I think it will be another late night tonight - I was up until 1am this morning.

Anyway, I've finished the last of my Reversible Crossover Pinafore Tops today. The latest fabric combo is a dark stretch denim & a lovely soft pink floral fabric I'm calling "Pink Posy". The applique design is my ever popular bird. I have only made 2 of these (Sz 3 & 4), but still have fabric available for other sizes if anyone is interested in a custom order.

I'm also going to be whipping up some more Dinosaur, Marble & Fairy Goodie Bags, plus embellish some children's scarves - I hope!

Well back to it! For more creative spaces visit Kootoyoo.

Market Madness

Cutting, pinning, sewing, labelling, cutting, pinning, sewing, sewing & more sewing. It's Market Madness week here in my house - the crazy week before a market. This Saturday is the 2nd Mathilda's Market here in Hobart and I'm very excited. The first market was so much fun, and I can't wait for Saturday to roll around. I know it will come fast, so I must keep going with what I have on my to-do-list.

Here's some things I have been working on this week.

Reversible Crossover Pinafore Top in "Zest".

Available in Sz 12-18mths, 18-24mths, 2, 3 & 4 @ $50 each

(Limited quantity of fabric is available for custom orders)

Reversible Crossover Pinafore Top with "Zest" Bird Applique

Lots more Applique Tees - Red Pinspot Bird, Floral Poppy, Babushka, Mini Cars

Long Sleeve @ $30 each

(All designs available on short sleeve tees by request @ $25ea)

Fabric Knotty Necklaces - Red, Black, Apple Green Pinspot & Candy Stripe

@ $12 each

Unfortunately the housework is taking a backseat this week, the place is a bit of a shambles, but I can live with it for a few more days.

Craft and Quilt Fair

Seeing as I was child-free on Friday, I decided to head to the Craft & Quilt Fair at the Derwent Entertainment Centre. I remember going may years ago, so thought I'd take another look. It was very busy, wall-to-wall women and hardly a man in sight!

Lots of lovely stallholders selling supplies of fabrics, yarns, ribbons, lace, patterns and more, workshops & a beautiful quilt display.

Of course I couldn't leave without purchasing just a few things.

I also found some great little bags of buttons for my appliques and a couple of cute little things, I'll keep up my sleeve for a giveaway I think!

If you get the chance, head on down today - it's on until 4pm. Hope everyone is having a great weekend.

My Creative Space ....

Meet "Zesty" Bird!

This is my latest fabric used in my Reversible Crossover Pinafore Tops. The fabric is called "Zest" and it's a lovely burnt orange/red. Makes me feel all warm & cosy during these wintery days. I have 5 cut out & on their way to being finished (by tonight hopefully) - Sz 12-18mths, 18-24mths, 2, 3 & 4 @ $50 each. I still have more fabric, for additional sizes/quantities, but as always my garments are made in limited quantities.

These will be available for sale at Mathilda's Market here in Hobart next Saturday 17th July, 9am to 1pm.

Hope everyone is having a lovely day.

For more creative spaces or to join in the fun visit Kootoyoo.

Ps. A big ..Happy Birthday.. to my Auntie Alison & my hubbie's Grandmother, "Nanny Dot", for today!

A Proud Mum

Emma had a great week at school last week. At the school assembly she was presented with a book for reading for "100 nights". She has always loved books and is already at Grade 2 level, even though she's only in Grade 1.

She was also presented with a "Principal's Award" for "Sticking to a task even though it is hard". Her teacher told me that they had been skipping earlier in the week and Emma was having trouble with it, but instead of giving up she just kept trying until she mastered it. Emma is very hard on herself, and has high expectations so sometimes when she can't do something she will just give up. I was so proud to hear that she had stuck with it!

And finally she also received a Bronze Certificate from the Commonwealth Bank School Banking Program for making "10 deposits" so far this year. I am one of the banking co-ordinators at her school and it's a great way of fundraising as the school receives 5% of all deposits, directly from the bank. The new program this year, provides certificates as children increase their number of deposits - 10 = Bronze, 20 = Silver, 30 = Gold. They also receive a token each time they make a deposit which they can use to redeem for different prizes - bookmarks, pencils, hats, pencil cases etc.

It's so rewarding being a mum, and it's great to see your children achieving, learning and having fun at the same time.