Gearing up for warm weather

Today, I bought my very first ever Maxi Dress.

It is this one from Lilya. It has a lovely cross-straps back.


And that got me thinking about summer coming up sooner than I thought! I am so ready for warmth and being able to wear sandals!

Modcloth strikes again

Well, I knew once I had succumbed to the temptation for the first time, I wouldn't be able to resist going back to shop at Modcloth again. And I was right. I just received these lovely treats in the post:

Chevron Eco-Friendly Baggu Tote
Taco Belle Tee

Climb Every Mountain Skirt

Pretty, no? I couldn't resist a little early Christmas pressie to myself!

Featured!

I have recently found myself on several delightful and fun kid's blogs.

First of all, the wonderful KidStyleFile, in collaboration with Madeit, featured my Dressed For Dinner bib amongst some lovely dinnertime company.

Then, the lovely Kelly of Macaroni and Glue featured me on her great blog.

And just when I thought it was over, today my Rosy Red Polka Dot Dress is part of a fun and bright polka-dot theme feature over at Handmade Kids.

Please go and have a peek at these wonderful blogs! Thanks to all of them for featuring me!

I have a confession

I am completely addicted to Modcloth.com. I only discovered it properly two weeks ago (living under a rock, I tell you) and when I first looked I thought "gee, this is great". I put a few things on my wishlist. Didn't really think about it again. Then, it popped up in another blog I was reading and I went and had another look. A whole slew of new dresses and necklaces and shoes! Updated every day! Since then, I have sneakily been checking up on them every day, just in case something wonderful appears. And today I placed an order! I can't wait! Here's what I deliberated over and finally ordered:

Venetian Dress

Bonnie and Clyde Onesie

Frankly Fabulous Tunic

Watching, waiting, listening

Waiting for this delicious top from VeronicaDarling to make its way to my letterbox.

Watching a bit of A Bit of Fry and Laurie (hehe). Hilarious. Watching Stephen Fry do his trip around America has been great too.

Listening to the new Muse album. I like it, a lot. And I feel that it will only get better with subsequent listens.

Wishlist Wednesday

With the Aussie dollar on the Up this week, I have been seriously considering a lot of items that I have had my eye on for a while, but may have previously been out of reach. These little beauties are all looking very accessible all of a sudden...

Uber Cool 80s inspired Floppy Top by VeronicaDarling

Starburst. . . Set of 9 Button Stack Embellishments by PaperPumpkin

Emerald Vintage Glass Gem Earrings by EllaBelleBoutique

Origami Ornament - Magenta Star by PaperAffection

Production Line

All dressed up and ready to go: some patch pocket dresses and vest and pants sets for a lovely new shop in Melbourne, Rude Health. It as yet doesn't have a website but I will let you know the details as soon as I know!

Wishlist Wednesday

Today we have a sweater for the cold, a card for an anniversary and a wallet for my (lack of) money. Yes Jon, this is the card I was going to buy before we decided on the no card rule!

Geeky Card by AbleandGame

3 Pocket Leather Wallet in Orchid by ValhallaBrooklyn

The Missy Sweater by LittleHouses

Wishlist Wednesday

You would not believe how tempted I am to buy all 4 of my choices this week. Quite literally, my mouse is hovered over the "pay now" button. Ahh to be rich and carefree. Hmm... I am pretty carefree I suppose. Well, to be rich then.

Boardwalk Sneaker House Shoes by ElephantandChickpea

Three Wee Wood Scoops by GoodWoodDogs

Birch Forest Clutch by PocketCarnival

Sailor Suit by FablesbyBarrie

A new line

I am absolutely overwhelmed at the moment with several wholesale orders. I have written myself a strict timetable to get it all done - something I rarely have to do, but I am excited about it this time and I think it actually might be helping me, with regards to my motivation and problem with procrastinating!

However, a girl can't survive on bread alone, so I have been playing around a bit with some patterns to encourage the creativity to keep flowing (whilst I sew 200 bibs!). I came up with this new set - an A-line dress and some little bloomers. Perfect for play and cute too.

That's right ladies. You want me.

Well, who could resist this young man? A special request for a little person with a full social calendar this year!

I am thinking of continuing to sell this onesie in my store, with the option for people to choose their own tie colour - or indeed have a jacket sans tie.

Little Lady

Lemon Floral Milkmaid Skirt



I have broadened my range to include skirts. I am so taken with this little piece of cuteness. Available in sizes 1 - 4.

Inspired by... Turkey

I have decided to start a little series of posts about different countries, how they inspire people to create today, and how they translate into modern design and craft. It is something that I am excited about, so here goes, with Week 1: Turkey.

Now I don't know much about Turkey aside from the fact that it inspired a sweet "Delight" that I hate, and has a capital city that has an identity crisis. Istanbul or Constantinople? Great song.

However, I do know that the craft and art from and inspired by Turkey is an amazing thing. Beautiful woven textiles, rich and ornate jewellery, and shiny ceramics - Ahhh. Here's a little taste of the things I have found whilst searching all things Turkish.

Handmade Traditional Silk Scarf by OttoFabrics from Istanbul

Turkish Craft Ceramic Bowl, photo by Janetski on Flickr

To get you further intrigued with Turkey, how about this: the original biblical "Garden of Eden" is there, as well as the place where Noah's Ark came to rest - Mt Ararat.

Also, Turkey is home to the world's largest and heaviest chandelier, in Dolmabahce Palace. Well, what do you know?

Turkish Mocha Shea Butter by LusciousLather

Cotton scarf with Turkish style needle lace by Zerva

Thrilled

This morning, as I was pondering what to wear to work, the gods of timing blessed me and bestowed a parcel to my door.

7.54am: Have nothing to wear. Pouring with rain. Left my brolly at work. Consider calling in sick.

7:59am: Package opened. Outfit assembled. Parade in front of mirror. Feel chuffed.

8:08am: Stroll to train station. Enjoy cool rain. Splash in puddles.

Thankyou, thankyou Fran!

Grey Circle Skirt from Lyptis

Moo Goodness

I just received my new MOO cards! I love them so much! I can't stop looking at them and I know I will find it very difficult to give them away. They came in a fancy-schmancy box, pictured here on a gorgeous tree print fabric that I purchased from Patchwork On Central Park.

Look, look! :D

Humouring the Demon

...otherwise known as "Allowing yourself to buy stationery and clothes from online stores once in a while". Well, this week I've done it. I shouldn't have, I know. Budget and all that - which my boy has officially renamed "The GFC" (Global Financial Crisis). You know what? Stuff the GFC. I needed a diary, I want to look pretty for a superspecial dinner I'm being taken out to for a late birthday treat (don't ask where, I don't know yet - squeeee!) - and the file folder, well, that was getting carried away. I fell for the old "Spend this much and we'll give you free postage" trick.

So anyway here's what I bought.

Above: Lovely metallic string nude going out top from TopShop online

One red moleskine diary. Day to a page.

And then, because of aforementioned free postage and because I like organisational aids ;) - these lovely wooden files, from Notemaker.

Gearing up for a Big Two Weeks

That's right, the Big Two Weeks coming up will see me creating lots of new items for my Etsy store. I have been lucky enough to come across some children's clothing pattern books from the 50's, 60's and 70's and I have been enthused and heartened by the lovely vintage designs. It has really inspired me to create new designs and look for interesting fabrics.

Since the supermarket sweep of the last two weeks, when I have Etsyfinds to thank for sending many eco-friendly grocery shopping people my way, I have been inspired also for a new range of calico shopping bags. So you will see these in my store too - NeverEver has never looked so full of cute designs (or just so full, hehe.)

Past readers will be pleased to know that Jack Black the fussy fish has been put back in his place. A new kind of food that TASTES like brine shrimp but isn't anywhere near as expensive or tricky to administer has proved successful, after a few days of stubbornness on his part.

The Olympics! I have heard so many differing opinions on this subject recently, varying greatly from the "Complete waste of money" school to the " Best thing since Athens" variety. I am somewhere around the "Every moment with a slight emotional connection makes me a bawling wreck" mark. Even the moving, heart-wrenching ADS are getting me teary. Today, Day One, I have cried at a Thai weightlifter who couldn't stand still for a split-second long enough, a Spanish cyclist winning, and MacDonalds ad. What chance have I got when it gets to the finals and people of my own country being the ones dishing out the emotional power? None! I love it.

The Joys of Meandering

There is nothing I love more (well, maybe some things) than strolling along looking at interesting shops, buildings, streets and towns. It is one of the things that I think are particularly enjoyable and even heightened when you are alone. I have spent a lovely morning with not much to do other than buy fish and a plastic sleeve for my clothing patterns, and so I indulged in a little wandering and letting my thoughts go.

A good friend of mine is getting married so I have been looking with interest at a few bridal shops in my area. Such a big industry, and so much to think about! Being the emotional rag that I am, I was already imagining the scene when I see her in her dress, and was feeling a bit teary until I pulled myself up and reminded myself where I was.

So many beautiful wedding-related things on Etsy!





These gorgeous eyelet lace-inspired letterpress cards by Pistachio Press are to die for. So understated and elegant. I recently bought some other non-wedding related cards from PP and was very impressed.

And while I was trawling I spotted this great photo, as part of the Handmade Wedding Series:

What elegant guests, and such a happy bunch! *Sigh*

Intervention Required

I just keep finding the cutest fabrics to make things for babies. I am in serious danger of fabric overload seeing as over the last two weeks I have bought too many fabrics to deal with at once! Seeing I don't have a sewing shelf, let alone a room, this is a serious problem. The only way I can forsee to solve this issue is to make LOTS more Etsy goodies, which I have been enjoying immensely.

I will soon have some of my items for sale in "My Poppet" a gorgeous shop in Caulfield full of the most delectable baby and children's wear and nostalgic, clever toys. I am excited and proud to be included in such a classy store. The manager also has a great blog which I have thoroughly enjoyed reading.

I am afraid I have fallen foul of spoiling my fish. Fretting that he was too cold, not interested in life, about to leap out of the bowl and end it all - (I have a bad habit of bestowing my creatures and plants with far more emotional intellegence than they may well have) - I decided to spoil him with some brine shrimp as a treat to cheer him up. Didn't he just gobble those down with gay abandon, and now someone's tastes are far too posh for lowly old pellets and he refuses to eat anything else. I know, it's my fault but surely a fish has no right to be so uppity about his food? Help! Anyone?

It's been getting colder around here recently and I have been indulging in some baking - the ultimate comfort food. Not only is it delicious and homely, it also serves to warm my house up while the oven is on, so no need for a heater. Hurrah! Recent experiments have included Chicken Pie that I made up as I went along, with leeks, stock, and other yummy veggies... and a DELICIOUS greek spanakopita or spinach and fetta pie from this great blog called Souvlaki For The Soul full of lots of other yummy treats. Highly recommended!