New Bits and Bobs for Chrissy Pressies!

Well, Christmas in July is almost here!

From 9am Friday the 24th til 10pm Sunday 26th of August, I will be offering 15% off EVERYTHING in my store, and not only that, but if you spend $50 or more, I will give you free shipping! (Aussies - you can have free shipping if you pay by bank deposit!)

Here is a little taste of some new items I have made for NeverEver this week, to fill up my store for the Chrissy celebrations!

1. Matisse the Toy Giraffe, 2. Under the Big Top Bib, 3. Rosy Denim Tie Dress, 4. Chiquita the Little Horse

Click here for the whole list of DUST ladies who are having sales and promotions this weekend!

The Best of Health in Melbourne

My work is now stocked in a great new shop in Melbourne, Rude Health.
Owner Julia describes her emporium as being full of "polka dot fifties dresses, crocheted alien birds, silk high-waisted undies, Little Red Riding Hood capes, stripy one-piece pyjamas, paperboy woollen caps and felt lungs in jars. Every item is sweatshop-free and made in Australia."

Sounds great to me.

Rude Health
17 Irwell St.
St Kilda
Melbourne, Australia

A Bear Request

I was asked by my friend to make a costume for her 1 year old's birthday party. Her grandfather is turning 60 on the same day, and their names start with C and P. So, a C and P fancy dress party - therefore, here is a Care Bear for the guest of honour to wear (and I don't mean Grandpa).

If you want to see more photos, there are some here.

It's a Line Up

Juanita, Paloma, Rosita, Pancho and Pepito - some of my little horsey friends are off for sale in a lovely shop called Retrospections in Cammeray, Sydney. Along with some Supermarket Chic Bags, and Lord and Lady Bibs, they will be keeping company with some of the best... well, I almost want to say curation, of vintage homewares, books, beautiful accessories, baby items, and general loveliness that I have seen in quite a while.

The shop itself is also gorgeous. A real feast for the eyes.

If you're in the area, it would really be remiss of you not to visit!

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.

I have been watching lots of my pals in the DUST team present beautiful collations of things they want each Wednesday, and quite frankly I think I'm crazy that I haven't taken part yet. Carley of VanillaPixie started it off, and now she has a list of everyone participating on her blog.

So here we go, here's what I want this Wednesday, 15th of April:

Houses and Bicycles Journal in Blue by FreshlyBlended

Hustle and Bustle Dress by OneHundredYears

All the Love 8 x 10 Print by LifeInSugarHollow

Blackbird Postcards by CrowandIris

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.

Let's...

Lately I have been getting the urge to throw a wild, loud, crazy fun houseparty. I haven't had one for ages, and the feeling just keeps creeping up on me. This fantastic party sign got me really excited. Made me start thinking of cocktail umbrellas and fairy lights. Slinky dresses and songs to make you jump around.

Top Left MadMaud's Umbrellas 11 x 14; Top Right MarketStoreShoppe's Slinky Shimmery Gold Dress; Bottom Left P.J.K's DJ at a House Party, Pacific Beach; Bottom Right Whimsidoodle's Origami Lights.

I just found this hilarious store for nerd babies. This is something I could see on my baby's wall - when I have one. Electric Boogaloo

What first?!

Well, ok. This first. I'm on the Front Page of Etsy. Hurrah!

Then this: My Paisley Floral Yoke Dress is featured on a fantastic kid's website called KidStyleFile today.

Then, to top it all off:

My Anchors Away Bib is in this issue of a fantastic magazine, Viva La Moda. Page 76. Go and have a look through it - it really is a delectable specimen of gorgeous handmade fashion and craftiness.

Man, I can hardly keep up. So exciting!

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

Joint Efforts

This week a lot of us over at DUST have been working very hard on the Ozbushfireappeal Etsy store. It is a store set up in response to the Victorian bushfires, and all proceeds go directly to the Red Cross.

Emma at FeliciaFairy has been absolutely tireless in her efforts, and founded the store in a flash. Many of us have helped to set up, run and promote the store. As I type it stands at 475 sales, a phenomenal effort for a store open for just 7 days. It just shows you how the human race really pulls together in times of desperation and need. Restores your faith in people.

My family and I were in Healesville for a wedding, and were evactuated. Pretty scary.


Moonmum made a great treasury featuring items from people who have donated to the store, and it made the front page! So exciting, seeing it featured my Classic Cutie Denim Rompers:
If you have a minute, please take a look at the store, and help out the poor folks who have nothing left in the wake of the fires.

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

Allsorts of fun

So, a little while ago I blogged about some fabulous vintage fabric I had found that looked remarkably like a liquorice allsort. Well, it finally transformed into a dress.

I was so taken with the results that I found myself searching for other allsort-inspired goodness. The funny thing is I don't even like liquorice - but the colours, the bold graphic lines and shapes, they're just so appealing.



From top left: Licorice in a Jar Necklace by Dingalin; Liquorice Allsorts Felt Food Sculptures by britishcreamtea; Allsort Seats in Brussels, photo by chilli_ian; and a Bertie Bassett Hot Air Balloon at a drag race in BC, Canada, photo by photocillin.

Yarrr

I've been a-makin' pirate booty this week. Yo ho ho and a bottle of (Captain Morgan's Spiced) rum.

A tourist in my own town

You'll notice a new little pic over here to the right - a friendly little owl? I am proud to say that I have been featured on a fantastic kid's handmade blog - Handmade Kids. Look at the lovely company I keep there:That's me, the Field of Flowers Collar Dress. How exciting!

Meanwhile I have been a bit quiet because I have an overseas visitor! I like being the person to show my town off to a tourist. You very rarely get out and see the "touristy" stuff in your own city - so it is always a fun adventure to see it through a traveller's eyes. Also it has been an excellent excuse to go out for many delicious meals. I have been spoilt for choice this past week! Next week we plan a trip to the Blue Mountains - always a favourite. Must go and find some nice accommodation...

10 Things to Do on a Rainy Grey Day

1. Make Christmas gift tags. (I made these with a wooden stamp I bought in India.)

2. Bake chocolate chip cookies.

3. Do some sewing. (Iwent a little bananas)

4. Put your pot plants out in the rain for a drink.

5. Look through old photo albums.

6. Partake in some online retail therapy. (This mexican oilcloth address book from lmoss was too good to resist)

7. Gaze out the window at the rain.

8. Do some more sewing. (I got inspired by the Dust Team with more fruity ideas)

9. Eat a warm, wholesome soup for lunch.

10. Update your blog!

The CUTEST vintage fabric ever

I just found this gorgeous piece of vintage fabric. I call it the liquorice allsort. I'm working out a pattern to make the cutest little dress that ever was... I may be tempted to keep it for me though!