Merry Christmas

Wishing everyone a merry christmas, and all the best for the year to come. Hope today is everything you want it to be.

I know we don't get a white Christmas in Australia, but it certainly isn't sunny in Melbourne right now...a hail storm is on the way! So the above seemed almost suitable.

Whew!

Thanks to some hot weather on Saturday, the Pop Up Market turned into a bit of an endurance event. Between the direct sun streaming in at the back of my stall, and the heat collecting under the marquee, it was a rather unpleasant five hours. My mum and I took turns vacating to a shady spot outside of the market, and even some time in the car with the aircon running.

Despite the heat it was a very successful market, and I really enjoyed meeting new buyers and checking out all the stalls. One of my favourites is retrobub. All the clothing handmade and features gorgeous aplique such as this one (my fave!).

With all the sales last weekend it's been crazy this week re-stocking for the Mulgrave Market this Friday afternoon (5.30-8.30pm). There have been bunnies and owls, and some cute Dr Seuss rattle cushions to be made.


As always there is a little time for baking (before I get into the rush of christmas baking)...a yummy Lemony Peach Cake from the Donna Hay book "seasons". So yum eaten warm with some fresh fruit and yoghurt.

And I still need to get Swoon done by the end of the week!

Pop Up Market

This Saturday I've got a stall at the Rock Your Stockings Pop-Up Market in Prahran, so I've been busy sewing this week after last Sunday's busy market.

I've got a few more Dr Seuss/Cat in the Hat cushions, as they seem to be extremely popular. And it seems to be adults buying them for themselves...

A couple more owls.

Outside of sewing things have been happening in the vegie patch. I found this enormous zucchini hiding yesterday; those scissors are a standard-sized kitchen pair, and this baby is over 1kg!

I was alerted to the ripening of the peaches yesterday by the wattlebirds. They're getting their share, but we have more than enough to go around. It's so nice to eat fruit that was picked only seconds earlier.

I've also just picked my first handful of butterbeans for the summer. These will be going in a stirfry tonight along with that zucchini and some home-grown roly poly carrots.

Lots of Little Things...

There have been lots ot little bits of sewing going on at my house this week. Some of it are for christmas presents, so I can't show them off just yet.

But there are other things, like a Cat in the Hat throw pillow destined for this Sunday's market.


A custom make-up bag; I had a request for red and pink, and I think Ruby fits the bill perfectly. So much so I might need to make one for myself...


These aren't new (you might remember them from last year), but they have suddenly become hot-sellers at the market.

I can't even show you my christmas tree; it just isn't that fancy this year, lest a certain someone decide to crash-tackle it as has happened in the past. It's bad enough that each time I go out, I come home to find a small collection or ornaments tucked on the chair you can see in the photo...

If you've made it this far, I'd love for you to leave a comment...I seem to have been talking to myself a bit lately and I'm feeling a little lonely in here...

I Love Summer!

After the coldest start to summer in over 20 years, the sun is finally shining! The cicadas are chirping and the parrots are certainly doing their bit in my feijoa trees. I'm trying hard to split my time between inside activities and outdoors jobs.

I stitched up all the offcuts from Swoon (I hate the wastage that comes from flying geese) into a big pile of HSTs....now I just need to decide what to do with them.

Swoon is basted and currently residing in the machine; my plan is to have it done by Christmas so I can hand stitch the binding while I'm away on holidays. My sewing machine has been giving me lots of trouble when I free-motion quilt (the bobbin thread catches), but apparently you can stipple with the feed-dogs up, and it seems to be working so far. The middle block is always the hardest!

The garden has completely come alive; the aggies provide a nice bit of colour against my in-need-of-a-paint fence.

Those tiny little tomato seedlings I rescued and planted have turned into mammoth plants, and they seem to be competing with a self-sown oregano plant.

There are little tomatoes hiding everywhere.

After no zucchinis last year, I've already got quite a few this year (and some of them are HUGE!).

My butter beans are already covered in flowers and tiny beans...hopefully they'll be ready by Christmas day.

My poor peach tree is so laden with fruit I've had to tie the branches to the fence to prevent them snapping off.

There are little figs tucked away.

I netted the blueberries this year and I actually get to eat these yummy little morsels.

The quinces are putting on weight, so we should have a nice winter crop.

The hibiscus are also adding a nice bit of colour against all the green.

So that's what is happening in my world at the moment. It's only 19 days till Christmas and I still have three markets to get through, and a bit of baking. Ive already baked (and eaten) a batch of shortbread....

Free Shipping

I'm in the mood to celebrate the first day of summer (though apparently the weather is not)....so for today only, free shipping!






Pop the code XMAS11 into the checkout over at Bella's Patchwork to receive free shipping.


Please note that this is for standard postage only (not express) and for Australia only.

Farmer's Wife 3

A few more blocks to add to the collection. I'm not sure I'll do all 111; I think I'll just play it by ear.

Block 12: Broken Sugar Dish

Block 14: Butterfly at the Crossroads

Block 13: Buckwheat

Block 15: Buzzard's Roost

Markets and Birthdays

This weekend has been one of my busiest ever, and it's safe to say I'm actually looking forward to Monday just to have a break!

First off I visited AQM on Saturday, where I got the chance to check out all the new fabrics and patterns heading our way. There are so many gorgeous new things that it's hard not to be overwhelmed.

I ordered some of Natalie Lymer's Woodland which I'm really looking forward to, got my hands on some A Walk in the Woods jelly rolls ahead of time, and bought some patterns from a newish Aussie designer, Lenora Jenkins. I also said hello to Clare's Squiddley and am now stocking kits of this gorgeous softie.

After market I headed home for a quick tidy up, then off to celebrate the 1st birthday of my friend's little boy. How gorgeous is the cake! My friend is a very talented pastry chef. Inside is a yummy layered mudcake.

Today I headed off for the November Maker's Market; while the weather wasn't too great to start with, it cleared up and there was even some sunshine by the end. I had a great day with lots of customers, and had an opportunity to try out my newest product; some little zipped makeup bags.

Now I think I'm owed some sleep!

A Spoonful of Swoon

Done!

Now I just need to find my quilting mojo...

A Winner and Some Markets

Thanks for all the entries and messages for my 300th post giveaway! It was interesting to see what everyone picked.


Random.org did its thing and my winner is Chookyblue! I shall be in touch.



In other news, I have a tonne of markets booked for the near future. First up we have the Mulgrave Maker's Market.

First up is Sunday 27th of November, then Sunday 11th December, then a twilight market on Friday 23rd December for last minute Christmas shopping.

I also got an invite to be part of the Pop Up Markets, so I'll be at the Rock Your Stockings christmas market on Saturday 17th December.

Lucky last, and most excitingly, I finally got into Mathilda's Market after trying for almost 18 months. So I shall be at the Malvern Town Hall on Sunday 26th February.

Farmer's Wife 2

A few more Farmer's Wife Sampler blocks. It's a gloomy day in Melbourne so the photos haven't turned out too well (and the second one is blurry, sorry).

Block 6: Big Dipper

Block 7: Birds in the Air. Not much contrast in this block so I may redo it...


Block 9: Box


Block 10: Bowtie

Block 11: Broken Dishes. Snuck a bit of Bliss into this one and I love it.

Just a reminder, if you haven't already entered my givaway, you have until 5pm tomorrow (AEDST) to enter to win a pattern of your choice.

Swoon Blocks 8 & 9

Block 8; love the contrast of the blue and yellow.

Block 9: Lucky last! Was worried there wouldn't be enough contrast, but it has turned out way better than I expected.

300th Post Giveaway!

While babbling on about Swoon last week, I knocked up my 300th post! It really doesn't suprise me, I do talk a bit.... so a giveaway is in order!

I'm offering up the pattern of your choice from Bella's Patchwork. So whether your a Thimble Blossoms girl, a Schnibbles fan, or into Cluck Cluck Sew, there is sure to be a pattern to suit you.

Pop on in here, take a look, then come back and tell me which pattern you'd like to win and why. Entries will close 5pm Australian Daylight Savings time on Sunday, and I'll pick a winner soon after.

Strawberry Twist

The last of the binding has been stitched down, and the sun is out, perfect for her photo shoot.

She is now "Strawberry Twist".

A gorgeous red, strawberry-covered backing. And I love how the red binding really zings!

Pattern: Sugar Twist by The Pattern Basket

Fabric: Strawberry Fields by Fig Tree Quilts for Moda