festive wishes

Because in our household we speak 3 languages (+ gibble gooble from baby Aiden) may we say

• Geseend Kersfees,

• Joyeux Noel,

• melly Chrisssitmes

Yes, A MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE.

For us, being the new kids on the block, it was wonderful to move into a street where we get together and celebrate, kids running wild, men at the bbq, women gossiping on the years events and even a visit from Santa on the fire truck.
A family get together on Christmas day at our new house was had and a great day was had by all, including too much food and wine. So of course the diet seriously starts tomorrow.
I wish you all a great festive season.

This is my favourite picture of the day....

Just a reminder to you all that placed an order over the weekend (from the 17th to 21st December). All purchases have been sent on Tuesday and with the joy of the Post office strike I have to apologize if there is any more delay than the usual 3 to 5 days an item usually takes to arrive. It is out of my control.
Thank you

Ahoy!

Aiden's pirate for Christmas.....not impressing the hubby who thinks it's a doll. I love the way it looks and Aiden caught me taking a sneaky pic in the room, his face lit up (though you wouldn't know it in this picture), so it will be a winner.

ready for assembling

SALE NOW ON

Most items on SALE, reduced shipping and up to 30% off.

Only certain sizes available and most only one of each size left, so get in quick for a Christmas gift or special piece to wear on the day.

just some of the items on sale

something for me

my inspiration

It's been the longest time since I made something for myself. So with a friends wedding coming up in a few weeks, I thought it about time I did so.

I eased into it with a simple pair of linen wide leg lounge pants for the beach location and now I have attempted a toile of the cocktail dress I want to make (toile - french word meaning linen or cloth, today a calico make up of the design) I had a creative thought in my head and well, it took three attempts of chopping and changing, dramatically, but I am more than happy now.

It all came to this picture of Cameron Diaz, I loved the shape of the shoulder and sleeve, it looked really elegant and classic. Plus she has the most incredible style and her stylist is Rachael Zoe, so I can't go wrong if I follow this look.

Being a cocktail event and not knowing WHAT style "cocktail" - let me explain, look up cocktail dresses and the "designs" go from very every day dresses to really elaborate, so I went for elegance and a bit of a Balenciaga feel.

So here is the sleeve in toile form, the sleeve and shoulder section is sewn as a completely separate piece and adds to the design

after in the silk, which is rather slippery to sew (it is not yet fully pressed either yet, so excuse the wrinkles) ,

(It looks rather like rubber)

So what you think?

Handmade Christmas

Determined this year to make the kids alot of their Christmas gifts from us....her parents, I am in the thick of sewing at night quilts and pillow cases for the two mischief makers.
Along with a bridesmaid dress, mother of the bride for two clients and cocktail dress for myself (we have a wedding to attend in a few weeks) and an order for Paris.
Hmmm, the last item I haven't even started yet.

I love making things for the kids, but I know this won't last as the consumer products slowly creep in and I will hear "I want..." for Christmas. So I am enjoying it while I can.
So here is the progress shot, a doll for Madeline, yet to have a mouth and eyes and quilt with fabric I had sourced for me from Jacqui of Mee a Bee, I love Japanese fabrics.

more swapping!

There are still some amazing swaps and reviews happening in my world of handmade children goods.
The lovely Jacqui from Mee a Bee has been a busy girl swapping her lovely bags.....
Festoon Bunting - a lovely car design
Buttons by loulou - robots galore
and with me - twirling ballerina's
you will be obsessed just like us with the beautiful designs and fabrics.

Mee a bee received in return for her bag, from me, the Jimmy jeans, now doesn't her little man look adorable. They fit him like a dream and you can read her review here

A few new people joined along and have swapped some goodies.
Welcome to them and they have written on their adventures. Click for the links.
Pink Giraffe - bird decal from little bird decor
Little Bird Decor - another fab Brusselsprout dress

while more arrived for
Brusselsprouts - the nursery now has a gorgeous bird decal

If your still looking for a few stocking fillers, or something special for your child I highly recommend looking at all these fab designers sites for great handmade goods. You won't be disappointed.

in store

New in store and very limited

Organic cotton boys Checker Shirt $45.00

Legionnaires hat in white $15.00

White Sun hat in cotton / yellow flower lining $20.00

Tropical dress in cotton and draped pockets $42.95Tutti Fruitti romper $45.00

Sorry, it's a long week

Sorry for being a little slow this week. It's been LOOOONGGGG and it's only Thursday. So what has happened.....

• Exhausted after the market, took me two days to sort out stock and recover.
  
• Our car has "computer issues" so not working (new cars!)
• Computer has caught a bug.
  
• Aiden is starting to find his feet and falling over alot, bumped his head badly.
• And I fell over in the rain, slippery tiles at the supermarket and now in pain. But before you worry, I'm ok, just bruised.

But I am wondering where chivalry has gone, the old man who walked past me, told me off, for falling onto the pole and not looking where I was going, so don't help me up, or see I'm ok??? hmmmm.
But there are some positives. Some lovely editors of some fantastic magazines have been calling and emailing, which has given me a big boost. While also at the Mathilda's market I was approached for some lovely stores that are in the works. Speaking of Mathilda's, thula thula got a lovely mention from the resident writer Peta, one of her many favorites on the day. You can read that here
I didn't get a chance to wonder from the stall to meet or see anyone else, I was told sternly by my husband not to leave him alone, he "freezes" if a customer asks him a question when I am with another....so venturing off on my own was NOT an option.
I must dash, I have to go rest, I'm getting older, when a fall takes it out on you.

More later. Stay tuned. Panadol!

Later today the store will be open on line, once again Mathilda's was incredible and alot was sold out.

Once I get my morning coffee in and the kids off for a morning nap, I'm free.