MY HEART SKIPPED A BEAT

While on holidays at Robe I visited the fabric store as always and as I was looking around I spotted kerchief girl in red hidden under a counter. I was so excited, this fabric has proven nearly impossible to buy and here it was in a little store staring right at me. Of course I had to buy a metre of it and while I was there I also bought some more staples that I love.

BUSY SEWING (STILL)

Here are some bibs I made for the market. It's coming up really quickly and I'm still worrying that I may not have enough stock.

I'm taking a break for a couple of days while we have some family fun at Robe. See you Friday.

GIFTS FROM A FRIEND

Monique lives in The Netherlands, we've never met face to face but hopefully we will one day. We met online a few years ago due to similar artistic interests and have become internet penpals of sorts over this time.

Today I received a wonderful package from Monique, in it was lots of yummy treats and these amazing canvases that just blew me away. She's a sneaky thing, Miss Monique, as she has taken photos of Heidi and me and Darren and done amazing things with them. I wish you could feel the texture and see all of the work that has gone into these works of art.

I am putting up a shelf in my work room and they will sit proudly on it for me and my family to admire every day.




Thank you so much Monique, they will be treasured and I will think of you so far away whenever I see them.

MARKET NEWS

20 dresses (or tops, however you want to wear them) are in various stages of production. 5 are completely finished, the rest just need elastic and straps.

Thank goodness for Ellie the overlocker, she whipped through the making of these dresses so quickly. I now have her on a different project that I will show soon.

ART JOURNAL EVERY DAY

Well I'm trying too!!!! I have so much going on but I am finding 5 minutes here and there to do some art journaling.

Here is a page I did a couple of days ago, nothing special, I just had to get something off of my chest.

I find that when I'm feeling anxious about something, if I just get it down in an arty way I feel a whole lot better. There are some pages I won't be showing anyone with my art journaling, they are way too private but I'm happy to show plenty of others as I go along.

RE-PURPOSED COTTONS

I made this simple child's playquilt from re-purposed cottons and flannelette sandwiched in the centre.


I love the vintage feel of this quilt. This one will help fill my stall in February.

THESE WERE WAITING FOR ME....

at the post office today.

My new business cards. I really needed some updated cards because when I was doing markets before I was selling a lot of scrapbooking products and that of course was on my card.

I like the new modern, clean look of these cards, they suit what I am now making.

DAY AT THE ZOO QUILT AND DQS10

This one is for my market stall in February.



I love the simple straight single and double line quilting on this quilt and of course one of my favourite bindings.



DQS10 is about to begin with participants finding out who their secret partners are this weekend.

As a moderator of this fantastic group I am very busy ensuring that every one of my bebes are partnered with someone suited to their style etc. It's quite a job and something that we take very seriously. I just hope I get it right!

Of course I get my partner also and I am very excited about all of the stalking I will be doing over the next few days.

GATHERED CLUTCHES

I woke up at 5am and worried about how much I have to do before the market in February. You see when I did markets before I had a good stockpile but I am starting from scratch again and can't help but panic that I won't have enough stock or variety.

I have to keep telling myself that it will be fine on the day, so I am now taking a deep breath and concentrating on getting something done each day.

Here is today's effort....





They were fun to make and I did them with 7 kids currently at our home for the week.

AHHH FLICKR

What would I do without you?

Some people spend a lot of time on facebook, me, not so much. I spend all of my time over at Flickr. If you haven't ventured into the world of Flickr, you really should take a peek and see all of what is to offer.

I am joined up to way too many groups, mainly sewing and mixed media groups, and then of course there are the swaps. Don't get me started on swaps!!! I swore I would not take on more than 2 swaps at a time and in the past I have stuck to that, now I find myself participating in 4 amazing swaps and moderating 2 of them.

Here are my swaps that I am doing at the moment.

Scrappy Mug Rug 3 + moderator
DQS10 (Doll Quilt Swap) + moderator
Spicing Up The Kitchen
Sarah and Molly's free piecing study

Oh Flickr, you give me great inspiration and entertainment but I do have a market to sew for in February so I really must learn to ignore you for a little while.

JOURNALS

The feature fabric is by Australian designer Saffron Craig. I love her designs.

MODERN MEETS ECO

That's the image I'm going for when I begin to do markets again with modern designs and eco packaging.


One of my goals for 2011 is to attend markets again after a bit of a break. I miss being out there with customers, I will continue to sell online also but am really looking forward to re-connecting with people through my craft.

I have been very busy sewing away and can't wait to show off all that I am making. I had better get back to it.... cu