Cheeky Little Monsters

Moved over to...

2010-09-27T22:53:00.001-07:00

I have moved the content of this blog over to my other blog, Imagine Lovely

There is now a children's clothing company called Cheeky Little Monsters, so I want to stop using that name.

I will continue to make kids toys, dolls and clothes along with whole bunch of other stuff including my handmade wedding and the upcoming building of our strawbale house and baby number 3.

So come on over there stay in touch!

Time to say goodbye...

2010-08-31T15:51:00.000-07:00

It's time for me to say goodbye to Cheeky Little Monsters. It's been swell :)

Actually, it's been a really amazing time. Discovering the world of craft blogging and being to inspired, so amazed by peoples creativity, by their generosity, by their honesty.

I've learned so much! grown so much. So thank lovely blog of mine...

But we've out grown each other. I barely have time for one blog let alone two, so I will concentrate on my adventures over at imagine lovely. So if you wanna come along for the ride, I'll see ya there!

Thank you to every one who has commented, shared and supported this journey. You rock!

The next Glenlyon Village Market... August 21

2010-08-16T15:45:00.000-07:00

It's time again for the Glenlyon Village Market! This Saturday- Election Day!

So come along and visit- hopefully we will have some sparkling country winter weather...

I'll be there, with my alpaca goodies, toys, vintage buttons and other random cuties.

The market also has a new blog...

www.glenlyonmarket.blogspot.com

Check it out!

More Alpaca Wool Goodness...

2010-06-27T23:25:00.000-07:00

I've just put some new scarves up in my store.... they are selling like hotcakes!

And with good reason...they are soooo soft and really really warm!

There are new gloves too...

Better be quick friends! :)

Shop here.

Alpaca Wool Scarves

2010-06-08T20:56:00.000-07:00

Brrrrrr.... let me tell you, it is COLD in Daylesford! Wowee!

It feels like it's going to snow any minute and I'm actually loving it! I'm loving the toasty fires, the yummy hearty winter food and I'm especially loving this super soft luxurious Alpaca wool. We are so lucky to have this amazing wool mill near by.

I made myself a scarf and so many people have asked about that I've made few for my shop.

You can see more here :)

Stay warm chickens!

My Creative Space...

2010-05-19T21:33:00.000-07:00

In my creative space today is this little birdie I stitched up for Charlies doll, Daisy. It's made from the most beautiful vintage wool I cut from a coat I got at the oppie the other day. It is the most glorious shade of blue. I put on some wool felt wings and stuffed it with the scrappy offcuts of alpaca wool I've been saving. I have grand plans for other wonderful goodies from this coat....hopefully my plans are within my ability, I'm not so sure!

Also in my creative space is my beautiful street... this is what I can see from my front verandah at the moment...

It is absolutely divine :) It's really Autumn here and I am loving it. Sitting out on the couch stitching my birdie and eating Tim Tams whilst sipping rooibos while Charlie naps.... heaven!

see more here!

Alpaca Hottie Cover- Mushrooms

2010-05-19T19:25:00.000-07:00

My little alpaca wool hot water bottle cover made it on to the Made It mail out! Isn't that lovely. I only have two left now... so I'd better make some more hey?

Everyone needs on of these for winter, so get in quick people!

Flea Market Finds

2010-05-15T20:52:00.000-07:00

I've a had such fantastic week of fabulous finds this week.

The suitcase pictured above was give to me on Mothers Day upon Adam's return from the Sunday Market. It also came with friends, a beautiful red one and a very old brown number. The beautiful wool coat I got this morning from the Daylesford Market. I've been searching for so long for a plaid wool coat such as this, but they are always too big and heavy. This one is perfecto so I was very happy!

But not as happy as Adam was when he purchased this awesome 1930's light box for an absolute steal! It was difficult to photograph, but it's for eye testing and is set in the most beautiful dark wood box. It has an amazing adjustable aperture on the bottom right, with a light behind it. We are going to build it into our house plans somehow!

During the week we went on a driving adventure and hit some great country oppies. We bought way too much to photograph, but I got this sweet shelf and all it's lovely contents. A selection of tins for the wedding, two lovely jugs and some french jars.

I am obsessed with this duck egg blue colour , especially when it's combined with red and I adore the circus vibe of this tin.

Duck egg blue again! I love the shape of the Bessemer jug and the pattern on the little Japanese jug is so lovely. At $1 and $1.50, who could say no?

Some great vintage kids books, which will be used for cards and tags and bunting.

My personal favourite is 'Honey without money' which has the most adorable illustrations. So sweet.

And this set of vintage memory cards, which I almost passed up, but I'm SO glad I didn't! I have all sorts of ideas of these little guys.

I also got an unused Polaroid camera, with a flash and film for just $15-! I'm so thrilled with this because I really want to be able to take some Polaroids at the wedding. All in all it's been a fantastic week of thrifting!! I hope yours was too ;)

You can check out more Flea Market Finds here....

Pic's from the Glenlyon Market

2010-05-15T02:31:00.000-07:00

The sun came out and we had such a lovely day at the gorgeous Glenlyon market today.

Magnificent fresh produce, amazing pasties that sold out too quickly, sweet scented candles, yummy preserves, fabulous clothes, second hand books, divine goats cheese....

and great company! ah... heaven! I do love a good community market! I finished up a perfect morning by getting my hand dirty in then garden then we drank a beautiful bottle of Veuve Clicquot we got for our engagement... thanks Biddy, Djad and GT!

I do hope your Saturday was just as fabulous! :)

the Glenlyon Market now has a blog too.... you can see it here

Custom Doll Orders

2010-05-13T18:03:00.000-07:00

I've just put a custom doll listing up on Made It to make it easier for you to order your very own Ruby Doll.

Just click on the shop link over on the right :)

Ive also added a Flikr set (over on the right too) so you can check out other dolls with ease.

There is also a few other goodies on there, including the alpaca hot water bottle covers.

Grossgrain Fabulous

2010-05-11T19:04:00.000-07:00

Is this not the most divine frock you have ever seen? I'm totally in love! Sigh...

You too can be in to win it here.... The State Fair Frock Grosgrain Giveaway

Or this one...

**Ah...Swoon**

here... The 'Oh Dear' Frock Grosgrain Giveaway

Ruby doll in action!

2010-04-28T22:20:00.000-07:00

Charlie found herself the proud owner of a polka dot tea set this morning...

It was outta control cuteness all round. Gosh I'm glad I had a little girl. I think I enjoy these things more than she does!! Te he he.

I love seeing my dolls in action, it makes all that hard work worthwhile :)

My NEW Wedding blog...

2010-04-25T17:36:00.000-07:00

For those of you who are interested in following my progress with the Challenge and the planning and creating of this handmade wedding...

Please do join me over at:

http://imaginelovely.blogspot.com/

Challenger of the utmost kind...

2010-04-19T21:13:00.000-07:00

Sometimes out there in blogland you stumble across something that really speaks to you. It's timely and moving, beautiful and thought provoking- it might be just what you need in that moment.

This is what happened when I came across the beautiful blog of Dottie Angel.

Apart from being gorgeous and full of wonderful things (including the photos above) Dottie Angel has started a movement of sorts, a challenge of the utmost kind.

I love a challenge. I thrive on challenge! I thought to myself... I'm in! So for 365 days starting today I swear I will only buy secondhand or handmade for my wardrobe and for my home. Sounds fairly easy right? I mean most of the stuff I purchase already fits into those categories. Well we better step it up a notch...

Included in my personal challenge will be my wedding!

Well our wedding... we vow that everything from this moment on for our wedding will be either second-hand or handmade. EVERYTHING. Invites, decor, dress, flowers, cups, plates, saucers... everything.

It's going to be a super challenge of the utmost kind and I'm going to blog about the adventure right here.

Isn't he a wonderful man he is to agree to this challenge.. thank you Adam.

Why would I want to do this?

Well firstly, weddings are an environmental disaster. Check it..

-The average wedding produces 63 tons of CO2 and 400-600 pounds of trash. With 2.5 million weddings a year in the United States alone, the impact is huge. I want no part in that!

Secondly, cost:

-The average wedding costs almost $40,000 and weddings are a $60+ billion industry.

Apart from that seeming to me like a hideous waste..

Adam and I are saving to buy a small acreage here in the pretty country town of Daylesford. On that land we will build the dream house we are designing (made from strawbale) and we will grow veges and milk goats be sustainable and self sufficient. (sigh...)

$40,000 would buy a lot of strawbales!

But most of all, I want to get creative. I love that instead of popping out to buy something instantly, every detail will require thought, creativity, inspiration and effort. The outcome has to be something amazing. It will also require us to involve our wonderful friends and family, use their skills and have them feel part of the process and share in the joy of what we create.

So I do hope you will join me on this adventure!

(This post has been repeated on the my new blog, which is devoted to the challenge!)

Autumn Love

2010-04-18T20:51:00.000-07:00

I have recently been starting my mornings with a brisk stroll around the lake in Daylesford. I started doing it for fitness, but the peace & incredible beauty of it has had a wonderfully joyous effect on me too! It really is stunningly gorgeous, especially with all those glowing autumn tones and fairy tale mushrooms.

It reminds me every morning what a beautiful world we live in and how lucky I am to reside within such a stunning landscape. I really LOVE living here!!

What do you love about where you live?

Make your own... Yoghurt.

2010-04-18T20:25:00.000-07:00

Did you know you can make yoghurt in a thermos or a polystyrene container or a small esky?

You don't actually need a fancy yoghurt maker, and it's so easy! Plus it's cheaper and way better for our environment. This is how I do it, though there are may different recipes / methods.

You will need:

Milk- 1litre. Can be cow, sheep or goat.

Easyo yoghurt starter culture from the supermarket (I use the greek yoghurt one).

A thermos, small esky or polystyrene box with lid. If using an esky or box you will need a 1 litre glass jar with a lid.

Thermometer.

If using a thermos heat the milk to 48 degrees using a thermometer. Mix in the 2 dessert spoons of the yoghurt starter making sure all the lumps are gone. Pour into a thermos which has been well cleaned & pre-heated with boiling water. Wrap in a towel and leave over night- in the morning fresh yummy yoghurt!

If using an esky or similar half fill your glass jar with milk, add 2 dessert spoons of the yoghurt starter (not the whole sachet as the packet says!) and mix well. Top up with the rest of the milk. Place jar with lid on in the esky. Almost fill with hot water from the tap and top up with boiling water to bring teh temperature up to 50 degrees. Place lid on and n 1 hours time top up again with boiling water to bring it up to 50 again. Leave over night. Easy.

If you want your yoghurt thicker you can also add a couple of spoons of milk powder. You could also use 2 spoons of fresh yoghurt as a starter- just be sure it's a good one with the right cultures. I find this much easier though and when you only use 2 spoons instead a whole packet it's quite cost effective and basically fool proof.

Yummy, easy & good for both you & the environment!

Weekend collage...

2010-04-17T22:43:00.000-07:00

Photos are from the Glenlyon Market and the Guildford Vintage Engine Rally.

We had gorgeous weather for the market on Saturday and a really great turnout. It really is the most fun I've ever had at a market! I came home with just picked veges, amazing goats cheese and some really nice organic wine from the good folk at Red Centre Wines in Hepburn.

The Vintage Engine Rally was interesting- watching a 2 year old drive a tractor was kinda scary and I felt really sorry for the wife of the man who was completely obsessed with his antique axe collection, if indeed he had a wife. My favourite thing was the lovely man who was singing with Wacca the drumming koala. He had a bunch of instruments for the kids to play and he kindly played Johnny Cash so I could rock out with the ukelele. Great times!

Flea Market Finds

2010-04-17T21:21:00.000-07:00

I found this little beauty this morning at the Dayleford Sunday Market.

A sweet 1960's folding dolls highchair, in near perfect condition. I've not seen one of these before, and it was a mere $10-! It will make a great display for my dolls at the market and I'm sure Charlie will enjoy it in the interim.

I also found a few tins and doilies to add to the wedding collection. I'm going to use the tins as flower receptacles on the tables. The outback tin was free and the other two were $2-. I then walked on and saw the bird tin in a different colour at another stall for $35-! I love it when that happens!

You check out more flea market finds here :)

Wedding inspiration..

2010-04-15T21:10:00.000-07:00

It's a year away I know, but things are all about wedding planning around here!

I've cleared most of my usual commitments (except the children, the garden, the animals and personal craft projects!) to make way for a year of planning and crafting for the big day.

via project wedding

So just a warning, my blog is likely to include lots of wedding stuff from now on. My visual diary of ideas and inspirations. as you can see i finally found a use for one of those patterns I blogged about here.

Via Poppytalk

Please don't be put off if you don't like weddings, it's not going to be traditional, soppy, cheesy or frou-frou.

via Designsponge

Everything, hopefully down to the marquee (which we are planning to make from recycled truck tarpaulins), will be handmade, vintage or recycled. It's going to be a hands on, team effort and it will include lots of amazing local Daylesford produce and crafts people.

via sarahseven on etsy

Our mission is to create a wildly fun and beautiful wedding, that is as environmentally gentle as possible, all within a very modest budget. So stay tuned!

via Miss Pickles Press

Included in this post are just a few of the gorgeous images I have been inspired by so far, there are so many more to come!

The Glenlyon Village Market

2010-04-15T18:17:00.000-07:00

It's that time of the month...yes the Glenlyon Market is on tomorrow!

The weather today is absolutely glorious and we will hopefully have more of the same for tomorrow.

If you would like to have a stall, it's not too late. Just turn up, and ask around for me, Tania or Dan.

It's just $5- and is such a gorgeous and fun community market.

Hope to see you there!

Scrumping!

2010-04-05T14:55:00.000-07:00

Hope you all had a lovely Easter! We spent most of ours scrumping for apples and making cider. Inspired by the adventures of the lovely Hugh from River Cottage we took to the highway and collected apples from roadside fruit trees.

Apple trees were everywhere once we started looking, it was amazing. Here's a pic of Adam doing some particularly risky foraging, but mostly they were just all over the ground, waiting to be collected. There were so many scrumptious apples to be had!

Charlie enjoyed tasting all the different varieties we came across! We ended up picking so many apples that we just filled up the back of the van! We got more than enough for the cider so we also gave apples to our friends, made stewed apples, apple juice to drink and sliced a whole heap to be dried.

Then Adam, chief executive cider maker got into pressing the apples.

And now the cider is bubbling away in our little cellar. Hopefully in about eight months time, just in time for Christmas, we will have wonderful tasting summer cider to enjoy!

We are just so excited by the concept of foraging for wild food. There are so many possibilities of wonderful things to make and share. Next weekend, it's chestnuts! And after that, maybe mushrooms?

Is there a wild food that you enjoy?

My place and yours... collections

2010-03-30T20:35:00.000-07:00

I stumbled across this lovely blog last night and just had to take part in this weeks 'My place and yours' which is all about collections. I am a chronic bargain hunter and as such I have amassed a good many collections. I am constantly buying, selling and reselling stuff... lucky my beautiful fiance is an vintage lover also.

A few of the things I collect are....

Kitch ceramics... and cheesy jesus stuff. My favourite is the dodo gravy jug which my MIL bought me.

Brooches.. I always want more brooches!

And Vintage Sideboards. I have four and I love them all SO much. This one I got whilst working at Indigo Junction- for some reason it didn't sell, so I worked in exchange for it! It makes me happy every time I look at it. It's so sexy, in a 60's teak veneer kind of way!

I also collect chairs (I LOVE chairs), vintage frocks & handbags, old tins, vintage lamps, enameled things, tea cups, old stamps (the kind you ink, not postage stamps), old bottles, vintage games and fisher price toys, vintage books with cool covers and of course... golden books.

What do you collect & why? You can see more fabulous collections over at Hello Owl!

My Creative Space..

2010-03-24T19:47:00.000-07:00

..at the moment is all about wooly winter snugness. I am completely obsessed with this lovely alpaca wool from the Creswick Wool Mill, which lucky for me is very near by.

I'm having so much fun dreaming up uses for it and preparing for winter.

I have a pile of hot water bottle covers, finished and unfinished for the Daylesford Makers Market.

And some prototype fingerless gloves. Do you think they need adorning? I kinda like them plain and simple. What do you think? They feel lovely on...

Check out some more creative spaces here :)

Relishing

2010-03-22T20:47:00.000-07:00

I've just finished making a wee batch of tomato relish with the gorgeous tomatoes I picked yesterday. Every year I make a batch to give away to my special friends. I like to make this first, before I make any for myself. It's my little tradition.

I think they look very sweet!

I just adore making preserves! This weekend we will make tomato sauce too. The kids absolutely love it! Hopefully we can make enough to last the whole year. Then next week I shall make green tomato chutney from my remaining unripe tomatoes. It was pretty frosty this morning, so I think their days are numbered!

Here is my recipe for Spicy Tomato Relish in case you feel inspired :)

1.5 kg ripe tomatoes, chopped
4 onions, chopped roughly
2 tablespoons salt
2 cups brown sugar
3 red chillies (I use cayenne)
2 1/4 cups malt vinegar
2 tbsp plain flour
1 tbsp curry powder
1 tbsp dry mustard
1 tbsp salt
1 tsp ground ginger
1/4 cup malt vinegar

Method:
Put tomatoes and onions in a non-metallic bowl and sprinkle over the salt. Leave for 12 hours. Drain the liquid that has formed. Put vegetables in a preserving pan or large saucepan and add the sugar, chillies and first measure of vinegar. Bring to the boil and simmer, stirring frequently for about 1hr 20 minutes or until mixture is reduced and thickens slightly.
Combine remaining ingredients to make a thick paste.
Stir paste into the tomato mixture and simmer, stirring for 2-3 minutes until mixture thickens.
Pack into sterilised jars and seal.
Makes about 4 x 350ml jars.

Yummy x x

Autumn in my garden

2010-03-21T20:48:00.000-07:00

It's nap time here & I really should be sewing for the next Daylesford Makers Market, but it's such a stunningly gorgeous day! I've been out picking tomatoes- of which there are so many. All different colours shapes and sizes. I also photographed a few of the lovely things around my garden. Veges flowers and animals! I hope you are enjoying the weather and some nature where you are?

My famous Fiance!

2010-03-15T19:16:00.000-07:00

5 months in the country and he's already on the cover of Backyard Farmer Magazine! Not bad huh? :)

The Glenlyon Village Market

2010-03-14T20:56:00.000-07:00

It's that time again! Hooray! My most favourite of all markets... The Glenlyon Village Market.
Do come along and say hi or if you are a local crafty type or if you have excess produce or a whole bunch of vintage stuff you've been meaning to sell- give Dan a call and have a stall, it only costs $5-! That's right, $5-!!

See ya there! :)

Meet Miss Lucy!

2010-03-10T17:56:00.000-08:00

The latest addition to the family... Little Miss Lucy.
O' I'm so in love with her! She is just adorable.

She is up for adoption... you can see more here :)

Pretty Patterns

2010-03-09T19:51:00.000-08:00

I'm so loving these! They are hand painted patterns on the covers of some vintage Readers Digests I got from the Yandoit Primary School Garage Sale months ago. I think I got them all for 50c!

Aren't they divine? Don't you wish books looked like this these days?

Daylesford Makers Market- Chillout Edition

2010-03-07T19:47:00.001-08:00

Despite the pouring rain the Daylesford Makers Market was a roaring success. What a fun day I had! I met lots of fabulous people- talented, interesting and gorgeous, I sold lots of stuff (which is always nice) and I just had a jolly good time.

My new bunting posts worked a treat- and people loved my new alpaca wool hot water bottles covers.

The buttons went down well as always and I even got to see some of them looking totally fabulous on some things people had made. They just look SO much better than new buttons.

I can't wait for next months Easter Market... I will have to get busy making some more hottie covers as I can see they will be very much needed out here by then!

KIDindependent

2010-02-21T18:30:00.000-08:00

This great new independent kids fashion blog KIDindependent has one of my Ruby dolls included in their feature called 'Hello Dolly' -a collection of divine little cloth dolls. Looks like a great blog and they obviously have good taste ;)

More Bunting Radness!

2010-02-21T17:05:00.001-08:00

On the weekend I received this gorgeous little package from the super talented Neen from Nettle & Brier. It contained the most beautiful personalised bunting...

In case you don't have super x-ray vision and can't make it out, it says 'Tania 4 Adam 4 Eva' and it's for the engagement party this weekend. Awwwww....
I love it so much! Such pretty patterns. I think it will later find a permanent home in our bedroom.

Thank you, thank you, thank you Neeness!

Chie Mihara- the BEST shoes ever!

2010-02-16T20:01:00.000-08:00

Say 'helloooo' to my new babies! Oh my god I'm so excited!
I have recently become convinced that there are no decent shoes in Australia and have started looking farther afield.. Enter Chie Mihara. Oh my god total shoe time amazingness!!!!

I fell head over heels (mind the pun) for these sweeeeet mary janes. I've spent days obsessing about them (everyone is thoroughly sick of hearing about them) They are SO perfect. Perfect shaped toe, beautifully made and by all accounts the most comfortable shoes you will ever buy. I am so hooked!

I'm loving these boots too, they are just so bloody perfect. Everything you always wanted in a boot! But now I'm a country gal I can't imagine I will get too much wear out of them. I'd a be a right hit doing school pick ups in those! Gumboots may be more appropriate.... :)

Now, how to bide my time until I receive them?

Engagement Bunting...

2010-02-14T15:26:00.000-08:00

So last month, on my birthday in fact, I got engaged. I was whisked away blindfolded to a secret location where my love had set up a romantic picnic complete with cold bubbles and my most favourite foods. Set amongst pretty shady trees on the edge of field of lavender at Lavandula he gave me his grandmothers rose gold and diamond ring. It was perfect.

Which leads me to the engagement party I am currently organising. Yesterday I made pretty bunting from one of the ancient Readers Digest's I got from a garage sale. They have the most exquisite hand painted covers (they deserve a post of their own) but whats between the covers of those books is of no use to me!

The weight of the paper was just perfect for the job and I love the aged yellowing at the edge of the pages. I love too that they are pretty but understated you know, not all bright and crazy and look at me (which is my usual style). Just classically beautiful.

After I had made them I found I had pile of perfect little paper lovehearts at my feet- so I stitched them together in this sweet little garland. A lovely little by product I must say!

My creative Space...

2010-02-10T22:16:00.000-08:00

In my creative space today.. some vintage storybook bunting I just finished. I think my bunting love is nearing obsession! I really love the way this has turned out though. I'm planning to make miles of pretty bunting for the big wedding day, so I have a year to work on all sorts of new designs!

In my space also is are some new Golden books and an awesome twister game I
procured today. How fun do they make Twister look?

See creative spaces over at Kootoyoo :)

2010-02-10T02:08:00.000-08:00

New Ruby Dolls are in the store!

Plus a new custom doll option, to make ordering easier :)

My Favourite Things...

2010-02-09T15:37:00.000-08:00

I just love kitch ceramics! These are a few of my favourites :)

Could this be my best vintage find ever?

2010-02-08T18:50:00.001-08:00

I am so in love with this gorgeous dress! I found it at the Daylesford Bazaar and it think it could possibly be the best vintage thing I've ever uncovered- simply because it's so perfect in every way. For a start, its Italian. Then it's fully lined wool. The colour is just perfect.

It has the most adorable details; the ric rac, the fabric covered buttons, the pleats...

and best of all, the peter pan collar. I love the peter pan collar! I wish all of my frocks had a peter pan collar. Seriously. Every single one!
Unfortunately this one is a size 7, so it won't fit me but I have 6 years of adoring its beautiful simplicity until miss Charlie can wear it.

My Creative Space

2010-02-03T22:16:00.000-08:00

My creative space today is an absolute mess. Well that's what you get when you try to get things done with 1year old in your studio... I can try and blame the mess on her can't I? Okay, the truth is that I'm actually really messy. There I admit it. I actually do my best work in amongst complete chaos. And I hate cleaning. God I hate it with a passion! You have to do so much cleaning with kids that when I finally do get some time to myself in my studio, it's the absolute last thing I want to do. I wanna get straight to the fun parts! So I do. It's my space after all :)

Wee Charlie had her first dance class today- it was super super cute and as the teacher promised she would, she slept like a log for 2 hours and 10 minutes! Which allowed me to almost complete this doll for the Market this weekend. Which makes me very happy. It's also raining, which is great. I like today.

See some more fabulous creative spaces over at kootooyoo

Fly...

2010-02-01T18:34:00.001-08:00

Hi friends.. just letting you know that my bigcartel store will be getting an upgrade and update over the next few weeks.
I will be adding lots of new things, including these sweet little bird brooches I am currently making and a batch of new big dolls for those of you that keep asking... I'm working on it!

So stay tuned!

Legless

2010-01-27T00:16:00.001-08:00

Enough with the tourist info and back to the crafty craftness. I've finally manged to produce something in my new studio (is three months still new?) and I'm mighty proud. Stitched here and there in mostly five minute power sewing sessions when I could manage to sneak off from the children.... these little ladies are legless and armless versions of my dolls. Perfect for those who prefer their toys immobile.

You can get one next weekend the 6th Feb at the Daylesford Makers Market along with some other great stuff that I am yet to produce but is jumping around madly in my head. There will also be a host of other wonderfully creative folk from the region with their amazing handmade goodies.

Glenlyon Market is on again!

2010-01-07T21:24:00.000-08:00

I'm busy sewing my little booty off for the next Glenlyon Make it, Bake it, Grow it Market.

I'm working on a whole batch of new dolls with little dresses to go with them. I've also created a gaggle of sweet mini dolls a bunch of new vintage animals. I will hopefully have time to make a few new teeny tiny goodies too.

Next weekend it is, Saturday 16th, 9 - 1 if you fancy a day out in the country!

You could visit us at the market- Glenlyon town hall, on the Daylesford Malmsbury Road- get yourself some handmade goodies, some cupcakes, some goats cheese and a few veges. Then you could head into daylesford to visit the fabulous Lark store or the quite frankly amazing Mill Markets -if you love vintage & retro and you have not been here, you really must! It's SO worth the drive! It's massive and full of amazing treasures.

Then you might be feeling a tad tired so you should get a sugar hit at the Chocolate Mill- the yummiest handmade chocolates around and in a gorgeous strawbale building (if you are into that sort of thing). Or you could check out any of the beautiful local producers of fine food listed on this page (I can highly recommend Istra Smallgoods, if you are into that sort of thing).

Then you could take a dip in the lake (we have two Daylesford and Jubilee both are great for swimming, though I think the beach at Daylesford Lake is better for kids- ask someonefor directions).

Then you might even want to stay the night because the Trentham Farmers Market is on on Sunday morning....
There is so much to do here, I'm sure you can easily fill a day or a weekend- we'd love to see you!

Okay back to the sewing while the kids are out!

Merry Christmas Friends!

2009-12-21T01:02:00.000-08:00

The last of the Christmas orders is complete! Now it's time to get festive. It's also time to spend many hours making plans for next year... new year = new designs & new inspiration.

I hope you all have a fabulous, joyous and inspirational holiday season :)

Finally a couple of new house pic's...

2009-12-08T20:04:00.000-08:00

Not much crafting going on here at the moment, instead my creative energy has been going into unpacking and organising our new house. Here are a couple of pic's of wee Charlie's room...

My studio is almost complete, so I will have some pic's of that soon. Hopefully, normal craftiness will resume thereafter! :)

Glenlyon Make it, Bake it, Grow it Market

2009-11-20T21:03:00.000-08:00

I haven't been crafting much lately, but today I had my second outing at the sweet country Glenlyon monthly market. It's five doors down from my new house which appeals greatly to me and my new found devotion to the slow living movement. I just stroll down there with my goods in wheelbarrow- it's all very relaxed and friendly.

I had such a fun day chatting to gorgeous people, making new friends and selling some stuff to boot. Even my last doll Miss Scarlet found herself a new home. I really need to do some sewing before the next one!

I found myself a gorgeous 100 year old table to put my old singer sewing machine on up in my new studio (which is almost unpacked and ready to be photographed). I'm currently munching on the best pastie I have ever eaten and we are having home made pasta with pesto made from fresh locally grown basil for dinner. This is the life I tell ya!

Also, my lovely neighbour was Nikki who has a peony farm just up the road in Spring Hill. She was selling her stunning flowers which are ready for the picking and admiring for just a few short weeks. They are so delicate and smell absolutely divine. They look fabulous on my kitchen table!

If anyone fancies a Sunday drive in the country (and you live in Melbourne!) they are having an open farm and you can cut your own Peonies. Its just off the Springhill Rd, just past Tylden.

Paul Bangay is also having an open garden at his Denver house- it's supported by and raising money for Stephanie Alexanders kitchen garden foundation. The details can be found here.
That's where I will be tomorrow, will post some photos then! :)

Back to the future

2009-10-29T19:44:00.001-07:00

After a month of packing, moving, cleaning and upacking....
plus a month of having no phone, television or internet...

I'm back :)

So much to catch up on!
Moving to the country has been the most fantastical ride so far.

Things I'm loving:
Decorating my new house.
Yummy fresh local produce.
The birds... so many birds. Rosellas, King Parrots, Cockatoos, pretty little Finches and my favourite the big feisty Kurrawong.
Watching the amazing Maple and Oak trees in front of my house growing their summer leaves.
The way the person at the table next to you in the cafe will just start talking you like you are old friends.
There is a market of some kind on every day of every weekend.
My new studio.
Seeing the kidlets so happy.
Feeling so relaxed....

It's idyllic to say the least.

I even love that when I put the rubbish bin out I have to put $8- in coins under the bin! So quaint...

So we are almost unpacked and orgainsed, then it's time to get crafty in my new studio. I have so many ideas already!

My creative space (almost)...

2009-09-30T21:08:00.000-07:00

Since we are in the middle of moving (from Melbourne to Daylesford in country Victoria) I currently have no 'physical' creative space.

It's all happening in my head..

I'm daydreaming about my new studio (above). Planning where everything will go and how it will look. Imagining how it will feel.
How inspired I'm going to be. It's big and light filled and it has a balcony all of it's own...

with a gorgeous country view!

Just think of all the wonderful things I'm going to create...

Oh I'm so excited and I can't wait to share the finished product with you in a few weeks! Stay tuned :)

My Creative Space is hosted by kootoyoo- pop over there to see more inspiring creative spaces :)

Round She Goes- Spring!

2009-09-27T16:10:00.001-07:00

This fantastic market is on again. In the glamorous Camberwell Centre for the final time, with over 80 stalls of gorgeous pre-loved designer and vintage clothing and accessories. It's an absolute wonderland in there! There are some amazing bargains to be had too. Last time I got a leather jacket by Arabella Ramsay, still with the $600- price tag for $80-. My friend Biddy got a gorgeous pair of vitage cowboy boots for $10-! God I love a good bargain, don't you?

And I shall be there (taking a much needed break from moving) with vintage buttons galore for $5- per tube and some fabulous vintage frocks, boots, shoes and accessories. Some come along or pass it on to your friends!

We are moving to Daylesford!

2009-09-13T16:07:00.000-07:00

So we will be moving over the next month out the to beautiful country town of Daylesford. If it's anything like the commercial says, and I believe it is, we shall be very happy there!

So for the next month or so my blog maybe quiet or full of crazy moving tales I'm not quite sure yet, but I am very excited. The new house has an amazingly big and beautifully light studio space for me (woohooo!!!) and chook shed and vege patch ready and waiting.

So stay tuned!

Ps- how the hell do you move house with two kids?? Does anyone know?

New life..

2009-08-31T17:11:00.000-07:00

Remember that vintage cloth nursery rhyme book I got last weekend at Camberwell.
No? Well you can see it here...

I stitched them into little quilt blocks and made cushions out of them. I think they are really sweet! Now I need to find some more, lol. Just another thing to keep on my magpie list!

The cushions and the new dolls and lots of other new goodies will be with me at the Made in Thornbury Market this Saturday. Hope to see ya there!

Welcome!

2009-08-29T20:02:00.000-07:00

Scarlet...

and Maya! (Sold)

Formerly known as body parts hanging on a clothesline....

My Creative Space

2009-08-26T16:17:00.000-07:00

My creative space today is all about the dolls, well, bits of dolls at least!
I like to hang all the pieces up so I can easily see where I'm up to. Having little people around when you are creating means you often have to drop what you are doing and come back to it. This is one of my coping strategies!

What are yours?

My Creative Space is hosted by kootoyoo- pop over there to see more inspiring creative spaces :)

Little shop of...

2009-08-24T15:15:00.000-07:00

From Camberwell Market on the weekend I also got this lovely wee owl brooch. It's made from plywood and I love it 'cause it reminds me of the owl from Meg & Mog. I loved those books as a kid and I'm still loving them as an adult reading them to my kids.

It's made by the very talented Bec Albinson, and she has opened a real life shop in Melbourne at 8 Woorayl St Carnegie called Little Shop of Handmade. It's filled with treasures from lots of different melbourne designers. Or you can see her stuff online here. Beautiful little things at very reasonable prices!

The latest addition to the family...

2009-08-23T22:20:00.001-07:00

I've been busy little bee... sewing and crafting like mad to get ready for the Made in Thornbury Market. Not mention looking after kidlets and generally trying to enjoy life.

I often feel frustrated at how limited my time is these days... there are so many things I want to do and often I want to post about about the millions of ideas I have and the projects I'm working on but it's usually more important to actually work on the projects than blog about them! I wish I had more time to post more often... I really do. Perhaps this week I will make more of an effort!

Anyhoo, the past weekend was devoted doll making... and though I had the entire day Saturday and grand plans of making 5 dolls, I finished up with one complete doll.

Her name is Madeline (SOLD). You can see more about her here if you like.

I also slipped in a visit to Camberwell market on Sunday. I acquired this gorgeous vintage fabric child's nursery rhyme book which I'm going to make into either little bags or t-shirts. I LOVE Camberwell!

My new bike...

2009-08-18T04:27:00.000-07:00

Oh how I have longed and pined and wished for a beautiful vintage bike for what seems like eons. I have been following this gorgeous Californian vintage bike blog, Riding Pretty and it certainly did nothing to diminish this desperate longing. I harped on endlessly about how I didn't have a bike... I needed a bike!

So a while back Adam found this one...

in a clients back yard and was going to restore it for me. Months later however I looked around at the many and varied unfinished or yet to be begun restoration projects and came to the sad conclusion that it would probably never happen.

So took the matter into my own hands and consulted the great purchasing oracle that is Ebay. There I found my beautiful new bike at an absolute bargain price... here she is...

I'm so in love. She is from The Indian Bicycle Shop in St Kilda and was only ridden a handful of times by her previous owner. She is so comfortable and cruisy.... a total state of mind, just like my car, the Volkwagen Caravelle Van (the modern woman's Kombi)!

I would love to get her some of these gorgeous panniers from London's CycleChic, but I will have to put a kiddie seat on the back for wee Charlie. So I will stick with a standard wicker front basket.

All that's left then is to give her a name and bring on spring baby wee are off and cruisin' in the sunshine.... yeeeha!

Market Review- Thread Den Market

2009-08-10T16:43:00.000-07:00

Well what a fabulous day I had at the Thread Den Market on Sunday!
It was so lovely to be among fellow crafters who really appreciated my candy store button collection. I was so busy all day and lucky enough to chat with lots interesting creative people. Thank you to everyone who supported me and stopped in for a chat!
Special thanks to my best customer, the lovely Grace who was totally smitten with my rainbow pretties and even came to check out my collection at home! I hope you find room for them all at your place Grace!
The market was full of wonderful handmade goodness- loads of stuff I hadn't seen anywhere before which was awesome. I was so inspired by the depth of creativity! I really wanted to take some photos of other peoples goodies to post here, but I was so busy I did not get the chance.
It was an all round success so hopefully there will be another market before Christmas. It's definitely worth coming along, or booking a stall yourself.
So I had a very successful day, loads of fun and even made a new friend... all in all a perfect day!

I'm a winner, really I am!

2009-08-07T03:26:00.000-07:00

I was one of the lucky winners of Amy over at Badskirt's 500th post competition and I received my fabulous little package of lovely fabric scraps in the post today. Lucky me! Thank you Amy. I'm about to start on a whole bunch of new dolls so I think I shall use some of the fabrics in those and some to make Charlie a hat for summer. I can finally use the pattern I got from the Stitches and Craft Show.

I also got these cute 70's snap cards from the op-shop today. They are just crying out for a cute little craft project. I just love the little bird card. I also got some fabulous blue suede shoes and cute polka dot frock perfect for summer bike riding and wine sipping. Top it off with a lovely lunch with friends and kidlets and it was a fantastic day. Hope yours was too!

My creative space....

2009-08-05T16:57:00.000-07:00

I'm busy busy getting ready for the Thread Den Market day on Sunday. Sorting through tubes of buttons and packing them in suitcases. It's an uphill battle I tell you. As fast as I can put them in, my little helper pulls them out! I also have to be really strong and not keep pulling tubes out myself that I want to keep. I mean seriously, how many buttons can one woman have? They need to go on to bigger and better things, a plethora of amazing craft projects..... but they are just so amazing, it's very hard to resist.

Anyway, I'm taking four big suitcases jam packed with buttons and I'm selling them at the special bargain market day price of $8- a tube or .50c a button, whichever works out cheaper. Some tubes have a hundred buttons in them! So if you are interested, come along, or if you know someone else who would be excited by this pass it on :)

I will also have a full collection of trims, random vintage haberdashery and heaps of vintage womens & kids patterns all at very special prices.

There's gonna be over 50 stalls! I'm very excited!

My Creative Space is hosted by kootoyoo- pop over there to see more inspiring creative spaces :)

Thread Den Market Day- August 9th

2009-07-30T18:41:00.000-07:00

You can catch me with a selection of fabulous buttons & vintage craft supplies as well as my handmade creations at this great market next weekend. There will be a host of other creative folk there too as well as some fabulous vintage treasure to get your hands on. It's indoors too, so come along and say hi!

Thread Den Market Day

Sunday August 9, 10am-2pm

Hand-made - Melbourne Indie Design
Vintage clothing & bric a brac

Join us for the first ever Thread Den Market Day, undercover at Lithuanian Club. So don't let bad weather keep you away!

There will be over 50 market stalls, activities for the kids and great door prizes. Entry via gold coin donation.

It's also your first chance to buy tickets for Thread Den's Spring Fashion Week show - Killer Queen.

Details:
Sunday August 9, 2009
10am-2pm
@ The Melbourne Lithuanian Club
44 Errol St, North Melbourne

My Creative Space

2009-07-29T21:26:00.001-07:00

In my creative space today- a bunch of fabric scraps cut up and ready to be made into fabric baby rattle / teething / tag toys like the ones at the bottom of the pic. I stuff them with the less interesting vintage buttons. One of these will be going to our new little nephew too in his welcome to the world pack.

Also some lovely red riding hood fabric covered buttons I got on madeit ages ago and am determined house today.

And on the floor of my creative space.....

my best ever creation! :)

My Creative Space is hosted by kootoyoo- pop over there to see more inspiring creative spaces :)

Upcycling vintage wool skirts

2009-07-25T20:45:00.000-07:00

I've spent my weekend giving vintage wool skirts a new life as funky little scotty dogs.
This particular wool is awesome as a softie as its so textural and tactile, not to mention the gorgeous colour.

I was also inspired by this beautiful blog to carve some rubber stamps and have given my little scottie dogs a matching wee scottie dog stamped tag. It's so much fun carving stamps! Takes me back to lino cutting days at school. For those of you in Melbourne, I got most of the supplies from Melbourne Etching Supllies in Fitzroy and the inks from a seller on ebay.

You can find Mr Scottie Dog for sale here :)

My Creative Space

2009-07-23T17:40:00.001-07:00

I'm feeling very blue this week.

I know I'm depressed when I eat Tim Tams for breakfast.
Winter is getting to me- I'm spending the majority of my waking life wondering why I ever left Port Douglas and trying to scheme up ways to get myself a free month in tropical paradise.
A place where the kids can run around nude and free instead of rugged up and shivering in front of the heater needing constant entertainment. I seriously cannot play one more bloody game of UNO!!!

So it's fitting that my creative space is a day late (I actually only just realised it's Friday..) and that in my creative space today is a pretty blue tuxedo dress. I'm making two, one for Charlie and one for the shop. I'm using the gorgeous Russian doll tape I got from Amy over at Badskirt and some of my gorgeous vintage trims and buttons I have hoarded. It's designed to snap closed all the way down the back for easy dressing of squirmy little ones. The snaps I'm using a lovely vintage pearlised cowboy shirt snaps which I've been dying to use.

Well my fingers are now freezing and I can no longer type, back to dreams of mango daquiris and warm blue seas....

My Creative Space is hosted by kootoyoo- pop over there to see more inspiring creative spaces :)

I love... Tea Cosies!

2009-07-20T17:33:00.001-07:00

This is my newest tea cosy... given to me by my wonderful mother in law- bless her.
I love it! There is something so wholesome and comforting and well, cosy, about a tea cosy.

And there are just so many different designs out there- it appears you are only limited by your imagination!
Here a few I found that I just love...

From Biddy Bags.... Super cute cupcake tea cosy.

From Knitvana this gorgeous cat and other great quirky patterns.

And from Santa's Postbag this kinda creepy Santa Claus cosy.

Do you have a cool cosy?

My Creative Space

2009-07-15T21:07:00.000-07:00

It's a gloriously gorgeous day here in Melbourne, so my creative space today is outside in the garden. We have a lovely north facing garden with a grape vine that lets the sun in in winter and shades us in summer. It's just lovely.
Escher's at kinder, Charlie's asleep and I have a cup of tea, some almond cakes and my gorgeous new chair I brought off ebay and picked up this morning. $50- what a score, its so comfortable! It will eventually find it's home as a feeding, book reading chair in Charlie's new room.

Whilst enjoying the winter sun & getting some vitamin d, I'm packaging button hairpins and fabric covered badges for the next market.

My Creative Space is hosted by kootoyoo- pop over there to see more inspiring creative spaces :)

Cheeky Little shop

2009-07-14T00:52:00.000-07:00

I finally have my wee shop up and running...
Still many more items to add, but spare time continues to elude me!

Little Red Dress

2009-07-08T23:31:00.001-07:00

Okay, this coming week I am determined to get through some of the half finished projects on my desk!

The first of which is this little red dress. I needed to redo the neck because it was too small. Now that that's fixed I thinks it's turned out pretty good!

It's reversible, with a cute vintage seersucker fabric on the inside and a I added cute brooch, which I made from a fabric yo yo and a vintage button.

One down, ten to go... :)

My favourite yummy easy winter spicy soup

2009-07-07T17:36:00.000-07:00

Ingredients:

2 Cups vegetable or chicken stock
1 tablespoon tamari or soy
1 teaspoon miso paste (optional)
1 tablespoon sweet chilli sauce
1 star anise
1 teaspoon grated ginger
noodles of your choice ( I like quinoa soba or udon) prepared according to packet instructions
a handful of:
snow peas or sugar snap peas
bok choi
shitake mushrooms (fresh or dried)
small cubes of tofu (optional)
bean shoots
chilli flakes, chopped corriander, sliced spring onions & fried shallots to garnish

Method:
Prepare your noodles.
Gently fry the ginger & star anise in a tiny bit of oil, just to release the flavour then add the stock and bring to the boil while adding the sauces & miso paste.
Be sure to stir in the miso paste properly otherwise you will end up with lumps at the end.
Once boiling add the veges except the bean shoots.
After 1.2 minutes add the tofu and then the bean shoots.
Cook for a further minute or so.
Place noodles in the bowl.
Pour over soup and top with garnishes.

Wa La!! So quick and easy and ymmy and good for you!!

You can mix and match ingredients- and play with sauces and flavours but this is my current favourite mix- enjoy!

Market Day Success!

2009-07-05T21:17:00.000-07:00

Well, I had a wonderful day at 'Round She Goes' yesterday- thank you to everyone who came along- especially those who said they had seen my blog and came just to find me & my buttons! Special thanks too to my little shop assistant Georgie (pictured above) and my big shop assistant Cate, who very generously offered to help and get paid in frocks & buttons!

The day was a great success personally and the market as a whole was spectacular. The Camberwell Civic Centre was a fabulously glam venue, much larger than I imagined and very very busy! Adam though for sure I would spend all the money I made, but I was very well behaved and just come home with one perfect item- a gorgeous Arabella Ramsay leather hooded waistcoat... I love it!

Charlie had a fabulous time pulling the buttons out and leaving them on the floor and crawling into our neighbouring stalls- though she was thoroughly exhausted by the time we got home!

Lots of people asked about buying buttons in bulk etc after the market- if anyone is interested, don't hesitate to email me, or watch this space for info on future markets, thanks!

Button Brooches

2009-06-28T16:34:00.000-07:00

How was your weekend? Mine was a wee bit challenging. One child is teething and the other one seems to be going through an insecure period! Not good conditions for creativity... but Dad took them off to the library yesterday and I had a moment to myself!

So using this fabulous tutorial I made a few button brooches to take to the market this weekend. They turned out really well I think.

I want to have a few things there as examples of what you can make with the buttons to inspire people. What else do you think I could make?

I also managed to fill a whole suitcase with clean shiny tubes of beautiful buttons for the market.
They were covered with 30 years or so of dust and some of the older plastic lids had disintegrated and needed replacing. A lot of the buttons on the top were faded too and needed replacing. It's quite labour intensive. I'm hoping to have at least three of these full of buttons to sell on the weekend so I best get busy!

Fernando

2009-06-25T23:49:00.001-07:00

Can you hear the drums fernando?
I remember long ago another starry night like this
In the firelight fernando
You were humming to yourself and softly strumming your guitar
I could hear the distant drums
And sounds of bugle calls were coming from afar....

My (new) creative space

2009-06-24T23:32:00.000-07:00

Well the big move is complete, and my new creative space is part of our bedroom and our bed and the front hallway and most nights the lounge room floor. I have been huddled in from of the heater most nights sorting washing and replacing lids on buttons for the market. Mostly while watching bad cop shows. Riveting stuff I can tell you.

I am slowly settling into this new arrangement- I'm currently working on a woolen owl called Fernando. I spent hours deciding which buttons to use for his eyes- it's hard to decide when you have 30,000 to choose from!

My Creative Space is hosted by kootoyoo

Charlie meets goat

2009-06-24T22:50:00.000-07:00

I just had to post this!
From our adventure to Collingwood Childrens Farm this morning.

Before...

After!

Apart from this minor incident we had a glorious time, the sun was shining and we even got to see some newly born piglets!! So cute :)

And Escher was as happy as, well, a pig in you know what, holding the guinea pigs.

A lovely day was had by all- hope your day has been the same!

Creepy Sweet Wishes

2009-06-22T03:00:00.001-07:00

I love love love Mark Ryden, well his artwork anyway. I have some of his prints above my bed and this morning I was looking at them thinking I'd love to make a bunch of softies and dolls based on his amazing characters. So while doing some research for my new project I came across this. Its so so creepy but I LOVE it! Hope you do to! :)

My Creative Space

2009-06-18T20:30:00.000-07:00

My creative space is on the move. I have had to give up my beautiful studio so that wee Charlie can have her own room- Adam's snoring keeps waking her up. Though it will be nice to have more sleep and be able to read in bed, I'm quite sad- I have had to re-house a whole studio full of stuff in random parts of the house. So now my creative space exists mostly in the bedroom, partly in the hallway and wee bit in the laundry.
I also can't do any crafting until it's all sorted out...which is tough!
So my machines are having a well earned rest on my bed :)

My Creative Space is hosted by kootoyoo

A vintage button treasure trove!

2009-06-17T21:38:00.000-07:00

I've been a busy little bee sorting and cleaning and organising buttons. I'm almost finished one box, just another 31 to go! God am I crazy?

Here are few of my favourites so far. They are all colours of the rainbow and remind me of looking through the glass of the dairy lollie counter as a kid, trying to decide how best to spend my 50c pocket money.

They are bright and yummy and they make feel really happy! I'm so excited thinking about all the fantastic things they are going to be made into. Rescued from a backyard in Frankston and given a new life! Oh yay!

Round She Goes

2009-06-15T17:34:00.000-07:00

Come along and share in the joy of button euphoria at the Round She Goes Market. I will also be selling vintage knitting supplies, trims and haberdashery including patterns and some fabulous vintage clothing.

Hope to see you there! be sure to come and say hi :)

From Despair to Euphoria: Tale of (30) thousand buttons.

2009-06-15T03:14:00.000-07:00

I've had no laptop for over a week!!! Oh my god I felt like I was missing a limb, a really important constantly used limb. I can't describe the feeling of despair I encountered when the spotty girl at the mac service center told me it would take a week to order a new part for my power cable. Yes that's right, power cable. It took a week, to fix a power cable! Why not just replace it?? Honestly how ridiculous!

Anyway that feeling of utter devastation was soon replaced with euphoric joyousness (is that even a word?) as I filled my van up with 32 boxes full of vintage buttons I had just purchased. I have 32 of these babies!!! Oh my god they are AMAZING! I've since spent hours going through them all....wow look at these ones, oh god look at those ones!

They are all still in the original tubes from the shop and there are so many I had to take over the next door neighbours shed. People who don't know me that well might be thinking I'm mad! So I plan to spread the love and sell some of them once I have sorted through them all so stay tuned for market details!

Words and Pictures :: Souvenirs

2009-06-02T22:21:00.001-07:00

My cheesy Queensland souvenir. Not from Queensland as you might think, but an op shop in Lilydale (dodgy outer Melbourne suburb).

words and pictures is hosted by Pip

Can someone PLEASE buy me this frock?

2009-05-29T05:10:00.000-07:00

Ossie Clark blood orange crepe "Cuddly" evening gown

Or this one...

Christian Dior haute couture brown tulle evening gown

Or pretty much anything from Kerry Taylor Auctions
My lovely friend Pas has the awesome pleasure of living just down the road from this place and introduced me to the joy of scrolling through these AMAZING frocks.
She has the most incredible stuff... it just blows me away! Insert squeals of delight...
If you love vintage fashion, scroll through the upcoming or past auctions :)

Words and Pictures :: Tucked Up In Bed

2009-05-29T01:44:00.000-07:00

My mum always used to say that bed was the best place to be.
In those days I was jumping out my bedroom window at night and getting up all sorts of mischief and I thought to myself, bed? The best place to be? Huh... I don't think so woman!
Now I'm not so sure she was completely crazy.
Well okay she was definitely crazy, but not entirely wrong about the whole bed thing. At least not when you have one of these to snuggle up to, especially in the wee hours of chilly winter darkness.
In these moments I tend to agree with her, tucked up in bed really is the best place to be.

Tucked Up In Bed is hosted by Pip

2009-05-28T22:41:00.000-07:00

I finally finished this custom order baby sling today...
the bag took me a lot longer than I thought it would!

I love making slings for people because I know that pretty soon they will contain teeny tiny wee bubba's, snuggled up all warm and cosy next their mum or dad. Mmmm bliss!

A wonderful weekend of collecting...

2009-05-24T21:24:00.000-07:00

We just had a wonderful weekend down on the Peninsula at Rye and of course hit some markets and op shops while were there. These are some of my fabulous finds! Firstly and most excitingly I met a couple who owned a haberdashery store from the 50's to the early 90's and they were selling off all the old stock.... oh my god, amazing!!!! I was heaven :) I got lots of random haberdashery items, all 50c each! And whole cards of vintage embroidered trims for $5- each! Apparently they have even more goodies at home and if I could get someone to lend me some money... I'd go down and buy the whole lot!
I also had the pleasure of meeting a wonderful elderly couple at the Tootgarook Market who were kind enough to invite me to their home and show me their incredible collections of ceramics, vintage toys, rock and roll memorabilia, bakelite radios and most importantly for me mixmasters! Oh my god it was absolute heaven for an antique and vintage lover like me. Their house was full from top to toe, front to back with wonderful old things.
I've always wanted a yellow mixmaster for my kitchen but they have always been way out of my price range. Now they had 30 mixmasters, all different colours and models and were kind enough to sell me this beauty for $80-. It even has the ceramic juicer attachment. I'm in love :)
And lastly a lovely crocheted tea cosy for my tea pot made by a lovely woman at the same market.
I recommend checking this market out, it's enormous and has everything. There is even a really great op-shop (the best on the peninsula I'm told) across the road.

What more could you want?

Holly's new home!

2009-05-21T04:02:00.001-07:00

Stella and Suki, originally uploaded by cheekylittlemonsters.

This gorgeous little girl is Estelle and she's the proud new owner of my Holly Golightly Doll... the first doll I made!
Except now she's called Suki, which is I think is just perfect :)
I'm sure they are going to have lots and lots of fun together.... yay!

Fluffy Mail!

2009-05-18T03:55:00.001-07:00

Expecting a package of yummy fabric I ordered from Duckcloth... I was delighted to find in my mail box a parcel of divine woolies for my wee Charlie. A beautiful raspberry pixie cap which fits her like a glove and a pair of perfect red mittens to keep her tiny fingers snug. So soft and SO cute! The pixie cap does up under her chin with a little button, so the little minx can't pull it off! Ha!

They were made by the lovely Hadley of She's Crafty over in New Zealand. She makes the most divine little things and if you are a knitter (unfortnately I'm a wannabe knitter...) she has fabulous patterns and is even putting out a book!

Thank you Hadley and thank you to my uncle Andy over in NZ who sent me $50 in the post for my birthday which Hadley kindly accepted as payment via snail mail :)

Pinnys, rompers, playsuits and jerkins

2009-05-12T22:18:00.000-07:00

I recently aquired these amazing Enid Gilchrist pattern books from the 60's (or maybe late 50's?). I've been poring over them... I love it!! The language for example 'Tiny girls can look just as smart as big sister in a gay set of matadors', the cute kids and the nostalgia of it all. Bonnets and babies wearing rompers with nothing but a pair of gumboots!
I think I will start with the 'one piece pinny' and move on to the pleated sunfrock.
I've sticky-noted about 30 patterns for Adam to draw out for me on CAD and according to Enid I can make Charlie's entire wardrobe!
SO excited!!!!

Charlie's Great Grandma's Patchwork

2009-05-12T16:28:00.000-07:00

It's gettin pretty cold here now, especially in our ice box of a home so I decided little Charlie needs a snuggly doona. She only spends the first part of the night in her cot, but I want to make sure she's toasty roasty.
I really wanted to use this hand stitched patchwork that my mother in law passed on to me for Charlie. It belonged to her great grandmother and middle name sake Evelyn. It's so beautiful...and hand stitched! It was too big for a cot, probably better for a single bed, So I used a very wide straight stitch to tack it to some fleece so I can un-stitch it later and back it properly. I filled with an old wool quilt I had that wanted to recycle and wa-la! Snug as a bug in a rug :)

Love Autumn!

2009-05-12T02:59:00.000-07:00

Today on our morning 'put the baby to sleep' walk we decided to look for autumn things to make a nature collage. We talked a lot about the seasons and what happens as it get's colder I was so surprised by how much Escher knew about things like deciduous and non-deciduous trees!
So we collected lots of beautiful red, yellow and orange leaves, yellow wattle flowers, flowering gum nuts and a few green gum leaves and we drew a tree splodged on lots of glue and stuck it all on. It was so much fun! :)

Happy Mothers Day!

2009-05-09T20:15:00.000-07:00

Love to all mama's new and practiced!
Here I am spending my day in bed... with a hangover after a beautiful wedding last night, breakfast in bed lovingly prepared my wonderful man, a beautiful Lea Stein brooch as a gift a few hours of rest and special mums day dinner (homemade pasta with a carbonara sauce and tarte tartin- my favourite meal :)... a perfect day!

Earlier I pictured a half finished doll.. and here she is whole & complete.
I've called her Ruby Rose, partly due to her gorgeous coloured wool felt hair and partly because a friend of our has recently had a beautiful baby girl of that name :)
She has a gorgeous NZ Merino wool scarf and boots and I used this amazing antique 20's trim I inherited for her belt. Will have to get a close up of that later. She looks kinda Scottish I think...

Thank you Thornbury!

2009-05-04T17:07:00.000-07:00

We had a wonderful Day at the Thornbury Community Market :)
Thank you to everyone who came along and especially to all of you who gave our little friends a new home. It was great to meet some talented local crafters and so many lovely local people. We left the market feeling very happy to live where we do!
So the next Market will be in September and I will spend the cold winter months creating some wonderful new things so stay tuned :)
I will also be listing lots of new stuff on Made it over the coming week.

2009-04-28T01:01:00.000-07:00

Some new additions to the doll family, one of which is still in the making... I really want to make multicultural dolls, but I'm finding it hard to get fabric the right skin tones. I think i will have to dye some myself.
Escher and I made badges today for the market. We made them from vintage kids books and fabric bits. We are going to make fridge magnets too, as we got lots of magnet backs thrown in when we brought the badge maker. I think we will put old school kitchen appliances on them.
And the final shot is a suitcase full of goodies for the market.
I have a blister on my finger from the scissors.

Market Day is almost here!

2009-04-23T21:00:00.000-07:00

Nettle & Brier and I have been working our little booties off making stuff for our lovely little local market. So if you are in Melbourne come along and say hi!! :)

teeny weeny itsy bitsy little shoes

2009-04-20T16:13:00.000-07:00

In it's previous life, these shoes were a hat hand felted by my beautiful, talented friend Kimmy. It was living in E's dress up box but was never used so I started thinking I should recycle it into something.
The end result is tiny little Mary Janes for miss Charlie.
I've never worked with felt before and now I can see why people love it. It's so malleable and sculptural and three dimensional. You can shape it and stretch it which makes it very forgiving!
I started with this free pattern and I played with it and altered it to suit.
Now I'm totally hooked! I've made about 6 different types of tiny shoes, slippers and booties, with more still in my head (I will upload a photo of the complete shoe family when I'm done)!
I'm so inspired that as soon as I get time I'm off to do this course which I have wanted to do for ages. I love handmade shoes! :)
I feel so inspired but fear I have unleashed yet another creative passion to vie for my already maxed out 'me' time....

mmmm....easter

2009-04-08T22:49:00.000-07:00

Hot cross buns as promised- I almost burnt them whilst getting carried away ranting about something terribly important, but luckily remembered just in time. Yum yum yum,. It's a beautiful crisp sunny autumn day and I got share it and the buns with a beautiful friend over a lovely pot of french earl grey. Happily listening to her little boy call them bums(and his flannel shirt a fanny)!

Here also are a group of wee friends for the market- giraffes, or 'orseys' as Escher used to call them. A tower, a gnat, a cloud or a horde of giraffe.

Happy Easter!

Cool for Cats

2009-04-07T23:52:00.000-07:00

Ok, now I'm actually getting somewhere with making stuff for the May stall. Today I made these beauties. All from exceptional vintage fabrics- most of my favourites fom my stash are there. That tropical print with the blue background is amazing, and there's the yellow spotty linen, the purple 70's barkcloth and the incredible 50's barkcloth.

Then this photo got me thinking, exactly what is the collective noun for cats? According to AskOxford.com the most commonly used term is a clowder. Commonly used? I've certainly never heard anyone say that. Have you? Maybe it's because cat's don't often hang out in groups, we don't get much opportunity to say 'oh my, look at that great clowder of cats there'! :)

Tomorrow it's owls and chocolate hot cross buns....

You can these for sale here :)

Squidgy Sausage Dog

2009-04-02T18:33:00.000-07:00

I made this cute little sausage dog from an amazing 70's bathrobe I was given. The fabric is thick terry towelling which actually makes him quite nice to cuddle! Of course Escher wants to keep him but I have to draw the line somewhere :)

2009-04-02T16:57:00.001-07:00

I love a good restoration project. I really love resurrecting something other people see as rubbish. I love that we are recycling something that may have ended up in landfill. I love too that it has a history, a story.
We recently finished this chest of drawers for wee Charlie.
We learned a lot while doing this. The biggest thing was to use paint stripper to remove the old paint- don't sand! The scratches from the sanding are almost impossible to get out of the finished product.
This is a depression era chest, and when we stripped it we discovered the frame was beautiful blackwood so we just treated that with boiled linseed, painted the drawers and replaced the handles.... wa la!
Next project is a pink vintage Repco 'Continental' bike that Adam found dumped at the back of one his clients yards. Stay tuned...

Dish of the day: Pastasaurus!

2009-03-24T02:01:00.000-07:00

Today's creation was inspired by last nights family reading of 'Megs Eggs' (as in Meg, Mog and Owl)... while the Stegasaurus cracked out of the giant egg, and Escher made sound effects (creak, crack), I busily drew and cut a pattern in my head....
He turned out rather well I think! So well that Escher has decided he has to keep him and call him Pasta (what else would one call ones dinosaur?). he's made out the left over fabric from Charlie's baby quilt.
Today he came everywhere with us. An older lady we were talking to asked Escher what sort of dinosaur he was, and to this he of course replied 'pastasaurus'.
So cute! :)

Holly Golightly

2009-03-17T22:24:00.000-07:00

Meet Holly. She's the first doll I've ever made (I normally make animals and weird monsters)... I've been very excited about doing this since I first saw my beautiful friend Neen (Nettle & Brier)'s amazing dolls.

I had a wonderful time putting her together- choosing the fabrics and deciding what kind of face & hair she would have. Just making it up as I went along, like playing with those gorgeous paper dress up dolls.

As I did this, I daydreamed happily about what kind of life she might have, what her voice sounds like and the kind of person she is. I guess that's what dolls are all about!! I love it, and I can't wait to make more :)

She is up for sale here :)