I promised LOOT

Softies by Ric Rac

The sign of a great weekend away is when you arrive home with lots of loot that makes you happy.

Date Planner and Stitching Kit by Kootoyoo

It's really nice to be able to see handmade goodies up close, when you've only seen them in photos previously.

Clockwise from top left - Thaw Magazine, Stitched Card by Pepperberry & Co, Lavender Heart and Hairclip by Dandelion (there is another hairclip but I'm wearing it in my hair already), Acoustic CD by Geoffrey Williams

I really tried to restrain myself..... but it seems that resistance was futile.

 

Vintage placemat set, and jingle bells from Blonde Vintage, Knitting Nancy from Lark

I did use the excuse that some of my purchases were Christmas pressies.

Cushion and Vintage Biscuit Tin from Dear Prudence

But, to tell you the truth..... most of it was for me!

It seems that I even have my dad collecting for me now. He picked up these old flour sacks at the Sunday Market at the Ballarat Racecourse.....score!

Home Again, Home Again, Jiggedy Jig!

The view from my sisters front porch

Wowee, what a busy weekend!
Mr X had a curriculum day on Friday, so we headed up to Clunes Friday afternoon. Once the car was unpacked, we headed straight for the main street to Widow Twankeys Confectionery Emporium for a cappucino and an ice cream (boysenberry ripple...delicious).
  

On Saturday, it was an early start and we were off to the Daylesford Makers Market. My sis unloaded everything from the car, and helped me to set up and pack up (thanks Sel). My BIL spent a couple of hours Friday night rigging up a nifty contraption to hang my handbags, using an old bed frame that he had in the shed. It worked a treat.

I'm clearly still struggling with the less is more approach

After taking a couple of happy snaps of my stall, my point and shoot camera decided that it had battery issues, and decided not to work.... so for some more photos of the day, head over here and here and more here.

The market had such a lovely vibe, and all of the local ladies made us visitors feel very welcome indeed. When you have such lovely stallholders and customers, it makes the market a whole lot of fun (and the time passes really quickly)!

 Steph did a wonderful job of organising, and came straight over when I arrived to make sure that I had everything I needed, and made sure that I had a big country welcome. I was extremely excited to finally meet Jodie and after all this time. She is one of my super crafty bloggy heroes, and it seems that we've missed each other every time there's been a crafty catch up.

It ended up being crafty blog central for the day, with soooo many blogging stallholders and visitors (most wearing puffy brooches for quick identification). I'm going to try really really hard to list them all here, but I seem to have memory issues these days (as Danielle can attest to), so if I've missed you, please let me know and I'll update my list!

The Doily
Dandelion
Fox's Lane
Kootoyoo
Ric-Rac
Flowergarden
The Essess
Dear Prudence
Beccasauras
Hoppo Bumpo
Two Cheese Please
The Craft Gypsy
Copper Patch
Patch Andi
Chicken Flowertots
Teacups on Treetops
Blogless Jen
Julies Provincial Patch
Dear Fii
62 Cherry
Nikkishell
Land of Meg
Yardage Girl 
Knitting Sprouts

A huge thanks to each and every person who came along and said hello, and bought handmade.


After all of the excitement of the market, Sel and I headed off for a very quick visit to Lark and bumped straight into Jodie and Annie....and had a quick laugh that we were all out and about still wearing our market aprons!

It was time for a very well deserved sleep in today. After a big breakfast of pancakes, bacon and maple syrup on toast, we headed into Ballarat.

First stop was Dear Prudence (after a few blockies due to me giving my BIL the wrong address number) - it's 434 Sturt St Ballarat, not 424! Then it was across the road (still in Sturt St) to Blonde Vintage.
We popped in to visit my dad for the rest of the afternoon, before bidding our farewells and heading back to the big smoke. I've arrived home tonight to find that my older sister (who was on cat feeding duty for the weekend), has cleaned my entire house from top to bottom. I'd left it in an absolute shemozzle of a mess on Friday, but now I can put my feet up and relax and watch some tv and just chill..... thanks Rach.

I still haven't unpacked my car, so the display of market / shopping loot will have to wait for tomorrow!

The weekend

Thanks so much for all the lovely comments and wishes from yesterdays post. I didn't get home from the market until 11.15PM lastnight, and I really needed to get to bed as soon as possible, hence there were no email replies. Also, a huge thankyou to everyone who came to visit and popped by to say hello!

Photo courtesy of Fontok

The first Kris Kringle market was a little quiet - lots of people browsing so they can return over the next three Thursdays and buy some lovely christmas pressies. I made sure that I had a couple of quick browses at all of the lovely stalls lastnight.... so much gorgeousness to choose from. I was extremely restrained, but I just couldn't resist picking up some Shmishmas Cards by Myf from Fontok. They're made using photos of abandoned christmas trees from christmases past...hilarious!

I also forgot to mention that I'm sharing my stall at the Kris Kringle Markets with Ann Marie from Map 29. She makes the coolest little map purses around, as well as badges and pocket mirrors, and next week she'll also have some map pencilcases ready.

I'm heading off to Clunes today for a relaxing weekend, and then to Daylesford tomorrow for the Makers Market. Make sure you come along for a day trip so you can check out all that Daylesford has to offer - including the lovely Lark shop!

Of course, if you can't make it to Daylesford, then you should definitely head to the Northside Makers Market tomorrow at the Uniting Church in High St, Northcote. There are lots of new stalls filled to the brim with gorgeous things for Christmas. I'll have at few brooches and brooch kits available on the Northside Collective Table.

Anyway, it's getting late and I've gotta go and pack my suitcase....seeya!

My creative space

In my creative space.... one final handbag for tonights market, still needing some straps and a magnetic snap. I love the print, which is actually a vintage kitchen curtain that I found at Vinnies in brand new condition. I'm using it sparingly - the other side of the bag is turquoise.

As per usual, I have absolutely no idea what will sell. It seems to change each time, so fingers crossed! My sister helped me pack the car yesterday so I'm nearly ready to go.


Of course, I also have some other new completed handbags that I'll be bringing along.

More lovely vintage fabric goodness...

.... and another with the lovely vintage floral print. This time I've teamed it with red.

....and this very spring inspired fabric. Another from the vintage stash - it's a really thick fabric with a textured effect. I hope someone falls in love with the colours.

Make sure to check out all of the lovely creative spaces right here.

Making and Listing

Lots of new bibs for the Daylesford Makers Market.... so many pretty fabrics to choose from.

I need to finish off some more handbags today to take to the Northcote Kris Kringle market tomorrow, and then start packing and ticking things off my market list. I have a terrible memory these days, so a list is absolutely essential.

I also must remember to go to the bank and get some change..... so many things to do, so little time!

Quality Control Testing

 

Moo Moo came over to visit with his mum yesterday, so I took the opportunity to test out the sizing of the birthday present.... (don't tell his dad that I dressed him in a pink floral cape).

He accessorised it with Jodie's little birdie in a cage that he found on the softie shelf in my bookcase

Apparently it has very good swooshing effects - perfect for a superhero in the making.

Can you guess what Moo Moo is getting for Christmas (just maybe not in pink floral)?

Trashs Rainbow Swap

A little while back I signed up for Trashs Rainbow Swap.... and then of course, promptly forgot about the entire thing until it was the last week (story of my life it seems).

I was a couple of days late sending mine, but as I was sending it to the UK, it only really made me one day late. I don't think it has arrived yet, and I'm not sure whether the recipient actually reads my blog, so I can't post any photos just in case. I wouldn't like to spoil the surprise.

Of course, I can show you what arrived in my mailbox on Friday. Even after sending my swap package, I then promptly forgot that I would also be receiving a package....deeeerrrrrr. So when opened the mailbox and found a parcel from the UK, I was a little perplexed. I was sure I hadn't been online shopping again, so what could it be?

Imagine my delight to find all of these lovely crafty goodies AND chocolate (Green and Blacks my favoturite)!
Kitty from Kitty's Bloggy Bits sent me all of these lovely craft supplies in all the colours of the rainbow, and if you read my blog, then you'll realise just how much I love colour.

Kitty also included seven sweet little handmade christmas stockings which are going to look so cute on my christmas tree. I think I might fill them up with lollies so my nephews can find them and eat them.
The two boxes of smarties disappeared Friday afternoon when my two eldest nephews came home from school and spotted them on the table.

Thanks so much Kitty!

Time Out

That was just what I needed.

I've been moving along full steam ahead for quite a long time now, but I finally reached a point where my head still said YES but the rest of me said NO WAY NELLIE....  (or maybe that should be NO WAY CURLYPOPS).

So I took a couple of days to sit on the couch and just chill, all by myself.

Probably not the greatest idea when things are so busy, but completely necessary all the same.

I'm all refreshed again now, and ready to start stocking up on goodies to take to the markets. This week, I have the Kris Kringle Night markets at the Northcote Town Hall on Thursday night from 5.30 - 10.30 PM, and then I have the Daylesford Market on Saturday at the Daylesford Town Hall from 10 AM - 4 PM.

The photos are a little birthday pressie that I whipped up to add to a special little girls dress up box. I used a shower curtain to make the cape, so there's a lovely whooshy sound to it.... perfect for a bit of make believe / create your own imaginary superhero action.
 

 Now it's time to bunker down on the sewing machine - perfect weather for it today!

My creative space

In my creative space today.... more flower petals drying - which of course is not going to take long when the weather is forecasted to be 36 degrees today aaaagggghhh!

I'll be trying to hide inside with all of the blinds closed, until I'm forced to go out for an appointment later in the day.

Also sitting on my workbench today is this lovely suprise Blogtoberfest pressie from Becky over at Becky et al. Some beautiful fabrics and a sweet little pattern. I can't wait to use them on a project! Thanks so much Becky.

More creative spaces abound over here:

PS - A huge thankyou for all of the lovely comments on yesterdays post!

Dear Gladys,

I've been busting to tell this little secret for an entire week now.

There was little bit of a hint yesterday... 

I've been hiding away for the last week, searching through the stash looking for vintage loveliness, cutting fabric, and stitching it together to create some wonderful new pieces that I delivered to a shop thismorning.

I now have my first ever retail stockist in Melbourne - Dear Gladys,

Can you tell that I'm just ever so slightly super excited?

Dear Gladys, is a Vintage and Contemporary Boutique which stocks beautiful and unique clothing and accessories.
 

All profits from Dear Gladys, support Fitted for Work.
You can find the shop at 296 High St, Northcote.

You can also find a brand new batch of brooches in pretty summertime colours....
 

Just in time for a spot of Christmas Shopping!

Lunch Break

I've been very very busy and I have some very exciting news.... but I can't spill the beans just yet, well, not until tomorrow anyway!

In the meantime, while I'm having a late lunch break (lastnights leftovers), here is the first Vintage Girly inspired bag from last week.

 Lunch break over - it's back to the sweat shop for me.

Going Greener

Betty Jo Collage Cards and SuperPops

I had a very interesting morning today. As part of the economic stimulus package, households can have a free environmental assessment of their homes, to learn about how to practically reduce their environmental impact, save money on energy bills, and of course make homes more comfortable and energy efficient to live in.

I've already made a start since I moved into my new place by installing heavy curtains, new exhaust fans, and a skylight. I have plans to install ceiling fans so that I don't have to use the air conditioning, and after today, I'm also going to look at having an external awning blind installed on my bedroom window..... in fact, I've been to the blind shop for a quote already.

I've learned about lots of new products on the market to make it easier to be environmentally friendly too.... it was definitely well worth organising. If you're interested (in Melbourne), let me know and I'll email you the contact details.

The photo above shows the the lovely Betty Jo Collage Cards that I bought for myself on the weekend. I'm planning on framing them to create artwork for my walls.
They fitted in with my environmental theme today as they were all inspired by the flotsam and jetsam that Liz has collected from various beaches. I was also lucky enough to bring home SuperPops.... and she has a brooch finding so I can wear her with pride. Thanks Liz!

Joining In

I saw this post over at Whip Up, and even though I'd told myself that I couldn't possibly take on anything else at the moment, I can't resist, as this is a project to assist a cause that is very close to my heart.


Please join in if you can - all you need to do is to contribute a quilt square for a 65 roses quilt which will be auctioned at the Cystic Fibrosis Australia Charity Gala next year.

Download the PDF for all the details

The Crafternoo....night

The day out at Tinniegirls house was absolutely lovely yesterday... full of lots of crafty girls and laughter, and the most amazingly delicious food.

There was Chocolate Ripple Cake and Lemon Tart

Scones with Jam and Cream

Birthday Cupcakes

Meringues

I didn't get photos of the rest, but lets just say that I was rolling out the door at 10PM!

Somehow, I didn't manage to get much crafting done, but I had a whole lotta fun, and that's what the entire day was all about. A huge thankyou to all of the lovely girls for a wonderful day out.

Another day.... another placemat

Yet another placemat re-fashion... I've added some vintage floral for the top section and the strap.

No time today - I'm off to Tinniegirls house for a crafty day out. Must go and pack the car pronto!

Make and repeat

Yet another handbag finished.

This isn't actually part of the Vintage Girly collection - I'm just whipping up lots of different colours and shapes and sizes for the upcoming markets.

I've been drawn to lots of different shades of green lately. I'm finding it quite strange as I've never ever liked green before. Maybe it's the soothing calming nature of green that's drawing me in.... maybe I need some soothing and calming before the craziness of the Christmas market season kicks into full gear!

In case you haven't had a chance to check out my market dates on the sidebar:

Kris Kringle Night Market - Northcote Town Hall - Thurs 26th Nov 5.30 - 10 PM
Daylesford Makers Market - Daylesford Town Hall - Sat 28th Nov 10 AM - 3 PM
Kris Kringle Night Market - Northcote Town Hall - Thurs 3rd Dec 5.30 - 10 PM
Kris Kringle Night Market - Northcote Town Hall - Thurs 10th Dec 5.30 - 10 PM
Made'n'Thornbury Market - 99 Leinster Grove Thornbury - Sat 12th Dec 10 AM - 3 PM
Kris Kringle Night Market - Northcote Town Hall - Thurs 17th Dec 5.30 - 10 PM

My Creative Space

This week it's all about handbags again. I have a request for some Vintage Girly Inspired handbags, so I've been searching through the stash (and making a mountain of a mess) looking for appropriate fabrics.

This lovely vintage floral is from the same stash that I received from my friends mum. It's the perfect summer accessory.... especially with this heat.

I'm nearly finished but I've only now just realised that I've completely run out of magnetic snaps. I'll have to buy some on my travels today. One vintage girly handbag down, five more to go.

Have a wonderful Thursday and don't forget to check out the hostess with the mostest for all of the creative spaces of the day.