To Market, to Markit ...and a whirlwind through life.

It was a big weekend. The Australian Quilt Market was on in Melbourne.

There was almost unbearable cuteness to be seen (and lots of me stopping to chat) around the Creative Abundance stand.  RicRac and Mellie&Me side by side, and surrounded by all the other talented CA crew.

I wasn't exhibiting, so it was fab to be able to wander about and meet lots of other designers, reps and distributors.  Lots of inspiration, collaboration and opportunities were shared.  And there was lots of fabric.... lovely fabric.

This is part of the Riley Blake stand, which was singing with fresh colour.

Best of all was the fabulous company. 'Twas great to catch up with Lisa, Pauline and Jodie (over what was supposed to be a quick lunch) and still feel the bonds that were made in those early Stitches and Craft Show days. 

 

I also popped into Markit@FedSquare on my way through to the AQM on Sunday.

I must admit I was a tad overwhelmed by the crowds (as I was trying to negotiate my way through with the unweildy bundle of my helmet and the basket off my bike).  I didn't stay as long as I'd planned and I appear to have missed seeing a few friends who were there. 

From what I saw, the quality of the work was extraordinarily high and I hope that all the stallholders had a fab day.  It looked stunning.

So many ideas swam about in this little ol' head of mine this past weekend.  Life's big questions danced beside frippery, colour and design, while I relished the ability to ride a bicycle in glorious Melbourne sunshine and eat Japanese food for 3 of the weekend's meals. 

 

There was hope and opportunity, exasperation and desperation, unstoppable giggles and cathartic tears, newborn-baby-cuddling and an education in boutique-beer drinking. There were surprises and uncertainty and there was the comfort of time spent with old and very dear friends. There was a sense of being bouyed up with love and support, and there was hair that did something different every three minutes (must get a haircut or new styling product).

This weekend was one big jumbled mash up.  Life, in concentrated form.  Ain't it grand...?

 

Now, it's home-again, home-again... and I have laundry to wash, a book to write and a kid to get to school each day.

And I'm listening to KT Tunstall.

 



A week of love, loss, resurrection, reunion, reward, triumph and discovery... but not exactly on a Tolstoy-esque sort of scale.

We're talking MY LIFE here, not Anna Karenina.

Of course the love is all about a gadget..... My new Bernina "jeans foot", bought on a whim last week-and-oh-my-GAWD-I-love-it. 

 

Here it is, sailing smoothly over denim, felted jumper, leather and polypropylene webbing. I have NO IDEA how it does it, but it has some sort of built-in stump-jumping mechanism, that guides it over lumps and bumps and thick, thick fabric, far better than the walking foot can manage.

Loss.. well, the latest was $282 on a speeding fine that I had no idea I'd be getting.  Friends who know me were IMPRESSED when they heard that I don't always drive like the Nanna they've witnessed behind the wheel in my car. 

I just can't understand how I managed it.

There was also a loss of hair, which I didn't notice until I saw this photo three days after the haircut.  I told the hairdresser, "Do whatever you like". 

And this photo is an easy segue (as well as a reminder to re-stitch that side seam) as we move on to resurrection. 

This dress began life as a 'little cowl-neck top' that I made on the knitting machine on my weekend break.  As soon as it was finished, it was obviously too big for me.  I tried wearing it one day but it all felt wrong.  It was too loose and floppy and swamped me.

On the verge of giving it to a taller, curvier sister, I made a last-ditched effort, moving a few seams and turning it into a little mini dress.... which grew and grew and grew as the day wore on, reminding me that there is much to learn about gauge and the properties of viscose yarn before I attempt another project in it.

(Apologies to the taller, curvier sister.  I quite like it now and you're not going to get it after all.)

Unable to wait for summer to wear my new knee-length (and growing) dress, I donned tights, boots and cardigan, and headed out to meet old and dear friends at the Shirt and Skirt Market at Abbotsford Convent last Sunday.

  

I went to see my good friends from Nina Wish Designs, who were stallholders for the day,  and took the opportunity to catch up with a bestie of 25+ years. 

It's a great thing, to spend time with old friends, in that easy space where so much is understood without words, and all is judged with love and respect.  The combination of shared history with genuine interest and care for each other in the here and now, gives all conversations a nurturing depth that is hard to define but wonderful to experience.

All around the market, I bumped into old and new friends, customers and students.  'Twas lovely to feel a part of a community.

Today, I was back in the saddle, teaching a Zippers for Bags class.

 

The couple of weeks break that I've had from teaching has certainly recharged my batteries (I had no idea how exhausted I was until I stopped) and I felt back to my old self today.

Teaching people new tricks and seeing them achieve what they didn't think they could do is the most rewarding part of my job.  Thanks for a great day, girls!

After class tonight, I finally worked out how people take photos with their computer web-cams for Skype profile photos and whatnot.  I know. It ain't rocket-science, but there you go... a discovery for me.    Here's the Eureka! moment, captured for posterity ...and then photoshopped to bring some contrast into the dimly-lit graininess of the image.

Apart from the fine line of (mystery) red blobs running through my forehead, nose and chin, I quite like the idea of low-fi image as an everyday look. It hides a multitude of best-overlooked fine details.

Lastly, TRIUMPH.    Those of you who have been to one of my classes (or tried to have any sort of conversation with me) over the last 6 months or so, will know just how obsessed I've been with 6mm Vliesofix tape: my favourite of all the fusible tapes.  I've been using it to hold hems and zips (and anything tricky) into place before I sew ...and endlessly waxing lyrical about it.



It's been like hens' teeth to get at retail level and it was getting pretty frustrating, sending people off to look for it in shops.  Last week I bought a whole box of the stuff at a bargained-down price (it's soon to be rebranded, so this current stock is soon to be "old stock") and I'm able to pass on the discount to customers - it's $7.50 per 15m roll, in the studio-shop only. 

If you live too far from us to come in and you don't see this product in your local store, ASK for it.  Unless the stores know that there is a demand for it, they may not know to buy it in (when it''s rebranded and more readily available).

And that's another week, done and dusted. 

Not an epic week.

Not even vaguely dramatic. 

But stuff happened and I thought I'd record a bit of it.

Hope your week was a good 'un.

A quick glance upwards

This week has seen me still walking across that bridge.... trying to get over what looks like an insummountable mountain of catch-up, keep-up and set-things-on-course. It occured to me to do a quick blog post NOW before the catch-up here becomes another mountain I'd rather not have in my path.

This week, I also had two classes out in the real world.  The A-line Skirt class at Kimono House was on Saturday, and was lots of fun.  I made the above skirt on Friday night from a $5 remnant and a small piece of some fabric I bought from Eureka Patchwork's "$15 per metre" room. 

I've been wearing the skirt ever since. 

I think it's love. (And yes - it matches my hair).

 On Thursday, it was loads of pattern-free fun at Bargain Box Fabrics in Mornington. It was fab to see the group's initial trepidation turn into inspiration over the course of the day, and to see so many variations on the theme of my Trapese-line top.  We were a group of women of all shapes, sizes and ages, and there were tops and dresses to suit everyone.  Great day.

 Today (Sunday) was a busy one.  It started with a trip to the characterful and quirky Thornbury Theatre, to the Suitcase Rummage.

Handmade and vintage goodies were spilling out of every sort of suitcase as locals shopped, talked, listened to live music.  It was a great atmosphere (and I managed to pick up some de-stashed crafty bargains).

My sister Leonie had her screenprinted  cushions, bags and fabric panels (of her original drawings) and a few Fabulous 50's Bibs....

 I loved this watermelon apron, too, by Anita at NeitZarr....

My little personal-shopper had a ball.  I gave her a budget of $15, which she took great pains to spend, without leaving a single cent.  I suspect that she pumped up the cute-factor to get a few bargain second-hand books and jewellery bits.  (I worded her up on bargaining down the handmade stuff before she had a chance to widen those baby blues at anyone).

 We then went into the Quilt and Craft Show for the last few hours of trading. 

BIG MISTAKE. 
Tired girl who thinks she's an expert shopper. 
Expensive parking and entry to the show for 2 hours of show. 
No time to look at anything before the girl spent her craft-show budget and wanted "another budget".  
Endless negotiations about the possibility of another budget.
Please... another budget...
But the other budget was just A PRACTISE budget....
And couldn't you you just buy THAT for me?
And now I've run out of budget, I want to go home....
And it's not fair that I'm not enjoying myself anymore..
So, if you'd just give me another budget....

AAAARRRRRGGGGHHHH!

(She didn't get another budget).

However....I did manage to get Terese Dair's book from her at the show.  SWOON.   (It's LOVE-ER-LY!).  I daresay, you'll be hearing more about that.... when I get off this vertigo-inducing bridge.

Tomorrow in Melbourne....

Two events showcasing local arts and crafts -

The wee girl and I are going to have a busy day!

A massive crafty, chatty sort of day

Saturday morning. Ink & Spindle HQ. Surrounded by gorgeousness and 3rd birthday celebrations (for the business)...Somebody brought a kid along, who made a beeline for the food and ate all the corn chips.
And during the fascinating demonstration of the printing process, managed to be right under Lara's elbow... ...the whole way down the table.And then the kid drew some pictures and insisted that Tegan ignore the customers and admire them "on BOTH sides, because they're very good."
I've no idea who brought the child, but I'm sure she'll never be invited again.

Strangely, the same child was there when I got to the Made 'n' Thornbury market (mostly seen loitering about the craft table and sitting herself down for some face-painting).
It was great to see all the gals from the "Make Craft Your Business" course that I met a few months ago (when I was speaker at one of the sessions) with their own craft market stalls. And 'twas an absolute joy to see Veronica from Mulberry Threads with her fabulous felted accessories. Veronica was one of my most dedicated students - regularly making a 4-hour round-trip to come to bag-making classes. I think she could show me a thing or twenty about felting.... her work is stunning.

This crochet wire work was lovely, too.

These gorgeous critters by Make It Wednesday were totally charming. They're all made from odd socks and pre-loved clothing, handmade in Melbourne and completely original. Love, love, love... and you can buy them here.

I also caught up with Lara, Cathie, Margaret, Melanie and my friend Lisa (blogless and not crafty, but very nice) and a few other stall-holders I've come to know over the years.

Then Lisa and I went for a late lunch in a cafe (Plan B, since the drinks stand had closed up early at the market). It was fabulous to be able to spend relaxed time with one of my oldest-and-dearests and have a good catch-up (funny....that kid was there, too, roaming about with her cat-face facepaint, making friends with other diners).

And then I came home and had a long telephone conversation with Leonie.....

And then I didn't feel like talking anymore. So my beautiful wee girl and I did some knitting together.

The Market Report

The day started out with great excitement and anticipation.....
...and then when the sales didn't come in as thick and fast as she'd expected (and people were not absolutely fascinated by her demonstrations of the wonders of colour-changing marker pens) the wee girl took off to the kids'craft table and face-painting area, leaving me with a new companion...

...looking like I was exploiting my poor child's artwork to make money out of my limited sewing talent and child-like inability to merchandise and display.

In the meantime, I was able to chat to friends old and new, get to know Ali and her beautiful photographic work and eat Cathie's delicious soup and cakes.

The wee girl was happy with her day, too. She got to play with friends, eat copious quantities of sugar, get her face painted, buy a balloon doggie and use up most of the glue at the craft table. And she got to keep all the takings for the day.

My worries about agreeing to her doing this market (along the lines of "I don't want to encourage her into a life of being an impoverished artist") were soon put to rest. The girl has great business smarts. She'll go far.

To Market....

I've been working on a secret collaborative project lately, and will be at the Made 'n Thornbury Market on Saturday, wearing a slightly different hat.... shhhhhh.....

Other talented folks will be there, too, including the lovely Cathie, who'll be there with her fabulous baked goodies.... mmmm....

Do come! (Map here).

Shirts, Skirts and Makers

Yesterday's trip to the Shirt and Skirt market was one of those outings that made me feel glad to live in this city and amongst so many talented and and wonderful people.

On my way in to meet Jacinta (mid-text-message, in fact), I bumped smack-bang into the dearest of Fii's... Fi and her gorgeous family were off to the Collingwood Childrens Farm next door. Great to chat.

Walking into the market, my eyes were immediately drawn to a rack of beautifully detailed skirts. Before I looked at the label, I thought, "These have to be Karen's". Karen is one of the owners of The Cat's Meow in the city and designs the Berserk clothing label. I love her work!

The Makers Market happened to be on in a room inside the Abbotsford Convent - right next door to the new art gallery. You can see the Maker's Market market dates here.

These sassy fabric gals - made by Jan Bell - are just amazing. Hopefully Jan will have a blog soon (wink to Jan) to share more of her work. Her sculpture is full of humour, attitude and clever craftsmanship. Jan also knitted Humpty-Dumpties just like the one I had when I was a kid.... just like the Humpties many of us would have had. Ah, nostalgia!

Elise Hurst was also there. I was too busy gushing over her illustrations to ask for permission to use any of them here. Do follow this link - her work is beautiful. She also writes and illustrates children's books.

I was also really taken with the ceramics of Shoko Mafune. Again - I forgot to ask if I could photograph or use any of her web images, but do take a good look through her website.

I didn't get to see the all of the Shirt and Skirt market - or indeed all of the Makers Market - I had to run off to do some family stuff. And I didn't get near the Antiques and Collectables market or any of the other cultural or culinary offerings (and there are many) in the Abbotsford Convent. The place was hoppin'.

Thank you to Jacinta for dragging me out and making me see the sunny side of life. And thank you to all the lovely people I've taught in the past, who stopped to say hello. It really made my day.

Are YOU going...?

I am. It'a always such a fantastic little market with a great, festive atmosphere.... and a craft table for the kids. Ms Curly Pops has some links to many of the crafty folk who will be there.


Perhaps I'll see you there?

Didn't we have a lovely time...?

What a grand day out the Northside Makers Market was today! A perfect blue-skied, breezeless day, a relaxed family atmosphere with food, coffee, music....

Gorgeous handmade things (these baby shoes by Polly Pratt) and more crafty bloggers than I have time to link to (!!). Friends old and new.

The wee one wasn't bored once.
Between cupcakes, babycinos, face-painting, balloons and about 3 hours at the kids' craft table (I'm actually not exaggerating here!).....there really wasn't time for boredom or digital photography.


A big congratulations to the hard-working organisers for putting on a great event and for getting the Northside Makers Collective off the ground. Hip Hip Hooray!

The next Northside Makers Market will be November 28th. Just in time for Christmas shopping.

Edited to add - to all those people either congratulating me or sorry that they missed my stand at the market, I have to qualify that I was simply a VISITOR to the market... not involved in the organisation and not actually exhibiting. I was just walking around eating cupcakes and chatting. I spent most of the day near the kids craft table (!!) and had such a lovely time I thought it was worth blogging.

One more sleep....

Images blatently stolen from here.... and you'll find heaps more information and links to the talented people who'll be there too!

Northside Makers Collective is a not-for-profit craft association, encouraging and supporting craftspeople, hobbyists and micro business in Melbourne's northern suburbs.

A few very hard-working people have put a lot of work into this first market, and I think it'll be well worth a visit. There'll also be a craft table and face-painting for the kids. Oh... an don't forget your digital camera...!