Two Months

Miss Amelia Roxy, two months today!



Bek at Red Chocolate has been posting monthly photos of her daughter Eve. We all know imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

W Class Cushions at Kris Kringle Night Markets

The fabulous Kris Kringle Night Markets at Northcote Town Hall begin tonight. For me, this market is the signal that Christmas really is just around the corner. I love seeing all the gorgeous handmade wares laid out, ready and waiting to be bought as the perfect gift for someone special. I wish I could buy everything there!



Note - the market isn't running on Thursday 23rd December, so don't put off your visit too long!

I don't have my own stall this year but W Class Cushions can be found on the Finki / Polly Pratt stall thanks to the generosity of kind hosts Jaylene and Anna. I'll be there at the start of each market with Baby Amy in tow.


Custom orders are being taken until 9th December and there'll be a selection ready for adoption every night of the market.

Hope to see you there!

Nearly Summer

Public transport fan!

Kids bedroom decorating for renters

One of the terrible things about renting is being stuck with the landlord's choice in yellow paint. It makes indoor photography near impossible (see photos below) and would never be approved for an eclectic decorating feature. I've lived with it for the nearly three years we've lived here, but finally I collected enough 3M Command Adhesive hooks to put some kids' room decorating ideas into action. I mention the brand name because they're a renter's best friend.

The kids' room (currently occupied by Jack while Amelia bunks down in the Big People's room) doesn't have a wardrobe. Neither does the Big People's room, a problem we tackled with a portable clothing rail from Ikea that makes it difficult to get to the far side of the bed. I shiver with antici...pation at the thought of owning a house with built-in robes. Until then, what to do with Amelia's gorgeous handmade clothing? When she had too many dresses to hang off the doorknob it finally occurred to me to pop a few hooks on the wall to display her lovely garments.


Green polkadot jacket (in serious need of an iron) made for Jack by me; red screenprinted dress custom made by Cherry Stew; blue Jump Rope Dress made by me
The second collection in need of display was the cards I've been collecting for the last 18 months, with the idea of some day framing them. That day had come! Cheap frames from Ikea and Lincraft, scrapbooking paper for mounting and a bunch more hooks - voila!


Tricycle screenprinted card by a seller at Northside Makers Market - it's shocking that I've forgotten their name; fox card bought at Lark; rocket card by Cat Macinnes


Cat card bought at Lark; contemplative lion card by Elsie Hunt


Here's the whole wall.


Vinyl adhesive animal stickers by Cat Macinnes - I'm pretty sure they're the type that come off without damaging paintwork!

Attention handmade business owners!

Olive Grove Studios is looking for a new member to join the collective shopfront on Sydney Road, Brunswick

This involves a full share of the retail space and working three or four days a month in the store.

Rent for the first six months is $65 per week plus some small outgoings, for example insurance and eftpos fees

The successful applicant has the opportunity to place stock in the shop before Christmas



For more information please contact the shop on 03 93888006

Shots from the past week

A baby tee screenprinted by Finki, especially for Miss Roxy.

Zoo babies

Zoo picnic

Something entirely unique - our British-Australian household joined the larger family to celebrate US Thanksgiving al fresco.

One should always have a professional chef prepare one's turkey.
Incidentally, this is but one of two size 50 turkeys.

It wouldn't be Thanksgiving without pies!

The week ahead is much less exotic. My maternity leave is over, my Made It shop is open and I've got my first shift at the shop tomorrow. Amelia Roxy will be learning how to give change. By Christmas she ought to be able to operate the EFTPOS terminal!

New W Class Cushions: Café, Swirl & Summertime

My maternity leave is approaching its end and the stupidly busy Christmas sales season approaches. Just as well I've spent my maternity leave sewing cushions! Not only that, but a recent trip to GJs set me up to add three new styles to the W Class Cushion range.



Let me introduce you to...


Café - The roof fabric makes me think of coffee and the number 8 route includes Lygon St.
Not the renowned café part of Lygon St, but the important bit with fabric shops!


Swirl - The roof fabric makes me think of swimming koi
and the green body calls to mind Moroccan royalty, which isn't very swirly but is Special.


Summertime - The white and green fabric looks very summery to me.
This cushions's headed for St Kilda Beach for a night swim.

These cushions have been delivered to Olive Grove Studios and will be added to my Made It shop when I reopen it next week.

Look at my baby:

She's borrowing her big brother's quilt, made by their grandma.

Tram Cushions for Christmas

Just a quick note to say if you're thinking of giving (or receiving) a W Class Cushion for Christmas I'm offering a discount for orders confirmed this week.


Head to my business blog to find out more.

Blue Ginger Designs giveaway

Did you visit Blue Ginger Designs in the Incubator at this year's Stitches & Craft Show? Screenprinter Kylie is yet another creative soul based in Ballarat - what is it about that town? She makes lovely little purses and sells them as kits too, and I'd lurve one of her dandelion fluff cushions.


The Blue Ginger blog is working its way up to 100 followers and there's a giveaway as a sweetener - a cute moose zip purse. Check it out!

P.S. Have you seen the brand new online Toffee Magazine? A four issue subscription is only $10!