Author: billyboyandmia

spring carnival

 
well its spring carnival time here in melbourne and I have been to Derby Day and the Cup, and have Oaks day and Stakes to go, so its a full week but been great so far!  My 50’s frock from etsy was brilliant yesterday – so comfortable.  Loving catching up for a bubbly with the ladies, seeing the horses and having a tiny flutter.  And love the gorgeous Flemington roses everywhere.

to market

The Maribyrnong Makers Market is coming up soon, and it’s going to be huge!  My friend, the lovely Tracey, and I will be sharing a stall and I am looking forward to it!  I have a couple of weeks off from the day job, so will be jumping on the sewing machine and making loads of goodies,  A perfect time to buy some handmade treats for Christmas presents, I know I’ll be stocking up as part of my pledge to buy handmade this xmas.  Might see you there!

dresses

 
I love coming home on fridays and seeing what has been in my letterbox for the week.  This week I got this fantastic 50’s inspired tea dress delivered.  It is custom made for me, so a perfect fit, by sohomode from etsy.  So well made and such a great full skirt with a lovely cinch belt that has rows of velvet ribbon – perfect for the race days ahead.
I also got in the mail a sweet birthday presie for one of my nieces, this lovely dress from Anna of tillytom designs from madeit.  I love the fabric and will be perfect for summer.

And I was also excited to see that my pics for the madeit christmas gift guide were used this saturday – i love apples, so fresh like this picture below by Susannah Tucker Photography and i love these sweet designs.  I have even been using some of the apple soap by The Soap Dish which is locally made. Check out the gift guide to see my other apple picks!

finds

 
Just been to the RSPCA op shop again, i can’t help myself!  Came back with this great red and white sweet scarf, and these linens – sheets, tablecloth and pillowcases.  Bottom left is my old bed linen pattern from when i was little.  Good to find.  I need to get some more bags happening, they’ll go in the wash tonight!
Such gorgeous weather today.  Here’s some neighbourhood old fashioned roses in bloom from the end of my street, very very fragrant.  I always stop to smell the roses, do you?

christmas holly

with my new note book i started doing some scribbling last night and ended up with an idea for a simple christmas decoration, these easy holly leaves.  So i thought i would add in the pattern and basic notes for anyone that wanted to make these – definitely very easy!
 
here’s the pattern i made.  If you want the pdf so you have the actual size to print, email me and i’ll be happy to send it to you.
Just cut out two bits of felt and two bits of fabric, good to use up some scraps.  I used pinking shears to reduce fraying on the fabric, and folded the pattern in half when cutting.
 then just sew two pieces together down the middle, and repeat for the other leaf. 
Sew the two leaves together and then either knot some ribbon ends for the holly berries, or attach little bells, or perhaps buttons would be sweet.  i used the zipper foot to get past the little bells.
and voila!  easy peasey christmas decorations for gift wrapping presents, pop in a christmas card as an extra treat or as simple tree ornament.
 

generosity

 These happy penguins i purchased ages ago from Vinyl Design and i have been meaning to show you how they are marching in my bathroom above the sea mosaic tiles!  They make me smile in the mornings.  I grew up with fairy penguins (as they were known back then) under my house – i come from phillip island!  Now they are in my bathroom.
 
I also received this lovely fabric covered notebook from Chicken Ink. so i can scribble my thoughts and ideas down.  And these sweet crocheted flowers from the talented Kylie of Boutique Creations, to be used as part of Christmas gifts.
And to top it all off, the very generous Michelle of Michelle Soldatos Art & Photography gave me these gorgeous freebies with my cards purchases – overwhelming generosity.  An extra gift cars, plus this amazing canvas photo of Cesky Krumlov, and a magnet of the Arc d’Triomphe – how did you know i love Paris and Cesky Krumlov!! Thank you so much!!
 

morning!

good morning!  happy friday! I recently updated my twitter avatar to be this one-of-a-kind apples and pears bag handmade with a vintage tablecloth.  I love the colours, perfect for spring!  It can be found in my etsy store.
And thanks to my gorgeous sis-in-law and very cute 6 month niece who gave me these stunning flowers.  So happy bright to have in the house.  Thanks!

madeit

madeit.com.au have a new blog for buying handmade this christmas and I am excited to see my brown retro flower bag made with a vintage tablecloth featured here on madeit’s christmas gift guide!  And to be picked by lulufroufrou, who makes such gorgeous hair accessories is a bonus treat.  Her sweet hairclips makes me want to grow my hair long!
Thanks to madeit for having a great Christmas gift guide.  I am buying all handmade this season.

Here is my pledge . . (feel free to use this image)
Thanks to Michelle for making this great xmas pledge banner!  See her lovely photography here.