my little helper...

Always obliging when there's banana cake involved.

Handmade...

Obviously, being Miette Handmade, I've got a bit of a thing for handmade products. In our family, we only give handmade gifts at Christmas (made by ourselves). And it's great - it avoids us adding to the consumer madness of the season, it reduces spending and waste, and it creates thoughtful, personal gifts that everyone genuinely appreciates.
So I was pretty thrilled when I was asked if the gorgeous online store, Rockrose Handmade, could stock a couple of my quilts. Their focus is on handmade, ethical and beautiful products and there are a whole lot of amazing things there.... go have a squiz and support handmade!

And in other news, I've added some fun little (handmade!) pincushions to the shop!

Well things have shifted down a notch, even though I feel like life has continued to be incredibly busy lately. But my attention has focused a little to other things. We have relaxed by the beach over that ridiculous horse race holiday, spring cleaned and sorted, celebrated birthdays, completed tax returns, booked fast train trips (Paris to Montpellier!!). And I have realised that in the business of recent times, that my little  baby has grown up oh so quickly and I can hardly keep up. Suddenly, he has long locks and he speaks in two languages and makes me laugh and he's just the best thing ever and I can't quite believe I created him!

we've also enjoyed the sun, the storms, the sunsets and the general craziness of Melbourne spring weather... our balcony greens are bringing me much delight (even parsley that's gone to seed and ranunculi that have finished for the year are making my smile).

time for a rest...

Phew.
It's only now that it's over that I'm realising just how frantic the last couple of months have been. Finders Keepers has been and gone and it was a crazy, wonderful, interesting, slightly disappointing (not too many sales) and completely exhausting experience.

Yesterday, I thanked my sewing machine for all its hard work and put it away in the cupboard for a little rest. During nap time, I addressed some of the other long neglected tasks on my list, sat out in the sun with some cookbooks and planned some new and interesting meals - something I just haven't had the energy for lately - and put my feet up for a bit. I am going to spring clean our apartment, focus on some different things and just let my mind think about things other than quilts (including a rapidly approaching trip to France!!)

Thank you to all who sent well wishes and who visited me at the market as well as those who bought quilts. It was lovely to see some old friends and also to put some faces to names. And thanks to the lovely Leslie who was a wonderful market buddy!

I didn't get time to take many photos at the market but here are a few that I (and others) managed to get... (the last photo is of Tara Shackell's beautiful ceramics - my other neighbour at the market and the creator of several Christmas presents to my family and a gorgeous sugar bowl for myself!)

oh, and keep an eye on the shop if you're interested as new quilts and blankets have been added and there will be several more over the coming days...

 

Finders Keepers!

So this time next week I'll be setting up my stall, nerves all a flutter. I'm super excited. And super nervous. I actually feel a bit like I'm having one of those dreams where you turn up to school naked. I feel a bit vulnerable! But mainly, it's really exciting. 

If you're there, please do come and say hello. I'll be looking for familiar faces. or blog names. And of course, you can say g'day to Leslie next door! 

See you there! 

Music Monday

On top of feeling a bit blurgh lately, we've been hit with a good dose of illness. So to cheer ourselves up a bit, how about a long depressing country song?

These two are very high up on my list of favourite musicians. I saw them play in Melbourne in 2004 and it was quite possibly the best gig I've ever been to. It's hard to choose just one of their songs to play here, but this is on high rotation at our place at the moment, so this one it is. It's an awesome song, incorporating Neil Young's Cortez the Killer. Make sure you get to that bit.

feeling quiet

I don't have much to say at the moment. 

It's been a tough and sad week in Melbourne, although these events have also brought out the best in the city and the community around Brunswick and have reminded me what I love about this place. 

But it has added to a general feeling of heaviness at the moment - I'm a bit overwhelmed with work, with the impending market, with cooking dinner, with getting dressed. Everything just seems a bit difficult. 

So I take some deep breaths, some slow walks to take in the spring goodness, and tightly hold on to my child's hand...