All good things must come to an end

I've throughly enjoyed being part of Shop Handmade over the last four months. The Shop is such a wonderful concept and I feel honoured to have my work displayed amoung such beautiful things. There are so many talented designers and crafters in Canberra and the Shop is a marvellous way of showcasing them.

But all good things must come to an end.

I've been such a busy little Goose, and as well as working three days a week, and chasing after two very energetic (and rather mischievous) children, I then hit the sewing machine most nights of the week, once the children finally drift off to the land of nod.

With the busy spring and summer market season almost upon us, I've had to make a decision about whether to continue to stock at Shop Handmade, or sell at markets - there are just not enough hours in the day to do both! I really enjoy the buzz of markets, so in the end markets won out, and August will be my last month in the Shop.

My next market will be Handmade in Bloom on Saturday 11 September - only two weeks away!

I'll have lots of pants, appliquéd tops and pinafores, and perhaps just a few samples of my new designs for summer. Here's a sneak peak of the adorable Miss Goosey modelling a cute little summer dress.

One more sleep!

Only one more sleep until the Winter Warmer Handmade Market!

The Market will be held at the Kamberra Wine Company from 10am until 4pm. Flibbertigibbet and I will have an outdoor stall, so I'm hoping that we have some lovely sunshine (or failing that, at least no rain!). The market will go ahead rain, hail or shine, so rug up in your winter woolies and come and visit.

I'll have two new pinafore designs for this market, as well as some funky appliqued tops for boys. I was hoping to have a post with lots of photos of my new designs, but although the sewing machine has been running hot, I haven't managed to take any photos yet. But I'm home from work today with a sick Gander and a sick Miss Goosey, so perhaps I might just have time to get some photos taken afterall.....

Mama Goose

What's new?

There is a rule of thumb in Canberra that ANZAC Day marks the start of the cold weather, and this year has been no exception. While we are still lucky enough to be enjoying some beautifully sunny days, the evenings and mornings are getting rather chilly. And given that both The Gander and Miss Goosey still have me up regularly during the night, I can attest to the fact that it most definitely feels like winter at 3am!

My pinafores have been in demand year round (it appears I'm not the only mum who likes to buy kids clothes in bigger sizes and stash them away for next year), but I have been working on some new designs for winter 2010. A few of them debuted at the March Handmade Market, and are available for sale at Shop Handmade.

Mod Blooms (I'm already down to my last few of this fabric):

Lollipop:
Little Birdie:

I'm working on another few designs for my June Markets:

Handmade Market on Saturday 5 June:and the Old Bus Depot Markets special Kids in the Shed on Sunday 20 June.

Mama Goose

A long time between markets......

It feels like it's been a long time between markets. Last year Flib and I were regulars at Hall Markets each month, as well as doing Mathilda's and Handmade.

But with the success of Mathilda's Market in February and Handmade Market in March, followed by the opening of Shop Handmade in April, the boxes under my bed, that were once overflowing with stock, are now rather bare.......

So when I realised last week that the next Handmade Market is only a month away, I entered a mild state of panic. Luckily this was helped by a little online retail therapy, and before I knew it, over 40 yards of fabric was on its way to my front door...... nothing like new fabric to motivate a girl to get sewing!

So a-sewing I will be, creating lots of new pinafores, pants and appliqued tops, all ready for the Winter Warmer Handmade Market on 5 June.


Mama Goose

Handmade Heaven

I have been meaning to come in and tell you all about Handmade Market, but it's taken me a while to float back down from cloud nine......


Wow! Wow! Wow! Handmade Market was a marvellous day! So many stalls, so many gorgeous things, so many customers, and so many people who chose to take something home from Goosey Gander and Flibbertgibbet.


I did manage to squeeze in a little shopping of my own, including a gorgeous Bloss Doll for Miss Goosey.


And as if the success of Handmade Market wasn't enough, my wonderful husband (who we shall call Mr Hen Pecked), convinced me to apply for Shop Handmade. I'm very excited to be part of such a unique store in Canberra - a place where you can find handmade products from a range of designers, six days of the week.

I wonder if Mr Hen Pecked will regret his involvement, when I chain myself to the sewing machine over the coming days, to generate enough stock for the grand opening of Shop Handmade on Friday 16th April?


Mama Goose

Oh Boy!

Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy! Only a few more sleeps until our very first Handmade Market!!!

At the special request of Julie and the Handmade team, Goosey Gander will be focussing on products for boys at this market.

Shorts were running out the doors of Mathilda's at just $10 a pair, but I still have a few left, so will continue this special price for Handmade Market.

There are plenty of pants in a variety of fun and funky prints.

And applique tops to match.

Flibbertigibbet will also have a few new products in her range, especially for boys. So be sure to stop by and say 'hello' if you are at Handmade on Sunday.

Mama Goose

Handmade Love

I've been a fan of the Handmade Markets since discovering them on a lovely winters day at the Albert Hall. Miss Goosey and I had been painting her nursery (well, I had been painting, and she had been sleeping) and managed to finish just in time for a quick trip to this 'little' market I had read about online. Upon arriving at Albert Hall I was stunned to see the large crowd, particularly given that the markets were almost closing.

I was very surprised to find a stall (Handle with Care) selling modern cloth nappies. When I first started using cloth nappies on the Gander three years ago, modern cloth could only be bought online. So it was great to see a local business out there promoting a fantastic product, so that potential purchasers can feel the nappies and see how they work before buying them. Although Miss Goosey already has plenty of nappies handed down from her big brother, I couldn't resist buying her a cute pink BubbleBubs nappy.

The next Handmade Market was held at the Yarralumla Woolshed. Flib and I (and Miss Goosey too) had a lovely time checking out all the stalls. And there certainly were lots of stalls to look at! As usual, I made a few purchases for Miss Goosey, incluing a cute litle singlet from the very lovely ladies at Sweet Sista.

While I hope the next Handmade Market is a busy one for Goosey Gander and Flibbertigibbet, I am also crossing my fingers that I get just a little time to shop as well!

Mama Goose

More exciting news

It appears that Flib and I are on a roll with the exciting news lately. Late last week we found out that we will be stall holders at the very fabulous Handmade Market!!!

The first market for the year is coming up on Sunday 28 March, at a branch new venue - the Kamberra Wine Company. With both indoor and outdoor areas, lovely green lawns, and plenty of gorgeous handmade goodies to admire (not to mention tasty things to eat) it is set to be a wonderful day.

At special request of the Handmade team, I will be focussing on my boys range for the market - shorts, appliqued tops and pants, along with tag toys and bibs in some gorgeous fabrics.

Flibbertigibbet will also have some new products particularly aimed at boys.

We hope to see you there!

Mama Goose