Thursday, December 15, 2011

The Last Market

This year has flown on by, and suddenly it is December. And it's time to wind up Goosey Gander.

This weekend will be my last ever market.

I'll be at Handmade Market on Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 December - 10am til 4pm - at the National Convention Centre.

Mama Goose

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Spring is in the air? Not today.....

Canberra's weather has been rather variable lately. I've started sewing some summer stock, which I will take along to Handmade market this weekend. I planned on taking some photos of my current stock today, while I was home with The Gander and Miss Goosey, but the weather is not cooperating at all - it is windy, grey and drizzly. So these aren't the best of photos.




These little tie-tops are such a versatile top. With the shoulder ties and the blousy fit, they can be adjusted to fit a range of sizes. And they work equally well with a long sleeved top underneath for winter, or a sweet puff-sleeved t-shirt for in between seasons. In summer they are soft and floaty and allow lots of air circulation.


Here are some of the fabrics I have at the moment. As with all my clothes, I have limited fabrics left, and once they are gone I won't be making any more. Tie tops are available in sizes 1, 2, 3 and 4. They are $23.


I'll be at Handmade Market this weekend:

Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 October

10am-4pm both days

Convention Centre

Constitution Ave, Canberra City

Friday, September 23, 2011

Last pair

I'm down to my very last ever pair of elephant pants. They are a size 2. Snap them up at Handmade Market next weekend.












Monday, September 19, 2011

Sewing with kids

I’ve recently made an exciting discovery – I can sew with both kids awake. Perhaps somewhat slowly, but still, I can sew!

This is good news, because Miss Goosey seems to have given up her day sleep. She’ll be three in November, so I’m not complaining (The Gander gave his up shortly after turning two). But I do most of my sewing for my own kids when she is napping on the weekends, so it’s nice to know that I can still get some sewing done even if she is awake.

With the weather warming up, I need to get started on summer wardrobes for the kids. My internet shopping addiction means that their wardrobes are already pretty well stocked, but I like them to have at least a few ‘mummy-made’ pieces each season. And there is also the small matter of the overflowing fabric cupboard that means I really need to start using some of what I buy.

We took advantage of Canberra’s suddenly sunny weather and went to the opening day of Floriade on the weekend. Mr Hen Pecked was away enjoying some even sunnier weather in Cairns, so we took along a good friend of mine for company. She reminded me of the awful tantrum that The Gander threw at Floriade last year, but I’m pleased to say he was perfectly behaved this year, despite a few tears when his helium balloon went floating off into the sky.

Of course I couldn’t go to Floriade and not visit the Handmade pavillion. So I dragged my reluctant shoppers along (and managed to get them past the Lindsay and Edmund’s stall without them spotting their favourite teddybear choc-pops – luckily it was very crowded at Lindsay and Edmunds!). I did indulge in a little shopping for myself – I just couldn’t resist a sweet little pendant from Tick Tock Type. At the very reasonable price of only $10, who could resist it really?

I’m looking forward to the next Handmade Market on 1 and 2 October. Yes that’s right TWO whole days of Handmade loveliness. And Flib and I will be there for both the Saturday and the Sunday (Flib is even following it up with a week in the Floriade Handmade pavillion!).

Mama Goose

Sunday, June 12, 2011

Handmade Market

What an amazing market! I don't think I've ever seen a market so busy! While Handmade never fails to draw a crowd, Saturday's market was bumper to bumper and an hour or two in there was barely room to move in the aisles. Some shoppers even arrived by the bus load (hi to the ladies from Gerrigong - such a beautiful part of the world!).

Flib and I had a wonderful day as usual, chatting to customers, and checking out the lovely wares surrounding us. Busy as it was we still managed to sample the cupcakes and pick up some lovely homemade goodies to take home with us. I can never go past the onion marmalade and the chilli tomato jam from the Linwood Cafe - perfect for jazzing up any meal.

Our lovely neighbour, Sal from Chloe and Viscount had the most gorgeous clutch purses, at very reasonable prices. My handbag is usually filled with kids drink bottles, wipes, and assorted toys, and I rarely go anywhere that requires anything fancier than an oversized nappy bag.... but I'm planning a kid-free week away in October (my first in five years!!!!), so I was pleased to hear that Sal will be back at the next Handmade Market, so I can buy one of her gorgeous purses.

Flib and I were far too busy to pull out the camera yesterday, but you can see some photos of the beautiful stalls on the Handmade Market blog.

The next Handmade Market will be held over two days on October 1 and 2.... just as well, as with Floriade also on, we might not have room for everyone on the one day!

Mama Goose

Sunday, May 22, 2011

End of the line......

I made the decision some time ago, that I would slowly wind up Goosey Gander. I have had so much fun creating kids clothes, and have really enjoyed the experience of selling them at markets. When I started Goosey Gander I was on maternity leave, and running a hobby business was a wonderful creative outlet while home with two small children. Two years later, however, I'm back at work part-time, raising two growing kids, and trying to fit in their ever increasing extra-curicular activities.

I also miss sewing for my own kids. Goosey Gander was born out of my experimenting with designing clothes for Miss Goosey and The Gander. But somehow it has taken over, and despite having a cupboard full of fabric, and a head full of ideas, I was rarely sewing anything for my own children.

At the end of last year I made the decision to only sell at Handmade Market in 2011. I also decided that I would work through my cupboard of fabrics and sew up what I had left, but not purchase new fabric for Goosey Gander. When the fabric runs out, I'll stop doing markets, and wind Goosey Gander up for good.

So here are some of my 'end of line' products, for which I have now run out of fabric. Once these are sold, there will be no more.

The scooter pants have been a favourite since I started Goosey Gander. They are $29 and I have them in sizes 00, 0, 1 and 2.

A close up of the gorgeous scooter fabric:



The pocket on the back:


Only two pairs of 'Beep Beep' pants left, in sizes 00 and 2. These are made from a lovely soft cord and are $20
Guitar pants are also $20 - I have some made from a soft grey denim (pictured), and some from a black cord:


The demin ones have a blue pocket, and the cord ones have a green pocket

There are two Ollie Elephant pinafores left - size 1 and size 2 ($44)
From Russia with Love has been my most popular pinafore - I have sizes 00, 0 (both $39), 1 and 2 (both $44) And finally the Lollipop pinafore is available in sizes 0 ($39), 1 and 2 (both $44)

Bad blogger

I'm such a terrible blogger! I love reading other people's blogs, and have several blogs that I read every few days. I get so much inspiration from seeing what other people create. But when it comes to blogging myself, I never seem to find time to do it. Perhaps I need to do a little less reading, and a little more writting.....

I haven't been sewing as much as usual, since I decided to only do Handmade Markets this year. But I have still been working away steadily, and have a nice pile of pants and pinafores just waiting for the finishing touches before the next market.

Handmade Market will be on again at the Convention Centre on Saturday 11 June. It seems like such a long time since the last market, so I'm looking forward to this one! June can be a bit unpredictable in Canberra, so it will be nice to be tucked up inside all cozy and warm at this market.

You can check out some of the wonderful designers that will be at the June market on the Handmade website.

Mama Goose