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

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

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.

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

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

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

A new focus

How did it get to be February already? We are now just days away from the first Handmade Market of the year. Handmade just keeps growing and growing, and yet again has out-grown the venue at Kamberra Winery. So onwards and upwards it is, with a new venue at the Convention Centre.

This venue brings with it ample parking and ATMs!!! While I will miss sitting outside in the sunshine, enjoying some live music, and nibbling on a delicious lunch (which I normally manage to do at about 3pm on markets days - they are such crazy busy mornings!), it will be nice not to have to worry about the weather this time. Or have to assemble the marquee (although Flib and I are definitely getting better at this with practice!).

I've decided this year to cut back on the number of markets I do, and to focus solely on the Handmade Market.

So you will find me at the Convention Centre on Saturday 19 February, Saturday 11 June and Saturday 17 December.

Mama Goose

Did I blink?

I think I must have blinked and missed December! It seems have have gone by so quickly. And now we are counting down to the end of 2010.

I promised photos of Miss Goosey's birthday dress, and realised tonight as I was tucking her into bed, that almost a month has passed already since her birthday. My baby is growing up far too quickly. So here she is, holding up her fingers to show that she is now two:

And here is The Gander, wishing everyone a safe and happy festive season:

Rain, rain, go away

I have this little rhyme stuck in my head at the moment. Miss Goosey likes to sing it, but she doesn't quite remember all the words, so her version goes like this:

Rain, rain,

Go away

Come back

Handmade Markets are only a few days away now, and it has been raining fairly solidly since Sunday. I hope it stops in time for the market. I've just checked the Bureau of Meteorology website, and it's not filling me with confidence:

Forecast for Saturday - Cloudy. Scattered showers. Isolated thunderstorms in the afternoon. Winds northeasterly and light.

Hmmmmm.

But back to Miss Goosey. Her other favourite song of the moment is 'Happy Birthday'. We've had a few birthdays in our house in the last few weeks - first The Gander turned 4, and then Miss Goosey turned 2 yesterday. Several of The Gander's friends have also had birthdays, so it has been a month of celebration. Birthdays are such important milestones as we grow up - it's sad that they seem to lose the magic as we get older. I'm enjoying reliving the excitment through the kids eyes.

Flib in the news

Check out this profile of my lovely friend Flib, of Flibbertigibbet, on the Shop Handmade blog. Flib's a little camera shy, so there's no photo of her, but you may spot a Goosey Gander outfit on Flib's gorgeous 'Little Possum'.

Flib and I are looking foward to Handmade Market in just over a week ...... eeek!

Flib has just returned from a beach holiday, but I wouldn't be surprised if she snuck a bit of handsewing into her luggage, to keep her busy while she was away.

I'd like to say that I've had a productive few weeks too. But unfortunately Miss Goosey, who is about to turn two, thinks she's now a grown up, and wants to stay up til 10pm with Mum and Dad every night. So I'm not getting as much sewing done as I'd like to. I did manage to find a bit of time this week to sew a special birthday dress for Miss Goosey. She and The Gander are having a little birthday bash tomorrow (he turned four last week, and she is two next week), so I'll take some pictures of it and pop them on the blog.

Mama Goose

Old Favourites

I've had a busy week sewing up new designs for summer. I'll have some beautiful bright dresses, in blues, greens and pinks, ready for the Old Bus Depot Markets this weekend.

But as well as my new designs, I'll be stocking some old favourites from last summer. I changed my mind constantly on which fabrics I liked best, but I just can't go past this apples and pears print - it's retro cuteness at its best, and looks so sweet teamed with a red spot. Here is Miss Goosey in December last year. She has grown so much - I can't get over how short her hair was then!

And more apples - this red and pink apple dot is available in a limited number of tops and dresses. Perfect for parties, lazing around on hot summer days, or (according to Miss Goosey) playing in the garden.

Mama Goose

November and December Markets

I've been a very slack blogger of late. When I get time to focus on Goosey Gander I invariably head for the sewing machine, and not the computer. So while I might have been slack on the blogging front, I've certainly been busy sewing up clothes for my next lot of markets.

So where will I be, and when?

Sunday 7 November

Old Bus Depot Markets

10am til 4pm

Saturday 4 December

Handmade Market

Kamberra Wine Company

11am til 7pm

Saturday 18 December

Old Bus Depot Markets

10am til 4pm

Mama Goose

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.

Happy Birthday to Us!

Today is one year since Flibbertigibbet and Goosey Gander had our first market stall...... so Happy Birthday to us!

It's been a wonderful year, and we have had such fun designing products and getting out and about at markets.

It's been a busy year too, as my baby has grown into a toddler, and I've returned to work from maternity leave.

I'll be taking a break from markets for the next few months while I build my stock levels back up and get started on patterns for my summer range. My next market will be Handmade in Bloom on Saturday 11 September. I've still got stock at Shop Handmade, and am happy to take custom orders, between now and September.

Mama Goose

Market Madness

Wow! The Winter Warmer Handmade Market was wonderful!!! Canberra pulled out its finest winter day, the sun shone down on us, and we had a lovely time chatting to customers, eating yummy cupcakes and popcorn, and doing a bit of shopping when the crowds finally died down.

My stock levels are looking very low, so I've been hunkered down at the machine trying to get more sewn for the Old Bus Depot "Kids in the Shed" market this Sunday, as well as catch up on orders from Handmade, and attempt to restock my rack at Shop Handmade (Mr Hen Pecked dropped off some long sleeve tops today).

So it's back to the sewing machine for now....

Flib and I will be at Old Bus Depot Markets this Sunday, 20 June, from 10am until 4pm. I'll be taking a break from markets for a few months after this one, to catch my breath, and get started on my summer range.

Mama Goose

Fun and Funky

These cute long-sleeved tops are sure to brighten up a winters day. Featuring cute owls, funky scooters and groovy guitars, they are available for $15 in sizes from 000 to 2. Limited numbers, so get in quick!

Pretty in Pink

Since having Miss Goosey 18 months ago, I still can't get enough pink. And it seems I'm not the only one, as my pink dresses are always my best sellers. So to satisfy the masses, here are two new designs feature a soft denim with pink trim.

"From Russia with Love"

"Songbird"

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

Tess Anthony Photography

Goosey Gander and Flibbertigibbet had a photo shoot with Tess Anthony Photograpy on Monday. You can see a sneak peek of Tess's gorgeous photos on her Facebook page, but I've posted one of The Gander and one of Miss Goosey below.

Tess has recently started her photography business in Canberra, specialising in babies, children and families. We've had two sessions with her now, and have been very impressed with her work. The Gander and Miss Goosey just love exploring the Australian National Botanic Gardens while Tess follows them round with her camera, and the result is some beautiful, natural, portraits of the children.

Tess is having a special deal at the moment:

$70- includes session fee, and a disk of low resolution images.
$130 – includes session fee, and a disk of high resolution images

Yep, that's right, a whole CD of images to print or email to friends and family!

Thanks Tess - we love your work!

Mama Goose