My Creative Space 'faux screen printing & Euro style'

Greetings all,

Clearly after that last Creative Space post showing off my imported fabric collection from 10 years in the craft business, I have exposed myself to well meaning crafters & mothers who would sell their children or break & enter to feed their fabric addiction.
It has been gloomy weather since school resumed last week & my children are not as exhausted as I had hoped they would be with school filling their brains with new information & wearing out their bodies in the playground. So apart from my eldest venturing out with friends to the annual Canberra Multicultural Festival on the weekend (with her Japanese family & this time they ate Thai food) . . . well, it's just been school runs, homework, covering books & sewing like a woman possessed as markets loom near.

Well this is what I have been busy busy busy doing for the past few days. Wanting to go for a bit of a Euro meets Winter feel, with 'faux' screen printing designs & these gorgeous fabric colours mixed up. Had to prove to myself I can do a muted plain palate as well as blasts of colourful patterned fabric ensembles!!  I also find people ask for dresses with sleeves, so these can be trans-seasonal or popped over a skivvy & tights.  My range goes from size 2 to 8 for girls so there is something nice available for those approaching tween years who don't want black, vampire, mini skirt trash look.  I'll do up to size 10 shortly, just want to trial these first.

some dresses have capped sleeves, some elastic & some flat hemmed, some elastic hem (size 2-3 only)
mixing up the shapes & designs so each one is unique
my Euro colour palate
poor man's screen printing works just as well - cookie cutter shapes, fabric paint & press with iron

So these dresses will make their debut at Mathilda’s Market in Canberra, Sunday 28th February. I made 30 odd dresses from the 9 fabrics I purchased on Friday afternoon (Lincraft sale) & so far used about half of the fabric I purchased – great in case of orders & more stock for Handmade Market on Sunday 28th March. So yes, very fruitful rainy hibernation. 

Happy sewing & production for those of you already back into markets!! Love Posie

is it the death of 'the housewife' . . . i don't think so!!

Greetings all,

As i was flicking off the news on my way out the door this morning I heard some middle aged man saying something along the lines of "i don't know anyone who uses the term 'housewife' in their daily language" & then something about it being an insult to any woman.  Well that got stuck in my mind driving to school (it's 25km down country roads, i have plenty of time to think!!)  First up, since when does a middle aged man get to comment on what women want out of life; secondly, i proudly call myself a housewife!!
Shock, horror, i had choices, i was born in 1975, i went to private school, i spent 6 years at Uni, a career in the oil industry, the world was at my feet . . . yet i happily chose being a young mother & housewife above all.  Why do people have so much trouble understanding why i'd do that??   

Sure i'm the small businesswoman type of housewife, but in my situation - being married a soldier, i have to be the constant for everyone in the family as my husband is away so frequently + we need the additional income.  I don't let my business get in the way of cleaning, cooking, school runs, homework, dog walking, lawn mowing, exercise or time out for me either.  Most of the mums at school don't know or realise i 'work' as i introduce myself as a housewife & do all that P&C stuff which no one else ever seems to want to do.   
I have NEVER looked after myself better!!  Since the boy started preschool in late 2006 - i started moving from stay at home mother to housewife, with delicious lunches, a movie here & there, morning tea with friends & grown up shopping.  I don't waste my 30 hours a week child free time grocery shopping, cooking or cleaning - we can suffer that together & i mainly use a treadmill at home for exercise (Canberra weather can turn on you) & check homework or call out spelling from there. 

Today's lunch is here, this is pretty typical for me, although not usually with the wrap, it's normally just salad . . . beetroot, mint, coriander, lettuce, sprouts, beans, parsley, chives, tuna & scrape of mayonaise.   Plus a little bunch of grapes as i like something sweet afterwards.  Sorry the image of draining the tuna is so ghastly!! 

I can assure you i wasn't eating 'lunch for one' made with any love when i had lots of little children around.  I feel like this is my way of saying sometimes i can come first!!  Between 9a.m. & 3p.m. I am my first priority!!  If i was a reader & coffee drinker, wow, those housewives must really enjoy their 'moments'.  My sanctury is sewing, for work or hobby, it's all very zen for me. 
So who on earth would poo poo this life choice, whether you have kind of fallen into or just happy to be there as planned??  When are we all just going to say "each to their own" & stop insulting everyone on what they do with their days??  We might be poor, but i'm so happy & relaxed.  Love Posie

My Creative Space 'she who dies with the most fabric WINS'

Greetings all,
Wow, that was a quick turn around to another Thursday!!  The children went back to school & pow, it's time for My Creative Space offering this week . . . my TIDY fabric stacks.  I have been sewing, but with my new sewing project - making cushions for chemotherapy patients at Calvary Hospital, i sorted through every single piece of fabric i have in the entire studio.  These are just my 'feature' fabrics, all lining, plain & coordinates are in 6 large tubs under my trestle tables.  Yes, i'm spoilt for space.

There is a great saying 'she who dies with the most fabric wins' & i think i could well be a contender to the Fabric Olympics or World Championships for sure.  I have to admit, i do churn through these piles at a good pace.  Maybe a fabric relay, steple chase (hurdles made of fabric) or marathon might be my event??

across one wall in my studio (which is 2 open plan rooms) are 3 giant floor to ceiling racks of fabric, sorted into categories, Amy Butler if front & centre, then piles including jersey, vinyls, muslin & all my precious feature fabrics - like my floral pile here in close up (the polar fleeces & wool padding are in a mound of their own!!)

these are end of bolts which are still favourites & popular

most of my Japanese printed fabrics

my Cath Kidston collection of upholstery weight fabrics, collecting for 9 years now!!

& some Cath Kidston oil cloth + Marimekko plastics, so yummy to work with (plus my muslin colours for baby wraps)

my slight obsession for Babuhska prints . . .

So there you have it.  I took out about 50 yards of fabric (no kidding) to use up on my charity sewing & some grab bags for the markets.  Feeling very zen with my tidy stacks & ready for a big weekend of sewing for markets & getting back into production.  Love Posie

a little big OVER exCITED at this NEW market NEWS from Handmade Canberra's UpMarket

Greetings all,

Well i'm most excited to be invited to once again attend the fabulous Handmade Market. Can you believe that our nation's capital city is so hard up on decent function centres, like a lovely town hall, which is big enough & NOT being renovated or run by crazy people?? Well Handmade has moved, again - yes, Canberra's most popular & amazingly well supported market is going to be held this year at . . . the Kamberra Wine Estate in their beautiful DeVine Function Centre.

Couldn't imagine a more beautiful setting with an open fireplace, stain glass windows, covered verandas opening to vineyards, gardens & reflection pond.  This is a city where kangaroos really do hop down the main streets & there is a vineyard only 5km up the road from Parliament House.  Kamberra Wine Estate is on Northbourne Avenue (Federal Highway & corner Flemington Road, opposite EPIC & next to the Race Course) in Lyneham ACT.
Thankfully the first market is as soon as next month - Sunday 28th March 10a.m. to 4p.m. & i'll have an outdoor stall among the vines thanks, how delightful??!!

Other Handmade Market dates for the year are . . . Saturday 5th June, Saturday 11th September & Saturday 4th December all 10a.m. to 4p.m.  Considering applying to Handmade??  Go through their website & apply a.s.a.p. it's very selective & limited stalls, with large emphasis on handmade, handcrafted, originaility, design, high end, own produce & baking!!  Over 10 000 people have attended each of the last 3 markets (there have only been 5 markets so far, it's reputation is incredible, just read the newspapers in the build up hype & anticipation before each market) & has the most fabulous atmosphere, food, wine, craft . . . 
First up i have Mathilda's Market at the end of this month, so i'd better stop blogging & get some sewing done.  I'm literally jumping out of my skin, yes, Oprah style again.  Love Posie

the 5 lucky January G I V E A W A Y winners are . . .

Greetings all,

Congratulations . . . to the following "ladies, all the ladies, louder now" sorry just had a Salt'n'Peppa flash back . . . winners were randomly selected by my middle daughter from a list of names, with her eyes closed & finger pointing (scientifically proven system of fairness) . . .
the clever Kylie from Kylie's Crafts (you get a Paper Chain & Sticker Set); the sweet Sheridan from ChaletGirl (you get a Paper Chain & Sticker Set); the lovely Louise from Buttons by Lou Lou (you get a Paper Chain & Sticker Set); the cheerful Caz from The Truth About Mummy (you get a Paper Chain & Sticker Set) & the gorgeous Gypsy from The Craft Gypsy (you get a Paper Chain & Sticker Set) - imagine me screaming that in a hyped up Oprah voice with arms waving??!! 

Each Sticker Set contains 20 gorgeous folk & flora round stickers in all sorts of different colours, sizes & patterns.  Each Paper Chain set contains a variety of folk & flora paper strips to make 14 ring chain, including 14 stickers to fasten the rings.  Value, about a million dollars each, well they were made with priceless passion.
Missed out this time??  Well join in the Fun Bloggers Who Like Posie & follow me so you're in the know.  Thanks to everyone who participated, it was really fun, i hope you've been enjoying the posts.  I'll be sure to do new G I V E A W A Y soon, same deal 5 prizes & 5 days to enter.  Love Posie

HeadsUp@Calvary shop launch & MissChiefMaker on sale

Greetings all,

A little announcement about an amazing new shop - it's HeadsUp @ Calvary Hosptial, Bruce ACT where ladies going through chemotherapy, their friends & family can make purchases of useful items such as head scarves, cushions & other handmade goodness.  Most products are donated for maximum fundraising, such as these 2 bags of Posie badges, purses, hair clips, wool, pashminas, gift cards & 3 pairs of boobie knitting needles (how perfect for the cause!!) 
A lovely cancer survivor mummy from school alerted me Sue Owen who is coordinating & volunteering in the store.  I'll donate more as i get back into mass production sewing & markets shortly. 

HeadsUp launches tomorrow - open Wednesdays 11a.m. to 2p.m. with more days soon.  They are situated near the 'volunteers area' on the ground floor or ask at reception for directions. 
Handmade designers - if you have any products you'd like to donate, Sue would be eternally greatful.  I'll pass on your details.   

Another fabulous local business venture is MissChiefMaker at Rodney's Nursery in Pialligo ACT.  They stock all things fabulous for children & stylish mamas with new & refashioned vintage clothing, accessories, homewares, toys . . . super friendly service & a gorgeous shopping experience . . . & on sale now!!  Check out MissChiefMaker blog & while you're there, the sTaRt oF FaShiOn tutus, oh are they a Posie brand?? 
This image has a sweet KitschBella quilted jacket from my friend Abby, a mum from school.  Have i mentioned lately how totally ace the mums at school are??  Abby is Dutch & well style is in the blood, enough said, she rocks it!!

Happy days everyone!!  I had a fabulous productive day, awesome chats at the school gate, 4 fantastic teachers for my children & a quiet, serene studio.  Then 3 calls from my husband, big day BIG DAY!!  Love Posie

today: nothing escaped the chop!!

Greetings all,
Well in my last-day-before-school-resumes-Edward-Scissorhands mania, nothing around the house, garden or family was safe . . . i made nice with my lawn mower (bless this mower, it cold starts first time, without ripping out my chest).  Off i went, mowing in wonky lines across the nature strip, front garden & back garden with a neat end result. 
Next stop . . . that German Shepherd needs a good wash & massage, so he was tied to the clothes line (he loves the massage, not so hot on the cold water part) & yes, we all finished up saturated from his shakes & well, poorly managed hose skills from my twins!!  It was Khan's 2nd birthday this week, he's fully grown now, no scale required, he's MASSIVE. 
Then between grocery shopping & swimming, my son got his short back & sides hair cut at the military barber shop.  He loves it in there, the men, the Army photos, the toy tanks, the swearing (thankfully in heavy Irish accents he can not understand) it's his little taste of man land.  

We're all set to return to school, shoes/ uniforms/ lunches & i have all the prizes from my blog giveaway done . . . I'll reveal the 5 winners tomorrow.  Good luck & to those of you who like me, seem to have the very last children in the country still on school holidays, enjoy tomorrow!!  I've already managed to get myself invited to a meeting (canteen), a morning tea with a lovely mummy, then lunch with my best Army wife gal pal!!  Yippee!!  Just as i plan to get back to work in the studio child free . . . i'm happily distracted with adult company.  Yes please.  I'm so lucky to have really great friends.  Love Posie