Happy New Year - I am STILL HERE!

I am still here, I know that the last few months my blog has been just a distant memory, a vacant space of neglectful thought. I have tried many times to sit down and update, and I really have no excuse, but I am STILL HERE and its' the NEW YEAR and the perfect time to begin once more!

So how did my 2010 wrap up you might ask?

On July 31st, I took my DREAMS of handmade sewing and took that leap of **FAITH** with **INCREDIBLE** support of my friends and established HANDMADE BY 3 LITTLE B's (you all know my 3 B's) and *WOW* what an absolutely **AMAZING** experience it has been!


The support for my little handmade passion has been **OVERWHELMING** and my heart has been full of so much love as fabrics have weaved magically together to create beautiful and often special, unique and one of a kind designs for many little boys and girls across Australia and even Internationally xox


Its' so very hard to express in words the journey I have been on, the new friends I have made in the world of creativity and the ongoing kind words of encouragement with this little venture of mine. Just Beautiful xox If you happen to be reading this and have followed my journey, then I must sincerely express my ongoing gratitude for your love and support xox Thank You xox


And of course, my fabric addiction has worsened now and its' always calling my name, luring me to add to my shopping card and then eagerly await the arrival of the mail man each morning secretly hoping for that fabulous crafty mail xox What's a girl to do when there is just so many beautiful fabrics around just waiting for that special project???


Here are some of the custom designs that have eventuated over the last 6 months. I have so many favourites that it would be an impossible task for to narrow it down to any particular design, my LOVE has poured into each and every single piece that has come off my machine xox

And here as well ....



And a few just before Christmas too ...

To add to the experience, I also did my first "launch" country market on December 19th with my very good friend Mumma G from Mumma G's Hair Accessories.

What a fabulous experience it was to take our handmade goodness to our local country market! *WOW* is an understatement to the atmosphere we enjoyed, all the new people that we met (including lots of our Facebook Fans in real life who travelled to see us) and the social aspect that comes with markets! I cant' wait to do another one based on our success of this one :)

Here are some of the beautiful designs that came to Market with me ...

And here is our gorgeous Market Set Up .

So there you have it, the last 6 months has been a world of fabrics, of threads, of colours and designs, of new friends made and beautiful support in the ever growing handmade world xox And Yes, I have been teaching in there as well! A beautiful balance of creativity flowing xox

So Happy New Year and my final blessing to you xox

“Another fresh new year is here . . .
Another year to live!
To banish worry, doubt, and fear,
To love and laugh and give!

...This bright new year is given me
To live each day with zest . . .
To daily grow and try to be
My highest and my best!

I have the opportunity
Once more to right some wrongs,
To pray for peace, to plant a tree,
And sing more joyful songs!”

William Arthur Ward quotes

I love a Country Market ...

Gigaree is a small country town in Northern Victoria. You may not have even heard of it before, but it has the most delectable country market on the 2nd Sunday of every month. Its kind of nestled between Stanhope and Tongala/Kyabram, but well worth a visit to the market if you are in the region this particular weekend of the month.

The entire vibe of the market is so relaxing and you can't help but stroll at a leisurely pace and enjoy all the different stalls available to delight you. More so, its' not just about the stalls, its' also a very social occasion, the people that you meet and are able to have a leisurely chat with, whether this be someone known to you, or just another person enjoying the atmosphere of the market alongside with you. These are about bringing the wider community and region together, as well as highlighting the many talents of local providers.

I had been meaning to go for quite some time, so I spent the morning out with my parents and young Jaxon at my side, and found that stallholders were quite happy to have their merchandise photographed (I always ask, I just believe it is a common courtesy to do so.)

My first stop naturally is for fresh fruit and vegetable produce, I couldn't resist the apricots grown locally over at cobram and of course pink lady apples fresh from the orchard, as well as strawberries from a local strawberry patch. There is just something extra special about "fresh" fruit grown locally. I was amazed at the amount of people, the produce was just fantastic and prices straight from the farm, that's one amazing benefit of living in the country, farmer's markets. Its' a good "fruit break" week in this household this week!

Spring is a beautiful time in this area for commercially grown protea flowers and other native flora. I was just in awe of these giant protea's, aren't they divine. Its' a pity that these lovely natives aren't flowering around Christmas time in this region because they would make such a beautiful Christmas table centre-piece.

Then there are the children's tee-pees. This is a gorgeous stall and I often see them at our local country market in Echuca/Moama as well. I find the material is very eye-catching and of course always a favourite with the kids. Helen also sews divine aprons and embellishes baby singlets with gorgeous crocheted' flowers with button centrepiece. You can read more about here at her own site chickaboo8.webs.com or if you feel inclined to do so, I love the Child-Size Teepee Tent tutorial at Sew Mama Sew

Another stall that capture my eye was the artistry work on these saw blades. Jeannie Woodward is and original saw blade artist and is located in Shepparton, Victoria (0415 677 139) Her work is captivating and very inspiring.

Of course it's always nice to spy a quilt or two,or three. The lovely ladies from this stall are friends from Shepparton who enjoy getting together to quilt and socialise. They were having great success today with their tea cup pin cushions, which were very quaint!