Market Wrap Up: Mathilda's

And so begins a mad month of markets for Quill & Ink Handmade!

Yesterday we peddled our wares at the lovely Mathilda’s Market, which was brimming with eager Christmas shoppers – we met so many lovely people, ate enormous portions of Happy Little Dumplings pork buns (oh my goodness, so delicious) , and had moments where our stall had so many people buying that it was tricky to see past them – very exciting!

Next up: We’re off to take part in the Racecourse Road Community Christmas Event, with a big market hosted by BrisStyle, and held on the grounds of the beautiful St. Augustine’s Church on Friday 25^th of November, 5pm until 9pm. The whole of Racecourse road will be taking part in this lovely community event, with carols, roving entertainment, great food, and a visit from Santa - plus all of the local restaurants and cafes will be celebrating in style, with Christmas menus and delicious specials. We’re so looking forward to it!

Will you come along too?

Nat

Image from BrisStyle.

Dropped!

Just a quick post:

Two wee mice were dropped today as part of the BrisStyle/Toy Society Mega Toy Drop – Hurrah!

At the Mater, there were lots of people watching suspiciously as I tied brown mouse Millicent to the seat at the Mater Hill bus stop and took photos; fingers crossed that the nosy grown ups left it for a curious child to find instead!

If you’re in Brisbane, rug up and head in to the BrisStyle Twilight Markets in King George Square tomorrow night (Friday), for a browse in the beautiful handmade markets, and to be a part of a mega toy dropping affair – hopefully lots of handmade toys will be left in and around the city to mark the end of a wonderful make-it-and-give-it month.

Hoping that Millicent and Mathilda are enjoying cuddles from their new owners,

Nat

Add it on to the list...

Ever have one of those weeks? You know the ones: “To do” lists as long as your arm, a million things to remember, too many places to be, maybe a sick child thrown in for good measure? It’s only Tuesday morning, but I’m gearing up for a big, BIG week – and I’m actually feeling confident that everything will go to plan.

First up: A custom flying birds order for another birthday (and a visit to the lovely Lorraine at my local quilting shop), this time in soft pastel pinks, blues and greens…

And at last! Our BrisStyle/Toy Society Toy Drop is ready to go! Mice are dressed, letters of introduction are printed and wrapped up in colourful handmade envelopes, and they’re awaiting their drop date this Thursday morning…  

And it’s all systems go! for the lovely plum coloured custom wedding invitation suite, which is being put together this week...

Phew! Sometimes it is nice to have multiple projects on the go – for me, it means that things never get monotonous; I always seem to have something else to work on to liven things up a bit.

Do you like working on one project at a time, or are you a serial project welcomer like me?

Nat

Update: Pattern #1

Remember the pattern pledge?

I finally got my act together over the weekend, and within a couple of hours had all my material cut, pattern decoded, sewing machine at the ready, buttons found, arms sewn on, and two little mice ready to go to a new home. So wonderfully quick, and as a first attempt, they’re not too bad at all!

In the spirit of this being a learning adventure, I now understand this:

Sewing golden rule number one:

Read pattern instructions carefully before cutting out pattern pieces.

After I had cut out everything and taken a lovely photo, I realised that the arms were done in a tricky, sneaky way because they were so small. It was very clearly stated on the pattern instructions; I was just far too impatient to get sewing. I’m grateful that it was a small part and there wasn’t too much material wastage, but I did feel totally daft.

To finish them off, I’ll be adding eyes and whiskers, and making a little kerchief and pinny from a made up pattern that’s still in my head. And these wee mice, Mathilda and Millicent, will be going out as part of the BrisStyle/Toy Society toy drop. If all goes to plan, I’ll be leaving them at the Mater and Royal Children’s Hospital, for sick young ones to find and love.

And as for Lou, who has been eyeing off my mice making for the last couple of weeks – she loves her new small mouse friend named Mim. So looking forward to making her some more!

Nat

Sew to Give

I'm a little bit excited.

BrisStyle is joining forces with the Toy Society to create a wonderful new initiative – a mega toy drop throughout South East Queensland during the month of May. Hundreds of handmade toys marked with ‘Take Me Home’ tags will be left in random places – tied to lamp posts, left in parks, seated on benches – for strangers to pick up and take home or pass on to little ones who will love them.

Isn’t that just beautiful?

I love the idea of leaving something that’s been made with care and heart for someone I’ll never meet; and just love the fact that BrisStyle has encouraged makers to target suburbs that have been affected by recent natural disasters. It’s a nice way to give something small and sweet back to the communities who have lost so much.

It’s also great timing - because I’ve started this mad plan to sew one new pattern a month, I thought I’d be a perfect opportunity to marry the two together.  

Want to join in too? Please do! It doesn’t matter where you are in the world, just make a toy with love, and follow the directions for drop off. Also, check out The Toy Society blog to see all the beautiful donated toys being dropped off worldwide.

Happy sewing!

Nat

Ps. We’ve been having a much deserved break over the last couple of weeks – so sorry for the sporadic posts! Both Kim and I are feeling so much better from a little rest and nothingness. Don’t you just love holidays?