On with the show!

    

Lovely Mille dons her hat, and gathers up a posie,

she’s draped in scarves and beads and brooches,

with sweet cheeks, oh so rosy.

It’s almost time - she checks the clock – a few more minutes to go;

noise is gathering, butterflies brewing -

it’s nearly time for the show.

She walks down the stairs, her entrance grand,

The crowd thunders in applause;

Marvellous Millie - delightful diva - the best in all the land.

Got an enthusiastic performer in your house?

Our gorgeous new doll, Marvellous Millie, is now available in our Etsy store!

(Take her home today for just $25 AU + postage)

Nat

And the winner is...

   

It’s the old fashioned way, you know (because I’m just that kind of gal) – drawing a winner out of a hat. I enlisted the help of Judah, and after much scrounging around, he pulled out the name “Multiple Mum” – Congratulations! I absolutely can’t wait to send you a Quill & Ink Handmade parcel featuring all our most popular selling bits and pieces - we do so hope that it’s loved.

And because we had so many respondents, at the last minute I thought I’d also send out a second random prize of four Quill & Ink Handmade cards. This time, little Lou wanted a turn, and out of the hat came “Kylie.” Yay! We love giving away free stuff!

Thank you to all our respondents for your very insightful answers – we’re so grateful for your time, and have been brainstorming some wonderful ideas based on your suggestions. It’s been interesting to see trends from all over Australia, and a lot of fun remembering childhood games and toys.

Thank you, thank you, thank you, wonderful readers!

Nat

Just keep sewing...

It’s a hive of activity here – late nights, endless cups of coffee, a thimble now a necessary sewing item, and sweet treats as delicious incentives. As mad as they are, I really do love the lead up to markets; there’s an energy in the air, a flurry of beautiful material, the steady hum and whirr of the sewing machine, and the loveliness of hand sewing under lamplight at the end of the day, stretched out (exhausted) in front of the television.

And all those beautiful things! Oh my!

Want a sneak peak?

  

   

We’ve got so many lovely markets coming up over the next few months, and so many new designs to unveil as we creep towards Christmas. But first up, it’s the gorgeous Mathilda’s Market in the leafy Brisbane suburb of Ascot. And this time, I’m escaping to check out some of our talented stallholders – I’m so excited to be neighbours with the always chic Mon Petite Poppet and the gorgeous Owl and Pussycat! 

Have a wonderful weekend, dear readers - and thank you all for your encouragement and support; it really does mean the world to us.

Nat

Spirited Sophia

Spirited Sophia skips about - her arms are flapping wings;

She swoops and leaps and chortles, giggling as she sings:

“Today I’m a bird – no, a lion! Or wait, a shrieking bat –

I’m a tall necked giraffe, a bleating lamb, and a prowling cat.

I love the way that penguins slide and the graceful gazelle leaps;

And I’d love to be a slow brown bear, in a hibernating sleep.

I’m a busy bee tumbling into flowers, pollen all stuck to my legs;

I’m a slow moving rhino, a long-legged spider, a puppy sitting up to beg.”

“Oh my, Sophia – what a changeling you are!” I say to her with a smile,

“You’ve a whole zoo in your imagination; perhaps I’ll stay a while?”

Sophia beams her biggest grin, and leaps into the air –

“And look! Now I’m a fierce dragon, breathing fire without a care…”

Available now in our Etsy store, or meet her at our stall at Mathilda’s Market on the 6^th of August!

Finding Inspiration

I find inspiration in everyday places.

Whether it’s walking into a material shop stocked to the hilt with beautiful fabrics, or brainstorming about what new thing I can make for my sweet niece or handsome nephew for Christmas, small slices of inspiration can be found hiding in every nook and cranny. You just have to know how to hunt it down, and how to recognise it when it’s finally found.

To help my inspiration process along, I collect things – beautiful buttons, ribbon, material, or interesting knick-knacks that I come across. I’ve often found that having these little bits around can spark an idea, remind me of something precious from my childhood, or just give me the nudge to try out a new idea.

And something I’ve always loved – drawing and sketching – also plays a big part in my creative process. My house is filled with bursting journals and random scraps of paper covered with little images, which may (or may not) become the beginnings of something in the future. I’ve often found that the practice of sketching can lead down a path which may not have been planned, but which sees the creation of something you may not quite have imagined yet.

Sometimes plucking an idea out of the ether seems like a total impossibility. And sometimes creativity gets… stuck. When all things fail, I always try to look for a need (which somehow relates to your area of skill), and attempt to fill it in a different way. Like, for example, I noticed that when I started making our Quill & Ink dolls, that there were only a few options on the market for dolls for boys – real boysy cuddling companions (who like getting dirty, climbing trees and making mud pies almost as much as their owners do). And after a little thought, finding some old fashioned names, and sourcing the perfect fabric, it was a lot easier to take the leap to make Charlie.

Charlie, Spencer, Luca & Thaddeus

My two-cents worth of advice?

1. Enjoy the process! Creativity, imagination and making something new are amazing things.

2. Take notes while you’re experimenting and making, so that when you’re happy with the final product, you can re-create it.

3. Don’t worry if things go awry; few things ever go smoothly first time around, but you’ll learn lots of valuable lessons, and what not to do for next time in the process.

How do you find inspiration?



Kim

Adventurous Abigail

Sweet little Abigail has joined me for cake, but is dreaming into the sky;
She picks up her cup, leans back in her chair, and releases a little sad sigh.
‘Will I go to my new home soon?’ she asks, sipping on her tea;
‘I’m lonely for my small young friend, the one who’s meant for me.’
‘I’m sure you will, my little love – the time is almost here -
some sweet soul will snap you up, to bring their baby cheer.
Don’t fret, lovely Abby,’ I say to her, ‘Your friend is on the way;

You’ll soon be playing adventurous games and dreaming the day away.’

Abigail smiles at me, and I know she’s thinking of you,

about the day you’ll finally meet, and all the things you’ll do.

She gathers up her treasure map, a torch, and bag of supplies

And skips off for another quest, under bright-blue morning skies…

Abigail is available now through our Etsy store - or meet her at our stall at Mathilda’s Market on  the 6^th August x

Nat

Ps. All our gorgeous Quill & Ink Handmade tri-fold cards are now ON SALE!

Were $8 ea, now only $5.50 + postage. Check them out here.

A gorgeous autumn market and new homes for our beloved dolls…

I’m playing point and shoot this weekend – want to see what we’ve been up to?

Our lovely Mathilda’s Market stall…

After lots of last minute sewing, a long checklist, and a temporary panic regarding stock levels, we packed up the car and headed off to our first Mathilda’s Market yesterday morning.

Mum’s beautiful new cot quilt – available on our Etsy Store this week.  

We met so many lovely customers, received so much positive and encouraging feedback, and just loved watching the way people tentatively decided which doll they were going to take home (while holding three or four in their hands). After watching Kim spend hour upon painstaking hour lovingly crafting her dolls, it was the best reward of all to see them so universally loved – it makes my heart swell with pride for her.

Happy market faces!

I also lost track of how many times I heard beaming customers murmur (as they leant in close, studying each doll intently), ‘there’s just something about them…” – I’ve been smiling at their sentimental warmth and all morning. One delightful customer remarked that our dearly loved dolls were just so ‘wholesome’ – isn’t that the loveliest way to describe them? For me, this was the absolute highlight of the market; with our children growing up far too quickly, it’s so nice to be able to give them a slice of honest-to-goodness childhood through a friendly little doll – someone who hears all their whispered wishes, provides small reassurance in the darkness of the night, and is a universal sharer of afternoon teas, doctors visits, muddy puddles and long car trips.

So, to all our customers who gave our beloved dolls a new home – thank you! We hope that they’ll be a source of joy and comfort in the lives of your little ones. Please feel free to upload a photo on our Facebook page – we just love seeing our dolls being loved to bits by their new owners!

Nat

To market, to market...

After weeks and weeks of sewing, planning, making, and sourcing, our stall at Mathilda’s Market is almost here! We’re thrilled to be a part of the first market for 2011, and are so looking forward to meeting lovely customers, other wonderful stallholders, and being in the most delicious creative environment.

Three sleeps to go….

Nat

In the beginning...

The quest for a new doll starts out as just a pile of oddly cut but beautiful fabric, threads of all colours and sizes, and the noisy whirr of my 20 year old sewing machine; but, it isn’t until I attach the two wee shiny buttons for eyes, and a wide, deep pink smile that these little treasures come to life for me. Add to that a cute pair of shorts or a high waisted skirt, their hair neatly done, and a beautiful old-fashioned name, and look – they’re alive!

Old fashioned names have always evoked a sense of nostalgia and charm for me, so all of the dolls I make get a specially selected, carefully matched name. But, like a new parent, sometimes the hunt for the perfect name can be a long one. Does he look like a handsome little Hudson who can’t resist jumping off the sofa in an attempt to fly? Or does she look like a carefree Collette, who would love nothing more than to spend a hot afternoon jumping over a cool sprinkler in the backyard with her dog? 

You see my predicament?

What is never hard is finding absolutely mouth-watering fabrics from our local and interstate suppliers.  My heart beats a little faster, and my eyes get a little wider when I step into their stores, or go to a bustling fabric fare. I must admit, I have bought fabric for no project or purpose other than the fact that it is so beautiful - but, more often than not, a little red headed boy with a cheeky smile, or a daintily and perfectly dressed blonde girl slips into mind - and I can’t wait to make them, name them, and see them with a special little someone I know - being hugged tightly, or curled up for bed with their new best friend.

Sleeping Lou and Bonny Bea

The first doll I made was for my darling niece, Lou, for her first Christmas. As I made it, I hoped that little Bea would be a perfectly-sized friend for her, and something she would love and treasure for years to come. I hoped that she remembered Bea fondly as she grew older, and I put my heart into the making of her.

I’m pleased to say, that she is still a favourite – she’s been chewed on, hugged, tossed and washed more times that I can count, but Lou still loves her, and won’t sleep without her (and the rest of the entourage – Bea was joined by Charlie, Audrey and Millie all before her first birthday).

Lou also tends to claim every doll that enters the house as her own ‘Bubba,’ and it warms my heart to see her take one wherever she goes - tucked under her little arm as she waddles about.

 Kim

Ps. Bea, Charlie, and Audrey are all available in our Etsy shop now. Millie is in production and will be available online soon.