I’ve been putting off this post for a whole week now, just waiting until I’ve sewn enough to be able to show you. But alas, they’re taking a wee bit longer to finish off than expected; it’s all that figuring out and cutting real fruit to see exactly what’s on the inside, and drawing patterns, and trying things that look wonderful in my imagination, but not so wonderful once sewn and in my hands.
That, and the visiting of patisseries for inspiration (and treats – I really can’t help myself. It’s absolutely ridiculous).
So, launching this year, alongside our gorgeous petit fours, are fruit tarts – perfect for play and picnics and made from the softest, most gorgeous wool blend felt. Each one is hand and machine sewn, and based loosely on tarts found in my favourite local haunts – Banneton Bakery and the famous Samford Patisserie. I swear, if I could make up a bed in either of these places, I’d quite happily live there and eat tarts for every meal.
They’ll have their debut, along with a whole new Q&I market look, at our first booking for the year, Mathilda’s Market, on the 24th of March. And they’ll be making their way to our Etsy store this week – delish!
My sewing nook is looking so wonderfully colourful with all this gorgeous new stock – it definitely inspires me to keep creating, to keep trying new things.
Oh! I almost forgot!
I have one tart shell left to fill – it’s made up of a pastry base and chocolate filling. Any ideas as to what could go on top?
As a young adult, in my secret heart of hearts, I wanted to be a patisserie chef. I loved to bake, had an authoritative sweet tooth, and just loved the way that cakes and tarts and other sweet goodies were put together, layer upon layer, to become a miniature masterpiece.
Baking wasn’t the road I ended up following, but I’ve managed to come back to it in the most unlikely way – through hand-sewn cakes, pies and tarts - our beloved new range available this year at all our markets.
I’ve been busy experimenting with toppings and fruit, and have a whole bakery stand prepared for Mathilda’s next month. And because they’re now sold individually, you can pick out the ones you really love – maybe a banoffie pie, or a caramel and strawberry mud cake, or maybe even a light and fluffy vanilla sponge with bright pink icing, deliciously dripping and stamped with a sugar heart…
This week, I’m putting the finishing touches on my patterns for tarts and pies, and will start to sew the first batch. I’m so hoping they’ll be as sweet as they are in my imagination!
Do you have a favourite tart or cake?
I’m always looking for inspiration, so let me know!
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 25th 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!
It really is beginning to look a lot like Christmas, isn’t it?
We had a wonderful day at the Blackwood Street Farmers Market yesterday, and loved talking to so many lovely customers about their Christmas plans. It was deliciously hot, and we were surrounded by the best gourmet and locally produced food – which makes for a pretty perfect Sunday morning.
We’ve got two weeks to tackle (and conquer!) a maddening list of sewn goodies, and then it’s off to our last Mathilda’s Market for the year. If you’re in Brisbane, come on in for a look - The line up for this market is just divine, and featuring a lot of our favourites, including the very cool Furious Kingston, lovely summery Kaftan Kids, the bright and eclectic Wimcee, and the snuggly Frankandharps. And there’ll be dumplings for lunch from Happy Little Dumplings – delish!
We’ve also been hard at work creating some fun new products – one in particular I absolutely can’t wait to see transform from sketch to reality. Think small tattoo, nautical, eye patch, and ‘Land Ho!!’ (Sneak peek soon!)
Take lots of daydreams about sweet, pretty cakes, simple sketches and carefully knuckled out patterns, the softest wool felt, cups of tea and Italian biscuits, and an afternoon of wonderful conversation, and this is what you get:
The newest addition to our market line-up for Christmas this year are these delicious petit fours (6), beautifully boxed, and ready for hours of the sweetest pretend play!
Pre-order your box today – only $25 + postage; or if you’re in Brisbane, pick them up at one of our local markets….
Nat
Ps. Waiting on supplies to arrive in order to finish the last cake. But I’ve sketched out a Neapolitan-style petit four, garnished with banana and kiwi fruit – if I can figure out the best way to do it!
It’s been a busy, flying-out-the-door, need-more-hours-in-the-day start to the week, as it usually is during the lead up to a new market. But I’m putting down my needle and thread this afternoon and stopping for a wee while, to appreciate what it is to be still - to stop, close my eyes, breathe, and relax.
I’m listening to some rainbow lorikeets fussing about in the banksias’ in our back garden, and can just see a baby bearded dragon sitting as still as stone in the fading sunlight. I baked the most moreish oat, honey and sultana slice late last night, and it’s sitting on a saucer before me, along side a fresh cup of coffee; and I’ve just picked up a book I ordered from the library – ‘Home made Vintage’ by the very clever gals at Cabbages and Roses. Perfect afternoon tea reading.
You can now find our lovely Nursery Flying Birds in our Etsy store!
Made from the softest boutique cotton materials and coordinating patterns, these flying birds make the most perfect addition to any nursery or bedroom…
Looking for a particular colour combination? Contact us for a custom order!
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.
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 onthe 6th 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.
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,
There has been a real resurgence for handmade in Brisbane, and steady growth in clever local artists selling their beautiful goods – and I for very glad. Sites like madeit and Etsy have made accessing handmade even easier, and little boutique markets are popping up all over the place and developing a loyal handmade following.
I love handmade items – and no, it’s not just because we run Quill and Ink Handmade, and love making gorgeous things for lovely people. I love buying handmade because it supports local artists, stay-at-home mums and dads, hobbyists, and clever creative types; I also love buying something that’s been made with care and love, something that’s been locally designed and produced, and something that supports our local economy.
But my favourite reason for buying handmade? Every artist generally has a great story to tell about the origins of their business; and therefore, every piece has a great story.
Take, for instance, the lovely Steph from Mon Petite Poppet: she began her French inspired clothing label when little daughter Bijou was born. Admitting to having a passion for all things French, Steph wanted to create clothes for her little jewel Bijou that weren’t frilly or fussy, that were practical, made with beautiful natural materials, and that shied away from the brand name gauntlet. The result is the most divine collection of French inspired blouses (and one seriously cute denim cape with red and white polka dot lining), which feature beautiful patterns in soft natural colours.
Another favourite: The beautiful and very sweet Kia from Hello Kia. Kia handcrafts the loveliest stamps sets which combine traditional Japanese carving methods, learnt in the mountain village of Takayama, with the Danish idea of hygge (sense of warmth, homeliness), and taking joy in ordinary things. Quite a culture mix, huh?
Her stamp sets are distinctive, quirky, fun, and sweetly simple – and each one celebrates the everyday in the most delightful of ways. The clever Kia also makes gorgeous crochet baby rattles using super soft Australian merino wool – a skill learnt as a child from her mother, and an old fashioned style that she’s lovingly reviving.
Available from Hello Kia on Etsy and Kia Hing Fay's Website
I love that Brisbane is bustling with handmade loveliness, and that ordinary people are taking the plunge and creating extraordinary, beautiful, and meaningful things. And it’s a lovely thing to be a part of this blossoming community of creatives.
Do you like buying handmade? Have you recently bought a handmade item with a great story behind it?
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!
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.
