Back on track

Well I was off to the op shop this morning. As if Xmas didn't bring enough little goodies my way, I thought I might just take ten minutes, childless!!, and see what little treasures there were at the local Salvos.

Look what was waiting for me! All apparently from the same owner, as they all have the name Susan written in the same handwriting on in the inside cover.

And the gorgeous book titled Around the World Cutout Book has some great illustrations in it which I think would look lovely in a cloth book for a little girl I know! If only I had one of those trees on which grows money and time......

So that was Xmas....

I think I had a lovely Xmas this year.
That is if I can remember it.....

I've been holed up in bed with the dreaded flu... the bone aching, room spinning, chills and sweats flu....

So I've crawled (well almost) my way to the computer just to reconnect in some way with the outside world and share my sadness at missing the 20% off sale at Spotlight yesterday. I think that hurts more than the flu does.

Don't worry. I've had plenty of time to think and haven't forgotten about my 100th post giveaway.
I'll be posting about that soon. Promise. :)

Random photo from recent Bali trip due to lack of good xmas photos.....

Festive Find

I was just a smidge more than excited when I spied this beauty at a garage sale last weekend. Yes, back for two days and I was already beating the streets for finds.

The lady who was selling this tablecloth told me it was her mothers from the fifties. I love it for its festive feel and bright red colour, of which none is faded. All for $1. Bargain!!

Sorry for the shadow lines over the cloth... just couldn't get the right angle!!

And of course it's about ten centimetres too short on all sides for our big square dining table but what do I care?! I'm just in festive lurve...

Jewel coloured fabrics

I was very lucky to have some time whilst in Bali to visit Denpasar and its fabric shops.

It was a sewing gal's dream. Shop after shop after shop full of fabrics. All sorts. Batik, quilting quality, kids prints, you name it, I'm sure you could have found it.

I went only slightly silly in my fabric purchases. All the time thinking that I should retain the Silly Gilly style, and don't go overboard with buying simply everything! I found polka dots, mini dots, happy frogs, geckos, elephants, flowers, stars, and so much more.

So here are a few happy snaps of my newly arrived stash, safe at home in the studio...

These delicious prints will be made up into Silly Gilly items such as hats, smocks and more over the coming months. If you see a fabric you just have to have, contact me and I'll see what I can make up for you!

Now.... to find a spot for all this new fabric!

Silly Gilly went to Bali!

The Silly Gilly family went on a well-earned holiday to Bali and we have just returned.

There were so many wonderful things to see.....

Beautiful scenery

Beautiful people

Interesting sights (man on a motorbike)

Beautiful animals

Beautiful sunsets

I took lots of photos but not as many as I thought I would. Too busy rubbernecking and really immersing myself into the gentle and relaxed Balinese culture. It was my first visit to Bali, but the fourth for the rest of the family, and I'm definitely going back again.

And of course we visited Denpasar and the hideously delicious fabric shops. Just think Spotlight but ten times the scale with even more beautiful fabric. I was in bliss. I think I'll post about that this weekend with photos of the stash I brought home.

If only it came in my size....

I've just finished off another little girls hat and handbag set. I like this pair so much that I would love a set for myself, in my size of course... It's just something about navy, red and white that is so crisp and clean and perky!


I've been experimenting and having lots of fun adding different embellishments to the little girls hats. I was inspired by Nikki with her gorgeous hat embellishments. I'm finding my way and hope to find some good embellishments for boys hats soon.

Both of the hat and bag are lined with navy fabric featuring little white polka dots! Remember, if you see something on the Silly Gilly site and would like a matching accessory, just contact me and I will see if I can help! ETA Sorry to say this hat and bag have now sold!

Little Girls Hats and Handbags are here!

I've put together a couple of sets of little girls summer hats and handbag sets just in time for Christmas.

They are available for purchase each as a hat and bag set or individually. The green apple hat, Fruity Fresh, is size Large and the blue gingham, Susie Sweetpea, is size Medium. Both the bags and hats are fully lined and machine washable! That's important to know because I know how tough my almost 3yr old daughter is on her hats and bags!!

I'm also just finishing off tonight a gorgeous blue and red polka dot hat and bag set in size XLarge. I know there's lots of girl's things going into the Silly Gilly store at the moment but more boys things are on the way soon!

Share your dealers with me!!

My name is Gillian.

I have an addiction.

It is fabric. Lots of different sorts of fabric.
And my last craze is Japanese fabric, namely the cutesy kokka style with the mushrooms and the squirrels and the robots and the fairytale stories and..... you get the idea. Nearly all of the kids prints.

And I would like to find a wholesale source of the fabric, either here or in Japan.

Anyone want to share their dealer with me?? Come on... you know you want to... pretty please?
Flick me an email if you have the details of anyone who could help such a fabric addict as I.

Thanks. :)

An early Xmas at our house.

Baked these today for our Mothers and Babies Xmas picnic at the park.


Lovely Gingerbread cookies from the good old Betty Crocker book circa 1950. I love my Betty Crocker cook book. It's bright red and full of housewifely hints. I might even do a Betty Crocker post soon... See the icing tube on the right? That's my Tala icing set, circa 1940's. I felt downright housewife-ish, all 40's and 50's goodness.

Then off to said Xmas picnic, and now home. Daughter in bed asleep at 6.15pm after running herself silly at the park. Husband out enjoying himself at a work Xmas show. Me.... home.... happy.... sewing machine in my sights. Xmas has definitely come early at our house tonight.

I'm part the way through sewing some handbag and hat sets for little girls. Well, boys can have them too, I don't see why not?

Sweet Strawberries

Two new hats in the Silly Gilly store right now!


Strawberry Sundae - Size Small - to fit 4-8 months of age approx.


Suzie Sweetpea - Size Medium - to fit 6-18 months of age approx.

New bloomers are now in stock too. Just a couple new pair in now but more to come this week. And remember, any custom requests are most welcome at Silly Gilly. See something you like but it's not the right size? Just contact me and I'll see what I can do for you!

Red Ted Said....

We had a bit of a fashion shoot today with the fabulously creative Kate of Red Ted children's wear.

Kate works from home and creates original handmade and individual pieces of very wearable clothing for children. Sizes range from size 0 - size 4 and include items such as gauchos, pants, skirts, pinnies, jersey pants and scarves. No frills or flounces here, straight forward, funky and fun items of clothing.

Here are some pics of the gorgeous items Kate has for sale on her new website.


1. Dolly Skirt - Size 3
2. Bright Spark Gaucho Pants - Size 1



3. Hop Dick and Jane Pants - Size 3
4. Jelly Baby Jerseys - Size 0

Now I just need to find someone silly enough to make me a pair of those pink pants with the blue trim or the rainbow ones. They are so cute!!

Post #85

Surely that means that if I'm punctual and post nearly every day that before the end of the year I'll hit the 100th post milestone!! Whoo hooooo!

And surely that means a 100th post giveaway.

Any suggestions loyal readers? Now there's a question, seeing which of you know what I do and what I might be able to whip up to give away. I'm thinking big here gals, I'm thinking perhaps even making something. Or donating a garage sale purchase...... Nothing like a big build up.. LOL.

I also have a nerdy question - does anyone out there in blogland own a Canon multifunction Pixma MP540? I'm thinking of purchasing one and would like to hear of any good or constructive feedback. Thanks in advance.

And to finish off a completely info based post, here is a photo of a dog. My dog. Ella Bella Smella Puppy Power. Bless her little white fluffy paws. She's about as cute as this little furball.

I'm a winner!

I was the luckiest gal in Adelaide the other week when I was a winner of Lauren Williams' giveaway. Just check out the gorgeous handmade brooch and ring that I received in the post from Lauren! Thanks so very much Lauren!!!

They are in my favourite colours of the moment, red and aqua. Just gorgeous and the perfect thing to keep my new brooch addiction running along smoothly.

Sweet pink dolliness

This week has passed by so quickly and yet so slowly. I have been fully engrossed in making my last large Steiner doll for a customer's order. She has turned out beautifully, even if I do say so myself! So much so that it pains me to think I'm not making any more. But they are so time consuming and labor intensive that I really can't fit any more in until my daughter goes to school.

Here's a couple of photos of her just before she went to her new home.

Now for me it's back to smocks and summer hats and little girls handbags and aprons and library bags. Expect to see the stock in my store grow by the day! I've another post to write about some lovely things people have sent me but I'm off to play with someone and her new train set! No such thing as gender-specific toys in our house!

Back from the market!!

Wow, what an amazing and fun day I had today!

Today I had the chance to sell my wares at the Prospect Food, Fashion and Wine Affair today. I shared a stall with my neighbour and friend Kate, of red ted, who is a work at home mum like myself making funky and unique children's clothing. I thought I'd share a couple of pics of the stall and our things on display.

If the stall looks a little bare, it's because I took the photo at the end of the day after so many people had visited! Kate makes gorgeous clothing for children to size 4 such as skirts, pants, appliqued singlets and more. It was such a hit today that Kate and I are going to head to Fullarton Plant and Craft Market next weekend to see how we go there!

What blew me away though was having the opportunity to meet my customers face to face and overhearing their enthusiasm when looking through my products. It was a definite motivator and a great opportunity to get some direct customer feedback.

And to top off a wonderful day, I'm sitting typing and watching a glorious hot pink/orange sunset unfold. Life is good. Be happy all.

Where have I been?

Hiding away where no-one has seen!!

This week I've committed myself to hard labour in the sewing studio, getting ready for this Sunday's Prospect Fashion, Food and Wine Affair. I've been cranking out the summer hats and smocks, which are seeming to be popular at this time of year.

Here's a little peek at what's on my desk this morning.

Some finished and unfinished hats for little boys and girls. In the background, more hats and art smocks cut out and ready to roll.

I've also had the decadent delight of working all alone, that is, without any little 2 year old helper. My wonderful MIL has had her since yesterday afternoon and I have had the delicious taste of what life might be like when she is off to school in a few years. I have been able to focus all day so far on just sewing! No snack preparation, no pushing on the swing, no cleaning up messes. It's been bliss but golly me.... I Miss Her. There's been no-one to grab what I'm working on and run to the other end of the house, giggling all the way! I tried to do it by myself but it just didn't seem the same.

If you're in Adelaide on Sunday and near Prospect, come on by and say hello to my friend Kate and I at the market!

Beautiful Creatures at our House

We had such an interesting day yesterday with lots of different animal and bug sightings. We saw a beautiful bright green praying mantis on a trip to the accountants.... and yes the blogger in me wished I had my camera with me!

I also had the dog going crazy in the backyard so off I went to investigate. This little fellow was the cause of all the commotion. Isn't he beautiful!? A sweet blue-tongue lizard, just hanging out in the shade. It was such a great opportunity to show my daughter and have a discussion about what lives in the backyard.

And look what else landed at our place this morning.... a very fuzzy, buzzy bumble bee!! We have a belated Halloween party to attend this evening and I got to work last night on the overlocker. Boy, an overlocker sure makes quick work of fleece material! Hmm, that hood is a little big. Ah, well, a few safety pins will do the job!

New Art Smocks In Store

I've been busy sewing more smocks for the upcoming Prospect Road Fashion Food & Wine Affair. My friend Kate, who owns Red Ted kids wear, and I will be sharing a stall there on Sunday 16th November so for any of you in the Adelaide area, come on down and say hi!

Both of these smocks are definitely a trend setting statement for any young artiste out there with burgeoning creative skills. The smocks have a layer of plastic on their fronts that enable easy clean ups. There is a large pocket on the front and the back closes with two sets of ties. Available now at Silly Gilly.

Sweet little girl's handbag and hat set

As mentioned yesterday, I have just finished an order for a little girl's handbag and hat set in matching fabric. It was so much fun making these that I'm now cutting out more for the Silly Gilly store!

Here's a photo of the set destined for a little granddaughter soon...

Little girl's handbag

I recently had a request from a lovely lady to make a little matching hat and bag set for her granddaughter. It's been so much fun making something new and a little different to what I normally make. Methinks that I might be adding more little hat and bag sets to the store soon.... I'll post a photo tomorrow of the matching set.

Learn to Sew Lace Up Cards are here!!!!

Oh my giddy me, they are here. The lovely postman delivered the eagerly awaited big box all the way from the USA this morning. Boxes and boxes of sweet vintagey Learn to Sew Lace Up Cards by Moda.

Each kit, either Christmas themed or vintage animals, has six cards with pre-punched holes, two extremely blunt plastic needles and yarn. These kits are great for children to have fun whilst developing valuable skills such as hand-eye coordination, fine motor skills and concentration skills.

All available in the Silly Gilly store now!! Why not get organised for Christmas early!!??

If the magic book fairy dropped me a parcel....

.....this is what it would be....
This book, by Kathy Doughty and Sarah Fielke, is full of some of the most deliciously inspiring and exciting quilts I've seen in a long time. They speak to me as a combination of vintage style and modern ideas. Such beautiful fabrics and written in such an easy to read manner.

Kathy and Sarah run a patchwork shop in Gladesville, NSW. I wish it was a little closer, but they do have an online store too....

They have a blog too - Material Obsession. Go have a look and be absolutely gobsmacked at some of the work the girls and their friends have been doing.

Coming soon - Lace Up Cards!!

I'm so excited!! I have an exciting box wending its way here from the USA. It is full of some more Moda Lace Up Cards and also this time Christmas Lace Up Cards.

These kits were so popular last time - they all raced out the store in about a week! I have a set for my daughter, who is almost three, and she loves it. She is quite good at sewing random patterns now that I have I shown her how to move the plastic needle up and down through the card.

I'll update here on the blog when they arrive and are in the store. :)

And the winners are.......

Congratulations to sewfunky and Linda!!!!!

These two girls have such fun and interesting blogs, sewfunky even has four blogs going at the one time! I'm impressed, I can only think of witty things to say for one blog, let alone four...

Everyone, your comments made me absolutely cack myself. I've been telling all and sundry about all the great comments, mostly to quizzical looks..... hmmm... methinks those people don't read blogs....

Gals, flick me via email your snail mail addresses and I will pop in the mail six Little Golden Books to each of you.

I've been dreaming of a crafty getaway lately but unfortunately it's not in the budget right now. But I'm happy to share the crafty getaway goodness with you all. Jodie from Quilt Fabric Delights is hosting Inspired Stitches next year here in South Australia. You will get to meet and work with Rosalie Quinlan, Leanne Beasley of Leanne's House, Melanie Hurlston of Melly & Me, and Janelle Wind, all very talented crafters in their own right.

And I've been drooling and sighing and wishing and dreaming about Sooz's getaway from which she recently returned. Ah, is it bad form to invite yourself to other people's crafty weekends........?

Sweet Singer sewing

Methinks I should stop going to garage sales. Soon... maybe.

Okay, perhaps just give it a rest for a couple of weeks. Because the good garage sale karma is going to run out soon.... maybe....

Lookie here at what I found this morning, bright and early at 8.30 at the local church garage sale.....



It's a Singer 201K Sewing Machine, circa 1952. And I have it on good authority that the lady who donated it states that it is in perfect working order. Oh my, oh my, oh my......

And I already have a beautifully restored singer sewing table/cabinet for this baby to sit in. Hopefully the machine fits. You don't really worry about that when the sewing machine is going for a stupendously small amount of $10.

New products in store at Silly Gilly

Are you looking for an affordable gift for a birthday or (hold onto your seat....) Christmas?

The Silly Gilly store had a major influx of new products yesterday. Hand embroidered T-Shirts, little Steiner handmade felt gnomes, perfect for imaginative play and a few new summer hats (more on the way, I'm sewing as we 'speak'!!). And the good news is that there are lots of items in the store for which you won't pay postage!!!!! That's right, FREE POSTAGE on T-Shirts and Aprons.


Each of these T-Shirts are one of a kind so get in before they fly off with their free post deal!

Something that makes me smile is that the Silly Gilly blog tends to get about. The world, that is. This little blog has been mentioned on other people's blogs all around the world, which to be honest boggles my brain cells a little.

Tonight I've been informed that I've been featured on MomDot. MomDot is a mum blog listing site that is run by mummy bloggers, trisha, alicia, and bridgette.They run contests weekly, reviews on awesome (and not so awesome) products for family and kids, and talk about their lives. But more importantly, they feature bloggers and mum boutiques to give them an avenue to get their name out there, also assisting in google links! You can head out and list your blog for free and talk to them about doing an interview about you. Head on over and see what MomDot is about!

Hanging with the famous people...

I had the splendiferous opportunity last night to meet the very talented
Michael Franti and Spearhead.

If you've not heard of this man or his band before, have a listen.

And here's a very fuzzy photo but proof enough still that I met the amazing man himself.
That's Michael Franti in the middle. He was a very friendly, tall and approachable man who even complimented me on my glasses!