What was I thinking?

Things not to do in 43 degree weather:

* Decide to be thrifty and sew your own fitted sheets
* Buy not quite enough fabric to cover length of mattress
* Sew said sheets in an unconditioned room
* Find at the end of the whole event you haven't saved any money whatsoever

I managed to find coordinating pink polka dot material in my stash (thankyou Jodie) and make up the length of the sheets. Here are said sheets. I don't want to look at them right now.

Anyway I can't. I think I've melted into a puddle under the sewing bench...

Sewing Mojo In Overdrive!!

I was feeling less than unmotivated in the post-Xmas slump. Then I went on a solo road trip to the Trash and Treasure Blogmeet.

Nothing like a meeting with like minds to restart your creative engines! I've been re-energised and am so keen to get into my studio and sew like crazy! I've even been making things like dresses for my own daughter, can you believe it!?

Yes folks, it's like the wife who has a plumber for a husband. She'll have that leaky tap at home for weeks before he gets to it. I am always sewing something but more often than not, 'It's for the shop'. Poor neglected child!

This time Enid Gilchrist came to the rescue and I used this pattern from Enid's Three to Six book. It's a draft-yourself type pattern which was really easy. Got to love a pattern for a good old frock. And one that apparently 'Makes washing easy'. I just love the little flower pocket detail!

And this is the result...

And I've also been busy sewing for Silly Gilly. You've seen the smock and library bags and today I posted off some more wet bags to Oz Baby Trends. Look out, bloomers for 18mths - 3yrs and new Japanese craft print library bags coming soon to Silly Gilly...

Sweet Kindy Set

I've been busy sewing for custom orders and have just finished this little set of art smock and library bag in matching fabric for a lovely customer over in WA.


And another library bag is now in the Silly Gilly store - Surfing Safari. I just love how summery it looks!

Not another collection!

I am currently collecting the following things:

Little Golden Books (vintage in particuar)
Vintage retro biscuit Tins
Vintage kids books -Whitman Fuzzy Wuzzy Books, Wonder Books, Rand McNally Jnr Elf Books
Vintage Tupperware
Brooches made by very clever ladies

But I just found this photo on Flickr.... Oh no.... I feel another collection coming on... But dang this collection might prove a tad expensive! It's called Pixieware. Lots of it on Ebay in the US. Isn't it cute!!?? Anyone know that I've correctly identified it as Pixieware?

Meet Magoo!

Here's a fellow I made recently for my daughter's birthday. Magoo is a Melly & Me pattern and was quick and simple to whip up.

My daughter has renamed him - Sour Cream. She loves eating sour cream right out of the container so of course it's a logical name for a new toy!

And lucky me is looking forward to meeting Melanie Hurston of Melly & Me at Inspired Stitches being run by Quilt Fabric Delights. It's an all weekend stitching retreat held here in Adelaide. I've treated myself to a weekend away stitching and I can't wait!! Any other Adelaideans coming??

Tutus and Trikes

I've had a busy couple of days.

Announcing giveaway winners, sewing wet bags, packaging up my I'm a Ginger Monkey Fat Quarter Swap package (Fern it's on it's way tomorrow!), and drafting an Enid Gilchrist pattern to use for a dress for my daughter which, now I'm almost finished, is turning out to look more like a party frock than the simple sundress I had imagined I was creating... I'll post a pic once I've hemmed and buttoned it all up.

Here's a pic of my first two wet bags I've whipped up for a gal called Eva. She has an online store but I won't say which one yet as I haven't asked her if she wants me to blab! What are wet bags, you ask? They're primarily used by people who use cloth nappies on their babies. Once you have a wet nappy, you simply pop it in the wet bag and zip it up till you get home and can launder it. The bags are made from a specially coated material called PUL which prevents any wetness from wicking, or leaking, from the inside to the outside. Just think of wetbags as reusable plastic bags that look a lot groovier!


I whipped this little skirt out for my daughter before Xmas but it was confiscated in the name of crazy 3yr old behaviour. Now it's out and ready to be worn many a day. I like it. Of course, sorry for the blurry photo. You just can't hold a 3yr old still for any length of time. Unless it involves icecream....

It's also been terribly hot here in little 'ol Adelaide. 37 degrees for two days straight. So when the cool change came through this afternoon, out came the tutu, gumboots and trike for a while.

A gal's gotta have the right attire for speed racing in the backyard, now doesn't she!!?

We Have A Winner!!

I found a fantastic name drawing program thanks to Our Shabby Cottage called the Hat.

So here, without further ado, is the winner.....

Congratulations Selina!!

You have won the Silly Gilly Mystery box!!!!! I can tailor it a little to you and your children, so let me know their names and ages too if you would be so kind.

Yay! I love giving things away. Warms the little cockles of my heart. Awww......

The Alpha Mummy

I start this post to say that I am very happily a stay at home mum to my daughter. It is a job and a half but I love it.

And I love the myth of the perfect fifties housewife, the apron, the perfect hair, the shiny happy children, the drink for the husband as he arrives home. I strive to achieve those ideals every day in my home.

Of course, our house is nothing like that. But in cake decorating for birthdays, I give it a heck of a go!

Here's my effort for my daughter this week. It's from the Women's Weekly Kids Cake book. Not at all what the cake in the book looks like but I'm super happy with how it turned out.

Now I just have to work out how to do the housework every day and I'll be the alpha mummy for sure!

Pay It Forward

Sometimes life gives you a little challenge to get through. That said, often during those challenges life sometimes also gives you a person or two who appear out of the blue and help you through said challenge.

I recently had a very sudden health challenge of my own and during investigations, which involved a really long needle and my spinal cord, I had a man help me. He supported me so very much it really keeps sticking in my mind how much of an effect he had on my coping ability through that challenge. He didn't do much but it was his manner and his kind words that had such an impact. I have felt compelled to give him a little gift (Haighs chocolates of course) just to show my gratitude and appreciation of how much the little he gave me mattered.

Note - Silly Gilly is well, nothing to be alarmed about. I don't usually mention personal issues here but it flows on well to the main reason for this post.

Betty Jo of Lino Forest fame had a Pay It Forward post a while back. I was one of the lucky first three that signed up. So what do you think lobbed into my letter box this week?

Such gorgeously packaged goodness from Liz....


This gorgeous Sunshine behind the Happy Cloud brooch from Lino Forest. So cleverly hand crafted from vintage lino and buttons. She's a clever gal, that Betty Jo... Check out the wrapping too! Vintage maps of Australia. Very retro, very me!

What a noice concept. Receive one gift from someone and send three out into the world. Noice. Just plain noice.

So if you would like to be part of the Silly Gilly Pay It Forward team, just be one of the first three to leave a comment mentioning you would like to be involved. If you do, you will need to post about Pay It Forward on your blog and be prepared to send hand crafted gifts to three people who sign up with you. Clear as mud? Here's a grand description on The Royal Sisters blog, with whom Betty Jo signed up.

THE RULES:

I will make a handmade gift for the first 3 interested people
who comment on this post and I have 365 days (ample time)
to do it in...
You must have a blog to join in and be willing to do
the same for three other people...
Lets have fun!!!

Hark, I hear the trumpets' fanfare! Part 2

I was going to mention the 101th post (yes, the 'th' bit is deliberate, I think it sounds better than 'st') in my last post but it was getting so long!

So here is the announcement of my 101th post giveaway. I've decided to be a woman of intrigue and mystery and make the giveaway a mystery giveaway.

What on earth might one find in their parcel if they were the winner of a Silly Gilly mystery giveaway? Vintage patterns, vintage children's books, ribbon, bias trim, buttons, fabric, new kids patterns for toys or clothing, fabric scraps... the list goes on but the box, yes box!, will be full of lovely things that, if you like what I like, will make you overjoyed!!

But there is a tiny catch. I want to make you work for your goodies. That and I like doing market research via my blog. Tell me your favourite type of Silly Gilly item from the list below and why it's your fave. By favourite, I mean what you think is the cutest, most useful, nicest to give as a gift...

• Art Smock
• Apron
• Summer Hat for boys and girls
• Fleece Hat for boys and girls
• Library Bag
• Bloomers for girls
• Steiner Toys
• Girls Handbags
• Learn to Sew Cards

And if you would like to be in the draw twice, mention this giveaway on your blog and link to this post! Good luck with the giveaway. The winner will be drawn 8.30pm Adelaide time Sunday 18th January.

And to prove that Jodie isn't just borrowing those really good cat photos from some cute cat photo site, here is a photo I took of her cute cat on Saturday. He is such an easy study! All he does is lie there and in this photo seems to be saying, Hurry up! Take it already!!

Hark, I hear the trumpets' fanfare! Part 1

Yes, this is my 101th post. Hooray!

And hooray for me making it back alive and with a grin from ear to ear from the Trash and Treasure blogmeet in Ballarat, Victoria.

I had been feeling a little mojo-less and very unmotivated in the post Xmas anti-climax. What better way to cure such ails than to drive 6.5 hours across country to meet up with people to whom you've never spoken and have a picnic!!??

I had a fantastic time, met some far travelling, inspiring, hilarious, friendly, creative, well dressed, welcoming women and have come back home feeling very refreshed and excited about crafting and sewing again. Here's a picture of us all tucking into our picnic lunch. Thanks Jodie for the food!

After the picnic, off to Jodie's house for some afternoon tea, then off to Annie's place for a tour of her lovely garden, her exotic smelling front yard and pizza for dinner. By the way, there seems to be a lot of cats in Ballarat... and they sneak up on you when you aren't paying them any attention....Trash in the middle, Lucy Lockett and Jodie hanging out with the chookens.

Of course, I shopped. Those of you who know me personally know that it's quite an achievement for me to spend much at all on anything for myself. But spend I did. At op shops on the way, at the delicious Ballarat Patchwork store (Emma, who owns the store, is not only a nice person too but absolutely gorgeous!!), at garage sales on the way home.... and yes, there are some good bakeries between here and Ballarat!

Thought I would share some of my finds....

Beautiful fabric that Jodie threw at me, literally, whilst soaking up the sewing mojo in her craft room. All perfect for the Silly Gilly store! Even the shabby chic pink polka dots will be loved!

Some gorgeous Kokka japanese prints from Ballarat Patwork.

Have you ever seen so many Enid Gilchrist books snaffled in one go??!! I could have bought more but was starting to feel that I should leave the remaining books for other people. And below, more Golden Books, a gorgeous tin for my haberdashery and some bias.

Lucky last is the lady on the front of this booklet I found. It makes me giggle... is she wishing her waist be small enough for the dress? Is she grimacing because her name is Lucille? Made me smirk anyhoo...

I didn't mean it...

So I just happened to drive down to Yankalilla today.

And I just happened to say 'Oh my gosh, what a coincidence, that's the shop with the really nice fabric' as I drove by. So of course I had to stop. And look what mugged me as soon as I got through the door. I couldn't leave without it.... Oh dear.

And now with no room for more fabric, this Mexican oilcloth, perfect for aprons and art smocks, is destined to be made up pretty soon into something delicious!

If you are in SA and heading down the Fleurieu peninsula, stop in and say hi to Jodie. She's lovely, I've been chatting to her online for a couple of years now.

Jodie also has an extensively stocked online store Nappies Covered. She sells nappy making supplies, PUL (plastic coated fabric), microfleece, suedecloth, hemp, bamboo, hook and look and elastics. I also get some of my size labels through Jodie. Her postage is very reasonable and her customer service is outstanding!

It's official

I have to stop buying fabric.

I can't physically fit any more fabric into my fabric stash cupboard.

So now I have to sew like the crazy sewing woman that I am so that I use my stash so that I can buy some more! You sewing gals out there will understand that silly logic.

I realised the space was full when I was pushing fabric in on one pile and the pile next to it was slowly falling out.

But I did manage to snaffle myself, as the last bit of fabric to enter the stash, some of this fabric which is absolutely perfect for Silly Gilly products!! It's vintage style, 50's style, it's for kids, it's beautiful... and somehow 9 metres of it ended up in my hand. Oh my...

Even if it does have clowns on it.....
I don't do clowns....

Silly Gilly is a nervous Nellie

I've been procrastinating when it comes to finishing a 'big girl's' quilt for my daughter. I can't honestly remember when I started the quilt, suffice to say she wasn't walking, so that would be a good almost 2 years ago.

The top is pieced and the backing is now together. All I have to do is quilt it. I say 'all' but golly me if I 'aint as nervous as Bambi in the forest.

And of course there is the self-imposed pressure as we are considering buying my almost three year old a big girl's bed, so of course she can't sleep in it without her big girl's quilt. Dang, I don't want to start and muck the whole thing up but in the same breath, I can't wait to get stuck in.

Here's a little peek of me finishing off some embellishments yesterday.