Do What You Love

Such simple but powerful words.

Whilst I couldn't sleep last night, I did some 4am blog reading. I stumbled across this treasure on Build A Little Biz. It got me thinking.

As a work at home mum, I juggle the 6 hours a day I have free whilst my daughter is at school and designate equal amounts of time to the housework and to my businesses. My time is precious and I would much rather be spending my time wisely during those 3 hours a day that I do have for my businesses.

I started Silly Gilly three years ago and have broadened my product scope during that time. But last night whilst reading this great article, a little light came on in my head. I need to focus on doing what I love and only that. I'm in business for myself for a reason. Not to do what I think other people want me to do. Or things that are quick and easy to produce. I need to be throwing myself into creating items that I love and be sure in the knowledge that that will show through in the end product.

So over the next week I will be clearing out items in the Silly Gilly store that, whilst they are beautiful items and perfectly great, don’t fit exactly where I would like to be heading with my brand.

First off my fleece hats and scarves are now on sale and reduced by 35%. Such a perfect time of the year to snap up a bargain to keep those cute little noggins warm!

Sweet Vintagey Goodness

I popped into the Nth Adelaide Vintage & Fashion Fair on Sunday and found a lovely little treasure trove of vintagey goodness to trawl through.

It was a quick but successful visit as I found a new member to add to my vintage planter collection that I spoke about last year. For $4! This little beauty isn't strictly a planter but I believe it's a milk jug that goes with a tea set similar to this.

And this new little treasure is sitting on my rapidly progressing Lone Star quilt. I'm using my precious collection of Momo Wonderland and hopefully it will turn out ok.... Have to admit I'm a little nervous just winging it and not following a pattern but so far so good.

Progress on Janelle Wind's Little Bluebirds

I started this quilt back in 2008. Wow. Three years ago! I loved the colour scheme of the red, aqua and white so very much and bought it as a monthly kit from Sarah at Quilt Fabric Delights.

I'm not much of an embroidery gal but thought the amount of stitchery on this quilt was achieveable. But what I did underestimate was how slow and challenging I would find the needle turn applique. I'm hopeless at it! So much to my dismay the quilt kit sat hibernating in my cupboard for 3 years. Until now.

Recently my genius friends suggested a whole new way to approach the applique which really inspired me again to get stuck into it. Why not raw edge applique the quilt in the same manner that Kellie Wulfson does? Of course!! So yesterday out it came and I achieved so much now that the mental road block of turned edge applique is far over the horizon.

There's lots more to come but I was so excited to get this far so quickly that I wanted to share it with you.

Around the Block 2 - Block for Sheridan

I had loads of fun making this block, my second last, in the Around the Block 2 swap. Sheridan asked for lots of white in her block which was a challenge for me as I'm normally into saturating things with colour.

I liked the freedom of making it up as I went along and finding the balance in the negative spaces. Good one to stretch the brain cells this one!

It's been a while...

Hi there peeps!

Life's been crazy busy here in the Silly Gilly household. What's been going on?

* Giant dog has been jumping over our 6 foot fence to escape. Numerous times.
* I had a day where I had purple hair by accident at the hairdressers.
* I've been sewing fabrics together random patchwork style and loving the freedom of it.
* I've been to listen to Dr Jane Goodall speak about her life working with chimpanzees in Africa.
* I've felt very proud of the Australian people who spoke out and voiced their opinions about stopping the live export of cattle to the slaughterhouses of Indonesia.

And I've been crafting....

Tote bag made with Saffron Craig prints I picked up whilst at SIT.

New favourite skirt I made from scrap packs purchased from Prints Charming and sewn during a sew along organised by the amazing Karen. We used the book Sew What Skirts! and it was a quick and easy skirt to make.



I've gotten amazingly addicted to making school bows for my daughter's hair. I've even started making them for other people, custom matched to their school colours.



Attended the Lollipop Market as a stall holder and introduced a new line of Newsboy hats. They were very popular!





Had gallons of fun making doll clothes for the monthly sale at Gossamer Dreams, which is on tonight! I used some precious Prints Charming fabrics I had.

So life has been busy of late. Always is in June for me. I'm solo parenting this week due to Mr Silly Gilly being off on a work trip but I love it as I can craft the night away every night once poppet is in bed.

Enjoy the cold weather, all.... Just think, we'll be complaining about the hot weather in a matter of months!