Drizabone sale

The other week when Townmouse got together with Drizabone for a little sale, it was just a precursor to the real Drizabone sale that starts tomorrow (Wednesday) evening with a family and friends night.

Here's the low-down:  Townmouse blog readers are welcome to pop along to the family and friends pre-sale evening, between 4pm and 7pm on Wednesday 25th November.  The address is Botherambo Street, Richmond.  The sale is then open to the public on the Thursday, Friday, Saturday AND Sunday between 9am and 4.30pm.

You can get wonderful merino active wear like the garment above for $40.  This is perfect for skiing and they have some fabulous colours.

I picked up this wonderful distressed leather jeans jacket for next to nothing.  So head on over to Richmond if you want to grab a bargain. This is a true warehouse clearance so prices are great.

Sydney sojourn

Wow, the last few weeks have flown by.  Last week I had a girl's weekend in Sydney with Adelaide and my mother.  It was a work trip - I had a stall at the annual Lindesay House Gift Fair in Darling Point.  Adelaide and Mum had some bonding time together.

With four children and a husband who travels frequently and without warning, markets are not something I've tried to fit into life of late.  However, I couldn't say no to Lindesay - a fair I really enjoy each year.  This is the fourth year I have taken part, and it proved to be the most successful year to date.  In fact, I came home with my bags considerably lighter, with enough room for a few purchases of my own from fellow stallholders.

A stall selling linen from Eastern Europe tempted me with oven mitts and apron in this lovely grey stripe that will be perfect in my stainless steel and white kitchen.

This block printed and hand stitched quilt from India will be light as air to sleep under this summer at Flinders.

And look how the humble string bag is greatly enhanced by a Liberty button from the lovely Giotta from Miss Beba.  Giotta has a keen eye for detail and great style.  Her stall was opposite mine and gave me plenty of lovely things to look at during our three days at the fair.  She's also a lover of Liberty prints like me.

Happiness is..

I recall reading an article about happiness.  The gist of it was that it can be the little things that make you happy, like cleaning out a cupboard or finally doing a task you've been putting off, more than the lotto win or the new car.

And I must agree that I always have a spring in my step after completing my quarterly tax statement, or when the kitchen bench is clean.

To that end, I'm hoping by Thursday lunchtime I'll be absolutely ecstatic.  I've spent the last two mornings packing up my stock and setting it up for a HUGE SALE at the Driza-bone warehouse in Richmond, Melbourne.  I now have empty drawers in my comptoir.  I'm hoping they remain empty, that I clear all my stock and don't have to bring any of it back to the studio.

In order to achieve this happy state I have heavily discounted all the stock I've grown tired of.  That means there are selected tees and bodysuits from $10, tops and bottoms from $15.  I've also bundled up lots of skirt and top sets at great prices.  Just because I want to declutter my studio.

So if a bargain makes you happy, head over here for the details.

(Image courtesy of Martha Stewart)

Too good

I think this fabric range was designed just for me.  Yesterday I dropped in to Amitie and found myself face to face with a very pretty range of fabrics in a perfect French red and naturals.

Adelaide, I think you're going to need a red coat next winter.  The top fabric I think I will make into something smocked with red thread.  The others, well I'm not sure yet.

I spent at least 30 minutes looking over the fabrics.  It was too hard to decide which ones I liked best - they were all so lovely.  The only thing to do in such a situation is buy a fat quarter of all the other favourites - which I did.

I wasn't planning on it, but it seems now I'm making another quilt.  So tonight when the house is quiet I think I'll pull out all my quilting books and look for a pattern.

But for now, I'd better get back to work to pay for my fabric purchases.

When the cat's away, Townmouse does play

Will is overseas for work at the moment.  When he travels I tend to spend a lot more time playing in my studio late at night.

I didn't make a start on the aforementioned shirt, as I got distracted by the sudden urge to draft a bloomer pattern - as you do.

The pattern is very simple.  No centre seam, which I think is so cute.  It has an elastic waistband at the back, and shirring at the front.

This is a very versatile garment.  Ideally the bloomers are underwear (and this pair will be perfect to cover a nappy under this dress), but look sweet with a simple tee and cardi for more casual days.  They would also be very comfortable to sleep in and make gorgeous pyjama bottoms for little girls.

I'm thinking about...

... making a shirt for Adelaide in this fabric if I find the time tonight.  I've always loved little girls in blue - it's my favourite colour after all.

Right now she has blue eyes so the colour suits her.  Max's eyes changed from blue to green at 18 months surprisingly, so Adelaide may not always be a blue-eyed girl.

I just love this provencal print. 

The bowerbird's nest

I've been coming across lots of interesting stuff on the net lately.  One lovely find is My Bower Bird.  Therese (a Townmouse customer) is behind the idea.  She has been busy colating information about amazing products and websites, and has put it all together on her site.

I'm sure her home is a real nest of treasures.  My favourite find from My Bower Bird is this yummy stationery.