Townmouse

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.

Enough sugar to last a year

In our little pocket of Melbourne Halloween is embraced with enthusiasm.  There were gangs of ghouls and witches roaming the streets at dusk. 

 

We managed to attract a few to our house with our Jack-o-lanterns and bats.

The windows beside our front door open on hinges.  When there was a knock at the door, 4 year old Henri would dole out treats through the window, barking orders, "One at a time", "Take just one".  You have to admire such temerity.

Happy Halloween all.

Doing the laundry

I'm building up stock of a few Laundry Bags.

I like making up these bag panels as it gives me a chance to play with all my favourite fabric scraps.  My seamstress will whip them up into bags on Monday.  I get to do the fun part.

So impressed

After exchanging some emails with Liesl recently, she generously sent me a lovely parcel with a few of her Oliver & S patterns.  I loved the look of the Jump Rope Dress at first sight and was keen to play with the pattern. 

This is my first attempt at an Oliver & S pattern.  It is a lovely pattern to work with.  I am so in awe of the precision of the design and the intelligent way the instructions are written.  You really can't go wrong if you follow the steps and accompanying diagrams.

There are so many thoughtful little details in the design.  The collar sits beautifully (I'm very fussy when it comes to collars), and I love the fabric tie around the waist.

It's safe to say that Adelaide will end up with a few Jump Rope Dresses in her wardrobe.  I'd love to see it in a light weight denim, or linen.  I even thought it could look cute in a mix of shirting fabrics from Will's old Thomas Pink shirts that I've been collecting for years.  Stay tuned for more.

Doorway puppet theatre

Too cute!

Found here.

Winging it

When I bought my new domestic sewing machine 9 years ago, I remember finding the instruction booklet quite a revelation.  Prior to that, I had sewn on my mother's machine from the 1970s.  After reading the instruction booklet, I was amazed at how much my new machine could do.

My machine is nothing super special.  It has a few decorative stitches, one of which I use every day for Townmouse appliques.  But with a few different needles or feet, it can do so much.  This detail uses a wing needle.

Just the thing to add a bit of interest to a plain white shirt.

 

 So if you've never paid much attention to your instruction booklet, you may be pleasantly surprised like I was.  

What clever tricks have you been able to do with your sewing machine?