a food oriented week

I couldn't resist making french toast for breakfast on the last day of the year! 

a bit of this and a bit of that

Today has been a creative day in a different sense of the word. I've taken this week off from sewing and have been enjoying catching up on all those things that get put to one side during the busy times of the year. 

After breakfast I took myself off to the nursery to finally get my garden sorted. Since I started working from home, I've realised how important it is to have some extra space to relax in outside of the house. My garden has been a bit forgotten about and with some of the weeds now reaching head height, it was time to take action! A few new tools, some big pots, and a bunch of vegies and herbs got me started. The most exciting addition to my garden is my new worm farm! I've been determined to get a bit more environmentally friendly with how I live and the worm farm is one step towards this. It was so much fun setting it up, and I was surprised that I didn't freak myself out when putting the worms in!

After an afternoon in the garden, it was time for some baking. I received a big jar of muesli bar cookies from my lovely friend Erin for Christmas, they lasted a grand total of 3 days in my house (which I thought was pretty good). Part of the gift was a recipe card for the cookies, so this evening I decided to make up another batch. How good do all the colours look? They are baking right now and the house is filled with the delicious smell of toasted oats and honey.

There should be more days like this!

it's christmas

image credit: elle interior

Happy Christmas!

a christmas gift for me

How could I resist a dress named 'romantic wanderer'? 

I'm having some pockets added to the front - I think it will be super cute! 

back to business

Besides sewing, sewing, sewing and dreaming of crafty Christmas trees, the Rabbit & the Duck have also been busy making wares for some new stockists in Melbourne and also interstate.

Say hello to our newest friends:

Lulu Design Store

322A Carlisle Street

Balaclava VIC

Open:

11-5 Sun-Mon

10.30-6 Tue-Fri

10.30-5 Sat

image credit: lark

Lark

4A Duke Street

Daylesford VIC

Open 10.30-4 everyday (closed Wednesdays)

image credit: milk thieves

Milk Thieves Art & Design Store

Shop 10A, 157 Crown Street

Wollongong NSW

Open from 10am Mon-Sat

if I'd been more organised this christmas...

I would have assembled a Christmas tree as beautiful as this one by dottie angel.

I can't imagine anything more perfect! 

the last project of the year!

I've just finished stitching up these custom cushions, and it's now time to give my sewing machine a little bit of a rest over the Christmas / New Year period.

I love custom orders as it makes me try out new ideas that I might not have otherwise had time for. These two cushions are destined for the girlfriend of a very thoughtful boyfriend, who ordered them last weekend for a Christmas gift. Lucky girl!

christmas inspiration

From Danish design company Maileg. 

life = markets, sewing, more markets

The Arts House Meat Market

Phew! Another busy weekend of markets is coming to an end.

Yesterday I spent the day at the Kensington 3031 market - despite the constant ups and downs of the weather (think cloudy, then sunny, then raining, then windy, then sunny again) it was an incredible day! Thank you so much to all the lovely people who stopped by for a chat - you really made my day. And thank you to all my fabulous customers for supporting handmade, it makes me smile to think that so many people will be receiving Rabbit & the Duck pressies for Christmas. I wish I had some photographs to share, but it was such a busy day before I knew it everyone had gone home! 

After taking the longest time in history to repack my car at the end of the day, I decided to check out the Arts House Meat Market which was happening just around the corner in North Melbourne. Such an amazing venue! It was so nice to wander around the market and relax and check out the stalls without having to worry about needing to get back to my own stall. The market is on again today if you are at a loose end for something to do.

The Arts House Meat Market

5 Blackwood Street

North Melbourne

Open from 11am-8pm

You must try the homemade taco's (that's an inside joke, sorry!). 

free shipping for christmas!

Wow, can you believe Christmas is only a couple of weeks away?

Crazy!

To help with all your last minute ticking-things-off-the-list-of-people-to-buy-for my Etsy shop has free postage within Australia (regular post) for one week only starting now! This is a special offer for all my lovely blog readers and followers. Just enter promo code 'christmas' in the notes section when checking out and I will send you an email with your revised order total. 

To make sure you get your parcel before Christmas Eve orders will need to be paid for before 5pm on Wednesday 16th December for posting on Thursday morning. I'll try my very best to get your goodies to you on time, but please note that this cut off date is Australia Post's recommendation only and is not guaranteed.

And for those who were unable to make it to the Melbourne Design Market last weekend, I've updated the shop with a selection of journals, clutches and wallets featuring my favourite Ink & Spindle designs. Yay!

Thank you for supporting handmade this Christmas!

busy sewing...

... for this market on Saturday!

what i did on sunday

1. Woke up at 6.15am, almost in denial that my alarm was going off that early ON A SUNDAY.

2. Arrived at Federation Square by 8am to drop off stock for my display on the Ink & Spindle stand at the Melbourne Design Market. Yay!

3. Off to Kensington to set up my stall @ elevenses cafe. Such a lovely time - sitting outside in the sun, sipping tea, enjoying some delicious food, chatting to customers, and spending time with a good friend who was lovely enough to visit and keep me company for the morning. 

... new cushion designs! ... oh, and the handle on my suitcase finally fell apart today. Inside the handle was filled with rolled up old newspaper, from 1928! So cool! 

4. Headed back to Federation Square in the afternoon to hang out on the Ink & Spindle stand, chat to friends, eat yummy chocolate treats and dream about all the beautiful things I wished I could buy. Such as the red and black Zaishu stool which was just metres from our stand. 

... new journals, clutches and wallets featuring my favourite ink & spindle designs ...

5. Packed up and headed home for a hot shower, and an early night. Zzzzzz.........

and the winner is...

image credit: skip-rat

Commenter #1 - Kelly Robson!

Congratulations Kelly, and thank you to everyone else who entered!