A delightful day

Walking into the Hawthorn Town Hall last Sunday, it was instantly clear that we Mathilda’s Market Melbourne shoppers were in for a real treat. The venue provided welcome shelter from the morning’s horrid weather. As we entered, adorning the entrance were paper decorations by KatyJane Designs. They were a cheery sight and nice diversion from the relentless drizzle and bleak grey skies. (Loved the big Christmas tree made out of KatyJane’s Chrissy card range!) But the rain didn’t keep the smiles from the faces of shoppers, who eagerly lined up before 9am waiting for the doors to open. We warmed up with a coffee from the van outside and were enticed by the scrumptious cupcakes from The Cake Collective. (Oh, by the way, the photos in this blog entry were snapped on the day by the very clever team at Tea & Jam Photography).

It was the biggest Mathilda’s Market in Melbourne ever, with over 80 retailers with gorgeously presented stalls taking part. Once inside, shoppers were welcomed by a host of stalls in the foyer area. It was impossible not to stop there and drool over the clothing designs from Knuffle Kid (LOVED those summery girls shorts!), the bright wall decals from the folks at Wallallure and the stunning quilts and mobiles from Made By Mosey – but there were two more big rooms just bursting with beautiful things, so onwards we soldiered, shopping bags at the ready!

There were so many highlights, and it almost feels unfair to single out stallholders, but THIS blogger just adored the beautiful hand-drawn coin purses from Pocket Carnival ... 

And I could have taken home just about every Japanese inspired doll made by the Little House of Kokeshi …

Also loved the artworks by Sweet William, and the exquisitely crafted bed linen and accessories (like these nappy change mats and burp cloths) from Smallish.

I silently applauded the eco wear range from Mudd Kids, and Thula Thula’s whole collection (especially the girl’s sun suit!) …. Phew, let me just take a breath! Oh, what else … Little Bubble and Tree’s sun wise kiddie kaftans were popular and with good reason, and I loved the philosophy behind Eco Toys. I snapped up a fabulous art print from Printspace for a friend for Christmas, and enjoyed chatting to Nieta from Nietz, who had travelled all the way from Alice Springs to sell her wares at Mathilda’s. Given she’d made such an effort, it would have been remiss of me NOT to buy one of her beautiful baby tees. (Mother’s Group Kris Kringle gift for little Katie taken care of, thank you!) Also stopped to admire the colourful and environmentally friendly cloth nappies, wipes and other accessories from MiniLaLa, as pictured here. 

It’s a tough call to pick favourites, but I just LOVED Billie & Frankie’s exquisite organic dresses (their website is coming!) As soon as I saw Jo Dellow’s stall from a distance, I made a beeline for it and was never going to leave without one of her frocks! And Bug and Pop’s brilliant clothing range really stood out for me, especially their cute-as-a-button denim capris with robot trim (I know they're really for boys, but my little girl will look so cute in them) and great little skirts. Oh, and on the interior decorating front, I marvelled over the high originality and appeal of Adorning Al’s beautiful wall mirrors, especially the owl. The atmosphere at Mathilda’s was buzzing and happy, and it was so blissful to step into the room adjacent to the larger hall to hear the calming music emanating from the Baby Love Music Fun quarters ... especially when Melanie Maslin, opera singer and the businesses’ creator happened to break into glorious song! I thoroughly enjoyed my Mathilda’s Market experience, and simply can’t wait till it’s back again next year.

Peta x

Mathilda's Market blogger

Deck The Halls With KatyJane

Despite what tradition calls for, there won’t be a bough of holly in sight at Mathilda’s Market in Melbourne this Sunday. Not that we have anything against holly, as the Mathilda’s team are a very festive bunch, and we LOVE the silly season! It’s just that we asked the lovely Katy and Jane of KatyJane Designs if they might possibly deck the Hawthorn Town Hall with some of their splendid paper creations to make our Market even prettier this November… and they said yes! So Melburnians, not ONLY will you be wowed by the wonderful array of stallholders at Mathilda’s Market this weekend, but you’ll also stand in awe of the Hall’s fabulous interior decoration. The dynamite duo behind Katy Jane Designs creates stationery that cleverly combines modern and vintage design elements. They conjure up playful, bold, bright and elegant pieces to celebrate and adorn every occasion, including cards, invitations, present tags, party bags, gift boxes and ribbon. Their specialty is kids stuff. Let’s show off a selection of their wares! These party bags are so bright and eye-catching, your offspring might be too mesmerised by them to get around to devouring their sugary contents! (OK, perhaps this is a little optimistic ...)

And who could go past these gorgeous personalised party invitations that just scream the 50s ...

They also have a range of greeting cards with mix and match badges so you can give someone a memento that is one-of-a-kind. Pick out the card you love, then team it with the perfect badge, depending on the occasion – like this.

And because the season is almost upon us, here’s one of the cards from KatyJane's  Christmas 2009 range. This beautiful collection incorporates sparkling silver, damask decorative patterns and a divine vintage twist.

(Here’s an idea: if you ask KatyJane to create you some personalised Christmas cards, they could double as little presents for recipients to hang from the tree! A great gift idea for the person who has everything, but really appreciates the beautiful things in life).

What we love about KatyJane is that their designs for the kids are just that little bit left-of-field. They steer clear of stereotypical children’s images and instead serve us up creations that will appeal to not only the kids, but their parents, too. Everyone’s happy! Clearly Katy Metcalfe-Gibson and Jane Chambers have oodles of natural design ability, but this is backed up by some very relevant career experience. Before her kids Maisy and Finlay came along, Katy worked in children’s marketing and research in London for over 15 years. And prior to the launch of KatyJane and becoming Mum to Adelynn and Hannah, Jane worked across Australia in lots of senior roles in design firms, and also taught graphic design. The pair met in Perth, where they now live, and are good friends as well as business partners. Two heads really are better than one, and we look forward to seeing the dazzling designs their creative minds concoct in the future! 

Hush, hush

A rough translation of the Zulu word “thula” (pronounced t’ula) is “be peaceful, be tranquil.” The phrase “thula, thula” means “hush, hush”, and is part of a well known African lullaby sung to this day to her two children by Melbourne mum Naomi. Naomi was introduced to African culture by her South African husband, and fell in love with the song. When the time came to name her children’s clothing business, Thula Thula seemed to encapsulate both the innocence and adventurous spirit of children that she wanted to reflect in her clothing range. The business started in October 2007 and delivers garments with simple, classic cuts, using traditional techniques to create refreshingly original and great quality pieces. And of course, the other, most important job keeping Naomi busy is that of raising her beloved littlies, Aiden and Madeline, who also model the creations!

Check out Thula Thula’s stylish and playful Anchor Sun Suit – what a fun little number for sunny days! 100% cotton and printed with anchors, it's an all-in-one shorts and top ensemble. It has cross over straps and is finished with lovely big buttons. Gorgeous!

And how about these White Tulip Shorts. The pockets are the best bit: see how they drape at the front? Nice! Also in 100% cotton, they have a flat front which sits beautifully on the body, and an elastic back waist for easy wearing and dressing.

Wait up! We can’t forget the lads, can we! They’ll be comfy and cute in these hard-wearing Jimmy Jeans.

We suppose it should come as no surprise that Naomi happily spent hours of her childhood artfully draping herself in doilies and tablecloths and entertaining the family with fashion parades! This early love of fashion grew into an exciting career. She spent her jet setting single years employed in the wardrobe department of various TV, film and theatre organisations. Her worldly experience is evident in her creations, which you can browse at the Thula Thula website, or at Mathilda’s Market in Melbourne on THIS Sunday 22 November.

Mathilda's Market in Melbourne this Sunday

Take a sneak peek at all the wonderful retailers we have lined up for Sunday, all 86 of them! It is our biggest Mathilda's Market yet, and it is the perfect opportunity to do all your Christmas shopping. See you on Sunday! We can't wait ...
Anne from Mathilda's Market

Shopping in Canberra

It was lovely, simply lovely at Mathilda's Market on Sunday in Canberra. The venue was intimate, the retailers (and their products) were adorable and the shoppers appeared to have a fantastic time shopping, browsing, and catching up with friends. This time I made sure I took time out to do my Christmas Shopping, and I got a little carried away ... so much so, I almost could not fit it all into my suitcase to go back home to Melbourne. Ha!
Here's a small selection of  what I bought:
From Little Living (www.littleliving.com.au/):
Reindeer Garland, Advent Calendar, Christmas Decoration (all gorgeous red felt):

From Handle With Care (www.handle-with-care.com.au/):
This beautiful Ivy Design Hairband for my 2.5 yr old daughter Abigail (I bought the red one on the left)

From Poppy Bean and Bloss (http://www.poppybeanandbloss.com.au/):
A high quality art folder for my eight year old daughter Mathilda, who can't stop drawing. I bought the one in the middle with the red & blue pigs on it! It came with a set of pencils and a notebook. All ready to go.

Of course, I could not go past the amazing collection of fabrics from Jennie from Posie Patchwork. In fact, I could have bought her entire stall, if only: a) I had enough space in our house, b) I had a larger suitcase with me, and c) a husband who would understand that it is ok to buy things you don't necessarily need, but are so beautiful, they make you happy!

On Sunday we're hosting our final Mathilda's Market for 2009, held at the Hawthorn Town Hall, from 9am to 1pm. It will be our biggest Mathilda's Market yet, with well over 80 stalls. I am not sure yet how to manage my shopping urge, as I have been drooling over what to buy from whom (see our retailer's list here).

See you all on Sunday!
Anne from Mathilda's Market

Life Is A Carnival

We Mathilda’s Mavens love the Market goodies that are not only divine for the kids, but also put smiles on the dials of their mamas, grandmammas and aunties too. Pocket Carnival’s sweet creations do just that. Penny from Melbourne loves to paint and draw, and especially enjoys creating mixed media artworks (that’s ink and watercolour – isn’t it a treat to learn something new!) on paper and calico. Her adorable etchings are available as original artwork and art prints, and on bags, coin purses and pouches. Pocket Carnival also has a range made from patchwork, vintage and new fabrics. The pretty clutch bags are to die for – and if you buy one made from recycled material, you’ll feel virtuous knowing you’re giving someone’s old table cloth or corduroys another chance at a second, more glamorous life! We also love these sweet pencil cases.

Drop in on Pocket Carnival at Mathilda’s Market in Melbourne on Sunday 22 November.

Drop by and say hello this Sunday in Canberra

Images from our recent Mathilda's Markets

Happy sighs - and great changes for next year!

The Mathilda’s Market team has JUST drawn breath after three great Markets ... and there’s a warm, mushy glow in our hearts! We’ll bring you news on the Perth event soon, but in the meantime, the first two Mathilda’s Markets for November 2009 were held in Sydney and Brisbane on Sunday the 1st, and it seems our stallholders just keep setting that creativity bar higher and higher. The stalls at both venues were beautifully presented, each one a mini kids shopping wonderland. The Sydney event was sublimely decked out with decorations by Paperklip.

And Details Details put their magnificent magic touch on our Brisbane venue.

Shoppers came in droves to each location, which pleased us no end. There was a huge queue to enter both Mathilda's Markets and with both events so busy, the stallholders were tickled pink, with some reporting completely selling out of stock before closing time. A big thank you to all our stallholders for their beautiful creations, and to the shoppers for making the day so good and so much fun!

But there’s no resting on our laurels yet for the Mathilda’s Market team! There are Markets to look forward to in Melbourne and Canberra over the next couple of weeks, and we’re happily toiling away to ensure next year’s events are even more special. 2010 sees us in a brand spanking new location in Brisbane: The Brisbane Racing Club at Eagle Farm. Here are some pics of our new Brissie home:

On Saturday 20 February, our 80 Brisbane stallholders will set up shop in the Tote building and the St Leger Stand, and on its surrounding lawns. It’ll be a grand affair with music, yummy food prepared with love and entertainment for the kids. We’re staying open longer, too - till 3pm. And for the first time, we’re bringing you a small selection of stalls just for the adults, with home decor, jewellery, etc on offer. Ooooh, aaaaah!

We’ll soon unveil more lovely developments for next year … Oh, OK! One more before we go, because we’re bursting! We also have some fabulous news for Sydneysiders. Next year, those in the east won’t have to go far to find us, as we’re hosting two Mathilda’s Markets in the beautiful Paddington Town Hall, starting with Saturday 6 March 2010. Here’s our new Sydney home:

In the meantime, we’re so looking forward to seeing everyone in Canberra this Sunday, and in Melbourne the one after that! (Then I suspect we might have ourselves a wee glass of champers!).

A Pocket Full of Posie

Jennie from Canberra is the wife of a handsome soldier and mum to four primary school kids. She likes her life brimming with love, activity, sewing, designing … and a little bit of mystery, too. Mystery, I hear you ask? Well, Jennie has … (shhhh!) – an alter ego. Her name is Posie, and she’s the creative force behind Posie Patchwork. For a decade, Posie has squirreled away vintage, reproduction and retro fabrics from all around the globe. Many are rare (such as her Japanese materials) and all of them beautiful or quirky.

These finds are then crafted into highly original pieces such as patchwork quilts (her great love), bags, cushions, aprons, and a huge selection of accessories including bibs, purses, badges, key rings, and camera and iPod pouches. Many of her products are designed with children in mind, but we suspect most grownup girls would be powerless to resist Posie’s enchanting creations – such as these fabulous AND functional pencil rolls.

Her goodies are also handmade to order, so if you find a fabric in the range you adore, it can be turned into whatever your heart desires (or you can buy fabric from the online store and whip it up yourself). So what is Posie’s great passion? Anything to do with matryoshka and babushka dolls, which feature prominently in her range!

In November, Posie Patchwork launch their collection of organic cotton baby suits, t-shirts and singlets featuring cookie cutter screen prints, just in time for Mathilda’s Market in Canberra on THIS Sunday 15 November.

Beads, buttons and bracelets

Do you experience times when you really miss your kids if you’re not near them? Even when I’m longing for “me time” and leave my 8-month old daughter in the capable care of her Dadda, I find that I can miss her rather desperately! Yesterday I did a rather bizarre thing. We’ve just removed her from a swaddle (yes, I know I’m a little late!) and as a result, she’s embracing her freedom with gusto and moving round her cot like a mad thing instead of going to sleep. It took an hour to get her to drift off for one of her daytime naps yesterday, and I must admit, by the end of that hour I was getting a bit tired of her circus act. But when she DID finally go to sleep, I decided I missed her … and spent the next hour flicking through photos of her on my computer! Even when I’ve been given my leave pass and am out shopping, I find myself purchasing little bit and pieces for her. Whether they are age appropriate is no obstacle, and I’m developing quite a sizeable stash of goodies which I’ll give to her … one day!

Tennille, a Brisbane mum-of-two and the designer and creator behind Heart On Your Sleeve, creates just the sort of irresistible pieces I love collecting for my daughter. A sweet kid deserves this Candy Time Button Bracelet featuring all the treats little girls love … lollipops, lollies, jelly beans, cupcakes and a lolly jar!

Heart On Your Sleeve also produce the prettiest of personalised keepsake jewellery and accessories for children, mums and grandmums. Their range includes bracelets, necklaces, bags, rings, bobby pins, hair elastics, and many other beautiful bits and bobs. Whether you select an item made with beads, buttons, Swarovski crystals, sterling silver or anything else for that matter, you can be assured Heart On Your Sleeve use only the best quality materials. If you’re racking your brain for something extra special for a child’s christening, for Christmas or for an upcoming birthday, you’re sure to find something you’ll fall for. We love this cute Kimono Girl Ring.

And who could resist these hair elastics. Anyone for tea?

Heart On Your Sleeve appeared at Mathilda's Market in Brisbane on 1 November. You can peruse their collection by visiting their website.

Images from Mathilda's Market in Brisbane

Thank you to http://www.sheilahigginsphotography.com.au/ for taking these photos. More to come soon.

Images from Mathilda's Market in Sydney

Thank you to Aran Anderson Photography for taking these photos. More to come soon.