Flamingoes have landed

Flying into our Spring Summer "Birds of a Feather" collection at Monkeys Over The Moon are a flamboyance of flamingoes...we are excited to launch a range of  hand drawn and hand stitched Flamingo appliques on Australian Made Tshirts (as featured in Tickle The Imagination's Kids issue) and Singlets .




























There are two Flamingo designs hand printed also on cotton t shirts for ladies and girls and on calico totes.

If you fancy a flamingo applique or print then head to our madeit store. 

                              Releases will also be available on our facebook page over the season.

I LOVE FABRIC...infact not just LOVE :) I am obsessed, addicted infact even when I am down to my last dollars in my personal lolly fund if someone waves a pretty picture of a fabric infront of me I will literally count buttons to try and purchase more...

I have destashes and then I buy, friends donate me scraps but I still have an urge to buy...pretty, beautiful, funky, retro, vintage I am not fussy if it tickles my imagination...and makes me think OH YES! then I just have to have it...

When I first realised that I had a little need for fabric...and I realised that it had to be fed regularly...I was a bit stumped as to where I would go to get it... it was daunting...where is the best place to go to? what shops have the most selection?have the best prices?...it was enough to put my head in a spin...add to that 3 little monkeys and an almost lifetime ban from Spotlight ;) and you can see why I started to generally shy away from real shops and do most of my Fabric shopping online.

 I was lucky...I had a couple of great friends who showed me a few online shops and the rest as they say is history, I now have a portfolio of about 30 shops I regularly use and am always finding more, those same friends still help me out too :) some times when I or another handmaiden are looking for a certain fabric it is amazing how generous and helpful in the search other businesses and designers can be :)

So...I was thinking :) as I have had a few emails/messages in the last month asking where I get fabric from it may be useful and just a nice thing to do to share with you some of my favourite fabric spots :) one's I use and can recommend :)

So here just for you are a few of my favourites <3
PS...click on their names to go to their stores :) go on...you know you want to ;)

Facebook Fabric Suppliers

The FabricBug
Fellow Perthie Cherie has some gorgeous fabrics in stock and offers a fast and professional service, she is great at finding fabrics too!

Fabricaholic

Lauren is as her store suggests a Fabricaholic! ;) As well as a beautiful clothing label Fresh Designs she has her online fabric store with some really lovely fabrics in stock and is always super friendly to deal with!

Quiltopia is actually also a  little shop in Maleny, Queensland but I found them on Facebook. I ordered recently from Ann, to get some great fabric for a showcase, she was super quick and really lovely too! 

Bec Clarke Creations
I found Bec via a very close friend who highly recommended her :) She has some wonderful fabrics in stock, and is also apparently very good at sourcing not so easy to find fabrics :) She also has a clothing label which you can find on Facebook. www.facebook.com/pages/Bec-Clarke-Creations/131177716923943?sk=wall


Retro Age Vintage Fabrics

I am a bit into vintage ;) and I discovered my absolute favourite vintage fabric destination Retro Age when a friend pinned/posted a link to a really groovy fabric they had in store in 2011. Since then I have been addicted...I have signed up for Fabric Lovers packs, for scraps, samples, fat quarters as well as ordering larger amounts via their website. Ness is one of the most helpful and lovely ladies I have found out there and she always tries her best to find fabrics you are desiring and looking for. They have scoured the earth to find unique and original authentic vintage fabrics from many decades...if you love Laura Ashley, Liberty, Art Nouveau, 70's kitsch, 80's floral, rare 40's and 50's fabrics of all different types including chintz, cotton, lace, barkcloth and so much more this is THE place to go to.

US Online Fabric Shops
Hawthorne Threads- beautiful selection of new designer fabrics, arranged by designer and you can search by colour too
Fat Quarter Shop - a fantastically quick service and a huge range of popular designer fabrics at good prices.

Australian Online Fabric Shops
Kelani - A wonderful selection of designer fabrics, that can be sorted by colour, designer, theme, weight and they also have some lovely patterns available too. Again super speedy service and very pleasant to deal with.
Tessuti - A beautiful range of fabrics, haberdashery, patterns and more. I have ordered Liberty and other exclusive designer fabrics and found their service swift and excellent.

Etsy is the most amazing place to find patterns, buttons, embellishments, FABRIC and so much more...but with sellers from all around the world it can sometimes be a bit mind boggling and hit and miss with delivery times...so I thought I would share a couple with you that I have used and have been just great! :)
Great Etsy Shops

Voodoo Rabbit
Quirky, funky and fun fabrics that are often just a little bit different from designers such as Alexander Henry, Kokka and many more...I have gotten some of my most favourite fabrics from Voodoo Rabbit and their service is just sensational!

ZeetZeet
A huge eclectic selection of gorgeous designer fabrics.
Kerry's service is great and she often has unusual anddifficult to source fabrics in stock :)

Australian Online Fabric Marketplace
Craftumi - the place were best friends shop for craft supplies is a fantastic platform for small businesses and WAHM's to sell supplies to a wide market...I have used it a fair bit to purchase items and some of my favourite handmade designers here in Australia also use it to destash their supplies...Oopsidaisi Destash is my current favourite...designer Sam McLean's taste in fabric is exceptional and she currently has some rare and divine stock she is destashing!


My Favourite Fabric Shops here in Perth

Calico and Ivy
Well this is when my fabric loving friend and I go to this emporium in Mosman Park when we really want to spoil ourselves, the bolts of Liberty are this English girls idea of heaven, throwing me back 25-30 years when I used to visit the Bond Street HQ with my parents on our termly trips to London. Their ribbons, trims and the other fabrics too are sublime and the ladies have always been so welcoming and helpful and you really get some of that old school customer service. They are also fantastic about inquisitive monkeys! and have a basket of toys and books especially for them :) They have classes for all sorts of sewing/crafting techniques...I long one day to do their smocking course ;) before the girls are too big to wear a liberty smocked dress :) but first I need to master sewing and dress making ;) The link will take you to their online store where you can purchase fabrics, notions,patterns, kits and more :)

Southlands Sewing Centre a recent discovery in Willeton this really is a fabric lovers idea of heaven, with many designer fabrics including Moda collections, Michael Miller and many more, beautiful buttons, quilting items and so much more. They even have a wide range of sewing workshops and sell sewing machines and overlockers! They were so lovely and friendly when I went there I just know it will be somewhere I will be visiting fairly regularly!(minus the monkeys ;) ) They also stock applifix my preferred fuse for appliquéing which makes them even more wonderful in my eyes :)


WELL...see I told you I was ADDICTED <3 I hope this is somehow useful for some of you, I am by no means any sort of expert and I know there are hundreds more shops and places you can go but this is where I shop for my addiction and also I hope it gives you a few ideas if you ever did feel the urge to throw yourself into fabric and creating as to where you would go :)

xxx Georgie

balance and new year

I have rather neglected my blog of late...I just cant seem to find the words to write or things to say...I think its tied up with my total exhaustion and pretty full on monkey wrangling of late...I kind of took the break here that I probably should have taken sooner with sewing...and am only just getting back to feeling that maybe I have something I could share :) 

oooooo before I forget Happy New Year! 2012 has gotten off to a cracking start for me and the monkeys and I just know after bit more R&R I will be able to create and have even more fun with Monkeys Over The Moon than I did in 2011 :) 

A few things have already changed...balance was something I did not do well in 2011...so for now family is definitely first, as is spending time doing things for myself...not just time alone but putting back some of the things I love into my life...something fun I am doing for now is the 30day Photo Challenge set by Chantelle at Fat Mum Slim... I am not posting my photos on FB or here but if you follow Instagram you may see me in the #janphotoaday feed :) 

With the support of some amazingly inspirational and wonderful cyber pals I am also kickstarting my lifestyle again :) last year saw me lose 30kg and regain 8kg...I hope to lose that 8 and some more...to enable me to live, laugh and love more happily forever :) (well haha not forever...I do not yet know the location of the fountain of youth ;) ) watch this space :) 

I have taken up reading with a vengeance again...instead of sitting in front of the computer or sewing to all hours in the night I have been reading a few pages of my latest gripping series of novels...A song of Ice and Fire... if you havent yet seen the TV series The Game of Thrones ;) or read the books...I can highly recommend ;) 

I have been quietly  making a few things for the monkeys and even took on a challenge to create something for myself on New Years Day :) a little case to protect my wonderful new toy from Santa :) 

so so far... without setting too many high expectations it has been a bloody great year LOL 

I am sure I will continue this blog...I expect I will write from time to time about what's happening at Monkeys Over The Moon, run a few competitions and updates about whats new and even sometimes share some of me with you...but for now...I wish you all a fantastic beginning of 2012 and all it may bring and  I am off to have a few more cuddles with the monkeys in my life :) 

"Make Some Monkeys Over The Moon in 2012" Auction for Barnados 29/01/2012

 For some children...Christmas and in fact every day is not a celebration...they cannot smile with that sweet innocence of youth and do not have what so many children take for granted...for these monkeys to be over the moon...help and support and more is needed to enable them to have a family that will nurture them and give them the happiness they deserve.

With this in mind and knowing how much love and support my customers and the handmade community give to those in need I have decided to celebrate 2500 likers with a little something that I hope will make  some very special 'Monkeys Over The Moon'

On 29th January we will  run a little mini auction  " Make Some Monkeys Over The Moon in 2012"  Auction where all proceeds raised will go to Barnardo's Australia...

Monkeys Over The Moon will make a selection of very special handmade collaborative designs that will be available for people to bid upon to raise funds for this very worthy cause.
This auction has been approved and authorised by Barnado's Australia to raise funds for their work.



Barnardos is a non-government, non-denominational
welfare organisation that has been helping children in
need for over 120 years.
Barnardos has strong federal and state government
support, however it is also dependent on community
assistance. This allows us to remain an independent
voice and advocate for severely disadvantaged children in
Australia.
We are one of the largest children’s charities in Australia,
catering to children at risk of abuse and neglect. The
work of Barnardos Australia deals particularly with the
prevention of abuse and entry into care. Children of all
backgrounds and cultural heritage are helped through our
welfare programs.
Through these programs, Barnardos directly assists over8,000 children, young people and their families annually and indirectly assists thousands more." extract courtesy of Barnados website

More info will be available soon but a huge thank you to Georgie Girl,Em&Femme Designs, Oopsidaisi Designer Mumma, Perfectly Piper and Indigo Magenta for agreeing to help me create some Handmade goodness to raise monies for Barnados!

A Monkeys Day out to Market Girl in Perth

Well today I braved the markets here in Perth...with the 3 monkeys...MAD?...quite possibly but actually except for a little 5 minute post cupcake madness they were as good as gold :)

 Actually I must admit that Mr 3 was out cold for most of our market adventure...2 hours of beach play whilst his sister surf life saved was the perfect thing to do before! ;)

Market Girl was fun...really lovely fun...not so busy it was hard with a dual pram and not so quiet that the stallholders looked bored...a great selection of clothing, toys, art and more...the only thing I would have liked to see more of was artisan food and drink from local producers (thats the English country girl in me :)

The girls loved the free craft activities and the little stores of items that every little girl would dream of...and when he awoke my son was most thrilled with the cinnamon swirls and toy animals he could ride :)

I always think Markets are interesting especially in the Online Marketplace/Facebook times...where there is here in Australia a plethora of handmade designers, artists and more... all vying for online likers and sales and where a good photo can sell an average item and an average photo can leave an exceptional design on the shelf so to speak :) Markets enable me as a customer to see truly the delight of a piece, the cleverness of it, how it feels, the quality and the love and care of the person who has made it or the love a person has for the product they are selling...as a retailer...markets open my eyes to how wonderful the community is but also give me confidence that I too could do this.

I am writing this post to share some of my most favourite experiences of the day from Market Girl and some true delights not just the designs but also the people I met...the stand outs...with 3 monkeys as you can imagine I didnt get to all the stalls ;) but those mentioned are the ones that really for me made mine and the monkeys day!

Diddums Designs gorgeous Nautical style dungaree dress

Diddums Designs...I first met Victoria in a lift...funny but true...back in July when I nervously trundled my designs and set up to the Made On the Left markets in William St...unfortunately as I manned the stall alone I didnt get to really look at her designs there...but her kind manner and the quality of what I did see...made her stall one I was very excited to get to see today...and WOW! I think...point in case made here about exceptional work and design and creativity sometimes not always grabbing you from the screen...seriously this lady has style and her designs are unique, exquisite ,creative,stunning, stylish, witty...I literally was head over heels in love...I cannot wait to shop Diddums online and hopefully at more markets soon!

Lalaland an eclectic selection of stunning dresses and more, in such vibrant colours and beautiful fabrics and then the zip purses and other accessories were simply gorgeous! My Miss 5 has already asked if Father Christmas knows where to get the simply best cupcake purse ;)  She can be found locally at Fremantle Markets on the weekends...so I think Santa's little helper will have to have a monkey free visit in a couple of weeks...or I will have one dissappointed girl!

selection of Emma's wares from her Facebook page

My Little Hands a beautiful selection of handmade bedding, sleepwear and clothing, Emma was so friendly and her little apple skirts well...simply scrumptious!

Milly and Mummy's Stall at Market Girl

Milly and Mummy are relatively new to the scene...and Bec admitted she had been very nervous before going to market...I honestly cannot see why as her designs, the vibrancy, and the use of fabrics was delightful... she showed me a beautiful cushion she had made for her daughter...all I can say is watch Becs store closely online and keep an eye out for her at markets as her work is definately a must have :)

We are lucky enough to be friends personally with the wonderful artist behind Funkydory- another british bird ;) ...her robot and bird clocks are individually made by hand with exquisite and funky details...something very special for any little boy or girl or infact anyone! My Miss 5 literally squealed with delight when she heard we were going to see Jacq at the market...and told me that she knew exactly that she wanted a clock and she knew she couldnt have one today but could she pick one out and let Jacq know how beautiful it was :) even before we got into the market...she had clambered down the steps and ran across to Funkydory's stall to do just that!

Funky Dory Cuckoo Clock with wings

Amanda from Designer Mumma at Market Girl

Designer Mumma is also a personal friend, but bias aside her dresses and sets were stand out...different, funky and definately more than just a pretty piece of clothing for a girl or a cool set for a boy...I was lucky enough to hear customers talking to her and walk away saying how beautiful/wonderful her work was...she also happened to be wearing a rather stylish dress ;) I wonder who made that for her!?!

I have to admit that Market Girl fell on my totally 'no $' week so I wasnt able to buy much bar food to bribe the monkeys...but...I did purchase one item that really just jumped out at me...evoking fond memories of child hood and creating...FIMO! Hats off to the lovely Jo from Kit-n-kaboodle who had  a table set up where children could create and take home a little FIMO design to bake and treasure (a big winnner with mine!) and then the love of this fabulous product shone through in her wonderful manner and enthusiasm :) I cannot wait to sit down with them and create a Jingle Bells scene hours of fun and years to treasure their creations for just $25 :)

My daughters favourite stall 'Poppy and Bea' 

A big thank you to the lovely lady at Poppy and Bea...she patiently played fishes with my girls and let my daughter pick up her items in delight...and when I can...I will be going online to buy some gorgeous clips and  hair bands and more very soon! I also loved the way that my youngest interacted with her...showing her all we had bought or had in our pram and the kindness she showed by listening and ooooing and arring in the right spots ;) MAGIC

Other stalls which looked wonderful but I just didnt get to stop and look at were Mary and Ivor, Owl and The Elephant, Little Red Child, Pebble Lane Studio just to name a few...and a big thanks to the lovely Kali at  Zooba...seriously if I didnt have to everything x 3 I would have grabbed one of the funky ride on animals just for your beautiful kindness :)

I hope everyone had as lovely a day as we did :) and that for those who couldn't make it this little post maybe gives you a taste of some of the best in the WEST <3 and dont forget to head to Designer Mumma and Monkeys Over The Moon on Facebook on Weds 23rd November at 5pm WST for our post Market sale !

WINGS

Wings 

“Until you spread your wings, you'll have no idea how far you can fly.”

my friends and family give me wings...from my best  friend with whom I used to listen to Tom Petty and imagine what and where I would be...to those I have now in my life who help me create and those who offer me love and friendship to help me soar <3

Our latest range of Funk Your Monkey designs with the amazingly talented Funkdory are inspired by Wings :) 

A few months ago Jacq and I discussed flying things ;) and then a customer came to me with a suggestion for some angel wings for her son's tshirt...Jacq then transformed my basic sketch into these stunning Wings which we had in turn transformed into a screen ;) 

...so now Little Sparks and Little Miss Sparks can have wings ;) and we have a flying pig and can turn your little monkey into an angel with wings on the back of their tees...really the design options are endless ;) 

We would love to hear your ideas too! <3 

In progress...Pigs Do Fly

Funk Your Monkey Little Sparks with Wings

           

Hand Screen printed onto denim/fabric and appliqued onto back of tee

Angel Wings 

Keep an eye out for all these designs that range from sizes 0-12 and from $25 -$40 at www.monkeysoverthemoon.com.au they will be at our SHOP as stock and custom orders over the forthcoming months and at Market Girl at Melville on November 20th at Funkydory's stall :) 

This summer let Monkeys Over The Moon and Funkydory...funk your monkey and give them WINGS <3

All spooked up

As a child my 3 sisters and I  lived in rural England with few immediate neighbours and trick or treating at that time hadnt really crossed the Atlantic...Halloween was about dressing up as witches or cats, heading to friends  in the dark spook evening of All Hallows for parties lit with carved pumpkins to bob apples play murder in the dark or sardines, drink ghoulish drinks, eat worms and fly jelly and party until the bats got up :) My mum and her friends really made All Hallows Eve amazing!





Its very different here (firstly its warm and sunny!) and these days I think...much more commercialised and the heart of it all seems to be the trick or treating or the avoiding it completely ;)

 Last year my husband was home (he rarely is for events) and so we prepared a pumpkin, filled bowls with sweeties for visiting children, and the older children drew designs for tshirts we could make together as apparently the costumes in the shops here just didnt cut it ;)

A Halloween Cat

GHOSTLY DESIGNS

 Our eldest then 12 drew a cat which she chose a pretty purple to applique it in, the middle 2 chose ghosts and the youngest boy asked for a pumpkin to match the one he helped to carve :) It was all very exciting and the fun and laughter we had that night...though very different from my memories is one I will remember for years to come...this year my husband is away but I am hoping to have a witchy visitor from England to help make a spooky night of it all :) and the children are already planning just what Mummy is going to sew for them ;)

Over the Moon in his Ghostly Tee designed by him!

So I thought...rather than trying to frantically sew a bat or 2 or a ghost or a spider for sale I would make my children theirs and suggest that you do the same...use hands upside down to draw around to make a ghost :) or cover their feet in fabric paint and get them to stand on a tee ;) also two hands touching the base of the palms with thumbs up to make a bat...or free draw or trace from a spooky book...or let them design themselves...its so much fun :)

image from Pinterest

I would love to offer 1 lucky follower a spooky pack containing a sheet of iron on adhesive (and instructions) some white,black, orange fabric, and a plain white or black plain tee so that you too can make your Monkeys spooky and over the Moon this Halloween...simply comment BAT before midnight tomorrow (21st September) and I will randomly pick a winner :) <3