New Year beginnings...

Happy New Year G&K fans.  Ree and I hope that this finds you safe and well (and if in Oz, not melting).

The New Year is a time of new beginnings, new adventures and new opportunities.  As part of of goals for the coming year, Ree and I have decided to make the Internet and all that goes with it, one of our priorities for the year.  As you may have guessed, neither of us is 100% Internet savvy but we are willing to learn. So...

I've always enjoyed viewing my friends photos that they post on FB and other social Media sites as part of "Photo Challenges."  It got me thinking (dangerous I know),  "What if I took part in one and posted the photos on our FB and blog pages?"  Gets me in the habit of using both pages regularly and sharing the day to day of G&K.

This is the plan:
1. Find a Photo Challenge to be part of -DONE (I've joined the FatMumSlim Challenge http://fatmumslim.com.au/january-2013-photo-a-day-lets-do-this-thing/)
2. Let all the G&K peeps know- currently in the process of being DONE.
3. Take photos using the prompts every day and load to FB.
4. At the end of each week, load the photos to the blog.
Good plan. Now to do it.

Today- the view from here.

Stay tuned...
Kate xxx

Fisrt time round the market block

After 3 frantic weeks at Global Headquarters, Ree and I sat back and gazed upon our creation, all be it pack in boxes and garment bags. At 7 o'clock last Friday night, there was nothing more we could do.  The garments were pressed, the threads were snipped, display had been finalised and we were ready to make Gus & Kitty's first public appearance.

Needless to say, sleep was sparatic on Friday night as I dreamt of what might be, good and bad. I knew there was nothing more that we could do but being me, I was sure I could tweak one more thing, check the market box for the sixteenth million time or just sit and keep vigil over our precious stock like a mother hen.

 

Saturday morning arrived, dark and cold.  Nervously, I got myself ready. Messages from fellow first time stall holders arrived, venting our early morning nerves and pumping each other full of encouragement. I was hoping against hope the my weet bix would stay in my stomach. There was no time for a calming cup of tea. Adrenalin kicked as I drove to collect, Ree, my partner in crime.  8 o'clock on a Saturday morning in the middle of winter, is a lonely time of the day, not many people about.  As I drove past familiar houses I could imagine kids watching cartoons in pj's, party goes arriving home to the calling comfort of their warm beds and the early morning cups of tea and coffee being had over newspapers. Part of me longer to be one of them but the other part of me was far too excited and anxious to greet the public and let G&K loose on the world.

Hugs and squeals of nerves and excitement filled the venue as we all began to roll up, being greeted by the ever comforting face of our seasoned market leader, Dee.  Trestles were set up, chairs tucked underneath and our positions revealed. We were comforted to find familiar faces of Make Craft Your Business Alumni, around us. To our left was Miss Lizzie and her beautiful Made By Timapno Homewears, directly opposite, Kate of Emalaide and her amazing softies and crocheted blankies and hats, as well as dress. Slowly but surely our stalls came to life.  We desperately wanted to oooh and ahhh over each others creations but there was no time. As we hung bunting and poured hair clips into dished, the Helper of all Helpers, the awesome Samantha arrived, full of energy and good ideas.

Before we knew it, it was show time!  Ree and I huddled together with Sam as we awaited the first customers.  Ree nervously pointed out the people coming through the door and let out one of her trade mark squeaks.  I felt like a swan, calm on the outside and paddling for dear life on the inside.  Once the first few customer floated by and smiled, some stopping for a look, I felt much better.  All those years or retail and customer service training came flooding back and I was in a familiar head space.  People commented on fabric choices, how pretty things looked and then there was the first sale.  We quietly congratulated ourselves and got back to it.

Throughout the day, family and friends came to wish us luck and even make a purchase.  Having familiar faces in the crowd was so comforting.  I was especially happy to see two familiar faces in particular, my two boys.  My poor husband has been hearing about this market and stock for months and has nodded and smiled and commented like a champion.  And the real life Gus, I'm sure has wondered where his Mum has been at times.  But seeing him with his "Gummy" in our little shop, making a rock start appearance, made my day.

Before we knew it, it was 2 o'clock and time to pack up. It was sad to dismantle our little shop but it was designed that way.  A debriefing late lunch was well deserved and essential.  We were all of the same opinions and feelings, with a few extra insights from our fellow diners.

All in all it was a great day.  Much was learnt and gained from our first time around the block.  As teachers we were well organised, as visual creatures our stall looked just as we had planned and although we didn't sell out (a long shot I know) we sold more than we expected and gained a few customer orders as well.  The public (those whom we didn't know and those whom we did) liked a product with a few of the customers coming back more than once to look.  Even if they didn't buy something it was very interesting to observe what it was that they were looking at, touching and asking about.  Even a few customers gave some suggestions about products and add ons that we could investigate.

None of this could have even been possible without lots of help, especially on the day.  Sam is an absolute super star.  Her retail knowledge, customer service and merchandising skills were priceless, not to mention her calming and reassuring presence.  We also need to thank our master builders, my brother Mick and my Dad, our babysitters Nannie Frances, my sisters in law, Erin and Sarah and brother in law Brighty, the ever patient and supportive Husband, Andrew, and our friends who are an endless source of encouragement and support.

There is one last person to thank, Ree.  Many people cannot imagine working with their mothers. Others have told us of the jealously when they see how well we get along and work together.  I'm not sure that I could have started a business with another person.  I am lucky that we know each other well enough to know how the other works, when the other needs time out or when they need that extra gentle push. 

So there you have it.  Our first time around the block.  May there be many more.

Lots of Love

Kate xx

The Calm Before The Storm

Well folks, we are at "T" minus 3 sleeps and counting to G&K's first market outing.

The last 7 days have been super productive, at times super stressful and above and beyond both of these, very rewarding, especially when we stood back earlier this afternoon and gazed upon our creation.

This time last week, I could hear Ree cursing leggins and weggins (which she doesn't want to see another pair of for a long, long time) and the sound of pen on paper crossing jobs off and adding others to the never ending lists.  We were thankful for the gadgets that make sewing sooo much easier and "Makita" our faithful boom box borrowed from my brother, Michael.

Speaking of my brother, a big thank you to he and my Dad for making display units and structures that will no doubt survive the Armageddon along with the cockroaches.  Between them they too have some seriously cool gadgets, ie Milwaukee the all singing, all dancing drop saw.

This week, Maree has taught me the boring joys of painting with high gloss enamel paint.  All those years of late night painting came flooding back to her.  If we thought we could use a found item and it wasn't white, it soon was. 

Now the bunting is painted, the table cloth ironed, the items placed and the pricing is everywhere. So all thats left are of all those horrid little jobs that no-one really likes doing but are necessary. Extra stamped cards, threads snipped off, garments pressed and the tetris-like job of packing it all in the back of one car.

And just in case you haven't already seen, heard or read the flyer, here it is one more time.  10-2, 99 Leinster Grove Thornbury.  All handmade, local and way to fab for words.  See you there.

See you on the other side of the storm.
Kate xx

P.S. Here is a sneaky peeky at some of Saturday's wares. Kxx

Our First Market: The Prolouge

The time has come fans of Gus & Kitty to go public.  On Saturday 28th July we will be at the Made'n'Thornbury Market.  Come on down and say hi and support Gus & Kitty and a whole host of fantastic other local women artisans.

Happy Stitching
Katexxx

Good bye old friend... Hello new friends

There comes a time in every sewers life when we must bid a fond farewell to our trusted and loyal machines. You share good times and bad, they have been the savior on many occasions and the bane of existence on others. But you are never mad at them for long. We give them names, stroke them and tell them how much we love them and secretly (or loudly) curse them when they misbehave.

 

I learnt to sew on my Mum's Janome affectionately dubbed, Jenny Janome, not dissimilar to the picture above. For years she hummed along, making all of mine and my brothers clothes, fancy frocks for Mum to wear to weddings and that and a few capsule wardrobes for my grandmother to take on her adventures around the county. She saw me through my secondary school textiles projects and even a tutu or six at uni. In her old age, tension was an issue, stretch wasn't possible and even reverse became too difficult. Sadly, Jenny was replaced by a newer and fancier (computerised) model.

 

The new machine can do everything. I think if we were desperate, it would sort and fold the washing for us. Automatic threading, bobbins that wind with a flick of a switch, feed dogs that actually feed!!! The fabric was flying, we could hardly contain our excitement. The following Christmas another Janome arrived. Maree and I are were like dueling banjos, except on machines.

 

While at uni, I finally bought the long coverted overlocker. No more French seams, double turns and don't even get me started on the joys of stretch. Who knew the world could be this way. Joining seams and finishing at the same time! I would hug the overlocker, sing to it, sing along with its gentle hum. I never looked back. Until the other day...

 

With our first market date drawing ever closer, Maree and I have been stitching away. Last week, however, it was not the gentle hum of sewing machines or the always comforting "schwook" of metal cutting through fabric. No no, the air was filled with frustration and the gritting of teeth. Ree had spent an hour or more wrestling with the overlocker. For some reason the green thread was not cooperating, unthreading itself, snapping and Lord only knows what else. After my own unsuccessful attempts to wrangle the beast I cried, "that's it!!! I've had it with this bloody overlocker! Ree we are buying a new one!"

 

On a Tuesday afternoon, not so long ago, we welcomed the newest member of our machine family home. We were like children on Christmas morning, squealing and clapping. Unlike children on Christmas morning, however, we read the instructions. Our old machine was second hand and didn't have instructions. The only information we had were my scratchy memories from Swinburne and even that was limited to industrial machines. Reading the instructions was like entering Aladdin's cave. How to correct tension, roll and narrow hemming, decorative finishes. Our heads were spinning.

 

"What did Jesse Knowlan say? Press as you go ladies!" I have this sewing mantra permanently burnt on my memory. Jesse Knowlan (I think that was her name) was Maree's sewing teacher at school. And it has served me well! But in order to press as one goes, one requires an iron that gives off considerable heat and steam. And so, a new iron was purchased. I asked the salesman if it was a stealth bomber as well, but he assured me it wasn't. It's slick and shiny and boy does it give off steam and heat. Fingers + steam = OUCHY!

 

Every sewer, professional or amateur, has a machine or gadget that you love. I myself have another machine whom I cannot part with. He is an ancient Myer Victor that was given to me. He has cams that create the different seams, my personal face is the sailing boats. His tension is shot and and it's been a long time since I've used him, but I still cannot part with him. One of my new faves is the bias binding maker. No longer do I struggle along making it by hand. A few quick cuts and a seam or two here and there and it's thought the machine and presto! Bias binding galore.

 

I dedicate this post to all those sewing machines, overlockers, irons and other beloved sewing gadgets that have gone to a better place. We will always remember the good times. We miss you.

 

Kate xx

 

Global Headquarters

Ask Maree and I where we do our sewing and have done since before the dawn of time, and the answer is always the kitchen table. We have tried to set up in other areas but there was always a snag in the plan, babies need rooms to sleep in, family members return from overseas and need to reclaim their bedroom. Both more than valid reasons but it leaves us back at the kitchen table. In a two bedroom town house and a busy family home, kitchen tables just aren't the answer.

We searched for a solution and there was really only one answer, Maree's lounge room. There were just a few things that needed relocating, couch, washing, kids toys etc.

And so the transformation began.

And slowly but surely, global headquarters began to take shape.

Then we moved in. More like I moved my sewing equipment and fabric and...

Then finally it was done. We even have an office area.

There was no excuses left. The sewing really needed to begin in earnest. As the newly appointed art work reminded us, "Just get on with it!"

Kate xx

Some more letterbox love.

A very small parcel from the USA created some big smiles. Love love love our labels. Now to attach them to products.
Kate xx