Introducing...Silly Gilly

Name: Gillian Ross

Store name/label: Silly Gilly – Accessories for Children

Where to buy: www.sillygilly.com

Where are you located? Online and work from home in Nailsworth, South Australia

How long have you been sewing/designing? I’ve always been interested in craft and sewing since I was young, perhaps five or six. I started making my own clothes when I was fourteen and I even made my own wedding dress!

What inspired you to get started? I had decided to not return to the workforce after having my child but wanted to contribute monetarily to the family budget. I had been making hats and clothing for my daughter as a baby and friends were asking me to make things for them. Having always wanted to have a creative career, I decided to launch my own online store to both make money and have fun!

What do you do when you’re not sewing? Thinking about sewing, thinking about the business, running the online store side of things. Eating chocolate, reading blogs, searching for vintage patterns.

Do you remember the first item you sold? Not really, it was mostly to family and friends, but I do remember the first sale I had through my online store and I was jumping around the house like a silly woman!! It was so exciting to think that someone ‘out there’ like my work enough to purchase it.

What is your favorite item you have created? At the moment I’m in love with the large Steiner dolls I make. They have so many hours of work put into them, it’s hard not to fall in love with each doll as they come to life.

Favourite fabric designer? Michael Miller for his retro children’s prints. Absolutely in love with them!

Thank you for participating Gillian, I love the dolls too!

Guest Blogger - Michelle

I have been looking for great linen and bedroom accessories as we are currently starting the process of decorating our daughter Charlotte’s big girl room.

SO many of the kids sheet and quilt sets out there are just... Well they are licensed... Or they have so much pink they make even me want to turn down the “pink-o-meter”.

So I began searching for something handmade and pretty... I didn’t have an awful lot of luck to begin with, but did find this...

A gorgeous Play rug from mimoo on etsy. One of our favourite gifts we received when Charlotte was born was a unique handmade play rug. It got used every day, every where when she was little. And it has been my quest ever since to find something similar and just as nice to give someone else as a baby shower present – as very few people would remember a play mat is needed.

I love the colours and stripes on this one, for a boy or girl. I also love her apple play rugs too.

Next my search found this gorgeous set at Crab Apple Bedding


I love her retro vintage prints, and that you can get matching cushions and even buntings. Corinne’s quilt covers are custom made and can even include your child’s name.

And if there is a boy in my belly at the moment, I will have trouble not buying this one


Lastly (before I had to drag myself away from the computer at 11:30pm)

I found this gorgeous site Rachael Zelensky

A team of two sisters who together can create a gorgeous Children’s room in gorgeous Themed quilt sets and paintings to match.

I love the Ballerina and Cupcakes set



And this gorgeous Fairy Garden painting – takes me back to my childhood and spending hours searching for Fairies in the bottom of my Grandmother’s garden...


I think I am going to have more trouble deciding on her big girl room... Especially because I haven’t even started searching mermaids yet!

Guest Blogger - Nisha from Creative Neesh

Today's guest blogger is Nisha from Creative Neesh. Nisha is the designer behind our All You Need and TikiBoo Kids birdy logos, she has a fantastic flair for design!
"Creative Neesh is the home of fresh, clean and funky posters for kids of all ages.
Our Name, Number and Alphabet posters will brighten up any wall and are a fun and educational way for kids to start recognizing shapes, colours, animals, letters, numbers and objects. We love design that's relevant at any age and strive to create pieces that spark the imagination and have a sense of fun. There is an explosion of colours to choose from and we are more than happy to create custom pieces for those who really know what they want! Drop in to www.creativeneesh.etsy.com or www.creativeneesh.madeit.com.au to find the right piece of modern kids wall art for you."



Here are some funky homeware finds Nisha has sent me.

This bed wrap from Rainbow Revolution on MadeIt is pretty spectacular! It has been hand made and hand dyed in all the rainbow hues using fibre reactive dyes. It will fit around any bed, from a cradle to a king size...can you imagine, sleeping inside a rainbow, bliss!


Zippy Zippy, also on MadeIt, creates these gorgeous custom made name garlands. What a fantastic gift for any child. This one is red and white on black denim, a very funky combination.


I am loving this cushion Nisha found on MadeIt, at Peaceful Provisions. The cushion features an original screen printed design of a blossom tree with hovering dragonflies. The dragonflies are made of light pink felt and have been sewn on with silver thread. It also comes in a pink version.


Thanks for some fantastic homeware finds Nisha!

*NOTE* You may have notice our bloglist has reduced in size quite dramatically! We're happy to add creative Aussie bloggers to the list, but please honour us with a reciprocal link! Thank you.

Seeking Children's Homewares

Quick, quick! Please send me your Handmade Children's Homewares finds!

Anything handmade to decorate a childs room. Bedding, artworks, soft furnishings etc. As long as it is made in Australia, and handmade. (Not toys at this stage please).
Please send me a description of the individual item/s you're loving, and a link to the photo in the store at which you found it. If you wish to promote yourself, fantastic!

Thanks,

Nellbe from Nellbe's Scribblings

Our guest blogger this week is Nellbe from Nellbe's Scribblings - which she says is "Stuff and nonsense from me including stuff about being a mum and wife, all my crafty stuff and being a coeliac...nonsense about anything...".

I am such an admirer of those of you that can sew, as I cannot for the life of me, but it doesn't stop me wanting such cool little pieces for my 3 year old Little Man.

bugandpop on etsy has the cutest things and I love these caterpillar pants.


I found these adorable shoes from McArt, goodness they are so cute. My little man is a little big for them now, but I still think they are gorgeous. She has such a huge range, it really is worth visiting her etsy shop.



SillyGilly has these art smocks that are such a delight, she has the best fabric designs. (I like the dino days one)



Continuing the dinosaur theme... check out misspopsi on etsy.... gorgeous!! She has a range for boys and girls and a wide variety too!!


If you would like to be a guest blogger, please contact me!

Don't be shy!

We would LOVE to hear from you, and are always looking for contributions to this blog!
Some of our upcoming features include:

Handmade Children's Homewares
Anything handmade to decorate a childs room. Bedding, artworks, soft furnishings etc. (Not toys though, that will be later).

Handmade Children's Jewellery
Obviously, handmade children's jewellery!

You can write an entire post yourself, with several items or just one or two. Make sure you include the links!

We're also still on the hunt for handmade designers and creators to interview!

Email to me kathryn@allyouneed.com.au

Guest Blogger - Amanda from Swish and Swanky

Our guest blogger this week is the lovely Amanda of the Swish and Swanky blog. Swish and Swanky is one of my favourite regular blogs to read, a collection of fabulous finds, design inspiration and lifes loves.

This was quite a challenge to find beautiful kids clothing that's both handmade and made right here in Australia. As a mother of 3 kidlets, I'm always on the lookout for unique designs that represent each of their individual styles. There is definitely a void in the market for funky boys clothes but here are a few of my favourite finds:

I love this patchwork skirt from Ponz. Each garment is handmade so you're guaranteed a unique design. My 3 year old daughter Mia loves teaming these big twirly skirts with leggings.

I scream for ice cream. These ice cream necklaces from J2aney's etsy store really do look delicious enough to eat!


My bubba Lola is too big for this baby boho tunic dress but I couldn't resist sharing. Designed and handcrafted by MadeIt store Oopsidaisi by Sam this little dress would be perfect for a tiny girls first summer. Features vintage cotton Lace , hand dyed pom pom trim and embroidery.