Rituals

Since we returned to Sydney a little over three years ago, we have started a tradition of visiting the city at this time of the year to soak up the Christmas atmosphere and to do some shopping.  Little did we know that two days after our visit Sydney would be thrown into turmoil with the hostage situation and the terrible consequences.

All Sydneysiders are feeling pretty crushed and the events are still raw in our minds.  I'm finding it difficult to come to grips with the fact that three innocent little children are today without their mother or that a young coffee shop manager just doing his job has lost his life.  God bless you both.

Despite these tragic circumstances, our city is rising above it all and life is slowly returning to normal. Therefore I have decided to show what it was like here last Saturday, before we grabbed the world's attention for all the wrong reasons.

Our first port of call was the Queen Victoria Building, with its stunning Christmas tree soaring through three levels and ending under the magnificent glass dome.

The upper level has the most wonderful toy shop which I suspect is designed more for doting grandparents than children.

A little further along we came across these gorgeous glass baubles waiting to be personalised.

Imagine my delight when we emerged from the Queen Victoria Building to discover that the streets were festooned with patchwork banners.

After a refreshing coffee and wholemeal scone, we did a little more window shopping.

 

Part of the ritual is to visit the David Jones' Food Hall ...

... if for no other reason, just to see what ridiculous price they have put on their cherries each year.

Still, they make everything look so wonderfully tempting, we quickly get over the cherries.

We had already purchased our panettone, but were sorely tempted to buy one of these, even if we threw away the contents and kept the box.  However, sanity prevailed.

The Christmas display windows had children of all ages enchanted.

This lovely young lass and her colleagues bopped along to the music and sold reindeer antlers in aid of children's cancer research.

I wish you a very happy Christmas and most importantly, hug your loved ones.

New season sewing

For me it's not officially Spring until I see the first jacaranda in bloom.  But while I wait in anticipation I have not been idle.

I have had my eye on a pattern by Violette Field Threads for a little while and when my latest shipment arrived, I knew I had found the perfect fabric.

 It's such a soft, floaty cotton in a summery woodland design. 

I love the back with its scooped neckline and and sewn-in bow.  Available soon in my shops.

Our grandchildren have been forbidden by their parents to use the word Christmas for at least another two months.  It is referred to as The Season That Cannot Be Named.  Knowing how frantic it was for me last year, I decided to get an early start on The Season That Cannot Be Named clothing, beginning with my favourite skirt pattern by Tie Dye Diva.

This little top is so versatile. 

 It goes beautifully with the Christmas (oops!) skirts,under sleeveless dresses or jumper dresses, or simply worn with a pair of shorts or pants.

This is a classic styled dress with a very full skirt and pretty flutter sleeves.

And a big bow at the back.

I am also bringing back a favourite from last season, as it sold out very quickly.

If you are considering starting your Christmas shopping now, you can find these items and many more in my Etsy and MadeIt shops.  And keep the Hot Fudge motto in mind: shop early and shop often.

Come and get it

November, the month when people realise that Christmas is only a little more than a month away.  This year for some reason shoppers are getting an early start and snapping up clothing and gifts for the season.

I had been sewing along at a reasonable pace, filling a steady stream of orders when yesterday my Christmas skirt was featured on the Madeit Shopping Guide.  The skirt sold immediately, as well as two dresses and a custom order.  Suddenly my comfort zone was pushed to the edge.  As a consequence, there is now a two week waiting list on made-to-order items.

However, I do have lots of items ready to ship, so if you are in a hurry for something, maybe you will find it here.  It's a long list, so grab a cup of coffee and scroll at your leisure.  I only have one of each item, but have listed both websites where they can be purchased. First in best dressed!

Ready to ship

Christmas

Sugar Plum Christmas party skirt, Size 7/8, available here or here

Twirly Layered Skirt, Christmas Trees, size 4,  here or here

Ombre Skirt, Red Dots, size 8,  here or here

Dresses

Red Dandelion Butterfly Sleeve dress, size 4, here or here

Tiered Party Dress, Blue Rhapsody, size 6, here or here

London Blooms, size 4, here and here

Sail Away, size 2, here and here

Pink Parfait, size 18/24 months, here and here

Tunic Dress, Raspberry Paisley, size 8, here and here

Party Bow Dress, Blue & Mocha Floral, size 3, here and here

Florabunda, size 2, here and here

Bella, size 3, here and here

Party Bow Dress, Summer Tree, size 5, here and here

Party Bow Dress, Hearts and Roses, size 8, here and here

Pink Chevron Sundress,, fully lined, size 2, here and here

Jumper Dress, Daisies, size 1, here and here

Strawberry Tea Party, Size 5, here and here

Cotton Candy, Size 3, here and here

Skirts, Tops, Rompers

Twirly Skirt, Sail Away, Size 1, here and here

Layered Skirt, Blue Dahlias, Size 6, here and here

Layered Skirt, Tropical Days, Size 6, here and here

Butterfly Garden, Size 7, here and here

Bubble Romper, Lov ebirds, size 3-6 months, here and here

Coconut Ice, Size 2, here and here