CHRiSTMaS aGaiN aLReaDY?!

Yep, it must be that time again.

The advent calendar has been hung (and fought over whose turn it is to open each morning), the Christmas tree has been acquired (model's festive tree hunting pants can be found here). On the other hand, I am not quite up to date on gift shopping or Christmas cards but a wonderful surprise from Wendy June via Jorth came my way this week in the form six adorable monsters that I won with a woeful monster related pun should get me moving on that front. Thank you to both of you.

BiKeR BoY

No outing is complete without coordinating attire and what better outfit to wear when strolling along a bike path than BiKe pants. Never mind that we can't actually ride a bike yet, its more important that we at least look the part.

SuMMeR BeRRieS

Speaking of summer around the corner, look at these beauties ripening in the back yard. Keeping cane berries such as these raspberries and blackberries, is not too different from looking after kids actually - if you don't keep an eye on them you'll find them sneaking off and popping up in other parts of the garden just where you don't want them. It's worth it though for the firm, unbruised, sweet taste of a perfectly ripe berry that hasn't been carted from farm to market to home. These ones rarely even make it into our house before consumption though.

The blueberries being a bush are a little tamer but these ones are still a little way off though and the birds seem to have a keener eye for them turning blue than we do.

So why am I rabbiting on about my berries? Well apart from how good they are to grow and eat, I suppose they are part of the inspiration behind the name BeRRYBaLLiSTiC, something fresh, vibrant in colour and straight from my own back yard.

SuMMeR SToRMS

It's been a week of hot days turning into afternoon thunderstorms here in Sydney. Makes for a wet but fun walk home from school and was the inspiration behind turning this great fabric into this summer dress once your school uniform is discarded to a soggy mess on the floor.

HiBeRNaTiON oVeR

Whoa. You slink off for a quick nap in 2009 and looks what happens, you wake up and its summer 2011. Yikes!

OK, so I HAVE been busy during the hibernation (babies, kids, school, renovations as well as a little sewing etc) - what have you been up to?

Anyway, I'm back again, with a slightly scaled down philosophy this time. I'm not even pretending to be a big shiny mass producing shop - its just too boring, repetitious and exhausting. Basically I'm sewing stuff on a whim, whenever I pick up nice fabric or see a design that takes my fancy. I'm keeping one for me and one or two for the shop and that's it. Limited runs, not one in every size!

One for me and one for you - sounds like a plan!

THeSe PaNTS aRe MaDe FoR TRaVeLLiNG

The gallery has been updated with some more photos recently. Have a look - its where you can see real kids enjoying BeRRYBaLLiSTiC designs in real life.

All BeRRYBaLLiSTiC designs start off life in Australia but they sure do travel. Some fans have sent in some holidays pics of their stylish offspring globetrotting in BeRRYBaLLiSTiC. Can you guess from the photos which countries these lucky kids have travelled to? I'll give you a hint - most of the photos have been taken in Australia but there's also some sets of photos from 3 different countries: one in Asia, one in Europe and one in North America. Worked it out yet? No? I'll be back later with more hints.

In the meantime, why not send in a photo of your kids in BeRRYBaLLiSTiC? It doesn't have to be anywhere exotic, your backyard or local park is just as good!

P.S. Did you work it out? The answer is Bali, France and New York, USA.

THiNKiNG aBouT CHRiSTMaS?

This little set for your one year old is great for festive season but could easily be worn again after Christmas is over as it doesn't absolutely scream jingle bells!

It comes with its own set of red cotton bloomers but you could just as easily add your own stockings or an under shirt in cooler weather as our grubby little model has with her own smaller version of this set.