calico and ivy is having a baby...

really...

come on inside...

10 Birchgrove Road, Balmain.  A thoroughly cute little shopfront which is slowly evolving into our Sydneyside home.

A touch more paint, a little more of my builder's (hubby of course!) handy work, and then in will go the stock we have been collecting.

You might know Sarah Wheatley...

 oh Sarah, please show your smiling face...

Sarah worked in Mosman Park from the day I bought Calico until the beginning of 2009 when she returned home to Sydney with her family.  Truly missed is an understatement, but I caught up with her as much as possible, and when I began to deliberate on the Sydney option, I knew it would only work if I could coax Sarah back to manage the shop for me. 

Come early December we hope to open the doors, with the product you have come to know Calico & Ivy for, and a few new additions.   Of course, Liberty of London Tana Lawn will be well represented, with many, many classics available on opening, and the new Spring 2011 collection arriving in both stores in January.

We will be needing a little help in Sydney.  We hope to attract a few talented, experienced, innovative and friendly people to assist in both teaching and counter roles.  Email here and tell us about yourself if you're intrigued.

we will keep you updated as Balmain blossoms...

christine and sophie

Christine Little might well be known to quite a few visitors to the shop.  Christine has owned the shopfront Quinces which has occupied a few tenancies within our Glyde Street shopping strip for around 26 years now.  Christine is an interior designer and manufacturer of soft furnishings and has a wealth of knowledge about the history of our little enclave and a few colourful characters who have spent time. 

Christine is also a very proficient and zippy knitter.  Allow me to show you her latest works.

This pattern Christine sourced from her extensive library, and chose our Colinette Jitterbug yarn and being the fantastic colourist that she is  popped four colours together her way and doesn't it sing?

Then straight onto another project Christine made this jumper that we affectionately call the botox lip.

detail:

from this book:

Lynn and I brought some Sophie Digard product back from France, having finally met Sophie and her lovely assistant Kay. A more enjoyable few hours could not have been had despite the heat being oppressive.  Ongoing choosing a huge quantity of linen scarfs that will arrive closer to Christmas, and more merino wool scarfs to arrive in February/March for the winter season.  Yes, Lynn and I were like kiddies let loose in a lolly shop,  colour and texture surrounding us and reviving our then jet lagged minds.

a snapshot of our latest Sophie Digard product.  I have posted it all on the website today, and will have it in the shop tomorrow.