Wedding by the Lake

This week I received an order for three of my Lily Peasant Dresses in White, size one, two and three.  Oh my, I immediately felt very bad, not quite as bad as Sarah Murdoch may have felt when she announced  the wrong contestant to win Australia's top Model, but I did feel bad.  I did not make the Lily peasant dress in a size one.  I quickly emailed my customer and explained the situation.  I could send her a size two and  three and for the inconvenience I had caused I would love to send her two organic short sleeve Tees.
Hmm I mused, the Lily Peasant style has been such a popular style for Rowantree Designs this spring, in the cute blue bird print and in the embroided white cotton.  I also mused why somebody would order three of the same dresses.. Of course the obvious...A Wedding perhaps!

Later that day I received an email from Sally.  A very sweet lady who confirmed my Wedding thoughts.  Sally is getting married by a Lake in Albury and she has two beautiful daughters to wear the size two and three and would like me to send her anything that is pretty for her one year old neice to wear.

I know that I have some beautiful 100% cotton embroided white cotton I bought on my last trip to India, and I will make up three dresses  in the Breezy Summer Frill design.  Sally sounded so lovely that I wanted her girls to look beautiful for her big day.

The dresses have been made and sent.  Sally has emailed me and told me they all fit perfectly and look gorgeous.  What more could I ask for then a very happy customer.   Well I have been promised some pictures which I eagerly await to post on my blog.  Thank you Sally

Adorable baby Lara

I have a very beautiful friend Lyndal, who has the most beautiful baby girl, her name is Lara and Lara is nearly one.  Lara is my "Baby Rowantree" model and she is not only a super model but the most placid little angel I know.  I was so excited to call Lyndal and tell her that the Baby's Smock dress, Posie Pinnie was ready for modelling.  Lara was an angel and we were able to squeeze in a few more shots in the Baby Rowantree range.  The Lara Spring pop over dress and the cute little Lucy Top all in one very sunny afternoon.

After the shoot Lyndal, Lara and I felt we deserved an afternoon treat so off to Envy Cafe in Summer Hill.  I love to visit Envy Cafe lots of interesting Vietmanese art adorn the walls. We sat in the leafy courtyard sipping on tea and eating delicious toast and honey.  Lara in the high chair calling to other customers "I'M LARA"and getting lots of attention, which a supermodel rightly deserves.

I loved all the images I took of Lara and it was so difficult to decide which ones I would use for the site.

Posie Pinnie

A fun day shooting pics for my website.

What a fabulous and fun day I enjoyed with young Max, his sister Sophia and their wonderful Aunty Deb at Rushcutters Bay Park, taking pictures for my website.  Young Max is a scene stealer and lots of people stopped by to talk to Max and tell him how handsome he is.  Gorgeous Sophia loved changing outfits and looked adorable in everything, especially my new "Belle" design dress.

The day was sunny, warm and such a perfect location which just happens to be one of my favourite places in this beautiful harbour town of Sydney.   I love the water and I love to sail and this is the perfect spot.  My love of the water really sets the scene for my strong nautical themes and strong colour palette.  Max is wearing the Blue "Sail Short", "Sail Tee" and "Sydney" boys shirt.  Sophia wore the "Gidget Short" "Harem Pant", Tie shoulder check top and my fabulous new design "Bella" Dress in Vintage Green and Pink Daisy.

After some nautical style shots we walked to the park.  Rushcutters Bay park is one of the best parks in Sydney, a fabulous spot for family picnics.  Lots of huge trees offering inviting shady places ideal for the picnic rug, the pram or play pen.  It has a brand new shiny enclosed play area with really cool play equipment, a cafe that is very child friendly (very yummy food)  with loads of bikes and trikes to ride on, not to mention the scenic harbour backdrop.  You don't need a boat to enjoy the harbour here!

At the park we did all the above, ate a picnic lunch, searched for starfish, climbed the trees and played on the play equipment.  And it was a wrap.  A fantastic photo shoot, two very happy children, a collection of great shots and a me, a very excited designer.  I love designing clothes for children.  I love the process.  I can't wait to see my clothes in action.

I look forward to spending lots of time in this park with my grandson holding his little hand in mine whilst he balances on the sandstone wall looking for starfish and waiting patiently for him to play on the really cool play equipment.  My husband is really looking forward to holding his little hand around a main sheet and teaching him to sail.

Once again a big thank you to Max, Sophia and Aunty Deb.

Rowantree Baby

Just recently my daughter told us the fantastic news she is pregnant and immediately I started looking for inspiration to design a baby range.  Hmm what to dress my precious little princess in was the hardest design task I have ever taken on because this is my first granddaughter and she has to look perfect, she has to stand out and look so totally gorgeous.  What about the fabrics.  I need the softest cottons and the print has to be soo adorable.

Sitting in my backyard one sunny afternoon, sketch pad in hand I was admiring my bed of sweetpeas that had just started to bloom.  Such a delicate vine with clusters of little flowers in soft reds, pinks and mauves.  And the flower itself resembling fluttering fringed butterflies.

I had my inspiration I would design a smock dress that had a lush frill as the central feature with a hint of a puff sleeve to cover her angel shoulders.  Just like a fluttering butterfly.

Off to my studio to look for the perfect fabrics, I already had an idea of which ones I would use.  The very beautiful floral printed swiss cottons I had purchaed in Japan last year.

I kept this design a complete secret  from my family as I wanted a ceremonious unveilling when I had the sample finished.

So one night when my three daughters and husbands and boyfriends had all gathered together at my eldest daughters house for a family meal  I knew that this was my moment, my moment to unveil the smock that my first grand daughter would wear.

Standing poised my daughter was eager to tell us the fantastic news.  She is having a boy.

The Posie Pinnie has arrived and will be available on my website very soon, here
 is a sneek peek for those of you lucky enough to have a little princess to look gorgeous in.

I will get started on designing something just as cute for our little King.

Three Breezy Dresses and other adorable pieces.

I love these three adorable dresses in beautiful bright reds and blues.  The polka dot is a classic look and so stylish and never goes too far away from the fashion trend.  The beautiful blue floral is devine and also looks great in the little peasent top.

I love the nautical theme and my summer collection shows this through.

I took my two beautiful chocolate poodles to Rushcutters Bay Park today a favourite spot for many families to enjoy a beautiful sunny day.  I am always looking at children and what they are wearing and the standout looks for me are those stylish bold reds and blues.

All my dress designs are very comfortable to wear so breezy in their design.  

Also love the polka dot shorts which come in navy, red and a chambray.  Team these Rosie peasent tops with any of my shorts.

Well I am off to a sailing regatta in Hamilton Island.  I will be taking some of my collection with me just incase I spy a cute little model.

It's Spring and a little of what is to come

The weather man says spring is springing on us early.  I can't wait to hear the shouts and laughter of the children playing in the back yard.  Cooling down at my favourite beach and having my friends and their kids at my house for a BBQ.  I am a summer person and my passion is sailing.  Cruising up to a Sydney Harbour beach and jumping off the side of the boat is just the way I want to spend this summer.  I also love being at my favourite sailing club and teaching the junior sail team.  Sail regattas are my inspiration for my next collection.  I am working on a strong blue and red palette with a definate nautical theme for the 2- 5's. Great shorts, shirts and Tees for the boys and fabulously fresh nautical fashion for the girls.
I have attached a preview of the Ruby Romper which will be featured in the August "Shop4Kids"
The Ruby Romper is a little retro piece I grew up wearing to the beach and I made them for my daughters. The comments were endless
the unisex cargo pant just says to me.  "Hey, you over there, come over the fence and play"

I am so excited about the next collection and I will keep you informed with sneek pics.


Thank you for your encouraging comments on my blog.

Come back for more previews and please join my mail list.

Roberta