pencils and pins

Rorschach cat

2012-02-07T09:25:00.000+11:00

What do you see?

Oh, and her name is Lena Germfur Inkblot Cat (yes, I know, perfect!)...

Hope you're having a good week x

my place and yours - green (in our kitchen)

2012-02-01T21:07:00.000+11:00

When Vic announced this week's My Place and Yours theme was green, I headed straight to our kitchen (well, after a few days of not getting around to it...).

In many regards, our kitchen is pretty ordinary, pretty modest... but when it comes to green-ness, it positively shines (in a crazy, slightly kitschy, I hope you like bugs on the wallpaper kind of way...)

(just outside our kitchen window)

Do you love green too? Visit Vic for more green places...

stretchy love

2012-01-19T11:01:00.000+11:00

One night at bedtime, we were having one of those "I don't want to go to bed" "well it's bedtime" conversations.

She said "but when I'm on my own, I can't feel your love."

LOVE.

How could I explain love, make it visible, feel-able, understandable? How could I explain that my love would always be reaching to her no matter where she or I might be?

In the end, I told her that love was stretchy, stretchier than the stretchiest elastic, and stronger too. It worked.

As we prepared for a new year of kinder, I made this stretchy love heart for her back pack, so that a visible, feel-able, stretch-able reminder of our love would always be easy to find (and then I made two more, because even grown-ups like reminders).

quick!

2012-01-05T14:56:00.001+11:00

I am normally a slow, s-l-o-o-o-w maker - mainly due to my tendency to overthink, procrastinate and change plans along the way. This last week has been different for some reason.

Last Friday, I decided to clean up my fabric stash in an attempt to avoid going to a fabric sale (I succeeded!), and found a tablecloth that I had planned to make into a dress... except when I washed it (more than a year ago), I noticed some stains that I couldn't cut around. Looking at it again, I decided to embrace the (tiny) stains - nothing like some pre-existing imperfection to lower my stress levels! I grabbed one of our favourite Kate dresses and carefully stretched it to make a kind-of-pattern, and then cut and sewed and made a dress (and hastily took a photo before heading out for dumplings).

This morning, I saw this tutorial. A couple of hours later, I stuck up our own version - not so carefully made and a lot more colourful - in her craft corner. Now I want one too...Hope you're having a happy time - fast, slow or whatever speed you like! x

Happy

2011-12-24T18:04:00.000+11:00

Wishing you a happy time, whatever you're doing, wherever you are.

the last few weeks

2011-12-21T21:09:00.006+11:00

Some of my favourite bits from our last few weeks...

making special and yummy smelling presents for special teachers and friends...

having the loveliest end-of-year mum-and-child yoga class, with presents exchanged, lots of hugs and two gorgeous little yoga friends holding hands as they left...

spending time with some really lovely people - work friends, blog friends, family friends...

enjoying the continuing evolution of our little hessian tree - now decorated in thrifted fuzzy felt pieces (though Lena our cat loves the challenge of pulling off decorations as quickly as they go up)...

decorating with op-shopped k'nex pieces...

and stockings made from inherited crocheted and knitted pieces (some finished but unusable, some unfinished)...

receiving some "just-right" early presents (thank you!)...

and a giveaway prize from a wonderful person (sorry it has taken me so long to say thank you, Mel!)...

I hope your days are being filled with favourite bits too! x

My slightly Christmassy place

2011-12-03T20:01:00.005+11:00

I prefer not to make a big fuss about Christmas - I don't like the pressure, the costs, the rush... so Christmas tends to creep up quietly in our house...

or should I say, tended... because now, a four year old speaks regularly and excitedly about trees and fairy lights and Santa (as long as she doesn't have to meet him!) and baubles (Mum, why don't we have any more baubles? We need more baubles!).

Swept along by her enthusiasm, I'm actually starting to get Christmassy - albeit in a low pressure, low cost, slow kind of way.

So far, we have started on a "tree" of sorts, carrying on with our tradition of making a tree from stuff around the house, and of not actually finishing it right away (though given that our cat thinks this is a toy, it is unlikely to ever be exactly "finished"). Next, maybe some fairy lights?

I'm linking up with Vic's My Place and Yours Christmas special (by the way, her tree is fabulous!), and also wanted to mention Sarah's post about traditions, as this has inspired me this week too.

my place and yours - where I sleep

2011-11-03T09:40:00.003+11:00

When Vic announced this week's MPAY theme, it seemed the perfect time for me to finally join in - this blog's been a little sleepy of late!

Our bedroom is not so photogenic right now, so I was not sure what I could share, until I woke up from a nap on the couch...

I'm not normally a couch-napper, but have found myself falling asleep here a bit lately.

As of yesterday, though, this couch has a new resident, an outstandingly good sleeper - our adored adopted shelter cat!

Find more my place and yours places here, and check in with Vic on Saturday to find next week's theme.

morris hoped against hope for a cup party invite...

2011-11-01T12:23:00.001+11:00

Hope you're having a good day today!

snatching snippets

2011-10-20T17:11:00.004+11:00

Recently, I have felt that life has been moving too fast and in too many directions for me to catch up... that no matter how hard I try and how much I want to, I just can't stay "on top" of things.

Finally, I've decided to try something different for a while... well, actually, to stop trying so hard.

To lower the bar a little and let things go, to spend some time working out what matters and what doesn't. For me, being creative does matter, and I know I need to give myself more time and energy to be creative and do creative things.

In the mean time, here are a few "snippets" of creativity that have emerged from our home in the last few weeks...

I've enjoyed snatching moments to hook (at times veering into obsessive hooking, just as Nicole said I would), enjoying the rhythm of repeating trebles as I make a scarf that will probably be ready in mid summer...

Mum and girl collaborations have continued...

muslin baby wrap, decorated with fabric markers

but have possibly been outshone by this amazing dad and girl collaboration

WALL-E in Lego, cute, hey?

My favourite creative moment of the week was watching our amazing 4 year old act out the life cycle of a fly...(possibly the first and only time in my life that I will think kindly of maggots)

For creative spaces of all kinds (probably not involving maggots), pop over here.

walking the walk

2011-09-25T16:58:00.003+10:00

This weekend, I spent a good few hours walking - joining some workmates in a local "Relay for Life," a fundraiser for The Cancer Council.

At the end, we stretched, and celebrated our fundraising achievements... but as I drove home, I started feeling frustrated that we should have to hold fundraisers like this for crucial services that don't get the government funding they need.

This quote popped into my head... (we had this tea towel when I was growing up!)

Or, relating to some recent announcements:

"it will be a great day when our healthcare services get all the money they need, and the MCG has to hold a cake stall to refurbish the Great Southern Stand"

(OK, not so catchy, but hopefully you get my point...).

My guess is, most of you will already have heard about Cam's Call for Help, and maybe have already written to those in power to ask them to overturn The Alfred Hospital's decision to reduce lung transplants in coming weeks... but if you haven't, please do (you can click on the picture below to travel to her website).

Thank you, and I hope you're having a lovely weekend.

itchy stitchy

2011-09-10T18:14:00.004+10:00

Today, she announced that she felt "itchy stitchy"...

you know, that feeling you get when all you want to do is stitch...

and stitch...

Isn't it a wonderful feeling when you get to do just what you like for a while? I hope you got that chance today too.

P.S. - we used nylon netting as the " invisible fabric" (when I couldn't find the hessian I know I have somewhere...), and a yarn needle. Super easy and fun!

a new language

2011-09-08T16:19:00.002+10:00

After a few hours spent on the lawn on a sunny Sunday with some of my favourite work friends, I am finally learning to talk in crochet...

I can't yet talk AND crochet, but have learned that I can crochet passably with one eye closed (which is lucky, given the state of my left eye!).

Hope you are having a lovely day!

mended

2011-09-06T09:15:00.005+10:00

After the fun of mending her jeans, I turned to my own... and wondered why we both get holes on the same knee (the right one).

I have vague memories of wearing jeans patched from the inside, and how uncomfortable they were, so I went for an "outside patch" too, and then had some fun with wonky stitching.

Now I have a built-in reminder to check the mending pile more often...

every girl needs a shed

2011-08-26T10:03:00.005+10:00

Years ago, we bought this plastic (and more expensive than it looks) outdoor shed / cupboard thing in an attempt to deal with our storage woes.

The problem was, it was not as weatherproof as we'd have liked, and was a bit of a pain to use... so when we started doing some cleaning and clearing out lately, we came close to chucking the thing...

but when it was empty and open, it suddenly turned into a "house"...

a bit of cleaning, a bit of a blackboard and (ahem) a bit of plastic bag bunting later, it is now a fun and happy cubby, and part of our backyard in progress.

(we are loving the bonus "pink snow" too... but will need to clean it up soon!)

my creative space

2011-08-18T16:27:00.004+10:00

Gif make

Sometimes the little projects are the most fun - especially for a scaredy cat like me who experiences anxiety when cutting into lovely big bits of fabric.

This week I took a scrap of fancy fabric (from the scraps box at Patchwork on Central Park), and patched up some holey, worn-out jeans...

and when that was a success, I grabbed a pair of too-short jeans, and added some Yardage Design gorgeousness to the bottom (OK, I admit I did have some anxiety cutting into this fabric, but managed to remind myself that gorgeous fabric is better out on display (even when it gets mud splattered) than hiding in a box!).

For more creative spaces ...

I'm not sure what I was supposed to do today...

2011-08-14T16:15:00.005+10:00

(and I still have a vague, unsettling feeling that there was something I was supposed to do...)

But I did...

... eat the last of our yummy "Cathie Cookies" (Fruity Oat Cookies, to be precise), one of the amazing recipes from Cathie's blog...

... play our girl's new invented game - "Backy Books" (basically you grab all your Golden Books, turn them over so you can only see their backs, and then pick and read a book without knowing what it will be)...

... and turn three old cloth nappies into a dressing gown, because I felt like doing some of my favourite kind of sewing (using old stuff, so there's nothing to lose, and making it up as I go along).

Hope you've had a fun Sunday too!

taking a walk

2011-08-13T10:56:00.005+10:00

Inspired by Vic, we took a walk last weekend... not very far from home, and not for long (taking 4yr old sized "paces" doesn't get you very far...)

Walking the streets around our home, wearing matching green "detective" jackets and carrying a magnifying glass (her) and big camera (me), we got some strange looks - but had a lot of fun!

(See Vic's post for full instructions if you'd like to join in too)

1. Starting point;

2. 50 paces;

3. Walk until you find something blue;

4. Left turn and walk 50 paces;

5. Walk until you see something that is or looks like 7 or 11;

6. Take the first left, walk until you find somewhere to sit;

7. Walk any direction 25 paces;

8. Walk until see unusual colour, shape, texture;

9. Walk until you see an archway or unusual architectural feature (because we were at that stage being regarded with suspicion by home owners, we couldn't photograph homes... so we decided that lichen is an interesting kind of "natural architecture"... yep, cop-out, I know!)

10. Head for home, looking for something that catches your eye...

Thanks, Vic - I think we might do this again sometime!

flea market finds - smokin'

2011-08-07T10:09:00.005+10:00

(a cautionary tale...)

I bought this gorgeous 70's Singer Sewing machine a couple of months ago at a church fete... it had one of those "not tested for electrical safety" stickers on it, but the nice man said that they do try out the electrical items and only sell ones that work, and it was really cheap...

I was so excited, but a bit nervous to try her out, because I really wanted her to work... so she sat safely in a corner of my room while I waited for a quiet time to test her out.

That time came a week ago - I cleared the dining table, found some fabric and thread, followed the threading info I'd downloaded, and plugged her in.

And she worked - with a lovely gentle purr... but the tension wasn't quite right, so I did a few more test runs...

and then she clunked...

and then I noticed smoke rising up from her base...

and then I quickly unplugged her and carried her outside before she burned the house down...

and now I'm trying to work out how to safely "retire" her, without anyone else risking electrical fire... any ideas?

For (probably safer) finds, visit Sophie.

warm and fuzzy

2011-08-03T22:16:00.004+10:00

a few photos that make me smile...

Testing out our new hot water bottle cover (made by the very talented Brianna for the Hottie Challenge). We don't have a hot water bottle, so have been shoving a wheat pack inside, which works very well (perhaps a little too well, as I rarely get to use this for myself now!). Stay tuned for more Hottie Challenge news from Curlypops...

Katie, the beautiful fuzzy-eared koala, who has quickly become a special friend. Katie is one of Jennie's stunning creations (if you haven't visited her etsy or made it stores, you should...).

our creative space (vale margaret olley)

2011-07-28T12:08:00.004+10:00

Today, we decided to celebrate the life of Margaret Olley - an inspiring artist and supporter of the arts - by making our own artworks.

(Terrie, the travelling kinder bear, sitting for his very own portrait)

I loved gathering and arranging objects for our still life... and in doing so, remembering my own art classes at school (still life drawings of flowers were always a favourite).

I also loved watching my girl having fun and getting inspired by using the "good" paints and the special palette and paper...

(yes, I took my chance to relive art class and paint camellias again...)

and wished the wind didn't blow up so we could have stayed painting all day.

I hope you've had fun being creative too.

library party details and nice bits - the invites

2011-07-25T11:18:00.003+10:00

I'm still thinking about our party last week - in part because some of the signs and decorations are still in place, and partly because I haven't much else to show for the past week except piles of tissues...

After reading some lovely comments about our party, and because I genuinely would love for others to share the fun of a library party (and I think it would be fun for any age from baby to adult!), I've decided to post about some of my favourite details from the party, starting with the invites.

NB: Most, if not all, of our ideas for this party were not entirely original, but instead adapted from other ideas we found online (just search for library-themed party and you'll see what I mean).

After deciding on a library party theme (after scoring a huge haul of books at a school fete), head to the nearest church fete and pick up a fist-full of library card envelopes... OK, this step might not work for you, but the envelopes would be pretty easy to make from old yellowish envelopes.

I used an old typewriter font (found free with a quick internet search) to make the invitation cards, then printed them and cut them to shape. I added the date with a date stamp (I was going to let my daughter do most of these, but got a bit carried away...).

Because I wanted the older kids to be able to read their membership cards, I used a more modern font for these. We made up some "rules" for the back... including an invitation to bring a book to donate (we'll be donating our books to The Footpath Library and Second Edition).

Finally, because there was a self-adhesive bit on the back of our envelopes, we added a piece of magnet cut from those calendar magnets that real estate agents like to give out...

I'll be back in a day or so with more little snippets to share... please tell me if there's anything you especially want to know about (or if I'm going on too much!).

library parties are the best...

2011-07-18T10:21:00.008+10:00

because the invitations are fun...

because we could indulge my love of retro and her love of signs (thanks for leading us to these, Vic)...

because I had the perfect excuse to build more bookshelves...

because this was our menu plan...

because of story time (we love story time!)...

because it's fun to watch little hands creating...

because a cake shaped like a book is pretty easy to make...

because cupcakes featuring all her chosen books are not THAT hard to make when you have a food dye pen (thanks for the tip, Cathie!)...

because it's nice to give as well as receive...

because she loves books, and we love her.

(we had the BEST time, and are happily exhausted today... please excuse my continuing slackness with correspondence and comments...)

flea market find

2011-07-10T16:04:00.002+10:00

Once again I've been expanding our games collection. I found these game pieces (without packaging or instructions) and have had fun building our tree and trying to guess the game rules... does anyone know them , or what the game is called?

We had fun with our made-up rules, anyway - particularly given they are flexible enough to cope with missing pieces!

Visit Sophie for lots of lovely finds...

still hanging around

2011-07-08T12:48:00.002+10:00

Hi there! I'm still here, just taking things easy for a bit... will have more to show for myself soon, promise!

(PS I've joined Tania's finding faces group here...)

a bookshelf pretending to be a mantlepiece

2011-06-27T22:13:00.004+10:00

We don't have a mantlepiece, but I really want to join in with Estelle...

So here's the top of a bookshelf (a cheap one from the big blue and yellow emporium), with some of our favourite red things, mainly thrifted, including our newest toy- an old Sesame Street music box that plays "A person in your neighbourhood" (the girl walked back to the car holding it up near her ear like a boom box...).

More mantles (probably even real ones) over here...

going back

2011-06-23T15:47:00.005+10:00

Have you seen this show? If you haven't, you can catch up online and see the last episode tonight.

It has made me think a lot about walking my talk. I believe that people seeking asylum should receive respect and care, not simply detention and deportation, and that people who have already suffered trauma should be protected as much as possible from further trauma.

But what am I doing about it? Not enough. From now on, I am going to try to do more. I need to.

I need to, at least in part for these boys (now men, if they have survived). I met them at a refugee shelter in Kenya when I was just 19 years old. They had escaped war in Sudan - and potentially escaped life as child soldiers. They were gorgeous and funny and clever. I learned to play thumb piano, and danced and sang with their community (to be told I "danced with a tight bottom" - it was NOT a compliment!).

Coming home from that experience, I was determined to "do my bit" for those boys and people in their situation... then I got caught up in Uni, and life, and stuff... and my efforts have been token ones.

Now I think it's time to rediscover my inner 19 year old, and once more try to change the world...

(um, yes, this post is somewhat overly earnest. sorry about that.)

PS: a BIG thank you to Cath for reminding me...

luck

2011-06-19T20:46:00.003+10:00

Frederick McCubbin, Down on His Luck, 1889 (NOT the original!! - a faded and scratched [but wonderfully large] copy, marked down to $1 at the local oppy and destined to become a blackboard).

Today I'm feeling lucky.

Lucky to have found a few nice things at the op shops (I only photographed one, though!).

Lucky that I could find support when I needed it, both online and in real life (thank you!).

Lucky to have spent a couple of hours today at Cathie's biggest morning tea (in the afternoon), eating amazingly delicious food, meeting and chatting with a bunch of great people... and then lucky enough to win a prize in the raffle.

Myrtle and Eunice tea towel (to go with our "T" tea towel!), CurlyPops brooch (now I feel like a real Melbourne blogger!), and super-cute Chantal Vincent stamp...

Hoping you're feeling lucky too.

(PS: joining in with Sophie's flea market finds ...)

just like magic

2011-06-18T09:55:00.003+10:00

I pressed a button and, just like magic, yesterday's blog post disappeared.

I realised that my needs (for support, and to get some things off my chest) had been met, and that I could now focus on my child's needs (including privacy) with some extra self-confidence.

I also visited random.org for some magic (well, random) number choosing.

My little blog hit 100 followers, and I know people normally hold giveaways for such events. I decided to hold a "sneaky" giveaway instead - and randomly chose one of the last 100 comments for a little gift. The "winner" is Wendy (I'll send you an email to get your address...).

Hope you have a happy, and perhaps even magical, weekend x

the best room in the house (by far)

2011-06-14T19:49:00.004+10:00

(please excuse this self-indulgent, photo-heavy post - I just really need to celebrate having one clean and beautiful room in our home ...)

Her room has always been the best room in the house, with gorgeous winter sunlight, and lovely vintage wallpaper that survived our "new" phase when we first moved in.

When it was time to say goodbye to her too-small toddler bed and stretch out into a full-size one, I took the chance to rearrange the room (adding only the bed, and swapping some furniture with other rooms).

(dress-ups corner, just waiting for a mirror...)

(books books books books books, everywhere you look)

(a lonely artwork waiting for some friends)

(we could perhaps do better with the light bulbs...)

I think I want to move in...

the tipping point?

2011-06-12T18:10:00.004+10:00

My husband is normally incredibly tolerant and accepting of my op-shop and fete purchases, even when they are silly or excessive.

This time, however, when I carried in this gloriously flowery fold-up chair, he just pointed out that we'd sent a perfectly good camping chair (boring dark green, with a drink holder) to the op-shop weeks earlier...

I almost didn't tell him that I'd bought two...

For more finds, visit Sophie.

flea market finds

2011-05-29T20:53:00.002+10:00

You may or may not be surprised to know that I can barely walk past this little wooden telephone without picking up the receiver and putting it to my ear... even when my daughter's gone to bed. I think I need to accept that I buy toys as much for me as her!

For more finds visit Sophie...

cushion swap - in and out

2011-05-21T11:59:00.006+10:00

I was really nervous when I signed up for Vic's cushion swap - what if I stuff up my project and send my swap recipient a dud, or end up being really late sending it, and getting in trouble with Vic?

or... what if I really don't like the cushion I receive?

I think I've been lucky on both counts...

Here's the cushion I received - from the lovely Melissa. Isn't it amazing - and it fits our place perfectly. The big question is - do I add it to our vintage sheet bedding plans for our daughter's "big bed" - or do I keep it for myself? I'm keeping it for myself for a while as I make up my mind...

I was lucky with my swap recipient too - I got to spend some time "researching" on her lovely blog and checking out her Pinterest pics, and working out what she might like. I discovered that she loves books (and is fond of books arranged by colour order), likes flowers, and likes a bit of vintage...

so I made her a rainbow vintage floral bookshelf cushion! I really loved the process of making it, and found myself racing to finish it in excitement (instead of my normal hurrying to meet a deadline). I really hope she likes it too.

Thanks, Vic - this swap was fun!

something for zac (my creative space)

2011-05-19T11:38:00.005+10:00

Zac is my husband's good friend.

He is a blogger and a knitter, but not a knitting blogger - his blog is of the literary kind.

He was the first real-life person I knew outside our house to learn about my blog, and helped me enormously when I was just starting out.

It was his birthday this week, and it was my very great pleasure to make him something (and to do my first bit of not-just-garter-stitch-knitting in quite a while!).

I hope you liked it, Zac! Happy Birthday, and thank you x

More creative spaces here.

PS: pattern for TARDIS dishcloth found here, with slight modifications by me

surprise giveaway winner

2011-05-15T15:01:00.003+10:00

Drawing the winner of my little giveaway was harder than I'd originally planned, after Blogger had a crisis and lost some comments... luckily I hadn't deleted (or, I'm afraid, replied to) my email notifications.

So, after a quick cross-check, and a visit to random.org, I found a winner....

Cathie!

Please email me your address, and I'll pop a little pressie in the mail for you.

Wishing you all a happy week

my creative space

2011-05-12T08:08:00.000+10:00

This week I have four different little knitting projects on the go, and I'm loving it!

What are you doing? I might see you over here, in this new "spaces" place... (but first we're going away for a couple of days - yay!).

PS: giveaway here (of the surprise kind - my guess is there will be something knitted in the prize!)

flea market finds

2011-05-08T17:00:00.002+10:00

I could pretend this was a selfless purchase bought entirely for my daughter's benefit...

but when she looked at it, she said "But Mum, we already have a cash register!"

She's right, we do have a plastic, battery operated, beeping thing (also thrifted) ... but now we also have a vintage metal one with pop up numbers, and a little knob on the side that you wind up to make a lovely "brrring" every time you open or close the drawer... I am a happy mum!

(Now if only I could actually get rid of the plastic one - that could take a while...)

Visit Sophie for lovely finds by the blogload!

PS: Happy Mother's Day!

PPS: I have a little giveaway over here!

unexpected

2011-05-07T13:12:00.007+10:00

(this photo has nothing to do with the post, but I thought you may like to see what we wore at our "Royal Wetting Party")

I started my blog a year ago today (timed so I could visit Jodie at her stand at the Stitches and Craft show and tell her I was a blogger too - which I did, after hours of loitering in her presence...).

When I started blogging, I expected to do a lot more "making" than I have actually done, and to live up to my blog title in a way... so on first glance, this year hasn't lived up to expectations.

On the other hand, I hadn't expected:

to make connections (and in some cases get to meet and become real life friends) with incredible, smart, creative and warm-hearted women

to experience the incredible generosity of so many people, and to begin to give back too (though I think I really have received more than I have given so far...)

to share snippets of our own life and home, and my own thoughts and values, and in doing so, to begin to feel more comfortable in my own skin (thanks, Cath)...

and... well I could go on, but I'd like you to reach the end of this blog post!

In celebration of a year of NOT living up to expectations, and being pretty happy about it, I'd like to offer a surprise giveaway (at this stage, not even I know what it will be, which scares me a bit, but I will try very hard to make it good!).

Just leave a comment on this post (about anything you like - maybe even something unexpected that has happened to you that you were happy about?), and I'll draw a winner on Sunday May 16, at 12 noon.

Thank you so much for making this year unexpectedly good xx

back to work

2011-05-06T16:10:00.005+10:00

This week, I'm returning to some jobs started and abandoned years ago, with new confidence and a surprising amount of excitement and enthusiasm...

I do in fact love a bit of handyperson work, and we are well and truly ready for a "new" laundry (and a few other things too)...

it might take a while, but I'll pop back in with "after" pics one day...

(and in case you're worried, I do wear shoes when I'm working!)

Calling a meeting of the Jess Appreciation Society...

2011-04-30T10:42:00.003+10:00

Thank you, Jess...

xoxo

my creative space

2011-04-28T10:23:00.002+10:00

I am often late with presents for my family, so I'm a bit chuffed that I'm already on track for Mother's Day next week...

I made a couple of these little handprint flowers for Grandma and Nanny - using this tutorial by Wild Olive, but using full size handprints - because I am lazy, but also because I think the recipients will like to know they are "really" her handprints (I just cut the second handprint a little way up the palm to make the smaller inner petals).

Now I just need to remember to get to the post office on time...

For more creative spaces ...

our today garden

2011-04-26T20:54:00.004+10:00

I spent a good chunk of this sunny easter weekend outside, trying to clean up our garden (it always seems more like cleaning than gardening, as I sweep sand, dirt and possum poo off concrete), and doing a bit of thinking.

I've mentioned my dreams of our "one day" garden before, but, the truth is, that day is a way off, and in the meantime I am going to focus on improving what we've got.

I need some help though - I have some plans and ideas (less concrete, new steps, more garden!), and have started making some concept drawings, but I know we can't do it alone, and I'm still experiencing "tradie phobia" (after a bathroom renovation that still haunts us, and causes problems, years later).

(the new steps thing is something of a necessity)

Can you give me any advice on finding someone we can rely on, someone who won't laugh at our attempts to minimise costs / waste / environmental impact, and someone who will let me do the bits I can do on my own? Better still, do you know anyone who fits that description and works in SE Melbourne?

One day, one day...

(we might keep at least a bit of concrete...)

happy easter homebodies

2011-04-24T12:06:00.005+10:00

(Our Easter Bunny slipped a note under the door...)

With both sets of grandparents living more than a daytrip away, our Easters and Christmases have always involved lots of travelling, and a fair bit of "fitting in" with other's expectations and routines (and also a fair bit of fun, too... occasionally balanced with the odd bout of crabbiness... well, you get the picture).

("Hey, why am I getting vegie seeds instead of eggs? Oh, so the eggs are in the garden...")

This Easter is our first one at home, and we've had a wonderfully relaxing time making things up on our own (borrowing a few family traditions and making some new ones too).

(Growing some leafy greens in case the Easter Bunny's friends want to visit)

Wishing you and yours a happy time, whatever you're doing, wherever you are...

(Anyone for pancakes?)

avoiding the oppie - day 1

2011-04-16T12:56:00.004+10:00

As I suspected, my daughter has taken my op-shop moratorium badly.

On the very first day, despite a clogged up nose, and a rather impressive sounding cough (well, if you are impressed by sickness), she insisted we needed to go to an Op shop to find a friend for Moby Dick, because he was lonely in the ocean...

(She also wanted me to tell her the story of Moby Dick - oh, maybe not quite the right story for a nearly 4 year old - so I told her to make up her own... sure enough, it was a story about Moby finding a whale friend...).

I started to have a "wants versus needs" conversation with her (all the time, thinking I was a pot talking to a kettle), but felt so sorry for my glazed eyed girl, and found myself saying "We don't need to go out for a whale, we could make one."

I took a rough pattern from Moby, cut into some old trackies from the rag pile, keeping away from the threadworn bits, and sewed - with one eye on the machine, and one eye on my little cheerleader dancing on the bed (amazing what a bit of toy anticipation can do...),

and made Teacle.

Teacle loves turning somersaults in the ocean, and eating shrimp, but mostly she loves spending time with her best friend Moby.

I wonder what I will resort to next time the op shop beckons? Christy and I are going to try and stay away for the rest of April - does anyone else want to / need to join us?

Enough. (flea market finds)

2011-04-15T13:25:00.004+10:00

I'm a bit early for Flea Market Finds this week (or really late, perhaps), but needed to write this post before I changed my mind.

You see, I've decided to take a break from op-shopping for a while - well, at least 2 weeks.

Yesterday, I had a little bit of child-free time, and thought it would be fun to go treasure hunting... and it was.

I found some great things - this suitcase at a tip shop (I didn't even know we had a tip shop nearby until a week or so ago!), four (yes, FOUR) gorgeous aprons, a bit of orange tupperware and a "matching" teatowel, and a couple of nice sheets.

I also found, and bought, some other things that I didn't love or need, and that I put back in the car and redonated straight away...

I realised that, while my love of op-shopping has many benefits, it has started to take more of my time, and more of my thoughts (and more space in our home), than I'd like.

So a break it is. It will be hard to maintain - especially with a daughter who actively encourages my habit - but necessary.

Wish me luck!

PS: I'll be joining in with Sophie's Flea Market Finds this Sunday.

my creative space

2011-04-07T09:08:00.003+10:00

This week, our space contains little snippets of creativity... I am thinking about big projects and plans, but so far haven't found the time (or energy or organisation or self belief) to get started...

...soon...

Until then, I am borrowing ideas...

(child embroidered hoop inspired by Soulemama)

taking inspiration from a challenge...

(made from sheet edges left over from making FQs for this swap)

and enjoying some early morning outdoor creative time with the girl...

For more than just snippets, pop over here.

the dangers of visiting fetes late in the day...

2011-04-03T11:30:00.003+10:00

Do you ever visit fetes late in the day? When the stall holders announce "fill up a box/bag for $5, no, $2, no, just take it all, it's free..."?

Last Sunday, I did just that - and walked away with a box of 60+ books (because in announcing they were free, they mentioned that leftover books were thrown out because op-shops have refused them in the past! Seriously, that is sad). I did make a donation, because it seemed wrong not to.

I think I well and truly got my money's worth.

Some books have already been delivered to an op-shop (I'm delivering little bundles in the hope that it will increase their chances of being accepted). Others - new or practically new - have been stashed away to give to family and friends. Others we will be "auditioning" and treating almost like library books - try them out for a few weeks, and if we don't absolutely love them, we'll give them away.

Some will most definitely be staying with us - a Tove Jansson book (thank you, MMMC for the introduction to her work), a cat book that I remember from school, and a 1950 edition of Just So Stories (and a few others, but I thought you might get bored with picture after picture of books!).

I think our home is turning into a library... but perhaps that's not such a bad thing.

I'm sure Sophie would agree (and if you visit her later, I'm sure you'll see some lovely finds!)

a little bit of Daylesford, a whole lot of happy

2011-03-29T19:52:00.004+11:00

Today, I came home from work, feeling a bit tired and worn down... and then I visited the letterbox. A parcel from Kate was waiting, with TWO gorgeous dresses inside (because it was just too hard to choose a favourite).

Immediately, the weight on my shoulders disappeared, and the late afternoon was filled with dress ups and photo shoots...

can you see why we couldn't choose?

and the creation of a "banana princess cavewoman" too (if you read Meg and Mog regularly, you may understand...).

Thank you for bringing brightness to our day, Kate!

flea market finds

2011-03-27T18:28:00.004+11:00

Some treasures from a fete I went to last weekend...

A suitcase, found under the stall - I asked the surprised looking man manning the stall, who confirmed it was for sale (I think he thought I was a bit crazy, buying the old thing...)

and a little wooden bill / letter stand (currently holding some recently thrifted books).

They count as sensible, practical storage items, don't they?!

(let's not mention the STACK of books I collected today, on the other hand... well, maybe I'll show them to you next week!).

For more finds - including an envy-inducing sewing machine - visit Sophie.

grateful for our little patch of wilderness

2011-03-19T17:53:00.005+11:00

When I'm being melodramatic (which is perhaps more often than I'd like to admit!) I refer to our backyard as "the concrete wasteland"... because most of our less-than-3m-wide space is covered in the stuff. Grey, cracked, concrete.

I often suffer from backyard envy... but, some days, our space has its own magic and wildness...

tiny baby snails

spiders weaving beautiful webs

seedlings growing from the very seeds she collected

and sometimes a cheeky rabbit pops in for some silverbeet!

So, while I still dream of our "one day" garden, I am grateful (thanks, Maxabella).

giveaway winner

2011-03-19T07:46:00.003+11:00

And the winner of my vintage FQ giveaway is...

NessaKnits!

Email me your address and I'll send your fabrics on their way!

Thank you to everyone who joined in.

my creative space

2011-03-17T08:03:00.004+11:00

We have a couple of sets of lovely twin girls in our lives, which is absolutely wonderful, except when it comes to birthday presents. I always want to make gifts, but my time management deficiencies often let me down - and on more than one occasion I have been sitting in the car (in the passenger seat, I might add), hastily sewing up the last seams.

I am proud to say that this time I finished the pair of gifts at home, and even found time to photograph them!

Two pencil / notebook "bags"- one purple and one pink (luckily my lovely nieces have chosen two different favourite colours!). The idea is not my own - I know I saw this concept on a blog somewhere, I think maybe a year ago - if it is yours, please let me know so I can properly acknowledge you!

(I did finish attaching the second set of snaps before getting in the car...)

The best thing about these gifts was watching them being immediately put to creative use... ahh, a rainbow, carefully made with every pencil in the set!

(I heard later that this was her first ever rainbow!)

For more creative spaces...

flea market finds

2011-03-13T13:58:00.002+11:00

It's been such a warm, sunny morning, and as it turns out, my finds are sunny too - a Ladybird book, a vintage book of short stories for children, and this lovely quilt cover (which will buy me some time until I make the vintage sheet quilt cover I have planned (inspired by the lovely Beck)).

Speaking of vintage sheets, you might like my giveaway here...

More flea market finds via Sophie's.

101

2011-03-11T16:50:00.004+11:00

Yesterday I wrote my 100th blog post. I could pretend I didn't notice, but in fact I was suffering from a little milestone anxiety. As I've mentioned before, I'm not so comfortable with big events (even if they're only big in my own head!)...

So, instead, I'm celebrating 101 posts - reaching 100 and keeping on going (and I've always been fond of prime numbers...).

I have a little giveaway in honour of this little milestone - 5 vintage sheet fat quarters, one each of the sheets you can see here (I've been on the lookout for sheets to join in this Vintage Sheet Swap...).

Just leave a comment - entries open to all.

PS: forgot to include the closing date - entries close next Friday, March 18

my creative space

2011-03-10T11:02:00.004+11:00

Lately, it feels like I have been alternating between just kind of inching along...

and being helplessly upside down, trying my hardest to move, but getting nowhere...

I've had a slow start, but I have high hopes for a bit more inching today.

I hope you're travelling well.

More creative spaces here.

PS: this is supposed to be a caterpillar - made after our girl tearfully announced that our original caterpillar did not look at all like Wooly Bear from the book (luckily, the original Wooly Bear is still going strong, just with a new name - Bluey...).

It's a bit short and stumpy, but it has stopped the tears, and every piece of green fabric in the house is now a plantain leaf, so I'm considering it a success...

falling off the wagon (flea market finds)

2011-03-06T15:00:00.003+11:00

I started this year with the plan to give more to the op shops than I bought. For a while there, I was doing brilliantly, but somehow, op shops seem to pop up close to many of the places I visit, and, well, I've fallen off the wagon...

I even bought the wagon!

(this is NOT everything I've bought lately, just a representative sample...)

I guess I'd better start decluttering again!

Visit Sophie for some lovely finds...

my creative space - no bake cookie

2011-03-03T08:51:00.004+11:00

I said "should we make something?"

She said "Yes please!"

The only problem was, I was thinking crafty thoughts, and she was thinking cookies...

We found a compromise - a softie cookie, (with a bit of inspiration from the works of Nikki and her girl).

Mmm, smells good...

For creative space inspiration, visit Kirsty.

flea market finds

2011-02-27T11:53:00.002+11:00

I am a self-confessed squirrel - buying lovely things at the op shop and putting them away "until later"... a bit of a forgetful squirrel too, often struggling to find my treasures when I'm finally ready to use them...

so I'm especially proud of myself this week - picked up this little spice rack one day, and hung it up and filled it with threads the next...

visit Sophie for more lovely finds...

my creative space

2011-02-17T09:21:00.003+11:00

I've started making a "creating" space... in the belief that a dedicated space - even if it is jammed into our little bedroom - might help me escape a little creative rut.

It's still a bit messy (and one day perhaps we should think about painting the walls!), but it is filled with pieces I love - thrifted and inherited pieces, that gorgeous bag, and a bunch of early photos of me and him (a nice reminder as our "first date anniversary" - our 12th! - is fast approaching).

So far, no great creative output to show for it... but one day...

Kootoyoo is the place for creative space inspiration...

our creative space

2011-02-10T08:37:00.003+11:00

Sometimes, when I am knitting (which is not so often lately), I have a 3.5 year old knitting companion - she uses these giant needles and this old yarn... and she knits amazing animals (in her imagination).

The other day, she announced she wanted to do "real knitting" - and that she wanted to make a caterpillar (and that we had to use HER needles and HER yarn too).

I operated the needles, and she did the "wrapping around with wool" bit... and we made this:

(maybe a caterpillar's old discarded skin?)

Undeterred, we reached for the yarn needle, and she did her first bit of "real sewing" with a "real needle" - in and out, up and down, around and through and generally any which way she liked (with a few strategic stitches from me to kind of pull it into a kind of shape).

Finally, we had finished - our first toy that we knitted* and sewed* together.

Meet Wooly Bear, the caterpillar - she is very talkative and loves to tell jokes, and is just the right size to cuddle up in a little hand.

Visit Kootoyoo for more creative spaces...

*not sure if this qualifies as real knitting or sewing, but I'm definitely sure that it really doesn't matter in the end

an embarrassment of riches (part 1)

2011-02-05T21:57:00.006+11:00

My guess is that pretty much everyone who reads this little blog would already know about the amazing array of auctions and "giveaways" held by so many talented and generous people to help raise money for those affected by floods.

Given that I'm a SLOW maker, I decided to focus on donating instead of making, and soon my "receipts" folder in my email account was filled with little donations as I entered some lovely giveaways.

I feel almost embarrassed to say I won... not one, but two glorious prizes.

Nova's Dr Seuss cushion cover - I love the way each piece of bunting lifts up to reveal a surprise - like a giant lift the flap book...

right now it's hiding in my secret present drawer, awaiting the arrival of a new nephew - I have to keep myself from pulling it out to look at it in case I change my mind and keep it!

I also won this beautiful laptop bag from Nikki - I don't yet have a laptop, but it is motivation to get one - hanging up near my bed reminding me of my dreams and plans for further study, and in the meantime, holding my "low tech" paper copies of the research and journal articles I'm reading.

If you want to make your own bag, you can find the patterns here... and see Tanya for some inspiration!

Thank you Nova and Nikki!

(and yes, the part 1 is there for a reason - I will be back someday soon to explain the rest...)

cover version

2011-02-02T19:57:00.003+11:00

Is anyone else excited that Spicks and Specks is on every night - straight after the kids' shows?

(yeah, yeah, I know it's not really a kids show, but I try to sing loudly to block out adult content, and well, she developed a Spicks and Specks love in utero, and always managed to wake up for a feed in time for the show when she was tiny...)

Video made a bit over a year ago - this "piano" was one of her first completely independent duplo creations (another was a "Spicks and Specks set" but maybe I shouldn't mention that in case you think we're completely crazy...)

Hope you're having a happy Wednesday (and staying safe too).

a girls' weekend

2011-01-29T18:31:00.005+11:00

In case you're wondering, no, I'm not interrupting a weekend of child-free relaxing and general indulging to make a blog post... because it's not that kind of girls' weekend (though that would be just lovely). Instead, my husband is off on a "boy's weekend" so it's just me and the girl for a couple of days.

I am feeling a bit tired - I missed my late morning break when she and Dad head to the park for their regular Saturday play time - but I am also feeling grateful.

Grateful for a relaxed lunch date with another of our favourite girls.

Grateful for extra time to play and imagine and just be (even if that means "being" kangaroos with repurposed apron pouches) .

Grateful for reminders of how similar we are - she also "photographs" everything (with a no-longer functional camera, which luckily functions quite well in her imagination).

Grateful for a naughty-ish late-ish dinner of pancakes (made less naughty by very good eggs, and by a healthy-ish topping of apple sauce made entirely of finely grated apple).

Grateful for remembering that even though we are not always perfect (and yes, we both had our moments at the supermarket today), we really are pretty great!

Visit Maxabella for more grateful thoughts.

my creative space

2011-01-27T08:32:00.003+11:00

This week has seen a little last minute making...

some rainbow felt bunting to decorate a favourite colleague's baby shower, made late at night while the "bring a plate" was cooking... thank you to Lupin for the lovely, colourful felt (trust me, it is colourful! It's a little hard to take photos at night when 2/3 of the light bulbs have blown!),

and a toy / laundry bag whipped up to help her carry the baby shower loot home.

We also made a bit of mess yesterday - while "making" lamingtons (from bought cake, just adding the icing and coconut).

We made some which actually looked like lamingtons (if a little variable in size, after attempting to cut a round cake into cubes!), and some which...

well they still tasted yum!

For creative spaces galore, visit Kirsty.

how to be rich [flea market finds]

2011-01-23T15:52:00.007+11:00

Wander through the house and find a big bagload of perfectly good things that we don't need, without even trying...

Listen with delight as a young child's mantra changes (at least temporarily) from "I want" to "I could give this away"...

After dropping off the bag, step into the op shop (well, we all knew that was going to happen... and in fact I visited more than one...), but for once, show restraint - putting back the lovely things that we just don't need and don't have space for.

Look admiring at the things that did make it home (well, we all knew that would happen too...), all useful, beautiful and well priced.

Enjoy converting the money saved into donations for people who need it - here, here, and places like here too, because people have endured natural disasters all over the world. Enjoy the fun of using many of those donations as entries in one of the amazing giveaways / auctions taking place right now thanks to the wonderful people in the blogging community.

Yep, feeling pretty rich today. Hope you're feeling rich in your own way too.

For more flea market finds, visit Sophie (who is most certainly among the wonderful people - all proceeds from her shop this January are being donated to the flood appeal, and she's also holding a Thrifting Love giveaway!).

please don't stop here, just go and donate

2011-01-13T11:04:00.004+11:00

Nothing to see here - but so many people in the blogging community are doing something to encourage donations to the Qld Flood Appeal...

There are many "giveaways" (open to those who donate) and auctions - some really great ones have already started and others are starting soon - find a full list here from Sunday.

Visit BrisStyle's Handmade Ark Flood Appeal, where generous makers have donated some of their wares with all proceeds to the appeal.

Lexi of pottymouthmama is also keeping an up to date list of ways to help.

We're going through our piggy banks here, and hoping our little contribution can go some way to help those who are struggling.

Stay safe x

flea market find

2011-01-09T13:21:00.003+11:00

Some evidence that I am officially an op shop regular...

I spied this doll basket a bit over a week ago at one of the few op shops open between Christmas and New Year... but it was out the back in the staff only zone... I wasn't brave enough to ask the staff if / when it would be for sale, and instead went back a few hours later, when it was nowhere to be seen (you get a pretty good view of the staff only zone from the carpark).

Fast forward seven days, and to my surprise it was sitting there waiting for me. I carried it around on my hip while checking the rest of the store, then waited in line to buy it. The op shop manager saw me and said - "oh, that is SO you!"

OK, so I'm enough of a regular to be recognised not just by face but by buying habits. At least I now have her express permission to ask about items out the back!

For more finds, visit Sophie.

ordinarily happy

2011-01-03T16:05:00.004+11:00

I think I like day to day life more than Christmas or New Years, or any of those other special occasions. I don't really like the pressure to be extra-happy, or extra-good, that can come with those big-name days.

I prefer it when perfectly ordinary days, and ordinary moments, turn into special memories.

By the way, we've taken our tree down now... but an even more beautiful one has sprung up in its place...

Wishing you loads of ordinary (and extraordinary) happiness this year...

xo

sensitive? me???

2010-12-29T21:38:00.007+11:00

Over the past few days I've considered a few different ways to write about the Christmas that was...

but even though I'm not always the nicest person in real life (a couple of moments on Christmas day revealed that rather clearly), I like having a nice blog... so I have belatedly learned to hold my tongue.

Then I read this book again (it's by Tony Wilson, a Melbourne based author who writes about people who like their pants pulled up high, brave flowers, and mauve traffic lights, among other things)...

Usually when I read this, I think about some people I know...

we all know that kind of person, don't we?

except today I realised that sometimes I'm that kind of person.

A person who can't bear to sleep in polyester sheets, who takes offence at tiny slights, and, well, feels a bit like I'm walking around with a stone in my shoe (or a pea or three in my mattress)...

So, perhaps this year when (if?) I write my resolutions, a little less sensitivity and a little more resilience should be on the list...

By the way, I'm not usually a resolutions list kind of person - are you? Do you have any tricks for keeping them achievable, and, well, keeping them?

PS: find this awesome book here (among other places, I'm sure!). I love teaching my daughter subverted fairy tales before she's had a chance to learn the "official" ones!

nearly there...

2010-12-24T09:22:00.005+11:00

We are about to jump in a car and head off for Christmas with my husband's family (to be honest, we should already be on our way and I definitely shouldn't be dilly-dallying over a computer right now...), so I just wanted to pop in and wish you all a happy and safe Christmas and festive season.

(the closest we could get to a Santa photo this year - she's terrified of him, so a photo with a reindeer's distant relative will have to do...)

Thank you so much for your friendship, encouragement and inspiration over this year, and I look forward to seeing you again soon.

Catherine xo

positive and negative (my happy list)

2010-12-11T08:55:00.005+11:00

It's fair to say that I've been a "glass half empty" person for most of my life, from my school days when I'd get 19/20 in a test, and focus on the one mistake I made...

These days, I sometimes find it hard to see beyond the never-conquered laundry pile, or the cracks in the concrete occupying most of our little backyard...

Then I read this post by Kate, who, in spite of some very real and frustrating challenges facing her family and their farm, chose to focus on what makes her happy... and has inspired many others to do the same.

So, inspired by Kate's happy list challenge, this is what makes me happy right now...

Living in a home where creativity and imagination is valued more highly than neatness and perfection...

a place filled with "magical fabrical houses" and teapot toasties

a place where just a cup of water can create a wonderful puddle (not that we've needed to supply the water lately...)

a place where my lack of pruning has led to a safe place for a bird to nest (right outside our loungeroom window! I'm trying to keep my distance and give them some privacy, and have managed to keep this a secret from our girl)

More happy list inspiration over here (thanks Kate!)

Made by other hands

2010-12-09T17:07:00.006+11:00

I love the idea of making presents for people - especially those closest to me. The problem is, I'm a slow maker - slow to decide what to make, what colours or fabrics to choose, whether to use a pattern or make up my own (I generally choose the latter, then wonder what I was thinking halfway through)...

A little while ago, I wisely came to the realisation that if I wanted to give handmade this Christmas, I would need to at least partly outsource the making to others more productive than me.

These are two of my favourite gifts so far...

The cushion is for my dad - who has always stood up in his quiet way for justice and peace and all round kindness in the world. Made by the awesome Cath (who has also made some amazing map cushions, that are selling like hotcakes, by the looks of things!).

Quincy, a sweet bear who loves cranberry sauce, lawn bowls and playing the accordion, is made by Jess, a lovely person who I've been lucky enough to meet, and I'm pretty sure I was her first customer / groupie at her market stall a month or so ago. Quincy is going to my mum, who absolutely loves and treasures all teddy bears, and has a history of "rescuing" damaged and discarded bears and giving them a new home... I reckon Jess and my mum would have a bit in common!

I made another special purchase at Jess's market... ssshhh, don't tell my daughter...

She fell in love with Enid, the lamb after seeing "Enids" all over blogland in buttons for Softies for Mirabel. Just a few weeks ago (and after I'd brought Enid home), she said, "Mum, can you please make me an Enid? I want to stroke her and care for her and she can live in my flowery garden bedroom..." (Enid likes picking flowers, you see...)

I told her I couldn't, but that I would ask Jess... I think someone will be happy on Christmas morning!

Even though the gifts are made by others, we're adding a bit of our own handmade to the wrapping... nowhere as neat and stylish as Nic's, but still pretty good, I think!

I'll have a few more "made by others" gifts arriving soon... and if I don't pick up my work rate soon, I might be making some more quick orders in a few days time!

a very cardboard christmas

2010-12-05T09:32:00.004+11:00

For a good few years now, we haven't put up a christmas tree in our home. Partly because I have a bit of an allergy to pine trees (not major, just enough to be annoying), partly because we have a little place without much space for a tree, and partly because every Christmas we wake up somewhere other than home, with family who live too far away.

We managed to keep up this tree-free existence until this year. Thursday December 2 was the day we suddenly realised that our daughter really gets Christmas now... and that we can no longer avoid the tree.

The issues of space still exist, so a regular tree remains an option I'd like to avoid for as long as possible...

I researched some space saving ideas - I'd love a 2D version of this tree (thanks MMMC! and I'm impressed by Becclebee's DIY version too!), or this lovely little tree (down at the bottom of the post, past some gorgeous leather decorations), or maybe this bookshelf tree... the perfect tree for a family of bibliophiles, don't you think?

Then I saw an empty cardboard box, and after a bit of time convincing my sceptical daughter (well, cardboard is made out of trees...), the cardboard tree was drawn, coloured in, and cut out.

Adding to the complete laziness of this tree, I decided to make it a Christmas count-up calendar too - adding a paper "ornament" every day, instead of having to decorate it straight away!

(yes, we are up to date with ornaments - this photo is from a couple of days ago!)

Next year, I think we will need a "proper" tree - but at least this one will create no storage issues whatsoever come January!

job accomplished

2010-12-03T15:52:00.005+11:00

Yesterday, we successfully delivered our softies to Meet me at Mikes for Softies for Mirabel. I was a bit worried about bringing a 3 and 1/2 year old child to a store with a window full of toys she couldn't have - feeling sure I'd face a constant barrage of "I want..."

In fact, she was great - handing over the softies package relatively happily (with her extra little gift for Pip, her craft hero - I'm trying to be cool about the fact she's chosen someone she's never met, who's not her mum, as her craft hero... at least she has good taste!), and saying good bye to the window full of toys, wishing them happiness in their new homes.

OK, so I did bribe her a little, with the purchase of a tiny pretty piece of fabric - but fabric bribes aren't so bad, are they?

If you are in Melbourne, you still have a few days to visit the window of Softies - or even add to it!

PS: by the way, "job accomplished" is her current favourite phrase, used after rescuing toys from pretend emergencies...

my creative space

2010-12-02T07:53:00.007+11:00

Guess where we are going today? With two softies finished just in time (well, actually, a day late for the window opening, but at least this way we get to drop off and window swoon at the same time...).

A big special mention to Susan, for the fabric for Bunny's "dress" (I won it, with some other vintage sheet fat quarters a while back), and for giving me a little bag full of toy stuffing as well! It was exactly the right amount to finish both softies - thank you Susan!

If you are a fast softie maker and want to join in, you still can - read Pip's latest Softies for Mirabel post here.

For more creative spaces, visit Kootoyoo.

Edited to add: there has been some conjecture regarding whether the brown softie is a dog or a pig... well... he was supposed to be a dog, but as soon as I turned him right way out, he looked a bit like a pig - so lets call him a dog/pig shall we?

the little kangaroo

2010-11-28T07:50:00.006+11:00

Once upon a time, there was a little kangaroo. We don't know how or why, but she found herself living in the 50c toy box at the Op Shop. Because she was so small, she fell all the way to the bottom, where it was dark and scary (and to be frank, a bit smelly).

One day a little girl came along who knew all about Op Shops, and knew exactly where to look. A new friendship was born.

The little girl said "you need a bath - you've got mushrooms growing behind your ears!" The little kangaroo wasn't so sure, but soon she felt much cleaner.

She didn't even mind being hung up to dry - it was fun, like a giant swing!

Soon she was meeting new friends, and enjoying a big kangaroo group hug.

She even learned to play dress ups, and bake imaginary gingerbread.

Dressing up was so much fun - she decided to try another dress up. "Hello, Mr Dino! I'm being a dinosaur too!"

Mr Dino thought the little kangaroo was so funny - he laughed so hard that he rolled over!

The little kangaroo felt embarrassed, but Mr Dino said "come on, little dinosaur, it's time for a Dino Ride!"

It had been an amazing day, but the best bit was still to come...

A hug from her new best friend

who doesn't let her go, even when she's sleeping.

For more flea market finds (with probably more finds and less self-indulgent storytelling), see here.

reverse finds

2010-11-27T18:55:00.003+11:00

We've reached the last weekend in Spring, so this will be my last Reverse Finds entry for a while - phew! I've found the pressure of sticking to a weekly post no matter what a bit harder than I expected (and as it is, I cheated sometimes, setting up a link to last a fortnight).

I've also learned a bit about myself. It seems that I am more committed to blogging than cleaning up... and that, while I've given away a fair bit, there is much more to do. I've also learned that I need to focus not just on getting rid of things we don't need, but also organising what we do need...

So this week, I've done a bit of cleaning up - I spared you the before picture of our fridge, but here's the after...

It's a bit empty (except for eggs - guess who had eggs in bread for dinner?), but hopefully after a bit of meal planning and organised shopping, it will be filled in a more organised way, with a bit less food waste (nothing like a fridge clean out to induce food waste guilt...).

Now I just need to go through the freezer... and pantry... and plastics cupboard...

If you have a reverse find post to share, feel free to add a link below!

my creative space

2010-11-25T08:28:00.005+11:00

This week's creative space is inspired by... last week's creative space!

(or, more accurately, by our daughter's artistic response to last week's nature find)

I loved the way she represented the nest in her own energetic style... which led me to reconsider some plans I'd been making.

I'd recently bought a pile of blank teatowels with the plan of getting our daughter to stamp them with potato prints, and using them as presents or present wrapping for some family and friends. I'd come up with some design ideas, and had thought about ways to get our daughter to put the prints in the "right" spots on the tea towels...

Then I saw the nest, and realised that would be a GREAT design - and her own design too.

So out came the tea towels and a brown fabric marker - and nests were made.

I reprised my "one cut" stamp making technique - this time with an egg shaped potato. The (opped) corn cob holders were a plan to keep child hands away from paint (it actually worked!).

These are a few of the results - I love the way she took the nest idea and made her own modifications along the way...

(I think I had similar help to Jess with my photography this week!)

I did decide to have a play with another potato print design - I like these clouds, but they were harder work, with closer supervision, and occasional instances of me completely taking over...

She also got to make a couple of her own designs - I think she really appreciated being trusted with these "fancy tea towels" (even though they were pretty cheap!) and did a great job!

For more creative spaces, visit Kootoyoo.

reverse finds

2010-11-20T09:14:00.003+11:00

I have an "unallocated present" box in my place - a place for presents I bought for someone, then changed my mind, or found the "perfect" present later. The plan is to look at and use these presents before buying anything new... which works - sometimes...

Unfortunately it's been a while since everything actually fitted in the box... so I'm taking the tambourine and puppet from the top of the pile to the "Wishing Tree" - I know Target and Kmart both have them, and I'm sure a lot of other organisations have their own. I hope I am forgiven for giving a "noisy" present.. in my defense, I actually bought this for my own child (and then she got one from someone else).

Hopefully I can allocate a few more of these presents for christmas this year, too!

Are you giving away / clearing out too? You can add your link to the list below, if you like!

my creative space

2010-11-18T11:27:00.003+11:00

It's a slow day here in my creative space, so I have decided to spend some time admiring the work of other makers - both online, and in our own backyard...

We did spend a bit of time imagining what it might have looked like before it was abandoned...

For more active making, visit Kootoyoo.

my creative space

2010-11-11T10:01:00.002+11:00

Today I planned to avoid the siren call of Kirsty's My Creative Space... instead, here I am... just quickly to say hello and do a little (entirely understandable) procrastinating...

Tomorrow I am presenting at a conference, speaking in front of a (hopefully not too big) crowd... so my creativity is being focused on strategies to remember what I'm saying, to breathe and speak slowly, and to keep my hands from flapping so much I take off and fly away (maybe that's why they call it fight or flight??)...

The other part of my creative brain is finding little ways to keep a little person happy and calm today. The toilet roll forest, and the black felt "dirt", were actually her idea - I just helped with the fabric "leaves"...

Looking forward to popping in on a few of you today during my "study breaks" and having a better look around after the conference is finished!

flea market find

2010-11-07T09:02:00.002+11:00

While driving along the other day, I suddenly realised I was in hard waste collection territory. I tuned my antennae, and almost immediately noticed this...

It wasn't so functional when I found it, but after a few screws and washers, and a bit of a clean up, it works again - in a slightly hesitant way, but that's fine by me.

I even love its paint spatters...

For more finds, visit Her Library Adventures... there is talk of a challenge... not sure if my find will fit, but I'm too excited, and wanted to post about it straight away!

reverse finds

2010-11-06T08:15:00.004+11:00

This week, I gave up on trying to find something of my own to give away, so turned to my husband's part of the wardrobe - surely with my help he could give away even more...

Instead, my contributions were on the "keep it" side... "maybe I could do something with that old t-shirt"... "some of the denim in those jeans is still good, surely I could reuse it ..."

Despite my "help" this modest pile did make it to the op-shop...

Feel like joining in and doing some clearing out of your own (however modest or large...)?

Add your link below - this one will stay open for two weeks, as I'll be away from the computer next Saturday.

my creative space - wardrobe archaeology

2010-11-04T07:36:00.005+11:00

One thing my husband and I have in common is a love of "old stuff". Our first big trip together was to Italy and Greece, where we revelled in ancient treasures.

Our love of "old stuff" is evident in every room of our house - filled with things we have had since childhood, or "old stuff" we have found and re-homed. You might call us hoarders... I prefer to say "we just like old stuff."

When we last tried a little wardrobe clear out, my husband sadly pulled this rumpled, yellowing, almost threadbare Astroboy t-shirt out. He sadly said "I guess this should go." I knew it was hard for him. This t-shirt has a history. I decided to find a way to stop it becoming a rag.

I roughly cut out the design, and the same size from the back of the tshirt, then sandwiched them together with fusible webbing. I then carefully cut out the design and ironed it (with another layer of webbing) onto an old calico bag from a conference (with a logo that needed two layers of fabric to obscure).

I did a bit of hand stitching around the edge, and quickly tacked on the original t-shirt tag (perhaps I should have tidied up the original stitching on the bag first?),

and it was done.

A bag just perfect for dad and daughter trips to the library or cafe, and a bag that I hope holds onto the meanings and memories of that old t-shirt.

For more creative spaces, visit Kirsty.

blogtober day 31 - the finish line

2010-10-31T20:34:00.005+11:00

Just a quick note to say goodbye to Blogtober - it's been a challenge for me, though I think I did better than I expected (having just missed 1 day - in the final week!).

I've enjoyed writing posts about things I hadn't written about before, and learning new things (I'm really enjoying making animations now!). It's been nice to discover some new favourite blogs - and to meet a few lovely blog friends in real life too!

Right now, though, I think I'll be slowing down again for a little while, and enjoying the chance to blog when I have an idea, rather than being driven to find one - though I think I really benefited from that motivation too!

I've got a busy work month ahead - including presenting a paper at a conference, for the first time in years, so if I go missing for a while, don't worry - I'll probably just be using the dreaded Powerpoint instead of Blogger.

Best wishes, stay warm (or cool, depending on where you live!) and see you soon!

flea market finds

2010-10-31T09:11:00.001+11:00

Last Sunday was Flea Market Find of the Year day... I showed my favourites, but these would have been up there if my family had a say...

Find one - daughter's choice...

there was a linen sale last week at one of our local op shops (her favourite, the one near the bakery...) and they had a collection of aprons for sale for 50c. She chose this one, and wore it, as a dress over her clothes, out of the shop and for most of the day. She loved announcing that she only cost 50c, and would only answer to the name "Absolute Bargain" when wearing it.

Find two - husband's choice...

we went to a market last weekend and left husband / dad at home for a break. On the way home, we found a second hand book sale and picked this up for him - it was given to us for free with the other books we got, because it was "a bit old"...

he loves it - Star Wars and Graphic Novel is a winning combination for him - and it might actually be worth a bit of money, if ebay is any guide...

I'll be back later to celebrate the end of Blogtober (and to get my post count for the month up to 31 since I missed a day earlier this week... obsessive? me?)

reverse finds (and giveaway winners)

2010-10-30T08:32:00.003+11:00

So as to distract you from the mess that is to follow, I drew the winners from my giveaway... they are Gill, The Clip Cafe, and Alison... the only problem is, they all want the red set... so there will be some emails and negotiations to try and make sure everyone is happy!

In other news... this is what our couch looked like the other day. Caused by a mixture of falling way behind in the laundry due to work / illness / disinterest, and of not actually having space in wardrobes and cupboards to fit everything.

So, with the somewhat better drying weather (some days, anyway), I've been working my way through the cleaning - but pausing at the putting away stage to see if I can part with anything. I've managed to send one big bag off to the oppie so far.

Any decluttering / clearing out / giving away going on at your place? Join in with your own reverse finds link below - open all week.

animation friday - I made a skirt!

2010-10-29T11:39:00.004+11:00

Animated gif maker

It turned out I did get to make a skirt yesterday after all. Not out of sheets - they were needed for other pursuits - but from a top that had been travelling between my sisters, trying to find a body it fitted (it didn't). It got rescued from the op shop bag and, with just a bit of cutting, and a few minutes of sewing (and a few more minutes of unpicking - first to remove the zip, then to fix my first attempt at the casing), it became a skirt - hooray!

For more Animation Friday, see My Poppet.

my creative space

2010-10-28T12:54:00.004+11:00

I gathered up a few sheets today, with plans to cut out and make a skirt or two.

She had other ideas...

Oh well, if you can't beat 'em , join 'em - anyone for vegemite hearts?

Pop over to Kootoyoo for more creative spaces.

PS: missed a post yesterday - sleeping when I should have been blogging... (think I made the right choice in the end!)

4 things... thanks Cath!

2010-10-26T17:57:00.003+11:00

4 things I (almost) always carry

lip balm
eye drops
a "miniscule muesli bar"
a pencil - of the ikea kind

4 things that are in my bedroom

a growing stack of vintage sheets (want to win a bit? see here...)
unpainted walls (we got as far as stripping off the falling-apart wallpaper...)
my sewing machine - on top of a tall cupboard
a torch

4 things that I would like to do but haven't done yet

go to Egypt
get all the laundry done (OK, I know I must have done this at some stage in the past, but it seems a long time ago!)
make pasta from scratch (idea from Megan, thank you!)
paint our bedroom walls

4 things you don't know about me

my dad is a Nobel Peace Prize winner (OK, slight overstatement - he's a member of an organisation - International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War - that received the prize in the 1980's)
I was once crowned (or "sashed" actually) Miss Junior Showgirl at our local agricultural show - the only time I went home from the show with more money than when I arrived...
I was once hit in the eye(sorry Cath!) with a rubber band... at an Occupational Health and Safety Meeting... yes, I can see the funny side now!
I love it when I get to take public transport (which is not every day, otherwise I'm sure my attitude would be different!). I love being able to read /think / relax and get somewhere at the same time!

4 things I often wonder

what would be better - a bigger house, or less stuff? Currently trying for less stuff, which is proving to be hard work!
whether my incredibly long winded - but generally accurate - answers to my daughter's questions about how things work are better or worse than one line explanations.
how I got to the end of October without doing my tax - normally I have it done by the end of July...
what's for dinner?

Thanks Cath for a fun meme, and a fun way to help us through the last few days of Blogtober...

much love monday

2010-10-25T21:42:00.003+11:00

By happy accident, I made heart shaped sultana pancakes with cinnamon sugar yesterday, so I have the perfect excuse to join in Much Love Monday...

celebrating a happy weekend of finding time for myself, giving my husband some time to himself, and enjoying some really nice all together time too...

flea market finds

2010-10-24T14:52:00.003+11:00

Sophie has made today Flea Market Find of the Year day!

I've cheated a bit, with more than one item - but Sophie showed a collection of her favourites, so I've decided that it must be OK!

I chose two things that go together, that in some ways represent how I've changed during the nearly six months since I started blogging - first, a sewing machine table I found a couple of months ago (that needs a little fixing). Soon it will be part of a dedicated sewing space to help me make making a regular part of life...

Next, a vintage quilt cover and sheet set I found this week. I never would have thought a year ago that I would find pleasure in packing up old plain sheets to donate to the op shop, and coming home with vintage floral sheets... or that I'd be willing to be photographed "wearing" a floral quilt cover and posting it on the internet...

I'm looking forward to seeing everyone's favourite finds over at Her Library Adventures...

to market, to market...

2010-10-23T23:20:00.003+11:00

I took a break from my usual reverse finding today (but if you're still keen, the linky - and giveaway - from last week are still open until next Friday...), to have some market going fun... on my own... for a good few hours.... bliss!

I can't show you what I bought, as I mainly gathered up presents for Christmas, but I did get to visit some stalls by a few amazing bloggers: Jess of Teddy Bears Wednesday, Cathie (m.e.), Buttons by Lou Lou, Little Cooties, and Emily Green, whose works I'd never seen before.

Oh, and this pig is wrapped up in the tape that Jess used to wrap up my little purchases from her stall... my girl thinks that I was out for most of the day, and all I came home with was this tape, and some sweet and lovely treats from the sweet and lovely Cathie... and she doesn't mind at all!

I'm hoping to hit another market tomorrow - this time with my family. Hope you're having a fun weekend too!

animation friday (kiva)

2010-10-22T16:11:00.004+11:00

OK, so this is really cheating - it's an animation, but I didn't make it.

I found out about Kiva through Cath of chunkychooky - and after a month or so of thinking about it, I've joined in, and made my first Kiva loan.

Want to learn about Kiva? Read about it here, or see Cath's post about it for a good summary. It's basically an online platform to support microlending to people in (mainly) developing countries - helping people to start or build their businesses to help themselves, their families and their communities. All it takes is $25US (which right now is basically $25AUD!) to become a lender. You can decide where to send your money (and can read about the field partners who administer the loan to ensure you're happy with their credentials too). Once the loan is repaid, you can decide whether to withdraw your money or re-loan it to someone else.

Want to join up? Why not join Cath's team - Crafty Bloggers. I have! Hooray!

Just send her an email... and Cath reminded me to tell you, you don't even have to make a loan straight away when you join the team - you can join up, and find out how things work first.

Playing along with Animation Friday (sorry, Cintia, I cheated!).

my creative space

2010-10-21T11:42:00.004+11:00

Once again, I am claiming the work of another artist ("no, mum, my name is 'Miss Artist' today") for my creative space. Hopefully some grown up creating will happen some day soon...

Creative space heaven over here...

wordless wednesday

2010-10-20T20:04:00.002+11:00

more wordless wednesday here...

because we like dinosaurs...

2010-10-19T18:34:00.003+11:00

because we really like dinosaurs, we really liked these two discoveries in blogland...

first, this song about paleontologists from They Might Be Giants, thanks to Hazelnuts... we've enjoyed discovering lots of their other songs too!

then, this post from Buttons by Lou Lou about dinosaur craft (not that we've done any yet:))

thank you!

ordinary superpowers - blogtober day 18

2010-10-18T18:01:00.004+11:00

Lately we've been spending a bit of time at our house with squares of fabric tied around our necks - yes, we are now a family of superheroes! When I say, "eat up your food, you need lots of energy", she says "yes, I need lots of power," and when something is hot, she uses her "super strong breath" to cool it down.

This got me thinking - what are my superpowers? What are the things I am good at?

This is not something I think about a lot... I could easily give you a list of things I am NOT great at...

so here goes - some of my ordinary superpowers...

the power to use imagination and stories to (sometimes) convince this girl of ours to eat something, wear something or do something she doesn't want to do (drawing on her great love of being characters from stories)...

the power to come up with something to eat using only random stuff in our house (partly because sometimes I just don't want to go to the shops!)

the power to be thinking superhero thoughts on the same day as Ms Superpops herself (check out her post for today!).

So, what's your ordinary superpower?

flea market finds

2010-10-17T11:52:00.003+11:00

In the interests of blog honesty, I went op-shopping last weekend - when I was supposed to be staying away... woolf - you noticed my admission last week, so here are some (yes, some - I forgot to photograph a couple of things) of the things that came home.

True story... when I saw this toy iron, and said "Oh look, it's an iron," my daughter loudly asked "Mum, what's an iron?" in front of a number of amused women... luckily one kind older woman turned to me and said "don't worry, nobody irons much these days..."

Once again the button drawers were opened (by the daughter who loves op shops as much as me) and these treasures were found - do you love the man with an eye patch too (you can click on the photo for a better look at him)?

More treasures to be uncovered at Sophie's.

reverse finds - a giveaway

2010-10-16T09:24:00.004+11:00

I've hit a bit of a reverse finds wall - feeling indecisive, and lacking confidence to follow through on my plans and ideas. A prime example is my vintage sheet and fabric collection. I have enough to call a "stash" now, with some special bits and some not so special... but I find I can't bear to cut into them to start using them up.

So I'd like your help. How about I hold a giveaway, and give you some fat quarters of fabric / sheets, to get me on the "cut it up and use it up" wagon?

I'll admit, these are from the "not especially special" pile, because I have to start somewhere. They are all used (oh, except for the 2 bits that are fabric and not sheets), and some have fade marks and small stains - but I will do my best to cut around these or give you more fabric to compensate.

I have 3 "sets" to giveaway - a fat quarter of each fabric shown in the set (with possibly a bit more fabric if you have a special favourite that I can manage to part with!)...

the red set (apple sheet - which has some misprints throughout, bear sheet, and a Christmas "panel" - the panel is a rather wonky 40ish x 60ish cm)

the blue set ("japanese" style sheet with coordinating small floral print [trust me, it's there, even though you can't see it!], and bunny / mouse sheet - which has some noticeable fade marks)

the stripe set (rainbow stripe sheet, the other 2 fabrics are, well, fabrics!)

(sorry about the photos - if you live in Melbourne, you'll understand why!)

To enter, leave a comment telling me which is your favourite. While you're there, I'd love some ideas for using up the old bits of sheets that aren't worth sewing with! I'll draw the first 3 winners, and if necessary, email to negotiate who gets what if your preferences don't automatically work out.

You can get bonus entries by being a "follower"(a term that still makes me laugh!), and / or entering your own reverse finds link below (1 entry for each). Reverse finds is a loose concept - basically anything that reduces the clutter in your place really - even by a tiny amount! My old posts are here if you want to see what I mean!

Entries and links are open until Friday 29 October at midnight Australian daylight saving time - I'm going to have a day off next Saturday! I'll announce the winners on Saturday Oct 30.